Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection in a cohort of HIV positive long-term non-progressors: possible protective effect of infecting HCV genotype on HIV disease progression.

BACKGROUND AND
OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is frequent in HIV-positive subjects. We evaluated the potential impact of HCV coinfection and other determinants on HIV disease progression in a cohort of long-term non-progressors (LTNPs). STUDY
DESIGN: We studied immunological and virological factors in a cohort of 49 LTNPs, 23 of whom progressed during the follow-up (late progressors; LPs).
RESULTS: HCV coinfection was detected in 19/26 LTNPs and 15/23 LPs. Univariate analysis showed that HIV viral load was associated with disease progression (P=0.04), and time-to-event analysis indicated that HCV genotype 1 significantly correlated with LTNP status (P=0.031). At multivariate analysis, HIV viremia at study entry remained independently associated with LTNP status (P=0.049). When the most represented genotypes (1 and 3a) were considered in the model, genotype 3a infection (P=0.034) and gender (P=0.035) emerged as independent variables related to HIV disease progression, whereas HIV viral load disappeared.
CONCLUSIONS: In addition to HIV viremia, coinfection with different HCV genotypes and gender may affect LTNP status.