Hepatitis C, an Emerging Problem in HIV-Infected Patients
Rafael Rodríguez-Rosado 1, Javier García-Samaniego 1, Vicente Soriano 2
1 NULL; 2 UNIR Health Sciences School and Medical Center, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Madrid, Spain
*Correspondence: Javier García-Samaniego, Email not available
Abstract
As deaths from AIDS are declining among HIV-infected persons, liver disease has become an increasing cause of hospital admission and death in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-HIV co-infected persons. The problem is particularly relevant among intravenous drug users (IDUs) and haemophiliacs, most of whom carry both viruses. Moreover, the higher risk of hepatotoxicity of anti-HIV drugs in those with chronic hepatitis C represents a new challenge for antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, HCV should not longer be considered a minor problem in the HIV field: a âsleeping giant awakesâ?. Treatment with alpha-interferon (aIFN) provides a similar rate of response in non-severely immunosuppressed HIV-positive subjects in respect to HIV-negatives, and trials using the combination of aIFN plus ribavirin in HIV-HCV co-infection are in progress, with very promising preliminary results. This article will update on how to manage appropriately chronic hepatitis C in HIV-infected persons during the HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) era.
