Current HIV Research最新文献

Introduction: Behavioral risk factors in adolescents make them vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although it is dissimilar to adults, adolescent HIV is less studied. This study aimed to determine various socio-demographic attributes and transmission dynamics associated with adolescent HIV in order to comment on how they differ from the overall epidemiology of HIV.

Methods: A record-based, comparative study was conducted using data from adolescents (ALHIV) and adults registered in all HIV centers across the Indian state of West Bengal over four years. The socio-demographic profile and modes of HIV transmission were studied. Transmission dynamics were compared between adolescent and non-adolescent beneficiaries, as well as male and female HIV-positive adolescents. The association of adolescent HIV burden with child marriage and adolescent pregnancy rates was also tested.

Results: More than 50% of AL-HIVs were students. While heterosexuality (87.17%) was the commonest route of HIV transmission in adults, parent-to-child transmission (PTCT) (51.69%) and blood transfusions (12.86%) were major routes in AL-HIVs; also, they were significantly more prone to get infected through these routes. PTCT was significantly lower, and transmission by needle syringes was higher in male adolescents than in their female counterparts. Districts with a higher prevalence of child marriage and adolescent pregnancy had a significantly higher burden of AL-HIV.

Conclusion: The transmission dynamics of adolescent HIV are largely different from those of adults, with PTCT and sociocultural issues playing significant roles. It is, therefore, essential to design targeted interventions to tackle the unique challenges of HIV in adolescents for more effective and comprehensive campaigns against the pandemic.

Objectives: The envelope glycoprotein (Env) on the surface of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is a crucial protein that mediates binding to host cell receptors and subsequent membrane fusion. Env, as the sole target for neutralizing antibodies, holds unique importance in vaccine design. Therefore, analyzing the genetic characteristics of the Env region offers reference data for vaccine and drug design.

Methods: From December 2021 to December 2022, 145 newly diagnosed, HIV-1-infected individuals in Baoding City were recruited into this study. The HIV-1 env gene sequence was successfully obtained from 142 of the 145 blood specimens, and the sequences were submitted to the Quality Control Tool (http//:HIV-DB Sequence Quality Control Tool (lanl.gov)) to analyze the viral subtype. The coreceptor tropism was predicted using the Geno2pheno web tool with falsepositive rate (FPR) values of 5%-15%, and the net charges of the third variable (V3) loop were calculated by Variable Region Characteristics (lanl.gov).

Results: The results showed that half of the patients were infected with the CCR5-tropic virus (50.0%, 71/142). In HIV-1 subtype CRF01_AE infection, the use of CXCR4 is expected to predominate, while in HIV-1 subtype CRF07_BC infection, CCR5 coreceptors are expected to be used predominantly. Sequence analysis of the V3 loop region revealed that subtypes CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC have similar median net charges (~3.0). Furthermore, GPGQ was found to be the major terminal tetrapeptide of the CRF07_ BC and CRF01_AE strains in this study.

Conclusion: These findings enhance our understanding of the characteristics of the HIV-1 epidemic and provide important implications for HIV-1 vaccine design and clinical treatment.

Background: Early diagnosis and effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) lead to similar life expectancy in people living with HIV (PLWH) compared to the general population. This population faces problems such as decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis in men aged 50 years and over who were PLWH and to determine risk factors and changes in bone metabolism with bone turnover markers.

Methods: 79 male PLWH aged 50 years and over were followed up in our outpatient clinic between May 2021 and October 2021. The patients' demographic, clinical, laboratory, and DEXA data were analyzed. Serum levels of bone turnover markers were measured.

Results: The prevalence of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and normal BMD was found to be 55.7%, 13.9%, and 30.4%, respectively. A correlation was found between low BMD and low body mass index, elapsed time since diagnosis of HIV infection, high rate of use of ART, and long usage time of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate + protease inhibitor. A one-year increase in HIV infection duration was associated with an increased risk of low BMD by 1.246.

Conclusion: Compared to studies conducted on the general population, the prevalence of osteoporosis in male PLWH aged 50 years and older was two times higher. The limited effect of the duration of ART use on low BMD may be due to the patients' histories of replacement therapy. Therefore, to eliminate the negative effects of ART on BMD, it may be beneficial to start replacement therapy when necessary.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) in China have a high risk for HIV infection but experience suboptimal rates of HIV testing and service engagement due to various social and structural barriers. We developed a mobile health (mHealth) intervention entitled "WeTest-Plus" (WeTest+) as a user-centered "one-stop service" approach for delivering access to comprehensive information about HIV risk, HIV self-testing, behavioral and biomedical prevention, confirmatory testing, treatment, and care.

Objective: The goal of the current study was to investigate the feasibility of WeTest+ to provide continuous HIV services to high-risk MSM.

Methods: Participants completed a 3-week pilot test of WeTest+ to examine acceptability, feasibility, and recommendations for improvement. Participants completed a structured online questionnaire and qualitative exit interviews facilitated by project staff. "Click-through" rates were assessed to examine engagement with online content.

