Incidence and progression to cirrhosis of new hepatitis C virus infections in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2017 Apr;23(4):267.e1-267.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.12.003. Epub 2016 Dec 9.

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroconversion and the risk of severe fibrosis/cirrhosis in HCV seroconverters among persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Methods: We analysed data on 4059 persons with HIV enrolled in a cohort study in Italy.

Results: Incidence rate of seroconversion was 0.6/100 person-years overall, and drug users and men-who-have-sex-with-men were at highest risk. The cumulative risk of progression to severe fibrosis/cirrhosis was 30% by 10 years after seroconversion.

Conclusions: New HCV infections have a rapidly progressive course in this population. Persons with HIV and HCV superinfection should be prioritized for treatment with anti-HCV direct-acting antivirals.

Keywords: Cirrhosis; Cohort study; Hepatitis C virus; Human immunodeficiency virus; Incidence.

MeSH terms

  • Cohort Studies
  • Coinfection*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Liver Cirrhosis / epidemiology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / etiology*
  • Male
  • Population Surveillance
  • Risk