[TuPe1.1C30] Antiretroviral Therapy and the Detectability of HCV RNA in a Population-Based Cohort of HIV-Infected Adults Initiating HIV Treatment

3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment

Rio de Janeiro - July 24 - 27, 2005

ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY AND THE DETECTABILITY OF HCV RNA IN A POPULATION-BASED COHORT OF HIV-INFECTED ADULTS INITIATING HIV TREATMENT

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2005 Jul 24-27;3rd: Abstract No. TuPe1.1C30

Braitstein P.¹, Krajden M.², Sherlock C.³, Yip B.⁴, Galli R.⁴, Harrigan P.R.³, Schechter M.T.³, Montaner J.S.G.⁴, Hogg R.S.⁴
¹University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, ²BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada, ³University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, ⁴BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation on the detectability of HCV RNA 6 – 12 months post-treatment initiation in HCV antibody positive but previously HCV RNA undetectable patients.

METHODS: The HIV/AIDS Drug Treatment Program centrally distributes all ART in the province of British Columbia, Canada. At baseline, and at each routine follow-up, individuals provide blood samples for storage. We tested all available baseline samples of individuals who initiated ART between 07/96 – 08/00 for HCV antibodies (Ab); those Ab+ were tested for HCV RNA with Roche AmpliPrep/COBAS Amplicor. Multivariate logistic regression tested factors associated with Ab+/RNA- discordance at baseline, and with being RNA- at baseline but RNA+ 6-12 months post-ART initiation.

RESULTS: Of 1388 eligible individuals, 1257 samples were available with sufficient quantity for testing. 1186 samples had unambiguous Ab results, 606 (51%) Ab+, and 580 (49%) Ab-. Among Ab+, 605 samples were tested for HCV RNA at baseline; 425 (70%) positive, while 179 (30%) negative. Of 179, 118 patients had a sample taken 6-12 months post-ART initiation. Of these, 94 (80%) remained RNA-, while 24 (20%) became HCV RNA+. In multivariate analysis, associated with baseline Ab+/RNA- discordancy were any injection drug use (AOR 0.45, 95% CI: 0.31 – 0.65, p<0.001), an AIDS diagnosis (AOR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.05 – 3.28, p=0.033), and absolute CD4 count (per 100 cells) (AOR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81 – 0.98, p=0.018). Independently associated with newly detectable HCV RNA in those undetectable at baseline was baseline plasma log HIV RNA (AOR 2.80, 95% CI: 1.08 – 7.24, p=0.034).

CONCLUSIONS: There is a very high prevalence of HCV-positive Ab (51%) in this population-based cohort of HIV-infected individuals, and a high prevalence of Ab+/RNA- discordance (25%). Our study suggests some individuals with undetectable HCV RNA at baseline may develop detectable HCV RNA post-ART initiation.

Download PDF of this abstract.

050724
Clinical | TuPe1.1C30 | Paula Braitstein
Hepatitis viruses

Copyright © 2005 - International AIDS Society (IAS). All information and content relating to the abstracts from the 3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, and software is protected by copyright. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information on this web site, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information herein, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.