Trends in and Risk Factors for Drug Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in HIV-Infected Patients.

Trends in and risk factors for drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with active tuberculosis were analyzed. The clinical data of M. tuberculosis and HIV-coinfected patients treated at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center between 2010 and 2022 were collected. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed by solid or liquid culture. The phenotypic drug susceptibility test was carried out via the proportional method, and the resistance to first-line and second-line drugs was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated risk factors for drug resistance in M. tuberculosis. Of the 304 patients with a M. tuberculosis-positive culture and first-line drug susceptibility test results, 114 (37.5%) were resistant to at least one first-line anti-tuberculosis drug. Of the 93 patients with first-line and second-line drug susceptibility test results, 40 (43%) were resistant to at least one anti-tuberculosis drug, and 20 (21.5%), 27 (29.0%), 19 (20.4%), 16 (17.2%), and 14 (15.1%) were resistant to rifampicin, streptomycin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin, respectively; 17 patients (18.3%) had multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Between 2010 and 2021, the rate of resistance to streptomycin and rifampicin ranged from 14.3% to 40.0% and from 8.0% to 26.3%, respectively, showing an increasing trend year by year. From 2016 to 2021, the rate of resistance to quinolones fluctuated between 7.7% and 27.8%, exhibiting an overall upward trend. Logistic regression analysis showed that being aged <60 years old was a risk factor for streptomycin resistance, mono-drug resistance, and any-drug resistance (RR 4.139, p = 0.023; RR 7.734, p = 0.047; RR 3.733, p = 0.009). Retreatment tuberculosis was a risk factor for resistance to rifampicin, ofloxacin, of levofloxacin (RR 2.984, p = 0.047; RR 4.517, p = 0.038; RR 6.277, p = 0.014). The drug resistance rates of M. tuberculosis to rifampicin and to quinolones in HIV/AIDS patients were high and have been increasing year by year. Age and a history of previous anti-tuberculosis treatment were the main factors associated with the development of drug resistance in HIV/AIDS patients with tuberculosis.

Survival and prognostic factors of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in people living with HIV in modern ART era.

Background: The incidence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in people living with HIV (PLWH) is 2%-4%. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PML in PLWH, resulting in a mortality of up to 50%. This study aimed to identify risk factors of death and prognostic markers in people living with HIV with PML. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of AIDS-related PML individuals was conducted from January 1, 2015, to October 1, 2022, in Shanghai, China. PLWH who were diagnosed with PML for the first time were included. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression were used to analyze the survival and its predictors. Levels of inflammatory markers and immune checkpoint inhibitors in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in the prestored samples using bead-based multiplex assay Indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase was determined using ELISA. Results: Twenty of 71 subjects had initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) before PML onset and no patients discontinued ART during this period. In total, 34 patients (47.9%) had opportunistic infections (OIs), the median CD4+ T cell count was 73.0 (33.0-149.0) cells/µL. The estimated probability of survival at six months was 78% (95% confidential intervals [CIs]:0.63-0.85). OIs, low CD4+ T cell count were associated with lower estimated six-month survival (hazard ratio 8.01, 95% CIs: 1.80-35.00, P=0.006 and 5.01, 95% CIs:1.57-16.03, p=0.007). Indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity in CSF of non-survivors group were higher than survivors group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The survival rate of AIDS-related PML in the modern ART era was higher than the survival rate a decade ago. Low CD4+T cell count, OIs, were all associated with death of individuals with AIDS-related PML. The role of IDO in AIDS-related PML warrant further investigation.

Elevated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity is associated with endothelial dysfunction in people living with HIV and ROS production in human aortic endothelial cells in vitro.

The precise role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) is still under debate, despite recognized links. This study aimed to investigate the impact of elevated IDO activity on endothelial dysfunction in PLWH. A total of 38 PLWH, who had not previously received anti-retroviral therapy (ART), were enrolled in the study. These participants were monitored for 36 months following the initiation of ART. Measurements including plasma levels of IDO activity, markers of endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory factors, and lipids. In vitro, human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) were exposed to interferon-γ, an IDO inhibitor, a kynurenine 3-hydroxylase (KMO) inhibitor, as well as different concentrations of kynurenine. Pre-ART, PLWH demonstrated notably elevated plasma concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(sVCAM-1), and IDO activity in comparison to healthy controls. Post-ART, both IDO activity and sICAM-1 levels experienced a significant decrease, with IDO activity reaching levels comparable to those observed in healthy controls. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between IDO activity and sICAM-1 (p = 0.0002), as well as sVCAM-1 (p < 0.0001) before ART. In vitro, the augmentation of kynurenine concentration in the medium and the induction of IDO expression in HAEC resulted in increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), with minimal impact on endothelial dysfunction. From these findings, it can be concluded that long-term ART has the potential to restore the heightened IDO activity observed in PLWH. The overexpression of IDO primarily influences the expression of ROS in HAEC.

Zanubrutinib, lenalidomide, and rituximab (ZR2 regimen) for HIV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a real-world analysis from China.

Seven patients with HIV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (HIV-DLBCL) who did not derive benefit from traditional first-line or second-line chemotherapy were all eventually treated with zanubrutinib, rituximab, and lenalidomide (the ZR2 regimen). Three patients had a complete response, three had a partial response, and one showed stable disease. The complete response rate was 42.9%, the overall response rate was 85.7%. Three patients developed either neutropenia or thrombocytopenia, and one died of lung infection 3 months after diagnosis.

Thalidomide for Recurrence of Symptoms following HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis.

INTRODUCTION: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is a serious and fatal fungal infection that affects individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite treatment, recurrence of symptoms is common and could lead to poor outcomes. Corticosteroids are not always useful in treating symptom recurrence following HIV/CM; thus, alternative therapy is needed. Thalidomide has been reported to be effective in treating symptom recurrence in several patients with HIV/CM. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of thalidomide in the treatment of symptom recurrence following HIV/CM. METHODS: Patients who were treated with thalidomide for symptom recurrence following HIV/CM were retrospectively included. Clinical outcomes and adverse events were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Sixteen patients admitted between July 2018 and September 2020 were included in the analysis. During a median follow-up period of 295 (166, 419) days, all patients achieved clinical improvement in a median of 7 (4, 20) days. Among them, nine (56%) achieved complete resolution of symptoms at a median of 187 (131, 253) days, including 40% (2/5) of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), 50% (3/6) of patients with elevated ICP only, and 80% (4/5) of patients with symptoms only. Seven (43%) patients experienced nine episodes of adverse events, but no severe adverse event attributable to thalidomide was observed. None of the patients withdrew from thalidomide due to adverse events. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide appears to be effective and safe in treating different types of symptom recurrence in HIV/CM. This study provides preliminary evidence supporting future randomized clinical trials to further investigate the efficacy and safety of thalidomide in treating symptom recurrence in this population.

Use of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor therapy in HIV-infected patients with advanced cancer: a single-center study from China.

BACKGROUND: Anti-PD-1 antibodies have been approved for treating several cancer. However, data regarding the safety and efficacy of these agents in HIV-infected patients with cancer is lacking, because these patients are frequently omitted from clinical trials. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of our research is to assess the safety, activity, and long-term outcomes of PD-1 inhibitors in the treatment of HIV-infected patients with advanced cancer. METHOD: We retrospectively analyzed data from HIV-infected patients with advanced cancers who were treated with PD-1 inhibitors at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China. RESULTS: Fifteen HIV-infected patients (all are men; asian; median age, 44) with cancer who were treated with chemotherapy and/or combined the other oncology treatments [along with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART)] prior to Sintilimab (12 out of 15) or Nivolumab (1 out of 11) or Camrelizumab (2 out of 11) injection were identified. Eight patients responded to treatment (disease control rate 53.3%), with 1 got partial response (PR) and 7 were stable. Most treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were grade 1 or 2 including anemia, leukopenia, hyperglycemia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Eight patients (53.3%) experienced treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) with grades 3/4including myelosuppression, infection, and neurological disorders. CD4+ T cell count and plasma HIV RNA remained stable throughout the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: When used in HIV-infected patients with advanced malignancies, PD-1 inhibitors tend to have favorable efficacy, manageable side effects, and no deteriorated impacts on plasma HIV-RNA and CD4+ T cell count.

