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.
Retrovirus Research Center, and Department of Microbiology, Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. amayorb@hotmail.com
Angel M
AM
Mayor
Maria A
MA
Gomez
Diana M
DM
Fernandez
Eddy
E
Rios-Olivares
James C
JC
Thomas
Robert F
RF
Hunter
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