Acute hepatitis C infection in HIV-negative men who have sex with men.

Acute hepatitis C infection is recognized in HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM), but the risk in HIV-negative MSM remains unclear. We evaluated a population of MSM with acute hepatitis C. From January 2010 to May 2014, all cases of HCV antibody positive HIV-negative MSM were identified. European AIDS Network criteria were applied to determine acute infection, and 44 individuals fulfilled the criteria for acute hepatitis C. Ten were RNA negative at baseline and classed as prior spontaneous clearance. 15 (34.1%) had a previously negative HCV antibody within 1 year. 11 (25.0%) had significant elevation in ALT levels, and 18 (40.9%) were clinically diagnosed from risk exposure and history. Median age was 37 years (range 24-75). 41 (93.2%) individuals reported unprotected anal sex, 36 with (87.8%) both insertive and receptive intercourse, 4 (9.8%) with receptive intercourse, 1 (2.4%) with insertive intercourse, and no data were recorded for 3 (7.3%) patients. Individuals had an average of 7.3 reported (median 2, range 1-100) partners. 12 (27.3%) engaged in group sex, 11 (25.0%) practised fisting, 11 (25.0%) admitted using drugs during sexual activity, 16 (36.4%) reported nasal, and 9 (20.5%) reported injection drug use. 14 (31.8)% had unprotected sex whilst under the influence of recreational drugs. 29 individuals were aware of a partner's status. 2 (4.5%) individuals had sexual contact with a known HCV monoinfected partner, 13 (29.5%) with a HIV monoinfected partner and 6 (13.6%) with a HCV/HIV coinfected partner. 9 (20.5%) reported a partner/partners with no known infection. No data were available in 14 (31.8%) individuals. 13 (29.5%) individuals had a coexisting STI at the time of acute HCV diagnosis. 8 (18.2%) received HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) within the 6 months prior to the HCV diagnosis (2 were participants in a HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis trial). 15 (34.1%) individuals achieved spontaneous clearance of HCV, and 11 patients received HCV treatment. Similar to the ongoing epidemic of acute HCV infection in HIV+ MSM, HIV-negative MSM remain at risk.

Evaluation of the impact of human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis on new human immunodeficiency virus diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIMS: The national PrEP programme launched in Ireland in November 2019 with tenofovir/emtricitabine free to those meeting eligibility criteria. We assessed the impact of the first year of the PrEP programme on new HIV diagnoses in the largest sexual health and HIV service in Ireland. METHODS: A free PrEP service was established in November 2019. We reviewed the number of new diagnoses of HIV between November 2018-2019, before the introduction of the national PrEP programme and compared this with the number of new HIV diagnosis between November 2019-2020. RESULTS: There were 95 new HIV diagnoses (63.3% MSM) between November 2018 and 2019 and 73 new HIV diagnoses (65.7% MSM) between November 2019 and 2020. There was a statistically significant decline in new HIV diagnoses between the 2 years (P = 0.0003). 546 patients were prescribed PrEP as of December 2020.106 patients (19.4%) changed their PrEP dosing regimen due to lockdown. 178 individuals (32.6%) had a rectal infection diagnosed. CONCLUSION: There has been a reduction in new HIV diagnoses in our cohort (although this has occurred during a global pandemic). It is too early to say if PrEP reduces late presentations of HIV based on our findings. A significant number of rectal infections were identified in the PrEP clinic suggesting ongoing risk despite pandemic restrictions. Further research into sexual practices during COVID-19 is needed to assess if this had an impact on the lower rates of HIV acquisition.

CD8 encephalitis with CSF EBV viraemia and HIV drug resistance, a case series.

INTRODUCTION: CD8 encephalitis is a relatively recently described condition in the setting of HIV infection. It is becoming increasingly recognised in recent years though is still likely underdiagnosed. METHODS: We present three cases of encephalitis in HIV-positive black African females initially presenting with neurological pathology. Two cases concern recent presentations of patients attending HIV services at a large tertiary referral hospital and the third case involves a retrospective analysis of an archived case. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: MRI brain demonstrated periventricular white matter changes in 2 cases and a cerebellar lesion in the third case. CSF examination revealed lymphocytosis and elevated protein levels. CSF HIV viral load analysis showed viral escape along with new antiretroviral drug resistance mutations. CSF flow cytometry studies demonstrated a reversed CD4:CD8 ratio with a high CD8+ cells percentage. All patients had EBV DNA detected in their CSF. Brain biopsy in two patients confirmed CD8 encephalitis and also revealed isolated cells demonstrating EBV positivity by in-situ hybridization using EBER (Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs). Treatment with steroids and ART optimisation led to significant clinical and radiological improvements in all cases. DISCUSSION: CD8 encephalitis should be considered as a cause of neurological symptoms and confusion in the HIV-positive patient, particularly if poor ART adherence or viral resistance are suspected. Brain biopsy should be considered in HIV-positive patients with encephalopathy of uncertain cause. Early treatment with high-dose corticosteroids when suspecting this diagnosis is essential for a favourable outcome. The prognosis is variable but can be favourable even following severe encephalopathy. The presence of new INSTI mutations in the CSF but absent peripherally in two INSTI-era patients is a novel finding for this case series in the context of CD8 encephalitis. The role played by EBV in this disease remains unclear and warrants further investigation.

An outbreak of multiply resistant Serratia marcescens: the importance of persistent carriage.

An outbreak of multi-resistant Serratia marcescens involving 24 patients occurred in a bone marrow transplant and oncology unit, from September 1998 to June 1999, of whom 14 developed serious infection. This is the first such outbreak described in a BMT unit. All isolates demonstrated the same antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and were the same unusual serotype O21:K14. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile showed reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and piperacillin-tazobactam. As the latter two antimicrobials are part of our empiric therapy for febrile neutropenia, they were substituted with meropenem and amikacin during the outbreak. Investigation revealed breaches in infection control practices. Subsequently, the outbreak was contained following implementation of strict infection control measures. A prominent feature of the outbreak was prolonged carriage in some patients. These patients may have acted as reservoirs for cross-infection. This report also indicates that patients who become colonised with Serratia marcescens may subsequently develop invasive infection during neutropenic periods.

Antiretroviral therapy and cardiovascular risk.

The increase in the risk of myocardial infarction can be explained by antiretroviral-induced changes in conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Individual drugs within a drug class vary in their propensity to cause metabolic disturbances, and therefore, further studies are needed to determine the contribution of each drug to cardiovascular risk. A careful stratification of the cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular monitoring of HIV-infected individuals should be performed at baseline and at regular intervals during follow-up for this chronic medical condition. Standard primary and secondary prevention measures should be instituted in accordance with British Guidelines (Heart association, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, etc for lipids, smoking and hypertension) Consideration of cardiovascular risk and drug-drug interactions when prescribing is crucial in the safe and optimum management of these patients. Careful communication between all care providers will help to avoid adverse outcomes.