Association of low-level viremia with mortality among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Dehong, Southwest China: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of low-level viremia (LLV) with mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Dehong, Southwest China. METHODS: We analysed data collected from a cohort of PLHIV on ART in Dehong. PLHIV were enrolled in this cohort after they started ART, with viral load (VL) tested once a year afterwards. Each VL level was then categorized into one of the four groups: <50, 50-199, 200-999 and ≥1000 copies/ml. VL levels of 50-199 and 200-999 copies/ml were defined as LLV. The VL level for each participant was re-categorized and fitted into an extended Cox regression model as a time-varying covariate to examine the associations of VL level with all-cause and AIDS-related deaths. RESULTS: Among the included 7273 of 8762 PLHIV in this study, median age (interquartile range, IQR) was 36 (30-43) years and 59.9% were male. The patients were followed up for a median duration (IQR) of 6.2 (4.3-8.2) years. Compared with VL <50 copies/ml, LLV 200-999 copies/ml (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] and 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.56 [1.04, 2.32]) were associated with elevated risk of all-cause mortality and LLV50-199 (aHR [95% CI]: 1.00 [0.68, 1.45]) were not. Similarly, only LLV200-999 copies/ml (aHR [95% CI]: 2.37 [1.36, 4.14]) corresponded to higher risk of AIDS-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that PLHIV on ART may have elevated death risks even though the viremia is suppressed at a low level. Interventions targeting PLHIV with LLV should be developed to reduce their mortality.

Longitudinal impact of compliance with routine CD4 monitoring on all cause deaths among treated people with HIV in China.

Keeping adherence to the continuous and standardized CD4 follow-up monitoring service is of great significance to the control of disease progression and the reduction of avoidable mortality for HIV-infected patients. As non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become main causes of deaths for people with HIV (PWH) in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), how and to what extent does adherence to routine CD4 monitoring differentially impact on AIDS-related versus NCDs-related deaths in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) remains elucidated. A CD4 test index was developed by dividing the actual number of received CD4 tests by the theoretical number of CD4 tests that should have been performed according to national treatment guidelines during the study period, with an index value of 0.8-1.2 reflecting compliance. From 1989 to 2020, 14,571 adults were diagnosed with HIV infection in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan province in Southwestern China, 6,683 (45.9%) PWH had died with the all-cause mortality of 550.13 per 10,000 person-years, including 3,250 (48.6%) AIDS-related deaths (267.53 per 10,000 person-years). Among patients on cART, the median CD4 test index was 1.0 (IQR 0.6-1.3), and 35.2% had a CD4 test index less than 0.8. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that PWH with CD4 test index at 0.8-1.2 were at the lowest risk of both AIDS-related (aHR = 0.06; 95%CI: 0.05-0.07) and NCDs-related (aHR = 0.13; 95%CI: 0.11-0.16)deaths. Adherence to routine CD4 monitoring is critical for reducing both AIDS-related and NCDs-related mortality of PWH. An appropriate (once or twice a year) rather than an unnecessarily higher frequency of routine CD4 testing could be most cost-effective in reducing mortality in LMIC.

Untargeted Plasma Metabolomics Reveals Extensive Metabolic Alterations Among Treatment-Naive Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infected Patients with Liver Disease Progression.

Both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) may induce metabolic disorders and cause liver complications. Therefore, we aim to analyze the metabolite differences among treatment-naive HIV/HCV co-infected patients with versus without liver disease progression (LDP) and HIV mono-infected patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 65 HIV/HCV co-infected patients (22 with LDP and 43 without) and 65 HIV mono-infected patients in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province, China. Plasma metabolomics were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS) and liquid chromatography-MS. Discrimination analysis, pathway enrichment analysis, generalized linear model with binomial distribution, and area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) were conducted to identify bilateral differences in metabolites and pathways in different comparison groups. A total of 10,831 with 673 named and 10,158 unnamed metabolites were detected. Compared with HIV/HCV co-infected patients without LDP, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis pathway with the increased level of tyrosine were significantly altered among HIV/HCV co-infected patients with LDP. Compared with HIV mono-infected patients, the decreased level of glutamine and increased levels of glutamic acid, arachidonic acid, and its derivatives were identified among HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Metabolite panels adjusted for baseline information had a higher accuracy than baseline model (without metabolite information) in distinguishing HIV/HCV co-infected patients with versus without LDP (AUC 0.951 vs. 0.849, p = .027) and HIV/HCV co-infected patients from HIV mono-infected patients (AUC 0.889 vs. 0.766, p < .001). A novel set of metabolites were found to discriminate HIV/HCV co-infected patients with versus without LDP, and from HIV mono-infected patients, which may have mechanistic and interventional implications.

Microbial translocation is associated with advanced liver fibrosis among people with HIV.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of liver complications is increasing among people living with HIV, and microbial translocation (MT) might play a vital role. We conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the association between plasma biomarkers of MT and liver fibrosis (LF) among people living with HIV in southwest China. METHOD: A total of 665 people living with HIV were enrolled at baseline and had at least one follow-up visit during the 3-year study period. We calculated the Liver Fibrosis Index (FIB-4) to evaluate LF and measured plasma soluble CD14 (sCD14) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) as surrogate biomarkers for MT. We used ordinal logistic regression to investigate correlates of LF at baseline and used a linear mixed model to examine the association between dynamic changes in MT biomarkers and LF. RESULTS: Of the participants, 61 (9.17%) had advanced LF (FIB-4 >3.25), and 193 (29.02%) had moderate LF (1.45 ≤ FIB-4 ≤ 3.25). Patients with advanced LF had higher plasma levels of sCD14 and LBP than those with moderate or no LF, both at baseline and at follow-up. The following factors were significantly associated with advanced LF: the highest quartile of LBP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02~2.81), current intravenous drug use (aOR = 1.82; 95% CI 1.06~3.12), baseline CD4 <200 cells/µl (aOR = 3.25; 95% CI 2.13~4.95), hepatitis C virus coinfection (aOR = 2.52; 95% CI 1.41~4.51) and age >50 years (aOR = 32.66; 95% CI 15.89~66.36). LF progression (increasing FIB-4) was significantly associated with increasing sCD14 level (ß = 1.11; 95% CI 0.97~1.26; p < 0.001) with covariate adjustment. CONCLUSION: The significant relationship between MT and LF may reveal pathogenic mechanisms and potential intervention targets of liver complications among people living with HIV in China.

Plasma Inflammatory Biomarkers Associated with Advanced Liver Fibrosis in HIV-HCV-Coinfected Individuals.

BACKGROUND: HIV and HCV coinfection leads to accelerated liver fibrosis, in which microbial translocation and systemic inflammation might play important roles. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide an extensive profile of the plasma microbial translocation and inflammation biomarkers associated with advanced liver fibrosis among HIV-HCV-coinfected patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 343 HIV-HCV-coinfected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) from a rural prefecture of Yunnan province in Southwest China. The plasma concentrations of sCD14 and 27 cytokines and chemokines were assayed and compared against advanced or mild levels of liver fibrosis. RESULTS: Of the 343 HIV-HCV-coinfected patients, 188 (54.8%) had severe or advanced liver fibrosis (FIB-4 > 3.25). The patients with advanced liver fibrosis (FIB-4 > 3.25 vs. FIB-4 ≤ 3.25) had higher plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-7, IL-9, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-basic), and Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Multivariable logistic regression models showed that advanced liver fibrosis was associated with an increased plasma level of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, IL-17, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, MCP-1, Eotaxin, and FGF-basic, with FGF-basic continuing to be positively and significantly associated with advanced liver fibrosis, after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.92; 95%CI: 1.32-2.81; p = 0.001). Plasma sCD14 was also significantly associated with advanced liver fibrosis (aOR = 1.13; 95%CI: 1.01-1.30; p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: HIV-HCV-coinfected patients are living with a high prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis which coexists with a mixture of elevated plasma inflammation and microbial translocation biomarkers. The significant associations of advanced liver fibrosis with FGF-basic and sCD14 may reveal pathogenic mechanisms and potential clinical intervention targets for liver fibrosis in HCV-HIV coinfection.

Fibrosis-4 index predicts mortality in HIV/HCV co-infected patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy in rural China.

