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Abstract Background Coverage of HIV testing remains sub-optimal in West Africa. Between 2019 and 2022, the ATLAS program distributed ~400 000 oral HIV self-tests (HIVST) in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal, prioritising female sex workers (FSW) and men having sex with men (MSM), and relying on secondary redistribution of HIVST to partners, peers and clients to reach individuals not tested through conventional testing. This study assesses the proportion of first-time testers among HIVST users and the associated factors. Methods A phone-based survey was implemented among HIVST users recruited using dedicated leaflets inviting them to anonymously call a free phone number. We collected socio-demographics, sexual behaviours, HIV testing history, HIVST use, and satisfaction with HIVST. We reported the proportion of first-time testers and computed associated factors using logistic regression. Results Between March and June 2021, 2 615 participants were recruited for 50 940 distributed HIVST (participation rate: 5.1%). Among participants, 30% received their HIVST kit through secondary distribution (from a friend, sexual partner, family member, or colleague). The proportion who had never tested for HIV before HIVST (first-time testers) was 41%. The main factors associated with being a first-time tester were sex, age group, education level, condom use, and secondary distribution. A higher proportion was observed among those aged 24 years or less (55% vs 32% for 25–34, aOR: 0.37 [95%CI: 0.30–0.44], and 26% for 35 years or more, aOR: 0.28 [0.21–0.37]); those less educated (48% for none/primary education vs 45% for secondary education, aOR: 0.60 [0.47–0.77], and 29% for higher education, aOR: 0.33 [0.25–0.44]). A lower proportion was observed among women (37% vs 43%, aOR: 0.49 [0.40–0.60]); those reporting always using a condom over the last year (36% vs 51% for those reporting never using them, aOR: 2.02 [1.59–2.56]); and those who received their HISVST kit through primary distribution (39% vs 46% for secondary distribution, aOR: 1.32 [1.08–1.60]). Conclusion ATLAS HIVST strategy, including secondary distribution, successfully reached a significant proportion of first-time testers. HIVST has the potential to reach underserved populations and contribute to the expansion of HIV testing services in West Africa. …

Abstract Background Human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) is the leading cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS remains a global public health concern but can be effectively suppressed by life-long administration of combination antiretroviral therapy. Early detection and diagnosis are two key strategies for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Rapid and accurate point-of-care testing (POCT) provides critical tools for managing HIV-1 epidemic in high-risk areas and populations. Methods In this study, a POCT for HIV-1 RNA was developed by CRISPR-Cas13a lateral flow strip combined with reverse transcriptase recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) technology, the results can be directly observed by naked eyes. Results Moreover, with the degenerate base-binding CRISPR-Cas13a system was introduced into the RT-RAA primer designing, the technology developed in this study can be used to test majority of HIV-1 RNA with limit of detection (LOD) 1 copy/μL, while no obvious cross-reaction with other pathogens. We evaluated this method for detecting HIV-1 RNA of clinical samples, the results showed that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy were 91.81% (85.03- 96.19%), 100% (92.60–100%), 100% (96.41–100%), 39.14% (25.59–54.60%) and 92.22% (86.89–95.88%), respectively. The lowest viral load detectable by this method was 112copies/mL. Conclusion Above all, this method provides a point-of-care detection of HIV-1 RNA, which is stable, simple and with good sensitivity and specificity. This method has potential to be developed for promoting early diagnosis and treatment effect monitoring of HIV patients in clinical. …

Background: Clinical trials of dapivirine vaginal ring have shown it is safe, effective, and desired by women as an HIV prevention option. The risk of drug resistance is a potential concern for dapivirine ring users who acquire HIV. We conducted a comprehensive resistance evaluation of plasma samples from the women who seroconverted during the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN)-025/HOPE open-label study of dapivirine ring. Methods: Plasma collected on the visit at which seroconversion was detected was tested by next-generation sequencing with unique molecular identifiers (NGS-UMI) for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) drug resistance mutations (DRM) present at ≥1% frequency. Bulk-cloned plasma-derived recombinant HIV was phenotyped in a TZM-bl-based assay for susceptibility to dapivirine and other NNRTI. HIV-1 RNA was retrospectively quantified in plasma samples collected prior to HIV seroconversion. Results: Among 38 participants who seroconverted in HOPE, 7 (18%) had NNRTI DRM detected by NGS-UMI including A98G, K103N, V106M, E138A and V179D. Six of 7 samples with NNRTI DRM had 3 months after acquiring HIV infection. Conclusion: NNRTI resistance among women who seroconverted during HOPE was infrequent and selection of dapivirine-specific mutations was not detected. Dapivirine ring is considered a safe and effective option for HIV prevention in women. Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severely disrupted routine healthcare globally. This study assessed the impact of successive COVID-19 waves on HIV viral load (VL) suppression in South Africa, using the national public sector laboratory database. Guidelines recommend VL monitoring at 6 months after treatment initiation, and annually once suppressed, or more frequently if unsuppressed. Methods: Specimen-level VL data was extracted for the period January 2019 to December 2021. We assessed the national percentage of samples with a VL…

