title: Interpretation of undetectable hepatitis C virus RNA levels in HIV-hepatitis C virus co-infection.
abstract: Individuals with positive hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody titres, normal transaminase levels, and undetectable HCV-RNA levels are generally considered to have cleared the previous hepatitis C infection. We report the emergence of plasma HCV RNA within a cohort of HIV and HCV seropositive/plasma HCV-RNA-negative patients initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy. Our observations challenge conventional wisdom that HCV polymerase chain reaction-negative patients with normal liver enzymes are 'cured'.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Ottawa at the Ottawa Hospital, and the Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Curtis L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: D William
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral