Effect of HIV infection on hepatitis C

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a common infection that can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the rates of clinical progression are highly variable, chronic HCV infection leads to cirrhosis in at least 20% of patients within two decades of the onset of infection (1). For those who are coinfected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), progression to end-stage liver disease is more rapid (2-9). Coinfection with HIV may also increase the rates of perinatal and sexual transmission of HCV (10-13). This review will focus on the effect of HIV on the natural history and transmission of chronic HCV infections. The possible effects of HIV and its associated immune deficiency state on HCV viral load and genetic heterogeneity will be discussed.