Poor efficacy and tolerability of stavudine, didanosine, and efavirenz-based regimen in treatment-naive patients in Senegal.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness and tolerance of an antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen composed of the antiretroviral agents (ARVs) stavudine (d4T) plus didanosine (ddI) plus efavirenz (EFV) in patients with advanced HIV infection in Senegal. DESIGN AND METHODS: This was an open-label, single-arm, 18-month trial in treatment-naive patients. The primary virologic end point was the percentage of patients with plasma HIV RNA < 500 copies/mL at months 6 (M6), 12 (M12) and 18 (M18). The primary analysis was done as intent-to-treat. RESULTS: The staging of HIV disease, performed using the definitions of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was CDC stage B or C for all 40 recruited patients. At baseline, the mean CD4+ cell count was 133 +/- 92/mcL (+/- standard deviation [SD]; range 1-346), and 23% of patients had CD4+ cell counts below 50/mcL. The mean baseline plasma HIV RNA level was 5.5 +/- 0.4 log(10) copies/mL (+/- SD; range 4.6-5.9). The proportion of patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA below 500 copies/mL fell during the study from 73% (95% CI [56; 85]) at M6 to 56% (95% CI [41; 73]) at M12 and 43% (95% CI [27; 59]) at M18. Plasma HIV-RNA was below 50 copies/mL in 50% of study subjects (95% CI [31; 66]) at M6, 43% (95% CI [27; 59]) at M12, and 33% (95% CI [19; 49]) at M18. The mean increase in the CD4+ cell count was 105 +/- 125/mcL (n = 38) at M3 and 186 +/- 122/mcL (n = 21) at M18. Eight patients died, including 6 because of infectious complications. The last viral load (VL) value before death was < 500 copies/mL in all these patients except 1 nonadherent patient. Fifteen patients (37.5%) had peripheral neuropathy that was severe enough in 5 patients (12.5%) to require ddI and d4T discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Virologic efficacy combination therapy with d4T, ddI, and EFV was measured by the percentage of patients with plasma HIV RNA values below 500 copies/mL and 50 copies/mL; for both parameters, virologic efficacy decreased during the study period. This is explained by the high mortality rate (20%) and treatment modifications due to adverse events (13%). These data strengthen the recently revised World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines advocating initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) before profound CD4 lymphocyte depletion occurs and avoiding HAART regimens containing d4T and ddI because of treatment-limiting side effects.

Successful implementation of a low-cost method for enumerating CD4+ T lymphocytes in resource-limited settings: the ANRS 12-26 study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and the relevance of the implementation of an alternative technique to flow cytometry (FC) for enumerating CD4 T cells (Dynabeads; Dynal Biotech, Oslo, Norway), based on quantifying CD4 T cells by epifluorescent microscopy following their isolation using anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody-coated magnetic beads. DESIGN: International multi-center study. Five consecutive runs of dual CD4 T-lymphocyte enumeration by both techniques in six sites in five countries of West Africa. METHODS: A total of 657 pairs of values of CD4 cell counts were generated by 43 technicians by both FC (TruCount; Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems, San Jose, California, USA) and Dynabeads from blood samples obtained from 301 HIV-infected patients, seen in one (n = 112), two (n = 61), three (n = 75), four (n = 40) or five (n = 13) occasions. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between the results of the two techniques was 0.89. The overall systematic difference between Dynabeads and FC was -16 x 10(6) cells/l (P < 10(-4)). The median difference was insignificant (+7.5 cells) for CD4 cell counts below 200 x 10(6) cells/l and increased with CD4 levels. Patients were consistently classified at the threshold of 200 x 106 cells/l by both methods in 88.7% of cases. Among the 74 discrepant pairs of values, only 31 (4.7%) exhibited a difference of more than 100 x 10(6) cells/l. CONCLUSIONS: Results from Dynabeads and FC were highly correlated. The ability of the alternative method to consistently classify results in agreement with FC, at thresholds of CD4 cell counts relevant for clinical care, was high. The implementation of this low-cost method was easy and successful in the West African context.

HIV type 1 circulating recombinant form CRF09_cpx from west Africa combines subtypes A, F, G, and may share ancestors with CRF02_AG and Z321.

Two HIV-1 intersubtype recombinant forms are circulating widely in populations and have become important strains in the pandemic: CRF01_AE in Southeast Asia and CRF02_AG in West and West Central Africa, respectively. Several other circulating recombinant forms (CRF) have also been identified, but with fewer numbers of infections and/or more limited geographic spread. Here we expand knowledge of HIV-1 CRF using clinical samples, principally from West Africa, that were difficult to classify by partial genome sequencing. DNA was extracted from primary patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The virtually complete HIV-1 genome was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and directly sequenced. Additional strains were characterized by partial envelope sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was used to identify and map intersubtype recombination breakpoints. Four virtually complete genome sequences and two partial envelope sequences represent CRF09_cpx, a newly identified complex recombinant HIV-1 whose principal focus seems to be in West Africa. This recombinant includes segments of subtypes A, F, G, and unclassified genetic material. It shares unique unclassified regions with the early Zaire strain Z321. There are similarities in structure, but considerable genetic distances, between CRF09_cpx and CRF02_AG IbNG. In conclusion, it is possible that this CRF shared common ancestors with both Z321 and CRF02_AG in the course of the pandemic, perhaps arising by recombination between earlier forms of these strains. Although newly identified, at least one infection with CRF09_cpx has already occurred outside of Africa.

Greentree white paper: sexual violence, genitoanal injury, and HIV: priorities for research, policy, and practice.

