Cabotegravir for HIV Prevention in Cisgender Men and Transgender Women.

BACKGROUND: Safe and effective long-acting injectable agents for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are needed to increase the options for preventing HIV infection. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, noninferiority trial to compare long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA, an integrase strand-transfer inhibitor [INSTI]) at a dose of 600 mg, given intramuscularly every 8 weeks, with daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) for the prevention of HIV infection in at-risk cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and in at-risk transgender women who have sex with men. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive one of the two regimens and were followed for 153 weeks. HIV testing and safety evaluations were performed. The primary end point was incident HIV infection. RESULTS: The intention-to-treat population included 4566 participants who underwent randomization; 570 (12.5%) identified as transgender women, and the median age was 26 years (interquartile range, 22 to 32). The trial was stopped early for efficacy on review of the results of the first preplanned interim end-point analysis. Among 1698 participants from the United States, 845 (49.8%) identified as Black. Incident HIV infection occurred in 52 participants: 13 in the cabotegravir group (incidence, 0.41 per 100 person-years) and 39 in the TDF-FTC group (incidence, 1.22 per 100 person-years) (hazard ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.18 to 0.62). The effect was consistent across prespecified subgroups. Injection-site reactions were reported in 81.4% of the participants in the cabotegravir group and in 31.3% of those in the TDF-FTC group. In the participants in whom HIV infection was diagnosed after exposure to CAB-LA, INSTI resistance and delays in the detection of HIV infection were noted. No safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSIONS: CAB-LA was superior to daily oral TDF-FTC in preventing HIV infection among MSM and transgender women. Strategies are needed to prevent INSTI resistance in cases of CAB-LA PrEP failure. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and others; HPTN 083 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02720094.).

Contribution of Syphilis to Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in People Living With and Without HIV in South Brazil: 2008 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: Syphilis coinfection among pregnant people living with HIV (PLH) may worsen pregnancy outcomes. We evaluated the impact of syphilis coinfection on pregnancies in south Brazil. METHODS: Data were extracted from hospital records between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018. Preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW <2500 g), and a composite adverse infant outcome (AIO: HIV vertical transmission, loss to follow-up before HIV diagnosis, stillbirth, congenital syphilis) were evaluated among pregnancies without HIV and syphilis (PWOH + S), PLH monoinfection, syphilis monoinfection (PLS), and PLH with syphilis (PLH + S). RESULTS: Among 48,685 deliveries where patients were tested for HIV and syphilis, 1353 (2.8%) occurred in PLH; of these, 181 (13.4%) were HIV/syphilis coinfected (PLH + S). Among PLH, 2.4% of infants acquired HIV and 13.1% were lost to follow-up before HIV diagnosis. Among all PLS, 70.5% of infants acquired congenital syphilis. Across the cohort, 1.2% stillbirths/neonatal deaths occurred. Thirty-seven percent of PLH + S did not initiate antiretroviral therapy versus 15.4% of PLH monoinfection ( P < 0.001). Less than half (37.6%) of PLH + S had VDRL titers ≥1:16 compared with 21.7% of PLS only ( P < 0.001). Among PLH, syphilis coinfection and unknown/high VDRL titers (≥1:16) increased AIO risk more (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 3.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.33-4.70) compared with low VDRL titers (≤1:8; aRR, 3.51; 95% CI, 2.90-4.25). Unsuppressed viremia (≥50 copies/mL) was associated with risk of PTB (aRR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.07-1.92) and AIO (aRR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.11-1.70) but not LBW. Lack of prenatal care was significant in predicting PTB and LBW in all PLH and PLS monoinfection. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis coinfection worsens AIOs in all women and compounds negative effects of HIV infection during pregnancy. Effective syphilis treatment and HIV viral load suppression are paramount for optimal obstetric care.

Biosolids Treated as a Nutritional Alternative for in vitro Culture of Bowdichia Virgilioides Kunth.

The safe management of sewage waste is a current concern due to population growth and waste production. Biosolids, derived from sewage sludge treatment, are globally used as organic fertilizers, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 6 for resource recycling. However, biosafety concerns arise due to the presence of metals and microplastics in biosolids, potentially impacting soil and water. This study investigated biosolids' use for in vitro cultivation of Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth. Results indicate that while biosolids can replace traditional nutritional media, balancing their concentration is crucial for optimizing plant growth. The WPM (Wood Plat Medium) remains essential for in vitro cultivation, but substituting it with biosolids at concentrations of up to 2 g L- 1 is feasible, providing similar plant development compared to the WPM medium. However, when combined, there is a complex and challenging interaction between biosolids and the culture medium.

Immunogenicity of Conjugated and Polysaccharide Pneumococcal Vaccines Administered During Pregnancy or Postpartum to Women With HIV.

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended in people with HIV, prioritizing PCV. We compared the immunogenicity of PCV-10 and PPV-23 administered antepartum or postpartum. METHODS: This double-blind study randomized 346 pregnant women with HIV on antiretrovirals to PCV-10, PPV-23, or placebo at 14-34 weeks gestational age. Women who received placebo antepartum were randomized at 24 weeks postpartum to PCV-10 or PPV-23. Antibodies against 7 serotypes common to both vaccines and 1 serotype only in PPV-23 were measured by ELISA/chemiluminescence; B- and T-cell responses to serotype 1 by FLUOROSPOT; and plasma cytokines/chemokines by chemiluminescence. RESULTS: Antibody responses were higher after postpartum versus antepartum vaccination. PCV-10 generated lower antibody levels than PPV-23 against 4 and higher against 1 of 7 common serotypes. Additional factors associated with high postvaccination antibody concentrations were high prevaccination antibody concentrations and CD4+ cells; low CD8+ cells and plasma HIV RNA; and several plasma cytokines/chemokines. Serotype 1 B- and T-cell memory did not increase after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Antepartum immunization generated suboptimal antibody responses, suggesting that postpartum booster doses may be beneficial and warrant further studies. Considering that PCV-10 and PPV-23 had similar immunogenicity, but PPV-23 covered more serotypes, use of PPV-23 may be prioritized in women with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. CLINICAL TRAILS REGISTRATION: NCT02717494.

Effect of Maternal Immunization With 10-Valent Pneumococcus Conjugate Vaccine (PCV-10), 23-Valent Pneumococcus Polysaccharide Vaccine, or Placebo on the Immunogenicity of PCV-10 in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Exposed Uninfected Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of pneumococcal vaccination of mothers with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on infant responses to childhood vaccination has not been studied. We compared the immunogenicity of 10-valent pneumococcus conjugate vaccine (PCV-10) in HIV-exposed uninfected infants born to mothers who received PCV-10, 23-valent pneumococcus polysaccharide vaccine (PPV-23), or placebo during pregnancy. METHODS: Antibody levels against 7 serotypes were measured at birth, before the first and second doses of PCV-10m and after completion of the 2-dose regimen in 347 infants, including 112 born to mothers who received PPV-23, 112 who received PCV-10, and 119 who received placebo during pregnancy. Seroprotection was defined by antibody levels ≥0.35 µg/mL. RESULTS: At birth and at 8 weeks of life, antibody levels were similar in infants born to PCV-10 or PPV-23 recipients and higher than in those born to placebo recipient. After the last dose of PCV-10, infants in the maternal PCV-10 group had significantly lower antibody levels against 5 serotypes than those in the maternal PPV-23 group and against 3 serotypes than those in the maternal placebo group, and they did not have higher antibody levels against any serotype. The seroprotection rate against 7 serotypes was 50% in infants in the maternal PCV-10 group, compared with 71% in both of the maternal PPV-23 and placebo groups (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of PCV-10 during pregnancy was associated with decreased antibody responses to PCV-10 and seroprotection rates in infants. Considering that PCV-10 and PPV-23 had similar immunogenicity in pregnant women with HIV and that administration of PPV-23 did not affect the immunogenicity of PCV-10 in infants, PPV-23 in pregnancy may be preferred over PCV-10.

Evaluation of Phylogenetic Methods for Inferring the Direction of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Transmission: HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052.

