Immunological aspects of HCV/HIV coinfection

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate effects of HCV/HIV coinfection on blood lymphocyte phenotype including cells CD56+. Material and methods. We studied standard immunogram, subpopulational composition and functional activity of blood cells CD56+ in 67 patients with verified diagnosis of HIV infection and virus hepatitis C. Results. We discovered some pathogenetically sound indices of immune status in patients with HCV/ HIV coinfection. Some of the immune shifts detected changed in response to intake of narcotic drugs, antiretroviral treatment, hepatic cirrhosis, pneumonia. Conclusion. Parameters of subpopulational composition and functional activity of cells CD56+ in the blood of patients with HCV/HIV coinfection elucidate some unknown features of the above infectious process which should be considered in this coinfection treatment and prophylaxis.

Keywords

• hiv infection
• viral hepatitis c
• pathogenesis
• immune status
• epigenetic factors