Background: HIV infection exacerbates the prognosis of HCV infection, with a faster progression of hepatitis. Hepatic fibrosis is the major disruption of the hepatic tissue architecture characterized by anarchic deposition and excess of the extracellular matrix. The objective of this study was to evaluate hepatic fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals as compared to HCV mono-infected.
Methods: A total of 97 participants (mean age 60.2 ± 14.3 years and 0.76 male/female sex ratio) was enrolled in a study conducted in Yaoundé, Cameroon from November 2018 to January 2019. Liver fibrosis was assessed by the APRI score (Aspartate Aminotransferase or AST/Platelet Ratio Index) which identifies the stage of fibrosis as classified by the Metavir system (F0 to F4). CD4 counts and plasmatic HIV viral load of HIV/HCV co-infected individuals were determined and the correlation between hepatic fibrosis and immuno-virological status established. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 2016 and EpiInfo7 software.
Results: A high proportion (63.6%) of HIV/HCV co-infected participants had an abnormal AST level: 73.6 ± 45.8 IU/L as compared to 58.5 ± 39.3 IU/L (59.3%) among HCV mono-infected participants. The frequency of thrombocytopenia was 63.6% with a mean platelet count of 137 ± 50 × 10 IU/L in HIV/HCV co-infected participants as compared to 176 ± 67 × 10 IU/L in HCV mono-infected participants (38.4%). The progression of hepatic fibrosis in participants with clinically significant fibrosis: F2, F3 and F4 was higher among HIV/HCV co-infected and the mean APRI score was 1.7 ± 1.4 versus 1 ± 0.8 among HCV mono-infected (26.7%). All participants (100%) with detectable HIV viral load had clinically significant fibrosis compared to 33.4% in those with undetectable HIV viral load (p = 0.55). Only 42.9% participants with CD4 > 500 cells/μL had clinically significant fibrosis (p = 0.72) while 100% participants with CD4 < 200 cells/μL had clinically significant fibrosis (p = 0.58).
Conclusions: A high level of AST combined with thrombocytopenia (APRI score > 1.5) is an indicator of hepatic fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. Because of its non-invasive and less costly nature, the APRI score can be a suitable biomarker to monitor hepatic fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals in resource constrained settings.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-05477-7 | DOI Listing |
BMC Health Serv Res
January 2025
Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
Background: With Direct Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis C virus (HCV), cure is possible in > 95% including those with HIV/HCV co-infection. Achieving strategic targets for cure requires addressing barriers including suboptimal care engagement. We adapted Data to Care (D2C), a public health strategy designed to identify and link persons out of care (OOC) for HIV, for persons with HIV/HCV co-infection untreated for HCV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAIDS Care
February 2025
Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Depression is common among people living with HCV and HIV, which contributes to health services utilization (HSU). It is unknown whether successful HCV treatment affects this. We examined depressive symptoms and HSU in people co-infected with HIV-HCV and their association with sustained virologic response (SVR) during the direct-acting antiviral era.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Dermatol Res
November 2024
Department of Dermatology, SUNY Downstate, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States, has been well-described in the literature to be associated with environmental factors including ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, the effect of chronic viral infections on risk of skin cancer development, particularly in individuals co-infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B or C Viruses (HBV/HCV), has yet to be elucidated. This systematic review aims to be one of the first to consolidate existing literature and examine the relationship between skin cancer and HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV co-infections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Opin HIV AIDS
November 2024
Hepatology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS.
Purpose Of Review: To analyse the main evidence and recommendations for the management of hepatitis co-infection in children living with HIV.
Recent Findings: We analysed available data pertaining to the natural history of liver disease and treatment of co-infected children.
Summary: Viral hepatitis co-infection in people living with HIV (PLHIV) is a global problem owing to the shared routes of transmission, particularly in areas of high endemicity for the three viruses.
J Clin Med
June 2024
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy.
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) for HIV infection and Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAA) for HCV infection currently represent the main treatment options for HIV/HCV co-infected patients. However, HAART has been associated with increased lipids. This study aimed to evaluate lipid profile changes after the DAA cycle in HIV/HCV co-infected patients undergoing HAART/DAA therapy.
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