Treatment management of M. simiae infection complicated by severe immune reconstitution syndrome in two patients living with HIV.

Nontuberculosis mycobacterium are increasingly being identified as sources of disseminated infections in immunocompromised patients. These infections can be challenging to identify and treat due complexities of diagnosis and inherent resistance to many medications. We present two cases of patients with human immunodeficiency virus who had Mycobacterium simiae infections, complicated by immune reconstruction inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). We also present a review of the English literature surrounding the disease, including reported resistance patterns to antimicrobial therapy, which can be highly variable.

Contraceptive Use and Missed Opportunities for Family Planning Discussions in Women Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus at an HIV Clinic.

The objective of this study was to examine contraception use and family planning discussions (FPD) in female people living with HIV (PLWH). A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Female PLWH were included if they were 18-44 years and received care in 2019 at an HIV clinic. 74 patients met inclusion; mean age was 35 years, 53% were white. All patients were prescribed antiretroviral therapy. 48.6% of patients had documented FPD. 64.9% of patients were using contraception; sterilization was most common (41.7%). Only five patients had a contraindication to hormonal contraception. No differences in contraception use were observed based on age, race, HIV viral load, number of visits, or past pregnancies. However, patients with documented FPD were more likely to use contraception (OR 4.55; 95% CI 1.35-15.29). Routine FPD and contraception use in female PLWH were low. Rates of sterilization were high in female PLWH. Providing quality family planning services is critical to increase contraception use and selection of the most appropriate contraception form.

Anticholinergic and Sedative Medications Are Associated With Neurocognitive Performance of Well Treated People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Background: We previously showed that anticholinergic (ACH) medications contribute to self-reported neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in elderly people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). The current cross-sectional study further evaluated the effect of ACH and sedative drugs on neurocognitive function in PWH who underwent comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Methods: A medication review was performed in PWH enrolled in the prospective Neurocognitive Assessment in Metabolic and Aging Cohort within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study. Neurocognitive functions were analyzed in 5 domains (motor skills, speed of information, attention/working memory, executive functions, and verbal learning memory). The effect of ACH and sedative medications on neurocognitive functioning was evaluated using linear regression models for the continuous (mean z-score) outcome and multivariable logistic regression models for the binary (presence/absence) outcome. Results: A total of 963 PWH (80% male, 92% Caucasian, 96% virologically suppressed, median age 52) were included. Fourteen percent of participants were prescribed ≥1 ACH medication and 9% were prescribed ≥1 sedative medication. Overall, 40% of participants had NCI. Sedative medication use was associated with impaired attention/verbal learning and ACH medication use with motor skills deficits both in the continuous (mean z-score difference -0.26 to -0.14, P < .001 and P = .06) and binary (odds ratio [OR], ≥1.67; P < .05) models. Their combined use was associated with deficits in overall neurocognitive functions in both models (mean z-score difference -0.12, P = .002 and OR = 1.54, P = .03). These associations were unchanged in a subgroup analysis of participants without depression (n = 824). Conclusions: Anticholinergic and sedative medications contribute to NCI. Clinicians need to consider these drugs when assessing NCI in PWH.

Anticholinergic medication use in elderly people living with HIV and self-reported neurocognitive impairment: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Anticholinergic (ACH) medications have been associated with neurocognitive impairment, particularly in the elderly. This study determined prospectively the prevalence of prescribed ACH medications and their association with self-reported neurocognitive impairment (SRNI) in elderly people living with HIV (PLWH) of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). METHODS: A literature review was performed to identify ACH medications, which were scored 0 to 3 (higher score indicating more ACH burden). Prescriptions were reviewed in July 2019 for all SHCS participants ≥65 years old to assess the prevalence of ACH medications. Association between ACH burden and neurocognitive impairment was evaluated using the SHCS SRNI questions addressing memory loss, attention difficulties and slowing in reasoning. RESULTS: One thousand and nineteen PLWH (82% male) with a median age of 70 (IQR = 67-74) years were included. Most participants were on ART (99%). The average number of non-HIV drugs was 5.1 ± 3.6, representing a polypharmacy prevalence of 50%. Two hundred participants (20%) were on ≥1 ACH medication, with an average ACH score of 1.7 ± 1.3. SRNI, adjusted for age, sex, CD4, nadir CD4, viral load, efavirenz use and polypharmacy, was associated with depression (OR = 4.60; 95% CI = 2.62-8.09) and a trend was observed with being on ≥1 ACH medication (OR = 1.69; 95% CI = 0.97-2.95). In a subgroup analysis of participants without depression (n = 911), SRNI was associated with the use of ≥1 ACH medication (OR = 2.51; 95% CI = 1.31-4.80). CONCLUSIONS: ACH medication use is common in elderly PLWH and contributes to SRNI. The effect of ACH medications on neurocognitive impairment warrants further evaluation using neurocognitive tests.

Delayed HIV diagnosis in a cystic fibrosis patient: Not just another exacerbation.

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are living longer due to advancements in treatment. We present a patient with CF in whom diagnoses of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and severe pneumocystis pneumonia were delayed due to anchor bias. Our case highlights the importance of routine age-appropriate health screenings in patients with CF. In addition, we discuss the number of management challenges that may arise in patients with a dual diagnosis of CF and HIV.

Risk factors for potentially preventable hospital readmissions among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

People living with HIV (PLWH) have a significant risk for experiencing a 30-day readmission; many of which may be potentially preventable readmissions (PPR). The objective of this study was to evaluate 30-day readmission rates for PLWH and identify risk factors for PPR. This was a single center retrospective study. Patients were included if they were ≥18 years of age, had a diagnosis of HIV, and were admitted to University of New Mexico Hospitals between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014 and readmitted within 30-days of the index admission. Preventability of readmission was defined using previously published criteria. Of the 908 identified admissions for PLWH during 2010-2014, 162 (17.8%) were 30-day readmissions. A total of 60 patient readmissions met study inclusion criteria, of which 55% were determined to be PPR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that being discharged on ≥10 medications (OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.181-13.043) and having an appointment scheduled upon discharge (OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.057-12.212) were significantly associated a PPR. These results further highlight the vulnerability of this patient population and help to identify risk factors for PPR. Targeted transitions of care interventions that address polypharmacy may help to reduce PPR among PLWH.

A Single-Center Evaluation of Extended Infusion Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Empiric Treatment in the Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Piperacillin/tazobactam (PTZ) extended infusion (EI) is often used empirically in the intensive care unit (ICU). Gram-negative (GN) organisms with PTZ minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) >16/4 µg/mL are considered intermediate or resistant. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate MICs of GN isolates from the ICU to determine whether the hospital protocol for PTZ 3.375 g EI over 4 hours administered every 8 hours is an appropriate empiric regimen for ICU patients and to evaluate patient-specific risk factors associated with elevated MICs. Methods: All ICU patients admitted during 2017 with a confirmed GN organism from a non-urinary source were included for retrospective chart review. Patients with cystic fibrosis or cultures obtained >48 hours prior to ICU admission were excluded. Demographics, GN organism, culture source, risk factors for resistance, susceptibility profile, comorbidities, and creatinine clearance were collected. Appropriateness was defined as PTZ MIC ≤16/4 µg/mL in >80% of isolates. Results: Two hundred and thirty-one patients were included. The average patient was 56 years old. The majority of patients were white (64.1%) and male (69.7%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (41%) was the most common organism isolated. Overall, 28% of GN isolates had MICs >16/4 µg/mL. Dialysis (P = .01), intravenous antibiotics within 90 days (P < .001), and presence of wounds/trauma (P = .01) were associated with elevated MICs. Conclusion: Current PTZ EI 3.375 g dosing regimens may not provide adequate empiric coverage for some GN organisms in ICU patients, especially for those who have previously received intravenous antibiotics, are on dialysis, or have wounds/trauma.

Short Communication: Relationship Between Contraindicated Drug-Drug Interactions and Subsequent Hospitalizations Among Patients Living with HIV Initiating Combination Antiretroviral Therapy.

