Snapshots —Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief

Abstract: Low Risk of Liver Decompensation among Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis C Virus-Coinfected Patients with Mild Fibrosis in the Short-Term.
  Authors: J Macias et al.  Hepatology. 2014 Dec 24. doi: 10.1002/hep.27674. [Epub ahead of print]

Results and Conclusions: The authors of this study wanted to find out which HIV/HCV patients can safely wait, or wait in the short term for treatment.  This study was conducted during the time that pegylated interferon was part of the treatment regime.  A total of 1729 patients were evaluated (683 patients by liver biopsy; 1046 by liver stiffness measurement) and followed over time. The authors concluded that patients who did not have advanced fibrosis were at “very low risk” of decompensated cirrhosis, at least in the short term.  In this population, a careful watchful waiting is appropriate—in the author’s opinion.

Editorial Comments: I find this study interesting and valuable.  But I think it is a dangerous game to play.  This is a population of patients who typically have faster disease progression—faster than people who are monoinfected.  It may be safe if people are followed very carefully.  But wouldn’t it be easier and safer to treat now and not take the chance of putting people at undue risk?

Abstract: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody Dynamics Following Acute HCV Infection and Reinfection among HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men.
  Authors:  J. Vanhommerig et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Dec 15;59(12):1678-85. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciu695. Epub 2014 Sep 3.

Results and Conclusions: This study identified 63 HIV/HCV coinfected patients who had tested positive for HCV antibodies and HCV RNA (viral load).  The patients were followed for 4 years.  Five of the patients spontaneously cleared HCV and 31 of 43 patients were treated and cured.  In 36 (5 spontaneously cleared; 31 cured) the antibody titers (the measurements) declined.  In 8 of the 31 patients the HCV antibody titers disappeared. 

Eighteen of the patients were re-infected with a dif­ferent strain than the initial one and devel­oped a surge in both antibodies and HCV RNA.  The researchers believed that one patient was re-infected three separate times after the first successful treatment. 

Editorial Comments:  I couldn’t find the entire journal article to find out what type of counseling efforts were offered to the study participants.  This study, however, should remind us we need to educate people about prevention measures.  But what was interesting is that 8 people had undetectable antibody titers in this small study.  On a personal note, I did a demonstration of an HCV antibody test.  I was cured of hepatitis C more than 10 years ago.  The results showed very low reactive results.  I wonder if my antibody titers will become undetectable after time.  This study made me wonder how many ‘Baby Boomers’ became infected many years ago, naturally cleared the virus, and when tested recently had antibody titers too low to register.

http://hcvadvocate.org/news/newsLetter/2015/advocate0115_mid.html#3