Antiretroviral Therapy Cohort Collaboration. Survival of HIV-positive patients starting antiretroviral therapy between 1996 and 2013: a collaborative analysis of cohort studies

Prevalence, severity, and risk factors of disability among adults living with HIV accessing routine outpatient HIV care in London, United Kingdom (UK): A cross-sectional self-report study

BACKGROUND

The study objectives were to measure disability prevalence and severity, and examine disability risk factors, among adults living with HIV in London, United Kingdom (UK).

METHODS

Self-reported questionnaires were administered: World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS), HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ), Equality Act disability definition (EADD), and demographic questionnaire. We calculated proportion (95% Confidence Interval; CI) of "severe" and "moderate" disability measured using EADD and WHODAS scores ≥2 respectively. We measured disability severity with HDQ domain severity scores. We used demographic questionnaire responses to assess risk factors of "severe" and "moderate" disability using logistic regression analysis, and HDQ severity domain scores using linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of 201 participants, 176 (87.6%) identified as men, median age 47 years, and 194 (96.5%) virologically suppressed. Severe disability prevalence was 39.5% (n = 79/201), 95% CI [32.5%, 46.4%]. Moderate disability prevalence was 70.5% (n = 141/200), 95% CI [64.2%, 76.8%]. Uncertainty was the most severe HDQ disability domain. Late HIV diagnosis was a risk factor for severe disability [Odds Ratio (OR) 2.71; CI 1.25, 5.87]. Social determinants of health, economic inactivity [OR 2.79; CI 1.08, 7.21] and receiving benefits [OR 2.87; CI 1.05, 7.83], were risk factors for "severe" disability. Economic inactivity [OR 3.14; CI 1.00, 9.98] was a risk factor for "moderate" disability. Economic inactivity, receiving benefits, and having no fixed abode were risk factors (P≤0.05) for higher HDQ severity scores in physical, mental and emotional, difficulty with day-to-day activities, and challenges to social participation domains. Personal factors, identifying as a woman and being aged <50 years, were risk factors (P≤0.05) for higher HDQ severity scores in mental and emotional, uncertainty, and challenges with social participation domains.

CONCLUSIONS

People living with well-controlled HIV in London UK experienced multi-dimensional and episodic disability. Results help to better understand the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of disability experienced by adults living with HIV, identify areas to target interventions, and optimise health and functioning.

Serial Analysis of the T-Cell Receptor β-Chain Repertoire in People Living With HIV Reveals Incomplete Recovery After Long-Term Antiretroviral Therapy

Long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) is associated with sustained increases in CD4+ T-cell count, but its effect on the peripheral blood T-cell repertoire has not been comprehensively evaluated. In this study, we performed serial profiling of the composition and diversity of the T-cell receptor β-chain (TRB) repertoire in 30 adults with HIV infection before and after the initiation of ART to define its long-term impact on the TRB repertoire. Serially acquired blood samples from 30 adults with HIV infection collected over a mean of 6 years (range, 1-12) years, with 1-4 samples collected before and 2-8 samples collected after the initiation of ART, were available for analysis. TRB repertoires were characterized via high-throughput sequencing of the TRB variable region performed on genomic DNA extracted from unsorted peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Additional laboratory and clinical metadata including serial measurements of HIV viral load and CD4 + T-cell count were available for all individuals in the cohort. A previously published control group of 189 TRB repertoires from peripheral blood samples of adult bone marrow transplant donors was evaluated for comparison. ART initiation in PLHIV was associated with a sustained reduction in viral load and a significant increase in TRB repertoire diversity. However, repertoire diversity in PLHIV remained significantly lower than in the control group even after long-term ART. The composition of TRB repertoires of PLHIV after ART also remained perturbed compared to the control cohort, as evidenced by large persistent private clonal expansions, reduced efficiency in the generation of TRB CDR3 amino acid sequences, and a narrower range of CDR3 lengths. Network analysis revealed an antigen-experienced structure in the TRB repertoire of PLHIV both before and after ART initiation that was quite distinct from the structure of control repertoires, with a slight shift toward a more naïve structure observed after ART initiation. Though we observe significant improvement in TRB repertoire diversity with durable viral suppression in PLHIV on long-term ART, the composition and structure of these repertoires remain significantly perturbed compared to the control cohort of adult bone marrow transplant donors.

Use of Systemic Therapies for Treatment of Psoriasis in People Living with Controlled HIV: Inference-Based Guidance from a Multidisciplinary Expert Panel

Background

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) have a similar prevalence of psoriasis as the general population, though incidence and severity correlate with HIV viral load. Adequately treating HIV early renders the infection a chronic medical condition and allows PLHIV with a suppressed viral load (PLHIV-s) to live normal lives. Despite this, safety concerns and a lack of high-level data have hindered the use of systemic psoriasis therapies in PLHIV-s.

Objectives

We aim to provide a structured framework that supports healthcare professionals and patients discussing the risks and benefits of systemic psoriasis therapy in PLHIV-s. Our goal was to address the primary question, are responses to systemic therapies for the treatment of psoriasis in PLHIV-s similar to those in the non-HIV population?

Methods

We implemented an inference-based approach relying on indirect evidence when direct clinical trial data were absent. In this instance, we reviewed indirect evidence supporting inferences on the status of immune function in PLHIV. Recommendations on systemic treatment for psoriasis in PLHIV were derived using an inferential heuristic.

Results

We identified seven indirect indicators of immune function informed by largely independent bodies of evidence: (1) functional assays, (2) vaccine response, (3) life expectancy, (4) psoriasis manifestations, (5) rate of infections, (6) rate of malignancies, and (7) organ transplant outcomes.

Conclusions

Drug-related benefits and risks when treating a patient with systemic psoriasis therapies are similar for non-HIV patients and PLHIV with a suppressed viral load and normalized CD4 counts. Prior to initiating psoriasis treatment in PLHIV, HIV replication should be addressed by an HIV specialist. Exercise additional caution for patients with a suppressed viral load and discordant CD4 responses on antiretroviral therapy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13555-022-00722-0.

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) develop psoriasis as often as everyone else. We asked: what are effective and safe treatments when PLHIV need systemic therapy (pills or injections) for their psoriasis?

HIV infection attacks the immune system. When HIV is not treated, the immune system declines. A less effective immune system makes it harder for the body to fight infections and certain cancers. Psoriasis is a skin condition caused by overactive immune cells. Effective psoriasis treatments reduce immune-cell activity. There are some concerns that treatments for psoriasis may not work and could worsen infections or cancers.

To answer the question, we gathered 11 dermatologists and 4 HIV specialists. We reviewed the international scientific literature on PLHIV and psoriasis. The absence of direct evidence and volume of information to review made the process challenging. The end results were worthwhile.

We concluded that people who are diagnosed early and take antiretroviral therapy to control their HIV infection (PLHIV-c) can live long, healthy lives. Accordingly, we determined that PLHIV-c can likely expect the same safety and efficacy for systemic psoriasis treatments as the general population. Treatment decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis through consultation with the patient and treating physician(s).

Pillars of modern medicine are evidence-based care and collaborative decision-making. Too often, neither care provider nor patient are adequately informed. We have tried to fill one information gap for PLHIV and psoriasis. This process may help answer questions in other disease populations where direct evidence is scarce or absent.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of a Doravirine-Based, Three-Drug Regimen in Treatment-Naïve HIV-1 Positive Adults: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Extensive use of antiretroviral therapy has remarkably improved the survival rates of people living with HIV. Doravirine (DOR) is a newly-approved antiretroviral belonging to the class of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Here, we compared the efficacy and safety of DOR + tenofovir dipivoxil fumarate (TDF)+Lamivudine (3TC)/Emtritabine (FTC) with traditional triple therapies in treatment-naïve HIV-1-positive adults.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials involving treatment-naïve HIV-1-positive adults that met inclusion criteria were systematically retrieved and data on the following outcomes extracted: virological suppression, adverse events, severe adverse events, and drug-related adverse events. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was then performed on the data.

Results: This study included a total of 39 randomized controlled trials involving 26 antiretroviral therapies and 21,110 HIV1-positive patients. At week 48, relative to the other 25 regimens included in the network of virological suppression, DOR + TDF+3TC/FTC exhibited superiority to some efavirenz, nevirapine, atazanavir, or lopinavir-based regimens, including efavirenz + abacavir+3TC [Odd Ratio (OR) = 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CrI) = 0.35–0.77]. At week 48, the performance of DOR + TDF+3TC/FTC was relatively similar to all other analyzed regimens in terms of adverse events. The DOR + TDF+3TC/FTC regimen performed better in terms of severe adverse events and drug-related adverse events.

Conclusion: The network meta-analysis showed that DOR + TDF+3TC/FTC has good efficacy and safety at 48 weeks.

Systematic Review Registration: Open Science Framework, https://osf.io/6ybp7.

A comprehensive analysis of excess depressive disorder in women and men living with HIV in France compared to the general population

We aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive disorder in people living with HIV (PLWH) and evaluate its association with non-HIV-specific and HIV-specific factors in PLWH and in PLWH compared to the general population (GP). We used cross-sectional data from the QuAliV study, conducted within the ANRS-CO3 Aquitaine-AQUIVIH-NA cohort of PLWH in Nouvelle-Aquitaine (2018–2020), and a nationally-representative survey in the GP (EHIS-ESPS, 2014–2015), we included all participants aged ≥ 18 years old who had completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8). Depressive disorder was defined as Patient Health Questionnaire-8 score greater or equal to 10. Its association with non-HIV-specific (demographic, socio-economic, behavioral, health status), HIV-specific factors (immuno-viral markers, antiretrovirals, level of perceived HIV-stigma), and HIV-status was assessed using Poisson regression models with robust variance in women and men separately. We included 914 PLWH (683 men/231 women). More than one in five PLWH had depressive disorder. It was strongly associated with being younger and experiencing severe pain in both sexes. Unemployment in women, being single, and lack of family ties in men were also associated with depressive disorder. More than 30% of our sample reported HIV-stigma, with a dose–response relationship between level of perceived HIV-stigma and depressive disorder. The crude prevalence of depressive disorder was 2.49 (95%CI 1.92–3.22) and 4.20 (95%CI 3.48–5.05) times higher in women and men living with HIV respectively compared to GP counterparts and 1.46 (95%CI 1.09–1.95) and 2.45 (95%CI 1.93–3.09) times higher after adjustment for non-HIV specific factors. The adjusted prevalence ratio of depressive disorder was not significantly different in HIV-stigma free women, but remained twice as high in HIV-stigma free men. The prevalence of depressive disorder compared to the GP tended to decrease with age in PLWH. Excess depressive disorder remains a major concern in PLWH. Our findings reaffirm the importance of regular screening. Tackling social inequalities and HIV-stigma should be prioritized to ensure that PLWH achieve good mental as well as physical health outcomes.

Considerations for developing and implementing an online community-based exercise intervention with adults living with HIV: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

To describe the need for, and utility of, online community-based exercise (CBE) interventions with adults living with HIV and identify factors to consider in developing and implementing an online CBE intervention with adults living with HIV.

DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive study using web-based semistructured interviews.

PARTICIPANTS

We recruited adults representing at least one of five stakeholder groups with experience in CBE and/or HIV: (1) adults living with HIV, (2) rehabilitation professionals, (3) fitness personnel, (4) educators with eLearning experience and (5) representatives from HIV community-based organisations (CBOs).

DATA COLLECTION

We asked participants to describe their experiences with online CBE, need and utility for online CBE and factors in developing and implementing online CBE interventions. We analysed data using a group-based thematic analytical approach.

RESULTS

Among the 11 participants, most had experience working with adults living with HIV (73%) or with telehealth/rehabilitation/coaching in HIV or other chronic conditions (91%). Participants (eight women; two men; one non-binary; median age: 49 years), identified the need and utility for online CBE interventions to increase accessibility and continuity of care with adults living with HIV. Six factors to consider in developing and implementing online CBE included: (1) person-specific considerations (episodic nature of HIV, stigma, HIV disclosure), (2) accessibility of programme (physical space to exercise, reliable internet, access to devices, digital literacy), (3) programme delivery and technology (live vs prerecorded online classes, multiple online platforms for delivery, physical activity tracking, troubleshooting technology), (4) attributes of programme personnel (working with CBOs, relatable instructors, diverse staff), (5) programme content and design (tailored exercise classes, educational sessions) and (6) building community (shared experiences, peer support, social opportunities).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need and utility for online CBE in the context of HIV. Considerations for development and implementation span individual, structural and technical, and community dimensions. Results can inform the future development and implementation of online CBE with adults living with HIV and other chronic episodic conditions.

Low CD4/CD8 ratio is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in late and non-late presenters: results from a multicentre cohort study, 2004–2018

Background

To study whether the association between the CD4/CD8 ratio variation over time and the development of clinical outcomes vary in late presenters (CD4 count < 350/µL or AIDS event at enrolment) or advanced presenters (CD4 count < 200/µL or AIDS event at enrolment).

Methods

We included ART-naïve adults from the Cohort of the Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network (CoRIS) enrolled between January 2004 up to November 2018 and with at least 6 months of follow-up. We used extended Cox proportional hazard models to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between CD4/CD8 ratio over time and a composite endpoint of the occurrence of the first AIDS event, first serious non-AIDS event or overall mortality occurring from 6 months after enrolment. HRs in non-late, late and advanced presenters were obtained by including an interaction term between late presentation status and CD4/CD8 ratio over time.

Results

Of 10,018 participants, 55.6% were late presenters and 26.5% were advanced presenters. Compared with CD4/CD8 ratio > 0.4, CD4/CD8 ratio ≤ 0.4 over time was associated with an increased risk of experiencing the composite endpoint in non-late (HR 1.90; 95%CI 1.48, 2.43), late (HR 1.94; 1.46, 2.57) and advanced presenters (HR 1.72; 1.26, 2.34). Similarly, CD4/CD8 ratio ≤ 0.4 over time was associated with a higher risk of developing an AIDS event (HR 3.31; 2.23, 4.93 in non-late; HR 2.75; 1.78, 4.27 in late and HR 2.25; 1.34, 3.76 in advanced presenters) or serious non-AIDS event (HR 1.39; 0.96, 2.02 in non-late, HR 1.62; 1.10, 2.40 in late and HR 1.49; 0.97, 2.29 in advanced presenters) as well as with a higher risk of overall mortality (HR 1.49; 0.92, 2.41 in non-late, HR 1.80; 1.04, 3.11 in late and HR 1.61; 0.92, 2.83 in advanced presenters) compared to CD4/CD8 > 0.4, regardless of the late presentation status.

Conclusions

A low CD4/CD8 measured over time is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV independently of their late presentation status. These data support the prognostic role of CD4/CD8 over time and can help defining a subgroup of patients who need closer monitoring to avoid comorbidities.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07352-z.

Longitudinal Improvements in Viral Suppression for Persons With New HIV Diagnosis Receiving Care in the Ryan White Program: A 10-Year Experience in New Haven, CT (2009-2018)

Background

The Ryan White (RW) program funds medical and other support services for low-income persons with HIV, significantly improving progress along the HIV care continuum. Although the program has shown overall improvements in achievement of viral suppression, the relative contributions of changes in clinical practice and RW service components to the optimization of the HIV care continuum, particularly for those with new HIV diagnoses, remain unknown.

Methods

The target population was patients with recent HIV diagnoses who received care at RW-funded clinics in the greater New Haven area between 2009 and 2018. Client data were extracted from the RW-funded database, CAREWare, and the electronic medical record. Primary outcomes included time between HIV diagnosis and first HIV primary care (PC) visit, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, and viral suppression (VS).

Results

There were 386 eligible patients. Between 2009 and 2018, the median number of days from HIV diagnosis to first PC visit decreased from 58.5 to 8.5 days, and ART initiation decreased from 155 to 9 days. In 2018, 86% of participants achieved viral suppression within 1 year, compared with 2.5% in 2009. Patients who initiated single-tablet ART and integrase inhibitor-containing regimens were more likely to reach viral suppression within 1 year (P < .001). Receipt of medical case management services was also associated with achieving viral suppression (P < .001).

Conclusions

Longitudinal improvements over 10 years in ART initiation and viral suppression were observed due to clinical advances and their effective implementation through the RW comprehensive care model. Further study of the essential components promoting these outcomes is needed.

Augmenting Azoles with Drug Synergy to Expand the Antifungal Toolbox

Fungal infections impact the lives of at least 12 million people every year, killing over 1.5 million. Wide-spread use of fungicides and prophylactic antifungal therapy have driven resistance in many serious fungal pathogens, and there is an urgent need to expand the current antifungal arsenal. Recent research has focused on improving azoles, our most successful class of antifungals, by looking for synergistic interactions with secondary compounds. Synergists can co-operate with azoles by targeting steps in related pathways, or they may act on mechanisms related to resistance such as active efflux or on totally disparate pathways or processes. A variety of sources of potential synergists have been explored, including pre-existing antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals approved for other uses, bioactive natural compounds and phytochemicals, and novel synthetic compounds. Synergy can successfully widen the antifungal spectrum, decrease inhibitory dosages, reduce toxicity, and prevent the development of resistance. This review highlights the diversity of mechanisms that have been exploited for the purposes of azole synergy and demonstrates that synergy remains a promising approach for meeting the urgent need for novel antifungal strategies.

Baseline and Process Factors of Anti-Retroviral Therapy That Predict Loss to Follow-up Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in China: A Retrospective Cohort Study

We explored the predictors and predictive models of loss to follow-up (LTFU) during the first year of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). LTFU was defined as the failure to visit the clinic for antiretroviral drugs for ≥ 90 days after the last missed scheduled visit. Based on the electronic medical records of 5953 patients who were HIV positive and began ART between 2016 and 2019 in China, the LTFU rate was 7.24 (95% confidence interval 6.49-7.97) per 100 person-years during the first year of ART. ART baseline factors were associated with LTFU, but were non-optimal predictors. A model including ART process-related factors such as follow-up behaviors and physical health status had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 73.4% for predicting LTFU. Therefore, the medical records of follow-up visits can be used to identify patients with a high risk of LTFU and allow interventions to be implemented proactively.

