No impact of HIV coinfection on the mortality in patients with hepatitis C virus infection after sustained virological response.

BACKGROUND: In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection and advanced liver disease, the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection on the clinical outcome after sustained virological response (SVR) has not been sufficiently clarified. The aim of this study was to compare the mortality after SVR of patients bearing HCV chronic infection and advanced liver fibrosis, with and without HIV-coinfection after a prolonged follow-up. METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter cohort study including individuals with HIV/HCV-coinfection and patients with HCV-monoinfection from Spain, fulfilling: 1) Liver stiffness (LS) ≥9.5 kPa before treatment; 2) SVR with a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) based regimen; 3) LS measurement available at SVR. The main outcome was overall survival. Mortality attributable to liver disease and non-hepatic causes was also assessed. RESULTS: 1,118 patients were included, of whom 676 (60.5%) were living with HIV. The median (Q1-Q3) follow-up was 76 months (57-83). After SVR, 46 (10%) HCV-monoinfected and 74 (11%) HIV/HCV-coinfected patients died. The overall mortality rate (95% CI) was 1.9 (1.6-2.2) per 100 person-years, 1.9 (1.4-2.5) per 100 person-years in patients with HCV-monoinfection and 1.8 (1.6-2.3) per 100 person-years in people living with HIV. In the multivariable analysis, HIV-coinfection was not associated with a shorter survival [0.98 HR (95% confidence interval, CI) = (0.61-1.58), p=0.939]. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HCV chronic infection and advanced fibrosis, HIV-coinfection does not reduce the overall survival after SVR.

Association Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Lower Urinary Tract Symptomatology: A Cross-sectional Study in Mexican Population.

GOALS: This study aimed to investigate the clinical phenotype of urinary symptoms in patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, the factors associated with this overlap, and the impact of urinary symptoms on their quality of life. BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder, affecting up to 3.8% of the population. The overlap with other disorders of the gut-brain interaction, psychiatric disorders, and other somatic disorders is common. Moreover, the association between irritable bowel syndrome and urinary symptoms has been recognized, but the clinical phenotype remains unclear. STUDY: This cross-sectional study involved patients with irritable bowel syndrome according to Rome IV. Lower urinary tract symptoms were classified using the International Continence Society's classification. Data on demographics, medical history, medication use, anxiety, depression, and quality of life were collected and analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study included 428 subjects, 86 diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Patients exhibited a higher prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (60.5%, 95% CI: 50.5-71.9). Multivariate analysis revealed associations between irritable bowel syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.48-4.18, P=0.001), particularly storage urinary symptoms (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.10-3.40, P=0.021). Patients with urinary symptoms reported significantly lower quality of life compared with those without these symptoms (50.8±17.2 vs. 76.7±21.8, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Irritable bowel syndrome is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms, contributing to a significant reduction in quality of life. Clinicians should consider referring patients with irritable bowel syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms to experts in urodynamics to provide targeted management.

Response to glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: HIV infection has been associated with lower rates of sustained viral response (SVR) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). There are few data on glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) in HIV/HCV coinfection outside clinical trials. METHODS: The HEPAVIR-DAA cohort, which recruits HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (NCT02057003) and the GEHEP-MONO cohort (NCT02333292), including HCV-monoinfected individuals, are two concurrent ongoing multicentre cohorts of patients receiving anti-HCV treatment. Patients starting G/P included in those cohorts were analysed. Overall SVR (ITT), discontinuations due to adverse effects, and dropouts were evaluated and compared between both cohorts. RESULTS: Of the 644 patients who started G/P with evaluable SVR, 132 were HIV/HCV coinfected. Overall SVR rates were 487/512 (95.1%) in HCV-monoinfected patients versus 126/132 (95.5%) in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (P = 1.000). One patient (0.8%) relapsed, and another (0.8%) discontinued treatment due to side effects. SVR to 8 or 12 weeks of treatment with G/P was similar in HIV/HCV-coinfected versus HCV-monoinfected patients. The main reason for not reaching SVR among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients was premature dropout linked to active drug use. CONCLUSIONS: G/P in HIV/HCV coinfection was highly effective and tolerable in clinical practice. SVR to 8 or 12 weeks of treatment with G/P was similar in HIV/HCV-coinfected compared with HCV-monoinfected patients but active drug use is still a barrier to reach HCV microelimination.

In Silico Exploration of the Trypanothione Reductase (TryR) of L. mexicana.

Human leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease which affects nearly 1.5 million people every year, with Mexico being an important endemic region. One of the major defense mechanisms of these parasites is based in the polyamine metabolic pathway, as it provides the necessary compounds for its survival. Among the enzymes in this route, trypanothione reductase (TryR), an oxidoreductase enzyme, is crucial for the Leishmania genus' survival against oxidative stress. Thus, it poses as an attractive drug target, yet due to the size and features of its catalytic pocket, modeling techniques such as molecular docking focusing on that region is not convenient. Herein, we present a computational study using several structure-based approaches to assess the druggability of TryR from L. mexicana, the predominant Leishmania species in Mexico, beyond its catalytic site. Using this consensus methodology, three relevant pockets were found, of which the one we call σ-site promises to be the most favorable one. These findings may help the design of new drugs of trypanothione-related diseases.

HEPATITIS C VIRUS SCREENING AND LINKAGE TO CARE IN MENTAL HEALTH UNITS: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HCV ELIMINATION.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) affects approximately 71 million people infected, with 1.75 million people being diagnosed each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates. HCV infection leads to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver failure and death.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection Is Associated With Lower Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Sustained Virological Response to Direct-acting Antivirals in Hepatitis C Infected Patients With Advanced Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who achieve sustained virological response (SVR) with direct-acting antiviral (DAA). METHODS: Multisite prospective cohort study, where HCV-monoinfected patients and HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals were included if they met: (1) SVR with DAA-based combination; (2) liver stiffness (LS) ≥9.5 kPa previous to treatment; (3) LS measurement at the SVR time-point. The main endpoint was the occurrence of HCC. Propensity score (PS) was calculated to address potential confounders due to unbalanced distribution of baseline characteristics of HIV/HCV-coinfected and HCV-monoinfected patients. RESULTS: In total, 1035 HCV-infected patients were included, 667 (64%) coinfected with HIV. After a median (Q1-Q3) follow-up time of 43 (31-49) months, 19 (1.8%) patients developed HCC (11 [3.0%]; HCV-monoinfected, 8[1.2%]; HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals; P = .013). In the multivariable analysis, HIV coinfection was associated with a lower adjusted risk of developing HCC (subhazard ratio [sHR] = 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .08-.90; P = .034). Predictors of HCC emergence were: HCV genotype 3 (sHR = 7.9, 95% CI: 2.5-24.9; P < .001), MELD score at SVR >10 (sHR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.01-1.86; P = .043) and LS value at SVR (sHR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, for 1 kPa increase; P = .011). Using inverse probability weighting method on the PS, HIV-infected patients had a lower risk of HCC (powered HR = 0.33, 95% CI: .11-.85). CONCLUSIONS: Among HCV-infected patients with advanced fibrosis, who achieve SVR with DAA, HIV coinfection seems to be associated with a lower risk of HCC occurrence. The underlying causes for this finding need to be investigated.

Liver Stiffness-Based Strategies Predict Absence of Variceal Bleeding in Cirrhotic Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Patients With and Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection After Sustained Virological Response.

BACKGROUND: In the setting of hepatitis C virus (HCV) active infection, liver stiffness (LS)-based strategies identify patients with low risk of developing esophageal variceal bleeding (VB) episodes, in whom unnecessary upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy (UGE) screening can be safely avoided. However, after sustained virological response (SVR), data on the accuracy of the criteria predicting this outcome in HCV-infected patients with cirrhosis, with or without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection, are very limited. METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective cohort study, where HCV-monoinfected patients and HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals were included if they had (1) SVR with direct-acting antiviral-based therapy; (2) LS ≥9.5 kPa previous to treatment; and (3) LS measurement at the SVR time-point ≥14 kPa. Diagnostic accuracy of HEPAVIR, expanded Baveno VI, and HIV cirrhosis criteria, at the time of SVR, was evaluated. Missed VB episodes, negative predictive values (NPVs), and number of spared UGEs were specifically assessed. RESULTS: Four hundred thirty-five patients were included, 284 (65%) coinfected with HIV. Seven (1.6%) patients developed a first episode of VB after SVR. In patients without a previous VB episode, HEPAVIR, expanded Baveno VI and HIV cirrhosis criteria achieved NPV for first VB episode after SVR of 99.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 97.1%-100%), 100% (95% CI 97.8%-100%), and 100% (95% CI 98%-100%) while sparing 45%, 39%, and 44% of UGEs, respectively. When considering HIV coinfection, the performance of the 3 criteria was similar, both in HCV-monoinfected and HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals. CONCLUSIONS: After SVR, predictive LS-based strategies accurately identify HCV-infected patients, HIV coinfected or not, with low risk of developing VB during follow-up. In these specific patients, using HIV cirrhosis criteria maximize the number of spared UGEs while missing no VB episode.

Failure on voxilaprevir, velpatasvir, sofosbuvir and efficacy of rescue therapy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There are limited data on patients with chronic HCV infection in whom combination voxilaprevir (VOX), velpatasvir (VEL), sofosbuvir (SOF) retreatment fails. Thus, we aimed to assess treatment failure and rescue treatment options in these patients. METHODS: Samples from 40 patients with HCV genotypes (GT) 1-4 in whom VOX/VEL/SOF retreatment failed were collected within the European Resistance Study Group. Population-based resistance analyses were conducted and clinical parameters and retreatment efficacies were evaluated retrospectively in 22 patients. RESULTS: Most VOX/VEL/SOF failure patients were infected with HCV GT3a (n = 18, 45%) or GT1a (n = 11, 28%) and had cirrhosis (n = 28, 70%). Previous treatments included an NS3-inhibitor (30%), an NS5A-inhibitor (100%) and SOF (85%). Baseline RAS data from a subgroup of patients before VOX/VEL/SOF retreatment (78%) showed few NS3 RASs apart from Q80K in GT1a (40%), typical NS5A RAS patterns in most patients (74%) and no S282T in NS5B. Sequencing after VOX/VEL/SOF failure was available in 98% of patients and showed only minor changes for NS3 and NS5A RASs. In 22 patients, rescue treatment was initiated with glecaprevir, pibrentasvir alone (n = 2) or with SOF±ribavirin (n = 15), VOX/VEL/SOF±ribavirin (n = 4) or VEL/SOF and ribavirin (n = 1) for 12 to 24 weeks. Sustained virologic response was achieved in 17/21 (81%) patients with a final treatment outcome. Of these, 2 GT3a-infected patients had virologic failure after rescue treatment with VEL/SOF or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir+SOF+ribavirin, and 2 patients with cirrhosis died during treatment or before reaching SVR12. CONCLUSIONS: VOX/VEL/SOF failure was mainly observed in HCV GT3- and GT1a-infected patients with cirrhosis and was not associated with specific RAS patterns within NS3, NS5A or NS5B target regions. Rescue treatment with multiple targeted therapies was effective in most patients. LAY SUMMARY: The advent of direct-acting antivirals has enabled the effective cure of chronic hepatitis C in most patients. However, treatment failure occurs in some patients, who are often retreated with a combination regimen called VOX/VEL/SOF, which is associated with very high rates of cure. However, VOX/VEL/SOF retreatment also fails in some patients. Herein, we analysed samples from patients in whom VOX/VEL/SOF retreatment failed and we assessed the efficacy of different rescue therapies, showing that rescue treatment is effective in most patients (81%).

Impact of recent drug use on the efficacy of elbasvir/grazoprevir for HCV-infected people on opioid agonist therapy.

