Loading...
Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been thought to be relatively inefficient. Furthermore, in cases of HIV/HCV coinfection, HCV infection has been thought to typically precede HIV infection. However, these views were challenged after outbreaks of acute HCV infection were documented among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Now, two studies show that new HCV infections in HIV-positive MSM often seem to be acquired through sexual contact.
Taylor and colleagues determined the incidence of HCV infection in a U.S.-based cohort of HIV-positive men who had participated in various clinical trials. Of 1830 men who were initially HCV-negative, 36 subsequently seroconverted, for an overall incidence rate of 0.51 cases per 100 …