HIV treatment-as-prevention and its effect on incidence of HIV among cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Australia: a 10-year longitudinal cohort study

Trends in HIV testing and HIV stage at diagnosis among people newly diagnosed with HIV

OBJECTIVE

To identify groups more likely to be referred for HIV testing because of symptomatic presentation rather than as part of asymptomatic screening.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of Australian National HIV Registry (NHR) surveillance data including sociodemographic and clinical data, as well as reasons for HIV test.

METHODS

Using notification records from 2017 to 2022, we summarised reasons for testing leading to an HIV diagnosis. Reasons for testing were combined with clinical status at diagnosis to derive HIV testing categories: testing while symptomatic; asymptomatic HIV screening; seroconversion; and other test reason. We stratified these categories by stage of HIV at diagnosis with late-stage HIV defined as a CD4 + cell count <350 cells/μl at time of diagnosis.

RESULTS

Among 4134 HIV notifications with at least one reason for testing recorded, STI screening was the predominant reason for test referral (38%), followed by HIV indicative symptoms (31%), and risk behaviour (13%). By testing category, people aged 50 years or older (24%), people with HIV attributed to heterosexual sex (21%), people born in sub-Saharan Africa (19%), and women (17%) had lower levels of asymptomatic screening. More late-stage HIV diagnoses resulted from testing while symptomatic (58%) compared with asymptomatic screening (25%).

CONCLUSIONS

Older people and heterosexuals may not access HIV focused healthcare where HIV screening is routinely offered. Instead, HIV testing opportunities may arise in other settings. By normalising HIV testing and offering low-cost HIV screening in a range of settings, it may be possible to facilitate earlier HIV diagnoses, better health outcomes, and reduced onward transmission.

Transition times across the HIV care continuum in Spain from 2005 to 2022: a longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Ending AIDS by 2030 requires improvements across all stages of the HIV care continuum. We used a longitudinal approach to assess changes in the HIV care continuum in Spain and transition probabilities across different stages.

METHODS

We used data from the prospective Cohort of the Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network to analyse the time from diagnosis to linkage to care, linkage to care to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and ART to viral suppression in five calendar periods defined by milestones in ART, from 2005 to 2022. We used the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models to estimate cumulative probabilities of stage transition within 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of stage eligibility, by period.

FINDINGS

We included 18 529 participants. Comparing the initial (2005-09) and final (2020-22) periods, time to linkage to care decreased from a median of 6·0 weeks to 1·3 weeks, time to ART initiation from 15·9 weeks to 0·4 weeks, and time to viral suppression from 13·3 weeks to 7·1 weeks. Adjusted hazard ratios for the comparison between the last period and the initial period were 3·1 (95% CI 2·8-3·4) for linkage to care within 1 month, 11·4 (10·1-12·3) for ART initiation within 1 month, and 2·2 (1·2-2·4) for viral suppression within 3 months. The aggregate proportion of late diagnoses was 38·6%, increasing after 2012 to 46·4% in the 2020-22 period. Same-day ART initiation increased from 18% to 39% from 2005 to 2022. The overall incidence rate of virological failure was 1·05 failures per 1000 person-years and showed a non-significant decline throughout the study.

INTERPRETATION

The great improvement in transition times through the HIV care cascade might put Spain on the verge of achieving the UNAIDS targets for HIV elimination. However, late diagnosis remains a challenge that should be addressed.

FUNDING

Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Spanish AIDS Research Network.

Variations in HIV Prevention Coverage in Subpopulations of Australian Gay and Bisexual Men, 2017-2021: Implications for Reducing Inequities in the Combination Prevention Era

Using repeated behavioural surveillance data collected from gay and bisexual men (GBM) across Australia, we assessed trends in HIV prevention coverage (the level of 'safe sex' achieved in the population by the use of effective prevention methods, including condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] and having an undetectable viral load). We stratified these trends by age, country of birth/recency of arrival, sexual identity, and the proportion of gay residents in the participant's suburb. Among 25,865 participants with casual male partners, HIV prevention coverage increased from 69.8% in 2017 to 75.2% in 2021, lower than the UNAIDS target of 95%. Higher levels of coverage were achieved among older GBM (≥ 45 years), non-recently-arrived migrants, and in suburbs with ≥ 10% gay residents. The lowest levels of prevention coverage (and highest levels of HIV risk) were recorded among younger GBM (< 25 years) and bisexual and other-identified participants. Younger, recently-arrived, and bisexual GBM were the most likely to use condoms, while PrEP use was concentrated among gay men, 25-44-year-olds, and in suburbs with more gay residents. The use of undetectable viral load was most common among participants aged ≥ 45 years. Our analysis shows that high HIV prevention coverage can be achieved through a mixture of condom use, PrEP use, and undetectable viral load, or by emphasising PrEP use. In the Australian context, younger, bisexual and other-identified GBM should be prioritised for enhanced access to effective HIV prevention methods. We encourage other jurisdictions to assess the level of coverage achieved by combination prevention, and variations in uptake.