Elbasvir/grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) use in drug users on opiate agonist therapy (OAT) is supported by the C-EDGE Co-STAR trial. SVR rates in this study were within those found in the rest of patients included by the EBR/GZR development programme. In clinical practice, however, efficacy could theoretically be lower. Thus, we aimed at evaluating the SVR rates of EBR/GZR among people who injected drugs (PWID) with and without OAT in clinical practice. Patients starting EBR/GZR included in the HEPAVIR-DAA (NCT02057003), recruiting HIV/HCV-coinfected patients or the GEHEP-MONO (NCT02333292), including HCV-monoinfected individuals, prospective cohorts were analysed. Overall SVR12 (ITT), discontinuations due to adverse effects and drop-outs were evaluated. The same analysis was carried out for PWID with and without OAT. 336 patients had started EBR/GZR and reached the SVR12 evaluation date. 318 [95%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 92%-98%] patients achieved SVR12. SVR12 was 97% (95% CI: 93%-99%, n/N = 141/145) among people who never used injecting drugs, 94% (95% CI: 88%-97%, n/N = 117/125) among PWIDs without OAT and 91% (95% CI: 81%-97%, n/N = 60/66) among PWIDs with OAT (p = 0.134). Five (1.5%) patients showed relapses, and two (0.6%) individuals showed viral breakthrough. The SVR12 rate for recent drug users was 69% (n/N = 18/26) compared with 97% (n/N = 276/284) for individuals without recent drug use (in the prior year) (p < 0.001). Among recent drug users, three (12%) showed relapses, and five (19%) were lost-to-follow-up. The SVR rates achieved with EBR/GZR were high in real-world conditions of use. However, PWID with recent drug use reach suboptimal response rates with EBR/GZR.

Prediction of Esophageal Varices by Liver Stiffness and Platelets in Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Compensated Advanced Chronic Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) are at increased risk of cirrhosis and esophageal varices. Baveno VI criteria, based on liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and platelet count, have been proposed to avoid unnecessary esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) screening for esophageal varices needing treatment (EVNT). This approach has not been validated in PLWH. METHODS: PLWH from 8 prospective cohorts were included if they fulfilled the following criteria: (1) compensated advanced chronic liver disease (LSM >10 kPa); (2) availability of EGD within 6 months of reliable LSM. Baveno VI (LSM <20 kPa and platelets >150 000/µL), expanded Baveno VI (LSM <25 kPa and platelets >110 000/µL), and Estudio de las Hepatitis Víricas (HEPAVIR) criteria (LSM <21 kPa) were applied to identify patients not requiring EGD screening. Criteria optimization was based on the percentage of EGDs spared, while keeping the risk of missing EVNT <5%. RESULTS: Five hundred seven PLWH were divided into a training (n = 318) and a validation set (n = 189). EVNT were found in 7.5%. In the training set, Baveno VI, expanded Baveno VI, and HEPAVIR criteria spared 10.1%, 25.5%, and 28% of EGDs, while missing 0%, 1.2%, and 2.2% of EVNT, respectively. The best thresholds to rule out EVNT were platelets >110 000/µL and LSM <30 kPa (HIV cirrhosis criteria), with 34.6% of EGDs spared and 0% EVNT missed. In the validation set, HEPAVIR and HIV cirrhosis criteria spared 54% and 48.7% of EGDs, while missing 4.9% and 2.2% EVNT, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Baveno VI criteria can be extended to HEPAVIR and HIV cirrhosis criteria while sparing a significant number of EGDs, thus improving resource utilization for PLWH with compensated advanced chronic liver disease.

