Insulin resistance is not a relevant predictor of sustained virological response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in HIV/HCV co-infected patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To evaluate the possible influence of baseline insulin resistance in sustained virological response.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-five consecutive individuals from a multicentric cohort of HIV/HCV co-infected patients who underwent therapy with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin were included. The main outcome variable was sustained virological response, defined as undetectable plasma HCV RNA at week 24 after the end of the therapy. Insulin resistance was determined using the HOMA method.

RESULTS

Sustained virological response was achieved in 55 (36%) patients. Forty-two (38%) patients with a HOMA lower than 4 developed sustained virological response vs 13 (29%) of those with a HOMA above 4 (p=0.27). Analyses restricted to patients harbouring genotype 1 or 4 showed similar rates of sustained virological response among patients with a HOMA below and above 4 [19 (27%) vs 7 (24%); p=0.8]. In the multivariate analysis, genotype 3 [AOR 9.26; 95% CI 3.03-28.30; p<0.0001], a baseline HCV viral load below 600.000IU/mL [AOR 2.97; 95% CI 1.03-8.57; p=0.04] and baseline LDL cholesterol above 100mg/dL [AOR 6.62; 95% CI 1.97-22.19; p=0.002] were independently associated with sustained virological response.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin resistance is not a relevant predictor of sustained virological response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

Application of transient elastometry to differentiate mild from moderate to severe liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infected patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Transient elastometry (TE) is accurate for detecting cirrhosis (F=4) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected patients. However, this procedure is less precise to differentiate mild (F < or = 1) from moderate to severe (F > or = 2) fibrosis using the cut-off value of 7.2kPa, a level previously proposed by some authors. Because of this, we elaborated and validated cut-off values of liver stiffness (LS) to better discriminate F < or = 1 from F > or = 2 in HIV/HCV co-infected subjects to aid therapy decisions.

METHODS

One hundred and ninety-seven co-infected patients with liver biopsy and TE measurement, without prior therapy against HCV infection, were included.

RESULTS

To diagnose F < or = 2, a cut-off of 9.0kPa showed a positive predictive value of 87%. To discard F > or = 2, a cut-off of 6.0kPa showed a negative predictive value of 90%. Considering all the patients, 61 (31%) patients yielded LS values < or = 6.0kPa and 81 (41%) patients showed LS values > or = 9.0kPa. There were no severe classification errors as the NPV of L < or = S6.0kPa for F > or = 3 was 100% and the NPV LS > or = 9.0kPa for F=0 was also 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

The usefulness of TE can be enhanced using two different cut-off values to identify patients with F < or = 1 and F > or = 2.

Efficacy of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin treatment in HIV/hepatitis C virus co-infected patients receiving abacavir plus lamivudine or tenofovir plus either lamivudine or emtricitabine as nucleoside analogue backbone

OBJECTIVES

To compare the response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV co-infected patients receiving a nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitor [N(t)RTI] backbone consisting of abacavir plus lamivudine with that observed in subjects who receive tenofovir plus lamivudine or emtricitabine.

METHODS

A total of 256 subjects, enrolled in a cohort of 948 HIV-infected patients who received pegylated interferon and ribavirin from October 2001 to January 2006, were included in this study. All patients were taking one protease inhibitor or one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and abacavir plus lamivudine or tenofovir plus lamivudine or emtricitabine as N(t)RTI backbone during HCV therapy. Sustained virological response (SVR) rates in both backbone groups were compared.

RESULTS

In an intention-to-treat analysis, 20 out of 70 (29%) individuals under abacavir and 83 out of 186 (45%) under tenofovir showed SVR (P = 0.02). N(t)RTI backbone containing tenofovir was an independent predictor of SVR in the multivariate analysis [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI), 2.6 (1.05-6.9); P = 0.03]. The association between abacavir use and lower SVR was chiefly seen in patients with plasma HCV-RNA load higher than 600 000 IU/mL and genotype 1 or 4. Among patients treated with ribavirin dose <13.2 mg/kg/day, 3 (20%) of those under abacavir versus 22 (52%) under tenofovir reached SVR (P = 0.03), whereas the rates were 31% and 38% (P = 0.4), respectively, in those receiving >/=13.2 mg/kg/day.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-infected patients who receive abacavir plus lamivudine respond worse to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin than those who are given tenofovir plus lamivudine or emtricitabine as N(t)RTI backbone, especially in those receiving lower ribavirin doses.

High prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among noninjecting drug users: association with sharing the inhalation implements of crack

BACKGROUND

Most of the prevalent cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are attributable to intravenous drug using. However, a substantial number of individuals, particularly noninjecting drug users (NIDU), report no identifiable source of HCV exposure. This may be interpreted as inaccurate reporting of past intravenous exposure or as the presence of an unidentified source of HCV infection. Because of this, we evaluated the prevalence of and factors associated with HCV infection among NIDU.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-two individuals who were attended from 2003 to 2004 in a drug addiction facility because of noninjecting drug use were included.

RESULTS

HCV infection was detected in 23 (12.6%) participants. Sharing the inhalation tube of crack cocaine [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-9.8, P=0.01], presence of tattoos (AOR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3-9.1, P=0.02) and age >or=34 years (AOR 3.9, 95% CI 1.3-11.6, P=0.01) 3.9 were independently associated with HCV infection.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of HCV infection in NIDU is higher than in general population. HCV infection is more likely among older drug users, those with tattoos and crack cocaine users that share the inhalation implements.

Baseline serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels predict response to hepatitis C virus therapy in HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected patients

BACKGROUND

High levels of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are associated with better response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in hepatitis C virus monoinfected patients. There are no data concerning this topic in HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected patients in whom lipid disorders are particularly common.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between baseline lipid levels and sustained virologic response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in coinfected patients.

METHODS

A total of 260 HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected patients under treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and who had a baseline serum lipid profile were included in this retrospective study.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight (24%) patients with genotypes 1-4 and 64 (63%) with genotypes 2-3 achieved sustained virologic response. Forty-nine (44%) patients with serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels 100 mg/dl or more showed sustained virologic response compared with 53 (36%) with lower values [adjusted odds ratio: 2.51; 95% confidence interval: 1.40-4.87; P = 0.003]. This association was independent of the remaining predictors of sustained virologic response which were genotypes 2-3, plasma hepatitis C virus RNA 600,000 IU/ml or less, exposure to at least 80% of the planned therapy and lack of concomitant antiretroviral therapy. The rate of sustained virologic response in patients with genotype 1 and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at least 100 mg/ml was 31% compared with 17% in those with lower values (adjusted odds ratio: 2.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.04-4.66; P = 0.040). The corresponding figures in subjects with genotypes 2-3 were 73 and 58% [2.71 (0.99-7.46); P = 0.054]. No other lipid was associated with response.

CONCLUSION

Higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels predict sustained virologic response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected patients. This might be used to improve the rate of sustained virologic response in this setting.

Low Response to Pegylated Interferon plus Ribavirin in HIV-Infected Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Treated with Abacavir

Background

There is little information about the influence of antiretroviral drugs on the antiviral activity of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) against hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Methods

All HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C who received first-line PEG-IFN plus RBV were retrospectively analyzed. Only patients in whom virological stopping rules were applied and who did not change their antiretrovirals were chosen. Plasma RBV concentrations were measured at week 4.

Results

A total of 493 patients (78% males, mean age 41 years, 78% on antiretroviral therapy, mean CD4+ T-cell count 561 cells/μl) fit the study inclusion criteria. Mean baseline serum HCV RNA was 5.89 log10 IU/ml, 65% were infected by genotypes 1 or 4 and 40% had advanced liver fibrosis (Metavir F3F4). The overall rate of sustained virological response (SVR) was 38%. Factors associated with lack of SVR in the multivariate analyses (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], P-value) were higher baseline serum HCV RNA (2.42 per log10 IU/ml [1.31–4.46], 0.005), HCV genotypes 1 or 4 (5.95 [2.50–14.29], <0.001) and lower RBV plasma trough concentrations (1.74 per μg/ml [1.15–2.63], 0.009). Interestingly, a trend was noticed for abacavir use (2.22 [0.91–5.40], 0.08), which become significant when only considering the subset of patients with RBV plasma levels <2.3 μg/ml (7.63 [1.39–41.67], 0.02).

Conclusions

The use of abacavir might interfere with the anti-HCV activity of PEG-IFN plus RBV. As both antivirals are guanosine analogues, an inhibitory competition between abacavir and RBV might explain this observation, which is more prominent in patients with lower RBV exposure.

Low response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with abacavir

BACKGROUND

There is little information about the influence of antiretroviral drugs on the antiviral activity of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) against hepatitis C virus (HCV).

METHODS

All HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C who received first-line PEG-IFN plus RBV were retrospectively analyzed. Only patients in whom virological stopping rules were applied and who did not change their antiretrovirals were chosen. Plasma RBV concentrations were measured at week 4.

RESULTS

A total of 493 patients (78% males, mean age 41 years, 78% on antiretroviral therapy, mean CD4+ T-cell count 561 cells/microl) fit the study inclusion criteria. Mean baseline serum HCV RNA was 5.89 log10 IU/ml, 65% were infected by genotypes 1 or 4 and 40% had advanced liver fibrosis (Metavir F3F4). The overall rate of sustained virological response (SVR) was 38%. Factors associated with lack of SVR in the multivariate analyses (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], P-value) were higher baseline serum HCV RNA (2.42 per log10 IU/ml [1.31-4.46], 0.005), HCV genotypes 1 or 4 (5.95 [2.50-14.29], < 0.001) and lower RBV plasma trough concentrations (1.74 per microg/ml [1.15-2.63], 0.009). Interestingly, a trend was noticed for abacavir use (2.22 [0.91-5.40], 0.08), which become significant when only considering the subset of patients with RBV plasma levels < 2.3 microg/ml (7.63 [1.39-41.67], 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of abacavir might interfere with the anti-HCV activity of PEG-IFN plus RBV. As both antivirals are guanosine analogues, an inhibitory competition between abacavir and RBV might explain this observation, which is more prominent in patients with lower RBV exposure.

Predictors of Severe Haematological Toxicity Secondary to Pegylated Interferon plus Ribavirin Treatment in HIV-HCV-Coinfected Patients

Background

Haematological adverse events related to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy could affect the patients’ quality of life; however, the risk factors for severe haematological toxicity associated with this therapy in patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV are unclear. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of severe haematological toxicity among HIV-HCV-coinfected patients treated with PEG-IFN plus RBV.

Methods

This retrospective multicentric study included 237 HIV-HCV-coinfected patients on PEG-IFN plus RBV. Predictors of severe anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and overall haematological toxicity were analyzed.

Results

Eighty (34%) individuals showed an episode of severe haematological toxicity. Severe anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 32 (13%), 42 (18%) and 26 (11%) patients, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, zidovudine use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–10; P=0.001), baseline body weight <65 kg (AOR 2.5; 95% CI 1.1–5; P=0.024), cirrhosis (AOR 5; 95% CI 1.6–16.6; P=0.006), PEG-IFN-α2a (AOR 2.7; 95% CI 1.1–6.6; P=0.029) and pretreatment haemoglobin level <14 g/dl (AOR 2.7; 95% CI 1.3–5.5; P=0.005) were associated with any kind of severe haematological toxicity. Likewise, haemoglobin level <13 g/dl, neutrophil counts <2,500 cells/mm3 and platelet counts <175,000 cells/mm3 were independent predictors of severe anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively.

Conclusions

Zidovudine treatment, cirrhosis, baseline low body weight, use of PEG-IFN-α2a, and baseline haemoglobin level <14 g/dl are predictors of overall severe haematological toxicity secondary to PEG-IFN plus RBV in HIV-infected individuals. Low pretreatment levels of each haematological series predict a significant decrease of their values during therapy.

Influence of concomitant antiretroviral therapy on the rate of sustained virological response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in hepatitis C virus/HIV-coinfected patients

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether concomitant antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a predictor of sustained virological response (SVR) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin.

METHODS

Three hundred and ten HIV/HCV-coinfected patients on pegylated interferon plus ribavirin treatment, 258 of them with concurrent ART, were included in this retrospective multicentre study. The predictors of SVR were evaluated.

RESULTS

SVR was shown by 114 (37%) subjects. HCV genotype 2 or 3, plasma HCV-RNA load lower than 600 000 IU/mL, an exposure to the therapy against HCV infection > or =80% of the planned dose and baseline CD4 cell counts higher than or equal to 300/mm(3) were predictors of SVR. Likewise, patients without ART and those receiving a combination including tenofovir or stavudine plus lamivudine plus a protease inhibitor (PI) or a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) showed a higher SVR rate than the subjects who were on other ART strategies at baseline [44%, 44% and 29%, respectively; adjusted odd ratio (95% CI) for no ART = 1.96 (1.07-4.76), P = 0.025, and for ART including tenofovir or stavudine plus lamivudine plus a PI or a NNRTI = 2.08 (1.16-3.70), P = 0.014].

CONCLUSIONS

The ART strategy on starting therapy with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin is a predictor of SVR in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. Subjects without ART and those receiving combinations of a PI or a NNRTI with a nucleos(t)ide backbone of tenofovir or stavudine plus lamivudine respond better than those who receive other regimens.

The use of transient elastometry for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with HIV and hepatitis C virus coinfection

BACKGROUND

Transient elastometry (TE) is accurate for detecting significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-monoinfected patients. However, this procedure has been insufficiently validated in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HCV coinfection. The purpose of this study was to validate reported cutoff values of TE that discriminate significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in HIV-HCV-coinfected subjects.

METHODS

Liver stiffness measurements were obtained for 169 HIV-HCV-coinfected adult patients who had undergone a liver biopsy or who had received a nonhistologic diagnosis of cirrhosis within 12 months before or after a liver stiffness measurement. Patients had received no prior therapy for HCV infection.

RESULTS

TE measurements ranged from 3.6 kPa to 75 kPa. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.93) for significant liver fibrosis and 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.92-0.99) for cirrhosis. To diagnose significant liver fibrosis, a cutoff value of 7.2 kPa was associated with a positive predictive value of 88% and a negative predictive value of 75%. Thirty-four patients (20%) were misclassified when this cutoff value was used. Thirteen (24%) of 54 patients with liver stiffness values <7.2 kPa had significant liver fibrosis detected by liver biopsy. To diagnose cirrhosis, a cutoff value of 14.6 kPa was associated with a positive predictive value of 86% and a negative predictive value of 94%. Thus, 13 patients (10%) had disease that was misclassified using this cutoff value.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the diagnostic accuracy of TE was high for detecting cirrhosis and good for diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis. However, the performance of TE was low for discriminating mild fibrosis from significant liver fibrosis, which might limit the applicability of this technique in clinical practice.

Clinical progression of hepatitis C virus-related chronic liver disease in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy

Little is known about the natural history of liver disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected subjects under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The objectives of this study were to obtain information about the mortality, the incidence of hepatic decompensations, and the predictors thereof in this population. In a multicenter cohort study, the time to the first hepatic decompensation and the survival of 1,011 antiretroviral naïve, HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who started HAART and who were followed prospectively were analyzed. After a median (Q1-Q3) follow-up of 5.3 (2.9-7.1) years, 59(5.83%) patients developed a hepatic decompensation and 69 (6.82%) died, 30 (43%) of them because of liver disease. The factors independently associated [HR (95% CI)] with the occurrence of hepatic decompensations were age older than 33 years [2.11 (1.18-3.78)], female sex [2.11 (1.07-4.15)], Centers for Disease Control stage C [2.14 (1.24-3.70)], a diagnosis of cirrhosis at baseline [10.86 (6.02-19.6)], CD4 cell gain lower than 100/mm3 [4.10 (2.18-7.69)] and less than 60% of the follow-up with undetectable HIV viral load [5.23 (2.5-10.93)]. Older age [2.97 (1.18-7.50)], lack of HCV therapy [11.32 (1.44-89.05)], hepatitis D virus coinfection [16.15 (2.45-106.48)], a diagnosis of cirrhosis at recruitment [13.69 (5.55-34.48)], hepatic encephalopathy [62.5 (21.27-200)] and lower CD4 cell gain [3.63 (1.45-9.09)] were associated with mortality due to liver failure.

CONCLUSION

End-stage liver disease is the primary cause of death in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients under HAART. Higher increase of CD4 cell counts, lack of markers of serious liver disease and therapy against HCV are factors associated with better hepatic outcome.

Management of HCV-related end-stage liver disease in HIV-coinfected patients

End-stage liver disease due to hepatitis C virus has become a major challenge in the management of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. The diagnosis and management of cirrhosis and its complications in the scenario of HIV/HCV-coinfection are reviewed. Noninvasive approaches to the diagnosis of cirrhosis, such as biomarkers or transient hepatic elastography, may be considered. The clinical profile of cirrhosis decompensation in the coinfected population is different from that found in HCV-monoinfected individuals. Ascites and hepatic encephalopathy are much more frequent, whereas hepatocellular carcinoma is still uncommon, when simultaneous hepatitis B virus infection is absent. The newest and more conflicting topics on the management of these complications are also discussed. Liver transplantation seems to be a proper option of treatment in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients and should be considered early in their management, since mortality after the first hepatic decompensation is high.

Rapid virological response at week 4 predicts response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients

Introduction

The clinical applicability of early viral kinetics at week 4 in predicting sustained virological response (SVR) of pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients is unclear. Our objective was to determine if rapid virological response (RVR) at week 4 of therapy with peg-IFN and RBV could predict SVR among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

Methods

HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in whom an HCV viral load determination had been carried out at week 4 of therapy were included in the study. The positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) of RVR (undetectable serum HCV RNA at 4 week) for SVR were calculated in the study population. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to determine the best cutoff of HCV RNA decrease to predict treatment failure.

Results

A total of 101 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients were included. RVR and SVR were observed in 39 (39%) and in 49 (48%) individuals, respectively. Of patients with RVR, 37/39 patients achieved SVR (PPV: 95%), whereas 50/62 individuals without RVR did not show SVR (NPV: 81%). The highest NPV (96%) was reached by using a cutoff level of HCV RNA decrease of 0.6 log10. By applying this cutoff level, treatment could have been discontinued in 25 (25%) patients.

Conclusions

An undetectable serum HCV RNA determination at week 4 of treatment with peg-IFN plus RBV is a reliable predictor of SVR in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. In addition, a decrease of HCV RNA less than 0.6 log10 at this point of treatment could identify an appreciable proportion of individuals who will fail to achieve SVR.

Liver toxicity induced by non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Liver toxicity is one of the most relevant adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy. Within the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), efavirenz can be considered a safer drug for the liver than nevirapine. In fact, the frequency of severe increased liver enzymes in patients on efavirenz ranges from 1 to 8%, whereas in patients treated with nevirapine, it ranges from 4 to 18%. Likewise, nevirapine is more commonly associated than efavirenz with early acute hepatitis, which is produced by a hypersensitivity mechanism and has a defined risk profile that often makes it avoidable. Despite the fact that most cases of NNRTI-induced liver toxicity are asymptomatic, the rates of symptomatic events in patients treated with nevirapine are greater than in subjects on efavirenz. In any case, it is unusual for an NNRTI to be suspended due to liver toxicity.

Predictors of severe haematological toxicity secondary to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin treatment in HIV-HCV-coinfected patients

BACKGROUND

Haematological adverse events related to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy could affect the patients' quality of life; however, the risk factors for severe haematological toxicity associated with this therapy in patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV are unclear. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of severe haematological toxicity among HIV-HCV-coinfected patients treated with PEG-IFN plus RBV.

METHODS

This retrospective multicentric study included 237 HIV-HCV-coinfected patients on PEG-IFN plus RBV. Predictors of severe anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and overall haematological toxicity were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighty (34%) individuals showed an episode of severe haematological toxicity. Severe anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 32 (13%), 42 (18%) and 26 (11%) patients, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, zidovudine use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-10; P = 0.001), baseline body weight < 65 kg (AOR 2.5; 95% CI 1.1-5; P = 0.024), cirrhosis (AOR 5; 95% CI 1.6-16.6; P = 0.006), PEG-IFN-alpha2a (AOR 2.7; 95% CI 1.1-6.6; P = 0.029) and pretreatment haemoglobin level < 14 g/dl (AOR 2.7; 95% CI 1.3-5.5; P = 0.005) were associated with any kind of severe haematological toxicity. Likewise, haemoglobin level < 13 g/dl, neutrophil counts < 2,500 cells/mm3 and platelet counts < 175,000 cells/mm3 were independent predictors of severe anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Zidovudine treatment, cirrhosis, baseline low body weight, use of PEG-IFN-alpha2a, and baseline haemoglobin level < 14 g/dl are predictors of overall severe haematological toxicity secondary to PEG-IFN plus RBV in HIV-infected individuals. Low pretreatment levels of each haematological series predict a significant decrease of their values during therapy.

Rapid virological response at week 4 predicts response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients

INTRODUCTION

The clinical applicability of early viral kinetics at week 4 in predicting sustained virological response (SVR) of pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients is unclear. Our objective was to determine if rapid virological response (RVR) at week 4 of therapy with peg-IFN and RBV could predict SVR among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

METHODS

HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in whom an HCV viral load determination had been carried out at week 4 of therapy were included in the study. The positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) of RVR (undetectable serum HCV RNA at 4 week) for SVR were calculated in the study population. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to determine the best cutoff of HCV RNA decrease to predict treatment failure.

RESULTS

A total of 101 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients were included. RVR and SVR were observed in 39 (39%) and in 49 (48%) individuals, respectively. Of patients with RVR, 37/39 patients achieved SVR (PPV: 95%), whereas 50/62 individuals without RVR did not show SVR (NPV: 81%). The highest NPV (96%) was reached by using a cutoff level of HCV RNA decrease of 0.6 log10. By applying this cutoff level, treatment could have been discontinued in 25 (25%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

An undetectable serum HCV RNA determination at week 4 of treatment with peg-IFN plus RBV is a reliable predictor of SVR in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. In addition, a decrease of HCV RNA less than 0.6 log10 at this point of treatment could identify an appreciable proportion of individuals who will fail to achieve SVR.

Incidence of and factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma among hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus coinfected patients with decompensated cirrhosis

We compared the incidence of and factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-monoinfected subjects and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected individuals, both with decompensated cirrhosis. In a retrospective study, a cohort of 180 individuals with HIV coinfection and 1037 HCV-monoinfected patients with decompensated HCV-related cirrhosis from eight centres in Spain were analyzed. HCC was found in 234 (23%) HCV-monoinfected subjects and in four (2%) HIV-coinfected subjects (p<0.001). At the time of the first hepatic decompensation, 188 (17%) and 4 (2%) (p<0.001) patients in the former and in the latter group, respectively, showed HCC. Fifty-four (11%) patients without HCC at baseline developed such a disease during follow-up. There were no incident cases among the HIV-coinfected population. The density of incidence (95% IC) of HCC in HIV/HCV-coinfected and HCV-monoinfected patients was 0 (0-1.70) and 3.31 (2.70-4.64) cases per 100 person-years (p<0.001), respectively. Lack of HIV infection [adjusted odds risk (AOR) (95% IC)=16.7 (3.9-71.1)] and high alanine aminotransferase levels [AOR (95% IC)=2.5 (1.1-5)] were the only two independent predictors of the emergence of HCC. In the group of patients in whom the date of HCV infection could be estimated, the time elapsed until HCC diagnosis was shorter among HIV-coinfected subjects. The incidence of HCC in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis after the first hepatic decompensation is lower in HIV-coinfected patients. This is probably due to the fact that HIV infection shortens the survival of HCV-coinfected patients with end-stage liver disease to such an extent that HCC not had a chance to emerge.

Low-level liver enzyme elevations during HAART are not associated with liver fibrosis progression among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients

OBJECTIVES

To assess the association between non-severe liver enzyme elevations (LEEs) during antiretroviral treatment and liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

METHODS

All co-infected patients from an Infectious Disease Unit who had received treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for at least 12 months before undergoing a liver biopsy were included in the study.

RESULTS

One-hundred and sixteen patients met the inclusion criteria of the study. Advanced liver fibrosis was observed in 32 (38%) of 84 patients who developed non-severe LEEs and in 11 (34%) of 32 subjects who developed severe (grade > or = 3) LEEs, (P = 0.7). Seven (6%) of 116 patients showed grade 3 or 4 LEEs for at least 30% of the follow-up. Advanced liver fibrosis was observed in five (71%) of these patients and in 38 (35%) of the 109 subjects who did not develop long-term severe LEEs (P = 0.05). Eight (10%) of 84 patients showed grade 2 LEEs for at least 30% of the follow-up. Advanced liver fibrosis was observed in 28 (37%) of 76 subjects who did not develop long-term grade 2 LEEs and in three (38%) of eight patients who developed them (P = 0.9).

CONCLUSIONS

In HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, non-severe LEEs, whether persistent or not, are not associated with advanced liver fibrosis. On the other hand, long-term severe LEEs are associated with more severe liver fibrosis in this population.

Use of noninvasive markers to detect Leishmania infection in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is a common disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people in the Mediterranean basin. However, most such cases are asymptomatic, and little information about the prevalence of these infections in HIV-infected individuals is available. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of subclinical infection and the relationship between several Leishmania infection markers by noninvasive methods in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients from Southern Spain. Ninety-two HIV-infected patients, who were consecutively attended at the participant hospitals in 2004, were invited to participate in this study. These patients were asymptomatic and without any history of cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis. Leishmania kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) was amplified from peripheral blood samples from 28 (30.4%) of these HIV-infected subjects. Sera from three (3.5%) patients tested positive for Leishmania by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Two patients (2.4%) showed a specific 16-kDa band by Western blotting. In contrast, none of the patients showed a positive agglutination of urine. The leishmanin skin test was positive for four (4.3%) patients. None of the patients with a PCR-positive result showed a positive reaction by enzyme-linked immunoassay or by specific bands in Western blotting or had a positive leishmanin skin test. In conclusion, L. infantum kDNA was detected in a large proportion of asymptomatic HIV-infected patients, although a demonstrable cellular or humoral immune response to this parasite was not shown. Conversely, Leishmania antigen in urine was not detected in these patients.

Antiretroviral Therapy Based on Protease Inhibitors as a Protective Factor against Liver Fibrosis Progression in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Cohort studies have shown that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can improve liver-related mortality in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. A reduction in the accelerated liver fibrosis progression observed in HIV infection induced by HAART could explain these findings. A few studies have assessed the impact of HAART on liver fibrosis, but with contradictory results. Therefore, we evaluated the associations between the use of different antiretroviral drug classes and HAART combinations, and liver fibrosis in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C. Six hundred and eighty-three HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, who underwent a liver biopsy and who had not received anti-HCV treatment were included. Age at HCV infection <23 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.7, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=0.3-0.9, P=0.05) and protease inhibitor (PI)-based HAART versus no use of HAART (AOR=0.5, 95% CI=0.3-0.9, P=0.01) were negatively associated with advanced fibrosis (≥F3). PI-based HAART versus no use of HAART (AOR=0.4, 95% CI=0.2-0.7, P=0.001) was negatively associated with fibrosis progression rate ≥0.2 units/year and independently of age at HCV infection and CD4+ T-cell counts. Fifteen (17%) patients treated only with PIs and zidovudine plus lamivudine showed ≥F3, compared with 65 (37%) patients without HAART ( P=0.001). Forty (31%) patients on PI and stavudine plus lamivudine showed ≥F3 ( P=0.3, when compared with patients with no HAART). The use of PI-based HAART in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients is associated with less severe fibrosis and slower progression of fibrosis. The nucleoside analogue backbone in a HAART regimen may influence this association.

