Repeated Spontaneous Clearance of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in the Setting of Long-Term Non-Progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection

Abstract

1.1.Introduction: HCV and HIV are global pandemics that affect 170 million and 35 million individuals, respectively. Up to 45% of individuals infected with HCV clear their infections spontaneously – correlating to factors like female sex, aboriginal descent, symptomatic acute hepatitis and some host specific immune factors. HIV, however, establishes true latency in infected cells, and therefore cannot be cured. In the setting of long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) of HIV, a state of immune preservation and low circulating viral load is established. Regarding HIV/HCV co- infection, little is known about the relationship between spontaneous clearance of HCV infection and long-term control of HIV infection without the benefit of antiretroviral therapy. 1.2.Case Presentation: We describe a case of a HIV-infected female who was an established LTNP in whom spontaneous clearance of HCV was documented on multiple occasions. 1.3.Conclusion: Similar cases of HIV LTNPs who may be exposed repeatedly to HCV and fail to establish productive infections should be documented and identified in an effort to develop novel hypotheses about natural control of both HIV and HCV. In the future, this could inform research on immune-based interventions to control these infections.