The links between sexual violence, genitoanal injury, and HIV are understudied but potentially significant for understanding the epidemic's disproportionate impacts on young women and girls, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, other hyperendemic areas, and conflict-affected regions. A Scientific Research Planning Meeting was convened by the Social Science Research Council at the Greentree Foundation in New York, March 19-20, 2012, bringing together an interdisciplinary group of researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to identify knowledge needs and gaps in three key areas: (1) the role of genitoanal injury on HIV transmission, acquisition, and pathogenesis; (2) the influence of sex and age-related anatomic characteristics on HIV transmission, acquisition, and pathogenesis; and (3) the role of heterosexual anal intercourse in HIV transmission. This article reflects the consensus that emerged from the Greentree Meeting regarding priority scientific research questions in these three areas, associated data collection and measurement challenges and opportunities, and implications for policy and practice.

Poor Efficacy and Tolerability of Stavudine, Didanosine, and Efavirenz-based Regimen in Treatment-Naive Patients in Senegal.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness and tolerance of an antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen composed of the antiretroviral agents (ARVs) stavudine (d4T) plus didanosine (ddI) plus efavirenz (EFV) in patients with advanced HIV infection in Senegal. DESIGN AND METHODS: This was an open-label, single-arm, 18-month trial in treatment-naive patients. The primary virologic end point was the percentage of patients with plasma HIV RNA < 500 copies/mL at months 6 (M6), 12 (M12) and 18 (M18). The primary analysis was done as intent-to-treat. RESULTS: The staging of HIV disease, performed using the definitions of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was CDC stage B or C for all 40 recruited patients. At baseline, the mean CD4+ cell count was 133 +/- 92/mcL (+/- standard deviation [SD]; range 1-346), and 23% of patients had CD4+ cell counts below 50/mcL. The mean baseline plasma HIV RNA level was 5.5 +/- 0.4 log10 copies/mL (+/- SD; range 4.6-5.9). The proportion of patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA below 500 copies/mL fell during the study from 73% (95% CI [56; 85]) at M6 to 56% (95% CI [41; 73]) at M12 and 43% (95% CI [27; 59]) at M18. Plasma HIV-RNA was below 50 copies/mL in 50% of study subjects (95% CI [31; 66]) at M6, 43% (95% CI [27; 59]) at M12, and 33% (95% CI [19; 49]) at M18.The mean increase in the CD4+ cell count was 105 +/- 125/mcL (n = 38) at M3 and 186 +/- 122/mcL (n = 21) at M18. Eight patients died, including 6 because of infectious complications. The last viral load (VL) value before death was < 500 copies/mL in all these patients except 1 nonadherent patient. Fifteen patients (37.5%) had peripheral neuropathy that was severe enough in 5 patients (12.5%) to require ddI and d4T discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Virologic efficacy combination therapy with d4T, ddI, and EFV was measured by the percentage of patients with plasma HIV RNA values below 500 copies/mL and 50 copies/mL; for both parameters, virologic efficacy decreased during the study period. This is explained by the high mortality rate (20%) and treatment modifications due to adverse events (13%). These data strengthen the recently revised World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines advocating initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) before profound CD4 lymphocyte depletion occurs and avoiding HAART regimens containing d4T and ddI because of treatment-limiting side effects.

Characterization of pathogenic Escherichia coli in human immunodeficiency virus-related diarrhea in Senegal.

Stool samples obtained from 594 Senegalese patients were examined for characterization of pathogenic Escherichia coli in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related diarrhea. Multiple virulence genes were observed in stool samples obtained from HIV-infected patients with diarrhea. Enteroaggregative E. coli and enteroinvasive E. coli were present in stool samples obtained from patients with diarrhea significantly more often than in stool samples obtained from patients without diarrhea (P=.000001). Quinolones may be an effective alternative treatment for E. coli-related diarrhea in HIV-infected adults in Senegal.

High levels of viral replication contrast with only transient changes in CD4(+) and CD8(+) cell numbers during the early phase of experimental infection with simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmnd-1 in Mandrillus sphinx.

Early events during human immunodeficiency virus infections are considered to reflect the capacity of the host to control infection. We have studied early virus and host parameters during the early phase of simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmnd-1 nonpathogenic infection in its natural host, Mandrillus sphinx. Four mandrills were experimentally infected with a primary SIVmnd-1 strain derived from a naturally infected mandrill. Two noninfected control animals were monitored in parallel. Blood and lymph nodes were collected at three time points before infection, twice a week during the first month, and at days 60, 180, and 360 postinfection (p.i.). Anti-SIVmnd-1 antibodies were detected starting from days 28 to 32 p.i. Neither elevated temperature nor increased lymph node size were observed. The viral load in plasma peaked between days 7 to 10 p.i. (2 x 10(6) to 2 x 10(8) RNA equivalents/ml). Viremia then decreased 10- to 1,000-fold, reaching the viral set point between days 30 to 60 p.i. The levels during the chronic phase of infection were similar to that in the naturally infected donor mandrill (2 x 10(5) RNA equivalents/ml). The CD4(+) cell numbers and percentages in blood and lymph nodes decreased slightly (<10%) during primary infection, and CD8(+) cell numbers increased transiently. All values returned to preinfection infection levels by day 30 p.i. CD8(+) cell numbers or percentages, in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, did not increase during the 1 year of follow-up. In conclusion, SIVmnd-1 has the capacity for rapid and extensive replication in mandrills. Despite high levels of viremia, CD4(+) and CD8(+) cell numbers remained stable in the post-acute phase of infection, raising questions regarding the susceptibility of mandrill T cells to activation and/or cell death in response to SIVmnd-1 infection in vivo.