A Case of Sustained Viral Shedding of Mpox With Ocular Involvement Resulting in Vision Loss.

Mpox, caused by infection with Monkeypox virus, usually presents as a mild, self-limited illness in immunocompetent persons that resolves within 2-4 weeks. Serious complications have been reported when mpox lesions involve vulnerable anatomic sites, such as the eye, and in those with substantial immunosuppression. We describe a patient with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection and sustained viral shedding of mpox with ocular involvement, which resulted in vision loss.

Observational Study Evaluating the Seroprotection of HepB-alum Vaccine and HepB-CpG Vaccine in People With HIV.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine seroprotection rates with conventional aluminum adjuvanted recombinant HBV vaccines, Engerix-B (HepB-alum) vaccine, among people with HIV (PWH) are varied. Heplisav-B (HepB-CpG) vaccine, a novel adjuvanted recombinant HBV vaccine, has shown higher seroprotection rates in immunocompetent patients but is not well studied in PWH. There are no published studies comparing seroprotection rates between HepB-alum and HepB-CpG in PWH. This study aims to evaluate and compare the seroprotection incidence of HepB-alum vs HepB-CpG in PWH at least 18 years of age. Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study included adults diagnosed with HIV who received a complete series of HepB-alum or HepB-CpG at a community health center in Phoenix, Arizona. Patients had a hepatitis B surface antibody <10 IU/L at the time of the first vaccine dose. The primary outcome was a comparison of seroconversion incidence between HepB-CpG and HepB-alum. Secondary outcomes included identifying factors associated with likelihood of response to HBV vaccination. Results: A total of 120 patients were included in this study, 59 in the HepB-alum cohort and 61 in the HepB-CpG cohort. In the HepB-alum cohort, 57.6% achieved seroconversion, compared with 93.4% in the HepB-CpG cohort (P < .001). Those without diabetes were more likely to have response to a vaccine. Conclusions: Among PWH at a single community health center, HepB-CpG provided a statistically higher incidence of seroprotection against HBV compared with HepB-alum.

Preventive counseling, screening, and therapy for the patient with newly diagnosed HIV infection.

The epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues, and the infection is converting into a treatable chronic disease; therefore, it is increasingly important for family physicians to be current with and comfortable in providing basic care to patients infected with HIV. Important aspects of counseling and patient education include stabilization of psychosocial issues and prevention of HIV transmission through behavior change counseling. Reporting HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is mandatory in most states, whereas partner notification laws vary from state to state. Baseline evaluation includes screening for comorbid conditions such as viral hepatitis, syphilis, and tuberculosis, as well as common HIV-related manifestations such as recurrent candidal infections and thrombocytopenia. Baseline testing includes CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell counts and HIV viral RNA levels to assess HIV disease stage, and numerous studies to screen for opportunistic infections. Initial preventive interventions include patient education to reduce exposure to infections, treatment of comorbid conditions such as human papillomavirus-related dysplasia, and vaccinations such as for pneumococcus and hepatitis B. Prophylaxis against opportunistic pathogens is recommended when CD4+ cell counts fall below 200 cells per mm3. Lastly, the indications for antiretroviral therapy include symptomatic patients or those with AIDS, and pre-AIDS patients with CD4+ cell counts of 200 to 350 cells per mm3 or HIV RNA above 55,000 to 100,000 copies per mL.