Insulin resistance is not associated with liver fibrosis progression in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients

Insulin resistance (IR) is a common condition in chronic hepatitis C. Recent studies have reported that IR is associated with liver fibrosis progression in these patients. However, there is no information available on this issue in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. For these reasons, we investigate the relationship between IR and liver fibrosis in patients with HIV and HCV infections. This was a cross-sectional study where patients from an Infectious Diseases Unit with HIV/HCV coinfection who underwent a liver biopsy, with available frozen sera samples at the time of biopsy and a known or estimated date of infection were included. IR was determined by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) method. The relationship between histological findings and several variables, including HOMA-IR values, was examined. Seventy-nine patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Age at HCV infection >21 years was the only variable independently associated with advanced liver fibrosis (stages F3 and F4) [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-11.3]. The variables associated with a fibrosis progression rate above the median were age at HCV infection >21 years (AOR 6.41; 95% CI 2.16-27.96) and previous exposure to nevirapine (AOR 8.9; 95% CI 2.01-39.36). There was no association between HOMA-IR values and the presence of advanced fibrosis or a faster fibrosis progression. Thus IR is not associated with liver damage or fibrosis progression in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals.

Incidence of and risk factors for severe hepatotoxicity of nelfinavir-containing regimens among HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of and risk factors for severe hepatotoxicity of nelfinavir-containing regimens among human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus (HIV/HCV)-coinfected patients with known stage of liver fibrosis.

METHODS

All HIV/HCV-coinfected patients were monitored for a period of 12 months after starting nelfinavir-containing regimens and, with an available liver biopsy, were included in a retrospective study.

RESULTS

A total of 82 patients were included in the study. Nine (10.9%) HIV/HCV-coinfected patients showed an episode of severe hepatotoxicity during the study period. Eight (9.8%) individuals showed grade 3 or 4 change in levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and one subject presented with an event of decompensated liver cirrhosis. Six (18.2%) of 33 patients with advanced liver fibrosis and three (6%) of 49 individuals without advanced liver fibrosis showed an episode of severe hepatotoxicity (P = 0.1). In the multivariate analysis, only nevirapine use during nelfinavir therapy [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 8.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-54.1; P = 0.01] was independently associated with risk of development of severe liver toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of severe hepatotoxicity of nelfinavir-containing regimens is low among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with known stage of liver fibrosis. In addition, our findings show that concomitant nevirapine use is associated with an increased risk of severe hepatotoxicity in these subjects. Likewise, the proportion of severe liver toxicity tended to be higher in individuals with advanced liver fibrosis.

Incidence of and Risk Factors for Insulin Resistance in Treatment-Naive HIV-Infected Patients 48 Weeks after Starting Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Objectives

to assess the incidence and risk factors for insulin resistance (IR) in a cohort of naive HIV-infected patients 48 weeks after satarting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Design

prospective, two centre, observational, cohort study.

Methods

One-hundred and thirty-seven patients who started HAART and maintained the same regimen for 48 weeks were included. IR was determined by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) method. Individuals with a HOMA-IR value >3.8 were defined as insulin resistant. Independent associations with the development of IR at 48 weeks were evaluated.

Results

Seventeen (12.4%) individuals showed a HOMA-IR value >3.8 at baseline and were excluded for incidence analyses. Fifteen patients developed IR at 48 weeks of HAART, giving an incidence of 13%. Independent predictors of the development or IR were indinavir exposure (β-coefficient 5.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–22.8; P=0.02), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positivity (β-coefficient 5.22, 95% CI 1.34–20.33; P=0.01). The appearance of IR was associated with a higher BMI (β-coefficient 1.72 for each 2 kg/m2 increase, 95% CI 1.54–1.94; P=0.02) and with the presence of lipodystrophy at 48 weeks (β-coefficient 5.59, 95% CI 1.45-21.5; P=0.01).

Conclusions

HAART induces the development of IR in previously naive non-insulin-resistant HIV-infected individuals, with an incidence of 13% in the first year of therapy. Indinavir exposure, and HCV coinfection are associated with an increased risk of developing IR.

Prediction of liver fibrosis in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus coinfected patients by simple non-invasive indexes

BACKGROUND

Liver biopsy is an invasive technique with associated major complications. There is no information on the validity of five non-invasive indexes based on routinely available parameters, estimated and validated in hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfected patients, in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV coinfected patients.

AIM

To validate these predictive models of liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV coinfected patients.

PATIENTS

A total of 357 (90%) of 398 patients from five hospitals were investigated, who underwent liver biopsy and who had complete data to validate all of the models considered.

METHODS

The predictive accuracy of the indexes was tested by measuring areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated by estimating sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values.

RESULTS

The models performed better when liver biopsies>or=15 mm were used as reference. In this setting, the Forns and Wai indexes, models aimed at discriminating significant fibrosis, showed PPV of 94% and 87%, respectively. Using these models, 27-34% of patients could benefit from exclusion of liver biopsy. If both models were applied sequentially, 41% of liver biopsies could be spared. The indexes aimed at predicting cirrhosis achieved NPV of up to 100%. However, they showed very low PPV.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic accuracy of these models was lower in HIV/HCV coinfected patients than in the validation studies performed in HCV monoinfected patients. However, simple fibrosis tests may render liver biopsy unnecessary in deciding anti-HCV treatment in over one third of patients with HIV infection and chronic hepatitis C.

Survival and prognostic factors of HIV-infected patients with HCV-related end-stage liver disease

OBJECTIVE

To find the survival and the predictors of death of HIV-infected patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related end-stage liver disease (ESLD).

DESIGN AND METHODS

A prospective cohort study set in the infectious diseases units of four tertiary care public hospitals in Andalucía, Spain. From a multicentric cohort of 2664 HIV/HCV-co-infected patients, all consecutive patients with HCV-related cirrhosis who presented with the first hepatic decompensation from January 1997 to June 2004 were followed-up and 153 patients were included. The survival and the demographic, HIV-related and liver-related factors associated with death were evaluated.

RESULTS

Ninety-five (62%) patients died during the follow-up. In 79 (85%) individuals, the cause of death was liver related. The median survival time was 13 months. Independent predictors of survival were Child score [hazard ratio (HR), 1.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08-1.37; P = 0.001], CD4+ cell count at decompensation lower than 100 cells/microl (HR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.52-4.06; P < 0.001) and hepatic encephalopathy as the first hepatic decompensation (HR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.41-4.27; P = 0.001). HAART was prescribed to 101 (66%) patients. The cumulative probability of survival in patients under HAART was 60% at 1 year and 40% at 3 years, versus 38 and 18%, respectively, in patients not treated with HAART (P < 0.0001). The HR (95% CI) of death in patients on HAART was 0.5 (0.3-0.9), (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS The survival of HIV/HCV-co-infected patients with ESLD is extremely poor. Immunosuppression and markers of severe liver disease predict liver-related mortality in these patients. HAART seems to be associated with a reduced liver-related mortality.

