Morbidity and mortality profile of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with and without hepatitis C co-infection.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is an important and frequent scenario, predominantly in injecting drug users (IDUs). The present study evaluated morbidity and mortality variation in HIV-infected patients with and without HCV co-infection. Co-infection prevalence was determined in 356 HIV-infected persons. Their clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, risk factors, HIV therapies, and mortality rates were evaluated. The prevalence of HCV was 54% in the overall group and 81% in IDUs, with a predominance of HCV genotype 1. Mortality rates were similar in patients with and without co-infection; however, co-infected patients had significantly higher liver damage as a cause of mortality when compared with those who were not co-infected. The high prevalence of HCV and an emerging mortality from liver diseases showed the significance of this co-infection in the HIV epidemic. Primary and secondary prevention are necessary to reduce the expanding impact of HCV infection in HIV patients.
Mayor
Angel M
AM
Retrovirus Research Center, and Department of Microbiology, Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. amayorb@hotmail.com
Gomez
Maria A
MA
Fernandez
Diana M
DM
Rios-Olivares
Eddy
E
Thomas
James C
JC
Hunter
Robert F
RF
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires