Articles

Targeting vulnerable populations: a synthetic review on alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour among migrant populations

Research has demonstrated a link between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour among different types of migrant populations. Therefore, research investigating risk factors associated with alcohol consumption ...

Authors: Emilia Maria Vaz Martins-Fonteyn, Nina Sommerland, Herman Meulemans, Olivier Degomme, Ines Raimundo and Edwin Wouters

Nutritional status and its effect on treatment outcome among HIV infected clients receiving HAART in Ethiopia: a cohort study

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nutritional status at the start of highly active anti-retroviral therapy on treatment outcomes among HIV/AIDS patients taking HAART at Jimma University Spe...

Authors: Sadikalmahdi Hussen, Tefera Belachew and Nezif Hussien

Stem cell transplantation in strategies for curing HIV/AIDS

HIV-1 can persist in a latent form in resting memory CD4+ cells and macrophages carrying an integrated copy of the HIV genome. Because of the presence of these stable reservoir cells, eradication by antiretrov...

Authors: Gero Hütter

Dolutegravir(DTG, S/GSK1349572) combined with other ARTs is superior to RAL- or EFV-based regimens for treatment of HIV-1 infection: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The first-generation integrase inhibitors (INIs) raltegravir (RAL) and elvitegravir (EVG) have shown efficacy against HIV infection, but they have the limitations of once-more daily dosing and extensive cross-...

Authors: Junjun Jiang, Xi Xu, Wenqin Guo, Jinming Su, Jiegang Huang, Bingyu Liang, Hui Chen, Ning Zang, Yanyan Liao, Li Ye and Hao Liang

Early infant diagnosis of HIV infection using DNA-PCR at a referral center: an 8 years retrospective analysis

Over the last decade, Ethiopia adopted different strategies of prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). Prior to implementation of Option A in 2011, there was no provision of prophylaxis for ...

Authors: Tolessa Olana, Tigist Bacha, Walelign Worku and Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse

The effect of Tenofovir on renal function among Ugandan adults on long-term antiretroviral therapy: a cross-sectional enrolment analysis

WHO recommends using Tenofovir containing first line antiretroviral therapy (ART), however, Tenofovir has been reported to be associated with renal impairment and dysfunction. We compared renal function among ...

Authors: Tino Salome, Ivan Kasamba, Billy Nsubuga Mayanja, Patrick Kazooba, Jackson Were, Pontiano Kaleebu and Paula Munderi

Antiretroviral treatment regardless of CD4 count: the universal answer to a contextual question

After a period where it was recommended to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) early, the CD4 threshold for treating asymptomatic adults dropped to 200/mm³ at the beginning of the 2000s. This was mostly due to a g...

Authors: Serge P. Eholié, Anani Badje, Gérard M. Kouame, Jean-Baptiste N’takpe, Raoul Moh, Christine Danel and Xavier Anglaret

Plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load rebound among people who inject drugs receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a Canadian setting: an ethno-epidemiological study

People who inject drugs (PWID) living with HIV often experience sub-optimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment outcomes, including HIV plasma viral load (PVL) rebound. While previous studies have identifie...

Authors: Will Small, M. J. Milloy, Ryan McNeil, Lisa Maher and Thomas Kerr

Risk factors for unstructured treatment interruptions and association with survival in low to middle income countries

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment interruptions lead to poor clinical outcomes with unplanned or unstructured TIs (uTIs) likely to be underreported. This study describes; uTIs, their risk factors and asso...

Authors: James H. McMahon, Tim Spelman, Nathan Ford, Jane Greig, Anita Mesic, Charles Ssonko, Esther C. Casas and Daniel P. O’Brien

Determinants of time to antiretroviral treatment initiation and subsequent mortality on treatment in a cohort in rural northern Malawi

To optimise care HIV patients need to be promptly initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and subsequently retained on treatment. In this study we report on the interval between enrolment and treatment initi...

Authors: Jeremy Philip Brown, Bagrey Ngwira, Terence Tafatatha, Amelia Catharine Crampin, Neil French and Olivier Koole

Prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B coinfection in Ghana: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection has been associated with higher morbidity and mortality and may impact significantly on healthcare resource utilization. However, in G...

Authors: Akosua Adom Agyeman and Richard Ofori-Asenso

Integrated therapy for HIV and tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) has been the most common opportunistic infection and cause of mortality among HIV-infected patients, especially in resource-limited countries. Clinical manifestations of TB vary and depend on...

Authors: Weerawat Manosuthi, Surasak Wiboonchutikul and Somnuek Sungkanuparph

What happens to cardiovascular system behind the undetectable level of HIV viremia?

Despite the combined antiretroviral therapy has improved the length and quality of life of HIV infected patients, the survival of these patients is always decreased compared with the general population. This i...

Authors: Gabriella d’Ettorre, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Paolo Pavone, Pietro Vittozzi, Gabriella De Girolamo, Ivan Schietroma, Sara Serafino, Noemi Giustini and Vincenzo Vullo

Evolution of changes in cognitive function after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy

Cognitive function is reported to improve after the initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Data on the evolution of such changes are limited. We assessed the dynamics of changes in cognitive ...

Authors: Borja Mora-Peris, Elizabeth Stevens, Francesca Ferretti, Jonathan Underwood, Stephen Taylor and Alan Winston

Gut barrier structure, mucosal immunity and intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis and treatment of HIV infection

Over the past 10 years, extensive work has been carried out in the field of microbial translocation in HIV infection, ranging from studies on its clinical significance to investigations on its pathogenic featu...

Authors: Camilla Tincati, Daniel C. Douek and Giulia Marchetti

Validation of a self-reported HIV symptoms list: the ISS-HIV symptoms scale

To describe the development and the psychometric properties of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità-HIV symptoms scale (lSS-HIV symptoms scale).

Authors: Raffaella Bucciardini, Katherina Pugliese, Daniela Francisci, Andrea Costantini, Elisabetta Schiaroli, Miriam Cognigni, Chiara Tontini, Stefano Lucattini, Luca Fucili, Massimiliano Di Gregorio, Marco Mirra, Vincenzo Fragola, Sara Pompili, Rita Murri and Stefano Vella

Incidence and risk factors for liver enzymes elevations in highly treatment-experienced patients switching from enfuvirtide to raltegravir: a sub-study of the ANRS-138 EASIER trial

In the ANRS EASIER trial where treatment-experienced patients switched from enfuvirtide (ENF) to raltegravir (RAL), a high incidence of transaminase elevation was reported in the RAL arm.

Authors: Nathalie de Castro, Joséphine Braun, Isabelle Charreau, Alain Lafeuillade, Jean-Paul Viard, Clotilde Allavena, Jean-Pierre Aboulker and Jean-Michel Molina

Factors associated with HIV viral load “blips” and the relationship between self-reported adherence and efavirenz blood levels on blip occurrence: a case–control study

The uncertain etiology of HIV viral load (VL) blips may lead to increased use of clinical resources. We evaluated the association of self-reported adherence (SRA) and antiretroviral (ART) drug levels on blip o...

Authors: Aaron Farmer, Xun Wang, Anuradha Ganesan, Robert G. Deiss, Brian K. Agan, Thomas A. O’Bryan, Kevin Akers and Jason F. Okulicz

The role of NK cells in HIV-1 protection: autologous, allogeneic or both?

Natural killer (NK) cells specialize in killing virally infected- or tumor cells and are part of the innate immune system. The activational state of NK cells is determined by the balance of incoming activating...

Authors: Jef Hens, Wim Jennes and Luc Kestens

Predictors of perceived male partner concurrency among women at risk for HIV and STI acquisition in Durban, South Africa

Women in sub-Saharan Africa continue to be at greater risk for HIV acquisition than men. Concurrency, viz. multiple sexual partnerships that overlap over time, has been studied as a possible risk factor for HI...

Authors: Zakir Gaffoor, Handan Wand, Renée A. Street, Nathlee Abbai and Gita Ramjee

Reviewer acknowledgement

Authors: Eric Arts and Mark Boyd

High prevalence of being Overweight and Obese HIV-infected persons, before and after 24 months on early ART in the ANRS 12136 Temprano Trial

HIV is usually associated with weight loss. World health Organization (WHO) recommends early antiretroviral (ART) initiation, but data on the progression of body mass index (BMI) in participants initiating ear...

