HCV treatment in Sardinian HIV-HCV coinfected patients: a real-life perspective study on safety, efficacy, and immune reconstitution. Issue 11 (2nd November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pes, Francesco; Onali, Simona; Balestrieri, Cinzia; Angioni, Goffredo; Ortu, Francesco; Piano, Paola; Lucia, Barca; Scioscia, Rosetta; Princic, Elija; Bolliri, Anna Chiara; Casale, Michele; Cola, Alessandra; Conti, Maria; Peddis, Lorenza; Serra, Giancarlo; Vacca, Stefano; Loi, Martina; Urru, Enrico; Murru, Claudia; Matta, Laura; Del Giacco, Stefano; Babudieri, Sergio; Maida, Ivana; Chessa, Luchino
• Is Part Of: Expert review of anti-infective therapy. Volume 20:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: 1509
• Page End: 1516
• Publication Date: 2022-11-02
• Subjects: HIV -- HCV -- DAAs -- cirrhosis -- SVR; Anti-infective agents -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.90461
• DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2022.2130893
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-7210

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: HIV-HCV co-infected patients have long been considered difficult-to-treat. The introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) changed this paradigm.We evaluated the efficacy and safety of DAA-based regimens and the impact of DAAs-induced HCV clearance on the immunological status in HIV-HCV co-infected patients. Research design and methods: HIV patients starting HCV treatment with DAAs were included. Sustained virological response at 12 weeks after DAAs treatment (SVR12) was assessed. CD4+ and CD8+ blood cell count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were recorded at baseline and six months post DAA treatment. We enrolled 201 patients, 76.1% males, median age 54 years, the most common genotypes 3 (29.8%) and 1a (29.4%), 40.3% with cirrhosis, 32.3% with prior interferon-based treatment. All patients were on antiretroviral treatment, 24.4% on methadone maintenance therapy and 22.6% on psychotropic drugs. Results: SVR12 was 98.4%, the most common side effects were pruritus (8.4%), headache (7.4%) and fatigue (5.9%). An increase in CD4+ and CD8+ cell count was observed six months after completion of DAAs treatment, in particular in patients with low CD4+ cell count at baseline. Conclusions: DAAs treatment resulted in high SVR12 rates, was well tolerated and Increased CD4+ and CD8+, especially in patients with low CD4+ cell count at baseline.