The effect of HIV coinfection on hepatitis C: A review.

Many Hepatitis C (HCV) infected patients are coinfected with HIV. As HIV-directed anti-viral therapy has delayed HIV progression and mortality, pathologic consequences of HCV infection are occurring at an increased rate. In this review, a case presentation delineating the clinical course of an HIV/HCV coinfected patient at our institution is presented. The pathobiology, interrelation of HCV and HIV infection in coinfected patients is discussed as well as the effect of treatment in this unique patient population. The interaction of HIV and HCV coinfection is complex. It is clear that HIV infection negatively affects the natural history of HCV, while HIV-directed therapy may enhance immunologic response and exacerbate hepatocellular injury induced by HCV. Further studies assessing the effect of anti-HIV and anti-HCV-directed therapy on the clinical course of HCV/HIV coinfected patients is warranted.