Human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C, and inflammatory biomarkers in individuals with alcohol problems: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Assessing whether hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with increased inflammation is complex. The liver, integral to inflammatory biomarker synthesis, is compromised by HCV and alcohol abuse. Using single liver-synthesized biomarkers (e.g. C-reactive protein) to represent inflammation may not be appropriate in HIV/HCV co-infection. We hypothesized that 1) detectable HIV/HCV RNA was independently associated with increased inflammation; 2) a composite inflammation measure describes inflammation differently from single inflammatory biomarkers.

METHODS:

We compared inflammation by HIV/HCV group in a cohort of 361 HIV infected participants from the HIV-Longitudinal Interrelationships of Viruses and Ethanol study. Inflammatory biomarkers >75th percentile were considered elevated. Associations between HIV/HCV group and elevated biomarkers were analyzed as a composite measure (inflammatory burden) or individually. We defined inflammatory burden as number of concurrently elevated biomarkers. Biomarkers included interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), cystatin C, serum amyloid-A (SAA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10). Covariates: alcohol, liver fibrosis, comorbidities, CD4 count, antiretroviral therapy, substance use.

RESULTS:

Detectable HIV and HCV RNA (OR = 2.49; 95% CI = 1.05-5.89) and detectable HCV RNA alone (2.95; 1.08-8.01) were independently associated with increased odds of having a greater inflammatory burden compared to undetectable viremia. Elevated IL-10 (7.79; 1.90-31.97) and TNF-α (7.70; 1.42-41.83) were independently associated with detectable HIV and HCV RNA. Elevated IL-10 was also associated with detectable HCV RNA alone (5.51; 1.17, 25.84).

CONCLUSIONS:

Detectable HIV and HCV replication versus undetectable replication was associated with inflammatory burden and certain inflammatory biomarkers independently of alcohol consumption, liver fibrosis and other comorbidities.

• Authors: Kaku A Armah, Emily K Quinn, Debbie M Cheng, Russell P Tracy, Jason V Baker, Jeffrey H Samet, Matthew S Freiberg
• Journal: BMC infectious diseases (BMC Infect Dis) Vol. 13 Pg. 399 (Aug 29 2013) ISSN: 1471-2334 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23987993 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers

Topics

• Adult
• Alcohol Drinking (blood, immunology)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Cohort Studies
• Coinfection (blood, immunology, virology)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• HIV Infections (blood, immunology, virology)
• Hepatitis C (blood, immunology, virology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged