Abstract

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are overrepresented in the HCV-infected community. Past Canadian guidelines do not advocate HCV treatment of HIV co-infected PWID, fearing reduced ĞĸcĂcy and recurrent viremia ĂŌĞr successful treatment, due to ongoing risk behaviours. These factors may be more prominent among those co-infected with HIV.

Methods: A Retrospective chart review analysis was performed to identify HIV/HCV co-infected individuals who actively injected drugs within 6 months preceding or during HCV treatment. Information regarding ƉĂƟĞnƚ cŚĂrĂcƚĞrŝƐƟcƐ͕ risk behaviours, HCV treatment, and virologic follow-up post-treatment was collected.

Results: We identified 45 HIV/HCV co-infected PWID (mean age 51.9 years, 6.7% female, 57.8% on opiatesubstitution therapy, 66.7% genotype 1, 82.2% treatment naïve, 73.3% on interferon-based therapies, and 1.52 person years of follow-up/subject). Following successful HCV therapy, 3 cases of HCV recurrent viremia were identified

Conclusion: HCV ŝnĨĞcƟŽn can be successfully treated in high-risk HIV co-infected individuals. In our unique ƐĞƫnŐ͕ few cases of recurrent viremia were identified in mediumterm follow-up.

Author(s): Tyler Raycraft , Syune Hakobyan , Sahand Vafadary , Arshia Alimohammadi , Ghazal Kiani , Jay Shravah , Rajvir Shahi and Brian Conway

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