Article Text
Abstract
Introduction A 26% spontaneous clearance rate of Hepatitis C (HCV) in HIV negative populations is estimated, although the extent may be higher. Spontaneous clearance rates in HIV/HCV co-infected populations are lower. We report an HIV positive patient who has twice spontaneously cleared acute HCV infection.
Case report A 43 year old MSM diagnosed HIV positive in 1999 (WT virus, Nadir CD4 300) had evidence of past resolved Hepatitis A and B at time of HIV diagnosis. He commenced antiretroviral therapy (ARVs) in 2001 achieving virological suppression (VL ≤40). Hepatitis C was diagnosed in 2008 on tests prompted by raised LFTs: HCV antibody positive, HCV RNA 55 iu/ml, genotype not available. HCV antibody was negative 12 weeks earlier. Seroconversion was asymptomatic and associated with a transient rise in serum alanine transaminase (peak 189). HCV RNA was undetectable 2 weeks later and remained so for 5 years. He re-presented with symptomatic acute Hepatitis C in 2013: HCV RNA 59258 iu/ml, genotype 1, ALT 519. ALT normalised and HCV RNA fell to the limit of sensitivity of the assay (12 iu/ml) within 2 weeks. HCV RNA remained negative 1 year later. Re-infection occurred during a self imposed ARV treatment interruption and was associated with injecting drug use, high sexual risk taking behaviour and co-infection with bacterial STIs. Acute HCV was diagnosed within 4 weeks of restarting ARVs.
Discussion As spontaneous clearance of HCV in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals is less common than those mono-infected, it is of interest that this patient has twice spontaneously cleared HCV.