Background: Lifelong ART use is recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV (WLWH) to prevent perinatal HIV transmission and improve maternal health. We address two objectives in this analysis: (1) determine timing and factors associated with breastfeeding cessation, and (2) assess the impact of breastfeeding on health of women living with HIV on ART. Setting: Multi-country study of eight sites in Uganda, Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Methods: Prospective study of WLWH on lifelong ART. These women initially participated from 2011 to 2016 in a randomized clinical trial (PROMISE) to prevent perinatal HIV transmission, and subsequently re-enrolled in an observational study (PROMOTE, 2016-2021) to assess ART adherence, safety, and impact. Results: The PROMOTE cohort included 1987 women on ART. Of these, 752 breastfed and were included in analyses of objective 1; all women were included in analyses of objective 2. Median time to breastfeeding cessation varied by country (11.2-19.7 months). Country of residence, age and health status of women were significantly associated with time to breastfeeding cessation (compared to Zimbabwe: Malawi, adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.50, 95% CI 0.40-0.62, p…

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has created substantial and profound barriers to several forms of healthcare engagement. For Black sexual minority men, this may include engagement with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection, with significant implications for HIV disparities. Our study explored how the Covid-19 pandemic affected Black sexual minority men, with a focus on relationships between Covid-19 and PrEP engagement. Setting: We sampled 24 Black sexual minority men attending HIV prevention-related events in the greater D.C. Metropolitan area (D.C., Maryland, Virginia). Methods: We conducted qualitative phone interviews among our sample. Questions were primarily focused on the Covid-19 pandemic and how it affected engagement and considerations of PrEP use. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed using the six stages of thematic analysis. Results: We identified three major themes from our thematic analysis: Changes in the healthcare system, changes in sexual and relationship contexts, and Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. Relationships between Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy and PrEP hesitancy were especially prevalent, with participants describing that Covid-19 hesitancy can directly deter PrEP use through eroding medical trust further. Conclusion: We identified changes in the healthcare system, sexual and relationship contexts, and Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy as important issues driven by Covid-19 with significant implications for PrEP use. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the healthcare and social landscape in profound ways that impact PrEP access, sexual networks, and associated HIV vulnerability. Future research further exploring relationships between specific pandemic stressors and HIV prevention among Black sexual minority men is recommended. Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction: We evaluated associations of HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) with birth and maternal outcomes at a province-wide-level in the Western Cape, South Africa, in a recent cohort before dolutegravir-based first-line ART implementation. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pregnant people delivering in 2018-2019 with data in the Western Cape Provincial Health Data Centre which integrates individual-level data on all public sector patients from multiple electronic platforms using unique identifiers. Adverse birth outcomes (stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW), very LBW (VLBW)) and maternal outcomes (early and late pregnancy-related deaths, early and late hospitalizations) were compared by HIV/ART status and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) calculated using log-binomial regression. Results: Overall 171,960 pregnant people and their singleton newborns were included, 19% (N = 32,015) identified with HIV. Amongst pregnant people with HIV (PPHIV), 60% (N = 19,157) were on ART preconception, 29% (N = 9,276) initiated ART during pregnancy and 11% (N = 3,582) had no ART. Adjusted for maternal age, multiparity, hypertensive disorders and residential district, stillbirths were higher only for PPHIV not on ART (aPR 1.31 [95%CI 1.04–1.66]) compared to those without HIV. However, LBW and VLBW were higher among all PPHIV, with aPRs of 1.11–1.22 for LBW and 1.14–1.54 for VLBW. Pregnancy-initiated ART was associated with early pregnancy-related death (aPR 3.21; 95%CI 1.55–6.65), and HIV with or without ART was associated with late pregnancy-related death (aPRs 7.89–9.01). Conclusions: Even in the universal ART era, PPHIV experienced higher rates of LBW and VLBW newborns, and higher late pregnancy-related death regardless of ART status than pregnant people without HIV. Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction: Differentiated service delivery (DSD) such as multi-month dispensing (MMD) aims to provide client-centered HIV services, while reducing the workload within health facilities. We assessed individual and facility factors associated with receiving >3MMD and switching from ≥3MMD back to…