Antiretroviral therapy based on protease inhibitors as a protective factor against liver fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Cohort studies have shown that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can improve liver-related mortality in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. A reduction in the accelerated liver fibrosis progression observed in HIV infection induced by HAART could explain these findings. A few studies have assessed the impact of HAART on liver fibrosis, but with contradictory results. Therefore, we evaluated the associations between the use of different antiretroviral drug classes and HAART combinations, and liver fibrosis in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C. Six hundred and eighty-three HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, who underwent a liver biopsy and who had not received anti-HCV treatment were included. Age at HCV infection < 23years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.7, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.3-0.9, P = 0.05) and protease inhibitor (PI)-based HAART versus no use of HAART (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-0.9, P = 0.01) were negatively associated with advanced fibrosis (> or = F3). PI-based HAART versus no use of HAART (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2-0.7, P = 0.001) was negatively associated with fibrosis progression rate > or = 0.2 units/year and independently of age at HCV infection and CD4+ T-cell counts. Fifteen (17%) patients treated only with PIs and zidovudine plus lamivudine showed > or = F3, compared with 65 (37%) patients without HAART (P = 0.001). Forty (31%) patients on PI and stavudine plus lamivudine showed > or = F3 (P = 0.3, when compared with patients with no HAART). The use of PI-based HAART in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients is associated with less severe fibrosis and slower progression of fibrosis. The nucleoside analogue backbone in a HAART regimen may influence this association.

Incidence of and risk factors for insulin resistance in treatment-naive HIV-infected patients 48 weeks after starting highly active antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVES

to assess the incidence and risk factors for insulin resistance (IR) in a cohort of naive HIV-infected patients 48 weeks after starting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

DESIGN

prospective, two centre, observational, cohort study.

METHODS

One-hundred and thirty-seven patients who started HAART and maintained the same regimen for 48 weeks were included. IR was determined by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) method. Individuals with a HOMA-IR value >3.8 were defined as insulin resistant. Independent associations with the development of IR at 48 weeks were evaluated.

RESULTS

Seventeen (12.4%) individuals showed a HOMA-IR value >3.8 at baseline and were excluded for incidence analyses. Fifteen patients developed IR at 48 weeks of HAART, giving an incidence of 13%. Independent predictors of the development or IR were indinavir exposure (beta-coefficient 5.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-22.8; P=0.02), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positivity (beta-coefficient 5.22, 95% CI 1.34-20.33; P=0.01). The appearance of IR was associated with a higher BMI (beta-coefficient 1.72 for each 2 kg/m2 increase, 95% CI 1.54-1.94; P=0.02) and with the presence of lipodystrophy at 48 weeks (beta-coefficient 5.59, 95% CI 1.45-21.5; P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

HAART induces the development of IR in previously naive non-insulin-resistant HIV-infected individuals, with an incidence of 13% in the first year of therapy. Indinavir exposure, and HCV coinfection are associated with an increased risk of developing IR.

Effects of food-related stimuli on visual spatial attention in fasting and nonfasting normal subjects: Behavior and electrophysiology

OBJECTIVE

Attention biases toward food-related stimuli were examined as mediators of normal, healthy motivated behavior.

METHODS

Reaction times (RTs) and event-related potentials (ERPs) were used to assess the impact of food-related words on normal food-deprived individuals when used as spatial cues that frequently predicted the location of targets in a simple detection task (75% validity).

RESULTS

In Experiment 1, fasting and nonfasting subjects showed a magnified cost/benefit of invalid/valid cueing by food words relative to a neutral category of words. In Experiment 2, the RT effect was replicated in a group of fasting subjects. The amplitude of a P3-like positivity (P420) was enhanced in response to food words, as was that of a prominent early anterior negativity (AN).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that food-related stimuli can bias spatial attention in normal subjects and that electrophysiological markers can index the motivational salience of food words and/or their effect on attentional capture in food-deprived individuals.

SIGNIFICANCE

Even when the motivational salience of spatial cues is irrelevant to task demands, it can have an observable effect on attention. This design allows for the behavioral and electrophysiological study of motivation-attention interactions through loading of spatial cues with motivation-related semantic properties.

Prevalencia de anticuerpos séricos frente a Bartonella spp. en una polación sana del área sur de la provincia de Sevilla

OBJECTIVE

To know the prevalence of serum antibodies against Bartonella spp. in a healthy population from south of Spain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A clinical-epidemiological survey was conducted among 146 healthy individuals. An indirect immunofluorescence commercial technique was used in a sample of serum from each individual to detect the present of IgG type serum antibodies against Bartonella spp., considering a result equal to or greater than 1:128 as positive.

RESULTS

Thirty six (24.7%) of all the subjects studied were asymptomatic carriers of antibodies against Bartonella spp. No crossed reactions against Chlamydia trachomatis, C. pneumoniae or Coxiella burnetti were observed. No significant association was found between the presence of seropositivity for Bartonella spp. and other factors.

CONCLUSION

There is an elevated frequency of asymptomatic carriers of antibodies against Bartonella spp. among the healthy population of our area. This suggests that most of the infections by Bartonella are subclinical.

Relationship between osteopenia, free testosterone, and vitamin D metabolite levels in HIV-infected patients with and without highly active antiretroviral therapy

The prevalence of osteopenia in HIV-infected patients is high. However, the mechanisms implicated in bone mass loss in HIV infection are unclear. Because of this, we analyzed serum free testosterone and vitamin D3 hydroxylated metabolites in HIV-infected patients, with and without antiretroviral treatment, and the relation between them and osteopenia. Seventy-four HIV-infected patients were selected because they had frozen sera available at a date close to a DEXA evaluation. Free testosterone, 25(OH)D3, and 1,25(OH)2D3 were determined in frozen serum. There were no differences in free testosterone, 25(OH)D3, and 1,25(OH)2D3 levels between patients with and without osteopenia. 25(OH)D3 levels in naive and HAART-treated patients were 26.2 (10.3-32.8) and 33.1 (20.6-46.8) ng/ml, respectively (p = 0.04). 1,25(OH)2D3 levels in naive and HAART treated patients were 60.3 (49.2-80.8) and 85.5 (68-111.6) pmol/liter (p = 0.01). Free testosterone levels in 9 naive men and in 50 HAART-treated men were 42.6 (24.1-67.3) and 69.2 (47.5-112.1) pmol/liter, respectively (p = 0.04). In conclusion, HIV-infected patients with and without osteopenia showed similar levels of vitamin D metabolites and free testosterone. However, antiretroviral drug-naive patients showed lower serum levels of vitamin D metabolites and free testosterone than HAART-treated patients.

Increased hepatocyte fas expression and apoptosis in HIV and hepatitis C virus coinfection

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis C disease (CHC) follows an accelerated course in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. The reasons for this are unclear. Fas-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We sought to compare the expression of Fas on hepatocytes and irreversible apoptosis of hepatocytes among patients with CHC with and without HCV/HIV coinfection.

