Open AccessImpact of Acute Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Infection on HIV Viral Load in HIV-Infected Patients and Influence of HIV Infection on Acute HAV Infection
Author(s) -
M Gallego,
Mercedes Robles,
Rosario Palacios,
Josefa Ruiz,
Enrique Nuño,
Manuel Márquez,
Raúl J. Andrade,
Jesús Santos
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of the international association of physicians in aids care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1557-0886
pISSN - 1545-1097
DOI - 10.1177/1545109710385692
Subject(s) - medicine , viremia , viral load , transmission (telecommunications) , virology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , immunology , electrical engineering , engineering
Purpose: To assess the effect of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection on HIV viral load (VL) and the influence of HIV on the clinical expression of HAV infection. Methods: Single-center study of 23 HIV-positive patients and 41 HIV-negative patients diagnosed with acute HAV infection during 2008-2009. The impact of HAV on HIV VL was defined as an increase of >0.5 log 10 during the event, or a detectable VL for those previously suppressed patients. Results: The impact of acute HAV on VL was observed in 37.5% patients. HIV-negative patients were younger (27 vs 34 years, P < .0001), and serum transaminases levels normalized earlier than in the HIV-positive patients (121 vs 178 days, P < .05). Conclusions: Acute HAV infection may have an impact on HIV VL. The interactions between the 2 viruses may not only prolong the HAV viremia, with a potential increase in the transmission of infection, but the impact on HIV may increase the risk of HIV transmission. Studies with higher sample size are needed to confirm our results.