HIV Infection, hepatitis C infection, and HAART: hard clinical choices

JAMA. 2004 Jul 14;292(2):243-50. doi: 10.1001/jama.292.2.243.

Abstract

Abnormalities in hepatic function have become one of the most common complications occurring among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and liver disease has become an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. We present a case of a patient with HIV infection and hepatotoxicity that exemplifies the complications currently observed during the treatment of such patients. Hepatotoxicity can be a result of several factors, including a direct effect of HAART, substance abuse, and coinfection with either hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus. Imaging studies may be helpful in determining the etiology; however, a liver biopsy is often necessary to be able to more accurately determine the relative contributions of different processes. Although coinfection with HCV and HIV has become a common clinical problem, optimal treatment of such patients remains to be defined and must be individualized to maximize benefit and tolerance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Conference

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / pathology
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha* / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Polyethylene Glycols*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2b
  • peginterferon alfa-2a