Antiretroviral therapy and arterial elasticity in HIV-infected patients.

Cardiovascular risk is increased in HIV-infected patients and has become a leading cause of morbi-mortality in this population. The purpose of this study is to compare HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and ART-naïve HIV-infected patients regarding arterial elasticity. From September 2010 to September 2015, 105 HIV-infected subjects were enrolled, 41 ART-naïve and 64 on ART with stable viral suppression. Elasticity of large and small arteries (LAE and SAE) was assessed by analysis of radial pulse waveforms using a calibrated device. A single set of measurements was performed. Multivariate linear regression models were constructed to estimate independent correlates of arterial elasticity. On-ART and ART-naïve patients were similar with respect to gender, age, body mass index, Framingham cardiovascular risk score, smoking habits, and CD4+ counts. Median time on treatment was 60 months and 79% of patients were on regimens based on non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. No significant differences in LAE and SAE assessments were found between groups. However, time on ART and cholesterol levels were independently associated with LAE impairment. No association between arterial elasticity and CD4+ counts was found. We conclude that cumulative exposure to ART may play a role on LAE impairment and deserves further investigation.

Late diagnosis of HIV infection in asymptomatic patients.

Recent findings from the START Trial provided evidence that early initiation of antiretroviral treatment should be implemented as the global standard of care. However, a large proportion of patients are still being diagnosed in late stages. Our objective was to evaluate the temporal trend in the CD4+ cell count at diagnosis during a 13 year period and the factors associated with late HIV diagnosis in asymptomatic individuals tested in the Centre for Prevention, Counselling and Diagnosis of our hospital. It was a retrospective study including all asymptomatic patients with new diagnosis of HIV infection. Very late presenters (VLP) were defined as those with CD4+ counts < 200 and late presenters (LP) with CD4+ < 350 cell/mm3. We also evaluated the proportion of patients diagnosed with CD4+ cell counts below 500 cell/mm3. Between January 2002 and December 2014, 20 263 patients were tested for HIV, 1104 with a positive result of whom 995 asymptomatic individuals were included. Overall, median CD4+ count was 372 cells/mm3 and HIV-RNA 31 145 copies/ml. There was no evidence that the CD4+ count at diagnosis progressively increased over time, nor that the proportion of VLP and LP decreased. In a multivariate model older age, heterosexual transmission and intravenous drug use remained as independent factors associated with LP. In conclusion, late diagnosis of HIV infection remains prevalent among asymptomatic patients, highlighting the need to continue implementing strategies towards early diagnosis.

[Sexually transmitted infections among transgender individuals and other sexual identities]. / Infecciones de transmisión sexual en personas transgénero y otras identidades sexuales.

Few data are available regarding the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV-1 infection, and risk behaviors of transgender individuals. Previous reports indicate that this community has a high prevalence of HIV and STIs. Our objective was to compare the prevalence of HIV-1 infection, STI and risk behaviors of transgender people versus non transgender people. We used a cross sectional design study. Patients who received services at our testing site between November 2002 and April 2006, and provided written informed consent, were included in the analysis. Socio-demographic data, sexual behaviour, recreational drug use, condom use, concurrent or previous STI and HIV-1 infection diagnosis and partner serologic status, were collected. We used descriptive statistics and chi 2 for comparisons of proportions. In the period of the study, 105 transgender individuals were identified in a population of 4118 patients tested. The prevalence of HIV infection in the transgender group was 27.6% (29/105), while in the non transgender group was 6.2% (247/4013) p:0.0000. Low level of formal instruction, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, previous history of STI and sex work (100% transgenders and 2.3% of non-transgenders) were significantly more frequent in the transgender. The referred correct use of condom was similar in both groups. The prevalence of syphilis was 42.3% in transgender group and 18.1% in non-transgender individuals. These data show that this population has a very high prevalence of HIV-1 and STI. This information could be instrumental to design targets for intensive HIV prevention strategies in this particular high risk population.

Drug-resistance surveillance among newly HIV-1 diagnosed individuals in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to estimate primary resistance in an urban setting in a developing country with a long history of antiretroviral delivery and high coverage levels. DESIGN: We carried out a resistance surveillance study according to WHO HIV-Resistance Guidelines. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 323 drug-naive HIV-1 infected individuals diagnosed at two HIV voluntary counselling and testing centers in Buenos Aires. Viral-load, CD4 cell counts and detuned assays were performed on all samples. The pol gene was sequenced and the resistance profile determined. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by neighbor-joining trees and bootscanning analysis. RESULTS: We found that 12 (4.2%) of the 284 samples sequenced harbored primary resistance mutations, of which K103N, M41L and V108I were most prevalent. Phylogenetic analysis revealed evidence for the transmission of the K103N mutation among the drug-naive population. The proportion of recent infections identified by the detuned assay was 10.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of primary resistance in Buenos Aires are still low, despite a long history of ARV delivery and high coverage levels.

[HIV patient hospitalization during the pre and post-HAART era]. / Motivos de internación vinculados a la infección por HIV en la era pre y post-tratamiento antirretroviral de alta eficacia.

HIV patient hospitalization during the pre and post-HAART era. The purpose of this study was to describe and to compare the characteristics of patient admissions during two periods, one pre HAART and the other when HAART was fully available. A retrospective analysis of demographic data, ambulatory care information and hospitalization characteristics was performed. Causes of admission, outcome, mortality, length of hospitalization and type of antiretroviral therapy were analyzed. A total of 330 medical records were reviewed, corresponding to 522 admissions during both study periods: 1995-96 (n = 289) and 2001-02 (n = 233). The most frequent causes of hospitalization were AIDS defining events (period 1: 57.1%; period 2: 59.7%). Tuberculosis was the main cause of admission in both periods (23.9% and 15.5%). Criptococosis (3.5%-7.3%), Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (5.9%-9.4%), and CNS toxoplasmosis (6.9 -8.6%) followed tuberculosis. Mortality did not vary significantly (13.5%-16.1%). HIV-1 infection was diagnosed at admission in 30% of cases. During 2nd period, a significant decrease in re-admission (41.6-26.8%) was observed, whereas there was an increase in the percentage of patients with previous antiretroviral treatment on admission (8%-25%). An increase in the ambulatory care clinic consultations (1995: n = 1678; 1996: n = 2512; 2001: n = 5670; 2002: n = 7074) was observed. No significant differences in the causes of admission and outcome in both periods were found. Tuberculosis is the most frequent disease that motivates hospitalization. The relation between ambulatory consultations and the amount of admissions significantly increased.

Antiretroviral therapy and arterial elasticity in HIV-infected patients

Cardiovascular risk is increased in HIV-infected patients and has become a leading cause of morbimortality in this population. The purpose of this study is to compare HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and ART-naïve HIV-infected patients regarding arterial elasticity. From September 2010 to September 2015, 105 HIV-infected subjects were enrolled, 41 ART-naïve and 64 on ART with stable viral suppression. Elasticity of large and small arteries (LAE and SAE) was assessed by analysis of radial pulse waveforms using a calibrated device. A single set of measurements was performed. Multivariate linear regression models were constructed to estimate independent correlates of arterial elasticity. On-ART and ART-naïve patients were similar with respect to gender, age, body mass index, Framingham cardiovascular risk score, smoking habits, and CD4+ counts. Median time on treatment was 60 months and 79% of patients were on regimens based on non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. No significant differences in LAE and SAE assessments were found between groups. However, time on ART and cholesterol levels were independently associated with LAE impairment. No association between arterial elasticity and CD4+ counts was found. We conclude that cumulative exposure to ART may play a role on LAE impairment and deserves further investigation.

El riesgo cardiovascular está incrementado en los pacientes HIV seropositivos y se ha convertido en una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad en esta población. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la elasticidad de grandes y pequeñas arterias (LAE y SAE) en pacientes infectados por HIV con y sin terapia antirretroviral. De septiembre de 2010 a septiembre de 2015 se enrolaron 105 pacientes con infección por HIV, 41 vírgenes de antirretrovirales y 64 con tratamiento estable en supresión viral. LAE y SAE fueron evaluados mediante análisis de la onda de pulso radial. Se construyeron modelos de regresión lineal múltiple para evaluar los predictores independientes de la elasticidad arterial. Los grupos en tratamiento y naïve fueron similares con respecto al sexo, edad, índice de masa corporal, índice de Framingham, tabaquismo y recuento de CD4+. La mediana de tiempo en tratamiento antirretroviral fue 60 meses y el 79% de los pacientes recibieron inhibidores no nucleosídicos. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos en los valores de LAE y SAE. Sin embargo, el tiempo en tratamiento y el nivel de colesterol plasmático se asociaron independientemente con deterioro de LAE. No observamos asociaciones entre la elasticidad arterial y los recuentos de CD4+. Concluimos que la exposición acumulada al tratamiento antirretroviral podría contribuir al deterioro de la LAE. Este hallazgo merece ulterior investigación.

