Impact of screening programme to prevent anal cancer in high-risk patients with HIV.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the impact of a nationwide screening programme to reduce the risk of anal cancer in a large cohort of high-risk patients with HIV. METHODS: From a large database from one referral centre, all high-risk patients with HIV (men who have sex with men, history of anal or genital warts, or previous cervix human papillomavirus-related lesions) who were eligible to enter the French anal cancer screening programme (2011-2020) were retrospectively included. Adherence to the screening programme was defined as no interval >18 months between two visits. Standardized management included perianal visualization and standard anoscopy with biopsies of macroscopic abnormalities. RESULTS: Overall, 700 patients with HIV were included (median follow-up 8.4 years [interquartile range 4.3-9.2] and 1491.6 patient-years), and 336 had one or more proctology visit. A total of 13 patients were diagnosed with anal squamous cell carcinomas. The risk of anal cancer was higher with anal intra-epithelial neoplasia grade 3 (AIN3; hazard ratio [HR] 44.5 [95% confidence interval {CI} 11.2-176.6], p < 0.001), AIN2 (HR 11.9 [95% CI 2.1-66.9], p = 0.005), or high-grade dysplasia (HR 23.4 [95% CI 7.9-69.1], p < 0.001) than with low-grade dysplasia or no lesion. Among the patients who were strictly adherent to the screening programme (4.6% [32/700]), we did not report any AIN or anal cancer, but we also did not observe any significant reduction in the risk of anal cancer (p = 0.51), AIN3 (p = 0.28), high-grade dysplasia (p = 0.19), or any AIN lesions (p = 0.10) compared with non-adherent patients. In contrast, screened patients were more likely to be diagnosed with anal warts (HR 3.71 [95% CI 2.14-6.42], p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Macroscopic high-grade dysplasia lesions are associated with a higher risk of developing anal cancer. Despite finding no cases of cancer during the screening programme, we also did not demonstrate a clear benefit from our screening programme for the prevention of anal cancer in high-risk patients with HIV.

No Association Between HLA-B*57:01 and Prevalence and/or Outcome of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in a French Nationwide Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cohort.

Among 34,351 patients living with human immunodeficiency virus with available HLA-B*57:01 included in the Dat'AIDS cohort, 194 patients (0.56%) had a history of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and 1,746 (5.08%) were carriers of HLA-B*57:01. The frequency of HLA-B*57:01 was similar among patients with history of PML compared with patients without a history of PML (6.19% [95% confidence interval, CI 2.8%-9.6%] vs. 5.08% [95% CI 4.8%-5.3%]; p = .48). Among patients with PML, clinical and biological characteristics at PML diagnosis and the PML outcome were not different according to HLA-B*57:01 status.

Access to dental care is still complex in 2022 for patients living with HIV despite the need for careful monitoring of pathologies of the oral mucosa. Results of a monocentric cross-sectional study in the Infectious Diseases Department of Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the dental care pathway of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their oral pathologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A monocentric cross-sectional study involving adult PLHIVs followed (October 2021/April 2022) in our department. Socio-demographic and medical data, course of dental care, and presence of pathologies of the oral mucosa were recorded. RESULTS: 112 PLHIV (71% men, 54 ± 14 years) were included. Of the 112, 96% had already consulted a dentist, and 78% had a referring dentist; 73% had disclosed their seropositivity; for 84%, the visit proceeded normally, 7% refused treatment; for 8%, the dentist was not comfortable, and for 4% the dentist's attitude became negative; 21% of the PLHIV had already encountered difficulties in finding a dentist including 37% because of their viral status. Among the oral pathologies listed, 23 lesions were identified: 15 (65%) were unrelated to HIV, 4 (17%) were classified stages B/C (1 Kaposi's sarcoma, 1 oral villous leukoplakia, 2 chronic candidiasis), and 4 (17%) were lesions with evolution specifically due to HIV (2 inhomogeneous leukoplakias, 1 cancer, 1 verrucous papilloma). CONCLUSION: Although 78% of the PLHIV included had a referring dentist, discrimination by dentists toward PLHIV still persists (16% of the PLHIV concerned). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: 27% of participants did not feel ready to disclose their infection. The resulting lack of follow-up is also a loss of opportunity because while most of the small number of oral lesions diagnosed in this population are related to age or comorbidities, some are serious and need to be identified.

To what extent do people living with HIV, people on pre-exposure prophylaxis, doctors and pharmacists endorse 90-day dispensing of antiretroviral therapy in France?

JUSTIFICATION: The WHO 95-95-95 targets for 2030 do not imply that people living with HIV (PLHIV) achieve a good quality of life. The current 30-day dispensing interval for antiretroviral (ART) burdens the healthcare system. Lengthening dispensing intervals could alleviate this burden as well as enhance patient well-being. OBJECTIVES: To capture perceptions on 90-day dispensing interval (90D) for ART from the perspective of PLHIV, people on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), doctors, and pharmacists. METHODS: Multi-centre observational survey led in France from 16 to 20 October 2020, among doctors agreeing to participate via regional coordinated care organisations for HIV, all PLHIV or people on PrEP consulting these outpatient-clinic doctors, and pharmacists doing ART dispensing. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 220 doctors who saw 1087 people (999 PLHIV; 88 on PrEP) and 176 pharmacists from 55 centres. Among the PLHIV, 855 (85.6%, 95% CI: 83.2%-87.7%) and among the patients on PrEP, 70 (79.5%, 95% CI: 69.6%-87.4%) stated they would be interested in 90D. All in all, patients who were more likely to endorse 90D are those who opt exclusively for hospital dispensing (OR 3.22 [1.57-6.58]) and who rotate between hospital and community pharmacy dispensing (OR 3.29 [1.15-9.32]). Patients who were less likely to endorse 90-D were those who consult in a city located outside the 3 French high HIV prevalence regions (OR 0.66 [0.44-0.99]), receive 2 vs 1 pill QD regimens (OR 0.53 [0.31-0.91]), and anticipate at least one vs no limitation to 90D (OR 0.27 [0.17-0.42]). 90D was perceived as possible by 152 pharmacists (86.4%), including 8 (5%) without restriction, and 219 doctors (99.6%), including 42 (19.2%) regardless of PLHIV's immunovirologic status or social conditions (health insurance coverage, access to housing or accommodation, access to rights, resources). Comparison of the benefits and limitations of a 90-day ART dispensing interval as perceived by PLHIV and people on PrEP, doctors and pharmacists shows that doctors anticipate a higher number of benefits than people on ART and/or pharmacists, chiefly that 90D would be more convenient and create less risk of drug shortages and that patients would gain autonomy and a better quality of life. Pharmacists were found to clearly perceive the economic benefits (90D would be less expensive) but anticipate more drawbacks than doctors and the people on ART themselves: more administrative burdens, more non-dispensing if doses get lost, harder to track adherence and more drug-drug interaction issues, and more work as they shall have to warn the patient of potential risks of shortages due to the cost of the stock. CONCLUSION: A clear majority of PLHIV, people on PrEP, doctors, and pharmacists endorsed 90D of ART. Most patients thought that 90D would be a good option, whereas most pharmacists and doctors thought that eligibility for 90D dispensing should depend on immunovirologic factors and social condition criteria. Moreover, pharmacists thought it would be necessary to commit regulatory resources and a better follow-up on adherence and drug-drug interactions.

