Hepatitis C virus/human T lymphotropic virus 1/2 co-infection: Regional burden and virological outcomes in people who inject drugs

Table 1 Key features of hepatitis C virus and human T lymphotropic virus-1/2 co-infection

HTLV-1/2 infections are found in HCV co-infected PWID worldwide, as a consequence of unsafe injection practices

HTLV-1 infection induces chronic inflammation and oncogenic cellular changes

HTLV-1 co-infection of chronic hepatitis C carriers can increase HCV viral load, accelerate liver disease progression, and favour onset of liver cancer

Evidence suggests that HTLV-1/2 clinical presentations can be linked to higher viral loads in contrast to asymptomatic HTLV-1/2 carriers

Available treatment data shows that HTLV-1/2 viral load can be suppressed but not eradicated

HTLV: Human T lymphotropic virus; HCV: Hepatitis C virus; PWID: People who inject drugs.