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Hepatitis C‐associated autoimmunity in patients coinfected with HIV
Author(s) -
Woitas Rainer P.,
Stoschus Bodo,
Terjung Birgit,
Vogel Martin,
Kupfer Bernd,
Brackmann Hans H.,
Rockstroh Jürgen K.,
Sauerbruch Tilman,
Spengler Ulrich
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2005.01159.x
Subject(s) - coinfection , medicine , hepatitis c virus , immunology , hepatitis c , cryoglobulinemia , autoimmunity , virology , antibody , virus
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with multiple extrahepatic manifestations. It is unclear to what extent extrahepatic manifestations occur in HIV/HCV coinfection. Methods: We prospectively assessed cross‐sectional frequencies of autoimmune manifestations in HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients ( n =98), HIV‐mono‐infected ( n =45) and HCV‐mono‐infected patients ( n =78). Diagnostic vasculitis scores, HCV and HIV loads, CD4 cell counts, thyroid‐, cardiolipin‐, non‐organ‐specific tissue antibodies (nuclear, smooth muscle, anti‐liver–kidney–microsome, neutrophil–cytoplasmic) and cryoglobulins were determined. Results: Synergistic effects of HCV and HIV infection were observed with respect to the prevalence of antibodies against thyroglobulin (HCV infection 15.4%, HIV infection 8.8%, HIV/HCV coinfection 30.6%; P <0.001) and cardiolipin antibodies (HCV infection 9.0%, HIV infection 31%, HIV/HCV coinfection 46%; P <0.001). Cryoglobulinemia type III, was significantly associated with HCV infection (HCV, 25.6%; HIV/HCV, 20.4%) but not with HIV infection (4.4%, P <0.05). Rheumatoid factor was commonly detected in patients with HCV infection (48%), but occurred considerably less frequently in patients with HIV infection (4.4%) or HIV/HCV coinfection (9.5%, P <0.01). Conclusion: HIV coinfection appears to differentially modulate the frequency of HCV‐related autoimmunity. However, autoimmunity is rarely accompanied by clinical manifestations.