Incidence of cervical, breast and colorectal cancers between 2010 and 2015 in people living with HIV in France.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the incidence rates between 2010 and 2015 for invasive cervical cancer (ICC), breast cancer (BC), and colorectal cancer (CRC) in people living with HIV (PLWH) in France, and to compare them with those in the French general population. These cancers are targeted by the national cancer-screening program. SETTING: This is a retrospective study based on the longitudinal data of the French Dat'AIDS cohort. METHODS: Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for ICC and BC, and incidence rates for all three cancers were calculated overall and for specific sub-populations according to nadir CD4 cell count, HIV transmission category, HIV diagnosis period, and HCV coinfection. RESULTS: The 2010-2015 CRC incidence rate was 25.0 [95% confidence interval (CI): 18.6-33.4] per 100,000 person-years, in 44,642 PLWH (both men and women). Compared with the general population, the ICC incidence rate was significantly higher in HIV-infected women both overall (SIR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.18-3.14) and in the following sub-populations: nadir CD4 ≤ 200 cells/mm3 (SIR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.45-4.74), HIV transmission through intravenous drug use (SIR = 5.14, 95% CI: 1.93-13.70), HCV coinfection (SIR = 3.52, 95% CI: 1.47-8.47) and HIV diagnosis before 2000 (SIR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.07-3.97). Conversely, the BC incidence rate was significantly lower in the study sample than in the general population (SIR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.42-0.73). CONCLUSION: The present study showed no significant linear trend between 2010 and 2015 in the incidence rates of the three cancers explored in the PLWH study sample. Specific recommendations for ICC screening are still required for HIV-infected women and should focus on sub-populations at greatest risk.

Spectrum and Incidence Trends of AIDS- and Non-AIDS-Defining Cancers between 2010 and 2015 in the French Dat'AIDS Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Cancer risk is higher in people living with HIV (PLWH) compared with the general population, and cancers related to age are expected to be most prevalent. METHODS: We determined the spectrum and incidence rates of AIDS-defining cancers (ADC) and non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADC) and of lung, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), head and neck (HNC), colon-rectum, anal, liver, breast, prostate, and urinary bladder cancers between January 2010 and December 2015 in the French Dat'AIDS cohort. Incidence rates were calculated by year and compared using the χ 2 test for linear trend. Standardized incidence ratios [SIR (95% confidence interval)] were calculated relative to the French general population. RESULTS: Among 44,642 patients, corresponding to 180,216.4 person-years (PY), 1,440 cancer cases occurred in 1,314 patients. ADC incidence was 191.4 (172.3-212.7)/105 PY and declined over time overall and in men, whereas NADC incidence was higher [548.8 (515.6-584.1)/105 PY] and did not change. In men, non-Hodgkin lymphoma was the most common cancer, but prostate cancer had the highest incidence among NADCs. Breast cancer was the most common cancer in women. SIRs were higher for cervical cancer [1.93 (1.18-3.14)], HNC in women [2.4 (1.4-4.2)], liver [overall: 3.8 (3.1-4.6); men: 3.2 (2.5-4.0); women: 12.9 (8.3-20.0)], and HL [overall: 13.8 (11.1-17.1); men: 16.2 (12.9-20.4); women: 6.2 (3.22-11.9)] but lower for lung [overall: 0.7 (0.6-0.9); men: 0.7 (0.5-0.8)], prostate [0.6 (0.5-0.7)], and breast cancers [0.6 (0.4-0.7)]. CONCLUSIONS: Spectrum of NADCs has changed, with prostate and breast cancers becoming the most common despite their lower SIR. IMPACT: These results confirm the need to maintain regular epidemiologic cancer monitoring in order to update screening guidelines.

Pharmacist's role in HIV care in France. Implication for clinical improvement of people living with HIV worldwide.

In France, antiretroviral (ARV) treatment can be dispensed by hospital and/or community pharmacies. Since January 2016, an online patient medication file can be used to optimize dispensing, but medication interviews have not yet been incorporated into this system. To understand both people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their pharmacists' habits and expectations of patient medication file and interviews, two consecutive national surveys were organized. The first one, carried out in October 2016 in care centers, was an anonymous questionnaire for PLHIV. The second one was an online survey for community and hospital pharmacies conducted in February 2017. A total of 1137 PLHIV (68% men, of mean age 50.2 ± 11.5 years, CD4 count 671 ± 354, 90% with undetectable HIV viral load (VL) and 64.2% reporting comorbidities) and 246 pharmacies responded. While the existence of the online medication file is known by 58% of PLHIV, only 40% of pharmacists declare it to be systematically offered. It was offered to 120/694 (17%) PLHIV and 96 (80%) accepted it. Currently, 78 (7%) PLHIV feel well taken care of because they are offered medication interviews, 343/1078 (32%) would like to take advantage of this program, mainly those with a shorter ARV duration (OR ARV duration 0.97 [0.95-0.99]), a VL less often undetectable (OR undetectable VL 0.55 [0.31-0.98]), and those who feel anxious more often (OR anxious 2.38 [1.48-3.84]). These results suggest that better implementation of medication files and interviews will strengthen current clinical pathways.

