Effect of early versus deferred antiretroviral therapy for HIV on survival

Antiretroviral treatment for HIV infection: Swedish recommendations 2016

The Swedish Medical Products Agency and the Swedish Reference Group for Antiviral Therapy (RAV) have jointly published recommendations for the treatment of HIV infection on seven previous occasions (2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2014). In February 2016, an expert group under the guidance of RAV once more revised the guidelines. The most important updates in the present guidelines are as follows: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has recently been registered. TAF has several advantages over tenofovir disoproxilfumarate (TDF) and is recommended instead of TDF in most cases. First-line treatment for previously untreated individuals includes dolutegravir, boosted darunavir or efavirenz with either abacavir/lamivudine or tenofovir (TDF/TAF)/emtricitabine. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended for high-risk individuals. As in the case of the previous publication, recommendations are evidence-graded in accordance with the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine ( http://www.cebm.net/oxford-centre-evidence-based-medicine-levels-evidence-march-2009/ ) ( Table 1 ). This document does not cover treatment of opportunistic infections and tumours. [Table: see text].

Closing the Gap in Antiretroviral Initiation and Viral Suppression: Time Trends and Racial Disparities

BACKGROUND

In the current antiretroviral (ART) era, the evolution of HIV guidelines and emergence of new ART agents might be expected to impact the times to ART initiation and HIV virologic suppression. We sought to determine if times to AI and virologic suppression decreased and if disparities exist by age, race/ethnicity, and HIV risk.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of data from 12 sites of the HIV Research Network, a consortium of US clinics caring for HIV-infected patients. HIV-infected adults (≥18 year old) newly presenting for care between 2003 and 2013 were included in this study. Times to AI and virologic suppression were defined as time from enrollment to AI and HIV RNA <400 copies per milliliter, respectively. We conducted time-to-event analyses using competing risk regression in the HIV Research Network cohort from 2003 to 2012 in 2-year intervals, with follow-up through 2013.

RESULTS

Among 15,272 participants, 76.9% were male, 48.4% black, and 10.9% were injection drug use with median age of 38 years (interquartile range: 29-46 years). The adjusted subdistribution hazards ratios (SHRs) for AI and virologic suppression each increased for years 2007-2008 [SHR 1.23 (1.16-1.30), and SHR 1.25 (1.17-1.34), respectively], 2009-2010 [1.55 (1.46-1.64), and 1.54 (1.43-1.65), respectively], and 2011-2012 [1.94 (1.83-2.07), and 1.73 (1.61-1.86), respectively] compared with 2003-2004. Blacks had a lower probability of AI than whites and Hispanics.

CONCLUSIONS

Since 2007, times from enrollment to AI and virologic suppression have decreased significantly compared with 2003-2004, but persisting disparities should be addressed.

Comparing results from multiple imputation and dynamic marginal structural models for estimating when to start antiretroviral therapy

Optimal timing of initiating antiretroviral therapy has been a controversial topic in HIV research. Two highly publicized studies applied different analytical approaches, a dynamic marginal structural model and a multiple imputation method, to different observational databases and came up with different conclusions. Discrepancies between the two studies' results could be due to differences between patient populations, fundamental differences between statistical methods, or differences between implementation details. For example, the two studies adjusted for different covariates, compared different thresholds, and had different criteria for qualifying measurements. If both analytical approaches were applied to the same cohort holding technical details constant, would their results be similar? In this study, we applied both statistical approaches using observational data from 12,708 HIV-infected persons throughout the USA. We held technical details constant between the two methods and then repeated analyses varying technical details to understand what impact they had on findings. We also present results applying both approaches to simulated data. Results were similar, although not identical, when technical details were held constant between the two statistical methods. Confidence intervals for the dynamic marginal structural model tended to be wider than those from the imputation approach, although this may have been due in part to additional external data used in the imputation analysis. We also consider differences in the estimands, required data, and assumptions of the two statistical methods. Our study provides insights into assessing optimal dynamic treatment regimes in the context of starting antiretroviral therapy and in more general settings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Predictors of viral suppression and rebound among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in a large multi-site Canadian cohort

Background

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV in Canada. Combination antiretroviral therapy has been shown to dramatically decrease progression to AIDS, premature death and HIV transmission. However, there are no comprehensive data regarding combination antiretroviral therapy outcomes among this population. We sought to identify socio-demographic and clinical correlates of viral suppression and rebound.

Methods

Our analysis included MSM participants in the Canadian Observational Cohort, a multi-site cohort of HIV-positive adults from Canada’s three most populous provinces, aged ≥18 years who first initiated combination antiretroviral therapy between 2000 and 2011. We used accelerated failure time models to identify factors predicting time to suppression (2 measures <50 copies/mL ≥30 days apart) and subsequent rebound (2 measures >200 copies/mL ≥30 days apart).

Results

Of 2,858 participants, 2,448 (86 %) achieved viral suppression in a median time of 5 months (Q1–Q3: 3–7 months). Viral suppression was significantly associated with later calendar year of antiretroviral therapy initiation, no history of injection drug use, lower baseline viral load, being on an initial regimen consisting of non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, and older age. Among those who suppressed, 295 (12 %) experienced viral rebound. This was associated with earlier calendar year of antiretroviral therapy initiation, injection drug use history, younger age, higher baseline CD4 cell count, and living in British Columbia.

Conclusions

Further strategies are required to optimize combination antiretroviral therapy outcomes in men who have sex with men in Canada, specifically targeting younger MSM and those with a history of injection drug use.

Antiretroviral therapy improves survival among TB-HIV co-infected patients who have CD4+ T-cell count above 350cells/mm3

Background

Co-infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV infected individuals especially in developing countries. Early initiation of cART in these patients when CD4+ T cell count is less than 200cells/mm³ has reduced disease progression and mortality. However for patients with higher CD4+ T cell counts greater than 350cells/mm³ evidence is conflicting. In this study we seek to evaluate the effectiveness of cART in reducing mortality among TB-HIV co-infected patients with CD4 + T cells above 350cells/mm³ at the time of TB diagnosis.

Method

In a retrospective cohort study we analyzed 337 HIV-TB co-infected patients with CD4+ T cells above 350cells/mm³ at baseline who were diagnosed between 2006 and 2012 in the southern province of Zambia. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. We estimated the effect of cART by comparing survival according to cART and controlling for differential loss to follow-up.

Results

Of the 257 patients on cART, 22 died (9 %) and 20 (8 %) were lost to follow-up; of 80 patients not on cART, 20 died (25 %) and 19 (24 %) were lost to follow-up. Patients treated with cART had better survival compared to those not treated (P < 0 · 0001, log-rank test). In a proportional hazard regression adjusting for Cotrimoxazole, the risk of death was reduced by 78 % with cART (95 % CI: 0 · 47, 0 · 91). In a propensity score analysis, the effect of cART was still beneficial.

Conclusion

In patients with HIV-associated TB and CD4+ T cells above 350cells/mm³, treatment with cART reduced mortality for up to 4 years as compared to no cART and was associated with better retention in care.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1916-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of Age and Sex on CD4+ Cell Count Trajectories following Treatment Initiation: An Analysis of the Tanzanian HIV Treatment Database

Objective

New guidelines recommend that all HIV-infected individuals initiate antiretroviral treatment (ART) immediately following diagnosis. This study describes how immune reconstitution varies by gender and age to help identify poorly reconstituting subgroups and inform targeted testing initiatives.

Design

Longitudinal data from the outpatient monitoring system of the National AIDS Control Program in Tanzania.

Methods

An asymptotic nonlinear mixed effects model was fit to post-treatment CD4+ cell count trajectories, allowing for fixed effects of age and sex, and an age by sex interaction.

Results

Across 220,544 clinic visits from 32,069 HIV-infected patients, age- and sex-specific average CD4+ cell count at ART initiation ranged from 83–136 cells/mm³, long term asymptotic CD4+ cell count ranged from 301–389 cells/mm³, and time to half of maximal CD4+ reconstitution ranged from 3.57–5.68 months. CD4+ cell count at ART initiation and asymptotic CD4+ cell count were 1.28 (95% CI: 1.18–1.40) and 1.25 (95% CI: 1.20–1.31) times higher, respectively, for females compared to males in the youngest age group (19–29 years). Older patients started treatment at higher CD4+ counts but experienced slower CD4+ recovery than younger adults. Treatment initiation at greater CD4+ cell counts was correlated with greater asymptotic CD4+ cell counts within all sex and age groups.

Conclusion

Older adults should initiate care early in disease progression because total immune reconstitution potential and rate of reconstitution appears to decrease with age. Targeted HIV testing and care linkage remains crucial for patient populations who tend to initiate treatment at lower CD4+ cell counts, including males and younger adults.

Changing Clinician Practices and Attitudes Regarding the Use of Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Treatment and Prevention

As part of the HPTN 065 study in the Bronx, New York and Washington, the authors, we surveyed clinicians to assess for shifts in their practices and attitudes around HIV treatment and prevention. Antiretroviral therapy (ART)-prescribing clinicians at 39 HIV care sites were offered an anonymous Web-based survey at baseline (2010-2011) and at follow-up (2013). The 165 respondents at baseline and 141 respondents at follow-up had similar characteristics-almost 60% were female, median age was 47 years, two-thirds were physicians, and nearly 80% were HIV specialists. The percentage who reported recommending ART irrespective of CD4 count was higher at follow-up (15% versus 68%), as was the percentage who would initiate ART earlier for patients having unprotected sex with partners of unknown HIV status (64% versus 82%), and for those in HIV-discordant partnerships (75% versus 87%). In line with changing HIV treatment guidelines during 2010 to 2013, clinicians increasingly supported early ART for treatment and prevention.

The efficacy and safety of tenofovir alafenamide versus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in antiretroviral regimens for HIV-1 therapy: Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To date, a definite conclusion about efficiency and safety of tenofovir alafenamide for patients with HIV-1 is not available. The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of TAF versus TDF in antiretroviral regimens for patients with HIV-1.

METHODS

PUBMED, MEDLINE, and EMBASE database were searched in March 2016, with no language restriction, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

RESULTS

Six RCTs (n = 5888) met entry criteria. At week 48, viral suppression rates were similar between TAF and TDF group (90.2% vs 89.5%) for the naive patients. Interestingly, the rate was higher in patients who switched to TAF regimens compared with patients who continued previous TDF regimens (96.4% vs 93.1%). Both groups were generally well tolerated with high barrier to resistance. As compared to TDF, TAF had significantly smaller reductions in eGFR-CG, smaller changes in RBP/Cr and urineβ-2 M/Cr ratio, and less reduction in spine and hip BMD for the treatment-naive patients. Moreover, the switched group had significant efficacy advantages of improving renal function and BMD, including significant decreases in urine albumin/Cr, urine protein/Cr, urine RBP/Cr, and urine β-2 M/Cr ratios, and increases in hip and spine BMD by 1.47% and 1.56%,respectively, as compared with continued TDF regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

TAF has a similar tolerability, safety, and effectiveness to TDF and probably less adverse events related to renal and bone density outcomes in the treatment of naive and experienced patients with HIV-1.

Test site predicts HIV care linkage and antiretroviral therapy initiation: a prospective 3.5 year cohort study of HIV-positive testers in northern Tanzania

Background

Linkage to HIV care is crucial to the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs worldwide, loss to follow up at all stages of the care continuum is frequent, and long-term prospective studies of care linkage are currently lacking.

Methods

Consecutive clients who tested HIV-positive were enrolled from four HIV testing centers (1 health facility and 3 community-based centers) in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania as part of the larger Coping with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania (CHAT) prospective observational study. Biannual interviews were conducted over 3.5 years, assessing care linkage, retention, and mental health. Bivariable and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations with early death (prior to the second follow up interview) and delayed (>6 months post-test) or failed care linkage.

Results

A total of 263 participants were enrolled between November, 2008 and August, 2009 and 240 participants not already linked to care were retained in the final dataset. By 6 months after enrollment, 169 (70.4 %) of 240 participants had presented to an HIV care and treatment facility; 41 (17.1 %) delayed more than 6 months, 15 (6.3 %) died, and 15 (6.3 %) were lost to follow up. Twenty-six patients died before their second follow up visit and were analyzed in the early death group (10.8 %). Just 15 (9.6 %) of those linked to care had started ART within 6 months, but 123 (89.1 %) of patients documented to be ART eligible by local guidelines had started ART by the end of 3.5 years. On multivariate analysis, male gender (OR 1.72; 95 % CI 1.08, 2.75), testing due to illness (OR 1.63; 95 % CI 1.01, 2.63), and higher mean depression scale scores (4 % increased risk per increase in depression score; 95 % CI 1 %, 8 %) were associated with early death. Testing at a community versus a hospital-based site (OR 2.89; 95 % CI 1.79, 4.66) was strongly associated with delaying or never entering care.

Conclusions

Nearly 30 % of the cohort did not have timely care linkage, ART initiation was frequently delayed, and testing at a hospital outpatient department versus community-based testing centers was strongly associated with successful care linkage.

Understanding the delay in starting antiretroviral therapy despite recent guidelines for HIV patients retained in care

Despite strong evidence of a clinical benefit from initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) immediately after diagnosis some patients remain ART naïve. We examined explanations, over a four-year period in a centralized HIV clinical cohort under universal health care, for newly diagnosed patients, while being fully engaged and retained in HIV care, delaying ART initiation for >180 days following their HIV diagnosis. All patients followed at the Southern Alberta Clinic, Calgary, Canada between 1 January 2010 and 1 January 2014 were included and followed until they moved, were lost to follow-up, died or until 1 January 2015. Of 269 patients, 56 (21.8%) deferred ART >180 days; 26 (9.7%) remained ART naïve until the end of the study. Patients delaying or deferring ART were younger, Canadian-born, and with higher CD4 counts (p < .01). "No clinical urgency" especially for patients with higher CD4 counts, was most often listed for deferring ART, however when ART was offered "patient not ready", "unstable substance use", "difficulties adjusting" or "wanting to wait" were often cited regardless of CD4 levels. At times ART, when offered, was adamantly declined by the patient. The physician's assessment of a patient's ability to adhere to lifelong ART was an issue in some cases. While structural or financial issues may impact ART initiation, our results suggest that, even in an environment of free and easy access to ART, many challenges still exist at the implementation stage. Intense efforts in both patient and physician education will be required if the benefits of early ART as recommended by the WHO in their recent guidelines, are to be achieved at the individual and population level.

Challenges in initiating antiretroviral therapy for all HIV-infected people regardless of CD4 cell count

Introduction

Recently published large randomized controlled trials, START, TEMPRANO and HPTN 052 show the clinical benefit of early initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in HIV-infected persons and in reducing HIV transmission. The trials influenced the World Health Organization (WHO) decision to issue updated recommendations to prescribe ART to all individuals living with HIV, irrespective of age and CD4 cell count.

Discussion

It is clear that the new 2015 WHO recommendations if followed, will change the face of the HIV epidemic and probably curb its burden over time. Implementation however, requires that health systems, especially those in low and middle-income settings, be ready to face this challenge on a large scale. HIV prevention and treatment are easy in theory yet hard in practice. The new WHO guidelines for initiation of ART regardless of CD4 cell count will lead to upfront increases in the costs of healthcare delivery as the goal is to treat all those now newly eligible for ART. Around 22 million people living with HIV qualify and will therefore require ART. Related challenges immediately follow: firstly, that everyone must be tested for HIV; secondly, that anyone who has had an HIV test should know their result and understand its significance; and, thirdly, that every person identified as HIV-positive should receive and remain on ART. The emergence of HIV drug resistant strains when treatment is started at higher CD4 cell count thresholds is a further concern as persons on HIV treatment for longer periods of time are at increased risk of intermittent medication adherence.

Conclusions

The new WHO recommendations for ART are welcome, but lacking as they fail to consider meaningful solutions to the challenges inherent to implementation. They fail to incorporate actual strategies on how to disseminate and adopt these far-reaching guidelines, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, an area with weak healthcare infrastructures. Well-designed, high-quality research is needed to assess the feasibility, safety, acceptability, impact, and cost of innovations such as the universal voluntary testing and immediate treatment approaches, and broad consultation must address community, human rights, ethical, and political concerns.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-016-0179-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

CD4 Variability in Malawi: Implications for Use of a CD4 Threshold of 500 Cells/mm3 Versus Universal Eligibility for Antiretroviral Therapy

Background.  Given the uncertainty about the ability of a single CD4 count to accurately classify a patient as antiretroviral therapy (ART) eligible, we sought to understand the extent to which CD4 variability results in misclassification at a CD4 threshold of 500 cells/mm³. Methods.  We performed a prospective study of CD4 variability in Malawian human immunodeficiency virus-infected, ART-naive, World Health Organization (WHO) stage 1 or 2, nonpregnant adults. CD4 counts were performed daily for 8 days. We fit a Bayesian linear mixed-effects model of log-transformed CD4 cell counts to the data. We used Monte Carlo approximations to estimate misclassification rates for different observed values of CD4. The misclassification rate was calculated based on the conditional probability of true CD4 given the geometric mean of observed CD4 measurements. Results.  Fifty patients were enrolled from 2 sites. The median age was 33.5 years (interquartile range, 27.5-40.0) and 34 (68%) were female. Misclassification rates were <1% when the observed CD4 counts were ≤250 or ≥750 cells/mm³. Rates of misclassification were high at observed CD4 counts between 350 and 650 cells/mm³, particularly when a single measurement was used (up to 46.7%). Conclusions.  Our data show that ART eligibility based on a single CD4 count results in highest risk of misclassification when observed CD4 counts are in the range of 350-650 cells/mm³. Given the benefits of early ART, countries should weigh the costs and complexity of CD4 testing using a 500 cell/mm³ threshold against the cost savings and public health benefits of universal eligibility.

Alarming attrition rates among HIV-infected individuals in pre-antiretroviral therapy care in Myanmar, 2011-2014

Background

High retention rates have been documented among patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Myanmar. However, there is no information on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals in care before initiation of ART (pre-ART care). We assessed attrition (loss-to-follow-up [LTFU] and death) rates among HIV-infected individuals in pre-ART care and their associated factors over a 4-year period.

Design

In this retrospective cohort study, we extracted routinely collected data of HIV-infected adults (>15 years old) entering pre-ART care (June 2011–June 2014) as part of an Integrated HIV Care (IHC) programme, Myanmar. Attrition rates per 100 person-years and cumulative incidence of attrition were calculated. Factors associated with attrition were examined by calculating hazard ratios (HRs).

Results

Of 18,037 HIV-infected adults enrolled in the IHC programme, 11,464 (63%) entered pre-ART care (60% men, mean age 37 years, median cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cell count 160 cells/µL). Of the 11,464 eligible participants, 3,712 (32%) underwent attrition of which 43% were due to deaths and 57% were due to LTFU. The attrition rate was 78 per 100 person-years (95% CI, 75–80). The cumulative incidence of attrition was 70% at the end of a 4-year follow-up, of which nearly 90% occurred in the first 6 months. Male sex (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4–1.6), WHO clinical Stage 3 and 4, CD4 count <200 cells/µL, abnormal BMI, and anaemia were statistically significant predictors of attrition.

Conclusions

Pre-ART care attrition among persons living with HIV in Myanmar was alarmingly high – with most attrition occurring within the first 6 months. Strategies aimed at improving early HIV diagnosis and initiation of ART are needed. Suggestions include comprehensive nutrition support and intensified monitoring to prevent pre-ART care attrition by tracking patients who do not return for pre-ART care appointments. It is high time that Myanmar moves towards a ‘test and treat’ approach and ultimately eliminates the need for pre-ART care.

Selective developmental alterations in The HIV-1 transgenic rat: Opportunities for diagnosis of pediatric HIV-1

Since the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), pediatric HIV-1 (PHIV) has evolved from a fatal disease to a chronic disease as children perinatally infected with HIV-1 survive into adulthood. The HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat, which expresses 7 of the 9 HIV-1 genes constitutively throughout development, was used to model the early development of chronic neurological impairment in PHIV. Male and female Fischer HIV-1 Tg and F344 N control rats, sampled from 35 litters, were repeatedly assessed during early development using multiple experimental paradigms, including somatic growth, locomotor activity, cross-modal prepulse inhibition (PPI) and gap-prepulse inhibition (gap-PPI). Later eye opening was observed in HIV-1 Tg animals relative to controls. HIV-1 Tg animals exhibited a shift in the development of locomotor activity implicating alterations in the maturation of the forebrain cholinergic inhibitory system. Alterations in the development of PPI and perceptual sharpening were observed in both auditory and visual PPI as indexed by a relative insensitivity to the dimension of time (msec for ISI; days of age for perceptual sharpening) as a function of the HIV-1 transgene. Presence of the HIV-1 transgene was diagnosed with 97.1 % accuracy using auditory and visual PPI measurements from PD 17 and 21. Early selective developmental alterations observed in the HIV-1 Tg rats provide an opportunity for the development of a point-of-care screening tool, which would permit the early diagnosis of PHIV and improve the long-term outcome for children perinatally infected with HIV-1.

An Illustration of Inverse Probability Weighting to Estimate Policy-Relevant Causal Effects

Traditional epidemiologic approaches allow us to compare counterfactual outcomes under 2 exposure distributions, usually 100% exposed and 100% unexposed. However, to estimate the population health effect of a proposed intervention, one may wish to compare factual outcomes under the observed exposure distribution to counterfactual outcomes under the exposure distribution produced by an intervention. Here, we used inverse probability weights to compare the 5-year mortality risk under observed antiretroviral therapy treatment plans to the 5-year mortality risk that would had been observed under an intervention in which all patients initiated therapy immediately upon entry into care among patients positive for human immunodeficiency virus in the US Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems multisite cohort study between 1998 and 2013. Therapy-naïve patients (n = 14,700) were followed from entry into care until death, loss to follow-up, or censoring at 5 years or on December 31, 2013. The 5-year cumulative incidence of mortality was 11.65% under observed treatment plans and 10.10% under the intervention, yielding a risk difference of -1.57% (95% confidence interval: -3.08, -0.06). Comparing outcomes under the intervention with outcomes under observed treatment plans provides meaningful information about the potential consequences of new US guidelines to treat all patients with human immunodeficiency virus regardless of CD4 cell count under actual clinical conditions.

Pathways to HIV testing and care in Goa, India: exploring psychosocial barriers and facilitators using mixed methods

Background

Despite recognition of the importance of timely presentation to HIV care, research on pathways to care is lacking. The adverse impact of depression upon adherence to antiretroviral therapy is established. There is emerging evidence to suggest depression may inhibit initial engagement with care. However, the effect of depression and other psychosocial factors upon the pathway to care is unknown.

Methods

We used mixed methods to explore pathways to care of people accessing testing and treatment in Goa, India. Questionnaires including measures of common mental disorder, hazardous alcohol use, cognition and assessment of pathways to care (motivations for testing, time since they were first aware of this reason for testing, whether they had been advised to test, who had given this advice, time elapsed since this advice was given) were administered to 1934 participants at the time of HIV testing. Qualitative interviews were carried out with 15 study participants who attended the antiretroviral therapy treatment centre. Interview topic guides were designed to elicit responses that discussed barriers and facilitators of accessing testing and care.

Results

Pathways were often long and complex. Quantitative findings revealed that Common Mental Disorder was associated with delayed testing when advised by a Doctor (the most common pathway to testing) (AOR = 6.18, 2.16–17.70). Qualitative results showed that triggers for testing (symptoms believed to be due to HIV, and for women, illness or death of their husband) suggested that poor health, rather than awareness of risk was a key stimulus for testing. The period immediately before and after diagnosis was characterised by distress and fear. Stigma was a prominent backdrop to narratives. However, once participants had made contact with care and support (HIV services and non-governmental organisations), these systems were often effective in alleviating fear and promoting confidence in treatment and self-efficacy.

Conclusion

The effectiveness of formal and informal systems of support around the time of diagnosis in supporting people with mental disorder is unclear. Ways of enhancing these systems should be explored, with the aim of achieving timely presentation at HIV care for all those diagnosed with the disease.

2015 Philip S. Portoghese Medicinal Chemistry Lectureship. Curing Hepatitis C Virus Infection with Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents: The Arc of a Medicinal Chemistry Triumph

The development of direct-acting antiviral agents that can cure a chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after 8-12 weeks of daily, well-tolerated therapy has revolutionized the treatment of this insidious disease. In this article, three of Bristol-Myers Squibb's HCV programs are summarized, each of which produced a clinical candidate: the NS3 protease inhibitor asunaprevir (64), marketed as Sunvepra, the NS5A replication complex inhibitor daclatasvir (117), marketed as Daklinza, and the allosteric NS5B polymerase inhibitor beclabuvir (142), which is in late stage clinical studies. A clinical study with 64 and 117 established for the first time that a chronic HCV infection could be cured by treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents alone in the absence of interferon. The development of small molecule HCV therapeutics, designed by medicinal chemists, has been hailed as "the arc of a medical triumph" but may equally well be described as "the arc of a medicinal chemistry triumph".

HIV Testing, HIV Positivity, and Linkage and Referral Services in Correctional Facilities in the United States, 2009-2013

BACKGROUND

Because of health disparities, incarcerated persons are at higher risk for multiple health issues, including HIV. Correctional facilities have an opportunity to provide HIV services to an underserved population. This article describes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded HIV testing and service delivery in correctional facilities.

METHODS

Data on HIV testing and service delivery were submitted to CDC by 61 health department jurisdictions in 2013. HIV testing, HIV positivity, receipt of test results, linkage, and referral services were described, and differences across demographic characteristics for linkage and referral services were assessed. Finally, trends were examined for HIV testing, HIV positivity, and linkage from 2009 to 2013.

RESULTS

Of CDC-funded tests in 2013 among persons 18 years and older, 254,719 (7.9%) were conducted in correctional facilities. HIV positivity was 0.9%, and HIV positivity for newly diagnosed persons was 0.3%. Blacks accounted for the highest percentage of HIV-infected persons (1.3%) and newly diagnosed persons (0.5%). Only 37.9% of newly diagnosed persons were linked within 90 days; 67.5% were linked within any time frame; 49.7% were referred to partner services; and 45.2% were referred to HIV prevention services. There was a significant percent increase in HIV testing, overall HIV positivity, and linkage from 2009 to 2013. However, trends were stable for newly diagnosed persons.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of newly diagnosed persons in correctional facilities has remained stable from 2009 to 2013. Correctional facilities seem to be reaching blacks, likely due to higher incarceration rates. The current findings indicate that improvements are needed in HIV testing strategies, service delivery during incarceration, and linkage to care postrelease.

Antiretroviral treatment regardless of CD4 count: the universal answer to a contextual question

After a period where it was recommended to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) early, the CD4 threshold for treating asymptomatic adults dropped to 200/mm³ at the beginning of the 2000s. This was mostly due to a great prudence with regards to drug toxicity. The ART-start CD4 threshold in most international guidelines was then raised to 350/mm³ in 2006–2009 and to 500/mm³ in 2009–2013. Between 2012 and 2015, international guidelines went the last step further and recommended treating all HIV-infected adults regardless of their CD4 count. This ultimate step was justified by the results of three randomized controlled trials, HPTN 052, Temprano ANRS 12136 and START. These three trials assessed the benefits and risks of starting ART immediately upon inclusion (“early ART”) versus deferring ART until the current starting criteria were met (“deferred ART”). Taken together, they recruited 8427 HIV-infected adults in 37 countries. The primary outcome was severe morbidity, a composite outcome that included all-cause deaths, AIDS diseases, and non-AIDS cancers in the three trials. The trial results were mutually consistent and reinforcing. The overall risk of severe morbidity was significantly 44–57 % lower in patients randomized to early ART as compared to deferred ART. Early ART also decreased the risk of AIDS, tuberculosis, invasive bacterial diseases and Kaposi’s sarcoma considered separately. The incidence of severe morbidity was 3.2 and 3.5 times as high in HPTN052 and Temprano as in START, respectively. This difference is mostly due to the geographical context of morbidity. The evidence is now strong that initiating ART at high CD4 counts entails individual benefits worldwide, and that this is all the more true in low resource contexts where tuberculosis and other bacterial diseases are highly prevalent. These benefits in addition to population benefits consisting of preventing HIV transmission demonstrated in HPTN052, justify the recommendation that HIV-infected persons should initiate ART regardless of CD4 count. This recommendation faces many challenges, including the fact that switching from “treat at 500 CD4/mm³” to “treat everyone” not only requires more tests and more drugs, but also more people to support patients and help them remain in care.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Funded Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing, Positivity, and Service Delivery among Newly Diagnosed Women in 61 Health Department Jurisdictions, United States, 2014

BACKGROUND

More than 1.2 million persons are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States; at the end of 2011, 23% of them were women. Minority women are disproportionately affected by HIV, and new infections are higher among older women. HIV testing and service delivery among women funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is examined.

METHODS

Data were submitted by 61 health department jurisdictions. HIV testing, HIV-positive tests, new HIV diagnoses among women, and linkage and referral services among newly diagnosed women are described. Differences across demographic characteristics for HIV diagnoses, linkage, and referral services were assessed. Diagnoses were identified as new when women who tested HIV positive were not found to be reported previously in the jurisdiction's HIV surveillance system; when jurisdictions could not verify prior test results in their surveillance systems, new diagnoses were identified by self-report.

RESULTS

Of CDC-funded testing events in 2014, 1,484,902 (48.7%) were among women, and they accounted for 19.5% of all HIV-positive testing events. Among women tested, 0.4% were HIV positive, and 0.1% had new HIV diagnoses. Women aged 40 and older and Black women were more likely to test HIV positive (0.7% and 0.5%, respectively). Among newly diagnosed women, 62.8% were linked within any timeframe, 57.1% were linked within 90 days, 74.1% were referred to partner services, 57.5% were interviewed for partner services, and 55.5% were referred to HIV risk reduction services.

CONCLUSIONS

Among all women receiving CDC-funded HIV testing, Black women and older women were more likely to have HIV-positive tests and new diagnoses. Although women overall may not be at the highest risk for HIV, Black women in this sample are disproportionately affected. Additionally, linkage, referral, and interview services for women need improvement. Targeted testing approaches may ensure effective test-and-treat strategies for women.

Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection in Adults: 2016 Recommendations of the International Antiviral Society-USA Panel

IMPORTANCE

New data and therapeutic options warrant updated recommendations for the use of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to treat or to prevent HIV infection in adults.

OBJECTIVE

To provide updated recommendations for the use of antiretroviral therapy in adults (aged ≥18 years) with established HIV infection, including when to start treatment, initial regimens, and changing regimens, along with recommendations for using ARVs for preventing HIV among those at risk, including preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

A panel of experts in HIV research and patient care convened by the International Antiviral Society-USA reviewed data published in peer-reviewed journals, presented by regulatory agencies, or presented as conference abstracts at peer-reviewed scientific conferences since the 2014 report, for new data or evidence that would change previous recommendations or their ratings. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted in the PubMed and EMBASE databases through April 2016. Recommendations were by consensus, and each recommendation was rated by strength and quality of the evidence.

FINDINGS

Newer data support the widely accepted recommendation that antiretroviral therapy should be started in all individuals with HIV infection with detectable viremia regardless of CD4 cell count. Recommended optimal initial regimens for most patients are 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) plus an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (InSTI). Other effective regimens include nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or boosted protease inhibitors with 2 NRTIs. Recommendations for special populations and in the settings of opportunistic infections and concomitant conditions are provided. Reasons for switching therapy include convenience, tolerability, simplification, anticipation of potential new drug interactions, pregnancy or plans for pregnancy, elimination of food restrictions, virologic failure, or drug toxicities. Laboratory assessments are recommended before treatment, and monitoring during treatment is recommended to assess response, adverse effects, and adherence. Approaches are recommended to improve linkage to and retention in care are provided. Daily tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine is recommended for use as preexposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection in persons at high risk. When indicated, postexposure prophylaxis should be started as soon as possible after exposure.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Antiretroviral agents remain the cornerstone of HIV treatment and prevention. All HIV-infected individuals with detectable plasma virus should receive treatment with recommended initial regimens consisting of an InSTI plus 2 NRTIs. Preexposure prophylaxis should be considered as part of an HIV prevention strategy for at-risk individuals. When used effectively, currently available ARVs can sustain HIV suppression and can prevent new HIV infection. With these treatment regimens, survival rates among HIV-infected adults who are retained in care can approach those of uninfected adults.

Determinants of time to antiretroviral treatment initiation and subsequent mortality on treatment in a cohort in rural northern Malawi

BACKGROUND

To optimise care HIV patients need to be promptly initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and subsequently retained on treatment. In this study we report on the interval between enrolment and treatment initiation, and investigate subsequent attrition and mortality of patients on ART at a rural clinic in Malawi.

