Prevalence of pretreatment HIV resistance to integrase inhibitors in West African and Southeast Asian countries.

OBJECTIVES: Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have been recently recommended as the preferred first-line option for antiretroviral treatment initiators in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in response to the growing circulation of resistant HIV to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). In this study, we estimated the frequency of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) to INSTIs in West Africa and Southeast Asia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using samples collected from 2015 to 2016, and previously used to assessed PI, NRTI and NNRTI resistance, we generated HIV integrase sequences and identified relevant INSTI PDR mutations using the Stanford and ANRS algorithms. RESULTS: We generated 353 integrase sequences. INSTI PDR frequency was low, 1.1% (4/353) overall, ranging from 0% to 6.3% according to country. However, frequency of PDR to any drug class was very high, 17.9% (95% CI: 13.9%-22.3%), and mostly associated with a high level of NNRTI PDR, 9.7%, and a moderate level of NRTI PDR, 5.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the recent introduction of INSTIs in LMICs to improve treatment outcome in these settings, but also stress the need for effective actions to prevent uncontrolled emergence of drug resistance to this drug class.

Pulmonary vascular disease and optical coherence tomography imaging in patients with Fontan palliation.

INTRODUCTION: The Fontan procedure is the palliative procedure of choice for patients with single ventricle physiology. Pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) is an important contributor to Fontan circulatory failure. AREAS COVERED: We review the pathophysiology of PVD in patients with Fontan palliation and share our initial experience with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in supplementing standard hemodynamics in characterizing Fontan-associated PVD. In the absence of a sub-pulmonary ventricle, low pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR; ≤2 WU/m2) is required to sustain optimal pulmonary blood flow. PVD is associated with adverse pulmonary artery (PA) remodeling resulting from the non-pulsatile low-shear low-flow circulation. Predisposing factors to PVD include impaired PA growth, endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulable state, and increased ventricular end-diastolic pressure. OCT parameters that show promise in characterizing Fontan-associated PVD include the PA intima-to-media ratio and wall area ratio (i.e. difference between the whole-vessel area and the luminal area divided by the whole-vessel area). EXPERT OPINION: OCT carries potential in characterizing PVD in patients with Fontan palliation. PA remodeling is marked by intimal hyperplasia, with medial regression. Further studies are required to determine the role of OCT in informing management decisions and assessing therapeutic responses.

Failure of bamlanivimab with selection of E484K mutation in an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient with nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection.

We report the case of an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient with nosocomial acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection who received antispike neutralizing monoclonal antibody bamlanivimab 2 days after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection but progressed to severe COVID-19 pneumonia and died with the selection of E484K/Q resistance mutations to bamlanivimab.

Low cabotegravir trough concentrations without oral lead-in in patients with HIV-1 switching to long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine.

In a cohort of 72 consecutive virologically-suppressed patients with HIV-1 switching to long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine, we observed low cabotegravir trough concentrations 1 and 3 months after the first injection, with a significant association with no oral lead-in at 1 month [odds ratio (OR) = 6.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-29.5], P = 0.01] and three months (OR = 5.6 [95% CI 1.3-29.7], P = 0.03), and with high BMI at 1 month (OR = 1.3 [95% CI 1.1-1.6], P = 0.007).

The Relationship Between Perceived Parenting Practices and Anxiety in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and their parents face challenges throughout their lives that can lead to anxiety lasting into adulthood. We aim to assess the association between perceived parenting practices and anxiety beyond paediatric medical-surgical histories in adults with CHD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of adults with CHD was conducted at the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI). Perception of parental practices during childhood was retrospectively assessed with the use of validated self-report questionnaires, and anxiety in adulthood was assessed with the use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Sociodemographic and medical information were collected from a questionnaire and medical records. Hierarchic multiple linear regression was conducted. RESULTS: Of the 223 participants, the mean age was 46 ± 14 years and 59% were female. Perceived parenting practices explained more variance (11%) in the anxiety score than paediatric medical-surgical history (2%). In our final model, anxiety was significantly associated with age, parental history of anxiety, and positive parenting practices, but not with overprotection. CONCLUSIONS: Parenting practices are associated with anxiety in adults with CHD beyond paediatric medical-surgical history and sociodemographic. Positive parenting practices may be protective against anxiety in adulthood. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine causality.

