Treatment of the hepatitis C virus in patients coinfected with HIV

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2004 Sep;33(3):479-96, vii-viii. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2004.04.002.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is common among individuals with HIV, and the progression of liver disease is accelerated in coinfected individuals compared with those with HCV alone. HCV coinfection also can decrease tolerability of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Additionally, the presence of HCV appears to increase morbidity and mortality in these individuals, and as such the management of both HCV and HIV in coinfected individuals requires careful consideration. Although coinfected patients should be considered for HCV therapy, the limited information to date indicates a lower rate of virologic response with current HCV therapies. Moreover, interactions between HCV and HIV antiviral medications may occur and potentially affect treatment efficacy. Thus, the decision to undertake HCV treatment must be individualized.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Patient Compliance
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2b