title: Evolution of coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus in patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: A retrospective analysis of data from a cohort of patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) who were treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at 3 infectious diseases units in northern Italy was performed. While the patients were receiving HAART, CD4(+) cell counts significantly increased and HIV RNA serum levels decreased. However, no significant overall changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and HCV RNA serum levels were observed. Fifteen (4.6%) of 323 patients died within 3 years of follow-up; death was related to cirrhosis in 5 patients (1.6%). No significant difference was observed between cirrhosis-related mortality and mortality related to other causes. Patients with ALT levels >4 times the normal values at initiation of HAART showed a significant decrease in ALT levels, whereas patients with normal ALT levels at initiation of HAART showed a significant increase over time, suggesting that HAART may have long-term beneficial or detrimental effects, depending on patient characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Regional Hospital, Varese, Italy. eiwle@tin.it
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tambini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cadario
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbarini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moroni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Basilico
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase