Preventive and Sexual Health in LGBTQ+ Older Adults.

Sexual health is an important but often overlooked health concern of LGBTQ + older adults. Multiple factors influence sexual health including intersecting identities; adverse life events; coping mechanisms; and psychological, social, and physical health domains. Thus, the use of a culturally competent and comprehensive person-centered approach to sexual health is warranted. In this review, we discuss approaches to engaging LGBTQ + older adults to ensure they are able to achieve their sexual health priorities and prevent new human immunodeficiency virus infections. We also discuss doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis to prevent other sexually transmitted infections and the impact of chemsex.

Impact of switching to tenofovir alafenamide on weight gain as compared to maintaining a non-tenofovir alafenamide containing regimen.

ABSTRACT: Evaluate the impact of switching to an anti-retroviral regimen containing tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) on weight and the development of metabolic complications compared to remaining on a non-TAF containing regimen.Single-center retrospective case-control study.We evaluated people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) who were on an anti-retroviral regimen not containing TAF and were switched to a regimen containing TAF between January 1, 2016 and September 30, 2018. The control group included PLWH on a TAF free regimen throughout the study period. The primary outcome was change in weight from baseline to 12 months postswitch. Secondary outcomes included percent change in weight, change in body mass index (BMI), change in BMI class, and new diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia (HLD) during the study period.PLWH switched to TAF (n = 446) demonstrated significantly greater mean increase in weight compared to the control group (n = 162) (1.97 vs 0.88 kg, P = .01), however the effect was only seen in those switched from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Those that switched to TAF also had a significantly higher percent increase in weight, increase in BMI, and BMI class. We observed a higher rate of new diagnosis of HLD in the control group compared to the TAF switch group during the study period.PLWH switched to TAF had greater increases in weight after 1 year as compared to those continuing on a TAF free regimen. However, this did not translate to higher rates of obesity related illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and HLD during the follow up period.

Profile of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fixed dose combination and its potential in the treatment of HIV-1 infection: evidence to date.

Modern pharmacologic management of people living with HIV involves the use of fixed dose combinations of antiretrovirals that are simple to take, well tolerated, and highly effective. Specific recent pharmacologic advancements include 1) the second-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitors (dolutegravir and bictegravir) that consistently show less side effects, high tolerability, minimal drug interactions, and rapid rates of HIV viral load decline and 2) tenofovir alafenamide, a prodrug of tenofovir that concentrates in lymphoid tissue and minimizes off target effects. Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide or B/F/TAF is a recently approved fixed dose combination that incorporates these new advancements in the management of HIV. This review focuses on the data supporting the use of B/F/TAF, reviews clinically relevant findings, and highlights the unanswered questions that may limit its clinical utility.

Randomized Trial of a Health Coaching Intervention to Enhance Retention in Care: California Collaborative Treatment Group 594.

Poor linkage, engagement and retention remain significant barriers in achieving HIV treatment goals in the US. HIV-infected persons entering or re-entering care across three Southern California academic HIV clinics, were randomized (1:1) to an Active, Linkage, Engagement, Retention and Treatment (ALERT) specialist for outreach and health coaching, or standard of care (SOC). The primary outcome of time to loss to follow up (LTFU) was compared using Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. No differences in the median time to LTFU (81.7 for ALERT versus 93.6 weeks for SOC; HR 1.27; p = 0.40), or time to ART initiation was observed (N = 116). Although, ALERT participants demonstrated worsening depressive symptomatology from baseline to week 48 compared to SOC (p = 0.02). The ALERT intervention did not improve engagement and retention in HIV care over SOC. Further studies are needed to determine how best to apply resources to improve retention and engagement.

Short Communication: Resolution of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Induced Fanconi Syndrome with Switch to Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate in a HIV-1 and Hepatitis B Coinfected Patient.

Fanconi syndrome is a rare adverse effect of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) is a novel prodrug with less nephrotoxicity. We report resolution of Fanconi syndrome in a HIV and hepatitis B coinfected patient switched from TDF to TAF.

Bartonella henselae infection of prosthetic aortic valve associated with colitis.

The diagnosis of infective endocarditis can be difficult, particularly with atypical presentation and negative blood cultures. A 61-year-old man with a porcine aortic valve presented with fever, intermittent confusion, diarrhea, and fatigue. In the community clinic setting, a colonoscopy performed for anemia demonstrated colitis. Symptoms progressed for months; elicitation of a history of significant kitten exposure and the finding of an axillary lymph node prompted testing for Bartonella henselae antibodies. High titer antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay indicated chronic B. henselae infection. Surgical valve replacement followed by prolonged doxycycline and rifampin led to cure. This case illustrates the complexities of infective endocarditis and is the first description B. henselae endocarditis associated with colitis in an immunocompetent adult.