The modest but rising hepatitis C virus prevalence among HIV-positive (HIV+) men who have sex with men (MSM) suggests a need to control HCV among that population, according to a study of 42 reports examining global HCV antibody prevalence and estimating active HCV prevalence among HIV+ MSM. Researchers found:

• Pooled prevalence produced an overall anti-HCV prevalence among HIV+ MSM of 8.1%.

• Active HCV prevalence estimate was 5.3% to 7.3%.

• Anti-HCV prevalence among injection drug users was 40.0% and 6.7% among nonusers.

• Among HIV+ MSM, HCV prevalence increased significantly over time among overall and injection drug nonusers, and decreased significantly among injection drug users.

• A moderate prevalence was seen of HCV among all HIV+ MSM and among HIV+ MSM injection drug non-users.

• Pooled prevalence of HCV among HIV+ MSM was higher than the prevalence seen in a 1945 to 1965 birth cohort.

Citation: Jordan AE, Perlman DC, Neurer J, Smith DJ, Des Jarles DC, Hagan H. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among HIV+ men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [Published online ahead of print January 28, 2016]. Int J STD AIDS. doi:10.1177/0956462416630910.