title: Understanding human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and hepatitis C virus coinfection.
abstract: In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in the number of cases of coinfection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is now known that coinfection of HIV-1 patients by HCV can complicate the treatment of these patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy and the interactions between anti-HIV-1 and anti-HCV medications can also affect treatment efficacy and efficiency. Equally concerning, the bidirectional interferences between the two viruses are complex and can modify the natural history of both infections. This review aims to summarize the findings of numerous scientific investigations in the area of HIV/HCV coinfection. These investigations can be broadly classified into 3 groups; (a) immune evasion mechanisms (b) viral evolution and quasispecies diversity and (c) functions of viral proteins and their interactions with host factors. Our cumulative knowledge in this area and future research on the interplay between these two viruses will be important to the development of better antiviral therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Anti-Viral Research group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673. mcbtanyj@imcb.a-star.edu.sg
authors.forename: Yee-Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Seng Gee
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Wanjin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014764:Viral Proteins