High Prevalence of Headaches During Covid-19 Infection: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To document the prevalence of new headaches in patients with Covid-19 infection and the potential association with other neuro-sensorial symptoms (anosmia and ageusia). The persistence of these symptoms 1 month after recovery was also documented. BACKGROUND: Headaches are a very common symptom of viral infections. Surprisingly, early Chinese studies reported a relatively low prevalence (12-15%) of headaches associated with Covid-19. METHODS: All the patients with laboratory-confirmed or chest-CT-confirmed Covid-19 infection, diagnosed between February 27th and April 15th , 2020 in the dedicated laboratory of Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital were followed for 1 month after recovery. RESULTS: A total of 139 consecutive patients (mean [SD] age, 48.5 [15.3] years; 87 women [62.6%]) were interviewed 1 month after disappearance of fever and dyspnea (semi-structured phone interview). Overall, 59.0% (82/139) of people with Covid-19 had mild disease, 36.7% (51/139) had severe disease, and 4.3% (6/139) had critical illness. Eighty-two (59.0%; 95% CI: 50.3 to 67.3) reported new headaches during the acute phase and 3.6% (5/139) had persistent headaches 1 month after fever and dyspnea remission. Anosmia and ageusia were also very common, occurring in 60.4% (84/139) and 58.3% (81/139) of the patients, respectively. These 2 symptoms persisted in 14.4% (20/139) and 11.5% (16/139) of Covid-19 patients 1 month after recovery. Headaches were neither clearly associated with anosmia, nor with ageusia, and were not associated with disease severity (ie, requiring hospitalization or intensive care unit). CONCLUSION: This specific study highlights the high prevalence of new headaches during Covid-19 infection in French patients. Further studies are needed to refine the characterization of patients with Covid-19-associated headaches.

Dispensation des antirétroviraux pour une durée de plus d'un mois : retour sur une recherche exploratoire qualitative.

This article presents the results of a qualitative research on practices of dispensing antiretroviral medication concerning requests for greater than one month, for departure abroad. In spite of a strict regulation, a cartography shows a heterogeneity of its application leading to a great diversity of dispensing practices. This qualitative research with 22 pharmacies across the territory reveals relational and regulatory logics that contribute to this non-uniformity of practices. The concepts of embarrassment, professional commitment, regulatory concerns and personal relationships with patients largely explain the accommodations and crafts observed in this type of ARV dispensing request.

Adoption and Attitudes of eHealth Among People Living With HIV and Their Physicians: Online Multicenter Questionnaire Study.

BACKGROUND: The development of electronic health (eHealth) has offered the opportunity for remote care provision. eHealth addresses issues for patients and professionals favoring autonomy and compliance, respectively, while fostering closer links both between patients and health care professionals and among health care professionals themselves. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the patterns of use, benefits, and perceived obstacles in eHealth among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their caring physicians at hospitals. METHODS: An online multicenter observational survey was conducted October 15-19, 2018 in 51 medical units across France by means of self-administered questionnaires to collect sociodemographic and medical data, and perceptions of eHealth. Multiple correspondence analysis followed by mixed unsupervised classification were performed to analyze data of the respondents. RESULTS: A total of 279 PLHIV and 219 physicians responded to all parts of the questionnaire. Three groups of PLHIV were identified based on multivariate analysis. Group 1 comprised "eHealth believers" (121/279, 43.4%), who were more frequently above 60 years old and more likely to be receiving treatments other than antiretrovirals. Group 2, the "technology skeptics" (86/279, 30.8%), comprised more women with at least one child. Group 3, the "internet adopters" (72/279, 25.8%), were more frequently under 49 years of age, men who have sex with men, and more likely to use mobile apps for obtaining wellness/health information and related subjects. Three groups of physicians also emerged. Group 1 comprised those "strongly confident in eHealth" (95/219, 43.4%), who more frequently used mobile apps for wellness/health information and were more likely to accept prescription assistance software. Group 2 comprised physicians "strongly opposed to eHealth" (80/219, 36.5%), frequently asserting that eHealth challenges confidentiality. Group 3 were "open to eHealth" (44/219, 20.1%), comprising a higher proportion of infectious disease specialists, and were more likely to believe that medical apps are useful for patient education and information. No link was found between the groups of PLHIV and physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The literature on eHealth mainly classifies people as enthusiasts and skeptics; however, we identified a third profile among both PLHIV and physicians, albeit without a direct link between them. For PLHIV, this third group is attentive to eHealth for improving their health condition, and for physicians, this group considers eHealth to offer benefits to patients and their own practice.

Factors associated with psoriasis in a French Nationwide HIV cohort: the independent role of HLA-B*57:01.

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis is a T-cell-mediated inflammatory disease with genetic factors involved in its etiopathogenesis. In non-HIV populations, HLA-B57:01 has been associated with a higher risk of psoriasis. The aim of this study was to investigate demographic and immunovirological characteristics associated with psoriasis, and to assess whether HLA-B57:01 is associated with psoriasis among people living with HIV (PLHIV) followed in a large French multicenter Dat'AIDS cohort. METHODS: All PLHIV followed up from January 2000 to December 2018 with an available result for HLA-B57:01 were included. Logistic regression models were used to identify associations between psoriasis (outcome variable) and explanatory variables. RESULTS: Among 31 076 PLHIV, the overall prevalence of psoriasis and HLA-B57:01 were 2.25 and 4.73%, respectively and varied according to ethnicity. By multivariate analysis, male gender [OR 1.81 (95% CI 1.46-2.24), P < 10], positive HLA-B57:01 [OR 2.66 (95% CI 2.12-3.33), P < 10], nadir CD4 cell count less than 200 cells/µl [OR 1.41 (95% CI 1.19-1.67), P < 10] and positive HCV serology [OR 1.45 (95% CI 1.20-1.76), P < 10] were significantly associated with a higher risk of psoriasis. Being born in West and Central Africa [OR 0.15 (95% CI 0.10-0.25), P < 10], the Caribbean islands [OR 0.14 (95% CI 0.05-0.45), P = 0.0008] or Latin America [OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.14-0.69), P = 0.004] was associated with a lower risk of psoriasis compared with patients born in mainland France. CONCLUSION: PLHIV carrying HLA-B57:01 have around a three-fold increased risk of psoriasis. This association might provide a possible explanation for the observed differences in psoriasis prevalence between ethnic groups.

Multimorbidity in Elderly Persons According to the Year of Diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: A Cross-sectional Dat'AIDS Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: We assessed prevalence of multimorbidity (MM) according to year of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis in elderly people living with HIV (PLWH). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of MM in PLWH aged ≥70 years from the Dat'AIDS French multicenter cohort. MM was defined as at least 3 coexistent morbidities of high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, non-AIDS cancer, chronic renal failure, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, obesity, undernutrition, or hypercholesterolemia. Logistic regression models evaluated the association between MM and calendar periods of HIV diagnosis (1983-1996, 1997-2006, and 2007-2018). The secondary analysis evaluated MM as a continuous outcome, and a sensitivity analysis excluded PLWH with nadir CD4 count <200 cells/µL. RESULTS: Between January 2017 and September 2018, 2476 PLWH were included. Median age was 73 years, 75% were men, median CD4 count was 578 cells/µL, and 94% had controlled viremia. MM prevalence was 71%. HBP and hypercholesterolemia were the most prevalent comorbidities. After adjustment for age, gender, smoking status, hepatitis C and hepatitis B virus coinfection, group of exposure, nadir CD4 count, CD4:CD8 ratio, and last CD4 level, calendar period of diagnosis was not associated with MM (P = .169). MM was associated with older age, CD4/CD8 ratio <0.8, and nadir CD4 count <200 cells/µL. Similar results were found with secondary and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: MM prevalence was high and increased with age, low CD4/CD8 ratio, and nadir CD4 count <200 cells/µL but was not associated with calendar periods of HIV diagnosis. Known duration of HIV diagnosis does not seem to be a criterion for selecting elderly PLWH at risk of MM.

Kaposi sarcoma in people living with HIV: incidence and associated factors in a French cohort between 2010 and 2015.

OBJECTIVE: Kaposi sarcoma is still observed among people living with HIV (PLHIV) including those on ART with undetectable HIV viral load (HIV-VL). We aimed to assess Kaposi sarcoma incidence and trends between 2010 and 2015 in France and to highlight associated factors. DESIGN: Retrospective study using longitudinal data from the Dat'AIDS cohort including 44 642 PLWH. For the incidence assessment, Kaposi sarcoma cases occurring within 30 days of cohort enrollment were excluded. METHODS: Demographic, immunological, and therapeutic characteristics collected at time of Kaposi sarcoma diagnosis or at last visit for patients without Kaposi sarcoma. RESULTS: Among 180 216.4 person-years, Kaposi sarcoma incidence was 76 (95% CI 64.3-89.9)/10 person-years. Multivariate analysis (Poisson regression) revealed the positive association with male sex, MSM transmission route, lower CD4 T-cell count, higher CD8 T-cell count, not to be on ART, whereas HIV follow-up time, duration with an HIV-VL 50 copies/ml or less were negatively associated with Kaposi sarcoma. According to the different models tested, HIV-VL, CD4 : CD8 ratio and nadir CD4 cell count were associated with Kaposi sarcoma. Moreover, stratified analysis showed that patients with a CD4 : CD8 ratio 0.5 or less or a CD8 T-cell count greater than 1000 cells/µl were at higher risk of Kaposi sarcoma regardless of the CD4 T-cell count. CONCLUSION: This study showed that in a resource-rich country setting with high ART coverage, Kaposi sarcoma still occurred among PLWH. CD8 hyperlymphocytosis and CD4 : CD8 ratio should be now considered as two useful markers to better identify patients at increased Kaposi sarcoma risk, including those with a CD4 T-cell count greater than 500 cells/µl.

Higher rates of HBsAg clearance with tenofovir-containing therapy in HBV/HIV co-infection.

INTRODUCTION: Achieving functional cure of chronic HBV infection (Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] clearance, eventually followed by acquisition of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen [Anti-HBs]) in individuals with HIV and HBV infections is a rare event. In this setting, factors related to HBV cure have not yet been fully characterized. METHODS: HIV-infected individuals with chronic HBV infection enrolled in the French Dat'AIDS cohort (NCT02898987), who started combined antiretroviral (cART)-anti-HBV treatment were retrospectively analyzed for HBsAg loss and Anti-HBs seroconversion. RESULTS: Overall, 1419 naïve-subjects received three different cART-anti-HBV treatment schedule: (1) 3TC or FTC only (n = 150), (2) TDF with or without 3TC or FTC (n = 489) and (3) 3TC or FTC as first line followed by adding/switching to TDF as second line (n = 780). Individuals were followed-up for a median of 89 months (IQR, 56-118). HBV-DNA was < 15 IU/mL in 91% of individuals at the end of the follow-up. Overall, 97 individuals cleared HBsAg (0.7/100 patient-years), of whom, 67 seroconverted for Anti-HBs (0.5/100 patient-years). A high CD4 nadir, a short delay between HBV diagnosis and treatment, a longer time on HBV therapy, an African origin and TDF-based therapy were independent predictors of HBsAg clearance (Probability of odds ratio [OR]>1, >95%) suggested by Bayesian analysis. Also, TDF-based regimen as first line (OR, 3.03) or second line (OR, 2.95) increased rates of HBsAg clearance compared to 3TC or FTC alone, with a 99% probability. CONCLUSIONS: HBsAg clearance rate was low in HIV-HBV co-infected cART-anti-HBV treated individuals, but was slightly improved on TDF-based regimen.

Antiretroviral exposure and comorbidities in an aging HIV-infected population: The challenge of geriatric patients.

As HIV-infected adults on successful antiretroviral therapy (ART) are expected to have close to normal lifespans, they will increasingly develop age-related comorbidities. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare in the French Dat'AIDS cohort, the HIV geriatric population, aged 75 years and over, to the elderly one, aged from 50 to 74 years. As of Dec 2015, 16,436 subjects (43.8% of the French Dat'AIDS cohort) were aged from 50 to 74 (elderly group) and 572 subjects (1.5%) were aged 75 and over (geriatric group). Durations of HIV infection and of ART were slightly but significantly different, median at 19 and 18 years, and 15 and 16 years in the elderly and geriatric group, respectively. The geriatric group was more frequently at CDC stage C and had a lower nadir CD4. This group had been more exposed to first generation protease inhibitors and thymidine analogues. Despite similar virologic suppression, type of ART at the last visit significantly differed between the 2 groups: triple ART in 74% versus 68.2%, ART ≥ 4 drugs in 4.7% versus 2.7%; dual therapy in 11.6% versus 16.4% in the elderly group and the geriatric group, respectively. In the geriatric group all co-morbidities were significantly more frequent, except dyslipidemia, 4.3% of the elderly group had ≥4 co-morbidities versus18.4% in the geriatric group. Despite more co-morbidities and more advanced HIV infection the geriatric population achieve similar high rate of virologic suppression than the elderly population. A multidisciplinary approach should be developed to face the incoming challenge of aging HIV population.

Clinical, virological and immunological features of HIV-positive children internationally adopted in France from 2005-2015.

OBJECTIVE(S): To describe the clinical, virological and immune characteristics of internationally adopted children on arrival in France and after 6-months follow-up. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective study. METHODS: 30 centers from 24 cities were asked to include, after informed consent, HIV+ children living in France and internationally adopted between 1st Jan 2005 and 1st Jan 2015. Sociodemographic, medical and biological variables collected during the first medical evaluation in France and 6 months later were analyzed. RESULTS: 41 HIV+ adoptees were included (female: 56%; median age: 3.91 years) in 14 centers. Adoptees tend to represent an increasing part of newly diagnosed HIV positive children over the years. The majority came from East-Asia. At arrival, one child was diagnosed with lymphobronchial tuberculosis and three with latent chronic hepatitis B, cleared HBV infection and chronic active hepatitis C, respectively. The mean CD4% was 32.8 ± 9% (range: 13-49%). The 34 children (83%) have been initiated on treatment from their countries of origin. Of these, 25 (74%) had an undetectable viral load (VL) on arrival. Resistance to ART was detected in five. At 6 months, 36 adoptees received ART, and the VL was undetectable in 29 children (71%), with one acquired resistance to NRTI & NNRTI. CONCLUSIONS: An increasing number of HIV-infected children have been internationally adopted in France since 2005. Most of the children have been initiated on treatment from their countries of origin, had good immunity, with few opportunistic infections, and infrequently detectable VL. Low level of mutation conferring resistance was detected.