BACKGROUND: Phylogenetic analysis can be used to assess human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in populations. We inferred the direction of HIV transmission using whole-genome HIV sequences from couples with known linked infection and known transmission direction. METHODS: Complete next-generation sequencing (NGS) data were obtained for 105 unique index-partner sample pairs from 32 couples enrolled in the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 study (up to 2 samples/person). Index samples were obtained up to 5.5 years before partner infection; partner samples were obtained near the time of seroconversion. The bioinformatics method, phyloscanner, was used to infer transmission direction. Analyses were performed using samples from individual sample pairs, samples from all couples (1 sample/person; group analysis), and all available samples (multisample group analysis). Analysis was also performed using NGS data from defined regions of the HIV genome (gag, pol, env). RESULTS: Using whole-genome NGS data, transmission direction was inferred correctly (index to partner) for 98 of 105 (93.3%) of the individual sample pairs, 99 of 105 (94.3%) sample pairs using group analysis, and 31 of the 32 couples (96.9%) using multisample group analysis. There were no cases where the incorrect transmission direction (partner to index) was inferred. The accuracy of the method was higher with greater time between index and partner sample collection. Pol region sequences performed better than env or gag sequences for inferring transmission direction. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the potential of a phylogenetic method to infer the direction of HIV transmission between 2 individuals using whole-genome and pol NGS data.

The Effect of Partnership Presence and Support on HIV Viral Suppression Among Serodiscordant Partnered and Single Heterosexual HIV-Positive Individuals in Brazil.

HIV-negative individuals in serodiscordant partnerships experience reduced risk of HIV acquisition when their partners adhere to ART and achieve undetectable viral loads. Partnership support may encourage ART adherence, reducing viral load and the risk of HIV transmission. This study aims to determine whether HIV viral suppression is associated with partnership status and partnership support among 201 HIV positive (HIV+ individuals in serodiscordant partnerships and 100 HIV+ unpartnered individuals receiving care at Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Porto Alegre, Brazil between 2014 and 2016. Clinical data and patient-reported questionnaire data were assessed, and propensity scores were used to control for confounding variables in adjusted logistic regression models. Viral suppression did not significantly differ between HIV+ partnered (78.5% virally suppressed) and unpartnered (76.0% virally suppressed) individuals. Among individuals in partnerships, viral suppression was significantly associated with having a partner who attended monthly clinic visits (AOR 2.99; 95% CI 1.00-8.93). Instrumental social support-attending monthly visits-may improve the odds of viral suppression among HIV+ individuals in serodiscordant relationships.

Patterns of Antiretroviral Therapy Use and Immunologic Profiles at Enrollment in the REPRIEVE Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patterns of antiretroviral therapy (ART) use and immunologic correlates vary globally, and contemporary trends are not well described. METHODS: The REPRIEVE trial (Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV) enrolled persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who were aged 40-75 years, receiving ART, and had low-to-moderate cardiovascular disease risk. ART use was summarized within Global Burden of Disease (GBD) super-regions, with adjusted linear and logistic regression analyses examining associations with immune parameters and key demographics. RESULTS: A total of 7770 participants were enrolled, with a median age of 50 years (interquartile range, 45-55 years); 31% were female, 43% were black or African American, 15% were Asian, 56% had a body mass index >25 (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), and 49% were current or former smokers. The median CD4 T-cell count was 620/µL (interquartile range, 447-826/ µ L), and the median duration of prior ART use, 9.5 years (5.3-14.8) years. The most common ART regimens were nucleoside/nucleotide reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) plus nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (43%), NRTI plus integrase strand transfer inhibitor (25%), and NRTI plus protease inhibitor (19%). Entry ART varied by GBD region, with shifts during the trial enrollment period. In adjusted analyses, entry CD4 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio were associated with GBD region, sex, entry regimen, duration of ART, and nadir CD4 cell count; CD4 and CD8 cell counts were also associated with body mass index and smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: There were substantial variations in ART use by geographic region and over time, likely reflecting the local availability of specific medications, changes in treatment guidelines and provider/patient preferences. The analyses of CD4 cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratios may provide valuable insights regarding immune correlates and outcomes in people living with HIV. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02344290.

Distal Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Positive Individuals Before and After Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation in Diverse Resource-Limited Settings.

BACKGROUND: Distal sensory peripheral neuropathy (DSPN) is a complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We estimate DSPN prevalence in 7 resource-limited settings (RLSs) for combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-naive people living with HIV (PLWH) compared with matched participants not living with HIV and in PLWH virally suppressed on 1 of 3 cART regimens. METHODS: PLWH with a CD4+ count <300 cells/mm3 underwent standardized neurological examination and functional status assessments before and every 24 weeks after starting cART. Matched individuals not living with HIV underwent the same examinations once.Associations between covariates with DSPN at entry were assessed using the χ2 test, and virally suppressed PLWH were assessed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Before initiating cART, 21.3% of PLWH had DSPN compared with 8.5% of people not living with HIV (n = 2400; χ2(df = 1) = 96.5; P < .00001). PLWH with DSPN were more likely to report inability to work [χ2(df = 1) = 10.6; P = .001] and depression [χ2(df = 1) = 8.9; P = .003] than PLWH without DSPN. Overall prevalence of DSPN among those virally suppressed on cART decreased: 20.3%, week 48; 15.3%, week 144; and 10.3%, week 192. Incident DSPN was seen in 127 PLWH. Longitudinally, DSPN was more likely in older individuals (P < .001) and PLWH with less education (P = .03). There was no significant association between cART regimen and DSPN. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of DSPN decreased following cART initiation in PLWH, further research could identify strategies to prevent or ameliorate residual DSPN after initiating cART in RLSs.

Phylogenetic Methods Inconsistently Predict the Direction of HIV Transmission Among Heterosexual Pairs in the HPTN 052 Cohort.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated use of phylogenetic methods to predict the direction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. METHODS: For 33 pairs of HIV-infected patients (hereafter, "index patients") and their partners who acquired genetically linked HIV infection during the study, samples were collected from partners and index patients close to the time when the partner seroconverted (hereafter, "SC samples"); for 31 pairs, samples collected from the index patient at an earlier time point (hereafter, "early index samples") were also available. Phylogenies were inferred using env next-generation sequences (1 tree per pair/subtype). The direction of transmission (DoT) predicted from each tree was classified as correct or incorrect on the basis of which sequences (those from the index patient or the partner) were closest to the root. DoT was also assessed using maximum parsimony to infer ancestral node states for 100 bootstrap trees. RESULTS: DoT was predicted correctly for both single-pair and subtype-specific trees in 22 pairs (67%) by using SC samples and in 23 pairs (74%) by using early index samples. DoT was predicted incorrectly for 4 pairs (15%) by using SC or early index samples. In the bootstrap analysis, DoT was predicted correctly for 18 pairs (55%) by using SC samples and for 24 pairs (73%) by using early index samples. DoT was predicted incorrectly for 7 pairs (21%) by using SC samples and for 4 pairs (13%) by using early index samples. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenetic methods based solely on the tree topology of HIV env sequences, particularly without consideration of phylogenetic uncertainty, may be insufficient for determining DoT.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus-associated Neurocognitive Impairment in Diverse Resource-limited Settings.

