- Liver disease is a leading cause of death in people who have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It especially affects those who have both HIV and hepatitis B or C viruses. Most research on HIV-related liver disease has been conducted in North America and Europe. However, HIV-related liver disease in Uganda and other African nations may involve other diseases that are not common in the West, and may not involve hepatitis B or C. Researchers want to study HIV-related liver disease in Uganda to learn more about the differences between Western and African trends of this disease.