Correlations between serum viral RNA levels and peripheral B-cell and CD4⁺-cell counts in patients with both HCV and HIV infections.

These patients compose group D in Table 1. Viral levels and cell numbers were measured as described in Figure 1. When the HCV RNA level measured by bDNA assay was below the detection limit (0.5 × 10⁶ Eq/mL), the value was taken as equal to it. Correlations of B-cell counts with HCV RNA (A, r = −0.445,P = .02) and HIV RNA (B, r = −0.220,P = .24), and correlations of CD4⁺-cell counts with HCV RNA (C, r = −0.340, P = .07) and HIV RNA (D, r = −0.535, P = .005) in HCV- and HIV-positive patients (group D in Table 1) were analyzed before HAART was started. We further investigated correlations between B-cell and CD4⁺-cell counts (E, r = 0.204, P = .28), and between HCV and HIV RNA load (F, r = 0.108, P = .57). Correlation between B-cell counts and HCV RNA at 6 months after initiation of HAART (G, r = −0.335, P = .10) is also indicated.