BACKGROUND: Neurocognitive impairment remains a common complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). We previously reported improved neurocognitive functioning with ART initiation in 7 resource-limited countries for HIV+ participants from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) 5199 International Neurological Study (INS). Here, we apply normative data from the International Neurocognitive Normative Study (INNS) to INS to provide previously unknown rates of neurocognitive impairment. METHODS: The A5199 INS assessed neurocognitive and neurological performance within a randomized clinical trial with 3 arms containing World Health Organization first-line recommended ART regimens (ACTG 5175; PEARLS). The ACTG 5271 INNS collected normative comparison data on 2400 high-risk HIV-negative participants from 10 voluntary counseling and testing sites aligned with INS. Normative comparison data were used to create impairment ratings for HIV+ participants in INS; associations were estimated using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Among 860 HIV+ adults enrolled in ACTG 5199, 55% had no neurocognitive impairment at baseline. Mild neurocognitive impairment was found in 25%, moderate in 17%, and severe in 3% of participants. With the initiation of ART, the estimated odds of impairment were reduced 12% (95% confidence interval, 9%, 14%) for every 24 weeks (P < .0001) on ART. Mild impairment dropped slightly and then remained at about 18% out to week 168. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of HIV+ participants had neurocognitive impairment at baseline before ART, based on local norms. With ART initiation, there were significant overall reductions in neurocognitive impairment over time, especially in those with moderate and severe impairments. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT00096824.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and Tuberculosis Coinfection in Multinational, Resource-limited Settings: Increased Neurological Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: AIDS Clinical Trial Group 5199 compared neurological and neuropsychological test performance of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected participants in resource-limited settings treated with 3 World Health Organization-recommended antiretroviral (ART) regimens. We investigated the impact of tuberculosis (TB) on neurological and neuropsychological outcomes. METHODS: Standardized neurological and neuropsychological examinations were administered every 24 weeks. Generalized estimating equation models assessed the association between TB and neurological/neuropsychological performance. RESULTS: Characteristics of the 860 participants at baseline were as follows: 53% female, 49% African; median age, 34 years; CD4 count, 173 cells/µL; and plasma HIV-1 RNA, 5.0 log copies/mL. At baseline, there were 36 cases of pulmonary, 9 cases of extrapulmonary, and 1 case of central nervous system (CNS) TB. Over the 192 weeks of follow-up, there were 55 observations of pulmonary TB in 52 persons, 26 observations of extrapulmonary TB in 25 persons, and 3 observations of CNS TB in 2 persons. Prevalence of TB decreased with ART initiation and follow-up. Those with TB coinfection had significantly poorer performance on grooved pegboard (P < .001) and fingertapping nondominant hand (P < .01). TB was associated with diffuse CNS disease (P < .05). Furthermore, those with TB had 9.27 times (P < .001) higher odds of reporting decreased quality of life, and had 8.02 times (P = .0005) higher odds of loss of productivity. CONCLUSIONS: TB coinfection was associated with poorer neuropsychological functioning, particularly the fine motor skills, and had a substantial impact on functional ability and quality of life. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT00096824.

Antiretroviral Therapy for the Prevention of HIV-1 Transmission.

BACKGROUND: An interim analysis of data from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 trial showed that antiretroviral therapy (ART) prevented more than 96% of genetically linked infections caused by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in serodiscordant couples. ART was then offered to all patients with HIV-1 infection (index participants). The study included more than 5 years of follow-up to assess the durability of such therapy for the prevention of HIV-1 transmission. METHODS: We randomly assigned 1763 index participants to receive either early or delayed ART. In the early-ART group, 886 participants started therapy at enrollment (CD4+ count, 350 to 550 cells per cubic millimeter). In the delayed-ART group, 877 participants started therapy after two consecutive CD4+ counts fell below 250 cells per cubic millimeter or if an illness indicative of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (i.e., an AIDS-defining illness) developed. The primary study end point was the diagnosis of genetically linked HIV-1 infection in the previously HIV-1-negative partner in an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Index participants were followed for 10,031 person-years; partners were followed for 8509 person-years. Among partners, 78 HIV-1 infections were observed during the trial (annual incidence, 0.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7 to 1.1). Viral-linkage status was determined for 72 (92%) of the partner infections. Of these infections, 46 were linked (3 in the early-ART group and 43 in the delayed-ART group; incidence, 0.5%; 95% CI, 0.4 to 0.7) and 26 were unlinked (14 in the early-ART group and 12 in the delayed-ART group; incidence, 0.3%; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.4). Early ART was associated with a 93% lower risk of linked partner infection than was delayed ART (hazard ratio, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.22). No linked infections were observed when HIV-1 infection was stably suppressed by ART in the index participant. CONCLUSIONS: The early initiation of ART led to a sustained decrease in genetically linked HIV-1 infections in sexual partners. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; HPTN 052 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00074581 .).

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Antiretroviral Resistance and Transmission in Mother-Infant Pairs Enrolled in a Large Perinatal Study.

