Virological Mechanisms in the Coinfection between HIV and HCV.
Due to shared transmission routes, coinfection with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is common in patients infected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The immune-pathogenesis of liver disease in HIV/HCV coinfected patients is a multifactorial process. Several studies demonstrated that HIV worsens the course of HCV infection, increasing the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Also, HCV might increase immunological defects due to HIV and risk of comorbidities. A specific cross-talk among HIV and HCV proteins in coinfected patients modulates the natural history, the immune responses, and the life cycle of both viruses. These effects are mediated by immune mechanisms and by a cross-talk between the two viruses which could interfere with host defense mechanisms. In this review, we focus on some virological/immunological mechanisms of the pathogenetic interactions between HIV and HCV in the human host.
Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Maria Carla
MC
Liberto
Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Emilia
E
Zicca
Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Grazia
G
Pavia
Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Angela
A
Quirino
Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Nadia
N
Marascio
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, University of "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Carlo
C
Torti
Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Alfredo
A
Focà
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D060085:Coinfection / Q000821:virology*; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology*; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
D000998:Antiviral Agents