HIV disease metrics and COVID-19 infection severity and outcomes in people living with HIV in central and eastern Europe.

BACKGROUND: To date there remains much ambiguity in the literature regarding the immunological interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and HIV and the true risk posed to coinfected individuals. There has been little conclusive data regarding the use of CD4 cell count and HIV viral load stratification as predictors of COVID-19 severity in this cohort. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, observational cohort study on people living with HIV (PLWH) who contracted COVID-19 in central and eastern Europe. We enrolled 536 patients from 16 countries using an online survey. We evaluated patient demographics, HIV characteristics and COVID-19 presentation and outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.1. RESULTS: The majority of the study cohort were male (76.4%) and 152 (28.3%) had a significant medical comorbidity. Median CD4 cell count at COVID-19 diagnosis was 605 cells/µL [interquartile range (IQR) 409-824]. The majority of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were virally suppressed (92%). In univariate analysis, CD4 cell count <350 cells/µL was associated with higher rates of hospitalization (p < 0.0001) and respiratory failure (p < 0.0001). Univariate and multivariate analyses found that an undetectable HIV VL was associated with a lower rate of hospitalization (p < 0.0001), respiratory failure (p < 0.0001), ICU admission or death (p < 0.0001), and with a higher chance of full recovery (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: We can conclude that detectable HIV viral load was an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 illness and can be used as a prognostic indicator in this cohort.

Major revision version 11.0 of the European AIDS Clinical Society Guidelines 2021.

BACKGROUND: The European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) Guidelines were revised in 2021 for the 17th time with updates on all aspects of HIV care. KEY POINTS OF THE GUIDELINES UPDATE: Version 11.0 of the Guidelines recommend six first-line treatment options for antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naïve adults: tenofovir-based backbone plus an unboosted integrase inhibitor or plus doravirine; abacavir/lamivudine plus dolutegravir; or dual therapy with lamivudine or emtricitabine plus dolutegravir. Recommendations on preferred and alternative first-line combinations from birth to adolescence were included in the new paediatric section made with Penta. Long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine was included as a switch option and, along with fostemsavir, was added to all drug-drug interaction (DDI) tables. Four new DDI tables for anti-tuberculosis drugs, anxiolytics, hormone replacement therapy and COVID-19 therapies were introduced, as well as guidance on screening and management of anxiety disorders, transgender health, sexual health for women and menopause. The sections on frailty, obesity and cancer were expanded, and recommendations for the management of people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk were revised extensively. Treatment of recently acquired hepatitis C is recommended with ongoing risk behaviour to reduce transmission. Bulevirtide was included as a treatment option for the hepatitis Delta virus. Drug-resistant tuberculosis guidance was adjusted in accordance with the 2020 World Health Organization recommendations. Finally, there is new guidance on COVID-19 management with a focus on continuance of HIV care. CONCLUSIONS: In 2021, the EACS Guidelines were updated extensively and broadened to include new sections. The recommendations are available as a free app, in interactive web format and as an online pdf.

Barriers to cervical cancer screening exist despite integrating HIV and gynaecological services for HIV-positive women in Poland.

OBJECTIVES: HIV-positive women are at increased risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer. European and national guidelines advise yearly screening for cervical cancer, however due to the lack of a central registration of HIV infected persons there is a gap in offering such care through general healthcare services in many countries, including Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In response to the above limitations, integrated gynaecological care (IGC) was established at the HIV Out-Patient Clinic in Warsaw. We analysed data from January 2007 to May 2014. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with not using IGC by patients. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty women were registered in the observation period:59.6% infected through sexual contact, 18.7% through IDUs, 19.2 % through unknown causes and 2.5% by other (two were vertically infected). The median follow-up time was 2.35 (IQR 0.9-4.5) years and 78.3% were on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). In total 145 of the women (60.4%) used IGC, from 72.1% of those registered in 2007 to 27.3% registered in 2014. There were in total 1075 gynaeco-logical visits and 254 cervical cytology tests performed. Seventy-five (51.7%) women were tested for HPV infection. Fac-tors decreasing the odds of not using IGC identified by multivariate regression models were being on cART (OR 0.25 [IQR: 0.10-0.59]; p = 0.003) and longer time of observation (0.69 [0.58-0.83]; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The utilisation of IGC was very high, but with a delay in commencing the IGC. Women on cART and with longer periods of follow-up had lower odds of not using IGC. A screening approach for women not yet on cART, or newly registered in the clinics, needs special attention.

Hospital Admission Factors Independently Affecting the Risk of Mortality of COVID-19 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a disease characterized by high in-hospital mortality, which seems to be dependent on many predisposing factors. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical symptoms, abnormalities in the results of laboratory tests, and coexisting chronic diseases that independently affected the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the records of patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized from 6 March 2020 to 30 November 2021. RESULTS: Out of the entire group of 2138 patients who were analyzed, 12.82% died during hospitalization. In-hospital mortality was independently associated with older age (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.20-1.97); lower arterial blood oxygen saturation (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.99); the presence of a neoplasm (OR 4.45, 95% CI 2.01-9.62), a stomach ulcer (OR 3.35, 95% CI 0.94-11.31), and dementia (OR 3.40, 95% CI 1.36-8.26); a higher score on the SOFA scale (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.52-1.99); higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05-1.12); higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT pro BNP) (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.11); and lower total bilirubin in blood concentration (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: We found that low oxygen saturation, old age, and the coexistence of cancer, gastric ulcers, and dementia syndrome were variables that independently increased mortality during hospitalization due to COVID-19. Moreover, we found that decreased platelet count and bilirubin concentration and increased levels of LDH and NT-proBNP were laboratory test results that independently indicated a higher risk of mortality. We also confirmed the usefulness of the SOFA scale in predicting treatment results. The ability to identify mortality risk factors on admission to hospital will facilitate both adjusting the intensity of treatment and the monitoring of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Vaccination against HBV and HAV as Mode of Hepatitis Prevention among People Living with HIV-Data from ECEE Network Group.

(1) Background: Viral hepatitis C (HCV) and viral hepatitis B (HBV) are common co-infections in people living with HIV (PLWH). All PLWH should be vaccinated against HBV and hepatitis A (HAV) and treated for HBV and HCV. We aimed to compare testing, prophylaxis and treatment of viral hepatitis in PLWH in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in 2019 and 2022. (2) Methods: Data was collected through two on-line surveys conducted in 2019 and 2022 among 18 countries of the Euroguidelines in CEE (ECEE) Network Group. (3) Results: In all 18 countries the standard of care was to screen all PLWH for HBV and HCV both years; screening of HAV was routine in 2019 in 54.5% and in 2022 47.4% of clinics. Vaccination of PLWH against HAV was available in 2019 in 16.7%, in 2022 in 22.2% countries. Vaccination against HBV was available routinely and free of charge in 50% of clinics both in 2019 and 2022. In HIV/HBV co-infected the choice of NRTI was tenofovir-based in 94.4% of countries in both years. All clinics that responded had access to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) but 50% still had limitations for treatment. (4) Conclusions: Although testing for HBV and HCV was good, testing for HAV is insufficient. Vaccination against HBV and especially against HAV has room for improvement; furthermore, HCV treatment access needs to overcome restrictions.

Higher Immunological Response after BNT162b2 Vaccination among COVID-19 Convalescents-The Data from the Study among Healthcare Workers in an Infectious Diseases Center.

Introduction: The BNT162b2 vaccination studies did not specifically focus on groups that were heavily exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the BNT162b2 vaccine among healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: Study participants were recruited from hospital employees who received BNT162b2 vaccination at the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw. Blood samples were collected before and after each vaccination dose. At each timepoint, the levels of anti-SARS CoV-2 IgM, anti-n SARS-CoV-2 IgG, and S-RBD antibodies were measured. Data on concomitant diseases and the vaccine's adverse events (VAE) were collected after each vaccination dose. In the statistical analyses, non-parametric tests were used. Results: In total, 170 healthcare workers were included in the analysis. Their median age was 51 years (interquartile range (IQR): 41−60 years); most of them were women (n = 137, 80.6%) working in direct contact with patients (n = 137, 73.2%); and 46 (27.0%) had concomitant diseases. More than one fifth of subjects had COVID-19 before their first dose of vaccination (n = 38, 22.6%). In terms of immunological responses, our investigations showed a high level of efficacy for the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination as measured by S-RBD antibody concentrations: these were positive in 100% of participants 14 days after the second dose of the vaccine. It was also observed that employees with high S-RBD antibodies (>=433 BAU/mL) were more likely to be COVID-19 convalescents before receiving the first vaccine dose (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The BNT162b2 vaccine is safe and effective among HCWs. Vaccine adverse events occurred, but serious events were not observed. Moreover, the BNT162b2 vaccine is effective against symptomatic and severe COVID-19­none of the workers that acquired a SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination required hospitalization or medical care. We also observed higher immunological responses among COVID-19 convalescents.

[Factors influencing time from exposure to post-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection in patients consulted in 2001-2004 in out-patient clinic of Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw]. / Czynniki wplywajace na czas wlaczenia profilaktyki lekowej zakazenia HIV w grupie pacjentów zglaszajacych sie w latach 2001-2004 do Poradni Profilaktyczno-Leczniczej w Warszawie.

The following analysis was performed to identify factors influencing time from exposure to post-exposure prophylaxis initiation. Data were collected from standard forms filled in by physicians during consultation visits in 2001-2004. There were 475 patients consulted after exposure to potentially infectious material in the analyzed time (212 men and 263 women). Of them 210 were healthcare workers (HCW) and 265 represented other occupation (non-HCWs). There was no statistical difference in age (p = 0.41), gender (p = 0.69) and occupational group (p = 0.77) in four consecutive years, yet there was a significance in the type of exposure and time from exposure to starting antiretroviral prophylaxis (TEX). The number of exposures during physical assault has significantly increased. To identify the factors influencing TEX and because there was no difference in baseline characteristics further the groups were combined together and analyzed as one. Occupational group had significant influence on TEX (p = 0.04), with shorter TEX in HCWs (median 6 hours and 5 min.) then in non-HCWs (median 7 hours and 45 min.). Although the difference in TEX between different exposure groups did not reach statistical significance, TEX was shorter in the group of mucosal exposure. There was no HIV infection diagnosed after exposure.

[Post-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection in out-patient clinic of hospital for infectious diseases in Warsaw in 2001-2002]. / Profilaktyka poekspozycyjna zakazenia hiv prowadzona w poradni profilaktyczno-leczniczej wojewódzkiego szpitala zakaznego w Warszawie w latach 2001-2002.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after exposure to potentially infectious material remains one of the most important elements of HIV prevention. In some cases it requires antiretroviral drugs administration, which might cause serious side effects. The following analysis was performed to identify adverse events of antiretroviral therapy in PEP as well as to evaluate patients adherence to consultations and tests schedule. Data were collected from standard forms filled in by physicians during consultation visits in 2001-2002. To identify HIV infection HIV Duo-quick test (BioMerieux, Vidas) was performed on the first visit, then after 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Among 177 patients (pts) there were 79 exposures in health care workers (HCWs), 98 in non-HCWs. In 70 of HCWs exposure was by needle-stick injury (NSI), in 3 cases by other medical instrument. In non-HCWs 88 cases exposure was by NSI and in three cases by human's bite. Only one HIV test was performed in 25 cases (31,6%) in HCWs group vs 16 pts (16,3%) in non-HCWs group (p=0.016). Twelve HCWs (15,2%) and 9 non-HCWs did not come back for the test result (p=0,2). The mean time from exposure to initiating PEP was 6 hours 48 min in HCWs vs 7 hours 16 min in non-HCWs group (p=0,77). Except 2 cases of d4T+ddl in HCWs group all others were AZT+3TC (63 HCWs and 91 non-HCWs). Three drug regimen with PI as third drug (indinavir or nelfinavir) was used in 14 cases of HCWs and 7 non-HCWs. Side effects (SE) were observed in 25 HCWs (31,6%) vs 37 non-HCWs (37,8%) (p=0,467), leading to PEP discontinuation in 11 vs 4 respectively (p=0,0028). PEP was continued despite SE in 14 HCWs vs 33 non-HCWs (p=0,007). There was no post-exposure HIV infection. Adherence to consultations and tests schedule was better in non-HCWs. Although the risk of infection was potentially lower in that group pts showed up and tested more regularly, less pts did not collect the test result. Even though tolerability in terms of SE frequency was slightly better in HCWs group, non-HCWs were more willing to take ARV for four weeks even in presence of SE. More of non-HCWs followed full drug prophylaxis.