What are the effects of coinfection on disease progression of HCV and HIV?
Chronic HCV infection develops in 75%-85% of infected persons and leads to chronic liver disease in 70% of these chronically infected persons. HIV-HCV coinfection has been associated with higher titers of HCV, more rapid progression to HCV-related liver disease, and an increased risk for HCV-related cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver. Because of this, HCV infection has been viewed as an opportunistic infection in HIV-infected persons and was included in the 1999 USPHS/IDSA Guidelines for the Prevention of Opportunistic Infections in Persons Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is not, however, considered an AIDS-defining illness. As highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and prophylaxis of opportunistic infections increase the life span of persons living with HIV, HCV-related liver disease has become a major cause of hospital admissions and deaths among HIV-infected persons. The effects of HCV coinfection on HIV disease progression are less certain. Some studies have sug