Anti-HIV Drugs Cause Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) dramatically changed the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, making it one of the most prominent medical breakthroughs of the past 3 decades. However, as the life span of persons living with HIV (PLWH) continues to approach that of the general population, the same cannot be said regarding their quality of life. PLWH are affected by comorbid conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and neurocognitive impairment at a higher rate and increased severity than their age-matched counterparts. PLWH also have higher levels of inflammation, the drivers of which are not entirely clear. As cART treatment is lifelong, we assessed here the effects of cART, independent of HIV, on primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). MDMs were unskewed or skewed to an alternative phenotype and treated with Atripla or Triumeq, two first-line cART treatments. We report that Triumeq skewed alternative MDMs toward an inflammatory nonsenescent phenotype. Both Atripla and Triumeq caused mitochondrial dysfunction, specifically efavirenz and abacavir. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) demonstrated that both Atripla and Triumeq caused differential regulation of genes involved in immune regulation and cell cycle and DNA repair. Collectively, our data demonstrate that cART, independent of HIV, alters the MDM phenotype. This suggests that cART may contribute to cell dysregulation in PLWH that subsequently results in increased susceptibility to comorbidities.

Epidemiological Characteristics and the Development of Prognostic Nomograms of Patients With HIV-Associated Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Background

The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma (HIV-associated CTCL) is very low, and there is a lack of relevant epidemiological and clinical prognostic studies. Therefore, we aimed to study the epidemiological characteristics of HIV-associated CTCL and to construct and validate a nomogram predicting patient survival.

Methods

Demographic, clinical characteristics, and incidence data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database were screened for patients with HIV-associated CTCL. Independent prognostic factors in patients with HIV-associated CTCL were analyzed to establish nomograms of overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates of patients. The performance of the prediction model was validated by the consistency index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and calibration plots.

Results

A total of 883 eligible patients were screened for inclusion in this study and randomized to the training cohort (70%, n = 619) and the validation cohort (30%, n = 264). The age-adjusted average incidence rate per 100,000 persons per year for HIV-associated CTCL was 0.071 for the period 2004-2017, with an increasing incidence rate. The median age of the included patients was 59 years, of which male Caucasian held a majority. 99.5% of the patients had a tumor tissue subtype of mycosis fungoides, while the other tumor subtypes were sézary syndrome. The median OS for patients with HIV-associated CTCL was 162 months, and the OS rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 0.964, 0.904, 0.835, and 0.766, respectively. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis were performed, and prognostic indicators such as "Age", "Radiation", "Chemotherapy", "Summary stage", "Sequence number" were ultimately incorporated and used to establish nomograms of OS and DSS rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years for the training cohort. The C-index, AUC, and calibration plot confirmed that our prediction model had good accuracy.

Conclusion

While HIV-associated CTCL is very rare, its incidence has been on the rise in the last decade or so. We described the epidemiological characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with HIV-associated CTCL.

Biological ageing with HIV infection: evaluating the geroscience hypothesis

Although people with HIV are living longer, as they age they remain disproportionately burdened with multimorbidity that is exacerbated in resource-poor settings. The geroscience hypothesis postulates that a discrete set of between five and ten hallmarks of biological ageing drive multimorbidity, but these processes have not been systematically examined in the context of people with HIV. We examine four major hallmarks of ageing (macromolecular damage, senescence, inflammation, and stem-cell dysfunction) as gerodrivers in the context of people with HIV. As a counterbalance, we introduce healthy ageing, physiological reserve, intrinsic capacity, and resilience as promoters of geroprotection that counteract gerodrivers. We discuss emerging geroscience-based diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies, and provide examples based on recent advances in cellular senescence, and other, non-pharmacological approaches. Finally, we present a conceptual model of biological ageing in the general population and in people with HIV that integrates gerodrivers and geroprotectors as modulators of homoeostatic reserves and organ function over the lifecourse.

Telehealth Exercise Intervention in Older Adults With HIV: Protocol of a Multisite Randomized Trial

ABSTRACT

People with HIV (PWH) have reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, but a high intensity, easily disseminated exercise program has not yet been successfully developed in older PWH. The purpose of this article is to describe a synchronous telehealth exercise intervention in older PWH, delivered from one medical center to two other centers. Eighty older PWH (≥50 years) on antiretroviral therapy will be randomized to exercise or delayed entry control groups. Functional circuit exercise training, which does not entail stationary equipment, will be provided by real-time videoconferencing, 3 times weekly for 12 weeks, to small groups. Continuous remote telemonitoring of heart rate will ensure high exercise intensity. We hypothesize that telehealth exercise will be feasible and increase cardiorespiratory fitness and reduce sarcopenia and frailty. Findings will provide new insight to target successful aging in older PWH and can also be widely disseminated to PWH of any age or other patient populations.

Suppression of human and simian immunodeficiency virus replication with the CCR5-specific antibody Leronlimab in two species

The CCR5-specific antibody Leronlimab is being investigated as a novel immunotherapy that can suppress HIV replication with minimal side effects. Here we studied the virological and immunological consequences of Leronlimab in chronically CCR5-tropic HIV-1 infected humans (n = 5) on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) and in ART-naïve acutely CCR5-tropic SHIV infected rhesus macaques (n = 4). All five human participants transitioned from daily combination ART to self-administered weekly subcutaneous (SC) injections of 350 mg or 700 mg Leronlimab and to date all participants have sustained virologic suppression for over seven years. In all participants, Leronlimab fully occupied CCR5 receptors on peripheral blood CD4+ T cells and monocytes. In ART-naïve rhesus macaques acutely infected with CCR5-tropic SHIV, weekly SC injections of 50 mg/kg Leronlimab fully suppressed plasma viremia in half of the macaques. CCR5 receptor occupancy by Leronlimab occurred concomitant with rebound of CD4+ CCR5+ T-cells in peripheral blood, and full CCR5 receptor occupancy was found in multiple anatomical compartments. Our results demonstrate that weekly, self-administered Leronlimab was safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious for long-term virologic suppression and should be included in the arsenal of safe, easily administered, longer-acting antiretroviral treatments for people living with HIV-1. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT02175680 and NCT02355184.

Achieving virological control in pan-resistant HIV-1 infection: A case series

BACKGROUND

HIV-1 pan-resistance refers to a reduced susceptibility to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors and integrase strand tranfer inhibitors. Although still anecdotal, its management remains a concern both for affected people living with HIV (PLWH) and for public health.

METHODS

We described genotypic resistance testing (GRT) of three PLWH with a documented poor virological response to previous antiretroviral therapies, who started ibalizumab, an anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody, combined with an optimized background therapy. Both historical and most recent GRT on plasma RNA and peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA were interpreted according to the Stanford HIVDb version 9.0 (last updated on 22 February, 2021). After the switch to a regimen including the monoclonal antibody, HIV-1 RNA has been quantified biweekly (PCR Cobas® HIV-1 test 6800 Systems, Roche Diagnostics). Follow-up was censored at data freezing (16 January, 2021).

FINDINGS

We report findings from heavily treatment-experienced PLWH with a pan-resistant HIV-1 infection, who achieved virological control once introduced injections of ibalizumab, that is free from cross-resistance with all the antiretroviral drugs available and ensures patient adherence due to a close monitoring attributable to the route of administration, combined with recycled enfuvirtide and an optimized background regimen, selected on the basis of an accurate evaluation of resistance mutations.

INTERPRETATION

In these cases, this new approach has revealed to be a turning point in achieving virological control.

FUNDING

None, this research was supported by internal funding.

Intersectionality of stigmas and health-related quality of life in people ageing with HIV in China, Europe, and Latin America

People ageing with HIV face crucial challenges that can compromise their long-term health, one of which is stigma. HIV-related stigma can interact with other coexistent inequities to create a unique oppression system that results in traumatic experiences. This intersectionality of stigmas represents a new inequality that is greater than the sum of the original component inequalities. In this Series paper we review the literature regarding the intersectionality of HIV-related and ageing-related stigma and health-related quality of life among people ageing with HIV in China, Europe, and Latin America-three regions that represent distinct epidemiological and cultural trends in terms of HIV and ageing. Substantial gaps in the literature were identified, in particular a scarcity of data from Latin America. We also found inconsistencies between countries in terms of definitions and reporting practices related to people ageing with HIV. Research that fully considers the intersectional stigmas faced by this vulnerable population will contribute to advancing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Examining the Utility of the HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ) in Clinical Practice: Perspectives of People Living with HIV and Healthcare Providers

Our aim was to examine the utility of the HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ), a patient-reported outcome measure for use in clinical practice from the perspectives of people living with HIV (PLWH) and healthcare providers. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study. Fifteen PLWH and five healthcare providers participated in an interview, of which ten PLWH participated in a follow-up focus group discussion. The HDQ has value in clinical practice, including its role in assessing disability, facilitating communication, tailoring treatments, and guiding referrals. Strengths of the HDQ included its comprehensiveness, relevance of domains, and importance of specific items. Concerns related to length of the HDQ, the potential for some items to trigger emotional response, and negative connotations with the term ‘disability.’ Recommendations for HDQ implementation included the importance of score interpretability, shortening the questionnaire, and tailoring administration to the individual. Results suggest the HDQ possesses clinical utility with PLWH and healthcare providers.

Physical activity level and associated factors among adult HIV patients in Ethiopia

Background

People living with HIV, who take antiretroviral therapy (ART), often enjoy long and healthy lives, but this therapy has well known metabolic adverse effects. Physical activity is found to be an important factor in improving these physiological parameters. This study aimed to determine physical activity level and associated factors among HIV patients in Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional based cross sectional study was conducted from May to June 2019. We selected a total of 422 adult HIV patients, attending antiretroviral therapy clinics in three selected hospitals in Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected at routine care consultations by nine trained nurses using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The level of physical activity was measured by the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ).

Result

The mean age of participants was 38.7 ± 9.13 years. Of the participants, 68% were physically inactive, with a higher proportion of inactive women (74%) than men (61%) [(AOR = 1.64, 95% CI (1.07, 2.53)]. In addition, urban vs. rural residents [(AOR = 2.57, 95% CI (1.16, 5.72)] and patients who were on ART for ≥ 24 months [(AOR = 1.88, 95% CI (1.15, 3.08)] had higher odds of having a low physical activity level.

Conclusion

Most people living with HIV and receiving ART have low physical activity levels. Especially female and urban living patients and those with longer treatment duration have low levels of physical activity. More insight is needed on the reasons for physical inactivity among HIV patients and physical activity programs for HIV patients in low-income countries need to be developed.

CSF markers of AD-related pathology relate specifically to memory impairment in older people with HIV: a pilot study

Given the co-occurrence of memory impairment in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment/Alzheimer's disease (aMCI/AD), biomarkers are needed that can disentangle these conditions among people with HIV (PWH). We assessed whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of AD could help in this effort by determining their relationship to learning and memory deficits versus cognitive deficits more characteristic of HAND than aMCI/AD (processing speed and complex visual/motor coordination) among 31 older PWH. CSF amyloid-β42 phosphorylated-tau, amyloid-β40/amyloid-β42 and phosphorylated-tau/amyloid-β42 ratio related to learning/memory performance but not HAND-related deficits, suggesting that these biomarkers may have utility in disentangling aMCI/AD from HAND.

Trends in suicide mortality among people with HIV after diagnosis during 2012-18: a retrospective, national cohort study in China

BACKGROUND

Little is known about suicide mortality among people with HIV in low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess suicide mortality and its temporal change among people with HIV after diagnosis, then describe potential risk factors.

METHODS

This nationwide, population-based cohort study used data from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention (CISDCP), which continually enrolled people diagnosed with HIV in mainland China. We included all people with HIV diagnosed between Jan 1, 2012, and Dec 31, 2018, who were aged 15 years or older at diagnosis. Follow-up started from the date of HIV diagnosis to the date of death, date of last follow-up visit, or Dec 31, 2018, whichever came first. Crude suicide mortality was calculated as the number of suicide deaths divided by person-years at risk in 2012-18 and compared by time after HIV diagnosis. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were used to compare the relative risk of suicide deaths in people with HIV with the general population. We compared the trends of suicide mortality across three diagnosis year groups (2012-13, 2014-15, and 2016-18) using cumulative incidence curve of suicide. Competing-risk models were used to explore the potential risk factors of suicide.

FINDINGS

770 656 people diagnosed with HIV were included in the CISDCP database, 763 287 of whom were aged 15 years or older at diagnosis and had follow-up information available. During follow-up, 2825 (2·0%) of 144 729 all-cause deaths were due to suicide, with a mortality of 142·8 deaths by suicide per 100 000 person-years (95% CI 137·7-148·2). People with HIV were at an increased risk of suicide compared with the general population (SMR 20·9 [95% CI 20·2-21·7]). The greatest risk was during the first 3 months after diagnosis (SMR 98·1 [93·1-103·4]), which then decreased but was still elevated after the first year (SMR 9·2 [8·5-9·8]). Late diagnosis and never on antiretroviral therapy were independent risk factors for suicide.

INTERPRETATION

Suicide mortality decreased during the study period, which coincided with improvement in access to care and treatment coverage. This study suggests the importance of targeted suicide prevention for people with HIV throughout the course of diagnosis and that the focus of efforts should be concentrated on the first 3 months after diagnosis. Our findings highlight the urgent need to integrate suicide screening and prevention in HIV care.

FUNDING

Young Scholar Scientific Research Foundation of National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

TRANSLATION

For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Clinical factors and outcomes associated with immune non-response among virally suppressed adults with HIV from Africa and the United States

A significant minority of people living with HIV (PLWH) achieve viral suppression (VS) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) but do not regain healthy CD4 counts. Clinical factors affecting this immune non-response (INR) and its effect on incident serious non-AIDS events (SNAEs) have been challenging to understand due to confounders that are difficult to control in many study settings. The U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study (NHS) and African Cohort Study (AFRICOS). PLWH with sustained VS (< 400 copies/ml for at least two years) were evaluated for INR (CD4 < 350 cells/µl at the time of sustained VS). Logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with INR. Cox proportional hazards regression produced adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for factors associated with incident SNAE after sustained VS. INR prevalence was 10.8% and 25.8% in NHS and AFRICOS, respectively. Higher CD4 nadir was associated with decreased odds of INR (aOR = 0.34 [95% CI 0.29, 0.40] and aOR = 0.48 [95% CI 0.40, 0.57] per 100 cells/µl in NHS and AFRICOS, respectively). After adjustment, INR was associated with a 61% increase in relative risk of SNAE [95% CI 1.12, 2.33]. Probability of "SNAE-free" survival at 15 years since sustained VS was approximately 20% lower comparing those with and without INR; nearly equal to the differences observed by 15-year age groups. CD4 monitoring before and after VS is achieved can help identify PLWH at risk for INR. INR may be a useful clinical indicator of future risk for SNAEs.

Prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance in Eastern European and Central Asian countries

BACKGROUND

Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) is one of the regions where the HIV epidemic continues to grow at a concerning rate. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage in EECA countries has significantly increased during the last decade, which can lead to an increase in the risk of emergence, transmission, and spread of HIV variants with drug resistance (DR) that cannot be controlled. Because HIV genotyping cannot be performed in these countries, data about HIV DR are limited or unavailable.

OBJECTIVES

To monitor circulating HIV-1 genetic variants, assess the prevalence of HIV DR among patients starting antiretroviral therapy, and reveal potential transmission clusters among patients in six EECA countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed 1071 HIV-1 pol-gene fragment sequences (2253-3369 bp) from patients who were initiating or reinitiating first-line ART in six EECA counties, i.e., Armenia (n = 120), Azerbaijan (n = 96), Belarus (n = 158), Russia (n = 465), Tajikistan (n = 54), and Uzbekistan (n = 178), between 2017 and 2019. HIV Pretreatment DR (PDR) and drug resistance mutation (DRM) prevalence was estimated using the Stanford HIV Resistance Database. The PDR level was interpreted according to the WHO standard PDR survey protocols. HIV-1 subtypes were determined using the Stanford HIV Resistance Database and subsequently confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Transmission clusters were determined using Cluster Picker.

RESULTS

Analyses of HIV subtypes showed that EECA, in general, has the same HIV genetic variants of sub-subtype A6, CRF63_02A1, and subtype B, with different frequencies and representation for each country. The prevalence of PDR to any drug class was 2.8% in Uzbekistan, 4.2% in Azerbaijan, 4.5% in Russia, 9.2% in Armenia, 13.9% in Belarus, and 16.7% in Tajikistan. PDR to protease inhibitors (PIs) was not detected in any country. PDR to nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) was not detected among patients in Azerbaijan, and was relatively low in other countries, with the highest prevalence in Tajikistan (5.6%). The prevalence of PDR to nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) was the lowest in Uzbekistan (2.8%) and reached 11.1% and 11.4% in Tajikistan and Belarus, respectively. Genetic transmission network analyses identified 226/1071 (21.1%) linked individuals, forming 93 transmission clusters mainly containing two or three sequences. We found that the time since HIV diagnosis in clustered patients was significantly shorter than that in unclustered patients (1.26 years vs 2.74 years). Additionally, the K103N/S mutation was mainly observed in clustered sequences (6.2% vs 2.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated different PDR prevalence rates and DR dynamics in six EECA countries, with worrying levels of PDR in Tajikistan and Belarus, where prevalence exceeded the 10% threshold recommended by the WHO for immediate public health action. Because DR testing for clinical purposes is not common in EECA, it is currently extremely important to conduct surveillance of HIV DR in EECA due to the increased ART coverage in this region.

The Body Fat Percentage Rather Than the BMI Is Associated with the CD4 Count among HIV Positive Japanese Individuals

Maintenance of the cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) positive lymphocyte count (CD4 count) is important for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals. Although a higher body mass index (BMI) is shown to be associated with a higher CD4 count, BMI itself does not reflect body composition. Therefore, we examined the association of body weight, body composition and the CD4 count, and determined the optimal ranges of CD4 count associated factors in Japanese HIV positive individuals. This cross-sectional study included 338 male patients treated with antiretroviral therapy for ≥12 months. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors significantly associated with a CD4 count of ≥500 cells (mm³)⁻¹. The cutoff values of factors for a CD4 ≥ 500 cells (mm³)⁻¹ and cardiovascular disease risk were obtained by receiver operating characteristic curves. Age, body fat percentage (BF%), nadir CD4 count, duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART), years since the HIV-positive diagnosis and cholesterol intake showed significant associations with the CD4 count. The cutoff value of BF% for a CD4 ≥ 500 cells (mm³)⁻¹ and lower cardiovascular disease risk were ≥25.1% and ≤25.5%, respectively. The BF%, but not the BMI, was associated with CD4 count. For the management of HIV positive individuals, 25% appears to be the optimal BF% when considering the balance between CD4 count management and cardiovascular disease risk.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but studies on HIV as a risk factor for cardiac arrest in the general population are lacking. We aimed to examine the association of HIV infection with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). We used the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development data to evaluate HIV infection as a predictor of OHCA in all California emergency department encounters from 2005 to 2015, adjusting for age, gender, race, income, obesity, smoking, alcohol, substance abuse, hypertension (HTN), diabetes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure (CHF), atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We also determined patient characteristics modifying these associations by including interaction terms in multivariable-adjusted models. In 18,542,761 patients (mean age 47 ± 20 years, 53% women, 43,849 with HIV) followed for a median 6.8 years, 133,983 new OHCA events occurred. Incidence rates in patients with HIV were higher than in patients without HIV (1.99 vs 1.16 OHCA events per 1,000-person-years follow-up). After multivariable adjustment, HIV was associated with a 2.5-fold higher risk of OHCA (hazard ratio 2.47, 95% confidence interval 2.29 to 2.66, p <0.001). The risk of OHCA with HIV was disproportionately stronger in younger patients, women, and in those with HTN, CHF, and CKD. In this large prospective study, HIV was associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of OHCA, with a greater vulnerability to this outcome in patients with HIV who were female or had HTN, CHF, or CKD.

Low sexual function is associated with menopausal status in mid-aged women with human immunodeficiency virus infection

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between menopausal status and female sexual function among mid-aged women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

METHODS

We carried out a cross-sectional study of 221 sexually active HIV-infected women ages 40 to 59 years, based on a secondary analysis of a three-hospital survey in Lima, Perú. We classified menopausal status according to Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop criteria (STRAW+10); this exposure variable was categorized as binary (non-postmenopausal and postmenopausal) and-for exploratory analysis-as multinomial (pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal). We defined low sexual function (LSF) using the 6-item Female Sexual Function Index (total score ≤19). Socio-demographic and clinical variables were assessed, including age, used highly active antiretroviral therapy scheme, disease duration, depressive symptoms, and co-morbidities. We performed Poisson generalized linear models with a robust variance to estimate 95% confidence interval (CI), crude prevalence ratios (cPRs), and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) by epidemiological and statistical approaches using nonparametric method of bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap resampling with 1,000 repetitions.

RESULTS

Studied women had a median age of 47.0 years (interquartile range: 7.5); 25.3% were premenopausal, 25.8% were perimenopausal, and 48.9% were postmenopausal. Also, 64.3% had LSF. The frequency of LSF was 53.6% in non-postmenopausal and 75.0% in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal status was associated with LSF in both the crude (cPR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.13-1.71) and the adjusted regression models (aPR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.12-1.71).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-infected postmenopausal women have a higher prevalence of LSF than those non-postmenopausal ones, even when adjusting for multiple potential confounders.

Quantitative Isothermal Amplification on Paper Membranes using Amplification Nucleation Site Analysis

Quantitative nucleic acid amplification tests (qNAATs) are critical in treating infectious diseases, such as in HIV viral load monitoring or SARS-CoV-2 testing, in which viral load indicates viral suppression or infectivity. Quantitative PCR is the gold standard tool for qNAATs; however, there is a need to develop point-of-care (POC) qNAATs to manage infectious diseases in outpatient clinics, low- and middle-income countries, and the home. Isothermal amplification methods are an emerging tool for POC NAATs as an alternative to traditional PCR-based workflows. Previous works have focused on relating isothermal amplification bulk fluorescence signals to input copies of target nucleic acids for sample quantification with limited success. In this work, we show that recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) reactions on paper membranes exhibit discrete fluorescent amplification nucleation sites. We demonstrate that the number of nucleation sites can be used to quantify HIV-1 DNA and RNA in less than 20 minutes. An image-analysis algorithm quantifies nucleation sites and determines the input nucleic acid copies in the range of 67-3,000 copies per reaction. We demonstrate a mobile phone-based system for image capture and onboard processing, illustrating that this method may be used at the point-of-care for qNAATs with minimal instrumentation.

Prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among adults with and without HIV in Western Kenya

INTRODUCTION

The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa with untreated hypertension being a major contributing factor. Understanding the magnitude of the problem and risk factors associated with HIV and long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critically important for designing effective programs for diagnosing and treating hypertension in Kenya.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 300 persons with HIV (PWH) on long term ART (≥6 months) and 298 HIV-negative adults seeking care at the Kisumu County Hospital between September 2017 and May 2018. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure of ≥140/90mmHg or a previous hypertension diagnosis. Multivariate regression was used to assess the association between hypertension and HIV adjusting for age, sex, and known CVD risk factors.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of hypertension was 22%. PWH had a lower prevalence of hypertension than HIV-negative persons (16% vs 27% respectively; p<0.002). In multivariate analyses, persons with HIV were 37% less likely to have hypertension compared to HIV-negative individuals (adjusted prevalence ratio 0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.46-0.86). Other factors that were associated with hypertension in all participants included older age >40 years, body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2 and low-density lipoproteins ≥130mg/dL. Among PWH, being older than 40 years and higher BMI >30 kg/m2 were associated with hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of hypertension was high, affecting nearly one in every 4 adults, and associated with older age, higher BMI and high low-density lipoproteins. PWH on long-term ART had significantly lower prevalence of hypertension compared to HIV-negative individuals, potentially due to increased access to healthcare services and interaction with prevention messaging. Interventions to increase screening for and prevention of hypertension in the community for all adults are warranted.

Real-World Assessment of Weight Change in African American Females and Hispanics with HIV-1 After Initiating Integrase Strand-Transfer Inhibitors or Protease Inhibitors

Background: Studies have shown an increase in weight among people living with HIV (PLWH) who initiated integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI). However, weight gain with INSTI-based regimens vs other regimens in females or racial/ethnic minorities is poorly understood. Objective: This study assessed differences in weight gain among treatment-naïve, female, African Americans and Hispanics after initiating INSTI-based vs protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimens. Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study included data from the Optum® deidentified Electronic Health Record Database. Female African Americans or Hispanics initiating INSTI- or PI-based regimens between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018 (first prescription was index date), with ≥12-month baseline and follow-up periods, ≥1 weight measure during each period, and no prior antiretroviral (ARV) use were included. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to reduce selection bias and improve cohort comparability. Multivariable models were used to compare absolute weight/body mass index (BMI) changes and proportion of patients with weight/BMI increases from pre- to post-index (last measure between the 4th and 12th months post-index). Results: Weighted cohorts included 3407 African American females (INSTI, 1704; PI, 1703) and 3711 Hispanics (INSTI, 1865; PI, 1846) PLWH. Mean time to follow-up weight measure was ~9.5 months. Among female African Americans, INSTI initiators had a 1.5 kg greater mean weight gain (2.1 kg vs 0.6 kg; P = 0.033), and a higher proportion with ≥5% weight gain (32% vs 29%; odds ratio [OR]=1.2; 95% CI [1.0-1.4]) than PI initiators. Among Hispanics, INSTI and PI initiators had similar mean increases in weight (2.1 and 1.8 kg, respectively), but INSTI initiators had a higher proportion with ≥5% weight gain (31% vs 27%; OR=1.2; 95% CI [1.1-1.4]). Female African American INSTI initiators were more likely to shift from normal or overweight to a worse BMI classification. Hispanic INSTI initiators were less likely to shift from normal BMI to overweight but more likely to shift from normal or overweight to obese. Conclusion: In a real-world setting, INSTI-based regimens were associated with greater weight gain for treatment-naïve female African Americans, compared with PI-based regimens. Differences between regimens were less consistent for Hispanics. These results may inform ARV choice for PLWH who are at risk for ARV-related weight gain.

Efficacy of Dulaglutide in a Patient With Type 2 Diabetes, High Cardiovascular Risk, and HIV: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a common comorbidity in people living with HIV (PLWH). Anti-hyperglycemic treatment in PLWH is still a challenge, and no randomized controlled studies using new glucose-lowering agents are currently available.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 55-year-old-women was admitted to our Diabetes Unit because of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) and sepsis. The medical history included HIV infection and insulin-treated diabetes. On clinical examination, the lady appeared dehydrated with dry buccal mucosa, tachycardia, altered mental status, genital infection, and fever. On admission, plasma glucose was 54.5 mmol/L, HbA1c 155 mmol/mol, osmolarity 389.4 mOsm/kg, bicarbonate 24.6 mmol/L with no detectable serum ketones. The patient was treated with i.v. fluid and insulin, and antibiotic therapy commenced. Upon HHS and sepsis resolution, a basal-bolus insulin therapy was implemented that was followed by significant improvement of daily glucose profiles and progressive reduction of insulin requirement until complete discontinuation. A low dose of metformin plus linagliptin was started. Since a severe atherosclerotic disease was diagnosed, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, dulaglutide, was added to metformin upon linagliptin withdrawal with maintenance of good glycemic control, treatment adherence and amelioration of quality of life and no side effects.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy may be effective and safe for treatment of T2D with high cardiovascular risk in PLWH, supporting the need of clinical trials directly assessing the safety and the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonist in these individuals.

Neighbourhood-level material deprivation and response to combination antiretroviral therapy in the Canadian Observational Cohort (CANOC): a longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Socioeconomic status has been associated with higher viral loads and lower CD4 cell counts among people living with HIV. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between neighbourhood-level material deprivation and immunologic and virologic response to combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV in Canada.

METHODS

The Canadian Observational Cohort (CANOC) is a longitudinal cohort of people living with HIV, containing data from 2000-2016 from 5 Canadian provinces. We defined response to combination ART as positive if the CD4 cell count increased by 50 cells/mm³ (0.05 cells × 10⁹/L) or more (CD4+) and viral load decreased to 50 copies/mL or less (VL+) within 6 months of treatment initiation. We further categorized response to therapy as concordant positive (CD4+/VL+), concordant negative (CD4-/VL-) or discordant (CD4+/VL- or CD4-/VL+). We used adjusted multinomial logistic regression to quantify the relation between neighbourhood-level material deprivation and immunologic and virologic response.

RESULTS

This study included 8274 people living with HIV, of which 1754 (21.2%) lived in the most materially deprived neighbourhoods. Most individuals (62.2%) showed a concordant positive response to combination ART. After adjustment, living in the most materially deprived neighbourhoods was associated with a CD4-/VL+ discordant response (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.62) and a concordant negative response (adjusted OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.13-1.86), using a concordant positive response as the reference. No other deprivation quartile was independently associated with a particular response.

INTERPRETATION

People living with HIV from the most materially deprived neighbourhoods had increased odds of poor immunologic or virologic response to combination ART. These results motivate further study of the specific socioeconomic factors that potentially affect response to combination ART among people living with HIV in Canada.

High-content analysis and Kinetic Image Cytometry identify toxicity and epigenetic effects of HIV antiretrovirals on human iPSC-neurons and primary neural precursor cells

INTRODUCTION

Despite viral suppression due to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) continue to affect half of people with HIV, suggesting that certain antiretrovirals (ARVs) may contribute to HAND.

METHODS

We examined the effects of nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) and the integrase inhibitors dolutegravir (DTG) and elvitegravir (EVG) on viability, structure, and function of glutamatergic neurons (a subtype of CNS neuron involved in cognition) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-neurons), and primary human neural precursor cells (hNPCs), which are responsible for neurogenesis.

RESULTS

Using automated digital microscopy and image analysis (high content analysis, HCA), we found that DTG, EVG, and TDF decreased hiPSC-neuron viability, neurites, and synapses after 7 days of treatment. Analysis of hiPSC-neuron calcium activity using Kinetic Image Cytometry (KIC) demonstrated that DTG and EVG also decreased the frequency and magnitude of intracellular calcium transients. Longer ARV exposures and simultaneous exposure to multiple ARVs increased the magnitude of these neurotoxic effects. Using the Microscopic Imaging of Epigenetic Landscapes (MIEL) assay, we found that TDF decreased hNPC viability and changed the distribution of histone modifications that regulate chromatin packing, suggesting that TDF may reduce neuroprogenitor pools important for CNS development and maintenance of cognition in adults.

CONCLUSION

This study establishes human preclinical assays that can screen potential ARVs for CNS toxicity to develop safer cART regimens and HAND therapeutics.

Baseline Characteristics of Mitochondrial DNA and Mutations Associated With Short-Term Posttreatment CD4+T-Cell Recovery in Chinese People With HIV

Background

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) profiles and contributions of mtDNA variants to CD4+T-cell recovery in Euramerican people living with HIV (PLWH) may not be transferred to East-Asian PLWH, highlighting the need to consider more regional studies. We aimed to identify mtDNA characteristics and mutations that explain the variability of short-term CD4+T-cell recovery in East-Asian PLWH.

Method

Eight hundred fifty-six newly reported antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve Chinese PLWH from the Comparative HIV and Aging Research in Taizhou (CHART) cohort (Zhejiang Province, Eastern China) were enrolled. MtDNA was extracted from peripheral whole blood of those PLWH at HIV diagnosis, amplified, and sequenced using polymerase chain reaction and gene array. Characterization metrics such as mutational diversity and momentum were developed to delineate baseline mtDNA mutational patterns in ART-naïve PLWH. The associations between mtDNA genome-wide single nucleotide variants and CD4+T-cell recovery after short-term (within ~48 weeks) ART in 724 PLWH were examined using bootstrapping median regressions.

Results

Of 856 participants, 74.18% and 25.82% were male and female, respectively. The median age was 37 years; 94.51% were of the major Han ethnicity, and 69.04% and 28.62% were of the heterosexual and homosexual transmission, respectively. We identified 2,352 types of mtDNA mutations and mtDNA regions D-loop, ND5, CYB, or RNR1 with highest mutational diversity or volume. Female PLWH rather than male PLWH at the baseline showed remarkable age-related uptrends of momentum and mutational diversity as well as correlations between CD4+T <200 (cells/μl) and age-related uptrends of mutational diversity in many mtDNA regions. After adjustments of important sociodemographic and clinical variables, m.1005T>C, m.1824T>C, m.3394T>C, m.4491G>A, m.7828A>G, m.9814T>C, m.10586G>A, m.12338T>C, m.13708G>A, and m.14308T>C (at the Bonferroni-corrected significance) were negatively associated with short-term CD4+T-cell recovery whereas m.93A>G, m.15218A>G, and m.16399A>G were positively associated with short-term CD4+T-cell recovery.

Conclusion

Our baseline mtDNA characterization stresses the attention to East-Asian female PLWH at risk of CD4+T-cell loss-related aging and noncommunicable chronic diseases. Furthermore, mtDNA variants identified in regression analyses account for heterogeneity in short-term CD4+T-cell recovery of East-Asian PLWH. These results may help individualize the East-Asian immune recovery strategies under complicated HIV management caused by CD4+T-cell loss.

Development and internal validation of the HIV In-hospital Mortality Prediction (HIV-IMP) risk score

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in availability and access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV still ranks as a major cause of global mortality. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop and internally validate a risk score capable of accurately predicting in-hospital mortality in HIV-positive patients requiring hospital admission.

METHODS

Consecutive HIV-positive patients presenting to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital adult emergency department between 7 July 2017 and 18 October 2018 were prospectively enrolled. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine parameters for inclusion in the final risk score. Discrimination and calibration were assessed by means of the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, respectively. Internal validation was conducted using the regular bootstrap technique.

RESULTS

The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 13.6% (n = 166). Eight predictors were included in the final risk score: ART non-adherence or not yet on ART, Glasgow Coma Scale < 15, respiratory rate > 20 breaths/min, oxygen saturation < 90%, white cell count < 4 × 10⁹ /L, creatinine > 120 μmol/L, lactate > 2 mmol/L and albumin < 35 g/L. After internal validation, the risk score maintained good discrimination [AUROC 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78-0.88] and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow χ² = 2.26, p = 0.895).

CONCLUSION

The HIV In-hospital Mortality Prediction (HIV-IMP) risk score has overall good discrimination and calibration and is relatively easy to use. Further studies should be aimed at externally validating the score in varying clinical settings.

Polypharmacy, Medication-Related Burden and Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in People Living with HIV Aged 50 and Above: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hunan, China

PURPOSE

People living with HIV (PLWHIV) are susceptible to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) because of aging and infections. This means that the number of non-HIV medications increases, along with issues of polypharmacy and medication-related burden. The purpose of this study was to identify the current situation of polypharmacy and medication-related burden among PLWHIV aged 50 and above, as well as the relation between medication-related burden and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 185 participants recruited from two HIV clinics in Yuelu District Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Changsha First Hospital in Hunan, China. Participants filled questionnaires about comorbidities, polypharmacy, medication-related burden, ART adherence and sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 40% were receiving polypharmacy, and PLWHIV, who were female (β = 5.946; 95% CI = 1.354, 10.541), had a lower monthly income (β = -4.777; 95% CI = -6.923, -2.632), and took more drugs (β = 2.200; 95% CI = 1.167, 3.233) were more likely to report a higher level of medication-related burden. The score of ART adherence was negatively associated with medication-related burden (r_s = -0.250 p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that more attention should be paid to the issues of polypharmacy and targeted interventions should be developed to reduce medication-related burden among older PLWHIV.

Development of the HIV360 international core set of outcome measures for adults living with HIV: A consensus process

OBJECTIVES

HIV outcomes centre primarily around clinical markers with limited focus on patient-reported outcomes. With a global trend towards capturing the outcomes that matter most to patients, there is agreement that standardizing the definition of value in HIV care is key to their incorporation. This study aims to address the lack of routine, standardized data in HIV care.

METHODS

An international working group (WG) of 37 experts and patients, and a steering group (SG) of 18 experts were convened from 14 countries. The project team (PT) identified outcomes by conducting a literature review, screening 1979 articles and reviewing the full texts of 547 of these articles. Semi-structured interviews and advisory groups were performed with the WG, SG and people living with HIV to add to the list of potentially relevant outcomes. The WG voted via a modified Delphi process - informed by six Zoom calls - to establish a core set of outcomes for use in clinical practice.

