7, 8 Epidemiological investigation reveals a high risk associatio

7, 8 Epidemiological investigation reveals a high risk association with anal-receptive sexual activity including “fisting”, Barasertib molecular weight suggesting that anal mucosal trauma is a key element of HCV transmission. The reason that the increase in acute HCV among gay men is being seen now remains contentious. Some investigators believe that widespread use of HAART has created a permissive atmosphere reminiscent of 1980s bathhouse behavior, with multiple sexual

exposures in a short window of time. Others do not believe that behaviors have changed, and the perception of increased incidence represents an ascertainment bias. It was suggested that HIV spread in the 1980s was divided into two distinct epidemics: one in MSMs and the other in injection drug users. The MSM spread predominated in the 1980s, and these patients did not have high concomitant rates of HCV infection. Over the years, the risk behaviors of high-risk sexual

activity and injection drug use merged, leading to higher prevalence of HCV in the MSM population and contributing to the current acute HCV outbreaks. Additionally, there is evidence that noninjection methamphetamine use may be associated with cases of acute HCV transmission.9 This hypothesis will need to be studied in more detail and represents an important area of epidemiologic research. The natural history of HCV is altered when HIV is present. We have known for some time that low CD4 counts (<200 cells/mm3) are associated with more rapid progression of hepatic fibrosis, development of cirrhosis, and time to appearance of decompensated selleck inhibitor see more liver disease.10–13 Recent data suggests that HIV viral load may be an important and independent factor in accelerated disease progression as well. These data are primarily derived from large treatment or observational cohort studies (e.g., SMART, EUROSIDA, GESIDA) which show decreased progression to ESLD when HIV viral loads are low or undetectable.14, 15 Clearly, it is difficult to separate the effect of CD4 from HIV viral load because these are highly related covariates, but study of large cohorts does permit some insight into the

independent effects of these variables. Furthermore, there are biological data regarding the effect of HIV on cells residing in the liver that support the epidemiologic associations. These data are described more fully in the section on Pathogenesis below. Unpublished data presented by Dr. Tuma demonstrated that rates of progression to cirrhosis in a HAART-treated Spanish cohort did not differ significantly from those with HCV alone. Similarly, Dr. Rimland provided data from a cohort in Atlanta, Georgia, indicating that liver-related deaths among HCV/HIV-coinfected patients are decreasing. Taken together, these data suggest a role for effective HIV treatment in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients, but additional supporting data is clearly needed.

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