Sexually transmitted HCV infection and reinfection in HIV-infected homosexual men

Multiple, concomitant or successive hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have been described in injection drug users and following organ transplantation and blood transfusion. However, data on sexual HCV reinfection is scarce. We report sexual HCV reinfection following viral eradication of a first HCV infection in two homosexual HIV-infected men. The first patient acquired HCV genotype 4 infection after resolution of an initial acute HCV genotype 1a infection. The second patient was infected with genotype la HCV following remission of an initial acute HCV genotype 4c/d infection. The two subjects were successfully treated with peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin for their first and second infection and achieved a sustained virological response on both occasions. Unprotected anal intercourse with multiple partners known to be HIV-positive (serosorting) was the only risk factor for HCV transmission reported by both patients. Therefore, sexual HCV reinfection can occur in homosexual men having unprotected sex and "serosorting" should be considered a risk factor for the sexual transmission of HCV. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.