title: Liver biopsy in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C: pros and cons.
abstract: Liver biopsy was a common procedure in patients with chronic hepatitis C who planned to begin treatment with interferon. The greater response rates seen with the use of dual combination therapy with interferon plus ribavirin and the almost universal recognition of fibrosis and faster progression to cirrhosis seen in HIV-HCV coinfected patients does not justify the request of a liver biopsy before prescribing anti-HCV therapy in this population, outside clinical trials.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Soriano
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Samaniego
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents