Liver Injury and Changes in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Load Associated with Protease Inhibitor-Based Antiretroviral Therapy for Treatment-Naive HCV-HIV-Coinfected Patients: Lopinavir-Ritonavir versus Nelfinavir

Abstract

HAART initiation is associated with increased HCV loads and ALT levels. A low baseline CD4+ cell count is associated with persistent increases in the HCV RNA load in nelfinavir-treated patients. These results warrant careful interpretation of abnormalities in the ALT load after HAART initiation in HCV-HIV-coinfected patients to prevent premature discontinuation of treatment.