Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Mpox Who Received Tecovirimat in a New York City Health System

Background

The 2022 global mpox outbreak was notable for transmission between persons outside of travel and zoonotic exposures and primarily through intimate contact. An understanding of the presentation of mpox in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other immunocompromising conditions and knowledge of the efficacy of tecovirimat continue to evolve.

Methods

This retrospective study describes clinical features and outcomes of persons with mpox who received tecovirimat. Data were obtained via medical record review of patients prescribed tecovirimat in a health system in New York City during the height of the outbreak in 2022.

Results

One hundred thirty people received tecovirimat between 1 July and 1 October 2022. People with HIV (n = 80) experienced similar rates of recovery, bacterial superinfections, and hospitalization compared to patients without immunocompromising conditions. Individuals determined to be severely immunocompromised (n = 14) had a higher risk of hospitalization than those without severe immunocompromise (cohort inclusive of those with well-controlled HIV, excluding those without virologic suppression, n = 101): 50% versus 9% (P < .001). Hospitalized patients (n = 18 [13% of total]) were primarily admitted for bacterial superinfections (44.4%), with a median hospital stay of 4 days. Of those who completed follow-up (n = 85 [66%]), 97% had recovery of lesions at time of posttreatment assessment. Tecovirimat was well tolerated; there were no reported severe adverse events attributed to therapy.

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in outcomes between people with HIV when evaluated as a whole and patients without immunocompromising conditions. However, mpox infection was associated with higher rates of hospitalization in those with severe immunocompromise, including patients with HIV/AIDS. Treatment with tecovirimat was well tolerated.Key Points: In our mpox cohort, people with HIV had similar rates of recovery and complications as those without HIV or other immunocompromising conditions. Severe immunocompromise was associated with a higher hospitalization rate. Tecovirimat was well tolerated, with minimal side effects.

Phenotypes of disease severity in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients: Results from the IMPACC study

BACKGROUND

Better understanding of the association between characteristics of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and outcome is needed to further improve upon patient management.

METHODS

Immunophenotyping Assessment in a COVID-19 Cohort (IMPACC) is a prospective, observational study of 1164 patients from 20 hospitals across the United States. Disease severity was assessed using a 7-point ordinal scale based on degree of respiratory illness. Patients were prospectively surveyed for 1 year after discharge for post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC) through quarterly surveys. Demographics, comorbidities, radiographic findings, clinical laboratory values, SARS-CoV-2 PCR and serology were captured over a 28-day period. Multivariable logistic regression was performed.

FINDINGS

The median age was 59 years (interquartile range [IQR] 20); 711 (61%) were men; overall mortality was 14%, and 228 (20%) required invasive mechanical ventilation. Unsupervised clustering of ordinal score over time revealed distinct disease course trajectories. Risk factors associated with prolonged hospitalization or death by day 28 included age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% CI 1.28-3.17), Hispanic ethnicity (OR, 1.71; 95% CI 1.13-2.57), elevated baseline creatinine (OR 2.80; 95% CI 1.63- 4.80) or troponin (OR 1.89; 95% 1.03-3.47), baseline lymphopenia (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.61-2.97), presence of infiltrate by chest imaging (OR 3.16; 95% CI 1.96-5.10), and high SARS-CoV2 viral load (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.17-2.00). Fatal cases had the lowest ratio of SARS-CoV-2 antibody to viral load levels compared to other trajectories over time (p=0.001). 589 survivors (51%) completed at least one survey at follow-up with 305 (52%) having at least one symptom consistent with PASC, most commonly dyspnea (56% among symptomatic patients). Female sex was the only associated risk factor for PASC.

INTERPRETATION

Integration of PCR cycle threshold, and antibody values with demographics, comorbidities, and laboratory/radiographic findings identified risk factors for 28-day outcome severity, though only female sex was associated with PASC. Longitudinal clinical phenotyping offers important insights, and provides a framework for immunophenotyping for acute and long COVID-19.

FUNDING

NIH.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with IL-6 levels and monocyte activation in HIV-infected persons

Background

Immune activation plays a key role in HIV pathogenesis. Markers of inflammation have been associated with vitamin D deficiency in the general population. Studies have also demonstrated associations of vitamin D deficiency with increased risk of HIV progression and death. The relationship between persistent inflammation and immune activation during chronic HIV infection and vitamin D deficiency remains unclear.

Methods

Cryopreserved specimens were analyzed from 663 participants at the time of enrollment from the Study to Understand the Natural History of HIV/AIDS in the Era of Effective Therapy (SUN Study) from 2004 to 2006. Biomarkers of inflammation, atherosclerosis, and coagulation were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and electrochemiluminescence. 25(OH)D, the stable precursor form of vitamin D, was measured using a radioimmunoassay with levels defined as: normal (≥30ng/mL), insufficient (20–29 ng/mL) and deficient (<20 ng/mL). Monocyte phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry. Linear and logistic regression models were used to determine statistical associations between biomarkers and vitamin D deficiency.

Results

25(OH)D levels were deficient in 251 (38%) participants, insufficient in 222 (34%), and normal in 190 (29%). Patients with vitamin D deficiency, when compared to those with insufficient or normal vitamin D levels, had increased levels of IL-6 (23%; p<0.01), TNF-α (21%, p = 0.03), D-dimer (24%, p = 0.01), higher proportions of CD14^dimCD16+ (22%, p<0.01) and CX3CR1+ monocytes (48%; p<0.001) and decreased frequency of CCR2+ monocytes (-3.4%, p<0.001). In fully adjusted models, vitamin D associations with abnormal biomarker levels persisted for IL-6 levels and CX3CR1+ and CCR2+ phenotypes.

Conclusions

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with greater inflammation and activated monocyte phenotypes. The role of vitamin D deficiency in persistent immune activation and associated complications during chronic HIV disease should be further evaluated as a possible target for intervention.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for adherence and depression in patients with HIV: a three-arm randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Depression is highly prevalent in people with HIV and has consistently been associated with poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Integrating cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression with adherence counselling using the Life-Steps approach (CBT-AD) has an emerging evidence base. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of CBT-AD.

METHODS

In this three-arm randomised controlled trial in HIV-positive adults with depression, we compared CBT-AD with information and supportive psychotherapy plus adherence counselling using the Life-Steps approach (ISP-AD), and with enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) including Life-Steps adherence counselling only. Participants were recruited from three sites in New England, USA (two hospital settings and one community health centre). Patients were randomly assigned (2:2:1) to receive CBT-AD (one Life-Steps session plus 11 weekly integrated sessions lasting up to 1 h each), ISP-AD (one Life-Steps session plus 11 weekly integrated sessions lasting up to 1 h each), or ETAU (one Life-Steps session and five assessment visits roughly every 2 weeks), randomisation was done with allocation software, in pairs, and stratified by three variables: study site, whether or not participants had been prescribed antidepressant medication, and whether or not participants had a history of injection drug use. The primary outcome was ART adherence at the end of treatment (4 month assessment) assessed via electronic pill caps (Medication Event Monitoring System [MEMS]) with correction for pocketed doses, analysed by intention to treat.

FINDINGS

Patients were recruited from Feb 26, 2009, to June 21, 2012. Patients who were assigned to CBT-AD (94 randomly assigned, 83 completed assessment) had greater improvements in adherence (estimated difference 1·00 percentage point per visit, 95% CI 0·34 to 1·66, p=0·003) and depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies depression [CESD] score estimated difference -0·41, -0·66 to -0·16, p=0·001; Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale [MADRS] score -4·69, -8·09 to -1·28, p=0·007; clinical global impression [CGI] score -0·66, -1·11 to -0·21, p=0·005) than did patients who had ETAU (49 assigned, 46 completed assessment) after treatment (4 months). No significant differences in adherence were noted between CBT-AD and ISP-AD (97 assigned, 87 completed assessment). No study-related adverse events were reported.

INTERPRETATION

Integrating evidenced-based treatment for depression with evidenced-based adherence counselling is helpful for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and depression. Future efforts should examine how to best disseminate effective psychosocial depression treatments such as CBT-AD to people living with HIV/AIDS and examine the cost-effectiveness of such approaches.

FUNDING

National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Monocyte-activation phenotypes are associated with biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation in chronic HIV infection

BACKGROUND

Soluble biomarkers of inflammation predict non-AIDS related morbidity and mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons. Exploring associations between plasma biomarkers and cellular phenotypes may identify sources of excess inflammation.

METHODS

Plasma biomarkers (interleukin 6 [IL-6] level, D-dimer level, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] level, soluble CD14 [sCD14] level, and soluble CD163 [sCD163] level) were measured from cryopreserved samples from the Study to Understand the Natural History of HIV/AIDS in the Era of Effective Therapy (SUN Study). We performed immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells for markers of T-cell and monocyte activation, maturation, and migration. We evaluated associations between cellular phenotypes and soluble biomarkers by Spearman rank correlation and multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

Participants' (n = 670) median age was 41 years, 88% were prescribed antiretroviral therapy, 72% had a plasma HIV RNA load of <400 copies/mL, and the median CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count was 471 cells/µL. After adjustment, CD14(++)CD16(+) monocytes were associated with higher levels of IL-6, hsCRP, and sCD163; associations with IL-6 and hsCRP persisted in persons with suppressed HIV replication. While CCR5(+) monocytes positively associated with D-dimer levels, CCR2(+) monocytes were inversely associated with hsCRP levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma inflammatory biomarkers that predict morbidity and mortality were strongly associated with monocyte activation and migration, modestly associated with T-cell maturation, and not associated with CD8(+) T-cell activation phenotypes. These findings suggest that strategies to control monocyte activation warrant further investigation.

Addressing the increasing burden of sexually transmitted infections in Rhode Island

The rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, are increasing across the United States, including in Rhode Island (RI). These STIs affect many otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults, and represent a significant source of morbidity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages states to develop strategies for addressing increasing STI rates in the setting of diminishing public health resources. The RI Department of Health (DOH) works with providers and funded community- based organizations to promote STI screening, expedited partner therapy, and partner services to reduce STI rates. The Miriam Hospital Immunology Center opened a public HIV/STI Clinic, which offers free and confidential testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, as well as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services to prevent HIV. In collaboration with the RI DOH, the Clinic serves as a referral source across the state for complicated STI cases.

Effect of abacavir on acute changes in biomarkers associated with cardiovascular dysfunction

BACKGROUND

This study examined the effect of abacavir on acute changes in biomarkers associated with cardiovascular dysfunction.

METHODS

Among the Study to Understand the Natural History of HIV/AIDS in the Era of Effective therapy (SUN) participants, we identified 25 individuals (cases) who were HLA-B5701-negative and who had ≥ 2 weeks without abacavir exposure at one visit and ≥ 2 weeks with abacavir exposure at the consecutive visit while maintaining viral suppression. We identified 43 individuals (controls) similarly unexposed and exposed to tenofovir. We assessed concentrations of prothrombin fragment F(1+2), D-dimer, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-8, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, P-selectin, serum amyloid A and serum amyloid P. We examined the median percentage change of these biomarkers from the unexposed to exposed state among cases and controls compared with the expected assay variability using a sign test, and compared changes among cases with controls using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were similar between cases and controls: median age 45 versus 46 years, 80% versus 81% male, 64% versus 63% non-Hispanic White and median CD4(+) T-cell count 538 versus 601 cells/mm(3), respectively. Mean exposure times were 65 and 15 weeks for abacavir and tenofovir, respectively. We observed no significant changes in biomarkers from the unexposed to exposed state among cases or controls compared with the expected assay variability. We found that no biomarkers were significantly increased among cases compared with controls; however, prothrombin fragment F(1+2) was significantly lower among controls (P=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

In virologically suppressed contemporary HIV-infected patients, abacavir exposure was not associated with increases in biomarkers associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

HIV-2 diagnosis and quantification in high-risk patients

Current diagnostic assays for HIV-1 do not always test for the presence of HIV-2 in the United States. We present the case of a patient from Cape Verde, who was admitted to our hospital with rapidly deteriorating neurological function and multiple white matter lesions on MRI likely secondary to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Initially, the patient had a positive EIA for HIV, but a negative HIV-1 Western Blot and no viral load detected on a branched-DNA assay. A repeat viral load by reverse transcriptase methodology (RT-DNA) detected 121,000 copies and an HIV-2 Western Blot was positive. The case highlights an extremely rare presentation of HIV-2 with severe neurological disease. We discuss the different tests available for the diagnosis and monitoring of HIV-2 in the United States.