Objective: To estimate HIV incidence using successive cross-sectional surveys by creating retrospective nested cohorts among men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), and heterosexually active persons (HET). Design: Cohorts were created among participants who had at least one repeat observation across four surveillance cycles from National HIV Behavioral Surveillance in 20 U.S. cities. Methods: Repeat participants were identified using a combination of date of birth, race/ethnicity, metropolitan statistical area, and gender. The analysis was limited to participants who tested negative for HIV at baseline and were assumed to be at-risk between cycles. We calculated person-years at risk from the individual time between cycles and used the total number of seroconversions to estimate incidence and a Poisson distribution to approximate variance. Rate ratios were calculated by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and region. Results: From 2008 to 2019, successive surveys recaptured nested cohorts of 1,747 MSM, 3,708 PWID, and 1,396 HET. We observed an incidence rate of 2.5 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1 to 2.8) among MSM; 0.6 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.5 to 0.7) among PWID; and 0.3 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.1–0.4) among HET. HIV incidence was higher among younger MSM, Black MSM (compared to white MSM) and PWID residing in the South and Territories (compared to the Midwest). Conclusions: These estimates are consistent with previously published incidence estimates from prospective cohort studies among these populations. Using repeat cross-sectional surveys to simulate a cohort, may serve as another strategy in estimating HIV incidence. Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Objective: People with HIV rarely control viral replication after cessation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We present a person with HIV with extraordinary post-treatment control (PTC) for over 23 years after temporary ART during acute HIV infection (AHI) leading to a new insight in factors contributing to PTC. Design/Methods: Viral reservoir was determined by HIV qPCR, Intact Proviral DNA Assay and quantitative viral outgrowth assay. Viral replication kinetics were determined in autologous and donor PBMC. IgG levels directed against HIV envelope and neutralizing antibodies were measured. Immune phenotyping of T-cells and HIV-specific T-cell responses were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: The case presented with AHI and a plasma viral load of 2.7 million copies/mL. ART was initiated 2 weeks after diagnosis and interrupted after 26 months. Replicating virus was isolated shortly after start ART. At 18 years after treatment interruption HIV-DNA in CD4+ T-cells and low levels of HIV-RNA in plasma (…

Objectives: To define the frequency, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of both AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining neurologic infections among people with HIV (PWH). Design: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study by linking the clinical database at the Southern Alberta HIV Clinic (SAC) with the regional hospital and microbiology databases to identify cases and the associated morbidity and mortality for these neurologic infections from 1995-2018. Methods: Neurologic infections were categorized into AIDS defining and non-AIDS defining. Annual incidence rates (IR) per 1,000 person-years (PY) were calculated. Cox proportional hazards models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals of risk factors for neurologic infections in PWH and mortality outcomes. Results: Among 2,910 PWH contributing 24,237 years of follow-up, 133(4.6%) neurologic infections were identified; 107(80%) were AIDS-defining and 26(20%) non-AIDS defining. While the incidence of AIDS-defining neurologic infections declined over time, no change was seen in incidence of non-AIDS defining infections. The risk of having any neurologic infection was greater among Black PWH (aHR = 2.5[1.6–4.0]) (vs. White PWH) and those with a CD4+ T-cell nadir of…

Abstract Background Norovirus is now recognized to be major cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, with significantly higher disease burden among immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Norovirus among HIV-infected patients and to evaluate the impact of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) status on Norovirus prevalence in a sub-urban area of Abuja, Nigeria. Methods This study included a total of Two hundred and fifteen subjects (85 cART-naïve and 130 cART-exposed) HIV-infected patients. Age range of study participants was 18 to 60 years. Faecal specimens where collected in screw capped containers and analyzed for Norovirus using Accupower Norovirus real-time PCR Test kit. CD4 + cell count was determined using flow cytometry. Results The prevalence of Norovirus among cART-naïve HIV-infected patients was 10.6%. Age and gender was not associated with norovirus infection. cART –naïve HIV-infected patients with CD4 + cell count 

Since the early phase of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic it has been questioned which groups of subjects were at higher risk of worse COVID-19 outcomes. This would have allowed firstly to implement specific preventing interventions, allocate therapeutic resources, and in the later phases of the pandemic prioritize COVID-19 vaccination. Demographic factors shortly appeared to be the main determinants of COVID-19 outcomes, with older age, male sex and social deprivation as strongly associated with hospitalization and death [1].

ObjectivesThe effectiveness of HIV index testing (IT) in Eastern Europe has not been described. This study reports the performance of a scaled IT programme in Ukraine. DesignThis observational study included clients enrolled in IT services in 2020, and used routinely collected data from programme registers and the national electronic health record system. SettingThe study covered 39 public-sector health facilities where IT services were integrated into medical visits for persons living with HIV (PLHIV) already enrolled in HIV care. ParticipantsParticipants included PLHIV with both recent (

Abstract Background Tuberculosis, along with HIV, is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Despite the fact that several primary studies have been conducted on the incidence rate of tuberculosis in HIV-infected people in Sub-Saharan Africa, the regional-level tuberculosis incidence rate remains unknown. The objective of this study is to determine the tuberculosis incidence rate and its associated factors in HIV-infected people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by searching four databases for studies published in English between January 1, 2000, and November 25, 2022. The study was carried out using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. To assess the quality of the studies, the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist was used. A random-effects model meta-analysis was used to determine the pooled incidence of tuberculosis using STATA version 15. The I2 heterogeneity test was used to assess heterogeneity. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression tests were used to investigate publication bias. The pooled estimate predictors of tuberculosis incidence rate with a 95% confidence interval were also determined using the hazard ratio of each factor (HR). Results Out of a total of 3339 studies, 43 were included in the analysis. The overall pooled incidence rate of tuberculosis in HIV-infected people was 3.49 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 2.88–4.17). In the subgroup analysis, the pooled incidence rate of tuberculosis in HIV-infected children was 3.42 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 1.78, 5.57), and it was 3.79 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 2.63, 5.15) in adults. A meta-analysis revealed that underweight (AHR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.61–1.96), low CD4 count (AHR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.13–1.35), male gender (AHR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.22–1.64), advanced WHO clinical stages (AHR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.34–3.23), anemia (AHR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.34–2.13), bedridden or ambulatory (AHR = 1.87, 95%), lack of isoniazid preventive therapy (AHR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.08–2.28), and lack of cotrimoxazole (AHR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.08–2.28) were risk factors for tuberculosis incidence. HIV patients who received antiretroviral therapy had a 0.53 times higher risk of acquiring tuberculosis than HIV patients who did not receive antiretroviral therapy (AHR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.3–0.77). Conclusion In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, the incidence rate of tuberculosis among HIV-positive people was higher than the WHO 2022 Africa regional estimated report. To reduce the incidence of tuberculosis among HIV patients, HIV patients should take isoniazid prevention therapy (IPT), cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) without interruption, as well as increase the frequency and diversity of their nutritional intake. Active tuberculosis screening should be increased among HIV-infected people. …

by Eric Osei, Hubert Amu, Gideon Kye-Duodu, Mavis Pearl Kwabla, Evans Danso, Fred N. Binka, So Yoon Kim Introduction The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) burden, coupled with unprecedented control measures including physical distancing, travel bans, and lockdowns of cities, implemented to stop the spread of the virus, have undoubtedly far-reaching aftereffects on other diseases. In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), a particular worry is the potential impact on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB), as a consequence of possible disruption to health services and limiting access to needed life-saving health care. In Ghana, there is a paucity of information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on disease control, particularly TB and HIV control. This study sought to contribute to bridging this knowledge gap. Method The study involved the analysis of secondary data obtained from the District Health Information Management System-2 (DHIMS-2) database of Ghana Health Service, from 2016 to 2020. Data were analysed using an interrupted time-series regression approach to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on TB case notification, HIV testing, and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) initiations, using March 2020 as the event period. Results The study showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic period, there was an abrupt decline of 20.5% (955CI: 16.0%, 24.5%) in TB case notifications in April and 32.7% (95%CI: 28.8%, 39.1%) in May 2020, with a median monthly decline of 21.4% from April-December 2020. A cumulative loss of 2,128 (20%; 95%CI: 13.3%, 26.7%) TB cases was observed nationwide as of December 2020. There was also a 40.3% decrease in people presenting for HIV tests in the first month of COVID-19 (April 2020) and a cumulative loss of 262620 (26.5%) HIV tests as of December 2020 attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. ART initiations increased by 39.2% in the first month and thereafter decreased by an average of 10% per month from May to September 2020. Cumulatively, 443 (1.9%) more of the people living with HIV initiated ART during the pandemic period, however, this was not statistically significant. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted TB case notifications and HIV testing and counselling services, However, ART initiation was generally not impacted during the first year of the pandemic. Proactive approaches aimed at actively finding the thousands of individuals with TB who were missed in 2020 and increasing HIV testing and counselling and subsequent treatment initiations should be prioritised. …

