Hepatitis C virus infection among HIV-1 infected individuals from northern Mexico.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, risk factors and HCV genotypes in 140 HIV-1 infected individuals from northern Mexico was determined. METHODS: Hepatitis C infection was confirmed by the detection of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA in sera, and genotyping was performed by the InnoLiPA-HCV genotype assay. RESULTS: Seventeen (12.1%) out of 140 HIV-infected individuals were found to be HCV-positive. Coinfected individuals were more likely to be male (87%). The most frequent genotype was 1a (41%), followed by 1b (29.4%), 2a/c (17.6%), 2b (5.9%) and 3 (5.9%). Serum transaminase concentrations (AST and ALT) were higher in coinfected patients. Among the risk factors for coinfection sexual transmission was the most frequently observed (men who have sex with men (MSM); 64.7% and bisexual behavior; 64.7%) followed by intravenous drug users (IVDU) (53%). There was no association of the HCV genotypes with the age and risk factors for HIV-1 and HCV infection observed in the studied patients. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the prevalence of HIV-1/HCV coinfection in Mexico is lower than in other American countries.