Impaired patient-reported outcomes persist in HIV-HCV co-infected patients and in cirrhotic patients despite HCV clearance

Patient-reported outcomes for HIV: the future of long-acting injectables and antiretroviral therapy evaluations

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are an increasingly important aspect of patient care, as they offer a perspective from the patient themselves in the treatment and management of a particular disease state. They have a potential role in helping clinicians select an appropriate drug regimen in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals, as well as those with HIV/hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection. They can also provide insight for individuals receiving long-acting (LA) injectable antiretroviral therapy (ART). Studies found from PROs that participants on an LA injectable ART regimen reported greater preference and treatment satisfaction compared with those on an oral ART regimen. Some additional studies have also used PROs to evaluate the switch to single-tablet regimens and compare different ART in treating HIV-1. Current PROs and how they can be improved for LA injectables were also discussed.

Neuroinvasion and cognitive impairment in comorbid alcohol dependence and chronic viral infection: An initial investigation

Viruses that invade the central nervous system (CNS) can cause neuropsychiatric impairments. Similarly, chronic alcohol exposure can induce inflammatory responses that alter brain function. However, the effects of a chronic viral infection and comorbid alcohol use on neuroinflammation and behavior are not well-defined. We investigated the role of heavy alcohol intake in regulating inflammatory responses and behavioral signs of cognitive impairments in mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) clone 13. LCMV-infected mice exposed to alcohol had increased peripheral inflammation and impaired cognitive function (as indicated by performance on the novel object recognition test). Initial findings suggest that brain region-specific dysregulation of microglial response to viral infection may contribute to cognitive impairments in the context of heavy alcohol use.