Prevalence and impact of GBV-C, SEN-V and HBV occult infections in HIV-HCV co-infected patients on HCV therapy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

It has been suggested that, in HIV-HCV co-infected patients, co-infections with other viruses may affect the response to HCV therapy. We aimed to assess the prevalence of GBV-C, SEN-V and occult HBV infections, their impact on HCV and HIV infections and on the response to HCV therapy in HIV-HCV co-infected patients.

METHODS:

Three-hundred and sixty eight patients were tested before starting interferon-ribavirin for the presence of occult hepatitis B DNA, GBV-C RNA and SEN-V DNA by using real time PCR. Clinical, immunological, virological, histological characteristics and response to HCV therapy were compared according to the presence or not of each viral co-infection.

RESULTS:

HBV DNA, GBV-C RNA and SEN-V DNA were found in 5 (1.4%, CI95%: 0.2-2.4%), 104 (29.9%, CI95%: 25.1-34.7%) and 209 patients (57.9%, CI95%: 52.8-63.0%), respectively. GBV-C positive patients had significantly higher CD4 count at baseline, during and after HCV therapy, even after stratification on antiretroviral treatment. No other significant difference was observed according to the presence or not of GBV-C or SEN-V co-infection, in particular regarding virological responses to HCV combination therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is no reason to withhold HCV therapy in HIV infected patients who have access to HAART, because of occult HBV, GBV-C or SEN-V co-infections.

• Authors: Lionel Piroth, Fabrice Carrat, Sylvie Larrat, Isabelle Goderel, Benoit Martha, Christopher Payan, Françoise Lunel-Fabiani, Firouze Bani-Sadr, Christian Perronne, Patrice Cacoub, Stanislas Pol, Patrice Morand
• Journal: Journal of hepatology (J Hepatol) Vol. 49 Issue 6 Pg. 892-8 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 18752863 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• Recombinant Proteins
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Ribavirin
• peginterferon alfa-2b

Topics

• Adult
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
• Antiviral Agents (administration & dosage)
• Comorbidity
• DNA Virus Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Flaviviridae Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• GB virus C
• HIV Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Hepatitis, Viral, Human (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Humans
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Prevalence
• Recombinant Proteins
• Ribavirin (administration & dosage)
• Torque teno virus
• Virus Diseases (drug therapy, epidemiology)