Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Libyan Patients

Export Objective: Mucocutaneous changes are frequent and may be the initial manifestations of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The aim of our study is to assess the cutaneous manifestations in patients coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus and their relationship to CD4 counts and viral load. Methods: A total of 100 patients coinfected with HIV and the hepatitis C virus, treated in the Benghazi Center of Infectious Diseases and Immunology over a period of 19 months (May 2019 till November 2020), were included in a retrospective study. The patients’ ages ranged from 22 to 45 years. The study was conducted by reviewing the patients’ records using the management information system (MIS). The statistical analysis of the data was carried out by the t-test and Chi-square test. Results: Among 100 HIV positive patients, 57 (57%) were males and 43 (43%) were females. Of these, 73% were in the age group 20 to 25 years, and the majority of patients (86%) were residents of Benghazi city, whereas 14% were residents of rural areas. The predominant mode of transmission was parenteral abuse in 95% of patients; the remainder was either mothers who got the infection from their children or through vertical transmission from mother to child (4% and 1%, respectively). Sixty percent of patients were coinfected with at least one viral agent; 80% were coinfected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), followed by hepatitis B virus (26%) and uncommonly toxoplasmosis and rubella (10% and 3%, respectively). Among the total number of skin diseases diagnosed during the visits, parasitic infestations were seen in 21 patients (21.0%), pruritis in 17 patients (17%), viral infections in 15 patients (15%), eczematous disorders in 12 patients (12%), bacterial infections in 9 patients (9%), and fungal infections in 6 patients (6%). Conclusions: HIV positive patients coinfected with HCV should be examined for skin disorders because early diagnosis and management of such problems improve the quality of life in these patients.