GBV-C, SEN Virus, and Occult HBV Infection in HIV-HCV Coinfected Patients

By Liz Highleyman

Due to overlapping transmission routes, a significant proportion of HIV positive people are coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Furthermore, such individuals may also carry additional viruses including hepatitis B virus (HBV), GB virus C (GBV-C), and SEN virus (SEN-V).

The interactions between these pathogens are not fully understood, but studies indicate that they may potentially influence disease progression and response to treatment. GBV-C, for example, has been linked to reduced HIV disease progression and prolonged survival.

In the December 2008 Journal of Hepatology, French researchers reported results from a study assessing the prevalence of occult HBV, GBV-C, SEN-V infection, their impact on HCV and HIV infection, and their effect on response to hepatitis C therapy in HIV-HCV coinfected patients.

The analysis included 368 coinfected participants who, before starting interferon/ribavirin combination therapy for hepatitis C, were tested for the presence of occult HBV DNA, GBV-C RNA, and SEN-V DNA using real time PCR. Clinical, immunological, virological, and histological characteristics, as well as response to anti-HCV therapy, were compared according to the presence or absence of each viral coinfection.

Results

• HBV DNA was detected in 5 coinfected patients (1.4%).

• GBV-C RNA was found in 104 patients (29.9%).

• SEN-V DNA was found in 209 patients (57.9%).

• GBV-C positive patients had significantly higher CD4 counts at baseline and during and after anti-HCV therapy, even after stratification according to antiretroviral treatment status.

• No other significant differences were observed according to the presence or absence of GBV-C or SEN-V infection, including virological response to anti-HCV therapy.

Based on these findings, the study authors concluded, "There is no reason to withhold HCV therapy in HIV-infected patients who have access to HAART because of occult HBV, GBV-C, or SEN-V coinfections."

Service des Maladies Infectieuses, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France.

1/09/09

Reference
L Piroth, F Carrat, S Larrat, and others. Prevalence and impact of GBV-C, SEN-V and HBV occult infections in HIV-HCV co-infected patients on HCV therapy. Journal of Hepatology 49(6): 892-898. December 2008. (Abstract).