Higher Activation in CD4(+) T Cells But Similar Viral Control Among HIV/Hepatitis C Virus-Coinfected Patients on a Simplification Monotherapy

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2016 Jan;32(1):6-11. doi: 10.1089/AID.2014.0299. Epub 2015 Oct 21.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection would affect the clinical and immunological outcome of HIV-infected patients following a simplification strategy. A prospective cohort of HIV-infected patients starting a ritonavir boosted darunavir monotherapy (mtDRV/rtv) was followed for 24 months. HCV infection was evaluated by HCV viremia and hepatic fibrosis. Immune activation was studied as HLA-DR CD38 coexpression on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and also the quantification of plasma sCD14 levels. Microbial translocation was studied by the plasma levels of 16S rDNA and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 150 HIV-infected patients were enrolled in this study, including 46 individuals also infected with HCV (30.6%). HIV/HCV coinfection did not decrease mtDRV/rtv efficacy, since similar rates of HIV-1 intermittent viremia (HCV: 26.6% vs. no-HCV: 34.7%) and episodes of virological failure (HCV: 22.2% vs. no-HCV: 11.2%, p-value = 0.381) were found. No major differences were found between both groups at baseline, although higher HLA-DR(+)CD38(+)CD4(+) T cell counts were found in the coinfected group (HCV: 6.65% vs. no-HCV: 4.55%, p-value = 0.032); this difference was maintained in the 24 months of follow-up. After the 24-month follow-up, both groups, HIV-monoinfected patients and HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, presented similar immune activation and microbial translocation profiles. In conclusion, the use of a simplified mtDRV/rtv strategy compromises neither HIV nor HCV viremic control in coinfected patients, although a higher immune activation of CD4(+) T cells was found.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / genetics
  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / immunology
  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Coinfection
  • Darunavir / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DR Antigens / immunology
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects
  • Hepacivirus / physiology
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Ritonavir / therapeutic use*
  • Viral Load / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1
  • Ritonavir
  • Darunavir