HIV and hepatitis C virus: special concerns for patients with cirrhosis

J Infect Dis. 2013 Mar:207 Suppl 1:S40-4. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jis763.

Abstract

Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy, liver disease has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Chronic viral hepatitis accounts for >80% of liver-related mortality. Liver-related morbidity is due to acceleration of hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease, drug-induced hepatotoxicity, and, possibly, direct damage from HIV infection itself. As a consequence of this complex interaction, end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma are frequent complications in patients with HIV infection. Infectious diseases physicians who care for HIV-infected patients with advanced HCV-related liver disease need to know how to assess for advanced fibrosis, to know when to refer a patient for endoscopic screening for varices, and to enroll patients in a screening program for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / epidemiology
  • Coinfection / complications*
  • Coinfection / pathology*
  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / pathology*
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis
  • Liver Cirrhosis / epidemiology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / epidemiology