An overview of HIV and chronic viral hepatitis co-infection.
Combination antiretroviral therapy often controls HIV disease, may indirectly slow HCV progression, and creates an immune environment which may optimize HCV drug therapy response. Monitoring for antiretroviral-related liver adverse events is vital. However, this complication infrequently causes clinically significant liver toxicity. HCV antiviral therapy should, in most cases, be reserved for those abstaining from alcohol and achieving HIV RNA suppression and immune restoration on combination antiretroviral therapy or for those with nadir CD4 counts above 350 cells/mul. Given the high prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection, chronic viral hepatitis will influence the health and treatment of HIV-infected individuals for the foreseeable future.
University of Ottawa Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases-The Ottawa Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital-General Campus, Room G12, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1H 8L6. ccooper@ottawahospital.on.ca
Curtis L
CL
Cooper
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents