Higher hepatitis C virus-viral loads and complex sexual partners in hepatitis C virus-human immunodeficiency virus coinfected injection drug users: A case-control study

摘要

Injection drug users (IDUs) are likely contributors to hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. However, little is known about the HCV viral loads of IDUs with HCV-HTV coinfection. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the HCV viral loads among IDUs with HCV infection, HCV-HIV coinfection, and HCV-HBV coinfection. Among the 45 IDUs recruited to the study, 27 were HCV monoin-fected; 9 were HCV-HIV coinfected; 7 were HCV-HBV coinfected; and 2 were seronegative for (HCV, HBV, or HIV infection. A control group of 180 age- and gender-matched chronic HCV-infected patients were enrolled using the propensity score method. A standardized case record form was used to collect demographic, clinical,* laboratory, and virological data. The HCV RNA levels in IDUs with HCV-HTV"coinfection were significantly higher than those in the control group, IDUs with HCV monoinfectiori, and IDUs with HCV-HBV coinfection {P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). The HCV-RNA levels in the control group were higher than those in IDUs with HCV monoinfection and HCV-HBV coinfection {P = 0.04 and F - 0.039, respectively). After analyzing the risk factors related to these viral infections in IDUs, a complex sexual partner was more prevalent among IDUs with HCV-HIV coinfection than those with HCV monoinfection or HCV-HBV coinfection (P = 0.02 and P = 0.035, respectively). IDUs with HCV-HIV coinfection demonstrated extremely high HCV-RNA levels. Antiviral therapy, especially in the directly acting antiviral era, is indicated. In addition, IDUs with a complex sexual partner had a significantly higher risk of HIV infection. Therefore, the measure to curb this transmission is more important for infectious control.