Changes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load and interferon-α levels in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy

William A. Bower, David H. Culver, Delivette Castor, Yingfeng Wu, V. Nicole James, Hao Qiang Zheng, Scott Hammer, Wendi L. Kuhnert, Ian T. Williams, Beth P. Bell, David Vlahov, Charlene S. Dezzutti

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    12 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Reports are mixed as to whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) increases liver transaminase levels or hepatitis C virus (HCV) titers in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals. It is hypothesized that increases in HCV RNA titers may result from changes in endogenous interferon-α (IFN-α) production. METHODS: HIV/HCV-coinfected patients receiving HAART were tested at baseline, 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9 months for liver transaminase levels, HIV and HCV viral loads, and IFN-α. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the effect of HAART on liver transaminase levels, HCV viral load, and IFN-α. RESULTS: Initiating HAART did not increase liver transaminase levels in majority of cases. In patients (n = 30) with baseline HIV titer >10,000 copies/mL, HCV titers increased 0.69 log10 and IFN-α decreased -0.96 log10 during HAART, in association with a ≥0.5 log10 decrease in HIV titer. As HIV titers reached their nadir approximately 4 months after initiation of HAART, HCV titers remained 0.54 log10 and IFN-α -0.71 log10 above and below baseline levels, respectively. HCV titers and IFN-α levels did not change from baseline in patients with baseline HIV titer ≤10,000 copies/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Coinfected patients did not have evidence of hepatoxicity HAART. In patients with baseline HIV titer >10,000 copies/mL, suppression of HIV replication by HAART was associated with an increase in HCV titer and a decrease in endogenous IFN-α levels.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)293-297
    Number of pages5
    JournalJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
    Volume42
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jul 2006

    Keywords

    • Coinfection
    • HAART
    • HIV/AIDS
    • Hepatitis C virus
    • Hepatotoxicity
    • Interferon-α
    • Viral load

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Infectious Diseases
    • Pharmacology (medical)

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