Impact of Acute Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Infection on HIV Viral Load in HIV-Infected Patients and Influence of HIV Infection on Acute HAV Infection.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection on HIV viral load (VL) and the influence of HIV on the clinical expression of HAV infection.

METHODS

Single-center study of 23 HIV-positive patients and 41 HIV-negative patients diagnosed with acute HAV infection during 2008-2009. The impact of HAV on HIV VL was defined as an increase of >0.5 log(10) during the event, or a detectable VL for those previously suppressed patients.

RESULTS

The impact of acute HAV on VL was observed in 37.5% patients. HIV-negative patients were younger (27 vs 34 years, P < .0001), and serum transaminases levels normalized earlier than in the HIV-positive patients (121 vs 178 days, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute HAV infection may have an impact on HIV VL. The interactions between the 2 viruses may not only prolong the HAV viremia, with a potential increase in the transmission of infection, but the impact on HIV may increase the risk of HIV transmission. Studies with higher sample size are needed to confirm our results.