Hepatitis C and Progression of HIV Disease

Top Cited Papers
Open Access
Abstract
Due to shared routes of transmission, an estimated 15% to 30% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons are coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States and Europe.1,2 Human immunodeficiency virus infection appears to increase the persistence of the hepatitis C virus, the level of HCV RNA, and, in most studies, progression of HCV-related liver disease.3-9 However, there are conflicting reports regarding the effect of HCV on the natural history of HIV disease. Prior to the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), increased rates of progression of HIV disease were detected in some studies5,10,11 but not others.12-17 Recently, Greub et al18 reported that, in a study involving HIV-infected patients in Switzerland, among patients receiving HAART, HCV-coinfected patients had decreased survival rates, increased risk of progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and impaired CD4 cell recovery.