title: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA profiles among chronic HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals in ESPRIT; spontaneous HCV RNA clearance observed in nine individuals.
abstract: Studies have shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels remain stable over time in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals taking combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), while spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA during the persistent infection phase has been documented only rarely among those with the CC interleukin (IL)-28B genotype. This study describes HCV RNA profiles and factors associated with changes over time in HCV RNA levels in the ESPRIT study.
  
  
  
  HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals positive for HCV RNA were included in the study. Follow-up was counted from the first HCV RNA positive test and censored at the initiation of interferon-based treatment. HCV RNA and IL-28B measurements were performed in the same reference laboratory. Random effects mixed models were used to analyse changes over time in HCV RNA.
  
  
  
  A total of 312 ESPRIT patients were included in the study (151 in the arm receiving subcutaneous recombinant IL-2 and 161 in the control arm). Most of the patients were white (89%) and male (76%), and they had a median of 5 HCV RNA measurements per person [interquartile range (IQR) 3-6; range 1-9]. Median follow-up was 5 years (IQR: 2-6 years). At baseline, 96% of patients were taking cART and 93% had undetectable HIV RNA. Mean HCV RNA levels decreased by 13% per year over the study period [95% confidence interval (CI) 8-18%; P < 0.0001]. Baseline HCV RNA levels and the change over time in HCV RNA did not differ by randomization arm (P = 0.16 and P = 0.56, respectively). Nine individuals spontaneously cleared HCV RNA during follow-up [IL-28B genotypes: CC, five patients (56%); CT, four patients (44%)].
  
  
  
  HCV RNA levels decreased over time in this population with well-controlled HIV infection. Spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA was documented in five individuals with IL-28B genotype CC and four with the CT genotype.
authors: University College London, London, UK.|St George's University of London, London, UK.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Grint
authors: Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Tedaldi
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, CHIP, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Peters
authors: University College London, London, UK.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mocroft
authors: SUNY Downstate Medical Center, New York City, NY, USA.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Edlin
authors: Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Gallien
authors: University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Klinker
authors: Department of Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Boesecke
authors: Department of Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Kokordelis
authors: Department of Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: J K
authors: JK
authors: Rockstroh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D060085:Coinfection / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D019562:Viral Load; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; D012367:RNA, Viral; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
keywords: 
  ESPRIT
  ; HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfection; hepatitis C virus RNA profiles; interleukin-28B genotype; spontaneous clearance