End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is among leading causes of death for people living with HIV and HCV. Little is known how liver fibrosis score predicts mortality in HIV/HCV co-infected population under combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). A retrospective cohort study of 691 HIV/HCV co-infected patients receiving cART in Yunnan, China from 2005 to 2016 was carried out to explore the association between Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for FIB-4 and covariates. After a median follow-up of 4.8 years with a total follow-up time of 3,696 person-years (PY), 131 deaths occurred and the all-cause mortality was 3.5 per 100 PY. The mortality was 2.9 (95% CI: 2.3-3.5)/100 PY for the FIB-4 ≤ 3.25 group and 5.8 (4.2-7.4)/100 PY for the FIB-4 > 3.25 group at baseline. People with FIB-4 changed from mild to advanced group showed HR of 1.81 (95% CI: 1.01-3.25) for death, and with FIB-4 sustaining advanced showed HR of 3.11 (1.75-5.54), both compared to those with FIB-4 remained mild, while lower risk of death was observed among married people (HR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41-0.99) compared to unmarried, among those with most recent CD4+ T cell counts between 200 and 350 cells/µL (0.50, 0.30-0.86) and > 350 cells/µL (0.25, 0.15-0.41) compared to CD4 under 200 cells/µL. Advanced and progressive liver fibrosis is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality in HIV/HCV co-infected patients under cART in China.

Effect of community-based extension clinics of methadone maintenance therapy for opiate-dependent clients: A prospective cohort study in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province of China.

Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is effective in treatment of opiate dependents. However, there is a gap between the coverage of standard MMT clinics and the need of opiate dependents. Establishment of extension clinics of methadone maintenance therapy (EMMT) will increase the coverage and improve MMT accessibility. We implemented a prospective cohort study to understand the effects of establishment of community-based EMMT clinics comparing with MMT clinics in Yunnan Province.A total of 462 opiate-dependent clients were interviewed from the community-based EMMT clinics and standard MMT clinics located in 5 counties of Mangshi, Ruili, Longchuan, Yingjiang, and Lianghe in Yunnan Province. The information on the demographic characteristics, drug risk behaviors, quality of life (QOL), and urine testing results for morphine of the clients was collected and compared between the EMMT and MMT clinics. A survival analysis method was utilized to know the retention situation of the newly enrolled clients with Kaplan-Meier method during 9 months treatment.Among the EMMT clients, 96.9% were male; 31.4% were Han; 61.4% were married; 39.0% had primary school education; 95.5% lived with their family or relatives; 96.9% who arrived the clinic less than 15 min; 52.9% had used drugs for more than 10 years; and 16.7% injected drug. After 9 months therapy, there was no difference in the changes of life quality such as physical and psychological features, social relationships, environmental function, and total QOL and well-being between those of EMMT and MMT clinics. The positive detection rate of urine-morphine testing among newly enrolled clients of EMMT clinics decreased as the period of treatment lengthened. The average time of retention for newly enrolled EMMT clients who are still receiving the treatment was 175 days. And the average time from initiations to drop-out of treatment for newly enrolled EMMT clients was 122 days. The 9-month retention rates of the clients were 52.1% and 60.9% at EMMT and MMT clinics, respectively.The effect on EMMT retention was the same as that of MMT. Establishment of EMMT clinics was an effective strategy to expand the coverage of MMT and increase the retention of opiate dependents in the rural areas of the counties.

The Transmission and Evolution of HIV-1 Quasispecies within One Couple: a Follow-up Study based on Next-Generation Sequencing.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been successfully used to trace HIV-1 infection. In this study, we investigated the transmission and evolution of HIV-1 quasispecies in a couple infected through heterosexual behavior. A heterosexual couple in which both partners were infected with HIV-1 was followed up for 54 months. Blood samples including whole-blood and plasma samples, were collected at various time points. After HIV-1 subtyping, NGS (Miseq platform) was used to sequence the env region of the HIV-1 quasispecies. Genetic distances were calculated, and phylogenetic trees were generated. We found both partners were infected with HIV-1 subtype circulating recombinant form (CRF), CRF65_cpx. The quasispecies distribution was relatively tightly clustered in the phylogenetic tree during early infection. Over time, the distribution of HIV-1 quasispecies gradually became more dispersed at 12th months, with a progressive increase in gene diversity. By 37th months, the sequences obtained for both partners formed different clusters in the phylogenetic tree. These results suggest that the HIV-1 contact tracing results generated by the Miseq platform may be more reliable than other conventional sequencing methods, which can provide important information about the transmission and evolution of HIV-1. Our findings may help to better target preventative interventions for promoting public health.

Tobacco and alcohol use among drug users receiving methadone maintenance treatment: a cross-sectional study in a rural prefecture of Yunnan Province, Southwest China.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of ever, current and heavy tobacco and alcohol use and their correlates among patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was conducted in all of the 5 MMT clinics in Dehong Prefecture, China. PARTICIPANTS: 2121 (81.6%) eligible MMT participants were included in the study population. ANALYSIS: Ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate the ORs and their 95% CIs. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of ever, current and heavy smoking was 98.6%, 97.8% and 66.3%, respectively; while that of ever, current and hazardous alcohol drinking was 86.6%, 58.6% and 16.6%, respectively. Among HIV-infected participants, the proportions of those experiencing harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol on AIDS were 53.6% and 72.5%, respectively, and 16.9% and 49.3% had ever tried to quit after diagnosis with HIV. After adjusting for potential confounders, heavier smokers and more hazardous drinkers were more likely to be men, older and less educated. Ethnic minorities were less likely to heavily smoke, but more likely to engage in hazardous drinking. In addition, hazardous drinking was negatively associated with longer years of MMT and HIV infection. Moreover, heavier smoking (OR≥2=2.08, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.73) and more hazardous drinking (OR≥2=2.46, 95% CI 1.53 to 3.97) were positively associated with having multiple sexual partners, and both were positively associated with each other. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of tobacco and alcohol consumption was extraordinarily high among MMT participants in China, suggesting the urgent need of enhancing MMT patients' awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol consumption and implementing comprehensive education and effective intervention programmes.

[Incidence and risk factors of HIV infection among sero-negative spouses of people living with HIV/AIDS in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence rate and risk factors of HIV infection among sero-negative spouses of people living with HIV/AIDS (HIV/AIDS) in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted from February 2009 to December 2014 in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province. Questionnaire survey and HIV related tests were carried out once a year. RESULTS: By the end of December 2014, 2 091 sero-negative spouses had been recruited, of whom 1 692 were followed-up for at least one time. RESULTS showed that 34 new HIV infections were identified within 5 494.52 person years of follow-up, for an overall incidence of 0.62 per 100 person years. HIV incidence rates appeared as 0.79 per 100 person years, 0.62 per 100 person years, 0.47 per 100 person years in 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2013-2014, respectively. Data from the Cox proportional hazard regression model indicated that risk factors of HIV infection among sero-negative spouses of HIV/AIDS were: non-consistent condom use (HR=4.64, 95%CI: 1.89-11.40,P= 0.001), HIV/AIDS delayed antiviral retrovirus therapy (ART) for more than one year (HR=3.70, 95% CI: 1.44-9.49,P=0.007) after the HIV negative spouses were initially recruited, HIV/AIDS did not receive any ART (HR=3.62, 95% CI: 1.14-11.51,P=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HIV infection among sero-negative spouses in Dehong prefecture was relatively low. Publicity on consistent condom use program should be emphasized among sero-negative spouses of HIV/AIDS, together with the timely provision of ART to those HIV/AIDS.

Risk factors for incident HSV-2 infections among a prospective cohort of HIV-1-discordant couples in China.

OBJECTIVES: Identification of risk factors is essential for developing herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) prevention interventions that could also reduce HIV-1 transmission, particularly among HIV-1-discordant couples. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted among HIV-1-discordant couples from June 2009 to March 2011 in Yunnan province, China. 413 HIV-1-infected partners and 517 HIV-1-uninfected partners who were HSV-2 seronegative or equivocal at enrolment and who had a study partner completing the baseline survey and HSV-2 testing were included in the analysis. RESULTS: HSV-2 incidence was 2.9 per 100 person-years (PY) for HIV-1-infected partners and 4.5 per 100 PY for HIV-1-uninfected partners. At least 36% of incident HSV-2 infections were from outside sexual partner. Among HIV-1-infected partners, multivariate analysis indicated that HSV-2 incidence was significantly higher among those with baseline equivocal HSV-2 result, having an initially HSV-2 seropositive or equivocal partner, reporting no sex with study partner and initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) during follow-up. Among HIV-1-uninfected partners, multivariate analysis indicated that HSV-2 incidence was significantly higher among those having an initially HSV-2 seropositive partner and reporting sex with study partner ≥5 times/month, but was lower among those having a partner with baseline CD4(+) count ≥350 cells/µL. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the importance of developing prevention and intervention programmes to reduce HSV-2 transmission among this population. The relationship between ART initiation and HSV-2 seroconversion requires further investigation.

[A study on the health economic evaluations of prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, China from 2004 to 2013].

OBJECTIVE: To conduct health economic evaluation of the prevention of mother-to-child HIV among pregnant women in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, China from 2004 to 2013. METHODS: Data on cost were collected mainly from the annual prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) reporting system of Dehong prefecture, and supplemented by HIV PMTCT-related resource allocation data from local health bureau. Effectiveness indexes were from local continuous HIV surveillance system and annual reported data. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis were used to conduct the health economic evaluation. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2013, 283980 pregnant women were screened for HIV, 2 059 were detected as positive, and the HIV positive rate was 0.73%. The total cost of the PMTCT program was 14 227 000 RMB after discounting, and the unit cost of positive case finding was 4 200 RMB. A total of 26 cases of adults and 325 infants were avoided HIV infection, and the cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) was 40 500 RMB/case. The total obtained quality adjusted life years (QALY) from the program was 8 911.5, each one of which cost 1 600 RMB/QALY. If the feeding pattern were breast feeding, CER would be 42 800 RMB/case and each one of QALY would cost 2 200 RMB. CONCLUSION: Based on the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis, the HIV PMTCT of Dehong prefecture had economic value, which indicates that continued investment is needed to strengthen local HIV PMTCT work.

Illicit Heroin and Methamphetamine Use among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan Province, China.

OBJECTIVE: Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) was introduced to China in 2004 to reduce the harm of injecting drug users (IDUs). However, little is known about continued drug use, especially methamphetamine (MAMP), among MMT patients. METHODS: A survey was conducted among patients attending five major MMT clinics in Dehong Prefecture in 2014 to investigate the heroin and MAMP use and their associated risk factors. Participants were administered with face-to-face interviews, and urine tests for morphine and MAMP. RESULTS: A total of 2,121 were eligible and participated in the study. Among them, 220 (10.4%) were only positive for morphine, 12.9% were only positive for MAMP, and 196 (9.2%) were positive for both morphine and MAMP. Compared with neither use of heroin nor MAMP during MMT, heroin use (not using MAMP) was associated with ethnicity, shorter duration of MMT, lower dose of methadone, and having had no more than two sex partners in the past year; MAMP use (not using heroin) was associated with ethnicity, longer duration of MMT, higher dose of methadone and being aged <30 years (vs. ≥50 years); use of both heroin and MAMP was associated with being Dai minority (vs. Han), a marital status of divorced or widowed, having used drugs for ≥10 years and shorter duration of MMT. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate the complexity in the treatment of heroin users and underscore the importance in prescribing appropriate methadone dosages in order to reduce both heroin and MAMP use.

[Analysis of follow-up and administration of HIV-infected Burmese in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province].

OBJECTIVE: To compare follow-up and administration of HIV-infected local Chinese and Burmese in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province, for scientific development of prevention and control measures. METHODS: 14 270 HIV-infected local Chinese and 5 436 HIV-infected Burmese reported from 1989 to December 31, 2013 in Dehong prefecture were recruited as the subjects of study, comparing the differences of follow-up and management, CD4⁺ T lymphocyte count tests and antiretroviral therapy (ART) between the two groups. RESULTS: The proportion of HIV-infected Burmese identified in Dehong prefecture was 27.6% (5 436/19 706) during 1989-2013. The number had been growing rapidly from 17.1% in 1989-2003, 12.4% in 2004 and 14.7% in 2005 to over 51.4% in 2012, hitting 59.4% in 2013 (trends χ² = 1 732.84, P < 0.000 1). The proportion of HIV-infected Burmese among case reports of various characteristics kept rising over the years. By the end of 2013, 8 095 HIV-infected local Dehong residents and 5 326 HIV-infected Burmese were still alive. 95.8% of them were under follow-up, 88.5% having CD4⁺ T lymphocyte count tests, and 78.3% under ART. Among the HIV-infected B urmese, only 19.2% of them were under follow-up, 13.0% having CD4⁺ T lymphocyte count tests, and 6.1% under ART, significantly lower than the local Dehong residents (P < 0.000 1). CONCLUSION: The proportion of follow-up and administration, CD4⁺ T lymphocyte count tests, and ART of HIV-infected Burmese was low in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, which called for more effective follow-up and administration measures.

