I’ve decided to start posting abstracts and links to papers that I find interesting. Today’s topic: GB virus C.
GBV-C is a non-pathogenic virus that infects humans. This 2014 paper details the impact of co-infection with HIV-1. Ultimately they conclude that GBV-C co-infection may be beneficial to HIV-1 patients. However, the benefits of GBV-C are not apparent when patients are treated with anti-retroviral therapy.
Impact of GB virus C viraemia on clinical outcome in HIV-1-infected patients: a 20-year follow-up study.
D Ernst, M Greer, R Akmatova, S Pischke, H Wedemeyer, H Heiken, HL Tillmann, RE Schmidt and M Stoll
HIV Medicine v. 15 p. 245-250
Abstract
Objectives
The impact of coexisting GB virus C (GBV-C) infection on the clinical course of HIV infection remains controversial. Early data from HIV-1 infected patients attending the Hannover Medical School in 2001 suggested prognostic benefit in GBV-C viraemic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate patterns in long-term mortality and morbidity outcomes in this cohort. The impact of the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the perceived benefits of GBV-C viraemia was subsequently investigated.
Methods
A retrospective follow-up analysis of data in this cohort was performed. GBV-C status (GBV-C RNA positive, antibodies against GBV-C envelope protein E2 or no evidence of GBV-C exposure) had been determined at enrolment, with several markers of HIV disease progression (such as viral load and CD4 cell count) being collated from 1993/1994, 2000 and 2012. These eras were chosen to reflect variations in treatment strategies within the cohort. In addition, mortality and HIV-related morbidity data were collated for all patients.
Results
Complete data were available for 156 of 197 patients (79%). In highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-naïve patients, GBV-C RNA positivity conferred significant improvements in the course of HIV infection and mortality as well as lower rates of HIV-related diseases. E2 positivity alone conferred no significant advantage. With the advent of HAART, however, the benefits GBV-C RNA positivity disappeared.
Conclusions
Although GBV-C coinfection appears to inherently improve morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients, modern HAART has eradicated these advantages. Evidence of synergy between GBV-C status and HAART response exists, with further studies examining the role of GBV-C in existing treatment de-escalation strategies being required.