Liver fibrosis during an outbreak of acute hepatitis C virus infection in HIV-infected men: a prospective cohort study.
Outbreaks of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are occurring in HIV-infected men who have sex with men. We evaluated risk factors and liver histopathology in 11 consecutively enrolled men with newly acquired HCV infection that was diagnosed on the basis of antibody seroconversion, new elevations in alanine aminotransferase level, and wide fluctuations in HCV RNA level. Ten patients reported unprotected anal intercourse, and 7 reported "club-drug" use, including methamphetamine. Liver biopsy showed moderately advanced fibrosis (Scheuer stage 2) in 9 patients (82%). No cause of liver damage other than acute HCV infection was identified. The specific pathways leading to periportal fibrosis in HIV-infected men with newly acquired HCV infection require investigation.
Fierer
Daniel S
DS
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
Uriel
Alison J
AJ
Carriero
Damaris C
DC
Klepper
Arielle
A
Dieterich
Douglas T
DT
Mullen
Michael P
MP
Thung
Swan N
SN
Fiel
M Isabel
MI
Branch
Andrea D
AD
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies