[Effects of double and triple antiretroviral agents on the HCV viral load in patients coinfected with HIV and HCV]

Abstract

HIV infection accelerates natural course of HCV infection, but impact of antiretroviral treatment on HCV infection is not well known. The aim of this study is to compare the change of HCV viral load in patients on combination of 2 nucleoside analogues and in patients on combination of 2 nucleoside analogues and protease inhibitor. HCV and HIV viral load, lymphocyte CD4 counts, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) were measured before and 3 months after starting treatment in 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 15) treated with 2 nucleoside analogues and Group 2 (n = 15) treated with 2 nucleoside analogues and a protease inhibitor. Results show a significant increase in lymphocyte and a significant decrease in HIV viral load in the both group but no significant change in HCV viral load and in ALT and AST. In conclusion efficiency of anti-HIV therapy (combination of 2 nucleoside analogues with or without a protease inhibitor) doesn't seem to have any impact on the course of HCV viremia in HIV-coinfected patients.