High seroprevalence but low incidence of HCV infection in a cohort of patients with sexually transmitted HIV in Andalusia, Spain.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the prevalence and the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositivity in sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients.


METHODS
Observational study of 1468 sexually transmitted HIV-infected patients from 7 hospitals (Southern Spain). Characteristics of HCV cases, and incidence of HCV seroconversion was assessed.


RESULTS
Seroprevalence of HCV was 16.1%, higher among heterosexual than homosexual patients, and similar between heterosexual men and women. Seroincidence was 0.16 cases per 100 patient-years, similar between homosexual and heterosexual patients. HCV patients had a mean CD4 of 523 cells/microl, 82.0% were on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and 72.0% had undetectable HIV viral load. Serum HCV-RNA was positive in 79.0% cases, and only 16.0% had ever received HCV treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV seroprevalence among sexually transmitted HIV-infected patients is more frequent than in the general population; however, incidence of HCV infection is currently low. Patients with sexually transmitted HIV coinfected with HCV have their HIV infection well controlled, but HCV infection was treated in few cases.
Palacios
Rosario
R
Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain. med006809@saludalia.com
Mata
Rosario
R
Aguilar
Isabel
I
Muñoz
Leopoldo
L
Ríos
M José
MJ
Vergara
Salvador
S
Rivero
Antonio
A
Merino
Dolores
D
López-Cortés
Luis F
LF
Peña
Alejandro
A
Santos
Jesús
J
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies