Preservation of immune function and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) immune responses after liver transplantation in HIV-HCV coinfected patients (ANRS-HC08 "THEVIC" trial)
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) in immune-suppressed human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected patients is feasible but raises questions regarding the severity of HCV recurrence on the liver graft and preservation of immune function. We investigated whether LT is deleterious to the immune system.
Fourteen HIV-HCV coinfected patients (HIV viral load [VL] <50 copies/ml; median CD4 count of 276/mm(3) pretransplantation) were grafted for HCV-cirrhosis and followed over 2 years. HCV and HIV VLs and degree of acute and chronic hepatitis were monitored.
Peripheral blood T-cell phenotypes and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) immune responses against opportunistic pathogens, HCV, and HIV-1 p24 were evaluated. The study demonstrates that LT in HIV-HCV coinfected patients is not deleterious to the immune system and does not alter immune responses directed against HCV, HIV, or opportunistic pathogens.