Impact of Acute Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Infection on HIV Viral Load in HIV-Infected Patients and Influence of HIV Infection on Acute HAV Infection

Abstract

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 log₁₀ 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.

Keywords

HAV infection HIV infection viral load HIV-HAV co-infection

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