AIDS Research and Therapy最新文献

Chronic viral infections caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C (HCV), and hepatitis B (HBV) are common among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESKD). These infections were once considered contraindications to kidney transplantation due to potential risks associated with long-term immunosuppression. Improved management and antiviral therapies have changed the prognosis and survival of this group of patients, along with an increased experience in transplanting people with these viral infections. We report the first successful kidney transplant in an ESKD patient on hemodialysis with a history of concomitant HIV, HCV and HBV infection in Mexico.

Background: The World Health Organization has recommended a new method for HIV self-testing (HIVST) using oral fluid, intending to increase HIV testing rates, and linking individuals to medical care. Healthcare workers are chief health advocates in the community who need adequate knowledge and intention to use the newly recommended HIVST approach. However, studies on awareness and the intention to use oral fluid for HIV self-testing among Ethiopian healthcare workers are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess healthcare workers' knowledge of and intentions to use oral fluid for HIV self-testing in Hadiya Zone public hospitals in southern Ethiopia in 2022.

Methods: We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study among a sample of 352 healthcare workers from 1 to 30 June 2022. The data were entered into Epidata version 4.2 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. We used a logistic regression model with a 95% confidence interval for the interpretation of adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with P < 0.05.

Results: Of the total participants, 40.3% had good knowledge, and 63.1% intended to use oral fluid (HIVST). Approximately 92% of healthcare workers had not received training, and 48.3% had heard about HIVST. Only 12.3% knew about the availability of the kit in hospitals, and 19.9% had ever used HIVST. Being male (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI 1.33-3.95), receiving support for the implementation of HIVST (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.21-3.56), hearing about HIVST (AOR = 5.05; 95% CI 2.89-8.81), having prior experience using HIVST (AOR = 2.94; 95% CI 1.71-5.05), having a spouse or partner (AOR = 2.78; 95% CI 1.14-6.82), and having multiple sexual partners (AOR = 2.76; 95% CI 1.13-6.78) were associated with good knowledge of oral HIVST. Being aged 25-29 years (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI 1.18, 5.41), perceiving the high cost of the HIVST kit (AOR = 0.37; 95% CI 0.16-0.84), and having poor knowledge (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.13-3.23) were significantly associated with the intention to use the oral fluid for HIVST.

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for technical updating training for healthcare workers to increase their knowledge of and intention to use oral fluid for HIVST. Promoting oral fluid HIVST through targeted education, supporting initiatives, and addressing cost concerns related to the testing kit may increase the uptake of oral fluid HIVST among healthcare workers.

Introduction: Vertical transmission of HIV remains a major challenge in Guinea, especially, in low-resource rural areas. This paper presents the results of a pilot project designed to enhance the prevention of vertical transmission through a comprehensive improvement plan implemented across 66 large-cohort sites.

Methods: Data from 66 large-cohort of mother to child transmission prevention (PMTCT) sites from 2019 to 2022 were analysed to compare PMTCT metrics before (2019-2020) and after (2021-2022) the improvement initiative. Key indicators were reviewed, and trends were statistically analysed using Mann‒Whitney tests, with a p value less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance.

Results: The implementation of this strategy significantly increased the antiretroviral therapy rate among HIV-positive pregnant women from 66 to 94%, and full antiretroviral prophylaxis coverage was achieved in infants. However, early infant diagnosis via polymerase chain reaction testing falls short of the national target, highlighting deficiencies in laboratory and specimen transport capacities. The study also revealed regional disparities in the use of PMTCT services.

Conclusion: The improvement plan effectively enhanced antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis use, demonstrating the benefits of structured interventions and capacity development. Despite improvements, challenges such as insufficient polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and uneven access to services remain. Future initiatives should aim to equip PMTCT sites with essential resources and promote community-driven health-seeking behaviours in underserved areas.

Introduction: Refugee HIV positive mothers experience significant obstacles in accessing, utilizing and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Identifying ART non-adherence can help in the development of interventions aimed at improving adherence and subsequently effectiveness of ART among the refugee mothers. We describe the use and the factors associated with non-adherence to ART among Refugee HIV positive pregnant mothers aged 18-49 years in Kyangwali Refugee Camp, Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among HIV positive pregnant mothers aged 18-49 years in Kyangwali refugee camp between May and June 2023. Using a structured questionnaire, we collected data on use, and factors associated with non-adherence to ART. We used modified Poisson regression analysis to determine factors associated with non-adherence to ART.

