title: Impact of human immunodeficiency virus infection in patients infected with the hepatitis C virus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study is to evaluate the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three different groups of patients were considered: group 1, 385 HCV/HIV coinfected; group 2, 198 HIV monoinfected; and group 3, 311 HCV monoinfected. Demographic and epidemiological data were collected. Blood tests included anti-HCV, HCV-RNA test, genotyping, CD4 cell count, anti-HIV, and HIV viral load. Treatment with interferon and ribavirin was proposed. The fibrosis progression rate was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most prevalent risk factor in the group of coinfected was the use of intravenous drugs; in the HIV monoinfection group, heterosexual relations at risk; in the HCV monoinfection group, the transfusion of blood. There was no difference concerning the distribution of genotypes or HCV viral load between groups 1 and 3. Although the mean time of duration of HCV infection was greater in group 3 than in group 1, there was no difference when the fibrosis progression rate was evaluated. The response to treatment was similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present series there was no relevant impact of HCV infection in patients with HIV.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição (HNSC), Porto Alegre, Brazil. cris.tovo@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valle Tovo
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alves de Mattos
authors.forename: Andréa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ribeiro de Souza
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferrari de Oliveira Rigo
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Lerias de Almeida
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Galperim
authors.forename: Breno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Riegel Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons