An independent panel of American experts has issued a statement on the standard of care which US individuals coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) should receive. The statement was issued following a consensus development conference facilitated by the US government’s National Institutes of Health between 10-12 June 2002.
The statement recommends that all HIV-positive people should be screened for HCV. It notes that people coinfected with HIV and HCV may have an accelerated rate of HCV-related liver disease, and recommends that they are considered for HCV treatment, even though no HCV treatments have been specifically indicated for HIV and HCV coinfection.
The panel further notes that studies have to date only enrolled people with stable HIV infection and well-compensated liver disease. However, the statement goes on to say that a sustained viral response can be achieved in coinfected individuals with HCV treatment.
As regards treatments, it is noted that the best results are achieved when a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is administered compared to standard interferon and ribavirin treatment.
More investigation of the potential interactions between HAART and HCV therapy is called for.
Although the panel comprises clinicians, researchers and community groups with expert knowledge of HCV, their statement only has the power to influence and is not an offical policy statement of the National Institutes of Health or the US government.
The full statement can be viewed online at