title: HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients and cirrhosis: how to diagnose it and what to do next?
abstract: Liver disease, specifically cirrhosis, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. The diagnosis of early cirrhosis in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients may be challenging. The development of noninvasive methods for fibrosis assessment empowers the infectious disease specialist to diagnose advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Early diagnosis is essential to enroll patients in screening programs for esophageal varices and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cirrhosis may also modify decisions about treatment of both HIV and HCV, including vaccination, medications chosen, and referral for liver transplant.
authors.affiliation: Département de Microbiologie et Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martel-Laferrière
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Douglas T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Dieterich
mesh_terms: D060085:Coinfection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology
keywords: HIV/HCV coinfection; cirrhosis; hepatocellular carcinoma; liver failure; varices