Authors: Calixte Guehi, Anani Badjé, Delphine Gabillard, Eric Ouattara, Serge Olivier Koulé, Raoul Moh, Didier Ekouevi, Hugues Ahibo, Jean Baptiste N’Takpé, Gérard Kouamé Menan, Nina Deschamps, Jerôme Lecarrou, Serge Eholié, Xavier Anglaret and Christine Danel

Acceptability and use of ready-to-use supplementary food compared to corn–soy blend as a targeted ration in an HIV program in rural Haiti: a qualitative study

Ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) is increasingly used as a component of food rations for adults with HIV.

Authors: Anne G. Beckett, Debbie Humphries, J. Gregory Jerome, Jessica E. Teng, Patrick Ulysse and Louise C. Ivers

Rate of initial highly active anti-retroviral therapy regimen change and its predictors among adult HIV patients at University of Gondar Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective follow up study

Regimen change is a major challenge for the sustainability of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment program. In a resource limited setting where treatment options are limited, designing strategies to in...

Authors: Degefaye Zelalem Anlay, Zinahbizu Abay Alemayehu and Berihun Assefa Dachew

Assessing the sensitivity and specificity of First Response HIV-1-2 test kit with whole blood and serum samples: a cross-sectional study

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Rapid diagnostic Test (RDT) kits are the preferred assays for HIV testing in many countries. Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission, Know Your Status Campaigns, Blood-Saf...

Authors: Raymond Boadu, George Darko, Priscilla Nortey, Patricia Akweongo and Bismark Sarfo

Combination of long-acting HIV fusion inhibitor albuvirtide and LPV/r showed potent efficacy in HIV-1 patients

Long acting antiretroviral drugs represent a promising approach for chronic treatment of HIV infection. Here, we study the efficacy and safety of albuvirtide (ABT), an HIV-1 fusion inhibitor with a half life ...

Authors: Hongwei Zhang, Ronghua Jin, Cheng Yao, Tong Zhang, Meixia Wang, Wei Xia, Haiyan Peng, Xiaojuan Wang, Rongjian Lu, Changjin Wang, Dong Xie and Hao Wu

The antiviral compound BIT225 inhibits HIV-1 replication in myeloid dendritic cells

Previous studies with BIT225 (N-carbamimidoyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-naphthamide) have demonstrated a unique antiviral activity that blocks the release of HIV-1 from monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). An...

Authors: Gabriela Khoury, Gary Ewart, Carolyn Luscombe, Michelle Miller and John Wilkinson

Sero-prevalence of HBV and associated risk factors among HIV positive individuals attending ART clinic at Mekelle hospital, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Because of the shared mean of transmission, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of an important cause of co-morbidity and mortality in peoples living with HIV/AIDS. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the...

Authors: Letebrhan Weldemhret, Tsehaye Asmelash, Rashmi Belodu and Dawit Gebreegziabiher

Sexually transmitted infections and pre-exposure prophylaxis: challenges and opportunities among men who have sex with men in the US

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has shown high efficacy in preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in several large clinical trials, and more recently in “...

Authors: Hyman M. Scott and Jeffrey D. Klausner

The adult prevalence of HIV in Zambia: results from a population based mobile testing survey conducted in 2013–2014

To estimate the adult prevalence of HIV among the adult population in Zambia and determine whether demographic characteristics were associated with being HIV positive.

Authors: Pascalina Chanda-Kapata, Nathan Kapata, Eveline Klinkenberg, Ngosa William, Liwewe Mazyanga, Katoba Musukwa, Elizabeth Chizema Kawesha, Felix Masiye and Peter Mwaba

HIV-1 genetic diversity and its distribution characteristics among newly diagnosed HIV-1 individuals in Hebei province, China

Since the first HIV-1 case in 1989, Hebei province has presented a clearly rising trend of HIV-1 prevalence, and HIV-1 genetic diversity has become the vital barrier to HIV prevention and control in this area....

