title: Therapies for HIV and viral hepatitis coinfection.
abstract: The natural history of chronic viral hepatitis is altered by HIV coinfection. Liver fibrosis rates and clinical features of liver disease develop more rapidly. Although HIV-hepatitis C virus coinfected subjects may progress more rapidly to AIDS, this is probably explained by comorbid illness, substance abuse and socioeconomic circumstances. Safe and virologically active treatment of HIV-hepatitis B virus coinfection can be concurrently achieved by the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens containing lamivudine and/or tenofovir. In most cases, highly active antiretroviral therapy represents the most beneficial initial pharmaceutical intervention for HIV-hepatitisC virus coinfection. HepatitisC virus antiviral therapy should, in most cases, be reserved for those achieving HIV RNA suppression and immune restoration from highly active antiretroviral therapy or with nadir CD4 T-lymphocytes above 350 cells/microl.
authors.affiliation: The Ottawa Hospital--General Campus, Room G12, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada. Ccooper@ottawahospital.on.ca
authors.forename: Curtis L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents