HIV/HCV合并感染者淋巴细胞活化及第二受体表达的研究

目的了解中国不同疾病进展阶段人类免疫缺陷病毒和丙型肝炎病毒（HIV／HCV）合并感染者T淋巴细胞与自然杀伤细胞（natural killer cells，NK）数量变化及T淋巴细胞活化、受体表达情况，并探讨HCV感染对HIV感染免疫指标及疾病进展的影响。方法应用流式细胞术分析228例不同疾病进展阶段的HIV／HCV合并感染者及101例单纯HIV感染者外周血T淋巴细胞、NK细胞数量及T淋巴细胞活化受体（HLA-DR、CD38）、第二受体（CCR5、CXCR4）表达情况。结果（1）HIV／HCV合并感染组中，CD4^＋T淋巴细胞、NK细胞数量随疾病进展持续下降，其中艾滋病组（AIDS）明显低于无症状HIV感染组（HIV）（P〈0．05），HIV组明显低于长期不进展组（LTNP）（P〈0．01），LTNP组与健康对照组差异无统计学意义。LTNP组、HIV组及AIDS组CD4^＋、CD8^＋T细胞表面活化受体HLA-DR、CD38的表达依次升高，其中各组间CD8／CD38的升高差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05），AIDS组CD4／HLA-DR、CD8／HLA-DR的升高明显高于LTNP组和HIV组（P〈0．01）。LTNP组、HIV组及AIDS组CD4^＋、CD3^＋T细胞表面CCR5的表达亦依次升高，各组间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；CD3^＋T细胞表面CXCR4的表达依次升高，AIDS组明显高于HIV组和LTNP组（P〈0．01）。（2）HIV／HCV合并感染组与单纯HIV感染组相比，AIDS组NK细胞明显下降（P〈0．05），CD4^＋T细胞下降，但无统计学意义，CD4／HLA-DR、CD8／HLA-DR、CD4／CXCR4、CD3／CXCR4明显升高（P〈0．01）；HIV组NK细胞明显下降（P〈0．01），CD4／CXCR4明显升高（P〈0．05）；LTNP组各项指标与单纯HIV感染组相比差异无统计学意义。（3）HIV／HCV合并感染组的HIV病毒载量随疾病进展不断升高，与单纯HIV感染组相比差异无统计学意义；HCV病毒载量在疾病不同阶段差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论随疾病进展，HIV／HCV合并感染者的免疫功能逐渐下降，HIV病毒载量逐渐升高。与单纯HIV感染相比，合并HCV感染可通过破坏机体天然免疫功能、促进免疫系统活化和受体表达，加速HIV感染的疾病进展。     

趋化因子及受体与中国HCV/HIV合并感染相关性的研究

目的：探讨趋化因子自细胞介素8（IL-8）、干扰素诱导蛋白10（IFN-inducible 10-kdaprotein，IP-10）及趋化因子受体CCR5、CXCR3，在丙肝病毒（HCV）单纯感染，艾滋病病毒（HIV）单纯感染和HCV／HIV合并感染过程中的表达及意义。方法：采用流式细胞术，检测HCV感染组（n=21）、HIV感染组（n=14）、HCV／HIV感染组（n=28）及正常对照组（n=30）人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞和CD8^＋T淋巴细胞表面CCR5、CXCR3的表达。ELISA方法检测血清趋化因子IL-8、IP-10含量。结果：HCV感染组、HIV感染组和HCV／HIV合并感染组，血清IP-10水平都明显升高，而在合并感染组水平最高；血清IL-8水平在3组亦明显升高。HIV感染组及HCV／HIV合并感染组CD4^＋T细胞表面CXCR3表达显著降低（P〈0．001），CD8^＋T细胞表面CXCR3表达显著升高（P〈0．001）；HCV感染组CD4^＋及CD8^＋T细胞表面CXCR3表达轻度升高，但差异不显著。HCV感染组及HCV／HIV合并感染组CD4^＋及CD8^＋T细胞表面CCR5表达显著降低（P〈0.001）；HIV感染组CD4^＋及CD8^＋T细胞表面CCR5表达显著升高（P〈0.001）。结论：中国HCV／HIV合并感染患者中，血清IL-8和IP-10水平都明显升高；受体CXCR3在CD4^＋T细胞表面表达降低，而在CD8^＋T细胞表面表达升高；受体CCR5在CD4^＋及CD8^＋T细胞表面表达降低，提示趋化因子及受体与HCV／HIV合并感染密切相关。     

某艾滋病治疗示范区人免疫缺陷病毒感染者合并隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染的调查分析

目的 调查分析某艾滋病治疗示范区人免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）-1感染者中隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染的情况及其影响因素.方法 采集某艾滋病治疗示范区97例经血感染HIV-1的感染者的血浆,采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）检测乙型肝炎表面抗原与抗体（HBsAg与抗HBs）、乙型肝炎e抗原与抗体（HBeAg与抗Hbe）、乙型肝炎核心抗体（抗HBc）及丙型肝炎抗体（抗HCV）;采用吸附柱法抽提HBV DNA;采用巢式聚合酶链反应（PCR）法检测HBV S区;采用流式细胞仪计数CD4＋T淋巴细胞.HBsAg阴性PCR阳性结果 者为合并隐匿性HBV感染者.合并隐匿性HBV感染者为实验组,未合并隐匿性HBV感染者为对照组.结果 97例HIV感染者中HBsAg阴性者92例（94.85%）.92例HBsAg阴性者中合并隐匿性HBV感染者27例（29.35%）,抗HCV阳性者73例（79.35%）.合并隐匿性HBV感染者和未合并HBV感染者CD4＋T淋巴细胞数、单独抗HBc阳性率分别为（212.11±133.1）和（318.9±172.2）cells/mm3、62.96%和18.46%,以上两指标两组比较差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.01）,两组间年龄、性别、是否合并HCV感染及抗HBs阳性率比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 经有偿献血途径感染HIV者中存在隐匿性HBV感染;HIV阳性合并隐匿性HBV感染者中易出现单纯抗HBc阳性;CD4＋T淋巴细胞数低的HIV感染者更容易合并隐匿性HBV感染.     

HIV/AIDS患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的研究

目的 通过对HIV/AIDS患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群进行分析,探讨初始、记忆和效应T细胞各亚群的变化情况及其与疾病进展的关系.方法 应用流式细胞仪检测15例正常人,79例HIV/AIDS患者CD4<200组17例、200≤CD4≤500组45例和CD4>500组17例.外周血淋巴细胞中T细胞各亚群绝对数及百分比.结果随着疾病进展,CD4+ 初始细胞(Naive)计数和比例均逐渐减少(P<0.001);CD4+中枢性记忆T细胞(Tcm)计数逐渐降低(P<0.001),但百分比逐渐升高(P=0.002);CD4+效应记忆性T细胞(TEMA)百分比上升(P<0.001);CD8+Naive细胞计数及百分比均逐渐下降(P<0.05);CD8+ TCM、TEM和终末分化的效应性记忆T细胞(TEMRA)的计数及百分比,各组间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 HIV感染者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群发生显著变化,幼稚型T淋巴细胞数目逐渐减少,功能型T淋巴细胞数目增加.本研究有助于对HIV致病机制的研究及疾病进展的监测.     

HIV/AIDS患者CD28在外周血CD4+、CD8+ T细胞上的表达变化

目的　研究国内HIV AIDS患者CD2 8在外周血CD4 + 、CD8+ T淋巴细胞上表达的变化 ,并探讨这些变化的临床意义。方法　用流式细胞仪检测 5 1例正常对照、14例HIV感染者和 36例AIDS患者的外周血CD4 + 、CD8+ T淋巴细胞表面的CD2 8分子的表达 ,用bDNA法检测 11例HIV感染者和 18例AIDS患者的血浆病毒载量。结果　CD4 + CD2 8+ T细胞的绝对计数与百分比、CD8+ CD2 8+T细胞的百分比均显示为正常对照组 >HIV感染组 >AIDS组 ;而CD8+ CD2 8+ T细胞的绝对计数显示HIV感染组和对照组显著大于AIDS组 ,HIV感染组与对照组间差异无显著性。CD4 + 、CD2 8+ CD4 + T淋巴细胞计数与血浆病毒载量显著负相关。结论　HIV AIDS患者外周血CD2 8在CD4 + 、CD8+ T淋巴细胞上表达随着病情进展而降低 ,反映了细胞免疫功能随着疾病进展损害逐渐加重 ,是判断病情进展的指标。     

