The relation of HLA genotype to hepatitis C viral load and markers of liver fibrosis in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women

Abstract

Background. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II genotype is associated with clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but little is known regarding its relation with HCV viral load or risk of liver disease in patients with persistent HCV infection. Methods. High-resolution HLA class I and II genotyping was conducted in a prospective cohort of 519 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - seropositive and 100 HIV-seronegative women with persistent HCV infection. The end points were baseline HCV viral load and 2 noninvasive indexes of liver disease, fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), and the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), measured at baseline and prospectively. Results. DQB1*0301 was associated with low baseline HCV load (β = -.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], -.6 to -.3; P