Impact of age on markers of HIV-1 disease

The prevalence and outcomes of depression in older HIV-positive adults in Northern Tanzania: a longitudinal study

Studies of depression and its outcomes in older people living with HIV (PLWH) are currently lacking in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in PLWH aged ≥ 50 years in Tanzania focussing on prevalence and 2-year outcomes of depression. PLWH aged ≥ 50 were systematically recruited from an outpatient clinic and assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Neurological and functional impairment was assessed at year 2 follow-up. At baseline, 253 PLWH were recruited (72.3% female, median age 57, 95.5% on cART). DSM-IV depression was highly prevalent (20.9%), whereas other DSM-IV psychiatric disorders were uncommon. At follow-up (n = 162), incident cases of DSM-IV depression decreased from14.2 to 11.1% (χ2: 2.48, p = 0.29); this decline was not significant. Baseline depression was associated with increased functional and neurological impairment. At follow-up, depression was associated with negative life events (p = 0.001), neurological impairment (p < 0.001), and increased functional impairment (p = 0.018), but not with HIV and sociodemographic factors. In this setting, depression appears highly prevalent and associated with poorer neurological and functional outcomes and negative life events. Depression may be a future intervention target.

Age group differences in substance use, social support, and physical and mental health concerns among people living with HIV two years after receiving primary care-based alcohol treatment

Objectives: People living with HIV (PWH) have seen reduction in HIV-associated morbidity and increase in near-normal life expectancy, yet unhealthy alcohol use poses substantial risks to older as well as younger adults. Further research regarding age-associated physical and mental health concerns among PWH who drink alcohol is needed to inform services, given the expanding age range of patients in care.Methods: We compared age group differences (18-34, 35-44, 45-54, ≥55 years old) in two-year patient-reported outcomes and HIV viral control among PWH enrolled in a primary care-based behavioral alcohol intervention trial; with 90% follow up from baseline.Results: Of 553 PWH, 50 (9%) were 18-34, 85 (15%) were 35-44, 197 (36%) were 45-54, and 221 (40%) were ≥55 years old. Most were men (97%) and White (64%). At two years, PWH ≥55 reported less substance use in the prior 30 days, fewer social contacts, and more pain; younger PWH had lower antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. In adjusted analyses, PWH ages 18-34 had higher odds of unhealthy alcohol use, tobacco, cannabis, or other substances compared to those ≥55; with higher odds of anxiety among PWH 35-44 compared with those ≥55; and physical quality of life was worse among those ≥55 compared with younger groups.Conclusions: While older PWH report less substance use than younger PWH and have better ART adherence post-treatment, they are more likely to experience limited social support and worse physical quality of life. Findings can inform interventions to address varying needs of PWH across the lifespan.

Sieve estimation of a class of partially linear transformation models with interval-censored competing risks data

In this paper, we consider a class of partially linear transformation models with interval-censored competing risks data. Under a semiparametric generalized odds rate specification for the cause-specific cumulative incidence function, we obtain optimal estimators of the large number of parametric and nonparametric model components via maximizing the likelihood function over a joint B-spline and Bernstein polynomial spanned sieve space. Our specification considers a relatively simpler finite-dimensional parameter space, approximating the infinite-dimensional parameter space as n → ∞, thereby allowing us to study the almost sure consistency, and rate of convergence for all parameters, and the asymptotic distributions and efficiency of the finite-dimensional components. We study the finite sample performance of our method through simulation studies under a variety of scenarios. Furthermore, we illustrate our methodology via application to a dataset on HIV-infected individuals from sub-Saharan Africa.

A retrospective clinical study of dolutegravir- versus efavirenz-based regimen in treatment-naïve patients with advanced HIV infection in Nanjing, China

Currently, there are limited data related to the efficacy and safety of ART regimens, as well as factors influencing immune recovery in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve patients with advanced HIV infection, especially in China. We designed a single-center, retrospective cohort study from March 1, 2019, to May 31, 2022, at The Second Hospital of Nanjing, China. ART-naïve adults with advanced HIV infection (CD4+ T-cell count < 200 cells/μL) who met the study criteria were included. The plasma viral load (VL), CD4+ T-cell count, CD4/CD8 ratio, treatment discontinuation, and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) events were collected to compare the efficacy and safety of the dolutegravir (DTG) and the efavirenz (EFV) regimens. Factors of immune recovery were analyzed using the Cox regression model. Study enrolled 285 ART-naïve adults with advanced HIV-1 infection, of which 95 (33.3%) started regimens including DTG and 190 (66.7%) were treated with EFV. After ART initiation, the proportion of patients with HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL was higher (22.5% versus 6.5%, P < 0.001) in those on DTG-based regimens at month 1, but no significant difference at other follow-up points. Compared to the baseline, the median CD4+ T-cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio increased significantly during follow-up both in the EFV and the DTG groups. However, the CD4+ T-cell count increased greater in patients on DTG-based regimens at months 6, 12, 24, and 36 (P < 0.05). A total of 52 (18.2%) patients discontinued treatment, with no significant difference between ART regimens in treatment discontinuation rates. Only 7 patients reported IRIS, without significant difference between ART regimens (P=0.224). Overall, 34.0% (97/285) achieved a CD4+ T-cell count ≥ 350 cells/μL during follow-up. Age (P < 0.001), baseline CD4+ T-cell count (P < 0.001), baseline VL (P < 0.001) and ART regimens (P = 0.019) were associated with the CD4+ T-cell count ≥ 350 cells/μL after adjusting for potential confounders. Among ART-naïve adults with advanced HIV infection, it appeared that DTG-based regimens were better options for initial therapy compared to regimens including EFV; in addition, ART regimens, age, baseline VL and CD4+ T-cell count were associated with immune recovery.

Association between frailty phenotype, quantification of plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4 cell count and HAART in HIV-positive subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

HIV infection causes a constant activation of the immune system and contributes to an enhanced systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu, which has been associated with premature aging and frailty. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze whether the HIV-1 RNA load, CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts and exposure to HAART in HIV-positive subjects are associated with frailty phenotype. Searches were performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Lilacs, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and OpenThesis databases. We used the odds ratio as a measure of the association. We used either a fixed or random-effects model to pool the results of individual studies depending on the presence of heterogeneity. Eleven studies were included in the review. Data from 8035 HIV-positive subjects were analyzed; 2413 of the subjects had viral load detectable, 981 had a CD4T-cell count <350 cells/μL, and 1342 had HAART exposure information. We found an association between frailty and CD4T-cell count <350 cells/μL (OR 2.68, CI 95% 1.68-4.26, I²= 46%), HIV-1 RNA load detectable (OR 1.71, CI 95% 1.38-2.12, I²= 0%), and protease inhibitor-containing HAART regimen (OR 2.21, CI 95% 1.26-3.89, I² = 0%). Further studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of other factors on the development of clinical features related to frailty.

High level of plasma TILRR protein is associated with faster HIV seroconversion

Background

TILRR (Toll-like Interleukin-1 Receptor Regulator) is a modulator of many genes in NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) signaling. It promotes the production of inflammatory mediators and the migration of immune cells. Recently, we showed that TILRR protein circulates in human blood. Thus, it could influence systemic inflammation. Systemic and mucosal inflammations increase the susceptibility to HIV infection. In this study, we analyzed the TILRR protein levels of the archived plasma samples of women enrolled in the Pumwani cohort to determine whether the plasma TILRR protein levels before seroconversion are correlated with differential risk of HIV seroconversion.

Methods

TILRR protein of 941 archived HIV negative plasma samples from 390 women who were HIV negative at the cohort enrollment was quantified with an in-house developed multiplex bead array method. Proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines were measured using a 14-plex bead array method. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between plasma TILRR protein and proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to evaluate whether the median plasma TILRR protein levels correlate with increased risk of HIV seroconversion.

Findings

The level of plasma TILRR protein was positively correlated with plasma IL-1β (rho: 0.2593, p<0.0001), MCP-1 (rho: 0.2377, p<0.0001), and IL-17A (rho: 0.1225, p=0.0216). Women with median plasma TILRR protein levels ≥100 ng/ml seroconverted significantly faster than women with plasma TILRR protein levels <100 ng/ml (log-rank= 100.124, p<0.0001; relative risk= 3.72 and odds ratio= 15.29). Furthermore, the factors causing genital inflammation, such as STIs (sexually transmitted infections), vaginal discharge, and genital ulcers were not statistically significantly different among women with different median plasma TILRR protein levels.

Interpretation

The high plasma TILRR protein levels are highly correlated with several plasma proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines. High median plasma TILRR protein (≥100 ng/ml) strongly predicted an increased risk of HIV seroconversion. Reducing plasma TILRR protein levels may reduce the risk of HIV acquisition.

Funding

The study was funded by an operating grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), operating grant-PA: CHVI Vaccine Discovery and Social Research (http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html), and National Microbiology Laboratory of Canada.

CD4/CD8 ratio, comorbidities, and aging in treated HIV infected individuals on viral suppression

The progression of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can be efficiently interrupted by antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, even successfully treated HIV-infected individuals are prone to develop non-AIDS-related diseases that affect the metabolism and several organs and systems. Biomarkers that predict the occurrence of comorbidities may help develop preventive measures. Current research shows that CD4+ T cell counts and viral load do not predict the development of non-AIDS-related diseases. The CD4/CD8 ratio has been indicated as a suitable marker of persistent immune dysfunction and the occurrence of non-AIDS-related events in treated HIV-positive patients. In this study, we explored the relationship between CD4/CD8 ratios, comorbidities, and aging in ART-treated HIV patients on viral suppression. We collected and evaluated data from 352 HIV-positive adults who were virologically suppressed (<40 copies/mL) on ART and with CD4 counts above 350 cells/mm3 . The median age for participants was 46 years, 218 individuals had at least one comorbidity, and 239 had inverted CD4/CD8 ratios (<1). Current CD4/CD8 ratios were predicted by baseline CD4/CD8 ratios and nadir CD4 counts. Despite the high rates of inverted CD4/CD8 ratios and prevalence of comorbidities, no association between them was observed. The prevalence of comorbidities was significantly higher in older individuals, though aging alone did not explain the rate of all individual comorbidities. Low CD4/CD8 ratios were linked to neurocognitive disorders, suggesting that persistent T cell dysfunction contributes to neurocognitive decline.

The Evolution of Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy against HIV-1 Infection: Improvements and Outlook

Dendritic cells (DC) are key phagocytic cells that play crucial roles in both the innate and adaptive immune responses against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). By processing and presenting pathogen-derived antigens, dendritic cells initiate a directed response against infected cells. They activate the adaptive immune system upon recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on infected cells. During the course of HIV-1 infection, a successful adaptive (cytotoxic CD8⁺ T-cell) response is necessary for preventing the progression and spread of infection in a variety of cells. Dendritic cells have thus been recognized as a valuable tool in the development of immunotherapeutic approaches and vaccines effective against HIV-1. The advancements in dendritic cell vaccines in cancers have paved the way for applications of this form of immunotherapy to HIV-1 infection. Clinical trials with patients infected with HIV-1 who are well-suppressed by antiretroviral therapy (ART) were recently performed to assess the efficacy of DC vaccines, with the goal of mounting an HIV-1 antigen-specific T-cell response, ideally to clear infection and eliminate the need for long-term ART. This review summarizes and compares methods and efficacies of a number of DC vaccine trials utilizing autologous dendritic cells loaded with HIV-1 antigens. The potential for advancement and novel strategies of improving efficacy of this type of immunotherapy is also discussed.

Adenosine signaling and adenosine deaminase regulation of immune responses: impact on the immunopathogenesis of HIV infection

Infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which has devastating effects on the host immune system. HIV entry into host cells and subsequent viral replication induce a proinflammatory response, hyperactivating immune cells and leading them to death, disfunction, and exhaustion. Adenosine is an immunomodulatory molecule that suppresses immune cell function to protect tissue integrity. The anti-inflammatory properties of adenosine modulate the chronic inflammation and immune activation caused by HIV. Lack of adenosine contributes to pathogenic events in HIV infection. However, immunosuppression by adenosine has its shortcomings, such as impairing the immune response, hindering the elimination of the virus and control of viral replication. By attempting to control inflammation, adenosine feeds a pathogenic cycle affecting immune cells. Deamination of adenosine by ADA (adenosine deaminase) counteracts the negative effects of adenosine in immune cells, boosting the immune response. This review comprises the connection between adenosinergic system and HIV immunopathogenesis, exploring defects in immune cell function and the role of ADA in protecting these cells against damage.

Virologic failure and mortality in older ART initiators in a multisite Latin American and Caribbean Cohort

INTRODUCTION

The "greying" of the HIV epidemic necessitates a better understanding of the healthcare needs of older HIV-positive adults. As these individuals age, it is unclear whether comorbidities and their associated therapies or the ageing process itself alter the response to antiretroviral therapy (ART). In this study, HIV treatment outcomes and corresponding risk factors were compared between older ART initiators and those who were younger using data from the Caribbean, Central and South America Network for HIV Epidemiology (CCASAnet).

METHODS

HIV-positive adults (≥18 years) initiating ART at nine sites in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico and Peru were included. Patients were classified as older (≥50 years) or younger (<50 years) based on age at ART initiation. ART effectiveness was measured using three outcomes: death, virologic failure and ART treatment modification. Cox regression models for each outcome compared risk between older and younger patients, adjusting for other covariates.

RESULTS

Among 26,311 patients initiating ART between 1996 and 2016, 3389 (13%) were ≥50 years. The majority of patients in both ≥50 and <50 age groups received a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimen (89% vs. 87%), did not have AIDS at baseline (63% vs. 62%), and were male (59% vs. 58%). Older patients had a higher risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.64; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.48 to 1.83) and a lower risk of virologic failure (aHR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.84). There was no difference in risk of ART modification (aHR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.06). Risk factors for death, virologic failure and treatment modification were similar for each group.

CONCLUSIONS

Older age at ART initiation was associated with increased mortality and decreased risk of virologic failure in our cohort of more than 26,000 ART initiators in Latin America and the Caribbean. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study from the region to evaluate ART outcomes in this growing and important population. Given the complexity of issues related to ageing with HIV, a greater understanding is needed in order to properly respond to this shifting epidemic.

The virological durability of first-line ART among HIV-positive adult patients in resource limited settings without virological monitoring: a retrospective analysis of DART trial data

BACKGROUND

Few low-income countries have virological monitoring widely available. We estimated the virological durability of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) after five years of follow-up among adult Ugandan and Zimbabwean patients in the DART study, in which virological assays were conducted retrospectively.

METHODS

DART compared clinically driven monitoring with/without routine CD4 measurement. Annual plasma viral load was measured on 1,762 patients. Analytical weights were calculated based on the inverse probability of sampling. Time to virological failure, defined as the first viral load measurement ≥200 copies/mL after 48 weeks of ART, was analysed using Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Overall, 65% of DART trial patients were female. Patients initiated first-line ART at a median (interquartile range; IQR) age of 37 (32-42) and with a median CD4 cell count of 86 (32-140). After 240 weeks of ART, patients initiating dual-class nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) -non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase (NNRTI) regimens containing nevirapine + zidovudine + lamivudine had a lower incidence of virological failure than patients on triple-NRTI regimens containing tenofovir + zidovudine + lamivudine (21% vs 40%; hazard ratio (HR) =0.48, 95% CI:0.38-0.62; p < 0.0001). In multivariate analyses, female patients (HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.65-0.95; p = 0.02), older patients (HR = 0.73 per 10 years, 95% CI: 0.64-0.84; p < 0.0001) and patients with a higher pre-ART CD4 cell count (HR = 0.64 per 100 cells/mm³, 95% CI: 0.54-0.75; p < 0.0001) had a lower incidence of virological failure after adjusting for adherence to ART. No difference in failure rate between the two randomised monitoring strategies was observed (p= 0.25).