Australian consensus statement on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) for the prevention of syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men

INTRODUCTION

Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) involves consuming 200 mg of doxycycline up to 72 hours after a condomless sex act to reduce the risk of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Recent clinical trials of doxy-PEP have demonstrated significant reductions in syphilis, chlamydia and, to a lesser degree, gonorrhoea among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). There is a high level of interest in doxy-PEP in the GBMSM community and, in response, the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) held a national consensus conference with the aim of creating preliminary guidance for clinicians, community, researchers and policy makers.

MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS

There was broad agreement that doxy-PEP should be considered primarily for the prevention of syphilis in GBMSM who are at risk of this STI, with a secondary benefit of reductions in other bacterial STIs. At the end of the consensus process, there remained some disagreement, as some stakeholders felt strongly that doxy-PEP should be considered only for the prevention of syphilis in GBMSM, and that the risk of increasing antimicrobial resistance outweighed any potential benefit from reductions in other bacterial STIs in the target population. The national roundtable made several other recommendations for clinicians, community, researchers and policy makers, as detailed in this article. ASHM will support the development of detailed clinical guidelines and education materials on doxy-PEP (www.ashm.org.au/doxy-pep).

CHANGES IN MANAGEMENT AS A RESULT OF THIS CONSENSUS STATEMENT

For GBMSM at high risk of syphilis, and perhaps other bacterial STIs, clinicians may consider prescribing doxy-PEP for a limited period of time, followed by a review of ongoing need. Unlike human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), doxy-PEP may not be suitable as a population-level intervention and should instead be used more selectively.

Advantages and limits of remote consultations for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis health pathway: ePrEP qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

Because of a high rate of HIV diagnosis and restricted medical access in the Centre-Val de Loire region in France , remote consultations (RC) with a community-based approach has been implemented to promote access to healthcare. Our study aimed to determine whether RC could improve access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for men who have sex with men (MSM) as part of the healthcare pathway associated with PrEP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews with 17 MSM and 3 physicians from specialized sexual health centres was performed, with a mean duration of interview over one hour. The research focused on the health pathway associated with PrEP, from initial awareness to ongoing prescription and follow-up.

RESULTS

Transitioning PrEP consultations to RC is feasible, but concerns about a potential decline in care quality compared to traditional sexual health centres follow-ups were noted. Both MSM and physicians recognized that RC could complement face-to-face approaches, especially in terms of organizational benefits. In rural areas, access to specialists through RC was seen as a partial solution, though it could be hindered by barriers in accessing laboratory testing and pharmacy services, like fear of stigmatization. More generally, distrust of medication and the difficulty of discussing sexuality with a GP were highlighted, which could limit the uptake of PrEP without access to specialists.

CONCLUSIONS

The initiation and uptake of PrEP among MSM are more effectively influenced by initiatives that provide information, reassurance, and facilitate initial procedures, rather than solely through RC. A strategy combining digital and community-based approaches, along with medical expertise, is recommended to increase PrEP utilization among MSM.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Treatment Attitudes and Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Gay and Bisexual Men

BACKGROUNDS

Positive attitudes toward human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, such as reduced concern about HIV transmissibility, are associated with sexual behaviors that may increase the risk of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM). We examined associations between HIV treatment attitudes and bacterial STI diagnoses among GBM in Canada's three largest cities.

METHODS

We fit a structural equation model between HIV treatment attitudes and bacterial STI diagnoses via sexual behaviors in the Engage study's baseline data. We estimated direct and indirect paths between scores on HIV treatment attitudes and STIs via number of male anal sex partners, condomless anal sex, and oral sex. We conducted sub-analyses with participants stratified by HIV serostatus.

RESULTS

Among 2449 GBM recruited in 2017 to 2019, there was a direct association between HIV treatment attitudes and current STI diagnoses (β = 0.13; 95% CI, 0.07-0.19; P < 0.001). The mediated model revealed a positive total indirect effect through 2 pathways: (1) engaging in condomless anal sex and (2) number of male anal sex partners and condomless anal sex. These 2 indirect pathways remained in the stratified mediation models for both HIV negative GBM and for GBM living with HIV.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between HIV treatment attitudes and diagnosed STIs is mediated through a higher number of male anal sex partners and condomless anal sex. The results highlight the importance of providers educating patients when providing effective STI counseling, testing, and prevention for GBM about how accurate HIV treatment attitudes may inadvertently be associated with the bacterial STI epidemic.

Trends in illicit drug use and their association with HIV transmission risks from behavioural surveillance of Australian gay and bisexual men

INTRODUCTION

Investigating drug trends among Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM) is crucial for understanding levels of use and the potential for harm, including HIV transmission risk.

METHOD

Using repeated, national, cross-sectional survey data collected between 2012 and 2021 (69,567 surveys), trends of recent (previous 6 months) and frequent (weekly) drug use were analysed, using logistic regression models. The last round of data from each jurisdiction (6709 surveys) was used to compare GBM who reported no use, infrequent (less than weekly) use and frequent (at least weekly) use of party drugs to investigate the association between party drug use and HIV transmission risk, using multinomial logistic regression models.

RESULTS

There was a significant upward trend in any recent drug use (from 58.4% in 2012 to 64.1% in 2021; p < 0.001). Frequent party drug use remained a minority practice over the period (consistently less than 3%). In cross-sectional analysis, frequent party drug users were more likely to report behaviours with HIV transmission risks, such as condomless anal intercourse without biomedical prevention strategies (30.0% vs. 13.1%; adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR], 2.08; 95% CI, 1.24-3.47), weekly group sex (16.3% vs. 0.6%; aRRR, 12.36; 95% CI, 5.75-26.56) and more than 20 recent sexual partners (42.5% vs. 5.0%; aRRR, 21.44; 95% CI, 5.82-78.89), compared with GBM who did not use party drugs.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the frequent use of party drugs remains a marker of HIV transmission risk among Australian GBM, despite the increased adoption of biomedical HIV prevention strategies over the past few years.

Drastic Reduction in Time to Controlled Viral Load in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in France, 2009-2019: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Aspirational targets to end AIDS by 2030 include having 95% of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PWH) diagnosed, 95% treated, and 95% with controlled viral load (VL). Our objective was to describe, using a large French prospective cohort, the median transition times through the cascade of care between 2009 and 2019.

METHODS

We analyzed patients whose first HIV diagnosis was made between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, we estimated the time to linkage to care (from HIV diagnosis to first biological assessment), to treatment (date of first antiretroviral therapy [ART] prescription), and to controlled VL (first value <200 copies/mL). Analyses were disaggregated by time periods and patients' characteristics. Censoring date was 31 December 2021.

RESULTS

Among the 16 864 patients linked to care since 2009, the median [Q1; Q3] time from HIV diagnosis to controlled VL decreased from 254 [127-745] to 73 [48-132] days in 2009-2011 and 2018-2019, respectively. Transition times from linkage to care to first ART decreased from 67 [17; 414] in 2009-2011 to 13 [5; 26] days in 2018-2019, and from ART to controlled VL from 83 [35; 130] in 2009-2011 to 38 [28; 90] days in 2018-2019. Differences were observed depending on patients' characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe drastic reductions in transition time through the cascade of care, allowing reduction in the transmission period following each new infection. Delayed diagnosis remains the main obstacle to ending AIDS in the next decade.

Investigating rates and predictors of viral blips, low-level viraemia and virological failure in the Australian HIV observational database

OBJECTIVES

Australia has made significant progress towards achieving the UNAIDS's 95-95-95 cascade targets including HIV viral suppression. To investigate the burden of HIV viraemia, we assessed viral blips, low-level viraemia (LLV) and virologic failure (VF) in an Australian cohort.

METHODS

We studied the proportion of people with viral suppression, viral blips, LLV and VF in the Australian HIV observational database (AHOD) between 2010 and 2021. The association between blips or LLV, and VF was investigated using Cox regression, and predictors of viral blips and LLV were assessed using repeated-measured logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 2544 AHOD participants who were in follow-up and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) from 1 January 2010 (88.7% male), 444 had experienced VF (incidence rate: 2.45 [95% CI: 2.23-2.69] per 100 person-years [PY]) during 18,125 PY of follow-up (a median of 7.6 years). The proportion of people with VF decreased over time, whereas rates of blips and LLV remained stable. Participants with blips (hazard ratio, 2.89; 95% CI: 2.31-3.61) and LLV (4.46; 95% CI: 3.38-5.89) were at increased risk of VF. Hepatitis B co-infection, longer documented treatment interruption duration, younger age and lower CD4 at ART initiation, and protease inhibitors-based initial regimen were associated with an increased risk of VF. Common predictors of blips and LLV such as higher HIV-1 RNA and lower CD4 at ART initiation, longer treatment interruption, more VL testing and types of care settings (hospitals vs. sexual health services) were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Blips and LLV predict subsequent VF development. We identified important predictors of HIV viraemia including VF among individuals on INSTI-based regimens to help direct HIV management plans.