title: Review of the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels in human immunodeficiency virus and HCV coinfection.
abstract: The effect of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment on hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels in HIV-HCV-coinfected persons is uncertain. Although it is commonly believed that, with the initiation of HIV treatment, there may be an initial increase followed by a gradual decrease of HCV RNA levels to lower than those at pretreatment, the published studies evaluating this are of small and heterogeneous populations, are limited in follow-up, and have conflicting results. A prospective clinical trial of sufficient size and duration may help clarify this issue. This may be clinically relevant, because lower HCV RNA levels are a predictive factor for favorable response to HCV antiviral therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada. ccooper@ottawahospital.on.ca
authors.forename: Curtis L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: D William
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral