Effect of HAART on HCV viral load in the first three years of follow-up
Tornero, C.; Gimeno, Cón.; Igual, R.; Santamaría, A.; Gil, E.; Rull, S.
Medicina clinica 121(11): 408-409
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 14563270 Document Number: 562378
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been considered to be ineffective in controlling hepatitis C viremia in the first year of treatment. The present study evaluates the effect of prolonged HAART upon HCV-VL. We selected those cases with positive serology for HCV, never been treated with protease inhibitors (PIs) at baseline, which after the introduction of HAART maintained undetectable HIV viral loads (HIV-VL) uninterruptedly for at least three years. Determinations were made of HCV-VL at baseline and after two and three years of HIV-VL suppression. Spearman coefficient and Friedman test were used. Of these patients, 21 satisfied the inclusion criteria. HCV-VL remained without significant changes and with relatively stable levels throughout the three-year follow-up period. However, two patients showed HCV-VL negative conversion after two years, that persisted after three years. Patients who respond to HAART maintain stable HCV-VL. Some subjects may exhibit HCV RNA clearance in the first two years of treatment, maintaining this situation after three years.