METHODS

HIV-positive individuals were recruited to a cohort study between January 2008 and August 2011 at Chilumba Rural Hospital (CRH). Outcomes were ascertained, up to 7 years after enrolment, through follow-up and by linkage to ART registers and the Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS). Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression were used to examine ART initiation after enrolment, mortality after ART initiation, and attrition after ART initiation.

RESULTS

Of the 617 individuals recruited, 523 initiated ART between January 2008 and January 2015. Median time from HIV testing to commencement of ART was 59 days (IQR: 10-330). By a year after enrolment 74.2 % (95 % CI 70.6-77.7 %) had initiated ART. Baseline clinical data at ART initiation and data on attrition was only available for the 438 individuals who initiated ART during active follow-up, between January 2008 and August 2011. Of these individuals, 6 were missing Ministry of Health numbers, leaving 432 included in analyses of attrition and mortality. At 4 years after ART initiation 71.3 % (95 % CI 65.7-76.2 %) of these patients were retained on treatment at the CRH and 17.2 % (95 % CI 13.8-21.4 %) had died. Participants who had a lower CD4 count at enrolment (≤350 cells/μl), enrolled in 2008, or tested for HIV at the CRH rather than through serosurveys, initiated treatment faster. Once on treatment, mortality rates were higher in patients who were HIV tested at the CRH, male, older (≥35 years), missing a CD4 count, or underweight (BMI < 18.5) at ART initiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Through linkage to the KHDSS and ART registers it was possible to continue follow-up beyond the end of the initial cohort study. Annual mortality after ART initiation remained considerable over a period of 4 years. Greater access to HIV and CD4 testing alongside initiation at higher CD4 counts, as planned in the test and treat strategy, could reduce this mortality.

Advances in microfluidics in combating infectious diseases

One of the important pursuits in science and engineering research today is to develop low-cost and user-friendly technologies to improve the health of people. Over the past decade, research efforts in microfluidics have been made to develop methods that can facilitate low-cost diagnosis of infectious diseases, especially in resource-poor settings. Here, we provide an overview of the recent advances in microfluidic devices for point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for infectious diseases and emphasis is placed on malaria, sepsis and AIDS/HIV. Other infectious diseases such as SARS, tuberculosis, and dengue are also briefly discussed. These infectious diseases are chosen as they contribute the most to disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The current state of research in this area is evaluated and projection toward future applications and accompanying challenges are also discussed.

The Facial Appearance Inventory: Development and Preliminary Evidence for Reliability and Validity in People with HIV and Lipoatrophy

BACKGROUND

Facial lipoatrophy is common in people on antiretroviral (ARV) regimens for HIV/AIDS and can impair health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVES

We developed the Facial Appearance Inventory (FAI) to measure the impact of ARV-associated facial lipoatrophy.

METHODS

Qualitative methods were used to identify key concerns of people with facial lipoatrophy. The major concerns were used to identify 24 items for the FAI. The FAI was administered to a cross-sectional sample of 96 people with HIV and facial lipoatrophy and compared to the established Assessment of Body Change Distress (ABCD) and MOS-HIV questionnaires.

RESULTS

Mean age was 48.8 years, 87.5% were men, 69.8% were Caucasian, and 60% had some college education. Mean CD4 count was 435 cells/mm(3). There were few missing data, and the summary score showed no floor or ceiling effects, with a mean (SD) of 25.6 (17.9). Cronbach's alpha for the scale was 0.98. FAI items satisfied criteria for convergent and discriminant construct validity. FAI items were more strongly correlated with mental health domains (R = 0.33) than with physical health domains (R = 0.26) on the MOS-HIV. Patients with greater severity of lipoatrophy had significantly worse scores than those with less severity (James 3-4, vs. James 0-2). There were no significant differences for FAI scores by age group, income group, CD4 cell count, or HIV viral load group. Those with less education and those with darker skin types reported less impairment (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The 24-item FAI shows evidence for reliability, validity, and usefulness as a measure of the impact of facial lipoatrophy.

Prior history of testing for syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C among a population-based cohort of HIV-positive individuals and their HIV-negative controls

Understanding patterns of serological testing for hepatitis B & C, and syphilis among HIV-positive individuals, prior to HIV diagnosis, can inform HIV diagnosis, engagement and prevention strategies. This was a population-based, retrospective analysis of prior serological testing among HIV-positive individuals in Manitoba, Canada. HIV cases were age-, sex- and region-matched to HIV-negative controls at a 1:5 ratio. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine previous serological tests and HIV status. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported. A total of 193 cases and 965 controls were included. In the 5 years prior to diagnosis, 50% of cases had at least one test, compared to 26% of controls. Compared to those who did not have serological testing in the 5 years prior to HIV infection, those who had one serological test were at twice the odds of being HIV positive (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-2.9), while those with 2 or more tests were at even higher odds (OR: 5.5, 95%CI: 3.7-8.4). HIV cases had higher serological testing rates. Interactions between public health and other healthcare providers should be strengthened.

CD4 cell count at initiation of ART, long-term likelihood of achieving CD4 >750 cells/mm3 and mortality risk

OBJECTIVES

We sought to evaluate associations between CD4 at ART initiation (AI), achieving CD4 >750 cells/mm(3) (CD4 >750), long-term immunological recovery and survival.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational cohort study. We analysed data from ART-naive patients seen in 1996-2012 and followed ≥3 years after AI. We used Kaplan-Meier (KM) methods and log-rank tests to compare time to achieving CD4 >750 by CD4 at AI (CD4-AI); and Cox regression models and generalized estimating equations to identify factors associated with achieving CD4 >750 and mortality risk.

RESULTS

Of 1327 patients, followed for a median of 7.9 years, >85% received ART for ≥75% of follow-up time; 64 died. KM estimates evaluating likelihood of CD4 >750 during 5 years of follow-up, stratified by CD4-AI <50, 50-199, 200-349, 350-499 and 500-750, were 20%, 25%, 56%, 80% and 87%, respectively (log-rank P < 0.001). In adjusted models, CD4-AI ≥200 (versus CD4-AI <200) was associated with achievement of CD4 >750 [adjusted HR (aHR) = 4.77]. Blacks were less likely than whites to achieve CD4 >750 (33% versus 49%, aHR = 0.77). Mortality rates decreased with increasing CD4-AI (P = 0.004 across CD4 strata for AIDS causes and P = 0.009 for non-AIDS death causes). Among decedents with CD4-AI ≥50, 56% of deaths were due to non-AIDS causes.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher CD4-AI resulted in greater long-term CD4 gains, likelihood of achieving CD4 >750, longer survival and decreased mortality regardless of cause. Over 80% of persons with CD4-AI ≥350 achieved CD4 >750 by 4 years while 75% of persons with CD4-AI <200 did not. These data confirm the hazards of delayed AI and support early AI.

Identification of Vimentin as a Potential Therapeutic Target against HIV Infection

A combination of antiviral drugs known as antiretroviral therapy (ART) has shown effectiveness against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ART has markedly decreased mortality and morbidity among HIV-infected patients, having even reduced HIV transmission. However, an important current disadvantage, resistance development, remains to be solved. Hope is focused on developing drugs against cellular targets. This strategy is expected to prevent the emergence of viral resistance. In this study, using a comparative proteomic approach in MT4 cells treated with an anti-HIV leukocyte extract, we identified vimentin, a molecule forming intermediate filaments in the cell, as a possible target against HIV infection. We demonstrated a strong reduction of an HIV-1 based lentivirus expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) in vimentin knockdown cells, and a noteworthy decrease of HIV-1 capsid protein antigen (CAp24) in those cells using a multiround infectivity assay. Electron micrographs showed changes in the structure of intermediate filaments when MT4 cells were treated with an anti-HIV leukocyte extract. Changes in the structure of intermediate filaments were also observed in vimentin knockdown MT4 cells. A synthetic peptide derived from a cytoskeleton protein showed potent inhibitory activity on HIV-1 infection, and low cytotoxicity. Our data suggest that vimentin can be a suitable target to inhibit HIV-1.

Reductions in all-cause and cause-specific mortality among HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy in British Columbia, Canada: 2001-2012

OBJECTIVES

Since 2006, the British Columbia HIV/AIDS Drug Treatment Program (DTP) has expanded enrolment and dramatically increased its number of participants. We examined the effect this expansion has had on the underlying cause of death in HIV-infected individuals.