Background: The presence of antiretroviral drug-associated resistance mutations (DRMs) may be particularly problematic in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected pregnant women as it can lead to mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of resistant HIV strains. This study evaluated the prevalence and the effect of antiretroviral DRMs in previously untreated mother-infant pairs. Methods: A case-control design of 1:4 (1 transmitter to 4 nontransmitters) was utilized to evaluate DRMs as a predictor of HIV MTCT in specimens obtained from mother-infant pairs. ViroSeq HIV-1 genotyping was performed on mother-infant specimens to assess for clinically relevant DRMs. Results: One hundred forty infants acquired HIV infection; of these, 123 mother-infant pairs (88%) had specimens successfully amplified using ViroSeq and assessed for drug resistance genotyping. Additionally, 483 of 560 (86%) women who did not transmit HIV to infants also had samples evaluated for DRMs. Sixty-three of 606 (10%) women had clinically relevant DRMs; 12 (2%) had DRMs against >1 drug class. Among 123 HIV-infected infants, 13 (11%) had clinically relevant DRMs, with 3 (2%) harboring DRMs against >1 drug class. In univariate and multivariate analyses, DRMs in mothers were not associated with increased HIV MTCT (adjusted odds ratio, 0.8 [95% confidence interval, .4-1.5]). Presence of DRMs in transmitting mothers was strongly associated with DRM presence in their infants (P < .001). Conclusions: Preexisting DRMs were common in untreated HIV-infected pregnant women, but did not increase the risk of HIV MTCT. However, if women with DRMs are not virologically suppressed, they may transmit resistant mutations, thus complicating infant management.

Inflammation and micronutrient biomarkers predict clinical HIV treatment failure and incident active TB in HIV-infected adults: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Various individual biomarkers of inflammation and micronutrient status, often correlated with each other, are associated with adverse treatment outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults. The objective of this study was to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on multiple inflammation and micronutrient biomarkers to identify biomarker groupings (factors) and determine their association with HIV clinical treatment failure (CTF) and incident active tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: Within a multicountry randomized trial of antiretroviral therapy (ART) efficacy (PEARLS) among HIV-infected adults, we nested a case-control study (n = 290; 124 cases, 166 controls) to identify underlying factors, based on EFA of 23 baseline (pre-ART) biomarkers of inflammation and micronutrient status. The EFA biomarker groupings results were used in Cox proportional hazards models to study the association with CTF (primary analysis where cases were incident World Health Organization stage 3, 4 or death by 96 weeks of ART) or incident active TB (secondary analysis). RESULTS: In the primary analysis, based on eigenvalues> 1 in the EFA, three factors were extracted: (1) carotenoids), (2) other nutrients, and (3) inflammation. In multivariable-adjusted models, there was an increased hazard of CTF (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI)1.17-1.84) per unit increase of inflammation factor score. In the secondary incident active TB case-control analysis, higher scores of the high carotenoids and low interleukin-18 factor was protective against incident active TB (aHR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26-0.87). CONCLUSION: Factors identified through EFA were associated with adverse outcomes in HIV-infected individuals. Strategies focused on reducing adverse HIV outcomes through therapeutic interventions that target the underlying factor (e.g., inflammation) rather than focusing on an individual observed biomarker might be more effective and warrant further investigation.

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Acquisition Among HIV-1-Infected Adults Treated With Tenofovir Disoproxyl Fumarate as Part of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy: Results From the ACTG A5175 PEARLS Study.

Objective: Tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate (TDF) disoproxyl fumarate (TDF) has in vitro activity against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and reduced HSV-2 acquisition as preexposure prophylaxis. Whether TDF-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces HSV-2 acquisition is unknown. Design: Secondary analysis of AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5175, a randomized, open-label study of 3 ART regimens among 1571 participants. Methods: HSV-2 serostatus was assessed at baseline, at study exit, and before a change in ART regimen. Results: Of 365 HSV-2-seronegative persons, 68 acquired HSV-2, with 24 receiving TDF-containing ART and 44 receiving ART without TDF (HSV-2 seroconversion incidence, 6.42 and 6.63 cases/100 person-years, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, .55-1.44). Conclusions: HSV-2 acquisition was not reduced in HIV-infected, HSV-2-uninfected persons during TDF-containing ART.

