Incidence and Risk Factors of Reinfection with HCV after Treatment in People Living with HIV

Chien Yu Cheng, Shin Yen Ku, Yi Chun Lin, Cheng Pin Chen, Shu Hsing Cheng, I. Feng Lin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) does not induce protective immunity, and re-exposure to HCV can reinfect the population engaging in high-risk behavior. An increasing incidence of acute hepatitis C infection in people living with HIV (PLWH) has been described in recent years. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in PLWH who completed HCV therapy between June 2009 and June 2020 at an HIV care hospital, to analyze their basic characteristics and risky behavior. Of 2419 patients, 639 were diagnosed with HCV infection and 516 completed the HCV therapy with a sustained virologic response. In total, 59 patients (11.4%) were reinfected with acute hepatitis C, and the median time to reinfection was 85.3 weeks (IQR: 57–150). The incidence of reinfection was 6.7 cases/100 person-years. The factors associated with reinfection were being male (AHR, 8.02; 95% CI 1.08–59.49), DAA (direct-acting antiviral) treatment (AHR, 2.23; 95% CI 1.04–4.79), liver cirrhosis (AHR, 3.94; 95% CI 1.09–14.22), heroin dependency (AHR: 7.41; 95% CI 3.37–14.3), and HIV viral loads <50 copies/mL at the follow-up (AHR: 0.47, 95% CI 0.24–0.93) in the subgroup of people who inject drugs (PWID). Amphetamine abuse (AHR: 20.17; 95% CI 2.36–172.52) was the dominant factor in the subgroup of men who have sex with men (MSM). Our study suggests that education and behavioral interventions are needed in this population to prevent reinfection.

Original languageEnglish
Article number439
JournalViruses
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2022

Keywords

  • Amphetamine abuse
  • Heroin dependency
  • Men who have sex with men (MSM)
  • People living with HIV (PLWH)
  • People who inject drugs (PWID)
  • Reinfection with HCV

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