Sex-Related Differences and Influence of Pregnancy in Transposition of Great Arteries With Systemic Right Ventricle.

Background: There is a paucity of data regarding sex-related differences on cardiac outcomes in the context of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with a systemic right ventricle and biventricular physiology (sRV-biV). Moreover, the long-term impact of pregnancy on cardiac outcomes remains unknown. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify sex-related differences and the influence of pregnancy on cardiac outcomes in TGA sRV-biV population. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 213 adults with TGA sRV-biV, 82 (38.4%) women, age 42.6 ± 12.8 years, with a median follow-up of 16 years. Cardiac events, interventions, last follow-up sRV-biV dysfunction, and heart failure (HF) medications were compared between men vs women, and women with vs without pregnancies resulting in live births. Results: Women had a lower incidence of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (HR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.04-3.09, P = 0.035) and nonsignificantly fewer HF-related hospitalizations than men (HR: 2.10; 95% CI: 0.95-4.67, P = 0.069) in univariable analysis. At the last follow-up, women had a lower prevalence of moderate to severe sRV-biV dysfunction than men (P < 0.001) and were less frequently prescribed HF therapy. Women had fewer implantable cardioverter-defibrillators for primary prevention than men (P = 0.016), with no difference for secondary prevention. Women who had pregnancies resulting in live births (N = 47), had a high prevalence of cardiac events in the 15 (IQR: 9-28) years following pregnancy with no significant differences with those without (N = 32) pregnancies. Conclusions: Women with a sRV-biV have fewer adverse cardiovascular events than men. Due to sRV-biV, pregnancy remains with high maternal risk but is not associated with worse long-term cardiac outcomes under rigorous multidisciplinary cardio-obstetrical care.

Cardiovascular Outcomes in Fontan Patients With Right vs Left Univentricular Morphology: A Multicenter Study.

Background: There is a paucity of data on long-term outcomes after Fontan palliation in patients with a dominant morphological univentricular right (uRV) vs left (uLV) ventricle. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of atrial arrhythmias, thromboembolic events, cardiac transplantation, and death following Fontan palliation in patients with uRV vs uLV. Methods: The Alliance for Adult Research in Congenital Cardiology conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study on patients with total cavopulmonary connection Fontan palliation across 12 centers in North America. All components of the composite outcome, that is, atrial arrhythmias, thromboembolic events, cardiac transplantation, and death, were reviewed and classified by a blinded adjudicating committee. Time-to-event analyses were performed that accounted for competing risks. Results: A total of 384 patients were followed for 10.5 ± 5.9 years. The composite outcome occurred in 3.7 vs 1.7 cases per 100 person-years for uRV (N = 171) vs uLV (N = 213), respectively (P < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, uRV conferred a >2-fold higher risk of the composite outcome (HR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.45-3.45, P < 0.001). In secondary analyses of components of the primary outcome, uRV was significantly associated with a greater risk of cardiac transplantation or death (HR: 9.09, 95% CI: 2.17-38.46, P < 0.001) and atrial arrhythmias (HR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.20-4.00, P = 0.010) but not thromboembolic events (HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 0.86-3.16, P = 0.131). Conclusions: Fontan patients with uRV vs uLV morphology have a higher incidence of adverse cardiovascular events, including atrial arrhythmia, cardiac transplantation, and all-cause mortality.

Impact of Fontan Fenestration on Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Multicentre Study.

