Increased possibility for HIV-associated retinal microangiopathy syndrome in patients with concomitant hepatitis C infection

Abstract

The etiology of HIV-related retinal microangiopathy syndrome is yet unknown. Several authors postulate direct endothelial-cell infection, an immunocomplex vasculitis caused by HIV-related hypergammaglobulinemia or an increased serum concentration of endothelin as its origin. 118 patients infected by HIV-1 have been examined (CDC I: 1; CDC II: 42; CDC III: 7; CDC IV: 68). 49 out of them were also infected by hepatitis-C-virus (CDC I: 0; CDC II: 16; CDC III: 4; CDC IV: 29). 26 out of 49 patients with hepatitis-C-co-infection showed HIV-related retinal microangiopathy syndrome (CDC I: 0/0; CDC II: 8/16; CDC III: 2/4; CDC IV: 16/29). In 69 patients without hepatitis-C-infection, HIV-related retinal microangiopathy syndrome was found five times (CDC I: 0/1; CDC II: 2/26; CDC III: 0/3; CDC IV: 3/39). Co-infection with hepatitis-C-virus is supposed to enhance the development of retinal microangiopathy syndrome in patients infected by HIV-1.