Efficacy of Efavirenz-Based Regimen in Antiretroviral-Naïve Patients with HIV-1 V179D/E Mutations in Shanghai, China.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HIV-1 mutation V179D/E and the effect of V179D/E on the virological response to first-line efavirenz-based regimens among antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naïve patients. METHODS: An ambispective cohort study was conducted. All ART-naïve patients who underwent baseline genotypic resistance testing between January 2019 and November 2021 were included in the analysis of the prevalence of the V179D/E mutation. Then, patients with identified V179D/E received the efavirenz-based regimen or the protease inhibitor (PI)/integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimen. The virological and immunological outcomes at week 48 were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: HIV-1 mutation V179D/E was identified in 252 out of 2568 ART-naïve patients, with a prevalence of 9.8% in Shanghai, China. A total of 206 participants were included in the efficacy analysis. Forty-six patients with altered ART regimens or incomplete follow-up data were excluded from the analysis. The baseline characteristics were comparable between the efavirenz group (n = 109) and the PI/INSTI group (n = 97). At week 48, a total of 96 participants (88.1%) in the efavirenz group and 92 participants (94.8%) in the PI/INSTI group had a viral load lower than 50 copies/mL (chi-square test, p = 0.086). In both groups, a lower proportion of participants achieved virological suppression among participants with a baseline viral load of at least 100,000 copies/mL compared with those with lower than 100,000 copies/mL (66.7% vs. 96.1% in the efavirenz group, p < 0.001; 87.1% vs. 98.4% in the PI/INSTI group, p = 0.039). The median increase from baseline in the CD4 count at week 48 was significantly greater in the PI/INSTI group (192 cells/µL) than in the efavirenz group (154 cells/µL) (p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of V179D/E in ART-naïve patients with HIV-1 in Shanghai, China. The first-line efavirenz-based regimen may be not suitable for patients with HIV-1 mutation V179D/E, especially for those with a baseline viral load of at least 100,000 copies/mL. The study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000034787).

Long-term case-fatality rate of nontuberculous mycobacterial disease in people living with HIV.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available regarding the long-term case-fatality rate (CFR) among people living with HIV (PLWH) with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease. The aim of this study is to analyze the long-term CFR in patients with NTM disease and to identify risk factors for their death. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 379 cases of microbiologically confirmed NTM disease in PLWH was conducted from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2020, in Shanghai, China. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test to compare the long-term CFR in patients with disseminated NTM (DNTM) and localized NTM disease. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and a stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to estimate the predictors of long-term CFR. RESULTS: The cohort was followed up for a median of 26 months. The total CFR was 15.7% by one year and increased to 22.6% at 5 years after the diagnosis of NTM disease. The 5-year CFR of PLWH with DNTM was significantly higher than that of PLWH with localized NTM (26.7% vs 19.6% for DNTM and localized NTM disease, respectively). Older age [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.06, P < 0.001], comorbidity (HR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.21-3.49, P < 0.01), DNTM (HR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.17-3.68, P < 0.05), and HIV viral load (HR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.12-1.55, P < 0.001) were all independent risk factors for long-term CFR. In the subgroup analysis, time to culture positivity was negatively correlated with CFR in patients with DNTM (HR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82-0.98, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NTM was associated with a high long-term CFR in PLWH. Further approaches to prevent NTM disease in PLWH are urgently needed.

Decline in neutralising antibody responses, but sustained T-cell immunity, in COVID-19 patients at 7 months post-infection.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific humoral responses and T-cell responses in patients who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to understand the natural protective immune responses and to facilitate the development of vaccines. METHODS: We conducted a combined assessment of the changes in neutralising antibody levels and SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses over time in 27 patients up to 7 months after infection. RESULTS: The neutralising antibody remained detectable in 96.3% of the patients at their second visit at about 7 months post-onset of symptoms. However, their humoral responses, including titres of the spike receptor-binding domain IgG and neutralising antibody, decreased significantly compared with those at first clinic visit. By contrast, the proportions of spike-specific CD4+ T cells, but not CD8+ T cells, in COVID-19 patients after recovery were persistently higher than those in healthy controls. No significant change was observed in the proportion of spike-specific CD4+ T cells in patients who had recovered from COVID-19 within 7 months. CONCLUSION: The SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell immune responses persisted, while the neutralising antibodies decayed. Further studies are needed to extend the longevity of neutralising antibodies and to evaluate whether these T cells are sufficient to protect patients from reinfection.

Incidence and spectrum of infections among HIV/AIDS patients with lymphoma during chemotherapy.

Introduction Lymphoma is the most common cancer in HIV/AIDS patients. Chemotherapy regiments recommended for lymphomas in HIV-negative patients are also used for lymphomas in HIV/AIDS patients. Little is known about the infections among HIV/AIDS patients with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy. Methods This retrospective study investigated the incidence, spectrum of and risk factors for infections during chemotherapy in 164 HIV/AIDS patients with lymphoma admitted to Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from July 2013 to December 2020. Results The median age of the patients was 43 years old; 90.9% (149/164) were male. A total of 112 (68.3%) patients had a CD4 count < 200 cells/µL at lymphoma diagnosis. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (56%, 91/164) and Burkitt lymphoma (28%, 46/164) were the two most common subtypes of lymphoma. Among the 137 patients who underwent chemotherapy (total cycles = 749), 58.4% (80/137) of patients experienced a total of 153 episodes of infection, with an incidence rate of 20.4% (153/749). The most commonly seen infections were lung infection (29.2%, 40/137) and febrile neutropenia (27.0%, 37/137). Multivariate analysis showed that grade 4 neutropenia during chemotherapy (OR = 7.128, 95% CI 3.051-16.654, p < 0.001) and duration of antiretroviral treatment at lymphoma diagnosis <6 months (OR = 3.520, 95% CI 1.432-8.653, p = 0.006) were independent risk factors for infection during chemotherapy. Conclusions A large proportion of HIV/AIDS patients with lymphoma may be at risk of infection during chemotherapy. Effective measures should be taken for patients with high risk factors to prevent the occurrence of infection.

Clinical usefulness of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the diagnosis of central nervous system infection in people living with HIV.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical utility of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) infection in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) in a real-world situation. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was sent for mNGS for PLWH who tested negative on all conventional tests but were still suspected to have CNS infection. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of the results and the clinical effect of mNGS on this cohort. The final diagnosis was adjudicated by a panel discussion following hospital discharge when the results of all tests and patients' responses to the empiric therapy were available. RESULTS: Eighty-eight eligible PLWH, including 51 (58%) patients suspected of encephalitis and 34 (46.7%) patients suspected of meningitis, were included in the analysis. Sixty-eight (77.3%) patients were diagnosed with CNS infection, of which 50 were based on the pathogens identified by mNGS. The most common disease missed by mNGS was clinically suspected tuberculous meningitis, followed by clinically suspected non-tuberculous mycobacterial meningitis. The results from mNGS led to modification of treatment in 21 (23.9%) patients, and increased confidence in continuation of original therapy in 30 (34.1%) patients. During hospitalization, two (2.3%) patients died and 66 (75%) patients improved. CONCLUSIONS: mNGS of CSF is a useful tool for the diagnosis of CNS infection among PLWH. Further investigations are warranted to improve its sensitivity.

Real-world outcomes of AIDS-related Burkitt lymphoma: a retrospective study of 78 cases over a 10-year period.

We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Burkitt lymphoma (AIDS-BL). A single-center retrospective study was performed of 78 cases over a 10-year period. The baseline characteristics of enrolled patients included the following: median age, 46 years; median CD4+ T lymphocyte count, 156 cells/µL; advanced stage, 74.3%; > 1 extranodal site, 55.1%; international prognostic index (IPI) > 1, 85.9%; and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, 82.1%. The 1-year and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 52.2 ± 5.9% and 42.7 ± 6.2%, respectively. A prognostic analysis of 65 patients who had undergone chemotherapy showed that B symptoms (with vs. without fever, night sweat or weight loss), number of extranodal sites (0, 1 vs. > 1), level of serum albumin (≥ 35 g/L vs. < 35 g/L), hemoglobin (≥ 110 g/L vs. < 110 g/L), and IPI score (≤ 2 vs. > 1) were all associated with OS. However, only B symptoms (HR = 4.036, 95% CI 1.821-8.948, p = 0.001), serum albumin level < 35 g/L (HR = 2.131, 95% CI 1.013-4.483, p = 0.046), and chemotherapy without rituximab (HR = 2.286, 95% CI 1.108-4.714, p = 0.025) were independent predictors of OS after multivariate adjustment. Patients with AIDS-BL were likely to present with high-risk features, and their clinical outcomes were relatively poor, especially those with B symptoms and lower serum albumin levels.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis co-infection is associated with increased surrogate marker of the HIV reservoir.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (Tb) is the most frequent opportunistic infection among people living with HIV infection. The impact of Tb co-infection in the establishment and maintenance of the HIV reservoir is unclear. METHOD: We enrolled 13 HIV-infected patients with microbiologically confirmed Tb and 10 matched mono-HIV infected controls. Total HIV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), plasma interleukin-7 (IL-7) concentrations and the activities of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) were measured for all the participants prior to therapy and after antiretroviral therapy (ART). RESULTS: After a duration of 16 (12, 22) months' ART, patients co-infected with Tb who were cured of Tb maintained higher levels of HIV DNA compared with mono-HIV infected patients [2.89 (2.65- 3.05) log10 copies/106 cells vs. 2.30 (2.11-2.84) log10 copies/106 cells, P = 0.008]. The levels of on-ART HIV DNA were positively correlated with the baseline viral load (r = 0.64, P = 0.02) in Tb co-infected group. However, neither plasma IL-7 concentration nor plasma IDO activity was correlated with the level of on-ART HIV DNA. CONCLUSIONS: Tb co-infection was associated with the increased surrogate marker of the HIV reservoir, while its mechanism warrants further examination.

