Correlation Between Cytokines and Hepatic Histology in Patients Infected by HIV-1 and the Hepatitis-C Virus

This study aims at correlating TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β values as dosed by ELISA and mRNA expression by real-time PCR with histopathological hepatic biopsy findings in individuals with HIV/HCV coinfection. This population will be divided into three groups (G1: with no HAART; G2: with detected HIV viral load (HIV VL); G3: with undetected HIV VL), which will be then compared to two control groups with monoinfection by HIV or by HCV, in addition to a third control group comprising normal blood donors.