Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia - November 28, 2000
People infected with both viruses have a higher risk of dying and do not respond as well to anti-AIDS drugs as HIV patients without hepatitis, Swiss doctors said on Friday.
Hepatitis C (HCV) is a life-threatening liver disease that can cause cirrhosis, liver failure and cancer. It affects about 170 million people worldwide and is common among HIV sufferers and intravenous drug users.
A study by scientists at University Hospital in Lausanne of more than 1,150 HIV sufferers being treated with anti-AIDS measures showed that the progression of the HIV virus and deaths were three times higher in patients with the liver disease.
Using intravenous drugs also increased the number of deaths among HIV patients.
"HCV seropositivity (infection) is a particularly negative prognostic factor or marker for patients with optimal response to potent antiretroviral therapy," Dr Amalio Telenti said in a study in the Lancet medical journal.
The hepatitis virus also delayed the recovery of the immune system and CD4 cells that battle the virus.
The researchers suspect the hepatitis C virus contributes to liver disease in HIV patients.
Telenti and his team said their finding could have an impact on the treatment of patients infected with both viruses. It also increases the understanding of how hepatitis influences HIV sufferers.
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the fourth biggest killer worldwide. Since the epidemic began in the early 1980s, 19 million people have died from the syndrome, which is a combination of illnesses.
The HIV virus which gives rise to AIDS attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening diseases, so-called opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis.
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