Men who acquire hepatitis C virus infection when immunocompromised from HIV may experience an accelerated HCV disease course, with rapid development of cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease.
End-stage liver disease from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of death in HIV-infected individuals. In patients with HCV/HIV coinfection, progression to stage 4 fibrosis is usually only moderately accelerated (mean interval, 26 years, vs. 34 years for individuals with HCV infection alone). Now, investigators report the cases of four HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM; 3 in New York City and 1 in San Diego) who likely acquired HCV infection sexually and who experienced rapid progression to stage 4 fibrosis and death or liver transplant.
None of the patients showed symptoms of HCV infection, and all had transaminitis identified on routine laboratory testing. Although HCV antibody testing was initially negative, all…
Reviewing Authors
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse
Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse
Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)