Comparison of the Performance of Commercially Available Quantitative Viral Load Assays Using Clinical Samples from Patients from Regions Where Distinct HIV-1 Subtypes Co-Circulate: Potential Implications for Patient Management.

HIV RNA plasma viral load (VL) is the standard surrogate marker to monitor response to antiretroviral treatment (ART). We compared the linearity, repeatability, and concordance of six commercially available HIV RNA VL platforms using clinical samples from patients from Brazilian sites where different HIV-1 subtypes co-circulate. A total of 150 plasma samples from each city were collected in Curitiba, Southern Brazil (subtype C), São Paulo (subtype B), and Santos (BF recombinants), Southeast Brazil. Platforms were VERSANT® Siemens HIV RNA 1.0 (kPCR); VERSANT® Siemens HIV-1 RNA 3.0 (bDNA); Abbott Real-Time HIV-1; NucliSens EasyQ® HIV-1 v2.0 Biomerieux; COBAS® TaqMan®, Roche; and artus HIV Virus-1 RT-PCR, QIAGEN. OptiQuant HIV-1 RNA quantification panel was used to compare VL linearity, using samples containing 50, 500,5,000, 50,000, 500,000, and 5,000,000 HIV copies/mL. HIV RNA panels with subtypes A, B, C, D, F, G, H, circulating recombinant form (CRF)1, and CRF2 were utilized. A high degree of linearity and repeatability was demonstrated for all platforms. When compared with a subtype B reference sample, 17 of 54 (31.48%) samples diverged by more than 0.5 log10 copies/mL. Except for the Roche platform, all platforms underestimated subtype C VLs. A total of 743 (82.6%) valid results were obtained with samples from São Paulo, 707 (78.6%) from Santos, and 673 (74.8%) from Curitiba (São Paulo vs. Santos, p = .03; São Paulo vs. Curitiba, p = .00006; Santos vs. Curitiba, p = .06). The number of discordant samples between different methodologies when VL was undetectable in one method and detectable in the other ranged from 1.25% (Abbot vs. Siemens) to 44.8% (Abbott vs. Biomerieux). Finding samples with undetectable VL in one method and a high VL in another might have important individual and public health consequences. Standardization of VL measurements, particularly for non-B subtypes infections, especially subtype C, is necessary to maximize the individual and public health benefits of ART globally.

Impact of interrupting antiretroviral therapy started during primary HIV-1 infection on plasma neurofilament light chain protein, a marker of neuronal injury: The SPARTAC trial.

Objective: Antiretroviral therapy (ART)-conferred suppression of HIV replication limits neuronal injury and inflammation. ART interruption tests efficacy in HIV cure trials and viral rebound after ART interruption may induce neuronal injury. We investigated the impact of protocol-defined ART interruption, commenced during primary HIV-1 infection (PHI) on a biomarker of neuro-axonal injury (neurofilament light protein (NfL)), and its associations with inflammation (D-dimer and interleukin-6 (IL-6)) and HIV-1 reservoir size (total HIV-1 DNA). Design: Retrospective study measuring plasma NfL in 83 participants enrolled in SPARTAC randomised to receive 48-weeks ART initiated during PHI, followed by ART interruption. Methods: NfL (Simoa immunoassay, Quanterix™) was measured before ART, after 48 weeks on ART, and 12 weeks after stopping ART. Plasma D-dimer and IL-6, and total HIV-1 DNA in peripheral CD4+ T-cells results were available in a subset of participants. Longitudinal NfL changes were assessed using mixed models, and associations with clinical and laboratory parameters using linear regression. Results: NfL decreased following 48-weeks ART (geometric mean 6.9 to 5.8 pg/mL, p = 0.006) with no further significant change up to 12-weeks post-stopping ART despite viral rebound in the majority of participants (median 1.7 to 3.9 plasma HIV-1 RNA log10 copies/mL). Higher baseline NfL was independently associated with higher plasma HIV-1 RNA (p = 0.020) and older age (p = 0.002). While NfL was positively associated with D-dimer (n = 48; p = 0.002), there was no significant association with IL-6 (n = 48) or total HIV-1 DNA (n = 51). Conclusions: Using plasma NfL as a surrogate marker, a decrease in neuro-axonal injury was observed in a cohort of participants following ART initiation during PHI, with no evidence of neuro-axonal injury rebound following ART interruption for up to 12 weeks, despite viral rebound in the majority of participants.

T cell-mediated Immune response and correlates of inflammation and their relationship with COVID-19 clinical severity: not an intuitive guess.

BACKGROUND: Predictors of the outcome of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remain to be fully determined. We evaluated selected viral characteristics and immunological responses that might predict and/or correlate to the clinical outcome of COVID-19. METHODS: For individuals developing divergent clinical outcomes, the magnitude and breadth of T cell-mediated responses were measured within 36 h of symptom onset. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) were subjected to in vitro stimulation with SARS-CoV-2-based peptides. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 sequences were generated by metagenome, and HLA typing was performed using Luminex technology. FINDINGS: CD4+ T cell activation was negatively correlated with SARS-CoV-2 basal viral load in patients with severe COVID-19 (p = 0·043). The overall cellular immune response, as inferred by the IFN-γ signal, was higher at baseline for patients who progressed to mild disease compared to patients who progressed to severe disease (p = 0·0044). Subjects with milder disease developed higher T cell responses for MHC class I and II-restricted peptides (p = 0·033). INTERPRETATION: Mounting specific cellular immune responses in the first days after symptom onset, as inferred by IFN-γ magnitude in the ELISPOT assay, may efficiently favor a positive outcome. In contrast, progression to severe COVID-19 was accompanied by stronger cellular immune responses, higher CD4 + T cell activation, and a higher number of in silico predicted high-affinity class I HLA alleles.

Dolutegravir-associated resistance mutations after first-line treatment failure in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Since January 2017, the recommended first-line antiretroviral regimen in Brazil is the fixed-dose combination of tenofovir plus lamivudine with dolutegravir (TL + D). According to the literature, integrase resistance-associated mutations (INRAMs) are rarely found upon virologic failure to first-line dolutegravir plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. We evaluated the HIV antiretroviral genotypic resistance profile of patients referred for genotyping in the public health system who failed first-line TL + D after at least six months of therapy on or before December 31, 2018. METHODS: HIV Sanger sequences of the pol gene were generated from plasma of patients with confirmed virologic failure to first-line TL + D in the Brazilian public health system before December 31, 2018. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen individuals were included in the analysis. Major INRAMs were detected in seven patients (6.19%), four with R263K, one with G118R, one with E138A, and one with G140R. Four patients with major INRAMs also had the K70E and M184V mutations in the RT gene. Sixteen (14.2%) additional individuals presented minor INRAMs, and five (4,42%) patients had both major and minor INRAMS. Thirteen (11.5%) patients also presented mutations in the RT gene selected by tenofovir and lamivudine, including four with both the K70E and M184V mutations and four with only M184V. The integrase mutations L101I and T124A, which are in the in vitro pathway for integrase inhibitor resistance, were found in 48 and 19 patients, respectively. Mutations not related to TL + D, thus probable transmitted resistance mutations (TDR), were present in 28 patients (24.8%): 25 (22.1%) to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, 19 (16.8%) to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and 6 (5.31%) to protease inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: In marked contrast to previous reports, we report a relatively high frequency of INRAMs among selected patients failing first-line TL + D in the public health system in Brazil. Possible reasons for this discrepancy include delays in detecting virologic failure, patients inadvertently on dolutegravir monotherapy, TDR, and/or infecting subtype.

Effects of Carbon Nanomaterials and Aloe vera on Melanomas-Where Are We? Recent Updates.

Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer that affects approximately 140,000 people worldwide each year, with a high fatality rate. Available treatment modalities show limited efficacy in more severe cases. Hence, the search for new treatment modalities, including immunotherapies, for curing, mitigating, and/or preventing cancer is important and urgently needed. Carbon nanoparticles associated with some plant materials, such as Aloe vera, have shown appealing antineoplastic activity, derived mainly from the compounds aloin, aloe-emodin, barbaloin acemannan, and octapeptide, thus representing new possibilities as antitumor agents. This systematic review aims to arouse interest and present the possibilities of using Aloe vera combined with carbon-based nanomaterials as an antineoplastic agent in the treatment and prevention of melanoma. Limitations and advances in melanoma treatment using functionalized carbon nanomaterials are discussed here. Moreover, this review provides the basis for further studies designed to fully explore the potential of carbon nanomaterials associated with Aloe vera in the treatment of various cancers, with a focus on melanoma.

Geographical Differences in the Self-Reported Functional Impairment of People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Associations With Cardiometabolic Risk.

