HIV - Hepatitis C Treatment
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Implementing Hepatitis C virus infection treatment by internists for HIV co-infected patients in Thailand:
Chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is responsible for various severe and life threatening complications, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and cancer. Patients also infected with HIV are at a higher risk for these complications even if they are on antiretroviral treatment for their HIV infection. Until 2015, access to HCV treatment has been limited in Thailand, especially for HIV co-infected patients. Thus physicians’ experience with such a treatment has been limited.

  • The treatment of hepatitis C infection is not only lifesaving but provide health benefits. The goal of HCV antiviral treatment is to cure HCV infection. Liver fibrosis can regress in many patients who are cured of their HCV infection. This allows for a better quality of life.
  • The benefits of treatment expand to the relatives and the community. Individuals who achieve viral clearance are no longer contagious for other individuals. Combined with the implementation of basic measures to prevent transmission, a larger access to HCV treatment can contribute to the eradication of HCV.

​The primary objective of the HCV – HIV co-infected patient study is to provide an opportunity for internists to treat HIV-HCV co-infected patients while receiving training and support to initiate treatment in best conditions.
The treatment proposed is the currently recommended regimen for hepatitis C treatment in the setting of HIV co-infection, i.e. a combination of injectable pegylated-interferon with oral ribavirin. Treatment and laboratory monitoring costs have been supported by the Global Fund.

An important component of this program consisted in training for site physicians and nurses organized with experts from INSERM and CNRS in France: Laurent Michel, Stanislas Pol, Camille Sureau, Anne Marie Taburet, and Christian Trépo. This part has been supported by France Expertise.


Preliminary results were published at the IAS Conference:
Abstract number: MOAC0204 July 21st 2015

For further information please refer to: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02247440