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term durability of virological suppression on dual-class NRTI-NNRTI first-line ART without virological monitoring is remarkable and is enabled by high-quality clinical management and a consistent drug supply. To achieve higher rates of virological suppression viral-load-informed differentiated care may be required.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Prospectively registered on 18/10/2000 as ISRCTN13968779 .

Interaction between Tat and Drugs of Abuse during HIV-1 Infection and Central Nervous System Disease

In many individuals, drug abuse is intimately linked with HIV-1 infection. In addition to being associated with one-third of all HIV-1 infections in the United States, drug abuse also plays a role in disease progression and severity in HIV-1-infected patients, including adverse effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Specific systems within the brain are known to be damaged in HIV-1-infected individuals and this damage is similar to that observed in drug abuse. Even in the era of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), CNS pathogenesis occurs with HIV-1 infection, with a broad range of cognitive impairment observed, collectively referred to as HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). A number of HIV-1 proteins (Tat, gp120, Nef, Vpr) have been implicated in the etiology of pathogenesis and disease as a result of the biologic activity of the extracellular form of each of the proteins in a number of tissues, including the CNS, even in ART-suppressed patients. In this review, we have made Tat the center of attention for a number of reasons. First, it has been shown to be synthesized and secreted by HIV-1-infected cells in the CNS, despite the most effective suppression therapies available to date. Second, Tat has been shown to alter the functions of several host factors, disrupting the molecular and biochemical balance of numerous pathways contributing to cellular toxicity, dysfunction, and death. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of ART suppression with regard to controlling the genesis and progression of neurocognitive impairment are currently under debate in the field and are yet to be fully determined. In this review, we discuss the individual and concerted contributions of HIV-1 Tat, drug abuse, and ART with respect to damage in the CNS, and how these factors contribute to the development of HAND in HIV-1-infected patients.

Risk factors for AIDS-defining illnesses among a population of poorly adherent people living with HIV/AIDS in Atlanta, Georgia

In order to achieve the programmatic goals established in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, virologic suppression remains the most important outcome within the HIV care continuum for individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Therefore, clinicians have dedicated substantial resources to improve adherence and clinic retention for individuals on ART; however, these efforts should be focused first on those most at risk of morbidity and mortality related to AIDS. Our study aimed to characterize the factors that are associated with AIDS-defining illnesses (ADIs) amongst people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are poorly adherent or retained in care in order to identify those at highest risk of poor clinical outcomes. We recruited 99 adult PLHIV with a history of poor adherence to ART, poor clinic attendance, or unsuppressed viral load (VL) from the Infectious Disease Program (IDP) of the Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia between January and May 2011 to participate in a survey investigating the acceptability of a financial incentive for improving adherence. Clinical outcomes including the number of ADI episodes in the last five years, VLs, and CD4 counts were abstracted from medical records. Associations between survey items and number of ADIs were performed using chi-square analysis. In our study, 36.4% of participants had ≥1 ADI in the last five years. The most common ADIs were Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, recurrent bacterial pneumonia, and esophageal candidiasis. Age <42.5 years (OR 2.52, 95% CI = 1.08-5.86), male gender (OR 3.51, 95% CI = 1.08-11.34), CD4 nadir <200 cells/µL (OR 11.92, 95% CI = 1.51-94.15), unemployment (OR 3.54, 95% CI = 1.20-10.40), and travel time to clinic <30 minutes (OR 2.80, 95% CI = 1.20-6.52) were all significantly associated with a history of ≥1 ADI in the last five years. Awareness of factors associated with ADIs may help clinicians identify which poorly adherent PLHIV are at highest risk of HIV-related morbidity.