BACKGROUND: We sought to explore multinational differences in functional status by global burden of disease (GBD) regions in the REPRIEVE cohort. METHODS: REPRIEVE is a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase III primary cardiovascular prevention study of pitavastatin calcium vs placebo among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PWH) ages 40-75 on antiretroviral therapy (ART). GBD super regions were defined using World Health Organization classifications. Participants were categorized by impairment on the Duke Activity Status Instrument (DASI: none, some, moderate, severe). Logistic regression models examined risk factors and GBD regions associated with functional impairment. The association between functional impairment and cardiometabolic risk was also explored. RESULTS: Of 7736 participants, the majority were from high-income countries (n = 4065), were male (65%), and had received ART for ≥ 10 years. The median DASI score was 58.2 (interquartile range [IQR] 50.2, 58.2); 36% reported at least some impairment. In adjusted analyses, functional impairment was significantly more frequent among participants from Southeast/East Asia. Other factors associated with greater impairment included female sex, Black race, older age, current/former smoking, higher body mass index, use of ART for ≥ 10 years, and select ART regimens; differences were seen in risks across GBD regions. Functional impairment was associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. CONCLUSIONS: Over 1/3 of middle-aged and older PWH in a global cohort across diverse GBD regions demonstrate functional impairments. The associations between DASI and cardiometabolic risk suggest that a measure of functional status may improve risk prediction; these longitudinal associations will be further investigated over REPRIEVE trial follow-up.

Broadly neutralizing antibody responses in the longitudinal primary HIV-1 infection Short Pulse Anti-Retroviral Therapy at Seroconversion cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Development of immunogens that elicit an anti-HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) response will be a key step in the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine. Although HIV-1 bnAb epitopes have been identified and mechanisms of action studied, current HIV-1 envelope-based immunogens do not elicit HIV-1 bnAbs in humans or animal models. A better understanding of how HIV-1 bnAbs arise during infection and the clinical factors associated with bnAb development may be critical for HIV-1 immunogen design efforts. DESIGN AND METHODS: Longitudinal plasma samples from the treatment-naive control arm of the Short Pulse Anti-Retroviral Therapy at Seroconversion (SPARTAC) primary HIV-1 infection cohort were used in an HIV-1 pseudotype neutralization assay to measure the neutralization breadth, potency and specificity of bnAb responses over time. RESULTS: In the SPARTAC cohort, development of plasma neutralization breadth and potency correlates with duration of HIV infection and high viral loads, and typically takes 3-4 years to arise. bnAb activity was mostly directed to one or two bnAb epitopes per donor and more than 60% of donors with the highest plasma neutralization having bnAbs targeted towards glycan-dependent epitopes. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the SPARTAC cohort as an important resource for more in-depth analysis of bnAb developmental pathways.

Is France Once Again Looking for a Scapegoat?

On September 10, 2021, a special tribunal established by the French government launched an inquiry into the activities of former health minister Dr. Agnes Buzyn who was charged with "endangering the lives of others". It is surprising to learn of this accusation and inquiry into the actions of a public health official whose response to the epidemic was, to all appearances, exemplary.

Evaluating the impact of policies recommending PrEP to subpopulations of men and transgender women who have sex with men based on demographic and behavioral risk factors.

INTRODUCTION: Developing guidelines to inform the use of antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention in resource-limited settings must necessarily be informed by considering the resources and infrastructure needed for PrEP delivery. We describe an approach that identifies subpopulations of cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) to prioritize for the rollout of PrEP in resource-limited settings. METHODS: We use data from the iPrEx study, a multi-national phase III study of PrEP for HIV prevention in MSM/TGW, to build statistical models that identify subpopulations at high risk of HIV acquisition without PrEP, and with high expected PrEP benefit. We then evaluate empirically the population impact of policies recommending PrEP to these subpopulations, and contrast these with existing policies. RESULTS: A policy recommending PrEP to a high risk subpopulation of MSM/TGW reporting condomless receptive anal intercourse over the last 3 months (estimated 3.3% 1-year HIV incidence) yields an estimated 1.95% absolute reduction in 1-year HIV incidence at the population level, and 3.83% reduction over 2 years. Importantly, such a policy requires rolling PrEP out to just 59.7% of MSM/TGW in the iPrEx population. We find that this policy is identical to that which prioritizes MSM/TGW with high expected PrEP benefit. It is estimated to achieve nearly the same reduction in HIV incidence as the PrEP guideline put forth by the US Centers for Disease Control, which relies on the measurement of more behavioral risk factors and which would recommend PrEP to a larger subset of the MSM/TGW population (86% vs. 60%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings may be used to focus future mathematical modelling studies of PrEP in resource-limited settings on prioritizing PrEP for high-risk subpopulations of MSM/TGW. The statistical approach we took could be employed to develop PrEP policies for other at-risk populations and resource-limited settings.

