Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions
Treating Patients with HCV/HIV Coinfection
Hepatology; 2018 Mar; Sikavi, Chen, et al
Patients with hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection (HCV/HIV) can be successfully treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), which have resulted in similarly high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) for HCV infection in those with and without HIV infection. This according to a recent review of studies for this “special population” of patients between January 2004 and July 2017. Among the findings:
- SVR rates for those with HCV/HIV coinfection treated with interferon-based therapies were substantially lower than SVR rates of HCV-monoinfected individuals.
- DAA agents has resulted in similar SVR rates between monoinfected and coinfected individuals, with SVR >93%.
- Clinicians should be aware of negative predictors of SVR and barriers to treatment that may be more common in coinfected individuals.
Sikavi, C, Chen PH, Lee AD, Saab EG, Choi G, Saab S. Hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection in the era of direct-acting antiviral agents: No longer a difficult-to-treat population. Hepatology. 2018;67(3):847–857. doi:10.1002/hep.29642.
This Week's Must Reads
Must Reads in Hepatitis
Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir Efficacy & Safety Assessed, J Hepatol; ePub 2018 Nov 23; D’Ambrosio, et al
HCV Infection Among Children & Young Persons, J Hepatol; ePub 2018 Nov 26; Modin, et al
HCV Patients with Limited Access to Antiviral Therapy, Dig Liver Dis; ePub 2018 Nov 29; Lens, et al
Progression in the Elimination of HCV Infection, PLoS One; ePub 2018 Dec 4; Juanbeltz, et al
Increased HCV Screening in Veteran Populations, Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf; ePub 2018 Sep 25; Wray, et al