HCV-coinfection is associated with diabetes and CD4 decline.

In February 2001, Dr. Robert Zackin became the first HIV-infected individual to receive a heart transplant. A biostatistician whose research focus is HIV, Dr. Zackin was the senior author of the paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine summarizing his case and providing 2-year follow-up from his successful transplant (N Engl J Med 2003;348:2323-8). Recently, Dr. Deborah J Cotton spoke with Dr. Zackin about life as both patient and researcher, the controversies surrounding solid-organ transplantation in HIV-infected individuals, and surviving AIDS and advanced cardiomyopathy.