SNP RS12979860 related spontaneous clearance of hepatitis c virus infection in HCV/HIV-1 coinfected patients.

UNLABELLED: CC genotype of SNP rs 12979860 promotes spontaneous HCV clearance in monoinfected patients. The aim of this analysis was evaluation of impact of rs12979860 polymorphism on HIV or HCV viral load, CD3, CD4 and CD8 count as well as HCV clearance among HCV/HIV coinfected patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 41 consecutive HCV/HIV coinfected patients. HIV RNA, HCV RNA, HCV genotype and rs12979860 polymorphism sequence as well as CD3, CD4 and CD8 cells count were analyzed in all patients.

RESULTS: CC genotype rs12979860 was identified in 16 from 41 patients. During at least 4 years follow-up, five genotype CC patients (31%) became HCV RNA undetectable, that was not a case in CT and TT patients. No statistical differences in HIV viral load and the number of CD3, CD4 and CD8 related to rs12979860 polymorphism were observed. The baseline level of HCV RNA in patients with CC genotype was significantly lower compared to patients with non-CC genotypes (88546 +/- 74181 vs. 726021 +/- 30709 IU/mL).

CONCLUSION: CC genotype related to SNP rs 12979860 can affect the lower level of HCV viral load compared to patients with CT and TT genotypes and promotes spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA in HCV/HIV coinfected patients.