[Analysis of early detection of HIV infections by provider initiated HIV testing and counselling in regions with high HIV/AIDS epidemic in China].

OBJECTIVE: To understand provider initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) in a region with high HIV/AIDS epidemic in China, and analyze its effect to early detection of HIV infections. METHODS: Between January and December, 2013, 37 county level medical institutions were selected as the study sites, among which, 19 were public medical institutions and 18 were private institutions. According to the related regulation, procedures and contents of PITC, the study was implemented among outpatients and inpatients who seek for doctors in these medical institutions and PITC were provided for them. The 'Individual Investigation Form' was used to record the information and high-risky factors, and the respondents were taken venous blood and given HIV screening and confirmation. All available serum samples of newly found HIV/AIDS cases were tested using the BED HIV Incidence Capture Enzyme Immunoassay (BED-CEIA) to differentiate the long-term infections and new infections (early detected infections). Chi-square analysis was used to compare the differences of characteristics of newly infected patients. RESULTS: Between January and December, 2013, a total of 37 medical institutions provided PITC. 55 164 person times were received HIV screening, among which 658 were HIV positive, and 598 were confirmed to be HIV positive. The 598 cases were all provided transferring service. The differences of age, marital status, education levels, transmission routes and testing institutions had statistical significance to early detection (χ(2) equals to 23.54, 10.50, 17.96, 21.22 and 4.80; P equals to < 0.001, 0.005, < 0.001, < 0.001 and 0.029, respectively). And the early detection proportions among patients aged from 20 to 29 and from 50 to 84 were 47.1% (114/242) and 42.1% (24/57), respectively; the proportions among single and married patients were 37.8% (56/148) and 38.9% (143/368), respectively; the proportion among patients with high school education levels were 42.6% (26/61); the proportion among patients transmitted by fixed heterosexual sexual partners was 46.0% (86/187); the proportion among private hospitals was 40.3% (58/144). CONCLUSION: A certain proportion of HIV infections were early detected by PITC in this region. The HIV early detection proportions among specific age group and population with spouse/fixed sexual partners were relatively high.

[Study on HIV viral load in plasma and drug resistance among AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral treatment in Dehong prefecture,Yunnan province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand HIV rival suppression and drug resistance (HIVDR) among AIDS patients who were receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province. METHODS: All AIDS patients who were aged over 15 years and with experience more than six months on ART by the end of 2012 in Dehong prefecture, were enrolled to receive testing for HIV viral load in plasma and genetic mutations associated with HIVDR. RESULTS: A total of 4 390 AIDS patients were qualified for the study according to the selection criteria, of whom 3 964 (90.3%) finally participated in the study. Among them, 2 307(58.2%) had CD4(+) cell counts more than 350 cells/mm³. 3 169 (79.9%) patients showed undetectable plasma HIV viral load which was lower than the detection threshold. Those who had the following factors as:resided in Ruili city, being female, older than 45 years of age, married, heterosexually infected with HIV, having received ART more than 5 years, and CD4(+) cell counts >500 cells/mm³, were more likely to have undetectable plasma virus load, with the differences statistically significant. 402 (10.1%) patients had plasma viral load ≥ 1 000 copies/ml, of whom 353 (87.8%) were successfully amplified and examined for HIVDR. Among them, 198 (56.1% ) were identified to bear genetic mutations associated with HIVDR. Most mutations were related to the resistance to nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) or non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), with M184V and K103N most frequently seen. 12 patients (3.4%) were found to have mutations resistant to protease inhibitors (PI). Data from multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the period of receiving ART and the initial ART regimen could both significantly predict the occurrence of HIV resistance. CONCLUSION: Viral suppression was highly achieved among ART-prescribed AIDS patients in Dehong prefecture,Yunnan province. However, among those who did not show effective viral suppression, the proportion of HIVDR was high, underscoring the needs for health education so as to improve the adherence to drugs as well as for improving testing for viral load and HIVDR among AIDS patients.

