Effect of Alcohol Use and Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Plasma Levels of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Patients Coinfected with HIV and HCV

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Abstract
Background. The interactions between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcohol, and antiretroviral therapy are complex. Methods. We retrospectively assessed persons coinfected with HIV and HCV who achieved HIV suppression to Results. Median HCV RNA levels increased (0.35 log10 IU/mL) at month 3 (n = 44). HCV RNA levels decreased to below baseline by 12 months in patients consuming 0.6 log10 IU/mL) from baseline (P = .04). Conclusions. Because low levels of HCV RNA are predictive of a virological response to therapy for HCV infection, it may be advantageous to first achieve suppression of HIV RNA and then initiate treatment for HCV infection in patients coinfected with HIV and HCV. Excess alcohol consumption with therapy for HIV infection increases HCV RNA levels and may impede the effectiveness of this treatment strategy.

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