Late diagnosis of HIV infection in asymptomatic patients

Recent findings from the START Trial provided evidence that early initiation of antiretroviral treatment should be implemented as the global standard of care. However, a large proportion of patients are still being diagnosed in late stages. Our objective was to evaluate the temporal trend in the CD4+ cell count at diagnosis during a 13 year period and the factors associated with late HIV diagnosis in asymptomatic individuals tested in the Centre for Prevention, Counselling and Diagnosis of our hospital. It was a retrospective study including all asymptomatic patients with new diagnosis of HIV infection. Very late presenters (VLP) were defined as those with CD4+ counts < 200 and late presenters (LP) with CD4+ < 350 cell/mm³. We also evaluated the proportion of patients diagnosed with CD4+ cell counts below 500 cell/mm3. Between January 2002 and December 2014, 20 263 patients were tested for HIV, 1104 with a positive result of whom 995 asymptomatic individuals were included. Overall, median CD4+ count was 372 cells/mm3 and HIV-RNA 31 145 copies/ml. There was no evidence that the CD4+ count at diagnosis progressively increased over time, nor that the proportion of VLP and LP decreased. In a multivariate model older age, heterosexual transmission and intravenous drug use remained as independent factors associated with LP. In conclusion, late diagnosis of HIV infection remains prevalent among asymptomatic patients, highlighting the need to continue implementing strategies towards early diagnosis.

Los resultados del estudio START han evidenciado que la iniciación temprana del tratamiento antirretroviral debe ser un estándar global. No obstante, una gran proporción de pacientes aún se diagnostican en etapas tardías. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la tendencia en el recuento de CD4+ al diagnóstico de infección por HIV, la proporción de presentadores tardíos entre 2002 y 2014, y los factores asociados con el diagnóstico tardío en pacientes asintomáticos en el Centro de Prevención, Asesoramiento y Diagnóstico de nuestro hospital. Se incluyeron en un estudio retrospectivo todos los sujetos asintomáticos con un diagnóstico de HIV. Se consideraron presentadores muy tardíos (PMT) a aquellos pacientes con CD4+ < 200 y presentadores tardíos (PT) con cifras de CD4+ < 350 células/mm³. Adicionalmente evaluamos la proporción de pacientes diagnosticados con recuentos de CD4+ inferiores a 500 células/mm³. Desde enero 2002 a diciembre de 2014 se testearon para HIV 20 263 pacientes, 1104 con resultado positivo, de los cuales 995 eran asintomáticos. Globalmente, la mediana de CD4+ fue 372 células/mm3 y la de HIV-ARN de 31 145 copias/ml. No hubo evidencia de que el recuento de CD4+ al diagnóstico haya aumentado en el tiempo, ni de disminución de la proporción de PT o PMT. En un modelo multivariado, la mayor edad, la transmisión heterosexual y el uso de drogas intravenosas se asociaron independientemente con PT. En conclusión, el diagnóstico tardío de infección por HIV se mantiene prevalente en pacientes asintomáticos, resaltando la necesidad de continuar implementando estrategias orientadas a favorecer el diagnóstico temprano.

