Influence of increased CD4 cell counts on the genetic variability of hepatitis C virus in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus I.

ABSTRACT: In order to study the effect of increased CD4 cell counts on the biology of hepatitis C virus (HCV), we analyzed the genetic variability of HCV generated over 8 y in eight human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and HCV co-infected patients. This was a retrospective study in which HIV patients were selected who had profound immune impairment evident over four years and were co-infected with HCV genotype 1 and who then went on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). These patients achieved different degrees of immune reconstitution, measured as increased CD4 cell counts during a 4- to 8-y period, following initiation of HAART. HCV genetic variability was determined by measuring the genetic diversity (Hamming distance, HD), and complexity (number of viral variants) in plasma samples col

SUBMITTER: Wang XP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2291784 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature