HCVclearance from saliva ofHIV–HCV‐coinfected patients on treatment with interferon plus ribavirin

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To determine hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA clearance from blood and saliva of HIV-HCV-coinfected patients undergoing combined therapy with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN-RIB). Study group was formed of 60 HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C who were starting treatment with PEG-IFN-RIB. Blood and saliva samples were taken at baseline, at the end of treatment and 24 and 48weeks later. A nested RT-PCR technique was used to detect HCV-RNA in saliva. HCV-RNA was detected in saliva at baseline in 64.7% of patients. Thirty-four patients completed follow-up. The response rate (undetectable HCV-RNA) in blood was 79.4% at the end of treatment; 55.8% at 24weeks after the end of treatment and 50% at 48weeks. HCV was detected in saliva of 13 (38.2%) patients at the end of treatment and in 18 (52.9%) patients at 24 and 48weeks later. Concordance of HCV clearance from blood and saliva reached its maximum value at 48weeks after the end of treatment (odds ratio, 112.51). In HIV-HCV-coinfected patients responders to PEG-IFN-RIB, the salivary glands do not appear to be a sanctuary site for HCV, although viral clearance from saliva may be slower than from blood.