Virological rather than host factors are associated with transaminase levels among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a routine parameter in the assessment and monitoring of chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. Hepatitis C virus-infected African Americans (AAs) have been reported to have lower ALT levels. In this retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study, host and virological factors possibly associated with ALT levels were analyzed by multivariate regression analyses among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. Of the 289 patients included, 142 were African Americans and 144 Caucasians. In multivariate analysis, only HCV genotype 3 (B 0.2 [95% CI 13.39-52.33]; P =.001) and HCV RNA >500 000 IU/mL (B 3.1 [95% CI 7.67-34.75]; P =.002) were independent predictors of higher ALT levels. Per the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) definition, 18.2% had ALT levels within normal limits. Male sex and HCV RNA <500 000 IU/mL predicted ALT within normal limits. Hepatitis C viral factors rather than race were associated with ALT levels in this HIV/HCV-coinfected population. ALT were within normal limits in 18% of patients, who more often were male and had lower Hepatitis C viral load.