Cholesterol Levels in HIV- and/or HCV-Infected Drug Users Living in Argentina

Improved understanding of cholesterol levels in HIV- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected persons in Argentina will guide optimal antiretroviral therapy. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in Argentina to describe associations between HIV, HCV, and cholesterol. 

Of the 202 participants, 21 were HIV infected, 15 were HCV infected, 46 were HIV/HCV coinfected, and 120 were HIV/HCV uninfected. HIV/HCV-uninfected participants had the highest total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. 

Multivariate modeling revealed that HIV/HCV-coinfected patients had the lowest TC levels (-28.7 mg/dL, P < .001) compared to the HIV/HCV-uninfected reference group. Hepatitis C virus and HIV/HCV coinfection were associated with lower LDL levels (-21.4 mg/dL, P = .001 and -20.3 mg/dL, P < .0001, respectively). HIV and HIV/HCV coinfection, but not HCV alone, were associated with lower high-density lipoprotein levels (-9.1 mg/dL, P = .0008 and -6.8 mg/dL, P = .0006, respectively). 

Further study is needed to examine whether the more favorable lipid profile observed in HIV/HCV-coinfected persons is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk.

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By: Kohli R1, Winston D2, Sheehan H3, Muzzio E4, Benetucci J5, Weissenbacher M6, Wanke C7, Knox T8, Tang A3.

• 1Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA rkohli@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
• 2Division of Gastroenterology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
• 3Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
• 4Centro Nacional de Reeducación Social, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• 5Fundación de Ayuda al Inmunodeficiente, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• 6Academia Nacional de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• 7Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
• 8Division of Gastroenterology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.  

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