Persons living with HIV (PLWH) are at an increased risk of contraindicated drug-drug interactions (XDDIs), which may result in deleterious outcomes. Study objectives were to (1) compare the frequency of hospitalizations between patients with and without XDDIs and (2) determine if XDDIs are independently associated with hospitalizations in PLWH. A retrospective cohort study was performed among PLWH receiving care at the Upstate New York Veterans' Healthcare Administration or University of New Mexico Truman Health Services from 2000 to 2013. Hospitalization was defined as an admission to an inpatient hospital facility for ≥24 h. Of the 1329 patients evaluated, 149 (11.2%) patients were hospitalized within 1 year of antiretroviral therapy initiation. A significantly higher proportion of patients with XDDIs were hospitalized compared with those who did not have XDDIs (20.3% vs. 10.2%, risk ratio: 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35-2.91, p = .001). In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, XDDIs were independently associated with hospitalizations (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.00-2.48; p = .05), after adjustment for CD4 < 242 cells/mm3 (HR: 2.38; 95% CI: 1.72-3.33; p < .001), protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimen (HR: 1.35; 95% CI: 0.97-1.89; p = .08), recreational drug use (HR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.85-3.58, p < .001), and non-HIV medications ≥10 (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 0.97-2.69; p = .07). In this study an increased risk of hospitalization was observed among PLWH with XDDIs compared with those without XDDIs. This relationship persisted after adjustment for CD4 count, use of a PI-based regimen, recreational drug use, and number of non-HIV medications.

Once-Daily Versus Twice-Daily Enoxaparin for the Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboembolism in Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: No randomized controlled trials have investigated enoxaparin once versus twice daily for venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment in cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of enoxaparin 1 mg/kg twice daily versus enoxaparin 1.5 mg/kg/day for the treatment of acute VTE in cancer patients. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study. Adults with active cancer and an acute VTE were included. The primary outcome evaluated was the incidence of clinically relevant (major and nonmajor) bleeding (CRB) within 30 days of enoxaparin initiation. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of CRB, thrombosis, and death at 30, 90, and 180 days. The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients met inclusion criteria; 85 patients (69%) were treated with once-daily and 38 patients (31%) with twice-daily enoxaparin. CRB was numerically higher at 30 days in the twice-daily enoxaparin group compared with the once-daily group (5.3% vs 2.4%, P = 0.587). There was a nonsignificant higher incidence of CRB in the once-daily enoxaparin group compared with the twice-daily group at 90 days (8.3% vs 8%, P = 1.0) and 180 days (12.5% vs 7.1%, P = 1.0). The composite outcome of CRB, thrombosis, and death was higher at all time points with enoxaparin once daily. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of statistical power in this study precludes definitive conclusions. Clinicians may consider twice-daily enoxaparin because of potentially fewer adverse events but may be limited by patient preference and/or financial constraints.

Evaluating community pharmacists' HIV testing knowledge: A cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: To assess community pharmacists' knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), antiretroviral therapy, and new in-home oral fluid HIV test. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire administered to pharmacists, student pharmacists, and technicians before an education program at the New Mexico Pharmacists Association 2013 Mid-Winter Meeting in Albuquerque, NM. The main outcome measure was community pharmacists' correct response rate of 75% or more. RESULTS: Overall survey response rate of attendees was 89% (173/194 attendees). Among them 87 participants were community pharmacists; 87% of community pharmacists responded correctly when asked how HIV antiretroviral medications work and 84.3% correctly identified known sources of HIV infection. The 75% predefined adequate knowledge threshold was not met on any HIV screening or in-home HIV test knowledge items. Only 65.1% of community pharmacists correctly identified the minimum number of antiretroviral drugs that should be included in an ideal HIV treatment regimen. The only variable that positively influenced pharmacists' knowledge was age. An inverse relationship between pharmacist age and HIV knowledge was observed among study participants. CONCLUSION: Community pharmacists from urban and rural areas in New Mexico possessed adequate basic HIV knowledge, but did not demonstrate adequate HIV screening or in-home HIV test knowledge. Future educational interventions aimed at improving pharmacist knowledge in this area are warranted.