METHODS

Fas-immunostained hepatocytes were semiquantified, and apoptotic hepatocytes were detected by staining caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 filaments and counted across the entire section of liver-biopsy specimens from HCV-infected patients with and without HCV/HIV coinfection.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-four HCV/HIV-coinfected and 100 HCV-infected patients were included. HCV/HIV coinfection was associated with both diffuse distribution of Fas-stained hepatocytes (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 7.4 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 3.8-14.4]) and with apoptotic hepatocyte counts greater than the median (AOR, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.5-4.5]). In HCV/HIV-coinfected patients, CD4+ cell nadir<200 cells/mL was associated with both Fas expression (AOR, 2.9 [95% CI, 1.3-6.8]) and hepatocyte apoptosis (AOR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.1-4.9]).

CONCLUSION

HCV/HIV-coinfected patients show higher levels of hepatocytes expressing Fas and undergoing irreversible apoptosis than do HCV-infected patients. However, low CD4+ cell nadirs in coinfected patients are associated with hepatocyte Fas expression and apoptosis.

HIV coinfection shortens the survival of patients with hepatitis C virus-related decompensated cirrhosis

The impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection on the survival of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related end-stage liver disease (ESLD) is unknown. Because HIV infection is no longer considered an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation in some countries, it has become a priority to address this topic. The objective of this study was to compare the survival of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to HCV. In a retrospective cohort study, the survival of 1,037 HCV monoinfected and 180 HCV/HIV-coinfected patients with cirrhosis after the first hepatic decompensation was analyzed. Of the group, 386 (37%) HCV-monoinfected and 100 (56%) HCV/HIV-coinfected subjects died during the follow-up. The median survival time of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients was 16 and 48 months, respectively (P < .001). The relative risk (95% CI) of death for HIV-infected patients was 2.26 (1.51-3.38). Other independent predictors of survival were age older than 63 years (2.25 [1.53-3.31]); Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B versus class A (1.95 [1.41-2.68]) and class C versus class A (2.78 [1.66-4.70]); hepatitis D virus infection (1.56 [1.12-4.77]); model for end-stage liver disease score, (1.05 [1.01-1-11]); more than one simultaneous decompensation (1.23 [1.12-3.33]); and the type of the first hepatic decompensation, with a poorer prognosis associated with encephalopathy compared with portal hypertensive gastrointestinal bleeding (2.03 [1.26-3.10]). In conclusion, HIV coinfection reduces considerably the survival of patients with HCV-related ESLD independently of other markers of poor prognosis. This fact must be taken into account to establish the adequate timing of liver transplantation in HIV-coinfected subjects.

Progression of liver fibrosis in patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus undergoing antiretroviral therapy

As the immunosuppression caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) accelerates the progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver fibrosis, the immune reconstitution associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) may have the opposite effect. However, hepatotoxicity related to HAART could enhance the progression of liver fibrosis. Some retrospective studies have shown that therapy with the protease inhibitors may be associated with less severe liver fibrosis, whereas nevirapine use seems to correlate with faster progression. Low-grade liver toxicity associated with nevirapine could account for this effect. However, other studies have not confirmed these findings. Long-term prospective studies are needed to analyse the impact of antiretroviral drugs on the progression of HCV-related liver disease. Meanwhile, no specific recommendations can be made on the use of individual drugs or drug classes in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. Most importantly however, the inherent benefits of HAART largely outweigh the risk of enhancing fibrosis progression. Additionally, in coinfected patients, other factors that promote fibrogenesis, such as alcohol consumption, should be avoided. Antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C could also reduce the risk of liver damage associated with HAART.

Transient rebounds of HIV plasma viremia are associated with the emergence of drug resistance mutations in patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND

There are very few and contradictory data about the consequences of 'blips', transient rebounds of HIV viremia. We assessed the emergence of new drug resistance mutations during blips among HIV-infected patients on HAART from a cohort in which we found no association between blips and virological failure.

METHODS

Seventeen patients with blips were selected from 330 patients under HAART for over 48 weeks according to these criteria: (1) presence of only one blip, viremia < or =1000copies/ml preceded by two consecutive visits and followed by one visit showing undetectable viremia; (2) therapy adherence > or =95%; (3) availability of frozen sera.

RESULTS

HIV RNA could be extracted and amplified from five patients. In another two patients only the protease region could be amplified. Drug mutations in either the retrotranscriptase or protease genes, not detected at baseline, were observed in six patients at the blip. None of the patients showed detectable viremia during a median (range) follow-up after the blip of 120 (36-156) weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Transient rebounds of viremia in patients on HAART are associated with the emergence of new drug resistant HIV variants. In spite of it, virological failure is not observed after a median follow-up of over 2 years.

Gynaecomastia in HIV-infected men on highly active antiretroviral therapy: association with efavirenz and didanosine treatment

BACKGROUND

Gynaecomastia has been described in HIV-infected men undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, there are insufficient data on the relationship between gynaecomastia and any specific antiretroviral drug and hormone abnormality.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency of gynaecomastia in HIV-infected men receiving HAART and its association with antiretroviral drugs and hormone abnormalities.

METHODS

We carried out a prospective study of 1304 HIV-infected men undergoing HAART. In addition, we included a case (with gynaecomastia)-control (without gynaecomastia) analysis in the second part of this study. Cases and controls were matched according to age, HIV infection CDC clinical category, HCV infection, the date of study and the physician responsible for the patient. Patients bearing known causes of gynaecomastia were excluded. We analysed epidemiological, clinical, haematological and immunological characteristics and the use and duration of the antiretroviral therapy. In 13 cases and 13 controls a sexual hormone profile was carried out.

RESULTS

A total of 30 (2.3%) HIV-infected men presented with gynaecomastia of unexplained cause. In 22 (73%) of these individuals, gynaecomastia completely resolved after a median time of 9 months (range: 5-22 months). The percentage of individuals who were receiving efavirenz and didanosine at the time of the study was higher among patients with gynaecomastia [57% vs 17% (P=0.004) and 50% vs 13% (P=0.003), respectively]. Plasma total testosterone, free testosterone index and bioavailable testosterone levels were lower in patients with gynaecomastia, whereas plasma free testosterone levels were not significantly different in either population.

CONCLUSIONS

Gynaecomastia is not uncommon in HIV-infected men undergoing HAART and it is usually transient. Efavirenz and didanosine treatment are associated with the emergence of gynaecomastia. An underlying hypoandrogenism seems to contribute to the emergence of this disorder in these patients.

Gynaecomastia in HIV-Infected Men on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: Association with Efavirenz and Didanosine Treatment

Background

Gynaecomastia has been described in HIV-infected men undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, there are insufficient data on the relationship between gynaecomastia and any specific antiretroviral drug and hormone abnormality.

Objective

To assess the frequency of gynaecomastia in HIV-infected men receiving HAART and its association with antiretroviral drugs and hormone abnormalities.

