Angel M Mayor-Becerra, MD, MS¹, Maria A. Gomez, PhD¹, Robert Hunter, MD², and Eddy Rios, PhD, MPH¹. (1) Internal Medicine Department, Retrovirus Research Center, Universidad Central del Caribe, P.O. Box 60327, Bayamón, 00960-6032, (787) 787-8710, amayorb@hotmail.com, (2) Internal Medicine Department, Retrovirus Research Center, Universidad Central del Caribe, Call Box 60327, Bayamón, PR 00960-6032

Background: Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV co-infection is having an increasing effect in the natural history of HIV/AIDS disease. The interaction between these infections sustains the importance of continuing their study, particularly in population with high HIV prevalence related with Injecting drug use (IDU). Methods: A cross sectional study was done in 300 HIV infected patients who entered the Retrovirus Research Center (RRC), at Bayamón Puerto Rico, between June 2001 and December 2003. HCV co-infection, HIV risk factors, HCV genotype and mortality rate were explored and analyzed. Chi–Square and ANOVA was used to evaluate differences. Results: The HCV co-infection prevalence was of 37%. Male prevalence (78.4% vs. 60.3%) and IDUs (72.1% vs. 15.3%) were higher in the co-infected group than in the non HCV-infected. Both groups had similar age mean (38.7±38 vs. 38.3±38). HIV viral load mean (169.106 vs. 281.136) and CD4+T cells count mean (253 vs. 271) were lower in the co-infected patients. AIDS prevalence was similar in both groups. HCV genotype 1 was the most frequently detected (75%). Subgroup genotype was 63% “1a” and 30% “1b”. There were no differences in CD4 and viral loads between HCV genotype groups. The mortality rate, as of December 2003 was 3.6 %. Co-infected patients had a higher mortality (5.4% vs.2.6%). Conclusions: The study showed a high prevalence of co-infection in young male persons and in IDUs. The implementation of prevention strategies directed to reduce risks behaviors that are increasing the HCV infection are highly recommended by the authors. Support by RCMI/NIH Grants G12RR03035, 1U54RR01950701 and CDC/ASD Grant CCU206209

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Identified the HIV-HCV co-infection prevalence, at first encounter, in a cohort of HIV infected patients followed in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
• 2. Evaluate the risk behaviors that could increase the co-infection.
• 3. Identified the principal HCV virus genotype that co-infects the HIV patients in Puerto Rico.
• 4. Analyze the immunological status, HIV and HCV viral load at co-infection.
• 5. Measure the mortality rate, by the end of the study follow up

Keywords: Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.