Impact Of Hepatitis C Co-Infection On CD4 Cell Count In HIV Infected Subjects

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection is reported to be common among HIV infected subjects due to share routes of transmission. The fact that HCV infection may act as cofactor for HIV disease progression has been suggested.Objective: To determine if HCV and HIV co-infection affect the immunocompetence (CD4) of the infected subjects and response to Highly Active Anti Retroviral therapy.Subjects and methods: Fifty HIV/HCV co-infected and fifty HIV monoinfected adults were retrospectively studied. Their baseline CD4 cell counts were done using Dynal beads technique before commencement of HAART and repeated after six months.Results: The CD4 cell counts of co-infected subjects were lower than the mono-infected subjects. Sixty eight percent of the co-infected subjects had CD4 cell count less than 200cells/uL, and they responded poorly to HAART therapy than the mono-infected subjects (P<0.05). Those with CD4 cell count greater than 200cells/uL responded better to treatment than those with CD4 cell count less than 200cells/uL (P<0.001)Conclusion: HCV/HIV co-infection affects the immunocompetence of the patients and HCV may acts as cofactor for HIV disease progression. It is needful to screen all HIV positive subjects for HCV antibody as this will improve their clinical management and outcome.

Keywords

• Hepatitis C
• Human Immunodeficiency virus
• CD4 cell count
• Co-infection