河北省2009年新检出HIV感染者免疫状况分析

目的 分析2009年河北省新报告病例中,不同性别、年龄、婚姻状况、感染途径、职业、文化程度的人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染者免疫状况的差异.方法 用流式细胞术测定HIV感染者外周血CD4+T淋巴细胞绝对值,采用SPSS15.0软件进行统计学处理.结果 2009年在河北省新检出的300例HIV感染者中,男性和女性感染者外周血中CD4+T淋巴细胞均值分别为366.36±14.16和303.74±26.06,明显低于健康人群参考值(860.27±255.15),男性显著高于女性(P＜0.05)；在9岁以上的年龄分组中,20 ～ 29岁年龄组CD4+T淋巴细胞水平最高(425.59±21.48),显著高于其他组(P＜0.05)；未婚感染者CD4+T淋巴细胞均值显著高于已婚有配偶组(P＜0.05)；同性传播与异性传播、注射毒品、血液传播及传播途径不详的感染者间CD4+T淋巴细胞水平存在显著性差异(P＜0.05),注射毒品组与同性传播、异性传播、血液传播及传播途径不详的感染者间也存在显著性差异(P＜0.05)；不同职业、不同文化程度的感染者间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 河北省2009年新发现的HIV感染者中,不同性别、年龄、婚姻状况和感染途径的HIV感染者外周血中CD4+T淋巴细胞水平存在差异,决定其免疫状况的主要因素是年龄、感染途径和检测及时性.     

HIV/HCV共感染者自然杀伤细胞表面活化性与抑制性受体表达的研究

目的 比较HIV/HCV共感染、单纯HCV感染、单纯HIV感染者和健康人自然杀伤细胞（NK）数量及其表面受体的变化,了解HIV/HCV共感染者NK细胞表面活化性与抑制性受体表达特点.方法 采用流式细胞术对24例HIV/HCV共感染者,28例单纯HCV感染者,21例单纯HIV感染者外周血NK细胞数量与其表面活化与抑制性受体进行检测并与20例健康人进行比较分析.结果 HIV/HCV共感染组NK细胞绝对值较其他3组显著减少;共感染组、单纯HIV感染组、单纯HCV感染组NK细胞上NKP30和NKP46的表达频率都显著低于健康对照组,但NKP30的频率在前3组之间差异无统计学意义.共感染组和单纯HIV感染组的NKP46表达频率都显著低于HCV单纯感染组,而前2组之间差异无统计学意义;共感染组和单纯HCV感染组的NKG2A表达频率显著高于健康对照组和单纯HIV感染组,而前2组之间差异无统计学意义,但单纯HIV感染组NKG2A表达频率显著低于健康对照组;NK细胞NKG2D、CD158a和CD158b的表达频率在各组间差异无统计学意义.结论 HIV/HCV共感染者NK细胞绝对值明显降低,其表面活化性受体表达减少,某些抑制受体表达增加,甚至高于单纯HIV感染者,HIV/HCV共感染者NK细胞受损更加严重.     

