Clinical and epidemiological characterisation of lymphogranuloma venereum in southwest Spain, 2013-2015.

OBJECTIVES: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis L serovars have emerged in 2003 in Europe among HIV-positive men having sex with men (MSM). Our aim was to evaluate LGV prevalence and predictors in a high-risk population attending to two STI clinics in the southwest of Spain between December 2013 and April 2015. METHODS: Screening of C. trachomatis using commercial kits was carried out, followed by real-time pmpH-PCR discriminating LGV strains, and finally ompA gene was sequenced for phylogenetic reconstruction. RESULTS: A total of 6398 samples were tested, of which, 594 (9.3%) were C. trachomatis-positive specimens and successfully typed by pmpH PCR. Five hundred and eighty-one samples contained non-LGV and 13 (2.2%; 95% CI 1.3% to 3.7%) samples had LGV. One hundred and sixty-six (27.9%; 95% CI 24.5% to 31.7%) CT-positive results were found in MSM. All C. trachomatis LGV types were found in rectal samples from MSM (13/166, 7.8%; 95% CI 4.5% to 13.0%). Of these, five (38.5%; 95% CI 17.7% to 64.5%) patients were asymptomatic and 11 (84.6%; 95% CI 57.8% to 95.7%; p<0.001) were also HIV positive. Successful treatment of LGV was achieved in all patients including 11/13 (84.6%) who received single-dose azithromycin. All of the L types were confirmed to be genotype L2b with ompA PCR and sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis shows that LGV infections are occurring in MSM in southwest Spain, where no data about LGV have been described before, reinforcing the need for screening and genotyping for LGV. LGV should be taken into account when considering treatment and management of rectal C. trachomatis infections, including in asymptomatic HIV-positive MSM. Larger studies on appropriate treatment for asymptomatic LGV infection are needed.

Barreras para el inicio del tratamiento antirretroviral en pacientes con virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana e indicación de tratamiento en España. ¿Por qué no inician tratamiento quienes lo tienen indicado? Estudio Bridgap / Barriers to ART initiation in HIV infected subjects and with treatment indication in Spain. Why don’t they start their treatment? Bridgap Study

INTRODUCCIÓN: En España algunos pacientes con VIH no reciben tratamiento antirretroviral (TAR), aun teniendo indicaciones para ello. Nuestro objetivo es identificar las barreras de inicio del TAR en pacientes con indicación para recibirlo. MÉTODOS: Encuesta transversal en 19 hospitales en España en 2012, incluyendo todos los pacientes que no recibían tratamiento y tenían al menos una indicación según las recomendaciones de Gesida/2011. Las posibles barreras se agruparon así (categorías no excluyentes): a) el médico considera que la indicación no es absoluta; b) el paciente no quiere iniciarlo; c) el médico considera que debe iniciarlo pero existe alguna limitación o contraindicación; y d) el paciente tiene viremia indetectable en ausencia de tratamiento. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 256 pacientes de los 784 programados; 84% hombres, mediana de edad 39 años; 57% homosexuales, 24% heterosexuales, 16% UDI. Mediana de tiempo desde el diagnóstico: 3 años, CD4: 501 células/mm3, carga viral 4,4 log. Indicaciones de TAR más frecuentes: CD4 < 500 células/mm3(48%), pareja sexual no infectada (28%), coinfección con virus de la hepatitis C (23%). Las barreras para el inicio del TAR fueron dependientes del médico en el 55% de los casos, del paciente en el 28%, otras limitaciones: 23%, viremia indetectable: 6%. CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de los pacientes con indicación de TAR lo estaban recibiendo. El motivo más frecuente en quienes no lo recibían fue que el médico pensaba que la indicación no era absoluta, y prefería esperar, lo que sugiere la necesidad de enfatizar en los beneficios de iniciar el TAR en estos casos

INTRODUCTION: In Spain, HIV treatment guidelines are well known and generally followed. However, in some patients there are no plans to initiate ART despite having treatment indications. The current barriers to ART initiation are presented. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey including every HIV infected patient in care in 19 hospitals across Spain in 2012, with ≥1 indication to start ART according to 2011 national treatment guidelines, who had not been scheduled for ART initiation. Reasons for deferring treatment were categorized as follows (non-exclusive categories): a) The physician thinks the indication is not absolute and prefers to defer it; b) The patient does not want to start it; c) The physician thinks ART must be started, but there is some limitation to starting it, and d) The patient has undetectable viral load in absence of ART. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients, out of 784 originally planned, were included. The large majority (84%) were male, median age 39 years, 57% MSM, 24% heterosexuals, and 16% IDUs. Median time since HIV diagnosis was 3 years, median CD4 count, 501 cells/mm3, median viral load 4.4 log copies/ml. Main ART indications were: CD4 count < 500 cells/mm3, 48%; having an uninfected sexual partner, 28%, and hepatitis C coinfection, 23%. Barriers due to, the physician, 55%; the patient, 28%; other limitations, 23%; and undetectable viral load, 6%. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of subjects with ART indication were on it. The most frequent barriers among those who did not receive it were physician-related, suggesting that the relevance of the conditions that indicate ART may need reinforcing

[Barriers to ART initiation in HIV infected subjects and with treatment indication in Spain. Why don't they start their treatment? Bridgap Study]. / Barreras para el inicio del tratamiento antirretroviral en pacientes con virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana e indicación de tratamiento en España. ¿Por qué no inician tratamiento quienes lo tienen indicado? Estudio Bridgap.

INTRODUCTION: In Spain, HIV treatment guidelines are well known and generally followed. However, in some patients there are no plans to initiate ART despite having treatment indications. The current barriers to ART initiation are presented. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey including every HIV infected patient in care in 19 hospitals across Spain in 2012, with ≥1 indication to start ART according to 2011 national treatment guidelines, who had not been scheduled for ART initiation. Reasons for deferring treatment were categorized as follows (non-exclusive categories): a) The physician thinks the indication is not absolute and prefers to defer it; b) The patient does not want to start it; c) The physician thinks ART must be started, but there is some limitation to starting it, and d) The patient has undetectable viral load in absence of ART. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients, out of 784 originally planned, were included. The large majority (84%) were male, median age 39 years, 57% MSM, 24% heterosexuals, and 16% IDUs. Median time since HIV diagnosis was 3 years, median CD4 count, 501 cells/mm3, median viral load 4.4 log copies/ml. Main ART indications were: CD4 count <500 cells/mm(3), 48%; having an uninfected sexual partner, 28%, and hepatitis C coinfection, 23%. Barriers due to, the physician, 55%; the patient, 28%; other limitations, 23%; and undetectable viral load, 6%. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of subjects with ART indication were on it. The most frequent barriers among those who did not receive it were physician-related, suggesting that the relevance of the conditions that indicate ART may need reinforcing.

Características de los pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana que no reciben tratamiento antirretroviral en España: estudio PICNIT / Characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients without antiretroviral treatment in Spain: PICNIT study

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[Delayed diagnosis of HIV infection in the Spanish VACH cohort [1997-2002]]. / Diagnóstico tardío de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en la Cohorte VACH (1997-2002).

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of delayed diagnosis of HIV infection and associated factors. METHODS: A cross sectional study of patients included in the Spanish VACH cohort who had been diagnosed with HIV infection between 1997 and 2002 was performed. Delayed diagnosis was defined as patients diagnosed with HIV infection and AIDS simultaneously or within the first month after the first positive serologic test, or those with a first CD4+ cell count below 200/ml. The epidemiological characteristics of these patients were compared with those of the remaining patients RESULTS: Of 2,820 new cases of HIV infection, delayed diagnosis was found in 506 (18%). These patients differed from the remaining patients in their lower mean age and higher HIV viral load, as well as in their distribution by sex (higher proportion of males), occupational status, history of incarceration in prison, and HIV-risk transmission group. The median survival during follow-up was significantly lower among AIDS patients with a delayed diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed diagnosis remains a cause for concern in our environment, due to its magnitude and its association with mortality. Some epidemiological characteristics provide clues to guide future programs directed at increasing information and improving prevention.

Diagnóstico tardío de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en la Cohorte VACH (1997-2002) / Delayed diagnosis of HIV infection in the Spanish VACH cohort [1997-2002]

Objetivo: Estudiar la prevalencia del diagnóstico tardío (DT) de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y sus factores asociados. Métodos: Estudio transversal sobre los pacientes incluidos en la cohorte VACH cuya infección por el VIH hubiese sido diagnosticada entre 1997 y 2002. Consideramos DT los casos diagnosticados de sida concomitantemente o dentro del primer mes desde la primera serología positiva, o con recuento de CD4+ < 200/ml. Comparamos sus características epidemiológicas con las de los demás pacientes. Resultados: De 2.820 nuevos casos de infección por el VIH, 506 (18%) tuvieron DT. Éstos difirieron del resto en su menor edad media, mayor carga viral y en su distribución por sexos (mayor proporción de hombres), situación laboral, antecedentes penitenciarios y grupo de riesgo. La mediana de supervivencia durante el seguimiento fue menor en el grupo de DT. Conclusiones: El DT continúa siendo un problema preocupante por su magnitud y asociación con la mortalidad. Algunas características epidemiológicas proporcionan indicios para orientar futuros programas de información y prevención

Objective: To study the prevalence of delayed diagnosis of HIV infection and associated factors. Methods: A cross sectional study of patients included in the Spanish VACH cohort who had been diagnosed with HIV infection between 1997 and 2002 was performed. Delayed diagnosis was defined as patients diagnosed with HIV infection and AIDS simultaneously or within the first month after the first positive serologic test, or those with a first CD4+ cell count below 200/ml. The epidemiological characteristics of these patients were compared with those of the remaining patients Results: Of 2,820 new cases of HIV infection, delayed diagnosis was found in 506 (18%). These patients differed from the remaining patients in their lower mean age and higher HIV viral load, as well as in their distribution by sex (higher proportion of males), occupational status, history of incarceration in prison, and HIV-risk transmission group. The median survival during follow-up was significantly lower among AIDS patients with a delayed diagnosis. Conclusions: Delayed diagnosis remains a cause for concern in our environment, due to its magnitude and its association with mortality. Some epidemiological characteristics provide clues to guide future programs directed at increasing information and improving prevention

Consulta única, ¿es la única y mejor solución? / Out-patient clinic in a single time, is the only and best solution?

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