Cytomegalovirus Urinary Shedding in HIV-infected Pregnant Women and Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) urinary shedding in pregnant women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was evaluated to determine whether it poses an increased risk for congenital CMV infection (cCMV). METHODS: A subset of mother-infant pairs enrolled in the perinatal NICHD HPTN 040 study (distinguished by no antiretroviral use before labor) was evaluated. Maternal and infant urines were tested by qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for CMV DNA with quantitative RT-PCR performed on positive specimens. RESULTS: Urine specimens were available for 260 women with 85.4% from the Americas and 14.6% from South Africa. Twenty-four women (9.2%) had detectable CMV viruria by qualitative PCR. Maternal CMV viruria was not associated with mean CD4 cell counts or HIV viral load but was associated with younger maternal age (P = .02). Overall, 10 of 260 infants (3.8%) had cCMV. Women with detectable peripartum CMV viruria were more likely to have infants with cCMV than those without: 20.8% (5/24) versus 2.1% (5/236), (P = .0001). Women with CMV viruria had significantly higher rates of HIV perinatal transmission (29.2% vs. 8.1%, P = .002). They were 5 times (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-16.8) and nearly 30 times (aOR, 29.7; 95% CI, 5.4-164.2) more likely to transmit HIV and CMV to their infants, respectively. Maternal gonorrhea (aOR, 19.5; 95% CI, 2.5-151.3) and higher maternal HIV log10 viral load (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3-6.3) were also significant risk factors for cCMV. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of HIV-infected pregnant women not on antiretrovirals, urinary CMV shedding was a significant risk factor for CMV and HIV transmission to infants. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00099359.

Inflammation and Change in Body Weight With Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation in a Multinational Cohort of HIV-Infected Adults.

BACKGROUND: Both wasting and obesity are associated with inflammation, but the extent to which body weight changes influence inflammation during human immunodeficiency virus infection is unknown. METHODS: Among a random virologically suppressed participants of the Prospective Evaluation of Antiretrovirals in Resource-Limited Settings trial, inflammatory markers were measured at weeks 0, 24, and 48 after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Associations between both baseline and change in body mass index (BMI; calculated as the weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared) and changes in inflammation markers were assessed using random effects models. RESULTS: Of 246 participants, 27% were overweight/obese (BMI, ≥ 25), and 8% were underweight (BMI < 18.5) at baseline. After 48 weeks, 37% were overweight/obese, and 3% were underweight. While level of many inflammatory markers decreased 48 weeks after ART initiation in the overall group, the decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP) level was smaller in overweight/obese participants (P = .01), and the decreases in both CRP (P = .01) and interleukin 18 (P = .02) levels were smaller in underweight participants. Each 1-unit gain in BMI among overweight/obese participants was associated with a 0.02-log10 increase in soluble CD14 level (P = .05), while each 1-unit BMI gain among underweight participants was associated with a 9.32-mg/L decrease in CRP level (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Being either overweight or underweight at ART initiation was associated with heightened systemic inflammation. While weight gain among overweight/obese persons predicted increased inflammation, weight gain among underweight persons predicted reduced inflammation.

Persistently Elevated C-Reactive Protein Level in the First Year of Antiretroviral Therapy, Despite Virologic Suppression, Is Associated With HIV Disease Progression in Resource-Constrained Settings.

A case-cohort analysis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) was performed within a multicountry randomized trial (PEARLS) to assess the prevalence of persistently elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, based on serial measurements of CRP levels, and their association with HIV clinical failure. A persistently elevated CRP level in plasma (defined as ≥ 5 mg/L at both baseline and 24 weeks after ART initiation) was observed in 50 of 205 individuals (24%). A persistently elevated CRP level but not an elevated CRP level only at a single time point was independently associated with increased clinical failure, compared with a persistently low CRP level, despite achievement of virologic suppression. Serial monitoring of CRP levels could identify individuals who are at highest risk of HIV progression and may benefit from future adjunct antiinflammatory therapies.