Rapid Communication
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 28, 2007; 13(12): 1862-1866
Published online Mar 28, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i12.1862
Significance of blood analysis in hemophiliacs co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis viruses
Fang Shen, Qin Huang, Hong-Qing Sun, Reena Ghildyal
Fang Shen, Shanghai Medical College and Shanghai Public Health Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
Reena Ghildyal, Scientific Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
Qin Huang, Hong-Qing Sun, Infectious Diseases Unit, Shanghai Public Health Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
Reena Ghildyal, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Shanghai Public Health Center Research Fund
Correspondence to: Dr. Reena Ghildyal, Scientific Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Road, Jinshan, Shanghai 201508, China. reena.ghildyal@gmail.com
Telephone: +86-21-37990333-5260 Fax: +86-21-37990333
Received: December 19, 2006
Revised: December 23, 2006
Accepted: March 10, 2007
Published online: March 28, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To study the effect of hepatitis virus infection on cirrhosis and liver function markers in HIV-infected hemophiliacs.

METHODS: We have analyzed the immunological, liver function and cirrhosis markers in a cohort of hemophiliacs co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis viruses.

RESULTS: There was no difference in immunological markers among co-infected patients and patients infected with HIV only and those co-infected with one or more hepatitis virus. Although liver function and cirrhosis markers remained within a normal range, there was a worsening trend in all patients co-infected with hepatitis virus C (HCV), which was further exacerbated in the presence of additional infection with hepatitis virus B (HBV).

CONCLUSION: Co-infection with HIV, HBV and HCV leads to worsening of hyaluronic acid and liver function markers. Increases in serum hyaluronic acid may be suggestive of a predisposition to liver diseases.

Keywords: Human immunodeficiency virus; Human immunodeficiency virus; Liver function markers; Liver cirrhosis markers