Methods

We carried out a prospective study of 1304 HIV-infected men undergoing HAART. In addition, we included a case (with gynaecomastia)-control (without gynaecomastia) analysis in the second part of this study. Cases and controls were matched according to age, HIV infection CDC clinical category, HCV infection, the date of study and the physician responsible for the patient. Patients bearing known causes of gynaecomastia were excluded. We analysed epidemiological, clinical, haematological and immunological characteristics and the use and duration of the antiretroviral therapy. In 13 cases and 13 controls a sexual hormone profile was carried out.

Results

A total of 30 (2.3%) HIV-infected men presented with gynaecomastia of unexplained cause. In 22 (73%) of these individuals, gynaecomastia completely resolved after a median time of 9 months (range: 5–22 months). The percentage of individuals who were receiving efavirenz and didanosine at the time of the study was higher among patients with gynaecomastia [57% vs 17% ( P=0.004) and 50% vs 13% ( P=0.003), respectively]. Plasma total testosterone, free testosterone index and bioavailable testosterone levels were lower in patients with gynaecomastia, whereas plasma free testosterone levels were not significantly different in either population.

Conclusions

Gynaecomastia is not uncommon in HIV-infected men undergoing HAART and it is usually transient. Efavirenz and didanosine treatment are associated with the emergence of gynaecomastia. An underlying hypoandrogenism seems to contribute to the emergence of this disorder in these patients.

Detection of Leishmania infantum kinetoplast DNA in peripheral blood from asymptomatic individuals at risk for parenterally transmitted infections: relationship between polymerase chain reaction results and other Leishmania infection markers

Individuals with frequent exposures to agents spread through the parenteral route show a high prevalence of Leishmania seropositivity in Spain. However, the frequency of positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results for Leishmania in blood in this setting remains unknown. In this study, L. infantum kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) was found in blood from 23 (24%) of 95 asymptomatic individuals with a serum Leishmania antibody titer > or = 1:20 and in none of 44 seronegative individuals. The greater the antibody titer, the greater the proportion of PCR-positive samples, but 16 (20%) of 81 individuals with antibody titers < or = 1:40 tested positive by PCR. Nine (37%) PCR-positive and 22 (19%) (P = 0.03) PCR-negative individuals showed a positive leishmanin skin test result. This results show that a remarkable proportion of asymptomatic Leishmania-seropositive individuals at risk for parenterally transmitted infections carry Leishmania kDNA in blood. This is more common in subjects with a high serum Leishmania antibody level and a positive leishmanin skin test result.

Effect of antiretroviral drugs on liver fibrosis in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C: harmful impact of nevirapine

BACKGROUND

The hepatotoxicity of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) could enhance liver fibrosis in HIV/Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. Moreover, HAART-related immune restoration could lessen HCV-associated liver damage. The data on the effect of protease inhibitors (PI) on liver fibrosis are scant and contradictory. No information is available on the relationship between non-nucleoside analogue therapy and liver fibrosis in co-infected patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations between the use of different antiretroviral drugs and the liver fibrosis in patients with HIV and HCV infections.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

All HIV/HCV co-infected patients with an available liver biopsy and known or estimated duration of HCV infection seen at a Infectious Diseases Unit were included in the study. The fibrosis stage and the fibrosis progression rate were evaluated.

RESULTS

The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 152 patients. Age at HCV infection < 20 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.19-0.82], PI-based HAART (AOR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.19-0.78) and nevirapine-based HAART (AOR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.02-6.58) were associated with fibrosis stage >or= F3. The variables associated with fibrosis progression rate > 0.2 units/year were age at HCV infection < 20 years (AOR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.1-0.52), CD4 cell counts < or = 250 x 10/l at liver biopsy (AOR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-7.1), PI-based HAART (AOR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.2-0.8) and nevirapine-based HAART (AOR, 3.82; 95% CI, 1.9-7.6).

CONCLUSIONS

HAART regimens including nevirapine are associated with faster liver fibrosis progression in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C. In contrast, patients on PI as the backbone of potent antiretroviral therapy are more likely to show less liver fibrosis.

Frequency of visceral leishmaniasis relapses in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy

There are contradictory data about whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) prevents visceral leishmaniasis (VL) relapses in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of VL relapses in individuals receiving HAART. Thirty-one patients who received HAART after developing VL were included in a retrospective cohort study. Ten of them received secondary chemoprophylaxis and the rest did not. Eight (38%) patients without secondary chemoprophylaxis showed a VL relapse. None of the seven subjects with VL relapses and 6 of 11 without recurrence (P = 0.038), in whom all scheduled data were available, showed an increase of more than 100 CD4+ cells/mm(3) during the follow-up. Patients with relapse showed higher levels of HIV RNA viral load at their last visit (P = 0.047). The frequency of VL relapses in patients receiving HAART is high. Relapses of VL are observed only in individuals with uncontrolled HIV replication and/or poor immunologic responses.

Relationship between low bone mineral density and highly active antiretroviral therapy including protease inhibitors in HIV-infected patients

PURPOSE

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of osteopenia and the factors associated with its presence in HIV-infected patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and to assess the changes of bone mineral density (BMD) in a population followed prospectively.

METHOD

BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans at the lumbar spine and at the femoral neck in 78 HIV-infected patients who had previously received HAART as the first antiretroviral regimen and in 11 antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected patients. BMD measurements were repeated in 70 treated patients who had completed 1 year of follow-up.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven (42%) patients showed osteopenia at any localization. The prevalence of osteopenia in PI-naive patients was 23% versus 49% in individuals who had received PI at any moment [p =.001; adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) = 0.11 (0.02-0.48)]. The frequency of osteopenia was significantly higher among men than among women [50% vs. 17%; p =.016; adjusted OR (95% CI) = 12.1 (2.22-66.20)]. The level of plasma albumin was independently associated with osteopenia [adjusted OR (95% CI) per each g/dL of plasma albumin decrease 2.55 (1.18-10)]. In patients in whom a second DEXA was done, no significant changes in BMD were found.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of osteopenia in HIV-infected patients on HAART is high. Loss of BMD is associated with PI therapy, low plasma albumin level, and male sex. Osteopenia does not progress after 1 year of continued HAART.

Impaired Recovery of CD4+ Cell Counts Following Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Drug-Na�ve Patients Coinfected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus

Coinfection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly prevalent in southern Europe. However, there are few and contradictory data about the effect of HCV carriage on the response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In this study, the recovery of CD4+ T cells following HAART among antiretroviral-naïve patients seropositive for HIV with and without HCV coinfection was investigated. Two hundred one HIV-infected patients without previous exposure to antiretroviral drugs were included in the study. HCV coinfection was detected in 123 (61%) patients. The time to recover 200 CD4+ cells/ microl was longer in the HCV-positive group ( P<0.001). In a Cox model, HCV infection and lack of persistent HIV viremia (defined as <200 copies/ml) were associated with the time to recover 200 CD4+ cells/ microl. The mean increase in CD4+ cell counts was lower in the HCV-positive group during the first year of therapy. HIV/HCV-coinfected patients naïve for antiretroviral therapy show a delayed recovery of CD4+ cell counts after starting HAART.