Lipid profile and renal safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based anti-retroviral therapy in HIV-infected Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is an important component of antiretroviral therapy (ART) that has been widely used. The aim of this study was to observe the long-term impact of TDF-based ART on lipid metabolism profiles and renal functions in Chinese patients. METHODS: 414 and 124 HIV-infected, ART-naïve patients who initiated TDF-based regimens and non-TDF regimens respectively were retrospectively included. Demographic characteristics and clinical information of each patient was collected. Changes of lipid profiles and renal function, as well as the risk factors of hyperlipidemia and renal dysfunction were analyzed. RESULTS: After 96 weeks of ART, HIV viral loads were undetectable in 97.34% (403/414) of patients exposed to TDF. The plasma total cholesterol (TCH) increased from 3.97 ± 0.83 mmol/L to 4.53 ± 0.87 mmol/L (P < 0.001), which did not show a significant difference comparing with non-TDF exposed group. By contrast, the plasma triglyceride (TG) levels increased, but were still lower than that in the non-TDF exposed group (0.26 ± 1.24 vs. 0.89 ± 1.78, P < 0.001). The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased from 127.29 ± 24.04ml∙min-1∙1.73 m-2 at baseline to 118.84 ± 22.74 ml∙min-1∙1.73 m-2(P < 0.001) in the TDF exposed group, while it increased in the non-TDF exposed group. In the TDF group, high body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.13, P = 0.01), high baseline TG (OR = 2.33, P<0.001) and receiving protease inhibitors (PIs) (OR = 7.58, P < 0.001) were associated with hypertriglyceridemia after ART, while high baseline TCH predicted hypercholesterolemia (OR = 3.58, P < 0.001). MSM (OR = 0.22, P = 0.02) and baseline eGFR (OR = 0.90, P < 0.001) was associated with renal dysfunction after ART. CONCLUSIONS: TDF-based regimens are of good therapeutic effect among Chinese people. These regimens showed a better plasma lipid profile but mild renal dysfunction as compared to non-TDF based regimens. Patients with high BMI, high baseline TG, high baseline TCH and low baseline eGFR should be closely monitored when using TDF-based ART.

Plasma Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Activity Is Associated With the Size of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Reservoir in Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an immunoregulatory enzyme that metabolizes tryptophan to immunosuppressive kynurenines. We investigated whether IDO activity is associated with the size of HIV reservoir. METHODS: Total human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 127 HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) was quantified. Tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations, as well as microbial translocation markers, were measured in plasma samples. T-cell activation and exhaustion in PBMCs were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Elevated IDO activity prior to ART correlated with on-ART HIV DNA (r = 0.35, P = .004), but was not associated with pre-ART HIV DNA. A median duration of 15 months of ART significantly decreased IDO activity; however, these levels were still higher than those observed in HIV-uninfected controls. Among treated participants, IDO activity positively correlated with their concurrent HIV DNA (r = 0.36, P < .0001). Multivariate model showed an independent association of pre-ART CD4/CD8 ratio (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.75 per 0.1 increase [95% confidence interval {CI}, .62-.91]) and on-ART IDO activity (aOR, 1.09 per nM/µM increase [95% CI, 1.04-1.14]) with higher levels of HIV DNA on-ART. A lack of association of the microbial translocation markers was observed with the size of HIV reservoir. HIV DNA positively correlated with the proportions of activated CD4 T and CD8 T cells and exhausted CD4 T cells. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a positive correlation between IDO activity and total HIV DNA in blood, highlighting the important role of immunometabolic aberrations in HIV persistence.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Acinetobacter baumannii Infections in Patients with HIV: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) infection is an increasing global threaten to hospitalized patients, especially those with impaired immune function. Still, few studies addressed the disease burdens and outcomes of AB infection in HIV patients. We aimed to describe characteristics and outcomes of AB infections in patients with HIV, measure the impact of AB infection on 28-day mortality in HIV patients, as well as assess the predictors of 28-day survival among HIV patients with AB pneumonia. A retrospective study with HIV/AB co-infected patients was conducted at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center (SPHCC), China. Patients with AB pneumonia were further analyzed for predictors of mortality, as well as an additional 1:1 case-control study to determine the fatality of AB pneumonia compared with pneumonia of other pathogens. We found the incidence of AB infection was 17.4 cases per 100 person-years among all hospitalized HIV patients. Hospital mortality rate was 37.5% (21/56). There was a higher 28-day mortality rate in HIV patients with pneumonia due to AB than other pathogens (34% vs 16%, P = 0.03). APACHE II score was independently associated with 28-day survival by multivariate logistic regression (P = 0.031). Our findings indicate that AB infection is incident and can be fatal in HIV seropositive population. AB infection is an independent risk factor of mortality in patients with HIV and pneumonia. A lower APACHE II score on admission predicts a higher 28-day survival rate among HIV/AB co-infected patients.