Mortality from HIV and TB coinfections is higher in Eastern Europe than in Western Europe and Argentina.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death in HIV-infected patients worldwide. We aimed to study clinical characteristics and outcome of 1075 consecutive patients diagnosed with HIV/TB from 2004 to 2006 in Europe and Argentina. METHODS: One-year mortality was assessed in patients stratified according to region of residence, and factors associated with death were evaluated in multivariable Cox models. RESULTS: At TB diagnosis, patients in Eastern Europe had less advanced immunodeficiency, whereas a greater proportion had a history of intravenous drug use, coinfection with hepatitis C, disseminated TB, and infection with drug-resistant TB (P < 0.0001). In Eastern Europe, fewer patients initiated TB treatment containing at least rifamycin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide or combination antiretroviral therapy (P < 0.0001). Mortality at 1 year was 27% in Eastern Europe, compared with 7, 9 and 11% in Central/Northern Europe, Southern Europe, and Argentina, respectively (P < 0.0001). In a multivariable model, the adjusted relative hazard of death was significantly lower in each of the other regions compared with Eastern Europe: 0.34 (95% confidence interval 0.17-0.65), 0.28 (0.14-0.57), 0.34 (0.15-0.77) in Argentina, Southern Europe and Central/Northern Europe, respectively. Factors significantly associated with increased mortality were CD4 cell count less than 200 cells/microl [2.31 (1.56-3.45)], prior AIDS [1.74 (1.22-2.47)], disseminated TB [2.00 (1.38-2.85)], initiation of TB treatment not including rifamycin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide [1.68 (1.20-2.36)], and rifamycin resistance [2.10 (1.29-3.41)]. Adjusting for these known confounders did not explain the increased mortality seen in Eastern Europe. CONCLUSION: The poor outcome of patients with HIV/TB in Eastern Europe deserves further study and urgent public health attention.

Infecciones de transmisión sexual en personas transgénero y otras identidades sexuales / Sexually transmitted infections among transgender individuals and other sexual identities

Existen pocos datos disponibles acerca del comportamiento de riesgo y la prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS), incluyendo HIV-1, en personas transgénero. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar las características demográficas, factores de riesgo, prevalencia de HIV-1 e ITS en personas transgénero versus personas no transgénero que consultan al Centro de Prevención, Asesoramiento y Diagnóstico del Hospital General de Agudos J.M. Ramos Mejía. Se utilizó el diseño de estudio de corte transversal y se incluyeron pacientes asistidos en nuestro centro que firmaron consentimiento informado entre noviembre de 2002 y abril de 2006. Se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos, uso de drogas, utilización de preservativos, nivel de educación alcanzado, diagnóstico de ITS y estado actual de la pareja. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva y chi² para comparar proporciones. En la población estudiada (n: 4118) se identificaron a 105 personas transgénero. La prevalencia de infección por HIV-1 fue del 27.6% (29/105), mientras que en personas no transgénero (n: 4013) fue de 6.2% (247/4013); p:0.0000. El bajo nivel educativo, el consumo de alcohol, el abuso de drogas, los antecedentes de ITS y el trabajo sexual (100% en transgénero y 2.3% en no transgénero) fueron más frecuentes en personas transgénero. La prevalencia de sífilis fue del 42% en personas transgénero y del 18% en personas no transgénero. Estos datos demuestran que las personas transgénero que consultan en nuestro centro tienen alta prevalencia de infección por HIV-1 e ITS. Esta información podría contribuir al diseño de estrategias de prevención necesarias en esta población.

Few data are available regarding the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV-1 infection, and risk behaviors of transgender individuals. Previous reports indicate that this community has a high prevalence of HIV and STIs. Our objective was to compare the prevalence of HIV-1 infection, STI and risk behaviors of transgender people versus non transgender people. We used a cross sectional design study. Patients who received services at our testing site between November 2002 and April 2006, and provided written informed consent, were included in the analysis. Socio-demographic data, sexual behaviour, recreational drug use, condom use, concurrent or previous STI and HIV-1 infection diagnosis and partner serologic status, were collected. We used descriptive statistics and chi² for comparisons of proportions. In the period of the study, 105 transgender individuals were identified in a population of 4118 patients tested. The prevalence of HIV infection in the transgender group was 27.6% (29/105), while in the non transgender group was 6.2% (247/4013) p:0.0000. Low level of formal instruction, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, previous history of STI and sex work (100% transgenders and 2.3% of non-transgenders) were significantly more frequent in the transgender. The referred correct use of condom was similar in both groups. The prevalence of syphilis was 42.3% in transgender group and 18.1% in non-transgender individuals. These data show that this population has a very high prevalence of HIV-1 and STI. This information could be instrumental to design targets for intensive HIV prevention strategies in this particular high risk population.