Impact of Estimated Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Adherence Patterns on Bone Mineral Density in a Large PrEP Demonstration Project.

Bone mineral density (BMD) declines due to tenofovir-containing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have varied among PrEP demonstration projects, potentially related to variable adherence. Characterization of BMD changes in highly adherent individuals, estimated via tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) levels in dried blood spots (DBS), can assist clinicians when counseling patients. Cisgender men who have sex with men and transwomen in the optional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) substudy of a large, international, open-label PrEP demonstration project, the iPrEx-open-label extension (OLE) study underwent DXA scans and DBS collection every 24 weeks, with average weekly dosing adherence patterns (2, 4, and 7 doses/week) estimated from validated TFV-DP cut-offs. The mean percent BMD change was estimated in strata of average weekly adherence by using a linear mixed-effects model to calculate the BMD decline in highly adherent individuals on PrEP for the first time. DXA/DBS data were available for 254 individuals over a median of 24 weeks in iPrEx-OLE from June 2011 to December 2013. The percent decline in spine BMD was monotonically associated with strata of increasing average weekly adherence (p < .001 trend); the p value for trends using hip BMD measurements was .07. Individuals with estimated daily adherence experienced a 1.2% decrease in spine BMD and a 0.5% drop in hip BMD. In highly adherent PrEP users, we found a lower-than-expected drop in BMD when compared with previous studies. This drop is likely not clinically significant for most PrEP users. However, for those at the highest risk of fracture who plan prolonged PrEP use, alternate PrEP strategies could be considered.

Prioritization of antiretroviral therapy in patients with high CD4 counts, and retention in care: lessons from the START and Temprano trials.

Initiation of antiretroviral therapy is not a once in a lifetime opportunity. In some resource constrained settings financial limitations make it necessary to prioritize treatment initiation for some groups of patients. In developed countries, there are patients who are reluctant to initiate treatment. Subgroup analysis of the START trial can inform recommendations for which patients with CD4 counts >500 cells mm3 temporary postponement of treatment initiation is safer. These include individuals aged <30 years and/or with CD4/CD8 ratio of >0.8 and/or viral load of <5000. This is because these individuals are at very low risk of disease progression in the subsequent 2 to 3 years, the risk is minimally diminished by antiretroviral therapy and is virtually identical in the first 18 months of therapy regardless of treatment initiation. In addition, asymptomatic young individuals are at higher risk of loss-to-follow and of low adherence to treatment, and those with low viral loads are less likely to transmit the virus. In addition, lessons from START and Temprano can help design trials to investigate strategies to decrease losses-to-follow-up, while minimizing risks to patients.

Metabolic Effects of Preexposure Prophylaxis With Coformulated Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate and Emtricitabine.

Background: Antiretroviral drugs have been associated with changes in lipids, fat mass and dat distribution. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has been shown to have a more favorable metabolic profile than other drugs in its class. However, the metabolic effects of TDF in preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are unknown. Methods: We evaluated the effects of TDF/emtricitabine (FTC) on lipids and body composition in a blinded, placebo-controlled PrEP trial. Participants enrolled in a metabolic subcohort (N = 251, TDF/FTC; N = 247, placebo) consented to fasting lipid panels, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans for body composition, and pharmacologic testing of drug metabolites at baseline and every 24 weeks thereafter. Results: Lean body mass was stable and unaffected by TDF/FTC. Body weight increased in both groups but was lower on TDF/FTC through week 72. This difference was explained by lower fat accumulation on TDF/FTC. The net median percent difference (standard error, P value) for TDF/FTC vs placebo at week 24 was -0.8% (0.4%, P = .02), +0.3% (0.4%, P = .46), and -3.8% (1.4%, P = .009) for total, lean, and fat mass, respectively. There was no apparent differential regional fat accumulation on TDF/FTC. Decreases in cholesterol, but not triglycerides, were seen in TDF/FTC participants, with detectable drug levels compared to placebo. Conclusions: TDF/FTC for PrEP showed cholesterol reductions and appeared to transiently suppress the accumulation of weight and body fat compared to placebo. There was no evidence of altered fat distribution or lipodystrophy during daily oral TDF/FTC PrEP. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT00458393.

