Antiretroviral activity of pegylated interferon alfa-2a in patients co-infected with HIV/hepatitis C virus.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the early anti-HIV activity of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2a and ribavirin in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy.


METHODS
In 19 patients with baseline plasma HIV load (HIV-RNA) >1000 copies/mL treated with PEG-IFN alfa-2a and ribavirin, HIV-RNA and T-cell subsets were measured at baseline and 2, 4 and 12 weeks after initiation of anti-HCV therapy.


RESULTS
We observed a significant HIV-RNA decrease (>1 log(10) copies/mL) through week 12 of anti-HCV treatment. The magnitude of HIV-RNA decline was associated with baseline HIV-RNA, CD4 count and PEG-IFN weight-adjusted dose.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant early anti-HIV activity of PEG-IFN alfa-2a was observed. Such an effect warrants further clinical evaluation in the management of co-infected patients.
Aguilar Marucco
D
D
Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Corso Svizzera 164, Turin, Italy. diego.agui@libero.it
Veronese
L
L
de Requena
D Gonzalez
DG
Bonora
S
S
Calcagno
A
A
Cavecchia
I
I
Sinicco
A
A
De Rosa
F G
FG
Cariti
G
G
Di Perri
G
G
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a