Clinical variables identify seronegative HCV co-infection in HIV-infected individuals

Hepatitis C Virus Infection among HIV-Infected Patients Attending Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeastern Ethiopia

Objective

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) coinfection increases the incidence of end-stage liver disease which is more severe in immune-compromised HIV-infected patients than HCV infection alone. The aim of this study was to assess HCV infection and the associated risk factors among HIV/AIDS patients attending Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 249 HIV-infected adults selected by a systematic random sampling technique from January to March 2018. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and risk factor data. Moreover, the blood specimen was collected and tested for CD4 count and anti-HCV antibody detection according to standard operating procedures. The data obtained were entered into SPSS version 20, and descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. A P value ≤0.05 with a corresponding 95% confidence interval was considered as statistically significant.

Result

Of a total of 249 HIV-infected study subjects, 120 (48.2%) were male and 129 (51.8%) were females, while the mean (±SD) age and CD4+ cells/mm3 were 39.10 (±11.507) years and 316.08 + 290.607 cells/mm3, respectively. Anti-HCV antibody was detected in 13 (5.2%) patients with higher prevalence rate found in males (P=0.078) and elders >50 years of age (P=0.013) than their counterparts. Age group of >50 years of age (AOR = 9.070, 95% CI: 1.578, 52.117, P=0.013), longer duration of HIV treatment (AOR = 5.490, 95% CI: 1.341, 34.458, P=0.041), WHO clinical stage III/IV (AOR = 12.768, 95% CI: 2.293, 71.106, P=0.004), previous history of hospitalization (AOR = 10.234, 95% CI: 2.049, 51.118, P=0.005), tooth extraction (AOR = 6.016, 95% CI: 1.137, 36.837, P=0.048), and liver disease (AOR = 11.398, 95% CI: 1.275, 101.930, P=0.029) were statistically significant predictors of HCV infection.

Conclusion

The prevalence of HCV infection is still higher and causes concern. Therefore, screening of these high-risk groups should be critical to reduce mortality and to improve clinical outcomes.

The First Case Report of Acute Symptomatic HEV Genotype 4 Infection in an HIV-positive Patient in Japan

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of acute hepatitis. Four major genotypes of HEV have been studied, with genotype 4 being the predominant genotype across Asia. We herein describe the case of a 50-year-old man with a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who was admitted with acute transaminitis. Serum anti-HEV-IgA and HEV-RNA were detected at the time of presentation and further testing revealed HEV genotype 4. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first clinical case report of acute symptomatic HEV genotype 4 infection in an HIV-positive patient in Japan.

Neurocognitive impairment is worse in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals with liver dysfunction

Infections with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) can individually and jointly contribute to neurocognitive impairment (NCI). Rates of NCI in HIV/HCV-coinfected persons range from 40 to 63% but its correlates have not been described. In this study, we examined HIV/HCV-coinfected adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with undetectable HIV RNA in blood (n = 412) who were assessed using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Demographics, host and viral biomarkers, and markers of liver dysfunction were compared between impaired (n = 198) and unimpaired (n = 214) participants using logistic regression. The cohort was predominantly middle-aged men, half of whom (48%) had NCI. The odds of NCI increased by almost two-fold when serum albumin was < 4 g/dL, 1.7-fold when alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were > 50 IU/L, and 2.2-fold with every unit increase in log10 AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI). These readily available clinical biomarkers of NCI measure hepatic injury and/or dysfunction, suggesting a mechanism for the effects of HCV infection on NCI. They may identify patients at increased risk of NCI who could be prioritized for early initiation of HCV treatment to protect or improve cognition.

Development and validation of the HCV-MOSAIC risk score to assist testing for acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM)

Current guidelines recommend hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing for HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) with ongoing risk behaviour, without specifying the type of risk behaviour. We developed and validated the HCV-MOSAIC risk score to assist HCV testing in HIV-infected MSM. The risk score consisted of six self-reported risk factors identified using multivariable logistic regression using data from the Dutch MOSAIC study (n = 213, 2009–2013). Area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, post-test-probability-of-disease and diagnostic gain were calculated. The risk score was validated in case–control studies from Belgium (n = 142, 2010–2013) and the United Kingdom (n = 190, 2003–2005) and in cross-sectional surveys at a Dutch sexually transmitted infections clinic (n = 284, 2007–2009). The AUC was 0.82; sensitivity 78.0% and specificity 78.6%. In the validation studies sensitivity ranged from 73.1% to 100% and specificity from 56.2% to 65.6%. The post-test-probability-of-disease ranged from 5.9% to 20.0% given acute HCV prevalence of 1.7% to 6.4%, yielding a diagnostic gain of 4.2% to 13.6%. The HCV-MOSAIC risk score can successfully identify HIV-infected MSM at risk for acute HCV infection. It could be a promising tool to improve HCV testing strategies in various settings.

Sexually-transmitted seronegative HCV infection in an HIV-positive post-liver transplant recipient. Case report and review of the literature

We report an HIV-positive patient post liver transplant for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Posttransplant liver enzymes became persistently elevated, however HCV antibody was repeatedly negative. Nucleic acid testing subsequently revealed ongoing HCV viremia. Exposure to HCV was on the basis of sexual transmission. The patient was subsequently successfully treated with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir.

Cancer prevention in HIV-infected populations

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are living longer since the advent of effective combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). While cART substantially decreases the risk of developing some cancers, HIV-infected individuals remain at high risk for Kaposi sarcoma, lymphoma, and several solid tumors. Currently HIV-infected patients represent an aging group, and malignancies have become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Tailored cancer-prevention strategies are needed for this population. In this review we describe the etiologic agents and pathogenesis of common malignancies in the setting of HIV, as well as current evidence for cancer prevention strategies and screening programs.

Mechanisms of HIV-1 Tat neurotoxicity via CDK5 translocation and hyper-activation: role in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders

The advent of more effective antiretroviral therapies has reduced the frequency of HIV dementia, however the prevalence of milder HIV associated neurocognitive disorders [HAND] is actually rising. Neurodegenerative mechanisms in HAND might include toxicity by secreted HIV-1 proteins such as Tat, gp120 and Nef that could activate neuro-inflammatory pathways, block autophagy, promote excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and dysregulation of signaling pathways. Recent studies have shown that Tat could interfere with several signal transduction mechanisms involved in cytoskeletal regulation, cell survival and cell cycle re-entry. Among them, Tat has been shown to hyper-activate cyclin-dependent kinase [CDK] 5, a member of the Ser/Thr CDKs involved in cell migration, angiogenesis, neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. CDK5 is activated by binding to its regulatory subunit, p35 or p39. For this manuscript we review evidence showing that Tat, via calcium dysregulation, promotes calpain-1 cleavage of p35 to p25, which in turn hyper-activates CDK5 resulting in abnormal phosphorylation of downstream targets such as Tau, collapsin response mediator protein-2 [CRMP2], doublecortin [DCX] and MEF2. We also present new data showing that Tat interferes with the trafficking of CDK5 between the nucleus and cytoplasm. This results in prolonged presence of CDK5 in the cytoplasm leading to accumulation of aberrantly phosphorylated cytoplasmic targets [e.g.: Tau, CRMP2, DCX] that impair neuronal function and eventually lead to cell death. Novel therapeutic approaches with compounds that block Tat mediated hyper-activation of CDK5 might be of value in the management of HAND.

How I treat classical Hodgkin lymphoma in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus

HIV-associated classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HIV-cHL) is an important complication of HIV disease in the era of effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Generally, newly diagnosed HIV-cHL should be managed with curative intent. With modern HIV therapeutics, HIV-cHL treatment outcomes are largely comparable to those of the background population with cHL (non-HIV-cHL). To achieve these outcomes, particular attention must be given to managing HIV. This management includes understanding HIV as a comorbid condition with a spectrum of impact that is unique to each patient. Meticulous attention to drug-drug interactions is required to avoid toxicity and pharmacokinetic effects that can undermine cure. Relapsed and refractory HIV-cHL poses additional therapeutic challenges. The standard management in this setting should also be based on that for non-HIV-cHL, and includes the use of salvage chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant in chemosensitive disease. The role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is less clear but may be useful in select cases. Newer agents with activity in cHL are being tested as part of primary and salvage therapy and are also highly relevant for HIV-cHL.

Hepatitis C virus infection in patients with HIV-1: epidemiology, natural history and management

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver diseases have contributed to increased morbidity and mortality in HIV-1-infected individuals in the era of effective antiretroviral therapy. HCV transmission patterns have changed among the HIV co-infected population during the last decade, with acute HCV infection emerging worldwide. HIV infection accelerates the progression of HCV-related liver diseases and consequently cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the current standard treatment of HCV infection with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin results in only a limited viral response. Furthermore, cumbersome pill regimens, antiretroviral related hepatotoxicity, and drug interactions of HCV and HIV regimens complicate therapy strategies. Fortunately, in the near future, new direct-acting anti-HCV agents will widen therapeutic options for HCV/HIV co-infection. Liver transplantation is also gradually accepted as a therapeutic option for end stage liver disease of HCV/HIV co-infected patients.

Seronegative hepatitis C virus infection in a child infected via mother-to-child transmission

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection typically leads to antibody response within weeks after primary infection. Here, we describe the case of a child infected with HCV by mother-to-child transmission who remained persistently seronegative despite the presence of high levels of circulating HCV RNA.