HIV合并肝炎病毒感染肝功能相关指标及免疫功能变化分析

目的 探讨HIV感染者合并肝炎病毒感染后，肝功能及淋巴细胞亚群的变化，为单纯性HIV感染和HIV合并肝炎病毒感染的研究提供相关依据。方法 选取苏州市第五人民医院HIV感染者460例，用实时荧光定量PCR的方法检测乙肝DNA载量(HBV-DNA)和丙肝病毒RNA载量(HCV-RNA),以HBV-DNA含量大于500IU/mL为乙肝病毒感染，以HCV-RNA含量大于500IU/mL为丙肝病毒感染，将460例HIV感染者分为HIV单纯感染、HIV合并HBV、HIV合并HCV 3组。全自动生化分析仪检测3组HIV感染中血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)和γ-谷氨酰基转移酶(GGT-γ);应用流式细胞仪检测外周血淋巴细胞及亚群分布；同时用五分类血细胞分析仪检测外周血淋巴细胞的数量，采用双平台检测的方法得出CD4⁺T淋巴细胞的绝对值。对数据进行性别、年龄、病毒载量、肝功能、淋巴细胞及亚群等多因素分析。结果 (1)460例HIV感染者，单纯HIV感染为208例(45.2%),HIV合并HBV感染为173例(37.6%),HIV合并HCV感染为79例(1...     

HIV感染者T细胞NKG2C/NKG2A表达及与疾病进展关系研究

目的：研究HIV慢性感染者和HARRT治疗者T细胞NKG2C/NKG2A受体的表达变化,探讨其与疾病进展的关系。方法：选取HIV慢性感染者、接受HAART治疗的HIV感染者以及健康人的外周血细胞,通过荧光抗体染色,利用流式细胞仪检测T细胞上表达的NKG2C/NKG2A受体。结果：HIV慢性感染者NKG2C⁺ T细胞,NKG2A⁺ T细胞和NKG2C+NKG2A- T细胞百分比明显高于健康对照组 (P=0.025、P=0.032、P=0.029),HARRT治疗组则明显低于HIV慢性感染者(P=0.033、P=0.037、P=0.018),恢复到正常水平,与健康对照组相比无统计学差异。HIV慢性感染者外周血CD4⁺ T淋巴细胞绝对数和表达NKG2A、NKG2C⁺NKG2A⁺和NKG2C-NKG2A⁺ 的T细胞呈负相关(r=-0.697,P<0.000 1;r=-0.463,P=0.015;r=-0.693,P<0.000 1),HIV慢性感染者外周血T细胞上表达的NKG2C与NKG2A的比值与CD4⁺ T淋巴细胞绝对数呈正相关(r=0.476,P=0.012)。结论：HIV感染者T细胞表面NKG2C和NKG2A的表达研究具有重要意义,为HIV感染的临床预后评估提供科学依据。     

艾滋病毒/丙型肝炎病毒合并感染者HAART治疗过程中IL-18水平变化的研究

目的 研究HIV/HCV共感染者HAART治疗过程中的血浆IL-18水平变化及与免疫重建的关系.方法 选取2017年1月至2019年6月,我院收治的72例HIV感染患者为研究对象,所有研究对象未接受治疗(CD4+T细胞计数<200 cells/μL),其中HIV/HCV合并感染者35例(以下简称合并感染组);HIV单一感染者37例(以下简称单一感染组),采集患者HAART前4、12、24、48、72周外周静脉血,检测两组患者血浆中CD4+和CD8+T细胞计数、IL-18表达量以及HIV RNA水平.结果 HAART治疗前,合并感染组患者血浆IL-18表达量明显高于单一感染组,P<0.05;在HAART治疗过程中,两组患者血浆IL-18表达量呈下降趋势,合并感染组患者各监测时间点血浆IL-18表达量均高于单一感染组,P<0.05;HAART治疗前,两组患者CD4+T细胞数差异不显著,P>0.05,差异无统计学意义;治疗第12、24、48、72周,单一感染组患者CD4+T细胞数均显著高于合并感染组,P<0.05,差异有统计学意义;在HAART第24周时,两组患者CD4+/CD8+比值呈上升趋势,单一感染组高于合并感染组,P<0.05,差异有统计学意义;HAART 24周后,两组患者外周血HIV RNA载量均<40拷贝/mL,低于监测下限,病毒抑制成功.结论 HCV合并感染使艾滋病患者免疫紊乱加重,主要体现在IL-18水平提高等方面,导致患者免疫重建延缓,但国内外学者研究仍然存在争议,关于HCV上调机体IL-18水平的具体机制以及参与免疫重建的进程仍需进一步研究证实.     

Differences in HCV-specific T cell responses between chronic HCV infection and HIV/HCV co-infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were investigated using a panel of 728 overlapping peptides spanning the whole HCV genome in 47 HCV mono-infected and 26 HIV/HCV co-infected individuals using the IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay and flow cytometry. The frequency of HCV-specific T cell responses was similar (approximately 40%) in both groups, but the breadth of the T cell responses tended to be reduced in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. Of interest, 23 new HCV-derived epitopes were identified, and CD4+ HCV-specific T cell responses were detected overall in a proportion similar to CD8+ T cell responses. A tendency towards a dominant CD8+ T cell response was associated with HIV/HCV co-infection. HCV-specific CD8+ T cells secreted both IL-2 and IFN-gamma, although a reduction in the percentage of IL-2/IFN-gamma-secreting cells was observed in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. The increase in CD4+ T cell counts after antiretroviral therapy in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals was not associated with restoration of HCV-specific T cell responses. Altogether, these results provide new insights into the characterization of HCV-specific T cell responses in HCV mono-infected and HIV/HCV co-infected individuals.     

CD4+ lymphocyte values and trends in individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and/or co-infected with Hepatitis C Virus in The Gambia

Objectives

This study was undertaken to monitor the CD4+ lymphocyte count in individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and/or co-infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and to compare this with the counts in normal individuals in The Gambia.

Methods

Blood samples were taken from 1500 individuals referred for HIV serology at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) following informed consent. Samples were tested for antibodies to HIV by the Murex ELISA, antibodies to HCV by the Ortho ELISA, and CD4 counts determined by the Dynalimmunomagnetic cell isolation method

Results

Of the 1500 patients screened for HIV and HCV antibodies, 6.7% (101/1500) were infected with HIV, 0.6 % (9/1500) were co-infected with HCV and 1.5 % (22/1500) were infected with HCV alone. Almost half (44.6%; 25/56) of HIV-1 infected patients had a CD4+ lymphocyte count at diagnosis of 200 cells/µl or less as compared to 41.7 % (10/24) of HIV-2 and 75% (6/8) of HIV-D infected patients. The rate of CD4 decline was higher among HIV/HCV co-infected persons than individuals infected with HIV or HCV. The rate of decline was higher among men than women. These differences did not reach statistical significance due in large part to the small number of participants who completed the programme. The CD4+ lymphocyte count of apparently healthy Gambian male and females was 489 cells/µl and 496 cells/µl respectively. This rate is lower than that reported for Caucasians, but in agreement with the global range.

Conclusion

A significant progressive decline in CD4+ lymphocyte count was observed among the female control group who were negative for HIV and HCV. This finding is unclear and calls for a longitudinal study involving a cohort of women in this region.Short title: CD4+ counts in HIV/HCV co-infection     

细胞毒性T淋巴细胞增殖、分化能力对HIV/HCV重叠感染患者病情进展的影响

目的 探讨HIV/HCV重叠感染患者细胞毒性T淋巴细胞增殖能力和分化状态对病情进展的影响.方法 采用流式细胞仪检测CD57、CD27和CD28在CD8+T细胞上的表达,根据其表达差异,判断CD8+T细胞的增殖能力和不同的分化状态,比较HIV/HCV重叠感染者和单独HCV感染者增殖能力和分化状态的差异.探讨CTL功能与病情进展的关系.结果 HIV/HCV重叠感染者中CD57在CD8+T细胞上高表达28.84%±4.49%,而在HCV单独感染者中较低表达8.24%±5.05%,两组差异非常显著(P＜0.001).CD57+CD8+T细胞的百分数与HCV载量对数值间存在着正线性相关(P=0.023,R2=0.21).HIV/HCV重叠感染者的CTL细胞分化状态以晚期为主,而HCV单独感染者的CTL细胞分化状态以中期为主,两者比较差异非常显著(P＜0.001).结论 HIV/HCV重叠感染患者较HCV单独感染者CTL细胞增殖能力较低、呈终末期分化状态,进而影响CTL的免疫应答,可能是重叠感染者肝病进展的原因之一.     