Results: Of the 380 participants enrolled, 192 (50.5%) were married, mean age 32.1 years. Overall, 98.7; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [97.5-99.8%] were using ART and 27.4; 95% CI [22.9-31.9%] were non-adherent. Non-adherence was associated with: Initiating Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) care in the third trimester of pregnancy (adjusted Prevalence ration(aPR): 2.06; 95% CI: 1.27-3.35), no need to get permission to seek PMTCT services aPR 1.61; 95% CI [1.07-2.42] and poor attitude of PMTCT providers aPR 1.90; 95% CI [1.20-3.01].

Conclusion and recommendations: Non-adherence to ART was generally high; therefore limiting the effectiveness of the PMTCT program in this setting. Refugee context specific education interventional programs aimed at early initiation into HIV care, strong social and psychological support from families, communities and health care providers are vital to improve adherence in this setting.

Background: China braces for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surge after adjusting the "zero COVID" strategy. We aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence of clinical symptoms of the Omicron variant infection among people living with HIV (PLWH) and HIV-free people.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province, in December 2022 by a self-administered online survey during the Omicron wave. Participants aged ≥ 18 years with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnosis were recruited. PLWH managed by the local healthcare system were recruited, while HIV-free people were recruited by sending out online surveys through WeChat. We compared the prevalence of clinical symptoms of COVID-19 between PLWH and HIV-free people, and factors associated with symptom occurrence among PLWH were accessed.

Results: Total, 687 PLWH and 1222 HIV-free people were enrolled. After adjusting sex, age, body mass index, comorbidities and COVID-19 vaccination status, the prevalences of all symptoms, including higher degree and long duration of fever (aOR 0.51, 95%CI 0·42 - 0·61; aOR 0.52, 95%CI 0·43 - 0·63), were significantly lower among PLWH than among HIV-free people. Among PLWH, CD4⁺ T lymphocyte count (CD4 count) between 350 ~ 499 cells/µL and detectable HIV viral load (HIV-VL) were associated with significantly decreased risks of fever (aOR 0·63, 95%CI 0·40 - 0·97; aOR 0·56, 95%CI 0·33 - 0·94), headache (aOR 0·61, 95%CI 0·41 - 0·91; aOR 0·55, 95%CI 0·34 - 0·92) and muscle soreness (aOR 0·57, 95%CI 0·39 - 0·84; aOR 0·57, 95%CI 0·39 - 0·84). No apparent association between the symptoms prevalence and three/four doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccination among PLWH was observed; both males and older age were associated with significantly decreased risks of nasal congestion/runny nose (aOR 0·52, 95%CI 0·32 - 0·82; aOR 0·97, 95%CI 0·96 - 0·99) and headache (aOR 0·58, 95%CI 0·36 - 0·92; aOR 0·96, 95%CI 0·95 - 0·98); older age was associated with significantly decreased risks of higher degree of fever (aOR 0·97, 95%CI 0·95 - 0·98).

Conclusions: PLWH have significantly milder symptoms of the Omicron variant infection than HIV-free people. PLWH who are male, older, have low CD4 count, and detectable HIV-VL have reduced occurrence of COVID-19 symptoms. However, continuous monitoring should be conducted among PLWH during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Anemia is common and associated with increased morbidity among people with HIV (PWH). Classification of anemia using the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) can help investigate the underlying causative factors of anemia. We characterize anemia using MCV among PWH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and identify the risk factors for normocytic, macrocytic, and microcytic anemias.

Methods: Including PWH with anemia (hemoglobin measure < 12.9 g/dL among men and < 11.9 g/dL among women) in the NA-ACCORD from 01/01/2007 to 12/31/2017, we estimated the annual distribution of normocytic (80-100 femtolitre (fL)), macrocytic (> 100 fL) or microcytic (< 80 fL) anemia based on the lowest hemoglobin within each year. Poisson regression models with robust variance and general estimating equations were used to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals for risk factors for macrocytic (vs. normocytic) and microcytic (vs. normocytic) anemia stratified by sex.