BACKGROUND: Fenestrating a Fontan baffle has been associated with improved perioperative outcomes in patients with univentricular hearts. However, longer-term potential adverse effects remain debated. We sought to assess the impact of a fenestrated Fontan baffle on adverse cardiovascular events including all-cause mortality, cardiac transplantation, atrial arrhythmias, and thromboemboli. METHODS: A multicentre North American retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with total cavopulmonary connection Fontan baffle, with and without fenestration. All components of the composite outcome were independently adjudicated. Potential static and time-varying confounders were taken into consideration, along with competing risks. RESULTS: A total of 407 patients were followed for 10.4 (7.1-14.4) years; 70.0% had fenestration of their Fontan baffle. The fenestration spontaneously closed or was deliberately sealed in 79.9% of patients a median of 2.0 years after Fontan completion. In multivariable analysis in which a persistent fenestration was modelled as a time-dependent variable, an open fenestration did not confer a higher risk of the composite outcome (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-1.97; P = 0.521). In secondary analyses, an open fenestration was not significantly associated with components of the primary outcome: that is, mortality or transplantation, atrial arrhythmias, or thromboemboli. However, sensitivity analyses to assess the possible range of error resulting from imprecise dates for spontaneous fenestration closures could not rule out significant associations between an open fenestration and atrial arrhythmias or thromboemboli. CONCLUSIONS: In this multicentre study, no significant association was identified between an open fenestration in the Fontan baffle and major adverse cardiovascular events.

COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis in critically-ill patients: a prospective multicenter study in the era of Delta and Omicron variants.

BACKGROUND: During the first COVID-19 pandemic wave, COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been reported in up to 11-28% of critically ill COVID-19 patients and associated with increased mortality. As new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerged, the characteristics of critically ill COVID-19 patients have evolved, particularly in the era of Omicron. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of CAPA in the era of new variants. METHODS: This is a prospective multicenter observational cohort study conducted in France in 36 participating intensive care units (ICU), between December 7th, 2021 and April 26th 2023. Diagnosis criteria of CAPA relied on European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM)/International Society for Human & Animal Mycology (ISHAM) consensus criteria. RESULTS: 566 patients were included over the study period. The prevalence of CAPA was 5.1% [95% CI 3.4-7.3], and rose to 9.1% among patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Univariable analysis showed that CAPA patients were more frequently immunosuppressed and required more frequently IMV support, vasopressors and renal replacement therapy during ICU stay than non-CAPA patients. SAPS II score at ICU admission, immunosuppression, and a SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant were independently associated with CAPA in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Although CAPA was not significantly associated with day-28 mortality, patients with CAPA experienced a longer duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay. CONCLUSION: This study contributes valuable insights into the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of CAPA in the era of Delta and Omicron variants. We report a lower prevalence of CAPA (5.1%) among critically-ill COVID-19 patients than previously reported, mainly affecting intubated-patients. Duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay were significantly longer in CAPA patients.

The Influence of Illness Perception and Coping on Anxiety in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: Up to one-half of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) experience psychological distress, including anxiety. Objectives: This paper sought to: 1) assess the contribution of illness perception in explaining anxiety symptoms beyond sociodemographic and medical variables in adults with CHD; and 2) investigate the potential mediating effect of coping style. Methods: CHD adult patients were recruited at Montreal Heart Institute between June 2019 and April 2021 for this cross-sectional study. Participants responded to self-reported questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Brief COPE). Medical characteristics (CHD complexity, NYHA functional class, and cardiac devices) were collected from medical records. We conducted hierarchical multiple linear regression and mediation analyses. Results: Of the 223 participants (mean age 46 ± 14 years, 59% women), 15% had clinically significant anxiety symptoms. Medical and sociodemographic variables explained 15% of the variation in anxiety symptoms. Adding illness perception explained an additional 18% of the variation in anxiety. This R2 change was significant (F[1,188] = 49.06, P < 0.0001). Illness perception explained more variance (18%) than medical and sociodemographic variables combined. A more threatening perception of illness was associated with greater anxiety symptoms (ß = 0.45, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, illness perception was associated with coping, which was linked to reduced anxiety symptoms. Coping response style accounted for 20% of the total effect of illness perception on anxiety. Conclusions: Illness perception and coping are associated with anxiety in adults with CHD. Future initiatives should assess whether targeting these potentially modifiable factors effectively prevents or mitigates anxious symptoms in adults with CHD.