by Hellen Kyilyosudu, Sia E. Msuya, James S. Ngocho, Damian J. Damian Background HIV Testing and Counseling is a critical entry-point for HIV care, treatment and prevention. Tanzania adopted the WHO recommendations of Provider-Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) in 2007 with the aim of increasing early HIV diagnosis and timely access to treatment and support services. However, approximately 55% of men are still unaware of their HIV status. This study aimed to determine the level of PITC uptake and factors associated with PITC availability and uptake among men attending healthcare facilities in Moshi Municipality, Northern Tanzania. Method A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2019 in five selected healthcare facilities in Moshi Municipal, Kilimanjaro region. Exit interviews were conducted with men aged 18 years and above who attended for care in the selected facilities. Modified Poisson regression modelling with robust standard errors were used to determine factors independently associated with being offered and accepting the PITC offer. Results A total of 562 men participated in this study. The median age of participants at enrollment was 37 (IQR: 26–59) years. Only 58% of participants reported to have been offered provider-initiated HIV counseling. Of these, 83% accepted the offer of HIV testing. Age between 35–59 years (aPR = 1.2; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.0, 1.4; p = 0.033) and having primary education (aPR = 0.7; 95% CI: 0.6, 0.9; p = 0.010) were factors independently associated with being offered PITC. Age between 35–59 years (aPR = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.7, 0.9; p = 0.002); having been previously tested for HIV (aPR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.5; p = 0.011) and visiting a health facility twice or more in previous year (aPR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.2, 1.5; p…

by Marijanatu Abdulai, David Owiredu, Isaac Boadu, Philip Teg-Nefaah Tabong, Bismark Sarfo, Harriet Affran Bonful, Adolphina Addo- Lartey, Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo, Anthony Danso-Appiah Background The number of elderly people living with HIV (EPLHIV) has increased significantly as a result of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and this has brought about a variety of psychosocial challenges that have an impact on their quality of life (QoL). Various psychosocial interventions have been tried or implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to improve QoL of EPLHIV. However, there is paucity of data on the types and effectiveness of these interventions. This systematic review, therefore, aims to explore available psychosocial interventions in SSA and their effectiveness in improving the QoL of EPLHIV. Methods We will search PubMed, PsycINFO, LILACS, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, HINARI, Africa Journals Online, Scopus and Web of Science to retrieve publications on psychosocial interventions implemented to improve QoL of EPLHIV from inception of the identified databases to 31st December 2023 without language restrictions. Also, supplementary sources such as conference proceedings, preprint repositories, databases of dissertations, as well as WHO and governmental databases can be explored for additional studies. For unpublished studies, trial registries and experts would be contacted, and reference lists of retrieved papers will be manually searched. Retrieved studies will be deduplicated using Mendeley and exported to Rayyan. At least two reviewers will independently select studies, extract data and assess the quality of the included studies using validated tools. Dichotomous outcomes data will be assessed and reported as odds ratio (OR) or risk ratio (RR) and for continuous outcomes, mean difference (MD) will be used; all reported with their 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity will be explored graphically by inspecting the overlapping of CIs and assessed quantitatively using the I2 statistic. Expected outcomes This systematic review will be the first to rigorously identify psychosocial intervention on QoL of EPLHIV in SSA and assess their effectiveness with the aim to provide regional and country- specific data that will inform the selection and implementation of appropriate and socially acceptable policies across countries in SSA. Key findings of the review are expected to contribute critical evidence on availability, types and effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for improving quality of life of vulnerable elderly persons in SSA living with HIV. Furthermore, the review will explore any variation and possible correlates of psychosocial interventions by age, sex, CD4 count (if available), setting and geographic location within SSA that will provide healthcare professionals with reliable evidence, with the ultimate goal of inspiring countries in SSA to adopt innovative interventions to improve HIV care. Trial registration Systematic review registration: The systematic review protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), with registration ID CRD42021278218. …

Volume 14, Issue 1, December 2023 .

