How is the natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection altered in patients with AIDS?
- HCV is common in HIV-infected patients given the similar routes of exposure. In the normal host, progression from infection to cirrhosis takes several decades.
- A number of studies now suggest that the progression rate is markedly accelerated in patients with AIDS.
- Indeed currently HCV infection–related cirrhosis is one of the most common causes of death in these patients.
- This alteration in natural history suggests that early diagnosis of HCV infection and treatment are important.
