Morbidity and mortality profile of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with and without hepatitis C co-infection

Mayor, A.M.; Gomez, M.A.; Fernandez, D.M.; Rios-Olivares, E.; Thomas, J.C.; Hunter, R.F.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 74(2): 239-245

2006


ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637
PMID: 16474077
Document Number: 597983
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is ail important and frequent scenario, predominantly in injecting drug Users (IDUs). The present study evaluated morbidity and mortality variation in HIV-infected patients with and without HCV co-infection. Co-infection prevalence was determined in 356 HIV-infected persons. Their clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, risk factors, HIV therapies, and mortality rates Were evaluated. The prevalence of HCV was 54% in the overall group and 81% in IDUs, with a predominance of HCV genotype 1. Mortality rates were similar in patients with and without co-infection; however, co-infected patients had significantly higher liver damage as a cause of mortality when compared with those who were not co-infected. The high prevalence of HCV and ail emerging mortality from liver diseases showed the significance of this co-infection in the HIV epidemic. Primary and secondary prevention are necessary to reduce the expanding impact of HCV infection in HIV patients.

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