Prevalence of resistance-associated substitutions and retreatment of patients failing a glecaprevir/pibrentasvir regimen.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) as well as retreatment efficacies in a large cohort of European patients with failure of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir. METHODS: Patients were identified from three European Resistance Reference centres in Spain, Italy and Germany. Sequencing of NS3, NS5A and NS5B was conducted and substitutions associated with resistance to direct antiviral agents were analysed. Clinical and virological parameters were documented retrospectively and retreatment efficacies were evaluated. RESULTS: We evaluated 90 glecaprevir/pibrentasvir failures [3a (n = 36), 1a (n = 23), 2a/2c (n = 20), 1b (n = 10) and 4d (n = 1)]. Ten patients were cirrhotic, two had previous exposure to PEG-interferon and seven were coinfected with HIV; 80 had been treated for 8 weeks. Overall, 31 patients (34.4%) failed glecaprevir/pibrentasvir without any NS3 or NS5A RASs, 62.4% (53/85) showed RASs in NS5A, 15.6% (13/83) in NS3 and 10% (9/90) in both NS5A and NS3. Infection with HCV genotypes 1a and 3a was associated with a higher prevalence of NS5A RASs. Patients harbouring two (n = 34) or more (n = 8) RASs in NS5A were frequent. Retreatment was initiated in 56 patients, almost all (n = 52) with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir. The overall sustained virological response rate was 97.8% in patients with end-of-follow-up data available. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of patients failed glecaprevir/pibrentasvir without resistance. RASs in NS5A were more prevalent than in NS3 and were frequently observed as dual and triple combination patterns, with a high impact on NS5A inhibitor activity, particularly in genotypes 1a and 3a. Retreatment of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir failures with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir achieved viral suppression across all genotypes.

What is needed to achieve HCV microelimination among HIV-infected populations in Andalusia, Spain: a modeling analysis.

BACKGROUND: Scale-up of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment for HIV/HCV coinfected individuals is occurring in Spain, the vast majority (> 85%) with a reported history of injecting drug use and a smaller population of co-infected men who have sex with men (MSM). We assess impact of recent treatment scale-up to people living with HIV (PLWH) and implications for achieving the WHO HCV incidence elimination target (80% reduction 2015-2030) among PLWH and overall in Andalusia, Spain, using dynamic modeling. METHODS: A dynamic transmission model of HCV/HIV coinfection was developed. The model was stratified by people who inject drugs (PWID) and MSM. The PWID component included dynamic HCV transmission from the HCV-monoinfected population. The model was calibrated to Andalusia based on published data and the HERACLES cohort (prospective cohort of HIV/HCV coinfected individuals representing > 99% coinfected individuals in care in Andalusia). From HERACLES, we incorporated HCV treatment among diagnosed PLWH of 10.5%/year from 2004 to 2014, and DAAs at 33%/year from 2015 with 94.8% SVR. We project the impact of current and scaled-up HCV treatment for PLWH on HCV prevalence and incidence among PLWH and overall. RESULTS: Current treatment rates among PLWH (scaled-up since 2015) could substantially reduce the number of diagnosed coinfected individuals (mean 76% relative reduction from 2015 to 2030), but have little impact on new diagnosed coinfections (12% relative reduction). However, DAA scale-up to PWLH in 2015 would have minimal future impact on new diagnosed coinfections (mean 9% relative decrease from 2015 to 2030). Similarly, new cases of HCV would only reduce by a mean relative 29% among all PWID and MSM due to ongoing infection/reinfection. Diagnosing/treating all PLWH annually from 2020 would increase the number of new HCV infections among PWLH by 28% and reduce the number of new HCV infections by 39% among the broader population by 2030. CONCLUSION: Targeted scale-up of HCV treatment to PLWH can dramatically reduce prevalence among this group but will likely have little impact on the annual number of newly diagnosed HIV/HCV coinfections. HCV microelimination efforts among PWLH in Andalusia and settings where a large proportion of PLWH have a history of injecting drug use will require scaled-up HCV diagnosis and treatment among PLWH and the broader population at risk.

