Abstract
Anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment combining IFN-alpha and ribavirin (IFN+R) has still poorly defined effects on immune responses. Frequencies of T helper (Th) type 1 cells specific for HCV, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and HIV were measured in chronically HCV-infected patients with or without HIV co-infection during IFN+R treatment. Although scarce, peripheral blood HCV-specific Th1 cells did not change significantly, while frequencies of HIV and CMV-specific Th1 cells decreased in co-infected patients independently of CD4 cell count changes. This suggests that IFN+R therapy might compromise virus-specific immune defenses in immunosuppressed patients.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
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CD4 Lymphocyte Count
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Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications
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Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology
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Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
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HIV Infections / complications*
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HIV Infections / drug therapy
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HIV Infections / immunology
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology
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Humans
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Immunity, Cellular / immunology
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Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
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Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
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Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
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Th1 Cells / immunology*
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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Interferon-alpha
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Ribavirin