Direct-Acting Antiretroviral Therapy in Renal Transplant Recipients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection: Report of Our Experience and Literature Review

Abstract

A minor graft and patient survival are described in renal transplant recipients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection than in recipients infected with only HIV. The high efficacy of direct-acting antivirals could improve the results. The experience reported in renal transplant recipients with coinfection is very limited. Material and MethodsWe analyzed the evolution of renal recipients with HIV-HCV coinfection treated with direct-acting antivirals in our center. Clinical, analytical, and microbiological variables were collected before and after treatment. ResultsFrom 2001 to 2018 we performed 11 renal transplants in patients with HIV infection, and 6 (54.5%) had HIV-HCV coinfection. One patient lost the graft before the development of direct-acting antivirals. Another patient with functioning graft has refused to receive any treatment.Four patients have been treated with direct-acting antivirals. One was treated 18 months before the transplant; 3 received treatment after transplant. All received sofosbuvir-based therapies. All had a sustained virologic response after 12 weeks and an improvement of liver function.In the patients treated after renal transplant, time post transplant at the beginning of treatment was 99.6 (SD, 22.8) months, and follow-up after treatment in all patients was 40.2 (SD, 8.16) months. To modify immunosuppressive regimen was not necessary, although 2 patients required an increase of tacrolimus doses. We do not observe deterioration of renal function. All have maintained a good immunologic and microbiological control without requiring changes in antiretrovirals. We do not observe complications associated with treatment. ConclusionsDirect-acting antivirals therapy is safe and effective and may offer new possibilities to patients with HIV-HCV coinfection.