Undetectable hepatitis C virus RNA during syphilis infection in two HIV/HCV-co-infected patients
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
BACKGROUND: Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, elicits a vigorous immune response in the infected host. This study sought to describe the impact of syphilis infection on hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels in patients with HIV and chronic HCV infection.
METHODS: Patients with chronic HIV/HCV and syphilis co-infection were identified by their treating physicians from 1 October 2010 to 31 December 2013. Stored plasma samples obtained before, during, and after syphilis infection were analysed for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 kDa (IP-10).
RESULTS: Undetectable HCV RNA at the time of early latent syphilis infection was observed in 2 patients with HIV and chronic HCV infection. After treatment of the syphilis infection, HCV RNA levels increased again in patient 1, whereas patient 2 initiated HCV therapy and remained HCV RNA-negative. Available plasma samples obtained before and after the episode with undetectable HCV RNA were phylogenetically identical, making the possibility of spontaneous clearance and HCV reinfection less likely. The IL-10, TNF-α, and IP-10 levels increased at the time of syphilis diagnosis in patient 1 and decreased again after treatment of the syphilis infection.
CONCLUSIONS: We propose that T. pallidum-induced cytokine secretion resulted in an immune response hindering HCV replication during syphilis infection. We suggest that HIV/HCV-co-infected patients with unexpected undetectable HCV RNA are tested for syphilis infection and that the serological tests include both non-treponemal and treponemal tests to avoid false-positive results caused by HCV.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 9 |
Pages (from-to) | 617-623 |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISSN | 0036-5548 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sep 2014 |
- Adult, Cytokines, HIV Infections, Hepacivirus, Hepatitis C, Chronic, Humans, Male, RNA, Viral, Syphilis, Treponema pallidum
Research areas
ID: 138214428