[Proportion and related influencing factors of HIV-infected individuals that rejecting the antiretroviral therapy among all the HIV infections, Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the proportion and influencing factors on HIV-infected individuals who rejecting the antiretroviral therapy among all the HIV positives, in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on all the local HIV-infected survivals aged over 16 year old who refused to receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) by the end of 2013 in Dehong prefecture. RESULTS: The proportion of those rejecting the ART among HIV-infected survivals and aged over 16 years old in Dehong prefecture, was 7.4% (605/8 136). Factors related to the 'rejection' among the 605 refusals would include: being male (72.9%), aged 31-45 years (57.2%), peasants (75.4%), married (52.2%), with minor ethnicity (41.3%), illiterate or only having primary school education (58.7%), infected through sexual contacts (61.2%), and with CD4(+)T cell counts >350 cells/mm(3) (66.6%). Data from the multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that rejecting the ART was significantly associated with areas, gender, age, ethnicity and CD4(+)T cell counts of the HIV patients. Those who were from Yingjiang county, female, aged 31-45 years old had lower proportions of ART refusals than those who were from Ruili city, male, aged ≤30 year old. Those who were of Dai minority and had no records on CD4(+)T cell counts, had higher proportions of ART refusals than those who were of Han ethnicity and had CD4(+)T cell counts ≤350 cells/mm(3). Reasons for the 605 HIV-infected patients with rejection to the ART would include fear of disclosure of HIV infection status (84, 13.9%), misunderstandings of the effectiveness and side effects of ART (111, 18.3%), self-realized wellness(340, 56.2%) and others (70, 11.6%). Of them, reasons for the 181 patients with CD4(+)T cell counts ≤350 cells/mm(3) that rejecting ART would include fearfulness on the disclosure of HIV infection status(40, 22.1%), misunderstandings of the effectiveness and side effects of ART (36, 19.9%), self-realized wellness (84, 46.4%) and others (21, 11.6%). Among those who rejected ART, reasons for that would vary by areas, gender, age, marital status and routes of HIV transmission, according to the results from Chi-squared tests. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of HIV-infected individuals rejected ART in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province. It was urgently needed to enhance health education programs of ART tailored for those HIV-infected patients, according to different characteristics and reasons for rejection, so as to promote the ART in this prefecture.

[Study on the incidence and risk factors of HCV infection among heroin addicts who were on methadone maintenance treatment in Dehong prefecture,Yunnan province].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of HCV infection among heroin addicts who were receiving methadone maintenance treatment(MMT)in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province. METHODS: All heroin addicts who were HCV negative at the initiation of MMT in June 2005 through March 2012, in Dehong prefecture, were included in this cohort analysis. HCV incidence was calculated and related risk factors determined by using Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: A total of 2390 MMT clinic attendants were qualified for this cohort study by March 2012. 731(30.6%) of them had never received any follow-up HCV testing so were recognized as loss to follow-up. The other 1659 (69.4%) participants had received at least one follow-up HCV testing and were observed for a total of 3509.12 person-years(py). During this period 99 new HCV infections or HCV sero-converters were identified. The overall HCV incidence was 2.82/100 py and was 3.62/100 py for 2006, 5.36/100 py for 2007, 6.71/100 py for 2008, 2.56/100 py for 2009, 1.90/100 py for 2010, and 0.44/100 py for 2011, respectively. Results from multiple regression analysis, using Cox proportional hazard model, indicated that after controlling for confounding variables, those who were unemployed, being injecting drug users(IDUs)or HIV positive at entry into the MMT program were more likely to be newly infected with HCV or HCV sero-converted during the follow-up period than those who were peasants, non-IDUs or HIV negative at entry into the MMT program(HR = 2.02, 95% CI:1.18-3.48; HR = 9.05, 95% CI:5.49-14.93; HR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.37-3.56), respectively. CONCLUSION: The incidence of HCV infection among MMT clinic attendants was decreasing since 2009 in Dehong prefecture. Those who were unemployed, injecting drug users and HIV positive were at higher risk of HCV infection.

