HIV-HCV Co-Infection among Multitransfused Thalassemic Individuals-A Review

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) are three most common chronic viral pathogens among multitransfused thalassemic major individuals. HCV and HIV consist of a positive single stranded RNA genome, whereas HBV is a partially double stranded DNA virus. These viruses have similar routes of transmission, namely through blood and blood products, sharing of needles for injecting drugs. Co-infections of HIV in HCV positive patients are associated with reduced survival and an increased risk of progression to severe liver diseases with higher susceptibility towards hepato-toxicity due to antiretroviral therapy [2]. Co-infection is therefore common in people with high exposure to blood and blood products. The primary concern with HIV/HCV co-infection is that it can lead to more severe liver diseases and an increased risk for progression to liver cancer especially to immunocompromised thalassemic patients [3]. There are reports related to HCV and HIV co-infection from different parts of India, but no such detailed study on HCV and HIV co-infection among thalassemic patients [4,5].