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Chammartin F, Mocroft A, Egle A, Zangerle R, Smith C, Mussini C, Wit F, Vehreschild JJ, d’Arminio Monforte A, Castagna A, Bailly L, Bogner J, de Wit S, Matulionyte R, Law M, Svedhem V, Tallada J, Garges HP, Marongiu A, Borges ÁH, Jaschinski N, Neesgaard B, Ryom L, Bucher HC. Measures of Longitudinal Immune Dysfunction and Risk of AIDS and Non-AIDS Defining Malignancies in Antiretroviral-Treated People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:995-1004. [PMID: 38092042 PMCID: PMC11006099 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leads to chronic immune activation/inflammation that can persist in virally suppressed persons on fully active antiretroviral therapy (ART) and increase risk of malignancies. The prognostic role of low CD4:CD8 ratio and elevated CD8 cell counts on the risk of cancer remains unclear. METHODS We investigated the association of CD4:CD8 ratio on the hazard of non-AIDS defining malignancy (NADM), AIDS-defining malignancy (ADM) and most frequent group of cancers in ART-treated people with HIV (PWH) with a CD4 and CD8 cell counts and viral load measurements at baseline. We developed Cox proportional hazard models with adjustment for known confounders of cancer risk and time-dependent cumulative and lagged exposures of CD4:CD8 ratio to account for time-evolving risk factors and avoid reverse causality. RESULTS CD4:CD8 ratios below 0.5, compared to above 1.0, were independently associated with a 12-month time-lagged higher risk of ADM and infection-related malignancies (adjusted hazard ratio 2.61 [95% confidence interval {CI }1.10-6.19] and 2.03 [95% CI 1.24-3.33], respectively). CD4 cell counts below 350 cells/μL were associated with an increased risk of NADMs and ADMs, as did infection, smoking, and body mass index-related malignancies. CONCLUSIONS In ART-treated PWH low CD4:CD8 ratios were associated with ADM and infection-related cancers independently from CD4 and CD8 cell counts and may alert clinicians for cancer screening and prevention of NADM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédérique Chammartin
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amanda Mocroft
- CHIP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation (CREME), Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Egle
- Austrian HIV Cohort Study (AHIVCOS), Paracelsus Medical University Hospital, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Robert Zangerle
- Austrian HIV Cohort Study (AHIVCOS), Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Colette Smith
- The Royal Free HIV Cohort Study, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cristina Mussini
- Modena HIV Cohort, Università degli Studi di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Ferdinand Wit
- AIDS Therapy Evaluation in the Netherlands (ATHENA) Cohort, HIV Monitoring Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Antonella Castagna
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Laurent Bailly
- Nice HIV Cohort, Department of Public Health, Université Côte d’Azur—Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, UR2CA, Nice, France
| | - Johannes Bogner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stéphane de Wit
- CHU Saint-Pierre, Centre de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses a.s.b.l., Brussels, Belgium
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology; Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Matthew Law
- The Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD), Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Veronica Svedhem
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joan Tallada
- European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Álvaro H Borges
- CHIP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nadine Jaschinski
- CHIP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bastian Neesgaard
- CHIP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lene Ryom
- CHIP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases 144, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Heiner C Bucher
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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2
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Fursa O, Bannister W, Neesgaard B, Podlekareva D, Kowalska J, Benfield T, Gerstoft J, Reekie J, Rasmussen LD, Aho I, Guaraldi G, Staub T, Miro JM, Laporte JM, Elbirt D, Trofimova T, Sedlacek D, Matulionyte R, Oprea C, Bernasconi E, Hadžiosmanović V, Mocroft A, Peters L. SARS-CoV-2 testing, positivity, and factors associated with COVID-19 among people with HIV across Europe in the multinational EuroSIDA cohort. HIV Med 2024. [PMID: 38433476 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although people with HIV might be at risk of severe outcomes from infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus 2019 [COVID-19]), regional and temporal differences in SARS-CoV-2 testing in people with HIV across Europe have not been previously described. METHODS We described the proportions of testing, positive test results, and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 in the EuroSIDA cohort and the factors associated with being tested for SARS-CoV-2 and with ever testing positive. RESULTS Of 9012 participants, 2270 (25.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 24.3-26.1) had a SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test during the study period (range: 38.3% in Northern to 14.6% in Central-Eastern Europe). People from Northern Europe, women, those aged <40 years, those with CD4 cell count <350 cells/mm3 , and those with previous cardiovascular disease or malignancy were significantly more likely to have been tested, as were people with HIV in 2021 compared with those in 2020. Overall, 390 people with HIV (4.3%, 95% CI 3.9-4.8) tested positive (range: 2.6% in Northern to 7.1% in Southern Europe), and the odds of testing positive were higher in all regions than in Northern Europe and in 2021 than in 2020. In total, 64 people with HIV (0.7%, 95% CI 0.6-0.9) were hospitalized, of whom 12 died. Compared with 2020, the odds of positive testing decreased in all regions in 2021, and the associations with cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate disappeared in 2021. Among study participants, 58.9% received a COVID-19 vaccine (range: 72.0% in Southern to 14.8% in Eastern Europe). CONCLUSIONS We observed large heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 testing and positivity and a low proportion of hospital admissions and deaths across the regions of Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Fursa
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - W Bannister
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - B Neesgaard
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - D Podlekareva
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J Kowalska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - T Benfield
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - J Gerstoft
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J Reekie
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L D Rasmussen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - I Aho
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - G Guaraldi
- Modena HIV Cohort, Università degli Studi di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - T Staub
- Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Service des Maladies Infectieuses, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - J M Miro
- Infectious Diseases Service, Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - J M Laporte
- Hospital Universitario de Alava, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - D Elbirt
- Allergy, Immunology and HIV Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel
| | - T Trofimova
- Novgorod Centre for AIDS prevention and control, Veliky Novgorod, Russian Federation
| | - D Sedlacek
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Medical Faculty and Teaching Hospital Plzen, Charles University Prague, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - R Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Vilnius University Hospital, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - C Oprea
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - E Bernasconi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale Lugano, University of Geneva and University of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - V Hadžiosmanović
- Infectious Diseases Clinic, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - A Mocroft
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- UCL Centre for Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation (CREME), London, UK
| | - L Peters
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Oprea C, Quirke S, Ianache I, Bursa D, Antoniak S, Bogdanic N, Vassilenko AI, Aimla K, Matulionyte R, Rukhadze N, Harxhi A, Fleischhans L, Lakatos B, Sedlacek D, Dragovic G, Verhaz A, Yancheva N, Acet O, Protopapas K, Kowalska JD. HIV disease metrics and COVID-19 infection severity and outcomes in people living with HIV in central and eastern Europe. HIV Med 2024; 25:343-352. [PMID: 38014768 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date there remains much ambiguity in the literature regarding the immunological interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and HIV and the true risk posed to coinfected individuals. There has been little conclusive data regarding the use of CD4 cell count and HIV viral load stratification as predictors of COVID-19 severity in this cohort. METHODS We performed a retrospective, observational cohort study on people living with HIV (PLWH) who contracted COVID-19 in central and eastern Europe. We enrolled 536 patients from 16 countries using an online survey. We evaluated patient demographics, HIV characteristics and COVID-19 presentation and outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.1. RESULTS The majority of the study cohort were male (76.4%) and 152 (28.3%) had a significant medical comorbidity. Median CD4 cell count at COVID-19 diagnosis was 605 cells/μL [interquartile range (IQR) 409-824]. The majority of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were virally suppressed (92%). In univariate analysis, CD4 cell count <350 cells/μL was associated with higher rates of hospitalization (p < 0.0001) and respiratory failure (p < 0.0001). Univariate and multivariate analyses found that an undetectable HIV VL was associated with a lower rate of hospitalization (p < 0.0001), respiratory failure (p < 0.0001), ICU admission or death (p < 0.0001), and with a higher chance of full recovery (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION We can conclude that detectable HIV viral load was an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 illness and can be used as a prognostic indicator in this cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Oprea
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
- Carol Davila University for Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Siobhan Quirke
- Department of Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland
| | - Irina Ianache
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
- Carol Davila University for Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dominik Bursa
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sergii Antoniak
- Viral Hepatitis and AIDS Department, Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Nikolina Bogdanic
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anne I Vassilenko
- Global Fund Grant Management Department, Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Technologies, Minsk, Belarus
| | | | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Nino Rukhadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Arjan Harxhi
- University Hospital Center of Tirana, Infectious Disease Service, Tirana, Albania
| | - Lukáš Fleischhans
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Faculty Hospital Bulovka Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Botond Lakatos
- National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, South-Pest Central Hospital, National Center of HIV, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dalibor Sedlacek
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň, University Hospital Plzeň, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Gordana Dragovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Antonija Verhaz
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nina Yancheva
- Department for AIDS, Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Disease Sofia, Sofi, Bulgaria
| | - Oguzhan Acet
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Konstantinos Protopapas
- University General Hospital Attikon, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Matulyte E, Kancauskiene Z, Kausas A, Urboniene J, Lipnickiene V, Kopeykiniene J, Gudaitis T, Raudonis S, Danila E, Costagliola D, Matulionyte R. Latent Tuberculosis Infection and Associated Risk Factors among People Living with HIV and HIV-Uninfected Individuals in Lithuania. Pathogens 2023; 12:990. [PMID: 37623950 PMCID: PMC10459141 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12080990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People living with HIV (PLHIV) with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are at increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) reactivation compared to the HIV-negative population. Lithuania belongs to the 18 high-priority TB countries in the European region. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of LTBI and LTBI-related risk factors between PLHIV and HIV-uninfected populations. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in three Lithuanian Infectious Diseases centres from August 2018 to May 2022 using the interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) and tuberculin skin test (TST) in Vilnius, and IGRA only in Siauliai and Klaipeda. Cohen's kappa was used to assess IGRA and TST agreement. A structured questionnaire was completed by the study participants. LTBI-related risk factors were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS In total, 391 PLHIV and 443 HIV-uninfected individuals enrolled, with a median age of 41 (IQR 36-48) and 43 (IQR 36-50), consisting of 69.8% and 65.5% male, respectively. The prevalence of LTBI defined by positive IGRA and/or TST among PLHIV was higher compared to that in the HIV-uninfected population (20.5% vs. 15.3%; OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.02-2.03; p = 0.04). The concordance between IGRA and TST was fair: kappa = 0.23 (95% CI 0.09-0.34). In multivariable analyses, association with injecting drug use (IDU) (ORa 2.25, 95% CI 1.27-3.99, p = 0.01) and imprisonment (ORa 1.99, 95% CI 1.13-3.52, p = 0.02) in all participants, IDU (ORa 2.37, 95% CI 1.09-5.15; p = 0.029) in PLHIV and a history of contact with an active TB patient (ORa 3.33, 95% CI 1.53-7.24; p = 0.002) in HIV-uninfected individuals were significant associations evidenced by LTBI. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of LTBI among PLHIV in Lithuania is higher compared to that in the HIV-uninfected population and the European average. The association with IDU in PLHIV emphasizes the need for integrated HIV, TB and substance abuse treatment to provide patient-centred care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Matulyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius University, LT-08410 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Zavinta Kancauskiene
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Klaipeda, LT-92888 Klaipeda, Lithuania;
| | - Aidas Kausas
- Adult Infectious Diseases Unit, Clinic of Conservative Medicine, Republican Siauliai County Hospital, LT-76231 Siauliai, Lithuania;
| | - Jurgita Urboniene
- Centre of Infectious Diseases, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, LT-08410 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Vilnele Lipnickiene
- National Public Health Surveillance Laboratory, LT-10210 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Jelena Kopeykiniene
- Department of Diagnostics, University Hospital of Klaipeda, LT-92888 Klaipeda, Lithuania;
| | - Tomas Gudaitis
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (T.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Sarunas Raudonis
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (T.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Edvardas Danila
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Clinic of Chest Diseases, Immunology, and Allergology, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Centre of Pulmonology and Allergology, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, LT-08661 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Dominique Costagliola
- Institut Pierre Louis Épidémiologie de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, F75013 Paris, France;
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius University, LT-08410 Vilnius, Lithuania;
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5
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Aimla K, Kowalska JD, Matulionyte R, Mulabdic V, Vassilenko A, Bolokadze N, Jilich D, Antoniak S, Oprea C, Balayan T, Harxhi A, Papadopoulos A, Lakatos B, Vasylyev M, Begovac J, Yancheva N, Streinu-Cercel A, Verhaz A, Gokengin D, Dragovic G, Sojak L, Skrzat-Klapaczyńska A. Vaccination against HBV and HAV as Mode of Hepatitis Prevention among People Living with HIV-Data from ECEE Network Group. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11050980. [PMID: 37243084 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11050980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Viral hepatitis C (HCV) and viral hepatitis B (HBV) are common co-infections in people living with HIV (PLWH). All PLWH should be vaccinated against HBV and hepatitis A (HAV) and treated for HBV and HCV. We aimed to compare testing, prophylaxis and treatment of viral hepatitis in PLWH in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in 2019 and 2022. (2) Methods: Data was collected through two on-line surveys conducted in 2019 and 2022 among 18 countries of the Euroguidelines in CEE (ECEE) Network Group. (3) Results: In all 18 countries the standard of care was to screen all PLWH for HBV and HCV both years; screening of HAV was routine in 2019 in 54.5% and in 2022 47.4% of clinics. Vaccination of PLWH against HAV was available in 2019 in 16.7%, in 2022 in 22.2% countries. Vaccination against HBV was available routinely and free of charge in 50% of clinics both in 2019 and 2022. In HIV/HBV co-infected the choice of NRTI was tenofovir-based in 94.4% of countries in both years. All clinics that responded had access to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) but 50% still had limitations for treatment. (4) Conclusions: Although testing for HBV and HCV was good, testing for HAV is insufficient. Vaccination against HBV and especially against HAV has room for improvement; furthermore, HCV treatment access needs to overcome restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Aimla
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tartu University Hospital, 50406 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Justyna Dominika Kowalska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, LT-08410 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Velida Mulabdic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Anna Vassilenko
- City Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 220002 Minsk, Belarus
| | - Natalie Bolokadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, 0160 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - David Jilich
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Faculty Hospital Bulovka, 18000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sergii Antoniak
- Clinic of the Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, 01001 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Cristiana Oprea
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, 030303 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Arjan Harxhi
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Tirana, 1000 Tirana, Albania
| | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- HIV Unit, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Botond Lakatos
- National Instititue of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, National Center of HIV, 1097 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marta Vasylyev
- Lviv Regional Public Health Center, HIV Unit, 79000 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Josip Begovac
- University Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nina Yancheva
- Department for AIDS, Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Sofia, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Anca Streinu-Cercel
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases "Prof. Dr. Matei Balș", 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Antonija Verhaz
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases Republic of Srpska Banja Luka, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Deniz Gokengin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gordana Dragovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lubomir Sojak
- Department of Infectology and Geographical Medicine, 833 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Agata Skrzat-Klapaczyńska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
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Gokengin D, Bursa D, Skrzat-Klapaczynska A, Alexiev I, Arsikj E, Balayan T, Begovac J, Cicic A, Dragovic G, Harxhi A, Aimla K, Lakatos B, Matulionyte R, Mulabdic V, Oprea C, Papadopoulos A, Rukhadze N, Sedlacek D, Sojak L, Tomazic J, Vassilenko A, Vasylyev M, Verhaz A, Yancheva N, Yurin O, Kowalska J. PrEP Scale-Up and PEP in Central and Eastern Europe: Changes in Time and the Challenges We Face with No Expected HIV Vaccine in the near Future. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11010122. [PMID: 36679967 PMCID: PMC9867039 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With no expected vaccine for HIV in the near future, we aimed to define the current situation and challenges for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The Euroguidelines CEE Network Group members were invited to respond to a 27-item survey including questions on PrEP (response rate 91.6%). PrEP was licensed in 68.2%; 95 centers offered PrEP and the estimated number on PrEP was around 9000. It was available in daily (40.1%), on-demand (13.3%), or both forms (33.3%). The access rate was <1−80%. Three major barriers for access were lack of knowledge/awareness among people who are in need (59.1%), not being reimbursed (50.0%), and low perception of HIV risk (45.5%). Non-occupational PEP was available in 86.4% and was recommended in the guidelines in 54.5%. It was fully reimbursed in 36.4%, only for accidental exposures in 40.9%, and was not reimbursed in 22.72%. Occupational PEP was available in 95.5% and was reimbursed fully. Although PrEP scale-up in the region has gained momentum, a huge gap exists between those who are in need of and those who can access PrEP. Prompt action is required to address the urgent need for PrEP scale-up in the CEE region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Gokengin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Türkiye
- HIV/AIDS Research and Practice Center, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Türkiye
- Correspondence: or
| | - Dominik Bursa
- Department of Adults’ Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 01-201 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Skrzat-Klapaczynska
- Department of Adults’ Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 01-201 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ivailo Alexiev
- Department of Virology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Elena Arsikj
- University Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions Skopje, Faculty of Medicine Skopje, Ss.Cyril and Methodius University, 1010 Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Tatevik Balayan
- National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
| | - Josip Begovac
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alma Cicic
- Center for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Public Health of Montenegro, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Gordana Dragovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Arjan Harxhi
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Center of Tirana, 1001 Tirana, Albania
| | - Kerstin Aimla
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tartu University Hospital, 50406 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Botond Lakatos
- Department of HIV and Tropical Diseases, South Pest Central Hospital, National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, 1097 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius University, LT-08410 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Velida Mulabdic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Cristiana Oprea
- Victor Babes Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 030303 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Nino Rukhadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS & Clinical Immunology Research Center, 0160 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Dalibor Sedlacek
- HIV Center University Hospital, Charles University, 11000 Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Lubomir Sojak
- Center for Treatment of HIV/AIDS Patients, Department of Infectology and Geographical Medicine, Academic L. Derer’s University Hospital, 2412 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Janez Tomazic
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1525 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anna Vassilenko
- Global Fund Grant Management Department, Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Medical Technologies, Informatization, Management and Economics of Public Health (RNPT MT), 220013 Minsk, Belarus
| | - Marta Vasylyev
- Astar Medical Center, 79054 Lviv, Ukraine
- Internal Medicine Department, Erasmus MC, 2040 3000 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Antonija Verhaz
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nina Yancheva
- Department for AIDS, Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases—Sofia, Medical University Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Oleg Yurin
- Department of AIDS, Epidemiology and Prevention, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal AIDS Centre, 111123 Moscow, Russia
| | - Justyna Kowalska
- Department of Adults’ Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 01-201 Warsaw, Poland
- HIV Out-Patient Clinic, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 01-201 Warsaw, Poland
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7
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Matulyte E, Davidaviciene E, Kancauskiene Z, Diktanas S, Kausas A, Velyvyte D, Urboniene J, Lipnickiene V, Laurencikaite M, Danila E, Costagliola D, Matulionyte R. The socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and outcomes of tuberculosis among HIV infected adults in Lithuania: A thirteen-year analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282046. [PMID: 36952578 PMCID: PMC10035857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health problem in Lithuania, among the 18 high-priority TB countries in the European region, and the most common AIDS-indicative disease with the highest proportion in the EU/EEA since 2015. The study aimed to identify socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and their relationship with TB outcomes in TB-HIV co-infected patients in Lithuania. METHODS A retrospective chart review analysed the characteristics of TB-HIV co-infected adults registered in State Information System of Tuberculosis over 2008-2020. The factors associated with drug-resistant TB and unsuccessful treatment outcome were identified by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS The study included 345 cases in 311 patients (239 new, 106 previously treated cases), median age 40 years (IQR 35-45), 80.7% male. 67.8% patients knew their HIV-positive status before TB diagnosis, median time to TB diagnosis was 8 years (IQR 4-12). 83.6% were unemployed, 50.5%-anytime intravenous drug users (IDU), 34.9% abused alcohol. Drug-resistant TB rates in new and previously treated TB cases were 38.1% and 61.3%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, higher risk of drug-resistant TB was associated with imprisonment in new (aOR 3.35; 95%CI 1.17-9.57) and previously treated (aOR 6.63; 95%CI 1.09-40.35) cases. In 52.3% of new TB cases and in 42.5% previously treated TB cases the treatment outcomes were unsuccessful. In multivariable analysis of new TB cases, current imprisonment (aOR 2.77; 95%CI 1.29-5.91) and drug-resistant TB (aOR 2.18; 95%CI 1.11-4.28) were associated with unsuccessful treatment outcome. In multivariable analysis of previously treated TB cases, female gender (aOR 11.93; 95%CI 1.86-76.69), alcohol abuse (aOR 3.17; 95%CI 1.05-9.58), drug-resistant TB (aOR 4.83; 95%CI 1.53-15.28) were associated with unsuccessful treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS In the TB-HIV-infected adult cohort in Lithuania, unemployment, imprisonment, IDU, alcohol abuse, known to be risk factors for TB, were very frequent. Drug resistance was an undeniable risk factor for unsuccessful treatment outcome and imprisonment was associated with drug resistant TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Matulyte
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Centre of Infectious Diseases, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Edita Davidaviciene
- State Information System of Tuberculosis, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Zavinta Kancauskiene
- AIDS Centre, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Klaipeda, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Saulius Diktanas
- Tuberculosis Department, Republican Klaipeda Hospital, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Aidas Kausas
- Adult Infectious Diseases Unit, Clinic of Conservative Medicine, Republican Siauliai County Hospital, Siauliai, Lithuania
| | - Daiva Velyvyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Kaunas Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jurgita Urboniene
- Centre of Infectious Diseases, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | | | - Edvardas Danila
- Clinic of Chest Diseases, Immunology, and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Centre of Pulmonology and Allergology, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Dominique Costagliola
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'épidémiologie de Santé Publique, Paris, France
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Centre of Infectious Diseases, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
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8
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Jordans CC, Vasylyev M, Rae C, Jakobsen ML, Vassilenko A, Dauby N, Grevsen AL, Jakobsen SF, Raahauge A, Champenois K, Papot E, Malin JJ, Boender TS, Behrens GM, Gruell H, Neumann A, Spinner CD, Valbert F, Akinosoglou K, Kostaki EG, Nozza S, Giacomelli A, Lapadula G, Mazzitelli M, Torti C, Matulionyte R, Matulyte E, Van Welzen BJ, Hensley KS, Thompson M, Ankiersztejn-Bartczak M, Skrzat-Klapaczyńska A, Săndulescu O, Streinu-Cercel A, Streinu-Cercel A, Miron VD, Pokrovskaya A, Hachfeld A, Dorokhina A, Sukach M, Lord E, Sullivan AK, Rokx C. National medical specialty guidelines of HIV indicator conditions in Europe lack adequate HIV testing recommendations: a systematic guideline review. Euro Surveill 2022; 27:2200338. [PMID: 36695464 PMCID: PMC9716648 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.48.2200338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundAdequate identification and testing of people at risk for HIV is fundamental for the HIV care continuum. A key strategy to improve timely testing is HIV indicator condition (IC) guided testing.AimTo evaluate the uptake of HIV testing recommendations in HIV IC-specific guidelines in European countries.MethodsBetween 2019 and 2021, European HIV experts reviewed guideline databases to identify all national guidelines of 62 HIV ICs. The proportion of HIV IC guidelines recommending HIV testing was reported, stratified by subgroup (HIV IC, country, eastern/western Europe, achievement of 90-90-90 goals and medical specialty).ResultsOf 30 invited European countries, 15 participated. A total of 791 HIV IC guidelines were identified: median 47 (IQR: 38-68) per country. Association with HIV was reported in 69% (545/791) of the guidelines, and 46% (366/791) recommended HIV testing, while 42% (101/242) of the AIDS-defining conditions recommended HIV testing. HIV testing recommendations were observed more frequently in guidelines in eastern (53%) than western (42%) European countries and in countries yet to achieve the 90-90-90 goals (52%) compared to those that had (38%). The medical specialties internal medicine, neurology/neurosurgery, ophthalmology, pulmonology and gynaecology/obstetrics had an HIV testing recommendation uptake below the 46% average. None of the 62 HIV ICs, countries or medical specialties had 100% accurate testing recommendation coverage in all their available HIV IC guidelines.ConclusionFewer than half the HIV IC guidelines recommended HIV testing. This signals an insufficient adoption of this recommendation in non-HIV specialty guidelines across Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlijn C.E. Jordans
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Caroline Rae
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marie Louise Jakobsen
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity & Infections (CHIP), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Vassilenko
- Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Medical Technologies, Informatization, Management and Economics of Public Health, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Nicolas Dauby
- CHU Saint-Pierre, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), and School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne Louise Grevsen
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity & Infections (CHIP), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stine Finne Jakobsen
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity & Infections (CHIP), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Raahauge
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity & Infections (CHIP), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Jakob J. Malin
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Cologne, Germany
| | - T. Sonia Boender
- Robert Koch Institute, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany,ECDC Fellowship Programme, Field Epidemiology path (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Georg M.N Behrens
- Hannover Medical School, Department for Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Henning Gruell
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anja Neumann
- Institute for Health Care Management and Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph D. Spinner
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, University hospital rechts der Isar, Department of Internal Medicine II, Munich, Germany
| | - Frederik Valbert
- Institute for Health Care Management and Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Karolina Akinosoglou
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Evangelia G. Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Andrea Giacomelli
- III Infectious Diseases Unit, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Via G.B. Grassi, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lapadula
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Maria Mazzitelli
- Magna Graecia University of Cantanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy,Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Torti
- University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University; Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Elzbieta Matulyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University; Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Berend J. Van Welzen
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Kathryn S. Hensley
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Agata Skrzat-Klapaczyńska
- Hospital for Infectious Diseases Warsaw, Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Adults’ Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Oana Săndulescu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania,National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof.Dr. Matei Bals”, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adrian Streinu-Cercel
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania,National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof.Dr. Matei Bals”, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Streinu-Cercel
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania,National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof.Dr. Matei Bals”, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Anastasia Pokrovskaya
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Anna Hachfeld
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Antonina Dorokhina
- National Children's Specialized Hospital “OKHMATDYT” of Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine,O.O.Bogomolets’ National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Maryna Sukach
- O.O.Bogomolets’ National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Emily Lord
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ann K. Sullivan
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Casper Rokx
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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9
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Papadopoulos A, Thomas K, Protopapas K, Antonyak S, Begovac J, Dragovic G, Gökengin D, Aimla K, Krasniqi V, Lakatos B, Mardarescu M, Matulionyte R, Mulabdic V, Oprea C, Panteleev A, Sedláček D, Sojak L, Skrzat-Klapaczyńska A, Vassilenko A, Yancheva N, Yurin O, Horban A, Kowalska JD. HIV treatment strategies across Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe: New times, old problems. HIV Med 2022; 24:462-470. [PMID: 36196025 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the last decade, substantial differences in the epidemiology of, antiretroviral therapy (ART) for, cascade of care in and support to people with HIV in vulnerable populations have been observed between countries in Western Europe, Central Europe (CE) and Eastern Europe (EE). The aim of this study was to use a survey to explore whether ART availability and therapies have evolved in CE and EE according to European guidelines. METHODS The Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe (ECEE) Network Group conducted two identical multicentre cross-sectional online surveys in 2019 and 2021 concerning the availability and use of antiretroviral drugs (boosted protease inhibitors [bPIs], integrase inhibitors [INSTIs] and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NRTIs]), the introduction of a rapid ART start strategy and the use of two-drug regimens (2DRs) for starting or switching ART. We also investigated barriers to the implementation of these strategies in each region. RESULTS In total, 18 centres participated in the study: four from CE, six from EE and eight from Southeastern Europe (SEE). Between those 2 years, older PIs were less frequently used and darunavir-based regimens were the main PIs (83%); bictegravir-based and tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens were introduced in CE and SEE but not in EE. The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly interrupt delivery of ART in most centres. Two-thirds of centres adopted a rapid ART start strategy, mainly in pregnant women and to improve linkage of care in vulnerable populations. The main obstacle to rapid ART start was that national guidelines in several countries from all three regions did not support such as strategy or required laboratory tests first; an INSTI/NRTI combination was the most commonly prescribed regimen (75%) and was exclusively prescribed in SEE. 2DRs are increasingly used for starting or switching ART (58%), and an INSTI/NRTI was the preferred regimen (75%) in all regions and exclusively prescribed in SEE, whereas the use of bPIs declined. Metabolic disorders and adverse drug reactions were the main reasons for starting a 2DR; in the second survey, HIV RNA <500 000 c/ml and high cluster of differentiation (CD)-4 count emerged as additional important reasons. CONCLUSIONS In just 2 years and in spite of the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant achievements concerning ART availability and strategies have occurred in CE, EE and SEE that facilitate the harmonization of those strategies with the European AIDS Clinical Society guidelines. Few exceptions exist, especially in EE. Continuous effort is needed to overcome various obstacles (administrative, financial, national guideline restrictions) in some countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Papadopoulos
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Thomas
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Protopapas
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sergii Antonyak
- Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, Viral Hepatitis and AIDS Department, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Josip Begovac
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Dragovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Deniz Gökengin
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Valbon Krasniqi
- Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Clinical Center at Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - Botond Lakatos
- National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, South-Pest Central Hospital, National Center of HIV, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mariana Mardarescu
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Matei Bals, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Velida Mulabdic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Cristiana Oprea
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Dalibor Sedláček
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Charles University of Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lubomir Sojak
- Department of Infectology and Geographical Medicine, Academic L. Derer's University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Agata Skrzat-Klapaczyńska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Vassilenko
- Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Technologies, Global Fund Grant Management Department, Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Nina Yancheva
- Department for AIDS, Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Oleg Yurin
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moskow, Russia
| | - Andrzej Horban
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Justyna D Kowalska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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10
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Matłosz B, Skrzat-Klapaczyńska A, Antoniak S, Balayan T, Begovac J, Dragovic G, Gusev D, Jevtovic D, Jilich D, Aimla K, Lakatos B, Matulionyte R, Panteleev A, Papadopoulos A, Rukhadze N, Sedláček D, Stevanovic M, Vassilenko A, Verhaz A, Yancheva N, Yurin O, Horban A, Kowalska JD. Chronic Kidney Disease and Nephrology Care in People Living with HIV in Central/Eastern Europe and Neighbouring Countries-Cross-Sectional Analysis from the ECEE Network. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:12554. [PMID: 36231850 PMCID: PMC9565150 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The Central and East Europe (CEE) region consists of countries with highly diversified HIV epidemics, health care systems and socioeconomic status. The aim of the present study was to describe variations in CKD burden and care between countries. The Euroguidelines in the CEE Network Group includes 19 countries and was initiated to improve the standard of care for HIV infection in the region. Information on kidney care in HIV-positive patients was collected through online surveys sent to all members of the Network Group. Almost all centres use regular screening for CKD in all HIV (+) patients. Basic diagnostic tests for kidney function are available in the majority of centres. The most commonly used method for eGFR calculation is the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Nephrology consultation is available in all centres. The median frequency of CKD was 5% and the main cause was comorbidity. Haemodialysis was the only modality of treatment for kidney failure available in all ECEE countries. Only 39% of centres declared that all treatment options are available for HIV+ patients. The most commonly indicated barrier in kidney care was patients' noncompliance. In the CEE region, people living with HIV have full access to screening for kidney disease but there are important limitations in treatment. The choice of dialysis modality and access to kidney transplantation are limited. The main burden of kidney disease is unrelated to HIV infection. Patient care can be significantly improved by addressing noncompliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Matłosz
- HIV Outpatient Clinic, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Agata Skrzat-Klapaczyńska
- Department of Adults’ Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Sergii Antoniak
- Viral Hepatitis and AIDS Department, Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, 01001 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Tatevik Balayan
- National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yerevan 0002, Armenia
| | - Josip Begovac
- School of Medicine, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Dragovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Denis Gusev
- Botkin’s Infectious Disease Hospital, First Saint-Petersburg State Medical University Named after I.P. Pavlov, 197022 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Djordje Jevtovic
- Infectious Disease Hospital, Belgrade University School of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - David Jilich
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Faculty Hospital Bulovka Hospital, 18000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kerstin Aimla
- West Tallinn Central Hospital, 10111 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Botond Lakatos
- National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, South-Pest Central Hospital, National Center of HIV, 1007 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, 08410 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- University General Hospital Attikon, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | - Nino Rukhadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Center, 112482 Tblisi, Georgia
| | - Dalibor Sedláček
- Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň, University Hospital Plzeň, Charles University, 30599 Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Milena Stevanovic
- University Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Anna Vassilenko
- Global Fund Grant Management Department, Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Technologies, 220004 Minsk, Belarus
| | - Antonija Verhaz
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, 78 000 Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nina Yancheva
- Department for AIDS, Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Disease, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Oleg Yurin
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal AIDS Centre, 101000 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrzej Horban
- Department of Adults’ Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Justyna D. Kowalska
- Department of Adults’ Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
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11
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Byonanebye DM, Polizzotto MN, Neesgaard B, Sarcletti M, Matulionyte R, Braun DL, Castagna A, de Wit S, Wit F, Fontas E, Vehreschild J, Vesterbacka J, Greenberg L, Hatleberg C, Garges H, Gallant J, Volny Anne A, Öllinger A, Mozer‐Lisewska I, Surial B, Spagnuolo V, Necsoi C, van der Valk M, Mocroft A, Law M, Ryom L, Petoumenos K. Incidence of hypertension in people with HIV who are treated with integrase inhibitors versus other antiretroviral regimens in the RESPOND cohort consortium. HIV Med 2022; 23:895-910. [PMID: 35233903 PMCID: PMC9545382 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the incidence of hypertension in people living with HIV receiving integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) versus non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) or boosted protease inhibitors (PIs) in the RESPOND consortium of HIV cohorts. METHODS Eligible people with HIV were aged ≥18 years who initiated a new three-drug ART regimen for the first time (baseline), did not have hypertension, and had at least two follow-up blood pressure (BP) measurements. Hypertension was defined as two consecutive systolic BP measurements ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or initiation of antihypertensives. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to determine adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) of hypertension, overall and in those who were ART naïve or experienced at baseline. RESULTS Overall, 4606 people living with HIV were eligible (INSTIs 3164, NNRTIs 807, PIs 635). The median baseline systolic BP, diastolic BP, and age were 120 (interquartile range [IQR] 113-130) mmHg, 78 (70-82) mmHg, and 43 (34-50) years, respectively. Over 8380.4 person-years (median follow-up 1.5 [IQR 1.0-2.7] years), 1058 (23.0%) participants developed hypertension (incidence rate 126.2/1000 person-years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 118.9-134.1). Participants receiving INSTIs had a higher incidence of hypertension than those receiving NNRTIs (aIRR 1.76; 95% CI 1.47-2.11), whereas the incidence was no different in those receiving PIs (aIRR 1.07; 95% CI 0.89-1.29). The results were similar when the analysis was stratified by ART status at baseline. CONCLUSION Although unmeasured confounding and channelling bias cannot be excluded, INSTIs were associated with a higher incidence of hypertension than were NNRTIs, but rates were similar to those of PIs overall, in ART-naïve and ART-experienced participants within RESPOND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dathan M. Byonanebye