Results: Among 37,984 hemoglobin measurements that identified anemia in 14,590 PWH, 27,909 (74%) were normocytic, 4257 (11%) were microcytic, and 5818 (15%) were macrocytic. Of the anemic PWH included over the study period, 1910 (13%) experienced at least one measure of microcytic anemia and 3208 (22%) at least one measure of macrocytic anemia. Normocytic anemia was most common among both males and females, followed by microcytic among females and macrocytic among males. Over time, the proportion of anemic PWH who have macrocytosis decreased while microcytosis increased. Macrocytic (vs. normocytic) anemia is associated with increasing age and comorbidities. With increasing age, microcytic anemia decreased among females but not males. A greater proportion of PWH with normocytic anemia had CD4 counts $\le$ 200 cells/mm³ and had recently initiated ART.

Conclusion: In anemic PWH, normocytic anemia was most common. Over time macrocytic anemia decreased, and microcytic anemia increased irrespective of sex. Normocytic anemia is often due to chronic disease and may explain the greater risk for normocytic anemia among those with lower CD4 counts or recent ART initiation. Identified risk factors for type-specific anemias including sex, age, comorbidities, and HIV factors, can help inform targeted investigation into the underlying causes.

Background: In the US, 1.2 million people live with HIV (PWH). Despite having near-normal life expectancies due to antiretroviral therapy (ART), many PWH seek an HIV cure, even if it means risking their lives. This willingness to take risks for a cure raises questions about "affective forecasting biases," where people tend to overestimate the positive impact of future events on their well-being. We conducted a study to test two interventions to mitigate affective forecasting in the decisions of PWH about taking HIV cure medication.

Methods: We recruited PWH to complete a 30-minute survey about their current quality of life (QoL) and the QoL they anticipate after being cured of HIV, and assigned them to either no additional intervention, to one of two interventions intended to reduce affective forecasting bias, or to both interventions: (1) a defocusing intervention designed to broaden the number of life domains people consider when imagining life changes associated with new circumstances (e.g. HIV cure); and (2) an adaptation intervention to help them gauge fading of strong emotions over time. The study design included a 2 × 2 design: defocusing (yes/no) x adaptation (yes/no) intervention. We assessed PWH's willingness to take hypothetical HIV sterilizing cure medication using the Time Trade-Off (TTO) and their quality of life predictions with WHOQOL-HIV.

Results: 296 PWH participated. Counter to what we had hypothesized, neither intervention significantly reduced PWH's willingness to trade time for a cure. Instead, the defocusing intervention increased their willingness to trade time (IRR 1.77, p = 0.03). Exploratory analysis revealed that PWH with lower current quality of life who received the defocusing intervention were more willing to trade time for a cure.

Conclusion: These negative findings suggest that either these biases are difficult to overcome in the settings of HIV curative medication or other factors beyond affective forecasting biases influence willingness to participate in HIV curative studies, such as respondents' current quality of life.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and reasons for nonadherence to cotrimoxazole prophylaxis therapy. A cross-sectional study was conducted among people living with HIV attending Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Data were collected through interviews and reviews of medical records. Binary logistic regression was employed to analyze factors associated with CPT nonadherence. Approximately two-thirds (65.5%) of the participants were non-adherent to co-trimoxazole prophylaxis therapy. The main reasons for non-adherence were side effects, pill fatigue and forgetfulness. Strategies to improve adherence to co-trimoxazole prophylaxis therapy should focus on the combined patient, clinical and medication related issues of people living with HIV.

Background: Effective management of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial in combating the global HIV pandemic. This study, the first of its kind in Yemen, investigates the rate and determinants of switching from first-line to second-line ART among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Aden City, Yemen.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from PLWH who started first-line ART at Al-Wahda Hospital from 2007 to May 2022. PLWH in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs, those already on second-line ART at enrollment, and those with less than 3 months of follow-up were excluded. Cumulative incidence curves and multivariable proportional hazards models were used to identify factors associated with switching, considering death and loss to follow-up as competing risks. Analyses were carried out using IBM SPSS version 26.

Results: Out of 149 PLWH, 18 (12.1%) switched to second-line ART with a cumulative incidence rate of 1.8 per 100 person-years. Significant factors for switching included being older than 33 years (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.12-1.89), having WHO stage 3 disease (HR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.21-2.06), and being on a TDF-FTC-EFV-based first-line regimen (HR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.03-1.77). This switching rate is consistent with rates observed in other resource-limited settings, indicating it is neither exceptionally high nor low compared to similar contexts​.

Conclusions: The study highlights key factors associated with switching to second-line ART in Yemen, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and continuous monitoring to enhance treatment outcomes. These findings are consistent with regional data from other resource-limited settings.