Total HIV/AIDS expenditures in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan province in 2010: the first systematic evaluation of both health and non-health related HIV/AIDS expenditures in China.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed HIV/AIDS expenditures in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province, one of the highest prevalence regions in China, and describe funding sources and spending for different categories of HIV-related interventions and at-risk populations. METHODS: 2010 HIV/AIDS expenditures in Dehong Prefecture were evaluated based on UNAIDS' National AIDS Spending Assessment methodology. RESULTS: Nearly 93% of total expenditures for HIV/AIDS was contributed by public sources. Of total expenditures, 52.7% was allocated to treatment and care, 24.5% to program management and administration and 19.8% to prevention. Spending on treatment and care was primarily allocated to the treatment of opportunistic infections. Most (40.4%) prevention spending was concentrated on most-at-risk populations, injection drug users (IDUs), sex workers, and men who have sex with men (MSM), with 5.5% allocated to voluntary counseling and testing. Prevention funding allocated for MSM, partners of people living with HIV and prisoners and other confined populations was low compared to the disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS in these populations. Overall, people living with HIV accounted for 57.57% of total expenditures, while most-at-risk populations accounted for only 7.99%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the applicability of NASA for tracking and assessing HIV expenditure in the context of China, it proved to be a useful tool in understanding national HIV/AIDS response from financial aspect, and to assess the extent to which HIV expenditure matches epidemic patterns. Limited funding for primary prevention and prevention for MSM, prisoners and partners of people living with HIV, signal that resource allocation to these key areas must be strengthened. Comprehensive analyses of regional and national funding strategies are needed to inform more equitable, effective and cost-effective HIV/AIDS resource allocation.

[Comprehensive evaluation of AIDS spending in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province in 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To comprehensive evaluate the rationality of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) expenditure through the analysis of AIDS expenditure circumstances based on the application of National AIDS Spending Assessment in Dehong prefecture in 2010. METHODS: Demographic and economic indicators of Mang City, Yingjiang, Longchuan, Ruili City, Lianghe and Wanting zone in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province were collected from the reports issued by Dehong Statistical Bureau of 2010, and HIV/AIDS epidemic indicators were collected from the annual report of national AIDS prevention and control data.NASA method was used to analyze the actual spending and demand index was used to calculate the demand of AIDS funding in these counties (cities). The correlations between HIV/AIDS expenditures and demographic, economic and HIV/AIDS epidemic index were analyzed, respectively, as well as the correlation between the expenditures of AIDS prevention and control and proportion of major transmission approaches. RESULTS: In 2010, the actual expenditures on HIV/AIDS in the 5 counties (cities) of Dehong prefecture was ¥28 752 772, the population was 1 211 400, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was ¥11 693. The intervention expenditures in injection drug users, sexually transmitted people, and prevention of mother to child transmission in Ruili county were ¥130 345, ¥71 484 and ¥164 100, the proportions of HIV transmission in these groups were 23.9% (49/205), 73.7% (151/205), and 0.5% (1/205), respectively; and in Lianghe county was ¥141 665, ¥257 142, and ¥99 961, and the proportions of HIV transmission were 17.1% (6/35), 80.0% (28/35) and 0.0% (0/35), respectively. The intervention expenditures in Ruili and Lianghe counties were positive related to the proportion of corresponding people with HIV infection (both r values were 0.99, all P values < 0.05). In the other 4 counties (cities) and the development zone, no correlations. The expenditures of government departments, international projects, domestic research programs and personal and family pays (r value were 0.94, 0.83, 0.99 and 0.88, respectively, all P values < 0.05) were positive related to the number.Except the personal and family pays, other sources of expenditures were all positive related to the number of reported HIV/AIDS cases (r values were 0.94, 0.89 and 0.81, respectively, all P values < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Population and HIV/AIDS epidemic index were considered as factors in AIDS spending. The expenditures corresponded with the demand of different areas basically.