Response to direct-acting antiviral therapy among ongoing drug users and people receiving opioid substitution therapy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: People who inject drugs (PWID) and are on opioid agonist therapy (OAT) might have lower adherence to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and, therefore, lower rates of sustained virologic response (SVR). Because of this, we compared the SVR rates to interferon-free DAA combinations in individuals receiving OAT and those not receiving OAT in a real-world setting. METHODS: The HEPAVIR-DAA cohort, recruiting HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (NCT02057003), and the GEHEP-MONO cohort (NCT02333292), including HCV-monoinfected individuals, are ongoing prospective multicenter cohorts of patients receiving DAAs in clinical practice. We compared SVR 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12) in non-drug users and PWID, including those receiving or not receiving OAT. Intention-to-treat and per protocol analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 1,752 patients started interferon-free DAA treatment. By intention-to-treat analysis, 778 (95%, 95% CI 93%-96%) never injectors, 673 (92%, 95% CI 89%-93%) PWID not on OAT and 177 (89%, 95% CI 83%-92%) PWID on OAT achieved SVR12 (p = 0.002). SVR12 rates for ongoing drug users (with or without OAT) were 68 (79%) compared with 1,548 (95%) for non-drug users (p <0.001). Among ongoing drug users, 15 (17%) were lost-to-follow-up, and 3 (3.5%) became reinfected. In the per protocol analysis, 97% never injectors, 95% PWID not on OAT and 95% PWID on OAT achieved SVR12 (p = 0.246). After adjustment, ongoing drug use was associated with SVR12 (intention-to-treat) and OAT use was not. CONCLUSIONS: HCV-infected PWID achieve high SVR12 rates with DAAs whether they are on OAT or not, but their response rates are lower than those of patients who never used drugs. This is mainly attributable to more frequent loss to follow-up. Accounting for active drug use during DAA therapy nearly closed the gap in SVR rates between the study groups. LAY SUMMARY: Patients with hepatitis C virus infection who are on opioid agonist therapy can achieve high cure rates with current treatments. The use of illicit drugs during treatment can drive drop-outs and reduce cure rates. However, hepatitis C can be cured in most of those using drugs who complete treatment and follow-up. Clinical trial number: HEPAVIR-DAA cohort, NCT02057003; GEHEP-MONO cohort, NCT02333292.

High efficacy of resistance-guided retreatment of HCV patients failing NS5A inhibitors in the real world.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Most hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients failing NS5A inhibitors develop resistance-associated substitutions (RASs). Here we report the use of resistance-guided retreatment of patients who failed prior NS5A inhibitor-containing regimens in the GEHEP-004 cohort. This is the largest direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-resistance cohort study conducted in Spain. We aim to provide indications on how to use resistance information in settings where sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir may not be available. METHODS: GEHEP-004 is a prospective multicenter cohort enrolling HCV-infected patients treated with interferon (IFN)-free DAA regimens. Prior to retreatment, population-based sequencing of HCV NS3, NS5A and NS5B genes was performed. After receiving a comprehensive resistance interpretation report, the retreatment regimen was chosen and the sustained virological response (SVR) at 12 weeks after treatment completion (SVR12) was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 342 patients experiencing virological failure after treatment with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir±ribavirin (54%), sofosbuvir/daclatasvir±ribavirin (23%), or paritaprevir-ritonavir/ombitasvir±dasabuvir±ribavirin (20%) were studied. After a resistance report, 186 patients were retreated. An SVR12 was achieved for 88.1% of the patients who failed after sofosbuvir/ledipasvir±ribavirin, 83.3% of the patients who failed after sofosbuvir/daclatasvir±ribavirin, 93.7% of the patients who failed after paritaprevir-ritonavir+ombitasvir±dasabuvir±ribavirin. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we show how resistance-guided retreatment in conjunction with an interpreted report allows patients to achieve SVR rates close to 90%. We hypothesize that SVR rates may even be improved if resistance data are discussed between experienced virologists and treating clinicians. We believe that our data may be relevant for countries where the access to new DAA combination regimens is limited. LAY SUMMARY: Hepatitis C infection can be cured with currently available antiviral agents. Only a small proportion of patients experience treatment failure, however, in absolute numbers, a high number of patients may require retreatment. Highly effective combinations of antivirals are also available for retreatment. However, these antivirals might not be available in resource-limited settings. Herein, we show how, by analyzing the cause of resistance, retreatment efficacy with old drugs can get very close to the efficacy of new drug combinations.