METHODS

We analysed data from participants aged 18 years and older in the DTP to measure 2-year mortality rates and causes of death from 2001 to 2012. We conducted tests of trend for all-cause and cause-specific mortality, and compared demographics and characteristics of individuals. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the risk of death.

RESULTS

A total of 8185 participants received antiretroviral therapy (ART) during the study period. Mortality declined from 3.88 per 100 person-years (PY) in 2001-2002 to 2.15 per 100 PY in 2011-2012 (P = 0.02). There were significant decreases in HIV-related deaths (2.34 to 0.56 per 100 PY; P = 0.02) and deaths attributable to chronic liver disease (0.20 to 0.09 per 100 PY; P = 0.01), cardiovascular disease (0.24 to 0.05 per 100 PY; P = 0.03) and suicides (0.47 to 0 per 100 PY; P = 0.003). Multivariate models, adjusted for age, gender, history of injecting drug use, AIDS diagnoses and baseline CD4 cell counts, demonstrated that initiation of ART in all time periods after 2001-2002 was independently associated with reduced mortality (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed declines in HIV-related mortality and certain non-HIV-related causes of death among participants in the BC DTP from 2001 to 2012. These findings suggest that there may be broader benefits to the increasingly liberal HIV treatment guidelines, including reductions in death caused by cardiovascular disease and chronic liver disease.

Nearly 60,000 uninsured and low-income people with HIV/AIDS live in states that are not expanding Medicaid

Health insurance gives people living with HIV/AIDS access to medical care, including antiretroviral therapy, which in turn can dramatically improve health and reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Yet many people living with HIV/AIDS remain uninsured. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) seeks to decrease the number of uninsured Americans in part by extending Medicaid coverage to individuals with incomes of up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. However, many states are not moving forward with this expansion. Using national HIV surveillance data and data from the National Health Interview Survey, we estimated that nearly 115,000 uninsured, low-income people living with HIV/AIDS would be eligible for Medicaid if all states adopted the expansion. Of these, nearly 60,000 live in states not moving forward with the Medicaid expansion. States' decisions about whether or not to participate in the expansion are likely to have important consequences for the health of this population and the evolution of the HIV epidemic.

Data-driven decision-making tools to improve public resource allocation for care and prevention of HIV/AIDS

Public health agencies face difficult decisions when allocating scarce resources to control the spread of HIV/AIDS. Decisions are often made with few local empirical data. We demonstrated the use of the robust decision making approach in Los Angeles County, an approach that is data driven and allows decision makers to compare the performance of various intervention strategies across thousands of simulated future scenarios. We found that the prevailing strategy of emphasizing behavioral risk reduction interventions was unlikely to achieve the policy goals of the national HIV/AIDS strategy. Of the alternative strategies we examined, those that invested most heavily in interventions to initiate antiretroviral treatment and support treatment adherence were the most likely to achieve policy objectives. By employing similar methods, other public health agencies can identify robust strategies and invest in interventions more likely to achieve HIV/AIDS policy goals.

The prospect of a generation free of HIV may be within reach if the right policy decisions are made

Scientific advances have transformed HIV treatment and prevention, leading to the adoption of an approach that emphasizes broad testing and antiretroviral treatment at earlier stages in the disease, called "test and treat." In addition to clinical benefits, early treatment generates considerable social and economic value. These changes raise the prospect that for the first time since the 1980s, an entire generation might be free of HIV. However, achieving such a goal will require continued scientific advances and the presence of policies and programs to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS have access to health care and adhere to treatment regimens. This article explores the opportunities and challenges that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) presents for people living with HIV/AIDS and discusses how the act's various components might interact with existing support for people with HIV/AIDS, such as the Ryan White Program. As the ACA's reforms proceed, coordinated state and federal programs must make smart policy choices so that critical access to and affordability of comprehensive care are maintained in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Changes in HIV demographic patterns in a low prevalence population: no evidence of a shift towards men who have sex with men

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the changes in HIV demographics over time in an exceptionally low prevalence population, with particular emphasis on men who have sex with men (MSM).

METHODS

A total of 1292 newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients registered in the ACTHIV-IST Study Group database between 2000 and 2014 were included. The changes occurring over time in the characteristics of patients at the time of initial admission were examined retrospectively.

RESULTS

A gradual increase in the total number of newly diagnosed patients was evident during the study period; however, it was not possible to show an increase in the proportion of MSM within the study population (p=0.63). There was a male predominance throughout the study (85% vs. 15%), with further increases in the proportion of males in recent years. The mean age was lower at the end of the study (p<0.05) and there was an increase in the number of unmarried patients (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual preference patterns of HIV patients in extremely low prevalence populations may be different, possibly due to an early phase of the epidemic. Nevertheless, MSM still represent a target subgroup for interventions, since they account for a substantial proportion of cases and a resurgent epidemic may be expected among this group in later phases of the epidemic.

Are there differences in disease progression and mortality among male and female HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy? A meta-analysis of observational cohorts

Studies examining the sex differences in morbidity and mortality among HIV/AIDS patients have yielded inconsistent results. We conducted a meta-analysis of sex differences in disease progression and mortality among HIV/AIDS patients. Medical literature databases from inception to August 2014 were searched for published observational studies assessing sex differences in immunologic and virologic response, disease progression and mortality among HIV-infected patients. Random effects meta-analyses of 115 eligible studies were conducted to obtain pooled estimates of outcomes and heterogeneity was explored in sub-group analyses. Pooled estimates showed an increased risk of progression to AIDS (relative risk [RR]=1.11,95% CI=1.02-1.21) and all-cause mortality (RR=1.23, 95% CI=1.17-1.29) among males compared to females. All-cause mortality differed by sex only in low and middle income countries. The risk of AIDS-related mortality (RR=1.03, 95% CI=0.82-1.30), immunologic failure (RR=1.19,95% CI: 0.97-1.47), virologic suppression (RR=0.98, 95% CI=0.84-1.14), virologic failure (RR=1.26, 95% CI=0.99-1.61) and the change in CD4 cell count (Weighted mean difference [WMD] = -5.15, 95% CI= -13.57 to 3.28) did not differ by sex. These findings were modified by disease severity, adherence and use of highly active antiretroviral therapy. We conclude that HIV-related disease progression and survival outcomes are poorer in males.

Natural history of liver disease and effect of hepatitis C virus on HIV disease progression

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Due to high prevalence rates, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the HIV cause two viral infections of global importance. Shared routes of transmission lead to a high number of dually infected individuals especially in specific populations such as intravenous drug users or people from highly endemic regions for both viruses. Treatment progress made in the field of HIV in the past three decades diminished the number of HIV patients who die from opportunistic infections and enabled a rise of HCV-associated liver disease in the HIV-HCV-coinfected population.

RECENT FINDINGS

An HIV-HCV coinfection is mainly characterized by a faster progression to liver cirrhosis that may lead to hepatic decompensation or the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The treatment of HIV with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) may only partly reverse this effect by the restoration of the immune system. Although no clear deleterious effect of HCV on the course of HIV infection is described, an increased HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated mortality has been described in patients not cured from their HCV infection.

SUMMARY

In this article, we review the latest knowledge on the natural course of HCV in the HIV-infected population, the role of HIV treatment, and the possible effects of HCV on HIV disease progression.

Factors associated with HIV viral load suppression on antiretroviral therapy in Vietnam

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available on HIV viral suppression rates among men and women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and factors associated with HIV RNA viral load (VL) suppression in Vietnam.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1255 adult patients on ART for at least 1 year across four provinces in Vietnam. Data collection included a standardised questionnaire, routine laboratory testing, and an HIV VL assay. Bivariate and logistic multivariate analyses were conducted to assess viral suppression rates and factors associated with unsuppressed HIV VL.

RESULTS

The median age was 34.5 years and the median time on ART was 46 months. Gender was 66% male (n=828) and 34% female (n=427). HIV viral suppression below 1000 copies/mL was 93%. Viral suppression among woman was not significantly different than among men (93.7% vs 92.9%; P=0.59). On multivariate analysis, unsuppressed HIV VL was independently associated with lower CD4 cell count, social isolation, high stigma, not receiving a single-tablet daily regimen, multiple late appointments in past year, and immunological failure.

CONCLUSION

On-treatment viral load suppression rates in Vietnam are high and already exceed the UNAIDS 90% target for viral suppression on ART. Gender does not impact viral suppression rates of patients on ART in Vietnam. Access to routine viral load testing should be improved, adherence monitoring and counselling streamlined, and ART regimens simplified to maintain viral suppression rates, as more people start ART. Psychological and social factors are also associated with unsuppressed HIV VL, necessitating treatment support interventions to address social isolation and stigma among people living with HIV in Vietnam.

CD4 Counts at Entry to HIV Care in Mexico for Patients under the "Universal Antiretroviral Treatment Program for the Uninsured Population," 2007-2014

In Mexico, public health services have provided universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2004. For individuals receiving HIV care in public healthcare facilities, the data are limited regarding CD4 T-lymphocyte counts (CD4e) at the time of entry into care. Relevant population-based estimates of CD4e are needed to inform strategies to maximize the impact of Mexico's national ART program, and may be applicable to other countries implementing universal HIV treatment programs. For this study, we retrospectively analyzed the CD4e of persons living with HIV and receiving care at state public health facilities from 2007 to 2014, comparing CD4e by demographic characteristics and the marginalization index of the state where treatment was provided, and assessing trends in CD4e over time. Our sample included 66,947 individuals who entered into HIV care between 2007 and 2014, of whom 79% were male. During the study period, the male-to-female ratio increased from 3.0 to 4.3, reflecting the country's HIV epidemic; the median age at entry decreased from 34 years to 32 years. Overall, 48.6% of individuals entered care with a CD4≤200 cells/μl, ranging from 42.2% in states with a very low marginalization index to 52.8% in states with a high marginalization index, and from 38.9% among individuals aged 18-29 to 56.5% among those older than 50. The adjusted geometric mean (95% confidence interval) CD4e increased among males from 135 (131,142) cells/μl in 2007 to 148 (143,155) cells/μl in 2014 (p-value<0.0001); no change was observed among women, with a geometric mean of 178 (171,186) and 171 (165,183) in 2007 and 2014, respectively. There have been important gains in access to HIV care and treatment; however, late entry into care remains an important barrier in achieving optimal outcomes of ART in Mexico. The geographic, socioeconomic, and demographic differences observed reflect important inequities in timely access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services, and highlight the need to develop contextual and culturally appropriate prevention and HIV testing strategies and linkage programs.

HIV Subspecialty Care in Correctional Facilities Using Telemedicine

In the United States, prisons and jails contain a population at high risk for HIV infection with a relatively large proportion known to be HIV positive. However, many incarcerated persons lack access to subspecialty HIV care due to barriers of geography and travel. Telemedicine clinics can remove these barriers, increasing access to expert, multidisciplinary care. With telemedicine, correctional facilities can provide up-to-date, evidence-based HIV management, which may lead to improved compliance, greater virologic suppression, improved CD4 T-cell counts, fewer adverse drug interactions, and decreased transmission in the community. While HIV care in prisons is an example of harnessing this technology, telemedicine can be used for the diagnosis and management of multiple acute and chronic diseases for underserved populations.

Early HAART Initiation May Not Reduce Actual Reproduction Number and Prevalence of MSM Infection: Perspectives from Coupled within- and between-Host Modelling Studies of Chinese MSM Populations

Having a thorough understanding of the infectivity of HIV, time of initiating treatment and emergence of drug resistant virus variants is crucial in mitigating HIV infection. There are many challenges to evaluating the long-term effect of the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on disease transmission at the population level. We proposed an individual based model by coupling within-host dynamics and between-host dynamics and conduct stochastic simulation in the group of men who have sex with men (MSM). The mean actual reproduction number is estimated to be 3.6320 (95% confidence interval: [3.46, 3.80]) for MSM group without treatment. Stochastic simulations show that given relatively high (low) level of drug efficacy after emergence of drug resistant variants, early initiation of treatment leads to a less (greater) actual reproduction number, lower (higher) prevalence and less (more) incidences, compared to late initiation of treatment. This implies early initiation of HAART may not always lower the actual reproduction number and prevalence of infection, depending on the level of treatment efficacy after emergence of drug resistant virus variants, frequency of high-risk behaviors and etc. This finding strongly suggests early initiation of HAART should be implemented with great care especially in the settings where the effective drugs are limited. Coupling within-host dynamics with between-host dynamics can provide critical information about impact of HAART on disease transmission and thus help to assist treatment strategy design and HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

Lost opportunities to identify and treat HIV-positive patients: results from a baseline assessment of provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) in Malawi

OBJECTIVE

To assess implementation of provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC) for HIV in Malawi.

METHODS

A review of PITC practices within 118 departments in 12 Ministry of Health (MoH) facilities across Malawi was conducted. Information on PITC practices was collected via a health facility survey. Data describing patient visits and HIV tests were abstracted from routinely collected programme data.

RESULTS

Reported PITC practices were highly variable. Most providers practiced symptom-based PITC. Antenatal clinics and maternity wards reported widespread use of routine opt-out PITC. In 2014, there was approximately 1 HIV test for every 15 clinic visits. HIV status was ascertained in 94.3% (5293/5615) of patients at tuberculosis clinics, 92.6% (30,675/33,142) of patients at antenatal clinics and 49.4% (6871/13,914) of patients at sexually transmitted infection clinics. Reported challenges to delivering PITC included test kit shortages (71/71 providers), insufficient physical space (58/71) and inadequate number of HIV counsellors (32/71) while providers from inpatient units cited the inability to test on weekends.

CONCLUSIONS

Various models of PITC currently exist at MoH facilities in Malawi. Only antenatal and maternity clinics demonstrated high rates of routine opt-out PITC. The low ratio of facility visits to HIV tests suggests missed opportunities for HIV testing. However, the high proportion of patients at TB and antenatal clinics with known HIV status suggests that routine PITC is feasible. These results underscore the need to develop clear, standardised PITC policy and protocols, and to address obstacles of limited health commodities, infrastructure and human resources.

Disparities and Trends in Viral Suppression During a Transition to a "Test and Treat" Approach to the HIV Epidemic, San Francisco, 2008-2012

BACKGROUND

In 2010, 2 years before national recommendations to provide antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected persons regardless of CD4 count, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) implemented a "test and treat" strategy that expanded HIV testing and offered antiretroviral therapy to persons at all publicly funded HIV clinics. We used the SFDPH registry of HIV-infected persons to measure trends in the time to viral suppression of persons suppressed.

METHODS

The Kaplan-Meier product limit method was used to assess trends in time from HIV diagnosis to viral suppression (HIV RNA <200 copies/mL) among persons diagnosed from 2008 to 2012. The annual proportion of persons living with HIV who were virally suppressed was measured for the years 2008 to 2012. Independent predictors of viral suppression were determined using proportional hazards regression for newly diagnosed cases and Poisson regression for living cases.

RESULTS

Of the 2349 persons newly diagnosed, the median time from diagnosis to suppression decreased from 13 months in 2008 to 5 months in 2012 (P < 0.0001). Among the 11,787 persons living with HIV, the annual proportion suppressed increased from 69% in 2008 to 78% in 2012. African Americans, persons who inject drugs, persons without private insurance, and persons with nadir CD4 counts above 350 cells per cubic millimeter, were less likely to be virally suppressed.

DISCUSSION

We found a decrease in time and overall population-level increases in viral suppression under a test and treat strategy and highlight sociodemographic disparities that may hamper the full benefit of this approach.

Innovative Strategies for Scale up of Effective Combination HIV Prevention Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa

For the last three decades, sub-Saharan Africa has been the epicentre of the HIV epidemic. Some key drivers of the epidemic are specific to this region and there is an urgent need to develop context-specific strategies to reduce HIV-related burden. Implementation frameworks should endeavour to combine structural, behavioural and biomedical interventions and the future of the HIV response involves embracing different approaches for different populations; it is not 'one-size fits all approach'. Expanded use of community-based interventions will be key in expanding the role of antiretroviral treatment as prevention (TasP) in the region. For TasP to be effective, high antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage rates need to be attained. Data from programmatic trials currently underway will provide crucial data to guide the future implementation of TasP.

Current state and limitations of daily oral therapy for treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We aim to review the strengths and weaknesses of current antiretroviral therapy (ART), and describe ongoing research to address limitations to current therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current ART is highly effective and well tolerated. As a result of a decrease in medication side-effects and pill burden, and the known health effects of uncontrolled viremia, ART is now recommended at all CD4 cell counts in the USA. Novel medications are being developed to further decrease side-effects and offer alternative options for patients with multiclass resistance. New combination pills will further decrease pill burden.

