Low Spontaneous Clearance Rates of Recently Acquired Hepatitis C Virus in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men (PROBE-C Study)

Background Using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for recently acquired hepatitis C virus (RAHCV) infections, particularly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), dramatically reduced the incidence of hepatitis C. However, implementation into clinical practice is challenging. The aim of this study was to analyze spontaneous clearance (SC) rates of RAHCV and to identify predictors of SC. Methods The PROBE-C study is an observational European cohort on RAHCV infections in HIV-positive MSM. Between 2007 and 2017, RAHCV infections were documented with >= 12 months of follow-up. Fisher exact, chi(2), and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 464 RAHCV infections were documented; 457 of 464 patients (98%) were male, and the median age (interquartile range [IQR]) was 41 (38-46) years. The main risk group for hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission was MSM (98.9%). Most participants were infected with HCV genotype 1 (78.3%). The median baseline HCV RNA level (IQR) was 230 000 (135 000-474 432) IU/mL, and the median CD4(+) T-cell count was 574/mu L (547-604/mu L. Of all cases, 92% received combination antiretroviral therapy, with 91% showing suppressed HIV RNA levels (<200 copies/mL). The median maximum alanine aminotransferase level (IQR) was 445 (402-522) U/L. SC of RAHCV infection occurred in 55 of 464 cases (11.9%). A >2-log decline in HCV RNA levels 4 weeks after diagnosis of RAHCV infection was the strongest predictor of SC (P < .001; sensitivity, 96.4%; specificity, 97.5%; positive predictive value, 84.1%; negative predictive value, 99.5%). Conclusions SC of RAHCV in HIV-positive MSM is found in only 11.9% of cases and a <2-log drop in HCV RNA level at week 4 after diagnosis should prompt early DAA-based treatment. However, immediate DAA treatment for RAHCV infection may also be favored in patients with ongoing transmission risk behavior. Spontaneous clearance of recently acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection occurs infrequently in people with human immunodeficiency virus. We demonstrated that lack of a >2-log drop in HCV RNA at week 4 is associated with persistent viremia, highlighting the need for early antiviral treatment.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the spontaneous clearance rates and predictors of spontaneous clearance in recently acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). The findings showed that spontaneous clearance is infrequent in this population, highlighting the importance of early antiviral treatment.