Similar recovery of liver function after response to all-oral HCV therapy in patients with cirrhosis with and without HIV coinfection.

Among patients with cirrhosis, recovery of liver function after SVR to all-oral direct-acting antivirals (DAA) in HIV/HCV coinfection could be different to that in HCV monoinfection. Because of this, we compared the changes in several markers of liver function between HCV-monoinfected and HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with cirrhosis who achieved SVR12 to DAA combinations. In this retrospective cohort study, cirrhotics included in the HEPAVIR-DAA and GEHEP-MONO cohorts were selected if they had SVR12 to all-oral DAAs. Patients treated with atazanavir were excluded. Liver function improvement was defined as Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) decrease ≥1 and/or MELD decrease ≥2 between baseline and SVR12. Liver function worsening was defined as a CPT increase ≥1 and/or MELD increase ≥2 and/or decompensations between baseline and SVR12. We included 490 patients, 270 (55%) of them with HIV coinfection. Liver function improved in 50 (56%) HCV-infected individuals and in 82 (57%) HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (P = 0.835). Liver function worsened in 33 (15%) HCV-monoinfected patients and in 33 (13%) HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (P = 0.370). Factors independently related with liver function improvement were male gender [adjusted OR (AOR) 2.1 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 1.03-4.2), P = 0.040], bilirubin < 1.2 mg/dL (AOR 1.8 [95% CI: 1.004-3.3], P = 0.49), and INR < 1.3 (AOR 2.4 [95% CI: 1.2-5.0], P = 0.019) at baseline. After multivariate analysis, albumin < 3.5 g/dL was associated with liver function worsening (AOR 6.1 [95% CI: 3-12.5], P < 0.001). Liver function worsening and improvement rates after responding to DAA are similar among HCV-monoinfected and HIV/HCV-coinfected cirrhotics. Gender, INR, bilirubin, and albumin levels were associated with liver function changes after response to DAAs.

Early emergence of opportunistic infections after starting direct-acting antiviral drugs in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

Varicella-zoster virus and hepatitis B virus reactivations have been reported after starting interferon-free direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) combinations. HIV/HCV-coinfected patients could be a high-risk group for the reactivation of latent infections. Because of these, we report the occurrence of severe infections after starting DAA regimens in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. Individuals included in the HEPAVIR-DAA (NCT02057003) cohort were selected if they had received all-oral DAA combinations. A retrospective review of clinical events registered between the start of DAAs and 12 months after SVR12 was carried out. Overall, 38 (4.5%) of 848 patients presented infections. The incidence (95% confidence interval) of infections was 4.6 (3.3-6.3) cases per 100 person-years. The median (Q1-Q3) time to the infection since baseline was 23 (7.3-33) weeks. Five (13%) of the patients with infections died; four of them had cirrhosis. The frequency of previous AIDS was 21 (54%) for patients with infections and 324 (40%) for those without infections (P = 0.084). The median (Q1-Q3) nadir CD4 cell count of individuals with and without infections was 75 (53-178) and 144 (67-255) cells/µL, respectively (P = 0.047). Immunodepression-associated infections were observed in 9 (1.1%) patients. All of them had suppressed HIV replication with antiretroviral therapy. In conclusion, severe infections are relatively common among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients receiving all-oral DAA combinations. Some unusual reactivations of latent infections in patients with suppressed HIV replication seem to be temporally linked with DAA use.

A genome-wide association study on low susceptibility to hepatitis C virus infection (GEHEP012 study).

