HIV/HCV co-infection: pathogenesis, clinical complications, treatment, and new therapeutic technologies

Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2011 Mar;8(1):12-22. doi: 10.1007/s11904-010-0071-3.

Abstract

World-wide, hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounts for approximately 130 million chronic infections, with an overall 3% prevalence. Four to 5 million persons are co-infected with HIV. It is well established that HIV has a negative impact on the natural history of HCV, including a higher rate of viral persistence, increased viral load, and more rapid progression to fibrosis, end-stage liver disease, and death. Whether HCV has a negative impact on HIV disease progression continues to be debated. However, following the introduction of effective combination antiretroviral therapy, the survival of coinfected individuals has significantly improved and HCV-associated diseases have emerged as the most important co-morbidities. In this review, we summarize the newest studies regarding the pathogenesis of HIV/HCV coinfection, including effects of coinfection on HIV disease progression, HCV-associated liver disease, the immune system, kidney and cardiovascular disease, and neurologic status; and effectiveness of current anti-HIV and HCV therapies and proposed new treatment strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / methods
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • HIV / pathogenicity*
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Hepacivirus / pathogenicity*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Ribavirin / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ribavirin