Lack of association between hepatitis C infection and development of AIDS-related lymphoma

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been associated with various lymphoproliferativ e disorders, and a high prevalence (9%-32%) of chronic HCV infection has be en demonstrated among patients with lymphoma. Dual coinfection by HIV and H CV has been demonstrated in similar to 40% of certain populations of HIV-in fected individuals. Because of this high prevalence of coinfection by HIV a nd HCV, the known relations between HCV and lymphoproliferative disorders, and the association of HIV and B cell lymphoma, the potential association b etween chronic HCV and the development of AIDS-related lymphoma was examine d. The prevalence of HCV infection in HIV-infected patients with lymphoma w as compared with that in patients with AIDS, diagnosed on the basis of an i llness other than lymphoma. Risk factors for HCV infection, overall, were a lso evaluated. Evidence of HCV infection was ascertained by assessing anti- HCV antibodies, and HCV RNA in serum. The study consisted of 99 homosexual/ bisexual men with AIDS-related lymphoma, and 43 other AIDS patients. HCV in fection was detected in 11 of 99 (11.1%) men with lymphoma, and in 5 of 43 (11.6%) other AIDS patients. Further, in patients with AIDS-related lymphom a, no relation was found between HCV infection and lymphoma histology or si te. History of use of injected illicit drugs was associated with a signific antly elevated risk of HCV infection in the combined group of lymphoma and other AIDS patients. The current study demonstrates no relation between dua l infection by HIV and HCV and subsequent increased risk of lymphoma.