Stable recovery from HCV in HIV-HCV co-infection under antiretroviral therapy

J Clin Virol. 2007 Sep;40(1):71-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2007.05.014. Epub 2007 Jul 19.

Abstract

Co-infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is common. HIV co-infection worsens the course of HCV infection, particularly in patients with low CD4-cell count, enhancing the need to cancel HCV replication in HIV-infected patients. We report a case of spontaneous recovery of chronic HCV-infection in a HCV-HIV co-infected hemophiliac with the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy and immune restoration. Retrospective analysis of frozen blood samples showed that a decrease in HCV-RNA in parallel with the increase of CD4 and CD8-cell counts, accompanied by a peak of transaminases. The respective effect of immune restoration and of high doses of ritonavir are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1*
  • Hemophilia A / virology
  • Hepacivirus*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • RNA, Viral
  • Ritonavir / therapeutic use*
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • RNA, Viral
  • Ritonavir