Changes in intestinal microbiota in HIV-1-infected subjects following cART initiation: influence of CD4+ T cell count.

The roles of immunodeficiency and combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) in shaping the gut microbiota in HIV-1-infected subjects (HISs) have not been described thoroughly by time-series investigations. In this study, 36 antiretroviral-naïve HISs were enrolled to prospectively assess alterations in the fecal microbiota and plasma markers of microbial translocation and inflammation with cART. At baseline, the species α-diversity of the fecal microbiota was significantly lower in HISs with a CD4+ T cell count <300/mm3 than in HISs with a CD4+ T cell count >300/mm3 (Shannon index: Median 2.557 vs. 2.981, P = 0.006; Simpson index: Median 0.168 vs. 0.096, P = 0.004). Additionally, the baseline α-diversity indices correlated with CD4+ T cell counts (Shannon index: r = 0.474, P = 0.004; Simpson index: r = -0.467, P = 0.004) and the specific plasma biomarkers for microbial translocation and inflammation. After cART introduction, the species α-diversity of fecal microbiota in HISs with CD4+ T cell counts <300/mm3 was significantly restored (Shannon index: Median 2.557 vs. 2.791, P = 0.007; Simpson index: Median 0.168 vs. 0.112, P = 0.004), while the variances were insignificant among HISs with CD4+ T cell counts >300/mm3 (Shannon index: Median 2.981 vs. 2.934, P = 0.179; Simpson index: Median 0.096 vs. 0.119, P = 0.082). Meanwhile, with cART introduction, alterations in the gut microbial composition were more significant in the subgroup with CD4+ T cell counts >300/mm3, corresponding to increases in the specific plasma inflammatory markers. These findings implicated the interactive roles of immunodeficiency and cART for affecting gut microbiota in HIV-1-infected individuals, providing new insights into intestinal microbiome dysbiosis related to HIV-1 infection.

Evaluation of Epstein-Barr Virus Salivary Shedding in HIV/AIDS Patients and HAART Use: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Little data is available on the evaluation of the occurrence rates of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in saliva and relationship with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) use in HIV/AIDS patients in China. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of EBV serological tests for HIV/AIDS patients who were treated in the hospitals for infectious diseases in Wuxi and Shanghai, China from May 2016 to April 2017. The EBV-seropositive samples were identified by ELISA. EBV-specific primers and probes were used for the quantitative detection of viral DNA from saliva via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. CD4 cell counts of the HIV/AIDS patients were detected by a flow cytometry. A total of 372 HIV/AIDS patients were ultimately selected and categorized for this retrospective cohort study. For EBV IgG and IgM, the HIV/AIDS HAART use (H) and non-HAART use (NH) groups had significantly higher seropositive rates than the HIV-negative control group. The HIV/AIDS (NH) group had the highest seropositive rate (IgG, 94.27%; IgM, 68.98%) and the highest incidence of EBV reactivation or infection. For salivary EBV DNA-positive rates and quantities, the HIV/AIDS (H) (73.69%) and the HIV/AIDS (NH) (100%) groups showed significantly higher values than the HIV-negative control group (35.79%, > twofold). Further, the salivary EBV DNA-negative population had significantly higher CD4 cell counts than the EBV DNA-positive population in the HIV/AIDS (H) group and the HIV/AIDS (NH) groups. Thus, HAART use is beneficial in decreasing the EBV salivary shedding in HIV/AIDS patients and indirectly decreases EBV transmission risk.