CD8+ T cell activation in women coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and hepatitis C virus

Immuneactivation is a hallmark ofhumanimmunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and impacts innate and adaptive immunity. Individuals coinfected with HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) may have increased immune activation early in HIVdisease because of a highHCVantigen load in tissues such as the liver. WeevaluatedTcell markers of activation and maturation in women with or without HIV-1 infection, by HCV antibody and HCV RNA status. We found increased percentages of activated CD8(+) T cells (i. e., CD8(+) HLA-DR+ 38(+) cells and CD8(+) CD28(+) HLA-DR+ cells) but not of CD4(+) T cells among women who tested positive for HIV-1, HCV antibody, and HCV RNA, compared with HIV-1-positive women who tested negative forHCVantibody. Because CD8(+) T cell activation is related to HIV-1 disease progression, these data may have implications for the medical management of patients coinfected with HIV-1 and HCV.