Liver Fibrosis Linked to Cognitive Performance in HIV and Hepatitis C.

Objective: Because HIV impairs gut barriers to pathogens, HIV-infected adults may be vulnerable to minimal hepatic encephalopathy in the absence of cirrhosis.

Background: Cognitive disorders persist in up to one-half of people living with HIV despite access to combination antiretroviral therapy. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy occurs in cirrhotic patients with or without HIV infection and may be associated with inflammation.