Authors: Xinli Lu, Cuiying Zhao, Wei Wang, Chenxi Nie, Yuqi Zhang, Hongru Zhao, Suliang Chen and Ze Cui

Factors associated with the first antiretroviral therapy modification in older HIV-1 positive patients

Rates of first antiretroviral therapy (cART) modifications are high in most observational studies. The age-related differences in treatment duration and characteristics of first cART modifications remain under...

Authors: Justyna D. Kowalska, Joanna Kubicka, Ewa Siwak, Piotr Pulik, Ewa Firląg-Burkacka and Andrzej Horban

Spectrum of false positivity for the fourth generation human immunodeficiency virus diagnostic tests

Novel fourth generation screening and confirmatory human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) assays are now commercially available and incorporated into new diagnostic algorithms. We report two cases involving a tota...

Authors: Peter Liu, Patrick Jackson, Nathan Shaw and Scott Heysell

Resolved lower limb muscle tone abnormalities in children with HIV encephalopathy receiving standard antiretroviral therapy

This short report arose from a follow-up study of children previously diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy and spastic diplegia and is among the first to describe that increased low...

Authors: Theresa N. Mann, Kirsten A. Donald, Kathleen G. Walker and Nelleke G. Langerak

Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in people with HIV infection treated with ART in rural South Africa: a cross sectional study

The risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) from some rural parts of Africa is not well known. We assessed CVD risk factors, ...

Authors: Felistas Mashinya, Marianne Alberts, Jean-Pierre Van geertruyden and Robert Colebunders

HIV patients stable on ART retain evidence of a high CMV load but changes to Natural Killer cell phenotypes reflect both HIV and CMV

Whilst ART corrects many effects of HIV disease, T cell populations retain features of accelerated immunological aging.

Authors: Jacquita S. Affandi, Jacinta Montgomery, Silvia Lee and Patricia Price

Determinants of late presentation to HIV/AIDS care in Southern Tigray Zone, Northern Ethiopia: an institution based case–control study

Late diagnosis and presentation to human immune deficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome care reduce the benefits of antiretroviral therapy and increase the risk of HIV transmission.

Authors: Yalemzewod Assefa Gelaw, Goitom Halefom Senbete, Akelew Awoke Adane and Kefyalew Addis Alene

Third-line antiretroviral therapy in Africa: effectiveness in a Southern African retrospective cohort study

An increasing number of patients in Africa are experiencing virologic failure on second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) and those who develop resistance to protease inhibitors (PI) will require third-line A...

Authors: Graeme Meintjes, Liezl Dunn, Marla Coetsee, Michael Hislop, Rory Leisegang, Leon Regensberg and Gary Maartens

Virological outcome among HIV-1 infected patients on first-line antiretroviral treatment in semi-rural HIV clinics in Togo

Access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) in resource-limited countries has increased significantly but scaling-up ART into semi-rural and rural areas is more recent. Information on treatment outcome in such ar...

Authors: Abla A. Konou, Mounerou Salou, Nicole Vidal, Pascal Kodah, Damobé Kombate, Pyabalo Kpanla, Tchabia Nabroulaba, Djifa Nyametso, Assétina Singo-Tokofaï, Palokinam Pitche, Eric Delaporte, Mireille Prince-David, Martine Peeters and Anoumou Y. Dagnra

Community-based ART distribution system can effectively facilitate long-term program retention and low-rates of death and virologic failure in rural Uganda

Community-drug distribution point is a care model for stable patients in the community designed to make ART delivery more efficient for the health system and provide appropriate support to encourage long-term ...

Authors: Stephen Okoboi, Erin Ding, Steven Persuad, Jonathan Wangisi, Josephine Birungi, Susan Shurgold, Darius Kato, Maureen Nyonyintono, Aggrey Egessa, Celestin Bakanda, Paula Munderi, Pontiano Kaleebu and David M. Moore

HIV related pulmonary arterial hypertension: epidemiology in Africa, physiopathology, and role of antiretroviral treatment

The development of HIV related pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) reduces the probability of survival by half as compared with HIV-infected individuals without HIV related PAH. HIV infected patients have a ...

Authors: Jean Joel R. Bigna, Paule Sandra D. Sime and Sinata Koulla-Shiro

Independent predictors of tuberculosis mortality in a high HIV prevalence setting: a retrospective cohort study

Identifying those at increased risk of death during TB treatment is a priority in resource-constrained settings. We performed this study to determine predictors of mortality during TB treatment.