- Kirby InstituteUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia,School of Public HealthMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - Mark N. Polizzotto
- Kirby InstituteUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Bastian Neesgaard
- CHIPCentre of Excellence for Health, Immunity, and InfectionsRigshospitaletUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Mario Sarcletti
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and AllergologyMedical University InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and DermatovenerologyFaculty of MedicineVilnius University Hospital Santaros KlinikosVilnius UniversityVilniusLithuania
| | - Dominique L. Braun
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologySwitzerland Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS)Institute of Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Antonella Castagna
- San Raffaele Scientific InstituteUniversità Vita‐Salute San RaffaeleMilanoItaly
| | - Stéphane de Wit
- CHU Saint PierreInfectious DiseasesUniversité Libre de BruxellesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Ferdinand Wit
- AIDS Therapy Evaluation in the Netherlands (ATHENA) CohortHIV Monitoring FoundationAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Eric Fontas
- Nice HIV CohortUniversité Côte d’Azur et Centre Hospitalier UniversitaireNiceFrance
| | - Jörg Janne Vehreschild
- Medical Department 2Hematology/OncologyUniversity Hospital of FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany,Department I for Internal MedicineUniversity Hospital of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Jan Vesterbacka
- Swedish InfCare HIV CohortKarolinska University HospitalHuddingeSweden
| | - Lauren Greenberg
- Centre for Clinical ResearchEpidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation (CREME)Institute for Global HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Camilla Hatleberg
- CHIPCentre of Excellence for Health, Immunity, and InfectionsRigshospitaletUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | | | | | - Angela Öllinger
- CHIPCentre of Excellence for Health, Immunity, and InfectionsRigshospitaletUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - Bernard Surial
- Department of Infectious Diseases, InselspitalBern University HospitalUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Vincenzo Spagnuolo
- San Raffaele Scientific InstituteUniversità Vita‐Salute San RaffaeleMilanoItaly
| | - Coca Necsoi
- CHU Saint PierreInfectious DiseasesUniversité Libre de BruxellesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Marc van der Valk
- AIDS Therapy Evaluation in the Netherlands (ATHENA) CohortHIV Monitoring FoundationAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of Internal MedicineAmsterdam Institute for Infection and ImmunityAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Amanda Mocroft
- CHIPCentre of Excellence for Health, Immunity, and InfectionsRigshospitaletUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark,Centre for Clinical ResearchEpidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation (CREME)Institute for Global HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Matthew Law
- Kirby InstituteUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Lene Ryom
- CHIPCentre of Excellence for Health, Immunity, and InfectionsRigshospitaletUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Kathy Petoumenos
- Kirby InstituteUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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12
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Fursa O, Mocroft A, Lazarus JV, Amele S, Lundgren J, Matulionyte R, Rasmussen LD, Rockstroh JK, Parczewski M, Jilich D, Moreno S, Vassilenko A, Lacombe K, Wandeler G, Borodulina E, Brännström J, Wiese L, Orkin C, Behrens GMN, Mansinho K, Portu JJ, Peters L. The hepatitis C cascade of care in HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected individuals in Europe: regional and intra-regional differences. AIDS 2022; 36:423-435. [PMID: 34690281 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following the introduction of direct-acting antiviral therapy in 2013, WHO launched the first Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis. We describe a hepatitis C virus (HCV) cascade of care in people with HIV (PWH) across Europe in terms of reaching the WHO elimination targets of diagnosing 90% and treating 80% of HCV-infected individuals. METHODS HIV/HCV-coinfected participants in the EuroSIDA cohort under prospective follow-up at October 1, 2019, were described using a nine-stage cascade of care. Care cascades were constructed across Europe, on a regional (n = 5) and country (n = 21) level. RESULTS Of 4773 anti-HCV positive PWH, 4446 [93.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 92.4-93.9)] were ever tested for HCV RNA, and 19.0% (95% CI 16.4-21.6) were currently HCV RNA positive, with the highest prevalence in Eastern and Central-Eastern Europe (33.7 and 29.6%, respectively). In Eastern Europe, 78.1% of the estimated number of chronic infections have been diagnosed, whereas this proportion was above 95% in the other four regions. Overall, 3116 persons have ever started treatment (72.5% of the ever chronically infected, 95% CI 70.9-74.0) and 2404 individuals (55.9% of the ever chronically infected, 95% CI 53.9-57.9) were cured. Cure proportion ranged from 11.2% in Belarus to 87.2% in Austria. CONCLUSION In all regions except Eastern Europe, more than 90% of the study participants have been tested for HCV-RNA. In Southern and Central-Western regions, more than 80% ever chronically HCV-infected PWH received treatment. The proportion with cured HCV infection did not exceed 80% in any region, with significant heterogeneity between countries. SUMMARY In a pan-European cohort of PWH, all regions except Eastern Europe achieved the WHO target of diagnosing 90% of chronic HCV infections, while the target of treating 80% of eligible persons was achieved in none of the five regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Fursa
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amanda Mocroft
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation (CREME), Institute for Global Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sarah Amele
- Centre for Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation (CREME), Institute for Global Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Jens Lundgren
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Line D Rasmussen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Milosz Parczewski
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - David Jilich
- Charles University in Prague and Na Bulovce Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Santiago Moreno
- Servicio Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Karine Lacombe
- Sorbonne Université, IPLESP Inserm UMR-S1136, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Wandeler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Johanna Brännström
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Venhälsan, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lothar Wiese
- Sjællands Universitetshospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Georg M N Behrens
- Department for Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Lars Peters
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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13
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Amele S, Sandri AK, Rodger A, Vandekerckhove L, Benfield T, Milinkovic A, Duvivier C, Stellbrink HJ, Sambatakou H, Chkhartishvili N, Caldeira L, Laguno M, Domingo P, Wandeler G, Gisinger M, Kuzovatova E, Dragovic G, Knysz B, Matulionyte R, Rockstroh JK, Lundgren JD, Mocroft A, Peters L. HCV reinfection after HCV therapy among HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals in Europe. HIV Med 2021; 23:684-692. [PMID: 34882940 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) can clear HCV in nearly all HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals, high rates of reinfection may hamper efforts to eliminate HCV in this population. We investigated reinfection after sustained virological response (SVR) in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals in Europe. METHODS Factors associated with odds of reinfection by 2 years after SVR in EuroSIDA participants with one or more HCV-RNA test and 2 years follow-up were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS Overall, 1022 individuals were included. The median age was 50 (interquartile range: 43-54 years), and most were male (78%), injection drug users (52%), and received interferon (IFN)-free DAAs (62%). By 24 months, 75 [7.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.7-8.9%] individuals were reinfected. Among individuals treated prior to 2014, 16.1% were reinfected compared with 4.2% and 8.3%, respectively, among those treated during or after 2014 with IFN-free and IFN-based therapy. After adjustment, individuals who had started treatment during or after 2014 with IFN-free or IFN-based therapy had significantly lower odds of reinfection (adjusted odds ratio = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.11-0.38; 0.43, 95% CI: 0.22-0.83) compared with those who had received therapy before 2014. There were no significant differences in odds of reinfection according to age, gender, European region, HIV transmission risk group or liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Among HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals in Europe, 7.3% were reinfected with HCV within 24 months of achieving SVR, with evidence suggesting that this is decreasing over time and with use of newer HCV regimens. Harm reduction to reduce reinfection and surveillance to detect early reinfection with an offer of treatment are essential to eliminate HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Amele
- Centre for Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation, Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Alison Rodger
- Centre for Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation, Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Thomas Benfield
- Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | | | - Claudine Duvivier
- AP-HP - Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, Infectious Diseases Department; Necker Pasteur Center for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine; Université de Paris; IHU Imagine, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Luis Caldeira
- Santa Maria University Hospital, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Pere Domingo
- Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gilles Wandeler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Elena Kuzovatova
- Nizhny Novgorod Scientific and Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Gordana Dragovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University; Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | | | - Amanda Mocroft
- Centre for Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation, Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK.,CHIP, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Lakatos B, Kowalska J, Antoniak S, Gokengin D, Begovac J, Vassilenko A, Wasilewski P, Fleischhans L, Jilich D, Matulionyte R, Kase K, Papadopoulus A, Rukhadze N, Harxhi A, Hofman S, Dragovic G, Vasyliev M, Verhaz A, Yancheva N, Oprea C. Retrospective evaluation of an observational cohort by the Central and Eastern Europe Network Group shows a high frequency of potential drug-drug interactions among HIV-positive patients receiving treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). HIV Med 2021; 23:693-700. [PMID: 34859557 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this international multicentre study was to review potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) for real-life coadministration of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-specific medications. METHODS The Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group initiated a retrospective, observational cohort study of HIV-positive patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Data were collected through a standardized questionnaire and DDIs were identified using the University of Liverpool's interaction checker. RESULTS In total, 524 (94.1% of 557) patients received cART at COVID-19 onset: 117 (22.3%) were female, and the median age was 42 (interquartile range 36-50) years. Only 115 (21.9%) patients were hospitalized, of whom 34 required oxygen therapy. The most frequent nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) backbone was tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) with lamivudine or emtricitabine (XTC) (79.3%) along with an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) (68.5%), nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) (17.7%), protease inhibitor (PI) (13.7%) or other (2.5%). In total, 148 (28.2%) patients received COVID-19-specific treatments: corticosteroids (15.7%), favipiravir (7.1%), remdesivir (3.1%), hydroxychloroquine (2.7%), tocilizumab (0.6%) and anakinra (0.2%). In total, 62 DDI episodes were identified in 58 patients (11.8% of the total cohort and 41.9% of the COVID-19-specific treatment group). The use of boosted PIs and elvitegravir accounted for 43 DDIs (29%), whereas NNRTIs were responsible for 14 DDIs (9.5%). CONCLUSIONS In this analysis from the Central and Eastern European region on HIV-positive persons receiving COVID-19-specific treatment, it was found that potential DDIs were common. Although low-dose steroids are mainly used for COVID-19 treatment, comedication with boosted antiretrovirals seems to have the most frequent potential for DDIs. In addition, attention should be paid to NNRTI coadministration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Botond Lakatos
- HIV Center, National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, South Pest Central Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Justyna Kowalska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sergii Antoniak
- Viral Hepatitis and AIDS Department at the Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Deniz Gokengin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Josip Begovac
- School of Medicine, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anna Vassilenko
- Global Fund Grant Management Department, Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Technologies, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Piotr Wasilewski
- 4th Department, Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lukas Fleischhans
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Faculty Hospital Bulovka, Bulovka, Czech Republic
| | - David Jilich
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Faculty Hospital Bulovka, Bulovka, Czech Republic
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Antonios Papadopoulus
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University General Hospital Attikon, Athens, Greece
| | - Nino Rukhadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Arjan Harxhi
- Infectious Disease Service, University Hospital Center of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Sam Hofman
- Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň, Charles University, University Hospital Plzeň, Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Gordana Dragovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Antonija Verhaz
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nina Yancheva
- Department for AIDS, Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Disease Sofia, Sofi, Bulgaria
| | - Cristiana Oprea
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
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15
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Jilich D, Skrzat-Klapaczyńska A, Fleischhans L, Bursa D, Antoniak S, Balayan T, Begovac J, Cicic A, Dragovic G, Goekengin D, Harxhi A, Kase K, Lakatos B, Matulionyte R, Mulabdic V, Oprea C, Papadopoulos A, Rukhadze N, Tomazic J, Tovba L, Soják Ľ, Vassilenko A, Yancheva N, Yurin O, Kowalska J. National strategies for vaccination against COVID-19 in people living with HIV in Central and Eastern European region. HIV Med 2021; 23:546-552. [PMID: 34704331 PMCID: PMC8653080 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Introduction People living with HIV (PLWH) are at higher risk of poorer COVID‐19 outcomes. Vaccination is a safe and effective method of prevention against many infectious diseases, including COVID‐19. Here we investigate the strategies for national COVID‐19 vaccination programmes across central and eastern Europe and the inclusion of PLWH in vaccination programmes. Methods The Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group consists of experts in the field of infectious diseases from 24 countries in the region. Between 1 November 2020 and 19 March 2021 the group proceeded an on‐line survey consisting of 20 questions. Results Twenty‐two countries (out of 24 invited) participated in the survey and 20/22 countries in the period between December 2020 and March 2021 had already started their COVID‐19 vaccination programme. In total, seven different vaccines were used by participating countries. In 17/21 countries (81%), vaccinated persons were centralized within the national registry. In 8/21 countries (38%) PLWH were prioritized for vaccination (the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Montenegro, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) and the Czech Republic, Greece and Serbia had put in place national guidelines for vaccination of PLWH. In 14/20 countries (70%) vaccination was only provided by designated centres. Eighteen respondents (18/21; 85.7%) reported that they planned to follow up HIV patients vaccinated against COVID‐19, mainly by measuring antibody levels and checking COVID‐19 incidence (11/21; 52.3%). Conclusions This survey‐based study suggests that there are significant differences in terms of prioritizing PLWH, the types of vaccines used, vaccination coverage, and the development and implementation of a vaccination programmes within the region. Regardless of heterogenicity and existing barriers within the region, systematic vaccination in PLWH should have the highest priority, especially in those with severe immunodeficiency, risk factors, and in the elderly, aiming for prompt and high vaccination coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Jilich
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Faculty Hospital Bulovka, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Agata Skrzat-Klapaczyńska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lukas Fleischhans
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Faculty Hospital Bulovka, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dominik Bursa
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sergii Antoniak
- Viral Hepatitis and AIDS Department at the Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Tatevik Balayan
- National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Josip Begovac
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alma Cicic
- Institute for Public Health of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Gordana Dragovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine; University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Arjan Harxhi
- University Hospital Center of Tirana, Infectious Disease Service, Tirana, Albania
| | | | - Botond Lakatos
- National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, South-Pest Central Hospital, National Center of HIV, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Velida Mulabdic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Cristiana Oprea
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- University General Hospital Attikon - Medical School - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nino Rukhadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Janez Tomazic
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lida Tovba
- USMF Nicolae Testemitanu, Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Ľubomír Soják
- Department of Infectology and Geographical Medicine, Center for Treatment of HIV/AIDS Patients, Academic L. Dérer's University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Anne Vassilenko
- Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Technologies, Global Fund Grant Management Department, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Nina Yancheva
- Department for AIDS. Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Disease Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Oleg Yurin
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moskov, Russia
| | - Justyna Kowalska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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16
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Amele S, Peters L, Rodger A, Lundgren J, Rockstroh J, Matulionyte R, Leen C, Jabłonowska E, Østergaard L, Bhagani S, Sarcletti M, Clarke A, Falconer K, Wandeler G, Domingo P, Maltez F, Zaccarelli M, Chkhartisvili N, Szlavik J, Stephan C, Fonquernie L, Aho I, Mocroft A. Effectiveness and Safety of Interferon-Free Direct-Acting Antiviral Hepatitis C Virus Therapy in HIV/Hepatitis C Virus Coinfected Individuals: Results From a Pan-European Study. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 86:248-257. [PMID: 33079903 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the effectiveness, safety, and reasons for premature discontinuation of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in a diverse population of HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected individuals in Europe. METHODS All HIV/HCV coinfected individuals in the EuroSIDA study that started interferon free DAA treatment between January 6, 2014, and January 3, 2018, with ≥12 weeks of follow-up after treatment stop were included in this analysis. Sustained virological response (SVR) was defined as a negative HCV-RNA result ≥12 weeks after stopping treatment (SVR12). Logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with SVR12. RESULTS 1042 individuals started interferon-free DAA treatment after 1/6/2014 and were included, 862 (82.2%) had a known response to treatment, and 789 [91.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 89.7 to 93.4] of which achieved SVR12. There were no differences in SVR12 across regions of Europe (P = 0.84). After adjustment, the odds of achieving SVR12 was lower in individuals that received sofosbuvir/simeprevir ± ribavirin (RBV) [adjusted odds ratio 0.21 (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.53)] or ombitasvir/paritaprevir/dasabuvir ± RBV [adjusted odds ratio 0.46 (95% CI: 0.22 to 1.00)] compared with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir ± RBV. Forty-three (4.6%) individuals had one or more components of their HCV regimen stopped early, most commonly because of toxicity (n = 14); of these 14, 11 were treated with ribavirin. Increased bilirubin was the most common grade 3 or 4 laboratory adverse event (n = 15.3%) and was related to treatment with atazanavir and ribavirin. CONCLUSIONS Our findings from real-world data on HIV/HCV coinfected individuals across Europe show DAA treatment is well tolerated and that high rates of SVR12 can be achieved in all regions of Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Amele
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lars Peters
- CHIP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alison Rodger
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jens Lundgren
- CHIP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jurgen Rockstroh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | | | | | - Sanjay Bhagani
- Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Amanda Clarke
- Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gilles Wandeler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Mauro Zaccarelli
- Istituto Nazionale Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Inka Aho
- Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Amanda Mocroft
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Kowalska JD, Kase K, Vassilenko A, Harxhi A, Lakatos B, Lukić GD, Verhaz A, Yancheva N, Dumitrescu F, Jilich D, Machala L, Skrzat-Klapaczyńska A, Matulionyte R. The characteristics of HIV-positive patients with mild/asymptomatic and moderate/severe course of COVID-19 disease-A report from Central and Eastern Europe. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 104:293-296. [PMID: 33326871 PMCID: PMC7834141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is currently no evidence suggesting that COVID-19 takes a different course in HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral treatment compared to the general population. However, little is known about the relation between specific HIV-related factors and the severity of the COVID-19 disease. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of cases collected through an on-line survey distributed by the Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group. In statistical analyses characteristics of HIV-positive patients, asymptomatic/moderate and moderate/severe course were compared. Results In total 34 HIV-positive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were reported by 12 countries (Estonia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Albania, Belarus, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria). Asymptomatic courses of COVID-19 were reported in four (12%) cases, 11 (32%) patients presented with mild disease not requiring hospitalization, moderate disease with respiratory and/or systemic symptoms was observed in 14 (41%) cases, and severe disease with respiratory failure was found in five (15%) patients. The HIV-related characteristics of patients with an asymptomatic/mild course of COVID-19 were comparable to those with a moderate/severe course of COVID-19, except for the use of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) in cART regimen (0.0% vs. 31.6% respectively, p = 0.0239). Conclusions In our analyses HIV viral suppression and immunological status were not associated with the course of COVID-19 disease. On the contrary the cART regimen could contribute to severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Large and prospective studies are necessary to further investigate this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna D Kowalska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
| | | | | | - Arjan Harxhi
- University Hospital Center of Tirana, Infectious Disease Service, Albania
| | - Botond Lakatos
- National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, South-Pest Central Hospital, National Center of HIV, Hungary
| | - Gordana Dragović Lukić
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Antonija Verhaz
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, The Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Department for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, The Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nina Yancheva
- Department for AIDS, Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Disease Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - David Jilich
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Na Bulovce Hospital, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Machala
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Na BuLovce Hospital, Czech Republic
| | - Agata Skrzat-Klapaczyńska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Lithuania
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18
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Matulyte E, Kiveryte S, Paulauskiene R, Liukpetryte E, Vaikutyte R, Matulionyte R. Retrospective analysis of the etiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in the University Infectious Diseases Centre in Lithuania. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:733. [PMID: 33028262 PMCID: PMC7541245 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05462-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The morbidity and mortality in community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM) remain substantial, and the etiology, clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes and predictors of poor prognosis must be assessed regularly. The aim of this study was to identify the distribution of etiological agents and their relationship with clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes in this cohort of patients with CABM. Methods Our retrospective chart review analyzed the causative microorganisms, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment and outcomes of 159 adults with CABM hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Centre of Vilnius University Hospital from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2016. A Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score ≤ 3 was defined as unfavorable outcome. Predictors of an unfavorable outcome were identified through logistic regression analysis. Results The median patient age was 36 (IQR 24–56), and 51.6% were male. Microbiologically confirmed causative agents were identified in 80 (50.3%) patients: N. meningitidis in 55 (34.6%) patients with serotype B accounting for 85% of cases, S. pneumoniae in 15 (9.4%), L. monocytogenes in 5 (3.1%) and other in 5 (3.1%). The clinical triad of fever, neck stiffness and a change in mental status was present in 59.1% of patients. Coexisting conditions and comorbidities were similar in all groups stratified by etiology. Initial antimicrobial treatment consisted of penicillin in 78 patients (49.1%) and ceftriaxone in 72 patients (45.3%). The median time in which antibiotic treatment was started was 40 min (IQR 30.0–90.0). The outcome was unfavorable in 15.7% of episodes and death occurred in 5.7% of cases and did not differ according to the causative agent. Risk factors for an unfavorable outcome were age > 65 years, coexisting pneumonia and a platelet count <150x10e9/l. Conclusions The most common causative agent of CABM was N. meningitidis, with serotype B clearly dominant. Causative agents did not influence the disease outcome. The strongest risk factors for an unfavorable outcome were older age, pneumonia and a low platelet count. Since the introduction of routine vaccination against meningococcus B for infants in Lithuania in 2018, the national vaccination policy may hopefully contribute to a decrease in the incidence of serogroup B meningococcal disease in the Lithuanian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Matulyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - S Kiveryte
- Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - R Paulauskiene
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - E Liukpetryte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - R Vaikutyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - R Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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19
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Balayan T, Begovac J, Skrzat-Klapaczyńska A, Aho I, Alexiev I, Bukovinova P, Salemovic D, Gokengin D, Harxhi A, Holban T, Jevtovic D, Kase K, Lakatos B, Latysheva I, Matulionyte R, Oprea C, Papadopoulos A, Rukhadze N, Sedlacek D, Tomazic J, Vassilenko A, Vasylyev M, Verhaz A, Yancheva N, Yurin O, Horban A, Kowalska JD. Where are we with pre-exposure prophylaxis use in Central and Eastern Europe? Data from the Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe (ECEE) Network Group. HIV Med 2020; 22:67-72. [PMID: 33021049 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV infection is an important intervention for control of the HIV epidemic. The incidence of HIV infection is increasing in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Therefore, we investigated the change in PrEP use in CEE over time. METHODS The Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe (ECEE) Network Group was initiated in February 2016 to compare standards of care for HIV and viral hepatitis infections in CEE. Data on access to PrEP were collected from 23 countries through online surveys in May-June 2017 (76 respondents) and in November 2018-May 2019 (28 respondents). RESULTS About 34.2% of respondents stated that tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) was licensed for use in their country in 2017, and 66.7% that it was licensed for use in 2018 (P = 0.02). PrEP was recommended in national guidelines in 39.5% of responses in 2017 and 40.7% in 2018 (P = 0.378). About 70.7% of respondents were aware of "informal" PrEP use in 2017, while 66.6% were aware of this in 2018 (P = 0.698). In 2018, there were 53 centres offering PreP (the highest numbers in Poland and Romania), whereas six countries had no centres offering PreP. The estimated number of HIV-negative people on PreP in the region was 4500 in 2018. Generic TDF/FTC costs (in Euros) ranged from €10 (Romania) to €256.92 (Slovakia), while brand TDF/FTC costs ranged from €60 (Albania) to €853 (Finland). CONCLUSIONS Although the process of licensing TDF/FTC use for PrEP has improved, this is not yet reflected in the guidelines, nor has there been a reduction in the "informal" use of PrEP. PrEP remains a rarely used preventive method in CEE countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Balayan
- National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - J Begovac
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - A Skrzat-Klapaczyńska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - I Aho
- Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - I Alexiev
- National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - P Bukovinova
- Deptartment of Infectious Diseases and Geographical Medicine UH, University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - D Salemovic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - A Harxhi
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Center of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - T Holban
- Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - D Jevtovic
- Belgrade University School of Medicine Infectious Diseases Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - K Kase
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - B Lakatos
- Saint Laszlo Hospital National Center of HIV, Semmelweis University Faculty of Infectious Diseases, Budapest, Hungary
| | - I Latysheva
- Republican Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - R Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Infectious Diseases Centre, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - C Oprea
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Papadopoulos
- Medical School -National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University General Hospital "ATTIKON", Athens, Greece
| | - N Rukhadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS & Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - D Sedlacek
- HIV Center University Hospital, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - J Tomazic
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - A Vassilenko
- Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - M Vasylyev
- Lviv Regional Public Health Center, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - A Verhaz
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Banja Luka, RS, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - N Yancheva
- Department for AIDS, Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases - Sofia, Medical University Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - O Yurin
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal AIDS Centre, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A Horban
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - J D Kowalska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,HIV Out-Patient Clinic, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
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20
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Laut K, Kirk O, Rockstroh J, Phillips A, Ledergerber B, Gatell J, Gazzard B, Horban A, Karpov I, Losso M, d'Arminio Monforte A, Pedersen C, Ristola M, Reiss P, Scherrer AU, de Wit S, Aho I, Rasmussen LD, Svedhem V, Wandeler G, Pradier C, Chkhartishvili N, Matulionyte R, Oprea C, Kowalska JD, Begovac J, Miró JM, Guaraldi G, Paredes R, Raben D, Podlekareva D, Peters L, Lundgren JD, Mocroft A. The EuroSIDA study: 25 years of scientific achievements. HIV Med 2019; 21:71-83. [PMID: 31647187 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The EuroSIDA study was initiated in 1994 and follows adult people living with HIV (PLHIV) in 100 collaborating clinics across 35 countries covering all European regions, Israel and Argentina. The study aims to study the long-term virological, immunological and clinical outcomes of PLHIV and to monitor temporal changes and regional differences in outcomes across Europe. Annually collected data include basic demographic characteristics, information on AIDS- and non-AIDS-related clinical events, and details about antiretroviral therapy (ART), hepatitis C treatment and other medications, in addition to a range of laboratory values. The summer 2016 data set held data from a total of 23 071 individuals contributing 174 481 person-years of follow-up, while EuroSIDA's unique plasma repository held over 160 000 samples. Over the past 25 years, close to 300 articles have been published in peer-reviewed journals (h-index 52), covering a range of scientific focus areas, including monitoring of clinical and virological outcomes, ART uptake, efficacy and adverse events, the influence of hepatitis virus coinfection, variation in the quality of HIV care and management across settings and regions, and biomarker research. Recognizing that there remain unresolved issues in the clinical care and management of PLHIV in Europe, EuroSIDA was one of the cohorts to found The International Cohort Consortium of Infectious Disease (RESPOND) cohort consortium on infectious diseases in 2017. In celebration of the EuroSIDA study's 25th anniversary, this article aims to summarize key scientific findings and outline current and future scientific focus areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Laut
- Department of Infectious Diseases, CHIP, Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - O Kirk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, CHIP, Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - A Phillips
- Centre for Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation (CREME), Institute for Global health, University College London, London, UK
| | - B Ledergerber
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - J Gatell
- Hospital Clinic - IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - B Gazzard
- St Stephen's Clinic, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - A Horban
- Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - I Karpov
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Belarus State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - M Losso
- Latin America Coordination of Academic Clinical Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A d'Arminio Monforte
- Department of Health Sciences, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, ASST Saint Paul and Charles, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - C Pedersen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - M Ristola
- Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - P Reiss
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Global Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam and Stichting HIV Monitoring, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A U Scherrer
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S de Wit
- CHU Saint-Pierre, Brussels, Belgium
| | - I Aho
- Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - L D Rasmussen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - V Svedhem
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - G Wandeler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - N Chkhartishvili
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS & Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - R Matulionyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.,Centre of Infectious Diseases, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - C Oprea
- 'Victor Babes' Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania.,Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - J D Kowalska
- Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - J Begovac
- University Hospital of Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J M Miró
- Hospital Clinic - IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Guaraldi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Adults and Children, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - R Paredes
- Infectious Diseases Unit &, IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias Hospital, Badalona, Spain
| | - D Raben
- Department of Infectious Diseases, CHIP, Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - D Podlekareva
- Department of Infectious Diseases, CHIP, Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L Peters
- Department of Infectious Diseases, CHIP, Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J D Lundgren
- Department of Infectious Diseases, CHIP, Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Mocroft
- Centre for Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Modelling and Evaluation (CREME), Institute for Global health, University College London, London, UK
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21
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Samalavicius R, Serpytis M, Ringaitiene D, Grazulyte D, Bertasiute R, Rimkus B, Matulionyte R, Ambrazaitiene R, Sipylaite J, Kacergius T, Griskevicius L. Successful use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a human immunodeficiency virus infected patient with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. AIDS Res Ther 2014; 11:37. [PMID: 25745500 PMCID: PMC4350972 DOI: 10.1186/1742-6405-11-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction We report a case of an adult patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria that was successfully managed with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Case report A 25 year old male with no significant past medical history had been admitted to a local hospital due to dyspnea and fever. His pulmonary function subsequently failed necessitating mechanical ventilation (MV) and introduction of ECMO support. The patient was transported for 300 km by road on ECMO to a tertiary medical center. The diagnosis of ARDS, HIV infection and MDR bacterial and fungal VAP was made. Patient was successfully treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), anti-infective agents and 58 days of veno-venous ECMO support, with complete resolution of the respiratory symptoms. Conclusion HIV infected patients with ARDS and MDR bacterial VAP whose HIV replication is controlled by ART could be successfully managed with ECMO.
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22
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Garbino J, Villiger P, Caviezel A, Matulionyte R, Uckay I, Morel P, Lew D. A randomized prospective study of cefepime plus metronidazole with imipenem-cilastatin in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections. Infection 2007; 35:161-6. [PMID: 17565457 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-007-6237-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2006] [Accepted: 01/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Presumptive antimicrobial therapy is an important aspect of the management of intra-abdominal infections. Together with surgery, antimicrobial combinations are still widely used to achieve the required spectrum of activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of parenteral cefepime + metronidazole vs imipenem-cilastatin for the treatment of intra-abdominal infections in adult patients. METHODS Patients with a clinically confirmed diagnosis of intra-abdominal infection were randomized to one of two treatment regimens: cefepime 2 g iv/12 h plus metronidazole 500 mg/8 h or imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg iv/6 h. The primary measure of clinical response was the decline of pre-treatment signs and symptoms of infection. The duration of follow-up was 30 days. Treatment failure was defined as either a lack of improvement or a worsening of pre-treatment signs and symptoms of infection. Surgical management of the infection was determined by the surgeon-in-charge. RESULTS Of the 122 intended-to-treat patients included in the study, 60 patients (33 men) were randomized to cefepime + metronidazole and 61 (27 men) to imipenem-cilastatin. Cefepime + metronidazole treatment was successful in 52 (87%) patients and imipenem-cilastatin in 44 (72%) patients (p = 0.004). Microbiological eradication was established in similar proportions in both groups (cefepime + metronidazole, 43; imipenem-cilastatin, 38). CONCLUSION Further studies are warranted to confirm the better results with the cefepime + metronidazole regimen for the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Garbino
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals of Geneva, 24 Rue Micheli-du-Crest, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.
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23
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Tapiainen T, Prevots R, Izurieta HS, Abramson J, Bilynsky R, Bonhoeffer J, Bonnet MC, Center K, Galama J, Gillard P, Griot M, Hartmann K, Heininger U, Hudson M, Koller A, Khetsuriani N, Khuri-Bulos N, Marcy SM, Matulionyte R, Schöndorf I, Sejvar J, Steele R. Aseptic meningitis: Case definition and guidelines for collection, analysis and presentation of immunization safety data. Vaccine 2007; 25:5793-802. [PMID: 17574313 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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24
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Garbino J, Markham L, Matulionyte R, Rives V, Lew D. Should we continue using amphotericin B deoxycholate for the treatment of fungal infections? Adverse events and clinical outcomes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 38:110-3. [PMID: 16449001 DOI: 10.1080/00365540500372887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmBd) has been a standard therapy for IFI but is associated with high adverse event and mortality rates. A retrospective review was undertaken to describe adverse events and clinical outcomes in adult patients with IFI treated with only AmBd as initial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Garbino
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland.
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25
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Matulionyte R, Ambrozaitis A, Paulauskiene R, Aleksoniene R. [Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: an old disease with a new name]. Medicina (Kaunas) 2006; 42:643-8. [PMID: 16963830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia has historically been one of the most common opportunistic pneumonias and life-threatening infectious complications in HIV-infected patients. After the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy, the incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia and other opportunistic infections has decreased dramatically. Nowadays Pneumocystis pneumonia still occurs in patients unaware of their HIV status, in those not receiving combination antiretroviral therapy, or in those in whom it is ineffective due to resistance. Age factor is the diagnosis delaying one: patients aged more than 50 years are diagnosed with AIDS later than younger persons. Pneumocystis was thought to be a species of protozoa. Over the last 20 years, Pneumocystis has been shown to be a fungus, to be genetically diverse, host species specific, to colonize individuals with minor immunosuppression, and to cause clinical disease by "new" infection in addition to reactivation of latent childhood-acquired infection. Recently, the microorganism Pneumocystis carinii causing disease in humans has been renamed to Pneumocystis jirovecii. This article presents a clinical case of late diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a 62-year-old patient unaware of her HIV status and a review of literature reflecting epidemiological issues of Pneumocystis jirovecii and latest discoveries related to Pneumocystis as well as the rationale for renaming it.
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26
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Matulionyte R, Garbino J, Uçkay I, Lambert JF, Hirschel B. Disseminated histoplasmosis in an HIV-infected patient discovered by routine blood smear staining. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2005; 24:361-3. [PMID: 15834745 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-005-1317-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Matulionyte
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Geneva Hospitals, 24, rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
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Abstract
AIMS To assess the incidence of nocardia infection over 15 years in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS Over a 15 year period, Nocardia spp were isolated from 20 patients hospitalised at the Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland. RESULTS Sixteen patients had one or more underlying conditions. The median time between symptom onset and diagnosis was 30 days. The most common initial unconfirmed diagnosis was pulmonary tuberculosis (four). The lung was involved in 16 cases, followed by the central nervous system (two) and skin (two); one patient had disseminated infection. The most common species identified was N asteroides. In vitro susceptibility testing was performed on 14 of 20 strains. All strains were susceptible to imipenem and amikacin. Initial treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) was started in 14 patients, although five patients had to be switched to another treatment because of side effects or lack of efficacy. A cure was observed in 15 patients, death in three, and relapse or complications in two. CONCLUSIONS Nocardiosis can become a severe infection and mainly affects profoundly immunocompromised patients. Differential diagnosis often delays the time to diagnosis, which worsens the outcome. New diagnostic tools, such as the polymerase chain reaction, could provide more rapid and reliable results. TMT/SMX was the most commonly prescribed treatment, but needed to be changed for another treatment because of side effects or lack of efficacy in a considerable proportion of patients. Imipenem should be used as an alternative treatment for severely ill patients, and the sulfa combination for less severe infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Matulionyte
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Geneva Hospitals, 1211Geneva, Switzerland
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