Discordant response of CD4(+) T cells to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus is accompanied by increased liver damage.

A study of HIV-infected patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) but not treated with interferon was performed. Patients were divided into two groups-with standard and inefficient recovery of CD4(+) T cells. It was found that patients with discordant response of CD4(+) T cells to ART showed heavier destructive processes in the liver than the successfully recovered subjects. They had increased levels of ALT and AST. In these patients, the risk of development of liver cirrhosis is greater.