Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Chronic Kidney Disease in People Living with HIV in a Resource-Limited Center of Central China.

Clinical management and optimal treatment are essential to improving outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH). We assessed trends and outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in PLWH in a resource-limited center of central China. All PLWH who were followed up in a tertiary referral center in Wuhan, China, from July 2016 to June 2021 were evaluated. CKD was defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 during two consecutive measurements 3 months apart. Baseline characteristics of the participants were extracted from the hospital medical records. The prevalence rate and associated risk factors of CKD were analyzed. A total of 863 PLWH with normal kidney function at baseline were analyzed. The median age was 33 (interquartile ranges: 26-49) years, and 778 (90.2%) were male and 85 (9.8%) were female. Among them, 50 (5.8%) had their GFR falling below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 after a median of 54 months. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression revealed older age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.04, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.01-1.07], female sex (aOR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.14-8.84), lower body weight (aOR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91-1.00), lower hemoglobin (aOR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.51-8.30), longer duration of antiretroviral therapy exposure (aOR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04), and a baseline GFR between 60 and 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (aOR = 3.89, 95% CI: 1.21-12.46) were associated with the development of CKD. Our findings showed that CKD is not infrequent in PLWH with a combination of traditional and HIV-specific risk factors for kidney disease, highlighting the suboptimal monitoring and treatment options of CKD in PLWH in resource-limited settings. Scalable monitoring strategy to improve care for this population is warranted.

Correction to: Clinical diversity of invasive cryptococcosis in AIDS patients from central China: report of two cases with review of literature.

After publication of the original article [1], we were notified that Figs. 1 and 2 has been misplaced. Hence, the position of the two pictures should be reversed.

Clinical diversity of invasive cryptococcosis in AIDS patients from central China: report of two cases with review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has greatly improved the prognosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients globally, opportunistic infections (OIs) are still common in Chinese AIDS patients, especially cryptococcosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We described here two Chinese AIDS patients with cryptococcal infections. Case one was a fifty-year-old male. At admission, he was conscious and oriented, with papulonodular and umbilicated skin lesions, some with ulceration and central necrosis resembling molluscum contagiosum. The overall impression reminded us of talaromycosis: we therefore initiated empirical treatment with amphotericin B, even though the case history of this patient did not support such a diagnosis. On the second day of infusion, the patient complained of intermittent headache, but the brain CT revealed no abnormalities. On the third day, a lumbar puncture was performed. The cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) was turbid, with slightly increased pressure. India ink staining was positive, but the cryptococcus antigen latex agglutination test (CrAgLAT: IMMY, USA) was negative. Two days later, the blood culture showed a growth of Cryptococcus neoformans, and the same result came from the skin culture. We added fluconazole to the patient's treatment, but unfortunately, he died three days later. Case two was a sixty-four-year-old female patient with mild fever, productive cough, dyspnea upon movement, and swelling in both lower limbs. The patient was empirically put on cotrimoxazole per os and moxifloxacin by infusion. A bronchofibroscopy was conducted with a fungal culture, showing growth of Cryptococcus laurentii colonies. Amphotericin B was started thereafter but discontinued three days later in favor of fluconazole 400 mg/d due to worsening renal function. The patient became afebrile after 72 h of treatment with considerable improvement of other comorbidities and was finally discharged with continuing oral antifungal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our cases illustrate that cryptococcal disease is an important consideration when treating immunocompromised individuals such as AIDS patients. Life threatening meningitis or meningoencephalitis caused by C. neoformansmay still common in these populations and can vary greatly in clinical presentations, especially with regard to skin lesions. Pulmonary cryptococcosis caused by C. laurentii is rare, but should also be considered in certain contexts. Guidelines for its earlier diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis are needed.

Clinical outcome after lipectomy in the management of patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated dorsocervical fat accumulation: An observational cohort study.

Lipo-accumulation of the dorsocervical fat pad ("buffalo hump") is a complication observed in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We described the clinical outcome of people living with HIV with "buffalo hump" treated by excisional lipectomy.From April 2013 to March 2018, medical records of people living with HIV, who received care in our hospital have been evaluated. Among them, patients with dorsocervical fat accumulation treated by excisional lipectomy have been retrospectively assessed.Nine patients with "buffalo hump" among 2886 people living with HIV (3.1‰, 9/2886) were included. Eight were women with a mean age of 47.9 ±â€Š8.0 years old (range, 36-60). Most of them have been infected by blood transfusion (77%, 7/9) and the mean duration of HIV infection was 14.1 ±â€Š5.5 years (range, 6-22). The mean duration for antiretroviral therapy was 8.8 ±â€Š2.1 years (range, 6-11). The mean pre-ART CD4+ T cell count was 91.3 ±â€Š76.5 cells/µL (range, 4-233) and 477.4 ±â€Š271.8 cells/µL (range, 114-926) at the time of surgery. All 9 patients underwent excisional lipectomy of their hypertrophied dorsocervical fat pad. The mean size of the excised specimens was 14 × 11 × 6 cm. The median follow-up time was 24 months (range, 2-60), all 9 patients reported satisfaction with their results, with no recurrence has been observed.Corrective surgery used to treat localized fat accumulations in people living with HIV with "buffalo hump" showed a favorable effect and can therefore be considered when necessary. Whereas drugs such as integrase inhibitors may avoid lipo-accumulation related syndrome and should be given to people living with HIV in China.

Structural Covariance of Gray Matter Volume in HIV Vertically Infected Adolescents.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection significantly affect neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes. We investigated whether alterations of gray matter organization and structural covariance networks with vertical HIV infection adolescents exist, by using the GAT toolbox. MRI data were analysed from 25 HIV vertically infected adolescents and 33 HIV-exposed-uninfected control participants. The gray matter volume (GMV) was calculated, and structural brain networks were reconstructed from gray matter co-variance. Gray matter losses were pronounced in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), right pallidum, right occipital lobe, inferior parietal lobe, and bilateral cerebellum crus. The global brain network measures were not significantly different between the groups; however, the nodal alterations were most pronounced in frontal, temporal, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and temporal lobes. