Stability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels among interferon-naïve HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals treated with combination antiretroviral therapy

Prediction of Liver Disease, AIDS, and Mortality Based on Discordant Absolute and Relative Peripheral CD4 T Lymphocytes in HIV/Hepatitis C Virus-Coinfected Individuals

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced liver fibrosis and splenomegaly may lead to discordance between absolute numbers and percentages of lymphocytes and subpopulations because of sequestration. We investigated lymphocyte discordance in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals and its relationship to progression to liver disease, AIDS, and all-cause mortality. This is an observational retrospective cohort study. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) associated with liver disease, AIDS, or mortality were computed by time-updated Cox proportional hazards regression. Of 380 HIV/HCV-coinfected adult individuals followed for a median of 8.2 years, 360 individuals had a median of 11 discordant measurements corresponding to 5,080 of 9,091 paired samples (56%). Discordance alone was not associated with any of the outcomes. By multivariable analysis, a doubling of absolute or percentage CD4 cells was associated with comparable lower risks of mortality (aHR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.53-0.67, p < .0001 and aHR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.56-0.79, p < .0001, respectively). Higher CD4/CD8 ratio was associated with a lower mortality risk (aHR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22-0.71 per doubling, p = .002). Only absolute CD4 cell measurements predicted AIDS. Development of liver disease was not predicted by total lymphocyte count or subpopulations. Despite a high prevalence of lymphocyte-subpopulation discordance with HIV/HCV coinfection, absolute CD4 cell count predicted mortality and AIDS, whereas CD4 percentage only predicted mortality. Neither CD4 T lymphocyte count nor CD4 percentage was associated with liver disease in this cohort. These findings may be necessary and useful in countries where antiretroviral treatment is not initiated for all HIV-infected individuals.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA profiles among chronic HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals in ESPRIT; spontaneous HCV RNA clearance observed in nine individuals

OBJECTIVES

Studies have shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels remain stable over time in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals taking combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), while spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA during the persistent infection phase has been documented only rarely among those with the CC interleukin (IL)-28B genotype. This study describes HCV RNA profiles and factors associated with changes over time in HCV RNA levels in the ESPRIT study.

METHODS

HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals positive for HCV RNA were included in the study. Follow-up was counted from the first HCV RNA positive test and censored at the initiation of interferon-based treatment. HCV RNA and IL-28B measurements were performed in the same reference laboratory. Random effects mixed models were used to analyse changes over time in HCV RNA.

RESULTS

A total of 312 ESPRIT patients were included in the study (151 in the arm receiving subcutaneous recombinant IL-2 and 161 in the control arm). Most of the patients were white (89%) and male (76%), and they had a median of 5 HCV RNA measurements per person [interquartile range (IQR) 3-6; range 1-9]. Median follow-up was 5 years (IQR: 2-6 years). At baseline, 96% of patients were taking cART and 93% had undetectable HIV RNA. Mean HCV RNA levels decreased by 13% per year over the study period [95% confidence interval (CI) 8-18%; P < 0.0001]. Baseline HCV RNA levels and the change over time in HCV RNA did not differ by randomization arm (P = 0.16 and P = 0.56, respectively). Nine individuals spontaneously cleared HCV RNA during follow-up [IL-28B genotypes: CC, five patients (56%); CT, four patients (44%)].

CONCLUSIONS

HCV RNA levels decreased over time in this population with well-controlled HIV infection. Spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA was documented in five individuals with IL-28B genotype CC and four with the CT genotype.

Hepatitis C seroconversions in HIV infection across Europe: which regions and patient groups are affected?

BACKGROUND & AIMS

In the last decade, several outbreaks of sexually acquired acute hepatitis C (HCV) infection have been described in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). The aims of this study were to determine whether there has been an increase in the number of acute HCV infections in different parts of Europe.

METHODS

HCV seroconversion was defined as an HCV-antibody test change from negative to positive within the observation period in EuroSIDA. Binomial regression was performed to determine factors associated with being tested for HCV and HCV seroconversion.

RESULTS

A total of 223 HCV seroconversions were observed from 16,188 tests [1.38% (95%CI 1.20-1.56)] among 5736 patients between 2002 and 2013. Overall the odds of acquiring HCV infection increased by 4% per year (OR 1.04 [95%CI 0.99-1.09]; P = 0.10). Overall 63.2% (141/223) of all seroconversions were seen among MSM. Similar patterns were observed across all European regions (P = 0.69, test for interaction) and HIV transmission risks groups (P = 0.69, test for interaction). In multivariate analysis, North, South and East Europe had higher odds of HCV seroconversion compared with Western Europe [OR 1.90 (1.28-2.81), 1.55 (0.99-2.45) and 1.86 (1.21-2.84); P = 0.0014, P = 0.058 and P = 0.0044 respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

Within EuroSIDA a significant increase in HCV seroconversions can be observed after accounting for increased levels of testing for HCV in recent years. This highlights the need for increased HCV prevention efforts among HIV-positive persons in Europe.

Factors associated with hepatitis C virus RNA levels in early chronic infection: the InC3 study

Improved understanding of natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels in chronic infection provides enhanced insights into immunopathogenesis of HCV and has implications for the clinical management of chronic HCV infection. This study assessed factors associated with HCV RNA levels during early chronic infection in a population with well-defined early chronic HCV infection. Data were from an international collaboration of nine prospective cohorts studying acute HCV infection (InC(3) study). Individuals with persistent HCV and detectable HCV RNA during early chronic infection (one year [±4 months] postinfection) were included. Distribution of HCV RNA levels during early chronic infection was compared by selected host and virological factors. A total of 308 individuals were included. Median HCV RNA levels were significantly higher among males (vs females; 5.15 vs 4.74 log IU/mL; P < 0.01) and among individuals with HIV co-infection (vs no HIV; 5.89 vs 4.86; P = 0.02). In adjusted logistic regression, male sex (vs female, adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.93; 95%CI: 1.01, 3.69), interferon lambda 4 (IFNL4) rs12979860 CC genotype (vs TT/CT; AOR: 2.48; 95%CI: 1.42, 4.35), HIV co-infection (vs no HIV; AOR: 3.27; 95%CI: 1.35, 7.93) and HCV genotype G2 (vs G3; AOR: 5.40; 95%CI: 1.63, 17.84) were independently associated with high HCV RNA levels (>5.6 log IU/mL = 400 000 IU/mL). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that IFNL4 rs12979860 CC genotype, male sex, HIV co-infection and HCV genotype G2 are associated with high HCV RNA levels in early chronic infection. These factors exert their role as early as one year following infection.

Rate and predictors of serum HCV-RNA >6 million IU/mL in patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

Baseline serum HCV-RNA predicts sustained virological response in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with antiviral therapy. A threshold at 6 million IU/mL has been proposed to best discriminate treatment outcomes on sofosbuvir-based regimens. In comparison with the general population, immunosuppressed individuals exhibit greater viral load values.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the rate and predictors of serum HCV-RNA above 6 millionIU/mL in chronic hepatitis C patients on care outside clinical trials.

STUDY DESIGN

Serum HCV-RNA values recorded from all chronic hepatitis C patients consecutively attended at our clinic during the last decade were analyzed. Testing had been performed using the COBAS TaqMan HCV test v2.0.

RESULTS

A total of 816 individuals with detectable serum HCV-RNA were identified. The main characteristics of this population were as follows: mean age 48.6 years-old; 73.4% males; mean ALT 82.6IU/L; mean HCV-RNA 6.02logIU/mL; 80.6% HCV genotypes 1 or 4; 34.9% advanced liver fibrosis; 35.4% IL28B-CC alleles. HIV coinfection in 78.7%, of whom 91% were on antiretroviral therapy. Overall, 127 (15.6%) had serum HCV-RNA values >6 millionIU/mL. This high viremia was found in 18.2% of HIV-positive versus 5.7% of HIV-negative subjects (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, serum HCV-RNA >6 millionIU/mL was only significantly associated with HIV coinfection (OR: 4.03; 95% CI: 1.98-8.19, p<0.01) and HCV genotypes 1 or 4 (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.05-3.37, p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum HCV-RNA >6 millionIU/mL is roughly seen in 6% of chronic hepatitis C monoinfected patients, and increases up to 18% in HIV coinfection.

Liver-related death among HIV/hepatitis C virus-co-infected individuals: implications for the era of directly acting antivirals

BACKGROUND

Potent, less toxic, directly acting antivirals (DAAs) for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection promise to improve HCV cure rates among HIV/HCV-co-infected individuals. However, the costs of treatment will necessitate prioritization of those at greatest risk of liver-related death (LRD) for therapy. This study aims to provide guidance on who should be prioritized for DAA treatment.

METHODS

Three thousand, nine hundred and forty-one HCV antibody-positive PSHREG and FIB-4 are names not acronyms (EuroSIDA) patients with follow-up after 1 January 2000 were included, with causes of death classified using Coding causes of Death in HIV (CoDe) methodology. Crude death rates, competing-risks Cox proportional-hazards models and cumulative incidence functions were used to describe factors associated with LRD.

RESULTS

LRD accounted for 145 of 670 (21.6%) deaths in the study population. LRD rates peaked in those aged 35-45 years, and occurred almost exclusively in those with at least F2 fibrosis at baseline. In adjusted Cox models, risk factors for LRD included F4 or F2/F3 fibrosis [sub-distribution hazard ratio (sHR) 6.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.1-9.6; and sHR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.2 vs. F0/F1, respectively), CD4 cell count (sHR 0.83, 95% CI 0.73-0.95 per doubling) and hepatitis B surface antigen-positive (sHR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.5 vs. hepatitis B surface antigen-negative). The 5-year probability of LRD was low in those with F0/F1 fibrosis (sHR 2.2%, 95% CI 1.7-2.9), but substantial in those with F2/F3 and F4 fibrosis (sHR 10.3%, 95% CI 7.6-13.5; and sHR 14.0%, 95% CI 10.3-18.3, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with DAAs should be prioritized for those with at least F2 fibrosis. Early initiation of cART with the aim of avoiding low CD4 cell counts should be considered essential to decrease the risk of LRD and the need for HCV treatment.

HCV RNA viral load is independent from CD4 cell count and plasma HIV RNA viral load in immunocompetent HIV-HCV co-infected patients: a 3-years follow-up study

Background

HCV RNA viral load is an important predictor of sustained virological response and, recently, a significant correlation with liver fibrosis was described. We investigated on possible influence of clinical and viro-immunological variables on HCV viral load in HIV-HCV co-infected patients over a study time of three years (2009-2012).

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 98 adult patients with a diagnosis of chronic HIV infection in 2009, a diagnosis of chronic HCV infection with a detectable plasma HCV RNA in 2009 and 2012, HCV therapy-naïve or with failed and stopped antiviral treatment before June 2008. The following variables were recorded: age, gender, HCV genotype, IL28B rs12979860 CC genotype, HCV treatment status, advanced liver fibrosis diagnosis, antiretroviral therapy, CD4+ cell count, HCV viral load, HIV RNA (plasma HIV-1 RNA levels were measured from blood samples every three months at least). The correlation was established using linear regression analysis, analysis of variance and Fisher’s exact test. Comparisons between groups were performed using Fisher’s exact test, the independent samples t-test and the t-test for paired data, as appropriate, for continuous variables. A mixed mode (ME) maximum likelihood linear regression model was constructed to evaluate the dependence of HCV viral load.

Results

HCV RNA levels did not change significantly from 2009 to 2012 (from 3924650 ± 5320177 IU/ml to 3085128 ± 3372347 IU/ml, p = 0.13); the CD4+ count increased significantly (from a mean of 576 to a mean of 654, p = 0.003). Using linear regression, a positive correlation was observed for HCV load and genotype 1 (p = 0.002), nonresponder status (p = 0.04) and with interleukin 28B CC allele (p = 0.05). Other studied covariates failed to reach a significant correlation.

Conclusions

The HCV RNA load, a known pretreatment predictor of response to antiviral therapy, was independent of the two main parameters of HIV disease, plasma HIV RNA and CD4 cell count, over an observation time of 3 years in patients with recovered or spontaneously maintained immunocompetence.

Increased incidence of antiretroviral drug discontinuation among patients with viremic hepatitis C virus coinfection and high hyaluronic acid, a marker of liver fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Most antiretroviral drugs are metabolized by the liver; hepatic disease or liver damage as a result of hepatitis C virus (HCV) could impair this metabolism leading to an increased risk of drug toxicity. This study aimed to determine the risk of antiretroviral drug discontinuation among HCV/HIV coinfected patients.

METHODS

EuroSIDA patients taking combination antiretroviral therapy were included. Poisson regression identified factors associated with antiretroviral treatment discontinuation.

RESULTS

A total of 9535 HIV-positive patients with known HCV status were included (6939 HCVAb-negative; 2596 HCVAb-positive at baseline). Viremic HCV infection was associated with a 44% increased risk of antiretroviral drug discontinuation compared with aviremic infection [adjusted incidence rate ratio, aIRR: 1.44 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.22-1.69)]; this relationship was largest among nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [aIRR: 1.59 (95% CI 1.18-2.14)]. In the subset of 935 HIV-positive patients also HCV-positive or HBV-positive with plasma hyaluronic acid measured, hyaluronic acid more than 100 ng/ml was associated with a 37% increased risk of antiretroviral drug discontinuation [aIRR: 1.37 (95% CI 1.08-1.73) vs. hyaluronic acid ≤100 ng/ml] and the effect of HCV viremia became nonsignificant; the largest drug association was seen for protease inhibitors [aIRR: 1.40 (95% CI 1.04-1.89)].

CONCLUSION

HCV viremia and high levels of hyaluronic acid predict antiretroviral drug discontinuation. Evidence was also found to suggest a link between impaired liver function and protease inhibitor toxicity.

Update on HIV/HCV coinfection

Liver disease is currently one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death in HIV-positive individuals. Coinfection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major contributor to this trend. Besides hepatic damage, which is enhanced in the presence of HIV-associated immunosuppression, HCV may contribute to disease in coinfected individuals by potentiating immune activation and chronic inflammation, which ultimately account for an increased risk of cardiovascular events, kidney disease, and cancers in this population. Fortunately, hepatitis C therapeutics has entered a revolutionary era in which we hope that most patients treated with the new oral direct-acting antivirals (DAA) will be cured. However, many challenges preclude envisioning a prompt elimination of HCV from the coinfected population. Issues that should be addressed include the following: (1) rising incidence of acute hepatitis C in men who have sex with men, and expansion/recrudescence of injection drug use in some settings/regions; (2) adverse drug interactions between antiretrovirals and DAA; and (3) high cost of DAA, which may lead many to defer or fail to access appropriate therapy.

Temporal changes and regional differences in treatment uptake of hepatitis C therapy in EuroSIDA

OBJECTIVES

All HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients with chronic HCV infection and ≥ F2 fibrosis should be considered for HCV therapy. This study aimed to determine the rate of HCV treatment uptake among coinfected patients in Europe.

METHODS

EuroSIDA patients with viraemic HCV infection were included in the study. Poisson regression was used to identify temporal changes and regional differences in HCV treatment uptake.

RESULTS

A total of 1984 patients were included in the study, with a median follow-up time of 168 months [interquartile range (IQR) 121-204 months]. To date, 501 (25.3%) HIV/HCV-coinfected patients have received HCV therapy. Treatment incidence rose from 0.33 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16-0.50] per 100 person-years of follow-up (PYFU) in 1998 to 5.93 (95% CI 4.49-7.38) in 2007, falling to 3.78 (95% CI 2.50-5.07) in 2009. After adjustment, CD4 cell count > 350 cells/μL [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.33 (95% CI 1.06-1.67) vs. CD4 count 200-350 cells/μL] and ≥F2 liver fibrosis [IRR 1.60 (95% CI 1.14-2.25; P = 0.0065) vs. < F2 fibrosis] were predictors of anti-HCV treatment initiation. However, 22% of patients who remain untreated for HCV, with fibrosis data available, had ≥F2 fibrosis and should have been considered for treatment, while only 36% of treated patients had ≥F2 fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although treatment incidence for HCV has increased, there remain a large proportion of patients indicated for treatment who have yet to be treated.