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Dear Editor, With the improved efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the HIV population. The multinational CEASAR study estimated that the overall global prevalence of HCV/HIV coinfection in the HIV population is approximately16%, establishing HCV coinfection as a major challenge in HIV care. Although there is discordance in the literature on the impact of HCV on the natural history of HIV, the converse is untrue. HCV viral load is higher in coinfected hosts due to the immunosuppressant effects of HIV. This is further evidenced by the 50% reduction in rate of spontaneous HCV clearance in HIVpositive as compared with HCV monoinfected patients. Coinfected patients are also twice as likely to develop cirrhosis and 6 times as likely to develop hepatic decompensation. This data underscores the importance of routine assessment for HCV in all HIV patients, and careful consideration for treatment of HCV in patients who are coinfected but with preserved CD4 counts.

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2011-02-11   |   675 visitas   |   Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones

Vol. 10 Núm.1. Enero-Marzo 2011 Pags. 103-104 Ann Hepatol 2011; 10(1)