HCV genotype distribution among HIV co-infected individuals in Argentina: relationship with host and viral factors.

ABSTRACT

Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in individuals infected with HIV is associated with a higher incidence of liver injury hepatic decompensation, and decreased survival than that observed in an HIV-monoinfected population. While prevalence studies on HIV/HCV coinfection have been performed in the U.S. and in some European countries, little is known about HCV genotype distribution in Latin America. The main objective was to evaluate the HCV prevalence and genotypes among HIV co-infected patients, and their relationship with HCV viral load, serum ALT level and T lymphocyte CD4+ cell count. These data pursue to increase the knowledge from South America about a pressing problem from HIV-infected patients. Retrospectively collected specimens from 593 HIV-positive individuals in Argentina were tested for anti-HCV These were analyzed for HCV-RNA qualitatively and quantitatively. The HCV genotype was determined by the RFLP method. One hundred and twenty-nine (21.7%) HIV-infected individuals were anti-HCV positive; 65.9% of them exhibited detectable HCV-RNA. Genotype 1 (43, la/c; 9, 1b; and 5, 1a/c+1b) was present in 57, while 1, 14 and 13 were infected with genotype 2, 3 or a mix, respectively. Co-infected individuals were more likely to be male, without significant differences in age and CD4+ cell counts than HIV-monoinfected individuals. HCV infection prevalence in patients co-infected with HIV highlights the impending public health impact of this problem. Considering the increasing rate of HCV genotypes with lower response rates to treatment among HIV co-infected patients, antiretroviral therapy success might be jeopardized by HCV coinfection.