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Free accessReview articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 153-153
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 154-156Nevirapine (NVP) was the first nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) approved for the treatment of HIV infection. NVP can provide safe and efficacious viral suppression for treatment-naive patients and for virologically controlled patients “switching” from other NNRTI or protease inhibitor–based regimens. Formulations allowing once-daily dosing of antiretrovirals can significantly improve regimen adherence, which is important for maintaining virologic control, especially for NNRTI-based regimens with low barriers for genetic resistance. Randomized and controlled clinical trials have established the clinical noninferiority of a new, extended-release formulation (XR) of NVP, in both treatment-naive (VERxVE) and treatment-experienced patients (TRANxITION), where patients already stable on the immediate-release formulation of NVP were safely transitioned directly to NVP XR. As a potentially more convenient once-daily option, NVP XR may improve adherence and reduce the risk of mutant viruses, attendant virologic failure, and the spread of drug resistance.
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 157-158There is no consensus regarding a best dosing regimen of hepatitis B virus vaccine (HBVV) for non-responsive HIV-infected individuals. Double-dose of hepatitis B vaccine (DDHBVV) could enhance immunogenicity to HBVV in non-responsive HIV-infected adults. We assessed the immunogenicity of DDHBVV in HIV-infected adolescents who failed to respond to standard HBVV revaccination. HIV-infected adolescents with current CD4 ≥ 200 cells/mm3 and no protective antibody concentration of hepatitis B surface antibodies (antiHBs) after HBVV revaccination received DDHBVV, at months 0, 1, 2. The HBVV doses were 20 microgram per dose for adolescents aged < 18 years and 40 microgram per dose for adolescents aged ≥ 18 years. AntiHBs titers were measured at 1, 2, 3 months after first DDHBVV. AntiHBs ≥ 10 mIU/ml was considered protective. Seven adolescents were enrolled; mean age was 15.4 years, CD4 was 775 cells/mm3 and all had HIV-RNA < 50 copies/ml. Proportions of adolescents with protective antiHBs were 86% at months 1 and 2, and 100% at month 3. Geometric means of antiHBs were 1.1 at baseline, 101.6 at 1 month, 137.1 at 2 months, and 355.9 mIU/ml at 3 months after the first DDHBVV. No grade 3-4 adverse event was reported. DDHBVV is an option for HIV-infected adolescents who are non-responder to standard HBVV revaccination.
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 159-161Vulvitis circumscripta plasmacellularis or Zoon vulvitis is a rare benign condition that affects the vulva chronically. We herein report a case of Zoon vulvitis in a 52-year-old HIV-infected patient with an uncommon ulcerovegetating lesion diagnosed by histopathlogic findings. The patient was treated with clobetasol propionate ointment and oral corticosteroid. Zoon vulvitisis is a rare vulvar disorder that offers a challenging diagnose and therapy. The patient was appropriately treated and remains disease free.
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 162-165A 65-year-old man, M.S.M., known as being HIV infected for 20 years, presented with muscle ache and progressive weakness 3 months after initiation of darunavir as a part of his antiretroviral therapy (ART). The patient's treatment included darunavir/ritonavir 600/100 mg twice daily, plus a backbone of didanosine and abacavir which were the backbone in his previous regimen for several years according to his drug resistance profile. Three months after initiation of darunavir/ritonavir the patient exhibited clinical symptoms of severe pain and progressive weakness of his lower limbs; he was unable to walk and was totally wheelchair-bound. Severe sensory peripheral polyneuropathy was revealed on electromyogram (EMG). All medications, including ART, were stopped. Within two months, concomitantly with initiation of raltegravir, etravirine and emcitricabine/tenofovir, the patient recovered, gained weight, resumed walking and his CD4 counts rose from 270 to 450 cells/mm3. A second EMG study 3 months after initiation of his new ART regimen showed compete recovery of the previously diagnosed peripheral neuropathy. In this report, we present a case of severe HIV-1-related acute demyelinating polyneuropathy which initiated after new generation PI darunavir/ritonavir was given and resolved after cessation of the drug without the use of immune-based therapies. The variety of HIV-related polyneuropathies will be discussed.
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 166-168Drug-induced lupus (DIL) is a rare adverse reaction to medications with features resembling idiopathic systemic lupus erythromatosis. Rifabutin/rifamycins have only rarely been reported as a cause of DIL, and no cases have been reported in blacks. A 55-year-old African American woman with HIV presented with severe generalized arthralgias and recurrent oral ulcers while receiving treatment for tuberculous meningitis. Arthralgias, which began in her knees after 5 weeks of antituberculous therapy, progressed to involve the joints in the ankles, wrists, and hands. She had no associated fever or rash. When she had these symptoms her antinuclear antibody (ANA) was 1:1280 homogenous pattern, antidouble stranded DNA was negative, antihistone antibody was strongly positive, anti-smith and antiribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP) were negative. Her symptoms resolved within 2 months of stopping rifabutin while continuing other antituberculous medications and her ANA titer started to decrease. We review the existing literature on this subject.
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 169-172Client satisfaction is a good predictor of performance of health programs. Hence, clients’ perception and satisfaction studies provide insight to improve the program.
To assess clients’ perception and satisfaction with Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) for HIV in an operational setting.