Results: 28 participants were included, and the average age was 27.6 years (standard deviation = 6.8). Almost all participants (96.4%) remained engaged with the WeTest+ program over a 3-week observational period. The majority (92.9%) self-administered the HIV self-test and submitted their test results through the online platform. Overall click-through rates were high (average 67.9%). Participants provided favorable comments about the quality and relevance of the WeTest+ information content, the engaging style of information presentation, and the user-centered features.

Conclusion: This pilot assessment of WeTest+ supports the promise of this program for promoting HIV self-testing and linkage to in-person services for MSM in China. Findings underscore the utility of a user-centered approach to mHealth program design.

Background: HIV and syphilis are sexually transmitted infections with overlapping risk factors, potentially leading to increased HIV transmission and treatment challenges. Understanding the clinical management of syphilis co-infection among people living with HIV is crucial for public health interventions.

Objective: This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the prevalence of syphilis co-infection, clinical characteristics, treatment response, and public health implications among people living with HIV in southern Turkey.

Methods: Records of 1352 people living with HIV 18 years and older, followed at a tertiary infectious diseases clinic between 2013 and 2023, were analyzed. Data on demographics, clinical stage of syphilis and HIV/AIDS, laboratory parameters, treatment response, and co-infections were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0 software.

Results: Among the people living with HIV, 103 (7.6%) were diagnosed with syphilis. Most cases were male (97.1%), with a median age of 33 (IQR 28-49) years. Heterosexual transmission was predominant (60.2%), with a history of condomless sexual intercourse in 90.3% of cases. The majority (88.3%) were asymptomatic with latent syphilis. Syphilis was diagnosed concurrently with HIV in 77.7% of cases. Serological response to syphilis treatment was observed in 46.8% of patients, while 53.2% showed a serofast reaction. Neurosyphilis was rare, diagnosed in only one patient. Co-infections with hepatitis B and C were detected in 3.9% and 1.9% of patients, respectively.

Conclusion: Syphilis co-infection among people living with HIV is a significant public health concern in southern Turkey. Routine screening for syphilis, along with comprehensive education on sexually transmitted infection prevention, is essential for early detection and optimal management. Further research is needed to improve treatment outcomes and address emerging challenges in HIV-syphilis co-infection management.

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), more specifically exosomes (xEVs), have been associated with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). These xEVs contain a variety of biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids (e.g., microRNA, LncRNA, and DNA). The expressions of these vesicles in the setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have been linked to disease progression. Studies have explored the use of EVs in more practical clinical settings. Several studies have found that biomolecules within xEVs can serve to detect disease progression. The biomolecule content within xEVs is useful in prognostication and has even been associated with mechanisms of resistance for some DLBCL treatment modalities. This review article explores the role of xEV biomolecule content in DLBCL progression in the context of HIV infection and its applied use in practical disease management.

Introduction: Therapeutic measures have been successful in increasing survival rates and quality of life of HIV/AIDS-infected people. However, some people fail to respond to antiretroviral therapy (HAART) because of viral resistance-associated mutations.

Objective: To identify virus genotype and the presence of mutations that alter the susceptibility to HAART, and factors associated with the occurrence of these mutations.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on adults living with HIV attending a specialized outpatient clinic in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. The participants were interviewed and had blood samples collected for analysis. Those with detectable viral load were genotyped.

Results: Out of the 629 patients recruited, 127 subjects were included due to having a detectable viral load. The most common mutations were M184V and K103N. HIV-1 subtype C was the most prevalent strain. Resistance to HAART was associated with modification in the treatment regimen (p <0.001).

Conclusion: This study concluded that the circulating subtype virus was subtype C and that the mutations K103N and M184V were the most prevalent strains in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Introduction: People with the human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) who were diagnosed long ago are more prone to age-related conditions and comorbidities than the general population. We hypothesized that older PWH have endocrine abnormalities that may influence the patient's health status.

Methods: Mean hormonal values across the thyrotropic, somatotropic, corticotropic, and gonadal axis, and percentage of subjects with abnormal values, were compared between PWH aged ≥50 years (n=30) and people without HIV (n=30) (Over50 cohort). Clinical factors were also analyzed as independent variables.

Results: PWH had a higher prevalence of comorbidities (36.67% PWH and 20.69% controls had ≥3 comorbidities). Male PWH exhibited lower estradiol levels than male controls (29.75±7.68 pg/mL vs. 35.45 ± 10.04 pg/mL; p = 0.0041). Abnormal concentrations of testosterone were found in 35% of male PWH compared to 55% of male controls (mostly above reference values). Cortisol levels were significantly lower among PWH (9.97 ± 4.33 μg/dL vs. 13.56 ± 3.39 μg/dL; p = 0.002); 16.6% of PWH exhibited abnormally low levels (<5 μg/dL), compared to 0% of controls, and 3 PWH met criteria for a definitive diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency (<3.6 μg/dL). For the somatotropic axis, growth hormone (GH) levels were significantly lower in male PWH than in controls (p = 0.0394). No significant differences were found in relation to the thyroid axis.

Conclusion: Hormones are generally similar between the chronic PWH who are receiving ART treatment and the general control population, except for cortisol in both sexes and testosterone and estradiol in men. Some special attention should be given to cortisol in PWH due to a presumably higher risk of adrenal complications.

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