BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection was reported to negatively affect HIV disease and HIV infection has a deleterious effect on HCV-related liver disease. However, despite common occurrence of HCV/HIV coinfection little is known about the mechanisms of interactions between the two viruses.MethodsWe studied CD4+ and CD8+ T cell and CD19+ B cell apoptosis in 104 HIV-positive patients (56 were also HCV-positive) and in 22 HCV/HIV-coinfected patients treated for chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. We also analyzed HCV/HIV coinfection in a Daudi B-cell line expressing CD4 and susceptible to both HCV and HIV infection. Apoptosis was measured by AnnexinV staining.ResultsHCV/HIV coinfected patients had lower CD4+ and CD8+ T cell apoptosis and higher CD19+ B cell apoptosis than those with HIV monoinfection. Furthermore, anti-HCV treatment of HCV/HIV coinfected patients was followed by an increase of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell apoptosis and a decrease of CD19+ B cell apoptosis. In the Daudi CD4+ cell line, presence of HCV infection facilitated HIV replication, however, decreased the rate of HIV-related cell death.ConclusionIn HCV/HIV coinfected patients T-cells were found to be destroyed at a slower rate than in HIV monoinfected patients. These results suggest that HCV is a molecular-level determinant in HIV disease.

Anaemia associated with IBD can be successfully treated with intravenously administered iron sucrose, provided that bowel inflammation is treated adequately and enough iron is given. Treatment with iron sucrose is safe. Follow-up of haemoglobin and iron parameters to avoid further iron deficiency anaemia is recommended.

Amyloidoza łańcuchów lekkich (light chain amyloidosis-AL) jest chorobą związaną z dyskrazją plazmocytów, spowodowaną odkładaniem złogów patologicznego białka w wielu narządach. W niniejszej publikacji przedstawiono 51-letniego chorego z cholestazą wewnątrzwątrobową, u którego rozpoznano AL z wytwarzaniem łańcuchów lekkich λ. Żółtaczce towarzyszyły niewydolność serca oraz zespół nerczycowy z niewydolnością nerek. Choroba postępowała szybko i zakończyła się zgonem w 19. dobie hospitalizacji. Należy uwzględniać amyloidozę w diagnostyce różnicowej zespołów cholestatycznych.

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