Short communication: impact of hepatitis C viral clearance on CD4+ T-lymphocyte course in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2012 Sep;28(9):989-93. doi: 10.1089/AID.2011.0323. Epub 2012 Mar 13.

Abstract

The long-term impact of pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin (Peg-IFN-RBV) treatment outcome on CD4 T cell course in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of HCV-RNA clearance by standard anti-HCV therapy on long-term CD4 cells recovery in HIV/HCV patients on successful combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). We retrospectively enrolled HIV/HCV-coinfected patients on stable cART, treated with Peg-IFN-RBV between 2005 and 2009. CD4(+) T cell counts were registered at baseline (pre-Peg-IFN-RBV), after 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up from therapy discontinuation. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of CD4(+) T cell change following the anti-HCV treatment outcome. Of the 116 patients enrolled, 54 (46.6%) reached a sustained virological response (SVR) and 62 (53.4%) did not. Throughout a median follow-up of 24 months, the SVR group showed a mean annual increase in CD4(+) T cell from baseline of 84 cells/μl at 1 year and of a further 38 cells/μl within the second year (p=0.01, 0.001, respectively). A nonsignificant mean increase of 77 cells/μl occurred in the non-SVR group within month 24 (p=0.06). Variables associated with greater CD4 gains were higher nadir and lower pre-interferon CD4 counts, and lower body mass index (BMI). The achievement of SVR was not significantly associated with the change in CD4(+) count. The clearance of HCV replication did not affect the CD4(+) changes after Peg-IFN-RBV therapy in coinfected patients on efficient cART. Liver fibrosis and higher BMI were negative determinants of immune recovery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count*
  • Coinfection
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Viral / drug effects
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • RNA, Viral
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2b