RESULTS

From 156 identified outcomes, consensus was reached to include three patient-reported outcomes, four clinician-reported measures and one administratively reported outcome; standardized measures were included. The WG also reached agreement to measure 22 risk-adjustment variables. This outcome set can be applied to any person living with HIV aged > 18 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Adoption of the HIV360 outcome set will enable healthcare providers to record, compare and integrate standardized metrics across treatment sites to drive quality improvement in HIV care.

Delayed antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected individuals leads to irreversible depletion of skin- and mucosa-resident memory T cells

People living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk for developing skin and mucosal malignancies despite systemic reconstitution of CD4⁺ T cells upon antiretroviral therapy (ART). The underlying mechanism of chronic tissue-related immunodeficiency in HIV is unclear. We found that skin CD4⁺ tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells were depleted after HIV infection and replenished only upon early ART initiation. TCR clonal analysis following early ART suggested a systemic origin for reconstituting CD4⁺ Trm cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing in PLWH that received late ART treatment revealed a loss of CXCR3⁺ Trm cells and a tolerogenic skin immune environment. Human papilloma virus-induced precancerous lesion biopsies showed reduced CXCR3⁺ Trm cell frequencies in the mucosa in PLWH versus HIV^- individuals. These results reveal an irreversible loss of CXCR3⁺ Trm cells confined to skin and mucosa in PLWH who received late ART treatment, which may be a precipitating factor in the development of HPV-related cancer.

The incidence of and risk factors for hospitalized acute kidney injury among people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment

OBJECTIVES

The epidemiology of hospitalized acute kidney injury (AKI) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in the era of modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all PLWH is not well characterized. We evaluated the incidence of and risk factors for hospitalized AKI from 2005 to 2015 among PLWH on ART.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of PLWH from the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort. We defined hospitalized AKI as a rise of ≥ 0.3 mg/dL in serum creatinine (SCr) within any 48-h period or a 50% increase in SCr from baseline and assessed associations of risk factors with incident AKI using multivariate Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Most participants (75%) were black, 34% were female, and the mean age was 43 years. The incidence of AKI fluctuated annually, peaking at 40 per 1000 person-years (PY) [95% confidence interval (CI) 22-69 per 1000 PY] in 2007, and reached a nadir of 20 per 1000 PY (95% CI 11-34 per 1000 PY) in 2010. There was no significant temporal trend (-3.3% change per year; 95% CI -8.6 to 2.3%; P = 0.24). After multivariable adjustment, characteristics independently associated with AKI included black race [hazard ratio (HR) 2.44; 95% CI 1.42-4.20], hypertension (HR 1.62; 95% CI 1.09-2.38), dipstick proteinuria > 1 (HR 1.86; 95% CI 1.07-3.23), a history of AIDS (HR 1.82; 95% CI 1.29-2.56), CD4 count < 200 cells/µL (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.02-2.07), and lower serum albumin (HR 1.73 per 1 g/dL decrease; 95% CI 1.02-2.07).

CONCLUSIONS

In this contemporary cohort of PLWH, the annual incidence of first AKI fluctuated during the study period. Attention to modifiable AKI risk factors and social determinants of health may further reduce AKI incidence among PLWH.

Demographics and incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma in people living in high HIV prevalence geographical areas

OBJECTIVES

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is an uncommon cancer that is rapidly increasing in incidence. HIV is a risk factor in the development of ASCC, and it is thought that the rapidly increasing incidence in men is related to increasing numbers of people living with HIV (PLWH). We undertook a population-based study comparing the demographics and incidence of ASCC in patients residing high HIV prevalence areas in England to patients living in average HIV prevalence areas in England.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study following the 'Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology' statement. Demographic data and incidence rates of ASCC within Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) between 2013 and 2018 were extracted from the Cancer Outcomes and Services Dataset. CCGs were then stratified by HIV prevalence from data given by Public Health England, and high HIV prevalence geographical areas were compared with average HIV geographical areas.

RESULTS

Patients in high HIV areas were more likely to be young and male with higher levels of social deprivation. Incidence rates in men between 2013 and 2017 were higher in high HIV areas than average HIV areas with a rapidly increasing incidence rates in early-stage disease and a 79.1% reduction in incidence of metastatic stage 4 disease.Whereas women in high HIV areas had lower ASCC incidence than the national average and a low incidence of early-stage disease; however, metastatic disease in women had quintupled in incidence in high HIV areas since 2013.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients presenting with ASCC in high HIV geographical areas have different demographics to patients presenting in average HIV geographical areas. This may be related to screening programmes for PLWH in high HIV areas.

Epigenetic Aging Biomarkers Associated With Cognitive Impairment in Older African American Adults With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

BACKGROUND

Accelerated epigenetic aging using DNA methylation (DNAm)-based biomarkers has been reported in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PWH), but limited data are available among African Americans (AA), women, and older PWH.

METHODS

DNAm was measured using Illumina EPIC Arrays for 107 (69 PWH and 38 HIV-seronegative controls) AA adults ≥60 years in New York City. Six DNAm-based biomarkers of aging were estimated: (1) epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), (2) extrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (EEAA), (3) intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (IEAA), (4) GrimAge, (5) PhenoAge, and (6) DNAm-estimated telomere length (DNAm-TL). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox Cognition Battery (domains: executive function, attention, working memory, processing speed, and language) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were administered. Participants were assessed for frailty by the Fried criteria.

RESULTS

The PWH and control groups did not differ by sex, chronological age, or ethnicity. In total, 83% of PWH had a viral load <50 copies/mL, and 94% had a recent CD4 ≥200 cells/µL. The PWH group had a higher EAA, EEAA, GrimAge, and PhenoAge, and a lower DNAm-TL compared to the controls. IEAA was not different between groups. For PWH, there were significant negative correlations between IEAA and executive function, attention, and working memory and PhenoAge and attention. No associations between biomarkers and frailty were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence of epigenetic age acceleration was observed in AA older PWH using DNAm-based biomarkers of aging. There was no evidence of age acceleration independent of cell type National Institutes of Health composition (IEAA) associated with HIV, but this measure was associated with decreased cognitive function among PWH.

High Rates of Uncontrolled Blood Pressure in Malawian Adults Living with HIV and Hypertension

Background

Hypertension is among the most commonly diagnosed non-communicable diseases in Africa, and studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of hypertension among individuals with HIV. Despite high prevalence, there has been limited attention on the clinical outcomes of hypertension treatment in this population.

Objective

We sought to characterize rates of and factors associated with blood pressure control over one year among individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and antihypertensive medications.

Methods

We performed a prospective observational cohort study at an HIV clinic in Malawi. We defined uncontrolled hypertension as a systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg at two or more follow-up visits during the year, while controlled hypertension was defined as <140 mm Hg systolic and <90 mm Hg diastolic at all visits, or at all but one visit. We calculated an antihypertensive non-adherence score based on self-report of missed doses at each visit (higher score = worse adherence) and used rank sum and chi-square tests to compare sociodemographic and clinical factors (including adherence) associated with blood pressure control over the year.

Results

At study entry, 158 participants (23.5%) were on antihypertensive medication; participants had a median age of 51.0 years, were 66.5% female, and had a median of 6.9 years on ART. 19.0% (n = 30) achieved blood pressure control over the year of follow-up. Self-reported non-adherence to hypertension medications was the only factor significantly associated with uncontrolled blood pressure. The average non-adherence score for those with controlled blood pressure was 0.22, and for those with uncontrolled blood pressure was 0.61 (p = 0.009).

Conclusions

Adults living with HIV and hypertension in our cohort had low rates of blood pressure control over one year associated with self-reported non-adherence to antihypertensive medications. Given the high prevalence and incidence of hypertension, interventions to improve blood pressure control are needed to prevent associated long-term cardio- and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality.

Rapid Emergence of T Follicular Helper and Germinal Center B Cells Following Antiretroviral Therapy in Advanced HIV Disease

Low nadir CD4 T-cell counts in HIV+ patients are associated with high morbidity and mortality and lasting immune dysfunction, even after antiretroviral therapy (ART). The early events of immune recovery of T cells and B cells in severely lymphopenic HIV+ patients have not been fully characterized. In a cohort of lymphopenic (CD4 T-cell count < 100/µL) HIV+ patients, we studied mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood (PB) and lymph nodes (LN) pre-ART (n = 40) and 6-8 weeks post-ART (n = 30) with evaluation of cellular immunophenotypes; histology on LN sections; functionality of circulating T follicular helper (cTfh) cells; transcriptional and B-cell receptor profile on unfractionated LN and PB samples; and plasma biomarker measurements. A group of 19 healthy controls (HC, n = 19) was used as a comparator. T-cell and B-cell lymphopenia was present in PB pre-ART in HIV+ patients. CD4:CD8 and CD4 T- and B-cell PB subsets partly normalized compared to HC post-ART as viral load decreased. Strikingly in LN, ART led to a rapid decrease in interferon signaling pathways and an increase in Tfh, germinal center and IgD-CD27- B cells, consistent with histological findings of post-ART follicular hyperplasia. However, there was evidence of cTfh cells with decreased helper capacity and of limited B-cell receptor diversification post-ART. In conclusion, we found early signs of immune reconstitution, evidenced by a surge in LN germinal center cells, albeit limited in functionality, in HIV+ patients who initiate ART late in disease.