Hepatitis C virus incidence in HIV-infected and in preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP)-using men having sex with men.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: HCV incidence still appears on the rise in HIV-infected MSM in France. We assessed the incidence of HCV infection in HIV-positive and in preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP)-using MSM. METHODS: HIV-infected, HCV-negative MSM with serological follow-up in 2016 and HIV-negative, HCV-negative PrEP-using MSM enrolled from January 2016 to May 2017 in the French Dat'AIDS cohort were analyzed to assess the incidence of a primary HCV infection. The incidence of HCV reinfection was also determined in patients having cured a previous infection. RESULTS: Among 10,049 HIV-infected MSM followed in 2016, 681 patients were already HCV-infected when entering the study (prevalence 6.8%). Serological follow-up was available in 2016 for 4,151 HCV-negative patients. Virological follow-up was available for 478 patients who had cured a previous infection. Fifty-seven HCV infections occurred in 2016 (42 primary infections, 15 reinfections). Incidence of primary HCV infection, reinfection and overall HCV infection was respectively 1.0, 3.1 and 1.2/100 person-years (PY). From January 2016 to May 2017, 930 HIV-negative subjects were enrolled for PrEP. Seventeen patients were already HCV-infected (prevalence 1.8%). Twelve HCV infections occurred during follow-up (10 primary infections, 2 reinfections) giving an incidence of primary infection of 1.0/100 PY and an overall incidence of 1.2/100 PY. CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of HCV infection and of a primary HCV infection in HIV-positive and in PrEP-using MSM appeared similar in France in 2016-early 2017. HIV-positive and PrEP-using MSM probably share similar at-risk practices and both should be targeted for preventative interventions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Derivation and internal validation of a mortality risk index for aged people living with HIV: The Dat'AIDS score.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to develop a multivariable prognostic index for overall mortality over a five-year span integrating classical HIV biomarkers and comorbidities in people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged 60 or older. DESIGN: Prospective multicenter cohort study from the French Dat'AIDS cohort. METHODS: All HIV-1 infected patients aged 60 years or older on 1st January 2008 were included. Sociodemographic data, CD4 cell count, CD4 nadir, HIV viral load, history of comorbidities, hepatitis co-infections and laboratory parameters at baseline were considered as potential prognostic variables. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Among 1415 patients included, we derived a score comprising the following predictors: Age (65-74: 1 point; ≥75: 8 points), CD4 cell count (200-349: 3 points; <200: 6 points), non-HIV related cancer (6 points), cardiovascular disease (8 points), estimated glomerular filtration rate (30-59 mL/min/1.73m2: 5 points; <30mL/min/1.73m2: 16 points), cirrhosis (13 points), low body mass index (<18.5 kg/m2, 10 points), anemia (6 points). Mean observed score was 7.0 ± 8.0 and ranged from 0 to 45. Score categories defined 4 risk groups for mortality: low, moderate, high and very high risk (5-year survival probability 0.95 (95%CI[0.93-0.97]), 0.90 (95%CI[0.87-0.92]), 0.77 (95%CI[0.68-0.84]) and 0.54 (95%CI[0.43-0.63]) respectively). The score showed good discrimination (C-statistic = 0.76) and calibration. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a multivariable prognostic score for mortality among PLHIV aged 60 or over, who will become the predominant population in future years in western populations. It could be a useful tool for research, for developing preventive and treatment strategies according to risk group, and for risk assessment by clinicians.

Invasive Infections Caused by Nannizziopsis spp. Molds in Immunocompromised Patients.

We report 2 new cases of invasive infections caused by Nannizziopsis spp. molds in France. Both patients had cerebral abscesses and were immunocompromised. Both patients had recently spent time in Africa.

Incidence of new hepatitis C virus infection is still increasing in French MSM living with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: High hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment uptake combined with effective direct-acting antiviral-based regimens resulted in a dramatic decline of HCV infection in French people living with HIV (PLWH). We assessed the yearly incidence of new HCV infection in PLWH enrolled in the large French Dat'AIDS cohort from 2012 to 2016 with a specific focus on MSM. METHODS: The incidence of new HCV infection was determined yearly in HCV-negative PLWH with serological follow-up during 2012-2016. The incidence of HCV reinfection was determined in patients who were cured of a previous infection. RESULTS: Among 40 714 PLWH, HCV status was available in 38 217 (94%). A total of 5557 PLWH (15%) were HCV infected at first time-point, 82% of whom were cured of HCV by the end of 2016. Among 21 519 HCV-negative PLWH with serological follow-up (63 449 patient-years), 219 first HCV infections occurred (MSM: 188, others: 31). Similarly, among 3406 patients who were cured of a previous infection (10 602 patient-years), 73 reinfections occurred (MSM: 51, others: 22). From 2012 to 2016, the incidence of a first infection in MSM rose from 0.5 to 0.92% patient-years, whereas the incidence or reinfection remained stable (2.52-2.90% patient-years). CONCLUSION: Despite a high HCV treatment uptake and cure rate, the incidence of first HCV infection regularly increased in French HIV-positive MSM between 2012 and 2016. The incidence of reinfection fluctuated but remained constantly higher than the incidence of first infection, suggesting that a subgroup of MSM pursued high-risk practices following cure of a first infection.