A total of 191 client exit interviews from 12 ICTCs. The clients were stratified into general and antenatal clients. A systematic random sampling was done at high client load centers.
Cumulative client satisfaction was found to be 60% (±24%). Most of the clients (76%) agreed that counseling cleared doubts about HIV and found counseling beneficial (71%). Only 32% of the clients could recall issues discussed during the sessions. However, 92.5% were satisfied with ICTC facilities.
Poor perception and low satisfaction with ICTCs needs to be addressed as this could have a direct bearing on the program.
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 173-177Non-AIDS–defining cancers in HIV-infected patients in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era have increased. To our knowledge a comprehensive review of non-AIDS–related malignancies in New Orleans has not yet been conducted.
Databases from main institutions in New Orleans were queried retrospectively for the years 2001 to 2011. The
A total of 16 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer (mean age 50 years) with 81% of the patients presenting with advanced stages. In all, 20 (mean age 47 years) were diagnosed with anal cancer, and 35% presented in late stages. In all, 14 patients (mean age 42 years) were diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, and 64% were diagnosed at late stage. A total of 5 women (mean age 44 years) were diagnosed with breast cancer with 40% of them presenting at late stage.
Malignancies were diagnosed at late stages in the majority of the cases, presented with worse outcomes, and had higher recurrence rates. The role of HIV and other viruses (Epstein Barr virus, human papillomavirus) and the potential mechanisms or pathways of oncogene activation also need to be clarified.
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 178-184Nonengagement in HIV care is a major clinical and public health challenge. To identify the risk factors and reasons, we performed (1) a retrospective study of patients admitted to the hospital with advanced HIV disease, (2) a prospective qualitative study, and (3) a population-based area-wide telephone interview. In the retrospective study, clinic care engagement was associated with age (43.9 ± 9.1 years vs 37.9 ± 7.2 years,
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 185-194This paper examines the scientific bases for the recommendations on readiness, trust, and adherence that were contained in 5 HIV treatment guidelines.
The authors reviewed the treatment guidelines of 5 internationally recognized expert panels, and 5 review articles on readiness, trust, and adherence to determine the evidence for the guidelines' recommendations. These review articles were assessed to determine whether they contained: 1) a definition of the concept, 2) a measure that predicted outcomes, or 3) evidence that a replicable intervention altered outcomes.
There is no good definition, measure, or evidence that readiness predicts adherence. There were no interventions that improved readiness in a clinically useful way. There was no good definition or measure of trust, nor was there evidence that patient trust predicts adherence or that interventions improve trust. It is not clear whether trust is a cause or an effect of clinical outcomes. There is agreement that adherence is defined as taking medications as prescribed. Six measures of adherence were found, and several studies showed that they correlated poorly when applied to the same sample of patients. Adherence interventions have had some success but are poorly described and idiosyncratic such that it is difficult to replicate them in other settings.
Research on readiness and trust are unlikely to yield useful results. Systematic, long term research on clinician-based adherence interventions must be done. A life-long process such as adherence to antiretroviral treatment is unlikely to be understood without having a long-term study of a cohort of patients taking these medications.
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 195-201Adherence to therapy is central to the success of antiretroviral treatment (ART). With the availability of free ART under the national program in India, cost of ART is no longer the primary determinant of adherence. This study evaluated the adherence and factors influencing it among patients receiving free ART in a public health ART center in India.
The adherence and its influences among 250 HIV-positive patients on first line ART for at least 3 months from the ART Center of Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India were analyzed. The adherence was assessed by patients' self report using the adult AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) questionnaire and counter checked with pharmacy records. The association of various parameters affecting adherence levels was analyzed by using SPSS package and Epiinfo software.
Of the 250 patients, 242 (96.8%) had optimum adherence (>95%) and 8 (3.2%) were “non-adherent.” CD4 counts (
The modifiable factors most strongly associated with good adherence rates were higher current CD4 counts, patients' beliefs in ART, and positive mental health. These factors can be targeted by simple, practical interventions to improve and maintain high adherence levels.
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 202-207Background: HIV-infected refugees resettled in the United States face many challenges. Longitudinal data regarding HIV-specific outcomes in this population are limited. Methods: We reviewed charts of 51 HIV-infected sub-Saharan African refugees matched to 102 nonrefugees. Outcomes analyzed included CD4 counts, viral loads (VLs), antiretroviral treatment (ART) use, appointment adherence, opportunistic infections, and resistance mutations. Results: The ART initiation was similar. Appointment adherence was similar in year 1, but refugees were significantly less adherent beyond year 3. Refugees and nonrefugees spent similar amounts of time in care suppressed (83% vs 80%,
Free accessResearch articleFirst published May, 2013pp. 208-216In the context of emerging evidence related to preexposure prophylaxis and HIV treatment as prevention, an evidence summit was held in mid-2012 to discuss the current state of the science and to provide a platform for consensus building around whether and how these prevention strategies might be implemented globally. Health care providers, researchers, policy makers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and representatives of government authorities, donor agencies, pharmaceutical companies, advocacy organizations, and professional associations attended from 52 countries. An international advisory committee was convened to identify key messages and recommendations based upon the data presented and discussed at the summit. The advisory committee further worked to develop this consensus statement meant to assist relevant stakeholders in taking stock and mapping out a route forward to enhance the HIV prevention armamentarium.