Rapidly Evolving Hepatitis C Virus–Related Cirrhosis in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Patient Receiving Triple Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract

Triple antiretroviral therapy combining reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors modifies the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, with dramatic improvement in immune status. The precise impact, if any, of anti-HIV triple therapy on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unknown. We describe an unusual case of rapidly evolving HCV-related cirrhosis that paralleled restoration of immune status in an HIV-infected patient and discuss the possible link between such a severe course of hepatitis C and anti-HIV triple therapy.