by Christina M. Kaul, Brandi E. Moore, Emma Kaplan-Lewis, Eunice Casey, Robert A. Pitts, Patricia Pagan Pirallo, Sahnah Lim, Farzana Kapadia, Gabriel M. Cohen, Maria Khan, Ofole Mgbako Background Long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2021. This initial phase of implementation represents a prime opportunity to ensure equitable LAI-PrEP provision to communities often underrepresented in PrEP care before disparities in access and uptake emerge. Herein, we describe the EquiPrEP Project which utilizes an equity-oriented implementation science framework to optimize LAI-PrEP rollout in an urban safety-net clinic in New York City. Methods The primary objectives of this project are to: (1) increase LAI-PrEP initiation overall; (2) increase uptake among groups disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic; (3) preserve high PrEP retention while expanding use; and (4) identify barriers and facilitators to LAI-PrEP use. EquiPrEP will enroll 210 PrEP-eligible participants into LAI-PrEP care with planned follow-up for one year. We will recruit from the following priority populations: Black and/or Latine men who have sex with men, Black and/or Latine cisgender women, and transgender women and nonbinary individuals. To evaluate implementation of LAI-PrEP, we will utilize equity-focused iterations of the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), in addition to longitudinal surveys and qualitative interviews. Discussion Novel LAI-PrEP formulations carry tremendous potential to revolutionize the field of HIV prevention. Implementation strategies rooted in equity are needed to ensure that marginalized populations have access to LAI-PrEP and to address the structural factors that hinder initiation and retention in care. …

Clusters of cases of pneumocystis pneumonia and Kaposi’s sarcoma in New York and California in men who had sex with men were early harbingers of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. The syndrome was also soon noted to be associated with a high incidence of aggressive B-cell lymphomas. As the AIDS definition crystallized, Kaposi’s sarcoma, aggressive B-cell lymphomas, and invasive cervical cancer were considered to be AIDS-defining cancers when they developed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Additional cancers are now known to be associated with HIV (Table 1). The term HIV-associated cancer is used here to describe this larger group of cancers (both AIDS-defining and non–AIDS-defining cancers) that have an increased incidence among patients with HIV infection. In addition, incidental cancers also may develop in patients with HIV infection.

Randomized-trial data on the risks and benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) as compared with zidovudine and single-dose nevirapine to prevent transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in HIV-infected pregnant women with high CD4 counts are lacking.

Data from randomized trials are lacking on the benefits and risks of initiating antiretroviral therapy in patients with asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who have a CD4+ count of more than 350 cells per cubic millimeter.

Progressive immune dysfunction and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) develop in most persons with untreated infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) but in only approximately 20 to 30% of persons infected with HIV type 2 (HIV-2); among persons infected with both types, the natural history of disease progression is poorly understood.

Antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis is a promising approach for preventing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in heterosexual populations.

The optimal time for the initiation of antiretroviral therapy for asymptomatic patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is uncertain.

There is considerable genetic diversity among viruses of different subtypes (designated A to J) in the major group of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the form of HIV that is dominant in the global epidemic. If available, HIV-1 sequences pre-dating the recognition of AIDS could be crucial in defining the time of origin and the subsequent evolution of these viruses in humans. The oldest known case of HIV-1 infection was reported to be that of a sailor from Manchester who died of an AIDS-like illness in 1959; however, the authenticity of this case has not been confirmed. Genetic analysis of sequences from clinical materials obtained from 1971 to 1976 from members of a Norwegian family infected earlier than 1971 showed that they carried viruses of the HIV-1 outlier group, a variant form that is mainly restricted to West Africa. Here we report the amplification and characterization of viral sequences from a 1959 African plasma sample that was previously found to be HIV-1 seropositive. Multiple phylogenetic analyses not only authenticate this case as the oldest known HIV-1 infection, but also place its viral sequence near the ancestral node of subtypes B and D in the major group, indicating that these HIV-1 subtypes, and perhaps all major-group viruses, may have evolved from a single introduction into the African population not long before 1959.

A retrovirus belonging to the family of recently discovered human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLV), but clearly distinct from each previous isolate, has been isolated from a Caucasian patient with signs and symptoms that often precede the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This virus is a typical type-C RNA tumor virus, buds from the cell membrane, prefers magnesium for reverse transcriptase activity, and has an internal antigen (p25) similar to HTLV p24. Antibodies from serum of this patient react with proteins from viruses of the HTLV-I subgroup, but type-specific antisera to HTLV-I do not precipitate proteins of the new isolate. The virus from this patient has been transmitted into cord blood lymphocytes, and the virus produced by these cells is similar to the original isolate. From these studies it is concluded that this virus as well as the previous HTLV isolates belong to a general family of T-lymphotropic retroviruses that are horizontally transmitted in humans and may be involved in several pathological syndromes, including AIDS.