Concentrations of soluble Fas and soluble Fas ligand as indicators of programmed cell death among patients coinfected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) coinfections can affect mechanisms of programmed cell death and therefore influence acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) development as well as the course of chronic hepatitis C. The aim of the study was to assess soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) concentrations in HIV- and HCV-coinfected patients and, moreover, to establish their relationships with HIV viral load, CD4+ T lymphocyte count, as well as liver function tests. Seventy-eight patients were included in the study, among them 30 coinfected with HIV and HCV, 10 infected only with HIV, and 38 infected only with HCV. HIV infection was confirmed by means of Western blot analysis; HIV viral load was measured by RTPCR; and CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts were established by means of flow cytometry. HCV infection was confirmed through HCV RNA isolation, using RT-PCR. sFas and sFasL concentrations were measured in duplicate by ELISA. The mean CD4+ T lymphocyte count decreased in HIV- and HCV-coinfected patients versus HIV-infected individuals (429 versus 279/ml). sFasL protein was detectable principally in HIV-infected individuals without HCV infection (90%), whereas in those with HCV infection it occurred only in 11% of cases. The highest sFas concentration was observed in HCV-infected patients (25.9 ng/ml) as well as in HIV- and HCV-coinfected individuals (20.3 ng/ml). This concentration was negatively proportional to sFasL prevalence. The results of our study suggest that HCV infection in HIV-positive individuals may suppress processes of programmed cell death. There was no correlation between sFas, sFasL, and HIV-1 viral load. On the other hand, sFas concentration and the presence of sFasL were related to CD4+ T lymphocyte count.     

Changes in Hepatitis C Viral Response After Initiation of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy and Control of HIV Viremia in Chronically Co-infected Individuals

Abstract

Background: HIV seropositive individuals co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have an increased risk for liver cirrhosis. We examined the long-term effect of controlling HIV infection with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on HCV viremia among co-infected patients. Method: HIV/HCV co-infected patients who initiated HAART and were able to control HIV viremia to <500 copies/mL were evaluated. HIV and HCV viremia were measured at each time point from frozen plasma samples by using bDNA methodology. Liver function tests and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts of all patients were obtained at each time point. Results: Seventeen co-infected patients met criteria for study from a cohort of 156 patients. Median time to achieve an HIV viral load (VL) <500 copies/mL after initiation of HAART was 28 weeks (range, 5-225 weeks). Thirteen of 17 patients had increases in HCV VL. Slope analysis of HCV VL vs. HIV VL was -0.14 (p = .0496), demonstrating a 0.14 log increase in HCV VL concomitant with control of HIV viremia. HCV viremia returned toward baseline levels in the 16 patients who maintained HIV suppression for 6 months. None cleared HCV after initiation of HAART during this time. Alkaline phosphatase, ALT, and AST levels were not significantly changed from baseline nor correlated with change in HCV VL (p > .05). Conclusion: Control of HIV viremia may result in an early increase in HCV viremia. In this study, for every 1 log decrease of HIV VL there was a 0.14 log increase of HCV VL. The exact mechanism of this flare seen with control of HIV viremia is unknown. However, HAART alone was not able to eliminate or significantly reduce the HCV viremia in this cohort of co-infected patients.     

HCV-RNA水平对HIV/HCV合并感染者HIV疾病进展影响研究

目的 探讨人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)和丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)混合感染者HCV-RNA水平对HIV感染疾病进展的影响.方法 采用横断面研究对391例不同途径HIV感染者进行抗HCV-IgG、HCV-RNA、HIV-RNA、T淋巴细胞计数及其他免疫活化指标检测,比较HCV-RNA水平高组和低组病毒学及免疫学相关指标差别,分析HCV-RNA与HIV-RNA、CD4+T淋巴细胞计数的相关性.结果 (1)有偿供血组(93%)和静脉吸毒组(97.5%)抗HCV-IgG阳性率显著高于性接触组(20.1%);在抗HCV-IgG阳性的HIV感染者中,静脉吸毒组HCV-RNA阳性率(89.9%)显著高于有偿供血组(48.3%)及性接触组(62.5%),P均<0.01.(2) HCV-RNA水平和HIV-RNA水平正相关(r=0.237,P<0.01),与CD4计数负相关(r=-0.201,P<0.05).(3) HCV-RNA高组免疫活化标志物HLA-DR表达高于HCV-RNA低组(P<0.01).结论 高水平的HCV-RNA可能是HIV感染疾病进展的危险因素之一.     

