is the main receptor for complement protein C3 and plays an important role in adaptive immune responses. genetic variants are associated with susceptibility to several infectious and autoimmune diseases. Additionally, function can be subverted by HIV-1 to evade attack by complement, a strategy shared by viruses of other families.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeveral studies have reported the persistence of HCV RNA in liver and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in spite of undetectable viremia in patients who have achieved sustained virological response (SVR). This event, defined as occult HCV infection, remains controversial and low titers of persistent virus may be underestimated because it has not yet been analyzed by a highly sensitive test such as droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). This method provides an alternate ultra-sensitive detection technique for very low numbers of copies of viral RNA or DNA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn interferon λ4 gene (IFNL4) knockout allele (rs368234815; TT) is associated with spontaneous and IFN-α-dependent cure of hepatitis C virus infection. The role of this polymorphism in the susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is controversial. This study aimed to assess the association of this knockout IFNL4 variant and sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A liver stiffness below 21 kPa has a high negative predictive value to exclude the presence of esophageal varices at risk of bleeding in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. Consequently, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) for the screening of esophageal varices could be avoided in these patients. However, this strategy has not been widely accepted due to concerns about its safety.
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