SUMMARY

Current treatment for HIV is characterized by highly potent oral antiretroviral medications, which are well tolerated, resulting in outstanding rates of virologic suppression in patients who are adherent to therapy. Despite the marked improvement in therapeutic options, limitations to therapy still exist including reliance on daily adherence, long-term toxicity of medications, drug-drug interactions, long-term effects of HIV even in the setting of viral suppression, high lifetime cost of treatment, and limited options for some patients with multiclass resistance. Emerging alternative treatment strategies include nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-sparing or limiting regimens and long-acting injectable combination therapy.

HIV Testing and Service Delivery Among Black Females--61 Health Department Jurisdictions, United States, 2012-2014

A primary goal of the national human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Strategy is to reduce HIV-related health disparities (1). Among all HIV diagnoses among women in the United States in 2014, non-Hispanic black or African American (black) women accounted for an estimated 62% of diagnoses, despite constituting only 13% of the female population (2,3). Although HIV diagnoses continue to occur disproportionately among black women, HIV surveillance data indicate a 13.5% decrease in diagnoses from 2012 to 2014 (2,4). However, widespread HIV testing and early linkage to care are critical for persons with HIV to achieve viral suppression and improved health outcomes, and to reduce transmission of HIV to others (5). Analysis of CDC-funded program data on HIV testing services provided to black females and submitted by 61 state and local health departments during 2012-2014 revealed that the number of new HIV diagnoses among black females decreased 17% from 2,177 in 2012 to 1,806 in 2014. Among black females with newly diagnosed HIV infection, the percentage who were linked to HIV medical care within 90 days of diagnosis increased 48.2%, from 33.8% in 2012 to 50.1% in 2014. However, in 2010 the National HIV/AIDS Strategy established a goal to link 85% of persons with newly diagnosed HIV infection to HIV medical care (1). Enhanced efforts to diagnose HIV infection among black females and link them to HIV medical care are critical to address HIV infections in the United States.

Low HIV testing uptake following diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection in Spain: implications for the implementation of efficient strategies to reduce the undiagnosed HIV epidemic

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are recognized as one of the conditions in which HIV testing is most clearly indicated. We analyse whether people diagnosed with an STI are being tested for HIV according to the experience of participants in an outreach rapid testing programme in Spain. Between 2008 and 2010, 6293 individuals underwent rapid testing and completed a self-administered questionnaire. We calculated the percentage of individuals that were diagnosed with an STI in the last 5 years and identified the setting where the last episode occurred. We then determined the percentage not receiving an HIV test after the last STI diagnosis and estimated the associated factors. Overall, 17.3% (N = 959) of participants reported an STI diagnosis in the last 5 years, of which 81.5% occurred in general medical settings. Sixty-one percent reported not undergoing HIV testing after their last STI diagnosis, 2.2% of whom reported they had refused the test. Not receiving an HIV test after the last STI diagnosis was independently associated with not being a man who has sex with men (MSM), having had fewer sexual partners, being diagnosed in general medical settings and having received a diagnosis other than syphilis. An unacceptably large percentage of people diagnosed with STI are not being tested for HIV because healthcare providers frequently fail to offer the test. Offering routine HIV testing at general medical settings, regardless of the type of STI diagnosed and population group, should be a high priority and is probably a more efficient strategy than universal screening in general healthcare settings.

Associations of HIV testing and late diagnosis at a Japanese university hospital

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to clarify the rate of late diagnosis of HIV infection and to identify relationships between the reasons for HIV testing and a late diagnosis.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted among HIV-positive patients at the Jikei University Hospital between 2001 and 2014. Patient characteristics from medical records, including age, sex, sexuality, the reason for HIV testing and the number of CD4-positive lymphocytes at HIV diagnosis, were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 459 patients (men, n=437; 95.2%) were included in this study and the median age at HIV diagnosis was 36 years (range, 18-71 years). Late (CD4 cell count <350/mm3) and very late (CD4 cell count <200/mm3) diagnoses were observed in 61.4% (282/459) and 36.6% (168/459) of patients, respectively. The most common reason for HIV diagnosis was voluntary testing (38.6%, 177/459 patients), followed by AIDS-defining illness (18.3%, 84/459 patients). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association of voluntary HIV testing with non-late and non-very-late diagnoses and there was a high proportion of AIDS-defining illness in the late and very late diagnosis groups compared with other groups. Men who have sex with men was a relative factor for non-late diagnosis, whereas nonspecific abnormal blood test results, such as hypergammaglobulinemia and thrombocytopenia, were risk factors for very late diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Voluntary HIV testing should be encouraged and physicians should screen all patients who have symptoms or signs and particularly hypergammaglobulinemia and thrombocytopenia, that may nonspecifically indicate HIV infection.

CD4 Cell Count: Declining Value for Antiretroviral Therapy Eligibility

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) policy for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has historically been based on clinical indications, such as opportunistic infections and CD4 cell counts. Studies suggest that CD4 counts early in HIV infection do not predict relevant public health outcomes such as disease progression, mortality, and HIV transmission in people living with HIV. CD4 counts also vary widely within individuals and among populations, leading to imprecise measurements and arbitrary ART initiation. To capture the clinical and preventive benefits of treatment, the global HIV response now focuses on increasing HIV diagnosis and ART coverage. CD4 counts for ART initiation were necessary when medications were expensive and had severe side effects, and when the impact of early ART initiation was unclear. However, current evidence suggests that although CD4 counts may still play a role in guiding clinical care to start prophylaxis for opportunistic infections, CD4 counts should cease to be required for ART initiation.

Apathy is associated with lower mental and physical quality of life in persons infected with HIV

HIV infection is associated with lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which is influenced by immunovirological factors, negative affect, neurocognitive impairment, and functional dependence. Although apathy is a common neuropsychiatric sequela of HIV infection, emerging findings regarding its unique role in lower HRQoL have been mixed. The present study was guided by Wilson and Cleary's (1995), model in examining the association between apathy and physical and mental HRQoL in 80 HIV+ individuals who completed a neuromedical examination, neuropsychological assessment, structured psychiatric interview, and a series of questionnaires including the SF-36. Apathy was measured using a composite of the apathy subscale of the Frontal Systems Behavioral Scale and the vigor-activation subscale of the Profile of Mood States. Independent of major depressive disorder, neurocognitive impairment, functional status, and current CD4 count, apathy was strongly associated with HRQoL. Specifically, apathy and CD4 count were significant predictors of physical HRQoL, whereas apathy and depression were the only predictors of mental HRQoL. All told, these findings suggest that apathy plays a unique role in HRQoL and support the importance of assessing and managing apathy in an effort to maximize health outcomes among individuals with HIV disease.

Factors associated with the first antiretroviral therapy modification in older HIV-1 positive patients

Background

Rates of first antiretroviral therapy (cART) modifications are high in most observational studies. The age-related differences in treatment duration and characteristics of first cART modifications remain underinvestigated. With increasing proportion of older patients in HIV population it is important to better understand age-related treatment effects.

Methods

Patients were included into this analysis, if being cART naïve at the first visit at the clinic. Follow-up time was measured from the first visit date until first cART modification or 28 February 2013. First cART modification was defined as any change in the third drug component i.e. protease inhibitor (PI), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), integrase inhibitor or fusion inhibitor. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify factors related to first cART modification in three age groups: <30, 30–50 and >50.

Results

In total 2027 patients with 14,965 person-years of follow-up (PYFU) were included. The oldest group included 136 patients with 1901, middle group 1202 with 8416 PYFU and youngest group consisted of 689 patients with 4648 PYFU. Median follow-up time was 5.8 (IQR 3.4–9.4) years, median time on first cART was 4.4 (IQR 2.1–8.5) years. 72.4 % of patients started PI-based and 26.1 % NNRTI-based regimen. In total 1268 (62.5 %) patients had cART modification (non-adherence 30.8 %, toxicity 29.6 %). Durability of first cART was the best in patients over 50 y.o. (log-rank test, p = 0.001). Factors associated with discontinuation in this group were late presentation (HR 0.45, [95 % CI 0.23–0.90], p = 0.02) and PI use (HR 2.17, [95 % CI 1.18–4.0], p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Rates of first cART modifications or discontinuation were comparable in all groups; however older patients were significantly longer on first cART regimen.