Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-Infection and Challenges in Their Diagnosis

Abstract

Objective: To screen HCV infection in HIV infected individuals and to compare the genotype and viral load of HCV in these co infected patients versus HIV negative individuals. Methods: Serum samples from 70 HIV infected patients and 70 HIV negative individuals who enrolled in the ART center were retrospectively analyzed for the presence of anti HCV antibodies and for HCV RNA. Genotyping and viral load were further determined in HCV RNA positive patients. Results: HCV infection (either positive for anti HCV Ab, or HCV RNA or both) was found in 8.57% HIV infected cases as compared to 2.85% individuals in the HIV uninfected control group. HCV RNA levels were higher in HIV infected subjects versus HIV negative individuals. Among the HIV positive cases, out of the three HCV RNA positive cases, two individuals had genotype 3 and one individual was found to have mixed genotype (1+3) as compared to genotype 1 and genotype 3 in HIV negative healthy controls. Conclusion: In our study, HCV infection was found more frequently in HIV infected individuals as compared to HIV non infected individuals. Therefore a routine screening test followed by a confirmatory test should be made mandatory in co infected patients.