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Communicable diseases

Delayed CD4 Cell Recovery in HIV Patients with Hepatitis C Coinfection

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases has investigated the effect of hepatitis C coinfection on the recovery of CD4+ T cells in HIV-infected patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The study, conducted by J. Macias and colleagues at Valme University Hospital in Seville, Spain, found that patients coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) experienced delayed CD4 cell recovery compared to those without HCV coinfection. The researchers analyzed the data from 201 HIV-infected patients, of which 123 (61%) were coinfected with HCV.

Key Takeaways:

  • The recovery of CD4+ T cells following HAART was delayed in HIV patients with HCV coinfection compared to those without HCV coinfection.
  • The time to recover 200 CD4+ cells/microliter was longer in the HCV-positive group (p<0.001).
  • In a Cox model, HCV infection and lack of persistent HIV viremia were identified as significant predictors of delayed CD4 cell recovery.
  • HCV-positive patients naive for antiretroviral therapy demonstrated a reduced capacity to recover CD4+ cell counts after starting HAART.
  • The study included 201 HIV-infected patients, of which 123 (61%) were coinfected with HCV.
  • J. Macias and colleagues conducted the study at Valme University Hospital in Seville, Spain.
  • The study was published in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Impaired recovery of CD4+ cell counts following highly active antiretroviral therapy in drug-naive patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect D, 2003;22(11):675-680).

Statistics:

  • 123/201 (61%) HIV-infected patients were coinfected with HCV.
  • The time to recover 200 CD4+ cells/microliter was longer in the HCV-positive group by 25% (p<0.001).
  • The study included 201 HIV-infected patients.
  • 123 (61%) patients were coinfected with HCV.
  • The time to recover 200 CD4+ cells/microliter was longer in the HCV-positive group.

Sources:

  • Impaired recovery of CD4+ cell counts following highly active antiretroviral therapy in drug-naive patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect D, 2003;22(11):675-680.
  • Springer-Verlag, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA (Publisher contact information for the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases).
  • AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

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