BACKGROUND: A low proportion of individuals repeatedly exposed to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) remain uninfected. This condition could have a genetic basis but it is not known whether or not it is mainly driven by a high-penetrance common allele. OBJECTIVE: To explore whether low susceptibility to HCV infection is mainly driven by a high-penetrance common allele. METHODS: In this genome-wide association study (GWAS), a total of 804 HCV-seropositive individuals and 27 high-risk HCV-seronegative (HRSN) subjects were included. Plink and Magma software were used to carry out single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based and gene-based association analyses respectively. RESULTS: No SNP nor any gene was associated with low susceptibility to HCV infection after multiple testing correction. However, SNPs previously associated with this trait and allocated within the LDLR gene, rs5925 and rs688, were also associated with this condition in our study under a dominant model (24 out of 27 [88.9%] rs5925-C carriers in the HRSN group vs 560 of 804 [69.6%] rs5925-C carriers in the HCV-seropositive group, P = 0.031, odds ratio [OR] = 3.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-11.58; and 24 out of 27 [88.9%] rs688-T carriers in the HRSN group vs 556 of 804 [69.1%] rs688-T carriers in the HCV-seropositive group, P = 0.028, OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.65-11.96). CONCLUSIONS: Low susceptibility to HCV infection does not seem to be mainly driven by a high-penetrant common allele. By contrast, it seems a multifactorial trait where genes such as LDLR could be involved.

Increasing importance of European lineages in seeding the hepatitis C virus subtype 1a epidemic in Spain.

BackgroundReducing the burden of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) requires large-scale deployment of intervention programmes, which can be informed by the dynamic pattern of HCV spread. In Spain, ongoing transmission of HCV is mostly fuelled by people who inject drugs (PWID) infected with subtype 1a (HCV1a).AimOur aim was to map how infections spread within and between populations, which could help formulate more effective intervention programmes to halt the HCV1a epidemic in Spain.MethodsEpidemiological links between HCV1a viruses from a convenience sample of 283 patients in Spain, mostly PWID, collected between 2014 and 2016, and 1,317, 1,291 and 1,009 samples collected abroad between 1989 and 2016 were reconstructed using sequences covering the NS3, NS5A and NS5B genes. To efficiently do so, fast maximum likelihood-based tree estimation was coupled to a flexible Bayesian discrete phylogeographic inference method.ResultsThe transmission network structure of the Spanish HCV1a epidemic was shaped by continuous seeding of HCV1a into Spain, almost exclusively from North America and European countries. The latter became increasingly relevant and have dominated in recent times. Export from Spain to other countries in Europe was also strongly supported, although Spain was a net sink for European HCV1a lineages. Spatial reconstructions showed that the epidemic in Spain is diffuse, without large, dominant within-country networks.ConclusionTo boost the effectiveness of local intervention efforts, concerted supra-national strategies to control HCV1a transmission are needed, with a strong focus on the most important drivers of ongoing transmission, i.e. PWID and other high-risk populations.

Sustained virological response to direct-acting antiviral regimens reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with cirrhosis.

Objectives: To assess the impact of all-oral direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) regimens on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with cirrhosis. Methods: This was a multicentre prospective cohort study recruiting HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with a new diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis. Patients were followed up until HCC, death or the censoring date (March 2017). The primary endpoint was the emergence of HCC. The incidence rate (IR) (95% CI) of HCC in different groups was computed. Time-to-event analyses were performed to identify predictors of HCC emergence. Results: The study included 495 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with cirrhosis. After a median (IQR) follow-up of 59 (27-84) months, 22 (4.4%; 95% CI 2.6-6.3) patients developed an HCC. The IR (95% CI) of HCC was 0.93 (0.06-1.42) per 100 person-years (PY). Three hundred and three (61%) patients achieved sustained virological response (SVR) during follow-up, 79 after interferon (IFN)-based regimens and 224 after an all-oral DAA regimen. The IR (95% CI) of HCC after all-oral DAA was 0.35 (0.14-0.85) per 100 PY whereas it was 1.79 (1.11-2.88) per 100 PY in the remaining cohort (P = 0.0005). When only patients with SVR were considered, the IR (95% CI) of HCC after all-oral DAA was 0.32 (0.12-0.86) whereas it was 0 per 100 PY among those with SVR after IFN-based therapies (P = 0.27). Achieving SVR with an all-oral DAA regimen during follow-up was independently associated with a lower risk of HCC emergence (subhazard ratio 0.264; 95% CI 0.070-0.991; P = 0.049). Conclusions: SVR with all-oral DAA regimens reduces the risk of HCC in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with compensated cirrhosis.