Polyfunctional HCV-specific T-cell responses are associated with effective control of HCV replication

HCV infection has a severe course of disease in HIV/HCV co-infection and in liver transplant recipients. However, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Here, we evaluated functional profiles of HCV-specific T-cell responses in 86 HCV mono-infected patients, 48 HIV/HCV co-infected patients and 42 liver transplant recipients. IFN-gamma and IL-2 production and ability of CD4 and CD8 T cells to proliferate were assessed after stimulation with HCV-derived peptides. We observed that HCV-specific T-cell responses were polyfunctional in HCV mono-infected patients, with presence of proliferating single IL-2-, dual IL-2/IFN-gamma and single IFN-gamma-producing CD4+ and dual IL-2/IFN-gamma and single IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ cells. In contrast, HCV-specific T-cell responses had an effector profile in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals and liver transplant recipients with absence of single IL-2-producing HCV-specific CD4+ and dual IL-2/IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells. In addition, HCV-specific proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was severely impaired in HIV/HCV co-infected patients and liver transplant recipients. Importantly, "only effector" T-cell responses were associated with significantly higher HCV viral load and more severe liver fibrosis scores. Therefore, the present results suggest that immune-based mechanisms may contribute to explain the accelerated course of HCV infection in conditions of HIV-1 co-infection and liver transplantation.     

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Tissue Inhibitors of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Plasma of Patients Co-Infected with HCV and HIV

Abstract

Background: Accelerated progression of hepatic fibrosis has been shown in patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV. Liver fibrosis is a dynamic process in which the altered balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors (TIMPs) may play a major role. Method: The involvement of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in HCV liver disease progression in patients co-infected with HIV was evaluated. Plasma concentrations of human MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were assessed in 76 HIV-infected patients; 27 were co-infected with HCV and 49 were HCV negative. 18 healthy donors were included as controls. Results: Patients with HIV infection exhibited a striking increase in TIMP-1 levels; this is more evident in patients with advanced CD4 depletion. There was no elevation in the plasma concentrations of the MMP-9. The highest levels of TIMP-1 were found in the HIV/HCV co-infected patients. The values of TIMP-1 in HIV-infected patients with chronic HCV hepatitis were significantly higher than in HIV-positive individuals without HCV infection, even including those with low CD4 count. No significant differences were seen in the MMP-9 levels. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the altered balance between circulating MMP-9 and TIMP-1 during HIV infection may play an important role in exacerbating liver fibrosis progression in patients co-infected with HCV.     

Mixed cryoglobulinemia in HCV mono-infected and HCV/HIV co-infected patients

The aim of our study was to compare the prevalence of mixed cryoglobulinemia in a group of HCV positive/HIV- negative patients with respect to a group of HCV/HIV co-infected subjects. Between September 2002 and May 2003, 58 patients with proven HCV infection and 67 subjects with HIV/HCV co-infection were enrolled. Serum was assessed for detectable cryoglobulins, liver enzymes, HCV viral load and HCV genotypes. In HIV positive patients, plasma HIV RNA and CD4+ cell count were determined. A chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of cryoglobulins in our two categories of patients. Cryoglobulinemia was detected in 14/58 HCV mono-infected patients (24.1%) and in 10/67 HCV/HIV co-infected patients (14.9%), without any significant statistical difference between the two groups (p=0.2). Only two HCV mono-infected patients complained of arthralgia. No significant correlation was found between the presence of cryoglobulinemia and ALT levels, HCV viremia and duration of HCV infection. In HIV patients circulating cryoglobulins were not correlated with plasma HIV viral load, CD4 cell count and with duration of HIV infection. In conclusion, mixed cryoglobulinemia may be detected in a similar rate in the two groups and HIV infection does not appear to play a significant role in cryoglobulin production.