Investigation of HCV co-infection among HIV-1 infected patients in Dali city

Objective To investigate the ratio of hepatitis C virus(HCV) co-infection and the impact of HCV co-infection on CD4+T cell counts in human immunodeficiency virus 1(HIV-1)-infected patients.Methods A cross-sectional study was performed among HIV-1-infected patients for assessment of HCV co-infection determination with serology and nucleic acid test in Dali Yunnan.Results Among 526 HIV-1-infected patients,the injecting drug users accounted for 94.3%,and the others were infected through sex.The percentage of anti HCV-IgG positive was 86.9%(457/526),and the positive accordant rate of HCV RNA and anti HCV-IgG was 78.3%.However,HCV RNA 1 000 IU/mL was detected in 24 patients out of 69 anti HCV-IgG negative patients.As for HCV nucleic acid test,the detection rate of HCV co-infection increased 4.6%(24/526).The ratio of HCV co-infection was 91.4%.The CD4+ T cell counts among single HIV-1 infection were significantly higher than those among HCV co-infection.Conclusions The ratio of HIV-1/HCV infection is high in high-risk areas or population,and the determination of HCV during screening HIV-1 infection may help for the early diagnosis and treatment of HCV and decrease the effect of HIV-1 infection patients.