Current characteristics of hemophilia patients co‑infected with HIV/HCV in Japan

Over 30 years have passed since co‑infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) was first documented in hemophilia patients in Japan. In such cases, the leading cause of mortality is reportedly HCV‑associated end‑stage liver disease. However, the current characteristics of hemophilia patients co‑infected with HIV/HCV are unknown. The aim of the present study was to reveal the current characteristics, notably HCV geno‑prevalence and liver function, among hemophilia patients co‑infected with HIV/HCV in Japan. Current characteristics were evaluated using cross‑sectional retrospective data of 44 hemophilia patients positive for anti‑HCV and anti‑HIV antibodies who underwent screening of liver dysfunction. A total of 56.8% of hemophilia patients co‑infected with HIV/HCV were positive for HCV RNA. The most common HCV genotypes were 1a, 1b and 3a. Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed in 26.3% patients negative for HCV RNA and 60.0% patients positive for HCV RNA. Decompensated liver cirrhosis was diagnosed in 33.3% HCV RNA‑positive patients and none of the HCV RNA‑negative patients. The rate of liver cirrhosis was greater for HCV genotype 3a compared with other genotypes. Overall, the current primary HCV RNA genotypes among hemophilia patients co‑infected with HIV/HCV are 1a, 1b and 3a. Over 50% of HIV/HCV co‑infected hemophilia patients positive for HCV RNA were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and some were diagnosed with decompensated liver cirrhosis.