Achieving Viral Suppression in 90% of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Antiretroviral Therapy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Although significant progress has been made, the latest data from low- and middle-income countries show substantial gaps in reaching the third "90%" (viral suppression) of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals, especially among vulnerable and key populations. This article discusses critical gaps and promising, evidence-based solutions. There is no simple and/or single approach to achieve the last 90%. This will require multifaceted, scalable strategies that engage people living with human immunodeficiency virus, motivate long-term treatment adherence, and are community-entrenched and ­supported, cost-effective, and tailored to a wide range of global communities.

Which HIV-infected adults with high CD4 T-cell counts benefit most from immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy? A post-hoc subgroup analysis of the START trial.

BACKGROUND: Immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in asymptomatic adults with CD4 counts higher than 500 cells per µL, as recommended, might not always be possible in resource-limited settings. We aimed to identify subgroups of individuals who would benefit most from immediate treatment. METHODS: The START trial was a randomised controlled trial in asymptomatic, HIV-positive adults previously untreated with ART. Participants with CD4 counts higher than 500 cells per µL were randomly assigned to receive immediate ART or to defer ART until CD4 counts were lower than 350 cells per µL. The primary endpoint of the study was serious AIDS-defining illnesses or death from AIDS and serious non-AIDS illnesses or non-AIDS-related death. In this post-hoc analysis, we estimated event rates and absolute risk reduction with immediate versus deferred ART, overall and by subgroup. Subgroups were prespecified in the study protocol or formed post hoc on the basis of baseline characteristics associated with morbidity and mortality in people with HIV. For continuous characteristics, approximate terciles were chosen as subgroup cutoff points, unless different cutoffs were clinically meaningful (eg, age ≥50 years). We estimated the number needed to treat immediately with ART for 1 year to prevent one primary event. Heterogeneity in the absolute risk reduction between subgroups was assessed with bootstrap tests. The START trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00867048. FINDINGS: Between April 15, 2009, and Dec 23, 2013, we enrolled 4684 participants from 35 countries across five continents, of whom 2325 were assigned to immediate ART and 2359 were assigned to deferred ART. The primary endpoint occurred in 42 participants in the immediate ART group (0·58 events per 100 person-years) and 100 participants in the deferred ART group (1·37 events per 100 person-years). The absolute risk reduction was 0·80 (95% CI 0·48-1·13) per 100 person-years with immediate treatment, and the number needed to treat immediately to prevent one event was 126 (95% CI 89-208). Significant heterogeneity in absolute risk reduction with immediate ART was found across subgroups according to age (p=0·0022), CD4 to CD8 ratio (p=0·0007), and plasma HIV RNA viral load (p=0·033) at baseline. The highest absolute risk reductions and the lowest numbers needed to treat were found in participants aged 50 years or older, those with CD4 to CD8 ratios of less than 0·5, and those with plasma HIV RNA viral loads of 50 000 copies per mL or higher. INTERPRETATION: Asymptomatic, ART-naive adults with CD4 counts higher than 500 cells per µL who are older, have a low CD4 to CD8 ratio, or a high plasma HIV RNA viral load benefit most from immediate initiation of ART and should be prioritised for treatment. FUNDING: US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Brief Report: Recovery of Bone Mineral Density After Discontinuation of Tenofovir-Based HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for HIV prevention and treatment is associated with decreases in bone mineral density (BMD). Previous reports suggest that these changes may be reversible after discontinuation of TDF. SETTING: A metabolic substudy of 498 participants in a randomized, placebo-controlled HIV prevention trial of oral coformulated TDF with emtricitabine (TDF/FTC, Truvada) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) enrolling a global sample of men who have sex with men and trans women. METHODS: Participants underwent dual X-ray absorptiometry to quantify bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip and spine during PrEP and at 2 visits after stopping (median of 23 and 79 weeks post-PrEP, respectively). Results are stratified by pharmacologic measure of TDF/FTC adherence. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in change in hip/spine BMD at any time point between placebo and those with low adherence. Adherent participants had a mean (standard error) BMD change at TDF/FTC discontinuation of -1.02% (0.24) in the hip and -1.84% (0.36) in the spine. After stop, annualized BMD increases of 1.13% per year (0.27) in hip and 1.81% per year (0.36) in spine BMD were observed in adherent participants compared with 0.19% (0.16) and 0.74% (0.21) in the placebo group, respectively (P = 0.003, both comparisons). On average, BMD returned to baseline levels by 1 year after PrEP stop. Recovery was consistent across age, baseline BMD z-score, and treatment duration. CONCLUSIONS: Mean BMD returns to baseline levels within 12-18 months after TDF-based PrEP discontinuation in both hip and spine with consistency across participant subgroups. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT00458393.