Authors: Dominique J. Pepper, Michael Schomaker, Robert J. Wilkinson, Virginia de Azevedo and Gary Maartens

Defining the fitness of HIV-1 isolates with dual/mixed co-receptor usage

CCR5-using (r5) HIV-1 predominates during asymptomatic disease followed by occasional emergence of CXCR4-using (x4) or dual tropic (r5x4) virus. We examined the contribution of the x4 and r5 components to repl...

Authors: Immaculate L Nankya, Denis M Tebit, Awet Abraha, Fred Kyeyune, Richard Gibson, Oyebisi Jegede, Gabrielle Nickel and Eric J Arts

Development of cryptococcal immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome 41 months after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in an AIDS patient

Cryptococcal meningitis is one of the most lethal fungal infections in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The incidence of and mortality from cryptococcal meningitis have markedly decrea...

Authors: Hideki Hashimoto, Shuji Hatakeyama and Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi

Rates and risk factors associated with the progression of HIV to AIDS among HIV patients from Zhejiang, China between 2008 and 2012

The objective of this study was to determine the rate of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Zhejiang province and to identify specific factors associated with progression of this disease.

Authors: Lin Chen, Jiezhe Yang, Renjie Zhang, Yun Xu, Jinlei Zheng, Jianmin Jiang, Jun Jiang, Lin He, Ning Wang, Philip Chun Yeung and Xiaohong Pan

Effectiveness and risk factors for virological outcome of darunavir-based therapy for treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients

We evaluated the effectiveness of darunavir (DRV) treatment plus an optimized background regimen in 120 HIV-1 treatment-experienced patients.

Authors: José Antonio Mata-Marín, Gloria Huerta-García, Juan Carlos Domínguez-Hermosillo, Marcelino Chavez-García, Marco Isaac Banda-Lara, Nohemí Nuñez-Rodríguez, Javier Enrique Cruz-Herrera, Jorge Luis Sandoval-Ramírez, Ivan Martínez-Abarca, Alfredo Francisco Villagómez-Ruíz, Bulmaro Manjarrez-Tellez and Jesús Gaytán-Martínez

Sensory neuropathy and metabolic risk factors in human immune deficiency virus infected South Africans receiving protease inhibitors

Protease inhibitors (PI)s have been associated with distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) and metabolic complications in high-income countries. No data exist in Africans where second-line antiretroviral therapy ...

Authors: John-Randel Vermaak, Joel A. Dave, Naomi Levitt and Jeannine M. Heckmann

Enhanced oxidative stress by alcohol use in HIV+ patients: possible involvement of cytochrome P450 2E1 and antioxidant enzymes

Alcohol consumption is prevalent amongst HIV positive population. Importantly, chronic alcohol use is reported to exacerbate HIV pathogenesis. Although alcohol is known to increase oxidative stress, especially...

Authors: Anusha Ande, Namita Sinha, P. S. S. Rao, Carole P. McArthur, Leo Ayuk, Paul N. Achu, Annette Njinda, Anil Kumar and Santosh Kumar

Low prevalence of human leukocyte antigen-B*5701 in HIV-1-infected Chinese subjects: a prospective epidemiological investigation

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*5701 is strongly associated with developing a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir (ABC). Limited data exist on HLA-B*5701 prevalence in HIV-1-infected subjects in China. We in...

Authors: Hongwei Zhang, Tong Zhang, Hongxin Zhao, Ning Han, Haiwei Zhou, Yun He, Qingxia Zhao, Hong Li, Huiqin Li, Mi Zhang, Jianjian Li, Yongtao Sun, Ke Zhao, Qing Liu, Zhiying Liu, Zhen Li…

Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on hematological indices among HIV-1 infected children at Kenyatta National Hospital-Kenya: retrospective study

HIV infected children experience a range of hematological complications which show marked improvement within 6 months of initiating anti-retroviral therapy. The Objectives of the study was to describe the chan...

Authors: Elizabeth Gathoni Kibaru, Ruth Nduati, Dalton Wamalwa and Nyambura Kariuki