Brote epidémico de hepatitis aguda C en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana / Acute outbreak of hepatitis C in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

INTRODUCCIÓN: Estudios recientes confirman un aumento de la incidencia de infección aguda por el virus de la hepatitis C (HAC) en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) infectados o no por el VIH. El tratamiento temprano con interferón-alfa, solo o asociado a ribavirina, reduce significativamente el riesgo de evolución a la cronicidad. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo que incluye todos los pacientes VIH diagnosticados de HAC en nuestro centro desde junio del 2003 a marzo del 2013, definida la HAC por la seroconversión de anticuerpos contra el VHC y la detección de ARN-VHC sérico. RESULTADOS: Se diagnosticaron 93 episodios de HAC en 89 pacientes. Excepto en 3 casos todos eran HSH con antecedentes de prácticas sexuales de riesgo. Treinta y 7 (40%) pacientes presentaban otra enfermedad de transmisión sexual asociada. El 29% (27) presentaron algún síntoma sugestivo de HAC. El genotipo 4 del VHC fue el más frecuente (41%), seguido del genotipo 1. En 70 casos se inició tratamiento con interferón-alfa y ribavirina ajustada a peso. En la actualidad 46 han finalizado el tratamiento y el seguimiento, alcanzando 26 de ellos (56,5%) una respuesta viral sostenida. CONCLUSIONES: La incidencia de HAC en los pacientes VIH HSH de nuestro centro ha aumentado de forma exponencial en los últimos años, siendo la transmisión sexual la vía principal de infección. El tratamiento precoz con interferón-alfa y ribavirina consigue una respuesta moderada en estos pacientes

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest an increased incidence of acute infection with hepatitis C virus (AHC) in men who have sex with men (MSM) co-infected with HIV. Early treatment with interferon-alpha, alone or in combination with ribavirin, significantly reduces the risk of chronic evolution. METHODS: This retrospective study includes all HIV patients with AHC in our centre from 2003 to March 2013. AHC was defined by seroconversion of HCV antibodies and detection of serum HCV RNA.RESULTS: 93 episodes of AHC were diagnosed in 89 patients. All but three were MSM with a history of unprotected sex. Thirty-seven (40%) patients had other associated sexually transmitted disease. The 29% (27) had any symptoms suggestive of AHC. HCV genotype 4 was the most common (41%), followed by genotype 1. Seventy patients started treatment with interferon-alfa and weight-adjusted ribavirin. Currently 46 have completed treatment and follow-up, reaching 26 of them (56.5%) sustained viral response. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AHC in HIV MSM patients from our centre has increased exponentially in recent years; sexual transmission remains the main route of infection. Early treatment with interferon-alpha and ribavirin achieved a moderate response in these patients

[Acute outbreak of hepatitis C in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients]. / Brote epidémico de hepatitis aguda C en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest an increased incidence of acute infection with hepatitisC virus (AHC) in men who have sex with men (MSM) co-infected with HIV. Early treatment with interferon-alpha, alone or in combination with ribavirin, significantly reduces the risk of chronic evolution. METHODS: This retrospective study includes all HIV patients with AHC in our centre from 2003 to March 2013. AHC was defined by seroconversion of HCV antibodies and detection of serum HCV RNA. RESULTS: 93 episodes of AHC were diagnosed in 89 patients. All but three were MSM with a history of unprotected sex. Thirty-seven (40%) patients had other associated sexually transmitted disease. The 29% (27) had any symptoms suggestive of AHC. HCV genotype 4 was the most common (41%), followed by genotype1. Seventy patients started treatment with interferon-alfa and weight-adjusted ribavirin. Currently 46 have completed treatment and follow-up, reaching 26 of them (56.5%) sustained viral response. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AHC in HIV MSM patients from our centre has increased exponentially in recent years; sexual transmission remains the main route of infection. Early treatment with interferon-alpha and ribavirin achieved a moderate response in these patients.

Effectiveness and tolerability of abacavir-lamivudine-nevirapine (ABC/3TC/NVP) in a multicentre cohort of HIV-infected, ARV-naïve patients.

PURPOSE: Very scarce information has been published to date with the combination of ABC/3TC/NVP but it is currently being used in clinical practice in Spain and Portugal. Our aim was to present the clinical experience with this regimen in a cohort of adult HIV-infected antiretroviral (ARV)-naïve patients. METHODS: Retrospective, multicentre, cohort study. Consecutive adult HIV-infected ARV-naïve HLA-B*5701-negative patients, who started ABC/3TC/NVP between 2005-2013, with at least one follow-up visit, were included. Demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were assessed at baseline, month 1, and every three-four months thereafter. The primary end point was HIV-1 viral load (VL)<40 c/mL at 48 weeks. Data were analyzed by intent-to-treat (ITT) (switch=failure, and missing=failure) and on treatment (OT) analyses. RESULTS: 78 patients were included. Median follow up was 26 (0.1-84) months. 86% were male, median age 41 (23-69) years, 9% had AIDS, 8% were HCV+, baseline CD4 was 275 (10-724) cells/µL and median VL 4.58 (3.02-6.92) log. After 48 weeks, VL was<40 c/mL in 89.8% (OT), 79.7% (M=F) and 65.4% (S=F) and at 96 weeks in 88.5%, 78.9% and 61.6%, respectively. CD4 increased +246 (p<0.001) and +292 (p<0.001) cells/uL after 48 and 96 weeks, respectively. One or more drugs of the regimen were discontinued in 33 (42.3%) patients. In 15 (19.2%) patients (13 NVP, 2 ABC/3TC) therapy was stopped due to toxicity after a median of one month (in only two cases after six months of follow up): 80% of them had rash/liver toxicity. Six (7.7%) patients discontinued ART due to virologic failure, five (6.4%) because of other reasons and seven (9%) were lost to follow-up. ALT but not AST significantly increased (+0.07 ukat/L at 96 weeks, p=0.033). A significant increase of 25%, 26% and 42% in total cholesterol, LDLc and HDLc, respectively, and a significant decrease in TC/HDL ratio (6%, p=0.008) was observed after 96 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a considerable proportion of patients had to stop therapy due to toxicity (most associated with NVP), those initially tolerating this regimen presented a high virologic and immunologic response after 96 weeks, as well as a favourable lipid profile. ABC/3TC/NVP may be a suitable alternative first regimen, mainly in countries with economic constraints.