Mitochondrial Haplogroups and Weight Gain After Initiating ART in Patients with HIV.

We studied the association of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups with weight and body mass index (BMI) gain at 96 weeks in 1,019 treatment-naïve persons with HIV (PWH) who initiated first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2014. The mean increase in weight and BMI over the study period was 2.90 Kg and 0.98 Kg/m2, respectively. We found a significant adjusted association between the major UK mtDNA haplogroup and lower weight and BMI increase at 96 weeks after ART initiation. Our findings reveal a potential role for mitochondrial genetics in the complex phenomenon of weight gain after initial ART in PWH.

Non-suppressible viraemia during HIV-1 therapy: a challenge for clinicians.

In individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), persistent low-level viraemia not attributed to suboptimal ART adherence, detrimental pharmacological interactions, or drug resistance is referred to as non-suppressible viraemia (NSV). This Review presents recent findings in the virological characterisation of NSV, revealing that it consists of one or a few identical populations of plasma viruses without signs of evolution. This finding suggests that NSV originates from virus production by expanded HIV-infected cell clones, reflecting the persistence of the HIV reservoir despite ART. We discuss knowledge gaps regarding the management and the clinical consequences of NSV. The prevalence of NSV remains to be precisely determined and there is very little understanding of its effects on virological failure, HIV transmission, secondary inflammation, morbidity, and mortality. This issue, along with the absence of specific recommendations for the management of NSV in HIV clinical guidelines, underscores the complexities involved in treating individuals with NSV.

Cabotegravir and rilpivirine for the treatment of HIV.

Introduction: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) has led to improved control of HIV infection, giving the opportunity of exploring therapeutic alternatives as new long-acting (LA) regimens, that might improve the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLWH).Areas covered: This article overviews the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of LA cabotegravir and rilpivirine (CR), two nanoformulated drugs of intramuscular administration and focuses on assessing its role on the treatment of HIV infection.Expert opinion: In addition to the advantage of treatment simplification, which could be especially beneficial for population subgroups with significant HIV-related stigma, it also reduces the number of drugs, and probably, the risk of treatment-related toxicity. The similar efficacy when compared to oral triple therapies in clinical trials and the high satisfaction rates among both professionals and patients make LA CR a suitable alternative for the control of HIV infection in the modern era.