Role of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Viremia and HCV Genotype in the Immune Recovery from Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in a Cohort of Antiretroviral-Naive HIV-Infected Individuals

Abstract

An association between the presence of HCV-Ab and immune reconstitution after HAART has been shown elsewhere. Results of our large, prospective study support a direct role of HCV viremia in the CD4+ cell count response to HAART. Moreover, our results underline the fact that, in individuals coinfected with HIV and HCV, the goal of treating HCV infection is to eradicate HCV, to both slow the rate of HCV progression and limit potential interference with the response to HAART.