The investigation on the immunologic function of human immunodeficiency virus-specific T cell in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus co-infected patients / 中华传染病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate clinical features and immunologic status in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)/hepatitis C virus(HCV)co-infected and HIV mono-infected patients,and to assess the possible interactions between HCV and HIV.Methods Fifty-nine patients with HIV/HCV co infection were enrolled.The control group was consisted of 38 patients with HIV monoinfection.The liver function,peripheral blood T cell subgroups(CD4+and CD8+)cell count and HIV RNA level were compared between these two groups.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) were analyzed by interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot(ELISPOT)using a panel of HIV antigens.Results The frequency of HIV/HCV co-infection was 60.8%.Both alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in HIV/HCV co-infection group were significantly higher than those in HIV mono infection group(49.8 U/Lvs 23.6 U/L,49.1 U/L vs 32.3 U/L,P=0.000,0.013).Platelet count was lower in HlV/HCV co-infection group than in HIV group[(167.3±59.2)×109/Lvs(198.0±63.9)×109/L,P=0.040].CD4+cell and CD8+cell counts were not significantly different between co-infection group and HIV group.The HIV RNA level was lower in HIV/HCV co-infection group than in HIV group [(4. 046 ± 0. 541 ) log10 copy/mL vs (4. 394 ± 0. 507) log10copy/mL, P=0. 018]. The intensity of HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to HIVGag overlapping peptides in HIV/HCV co-infection group (mean bank 30.85) was lower than HIV group (mean bank 44.34). The number of the HIV-specific CTL cell in HIV/HCV co-infection group (4.60±5.52) was slightly lower than HIV group (6.24±6.93) without significant difference.Albumin was negatively correlated with HCV RNA in HIV/HCV co-infection group (r=-0. 540). A positive correlation was found between platelet and peripheral blood CD4+ cell counts (P=-0. 040). No linear correlation was found between HCV viral load, HIV viral load and peripheral blood CD4+ cell counts. Conclusions The prevalence of HCV co-infection is relatively high. The cellular immunity status in these co-infected patients is relatively poor.