The HIV and HCV Co-Infection in High Risk Group Individuals - a Prospective Study

HIV is known to influence the natural history of infections with certain hepatitis viruses and such interactions may potentiate HIV replication. There is a high degree of epidemiological similarity between HIV and HCV as regard to high risk group and route of transmission. Present study deals with the study of co-infection of HCV in HIV infected patients and also with the mode of transmission of co-infection of HCV in HIV infected patients with special reference to high risk groups.

This was a prospective study where in consecutive 106 HIV positive samples detected by ELISA, Rapid and Simple format were subjected for testing of and anti-HCV by ELISA. Patients’ history was taken regarding high risk behavior, blood transfusion and others. The HIV positive patients were classified into four stages according to the CDC clinical staging system for HIV infection.

In the study of 106 HIV seropositive patients, 5 (4.72%) were positive for anti-HCV. Co-infection of HIV and HCV was found to be more in the symptomatic group (4.72%) compared to asymptomatic group (0%). History of heterosexual contact was given by all the HIV positive patients.

It is clear from the study that, HIV infected individuals have a high probability of getting co-infected with HCV. Sexual transmission of HCV appears to be significant and is of epidemiological importance in the light of heterosexual transmission of HIV in India. As HIV infection is known to affect the natural history of HCV infection, screening for their concurrent infection is therefore necessary.