Hepatitis C

How Does HepC Therapy Affect HIV?

Treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with HCV/HIV-coinfection significantly reduces immune activation markers and inflammation, according to new research.

 

“The improvement in levels of immune activation markers, proviral HIV DNA, and microbial translocation markers did not translate into an increased CD4+ T-cell count or increased ratio of the CD4+ T-cell count to the CD8+ T-cell count,” the researchers write.

IF YOU LIKE THIS, READ MORE...

 

In HIV, Antibody Prohibits Natural Immune Response

 

Podcast: An Overview of PrEP Therapy

 

To conduct their prospective study, the researchers consecutively enrolled 97 patients with HIV/HCV coinfection who were taking antiretroviral therapy and achieved a sustained virological response with interferon-free regimens.

 

Participants’ levels were assessed before, immediately after ending therapy, and 1 month after ending therapy.

 

Levels included in the analysis were the expression of HLA-DR/CD38, PD-1, and CD57 on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells; measurement of the total HIV DNA load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells; and determination of plasma levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), D-dimers, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).

 

Results at the end of therapy and 1 month after ending therapy showed significant improvements in the following values:

  • Expression of HLA-DR and CD38 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells
  • Levels of proviral HIV DNA, sCD14, LPS, 16S rDNA, and D-dimer

 

There were no changes observed in the expression of PD-1 and CD57 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and levels of IL-6 and hsCRP.

 

“HCV eradication in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients results in significant decreases in levels of immune activation markers, proviral HIV DNA load, microbial translocation markers, and D-dimers,” the researchers conclude. “These findings support the use of HCV treatment for all HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, even those with low-grade fibrosis.”

 

—Amanda Balbi

 

Reference:

López-Cortés LF, Trujillo-Rodríguez M, Báez-Palomo A, et al. Eradication of hepatitis c virus (HCV) reduces immune activation, microbial translocation, and the HIV DNA level in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. J Infect Dis. 2018;218(4):624-632. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiy136.