HIV Treatment with the Two-Drug Regimen Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine in Real-world Clinical Practice: A Systematic Literature Review

The two-drug regimen dolutegravir plus lamivudine demonstrated durable efficacy for up to 3 years in phase III studies and a high barrier to resistance in treatment-naive and virologically suppressed people with HIV (PWH). This systematic literature review summarizes real-world evidence evaluating effectiveness and safety of dolutegravir plus lamivudine. We searched Ovid MEDLINE®, Embase®, PubMed, Cochrane library, and relevant international conference proceedings from 2013 to 2020. Qualitative synthesis of virologic suppression at Week 48, treatment-emergent resistance, discontinuation rates, and comorbidities was undertaken, with no statistical analyses conducted. Linked publications and potential for duplication in reporting of outcomes for cohorts and populations were identified, and the publication reporting the highest number of PWH receiving dolutegravir plus lamivudine was included in the analysis. Thirty-four studies reporting on cohorts of PWH not suspected to be linked or to include duplicate data receiving dolutegravir plus lamivudine were identified (N = 5017). Of 3744 virologically suppressed PWH who switched to dolutegravir plus lamivudine, 603 (16%) reported history of virologic failure. Nineteen studies included effectiveness data (n = 3558), four of which included data from treatment-naive PWH (n = 69). In studies with > 100 PWH, high rates of virologic suppression (Week 48, 97-100%) were maintained with dolutegravir plus lamivudine, with low rates of virologic failure (0-3.3 per 100 person-years of follow-up); one instance of emergent integrase strand transfer inhibitor resistance was reported in a complex treatment-experienced individual. Rates of discontinuation due to adverse events were low and consistent with previously observed trial data. Dolutegravir plus lamivudine minimally impacted renal function and had minimal impact on or improved lipid profiles and bone mineral density. This systematic review demonstrates that effectiveness and safety of dolutegravir plus lamivudine in clinical practice support data from randomized controlled trials with regard to high rates of virologic response, low rates of discontinuation, and a high barrier to resistance.

Diabetes mellitus among adults on highly active anti-retroviral therapy and its associated factors in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus occurs as a comorbid illness among people living with HIV and, in particular those on Highly Active Anti-retroviral therapies (HAART). Previous studies have documented the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adults on HAART; however, there is lack of comprehensive estimation. Hence, this study was aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of diabetes mellitus among adults on HAART in Ethiopia.

METHODS

Primary studies were exhaustively searched using Cochrane, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of science databases until February 2021. Eligible studies were selected and critically appraised for quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) quality appraisal checklist. The required data were extracted and exported to Stata version 16 for meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adults on HAART was estimated using a weighted inverse random effect model. Sensitivity and sub-group analysis were conducted for evidence of heterogeneity. Trim and fill analysis was performed after Egger's test and funnel plot were indicating the presence of publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 17 studies with 6,052 subjects on HAART were included. The pooled prevalence of diabetes mellitus among patients on HAART was 16.04% [95% Confidence Interval (CI); 11.6, 20.92]. Abnormal High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) [Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) = 4.68, 95% CI; 2.54, 6.82], Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² [AOR = 7.41, 95% CI; 2.75, 12.08], ≥6 years ART [AOR = 8.14, 95% CI; 5.85, 30.43], hypertension [AOR = 3.29, 95% CI; 2.13, 4.45], age 35-44 years [AOR = 6.28; 95% CI; 4.20, 8.37, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² [AOR = 7.81, 95% CI; 4.97, 10.64], educational status above diploma [AOR = 6.42, 95% CI; 1.28, 11.57] and age 45-55 years [AOR = 4.46, 95% CI; 2.81, 6.10] were positively associated with diabetes mellitus comorbidity among adults on HAART.

CONCLUSION

The higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus was observed for adults on HAART. HDL-C, duration of ART, hypertension, overweight, obesity, age and educational status of participants increases the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The study highlights the importance of timely screening of HDL-C level, blood pressure and BMI for adults on HAART.

HIV indirectly accelerates coronary artery disease by promoting the effects of risk factors: longitudinal observational study

Our objective was to assess whether human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection directly or indirectly promotes the progression of clinical characteristics of coronary artery disease (CAD). 300 African Americans with asymptomatic CAD (210 male; age: 48.0 ± 7.2 years; 226 HIV-infected) who underwent coronary CT angiography at two time points (mean follow-up: 4.0 ± 2.3 years) were randomly selected from 1429 participants of a prospective epidemiological study between May 2004 and August 2015. We calculated Agatston-scores, number of coronary plaques and segment stenosis score (SSS). Linear mixed models were used to assess the effects of HIV-infection, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, years of cocaine use on CAD. There was no significant difference in annual progression rates between HIV-infected and—uninfected regarding Agatston-scores (10.8 ± 25.1/year vs. 7.2 ± 17.8/year, p = 0.17), the number of plaques (0.2 ± 0.3/year vs. 0.3 ± 0.5/year, p = 0.11) or SSS (0.5 ± 0.8/year vs. 0.5 ± 1.3/year, p = 0.96). Multivariately, HIV-infection was not associated with Agatston-scores (8.3, CI: [− 37.2–53.7], p = 0.72), the number of coronary plaques (− 0.1, CI: [− 0.5–0.4], p = 0.73) or SSS (− 0.1, CI: [− 1.0–0.8], p = 0.84). ASCVD risk scores and years of cocaine-use significantly increased all CAD outcomes among HIV-infected individuals, but not among HIV-uninfected. Importantly, none of the HIV-medications were associated with any of the CAD outcomes. HIV-infection is not directly associated with CAD and therefore HIV-infected are not destined to have worse CAD profiles. However, HIV-infection may indirectly promote CAD progression as risk factors may have a more prominent role in the acceleration of CAD in these patients.

Disability and self-care living strategies among adults living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Events associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, such as physical distancing, closure of community services, postponement of health appointments, and loss of employment can lead to social isolation, financial uncertainty, and interruption of antiretroviral adherence, resulting in additional health-related challenges (disability) experienced among adults living with chronic illness such as HIV. 'Living strategies' is a concept derived from the perspectives of people living with HIV, defined as behaviors, attitudes and beliefs adopted by people living with HIV to help deal with disability associated with HIV and multi-morbidity. Our aim was to describe disability among adults living with HIV and self-care living strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Adults living with HIV in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, including some with pre-pandemic HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ) data, completed a cross-sectional web-based survey between June-August 2020. The survey included the HDQ and questions about self-care living strategy use during the pandemic. We compared disability (HDQ) scores prior to versus during the pandemic using paired t-tests. We reported the proportion of participants who engaged in various living strategies at least 'a few times a week' or 'everyday' during the pandemic.

RESULTS

Of the 63 respondents, 84% were men, median age 57 years, and 62% lived alone. During the pandemic the greatest disability severity was in the uncertainty [median 30; Interquartile range (IQR): 16, 43] and mental-emotional (25; IQR: 14, 41) domains. Among the 51 participants with pre-pandemic data, HDQ severity scores were significantly greater (worse) during the pandemic (vs prior) in all domains. Greatest change from prior to during the pandemic was in the mental-emotional domain for presence (17.7; p < 0.001), severity (11.4; p < 0.001), and episodic nature (9.3; p < 0.05) of disability. Most participants (> 60%) reported engaging a 'few times a week' or 'everyday' in self-care strategies associated with maintaining sense of control and adopting positive attitudes and beliefs.

CONCLUSIONS

People living with HIV reported high levels of uncertainty and mental-emotional health challenges during the pandemic. Disability increased across all HDQ dimensions, with the greatest worsening in the mental-emotional health domain. Results provide an understanding of disability and self-care strategy use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Molecular neuroimaging of inflammation in HIV

People with HIV now have near-normal life expectancies due to the success of effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Following cART initiation, immune recovery occurs, and opportunistic diseases become rare. Despite this, high rates of non-infectious comorbidities persist in treated people with HIV, hypothesized to be related to persistent immuno-activation. One such comorbidity is cognitive impairment, which may partly be driven by ongoing neuro-inflammation in otherwise effectively treated people with HIV. In order to develop therapeutic interventions to address neuro-inflammation in effectively treated people with HIV, a deeper understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms driving persistent neuro-inflammatory responses and the ability to better characterize and measure neuro-inflammation in the central nervous system is required. This review highlights recent advances in molecular neuroimaging techniques which have the potential to assess neuro-inflammatory responses within the central nervous system in HIV disease. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) has been utilized to assess neuro-inflammatory responses since early in the HIV pandemic and shows promise in recent studies assessing different antiretroviral regimens. 1H-MRS is widely available in both resource-rich and some resource-constrained settings and is relatively inexpensive. Brain positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using Translocator Protein (TSPO) radioligands is a rapidly evolving field; newer TSPO-radioligands have lower signal-to-noise ratio and have the potential to localize neuro-inflammation within the brain in people with HIV. As HIV therapeutics evolve, people with HIV continue to age and develop age-related comorbidities including cognitive disorders. The use of novel neuroimaging modalities in the field is likely to advance in order to rapidly assess novel therapeutic interventions and may play a role in future clinical assessments.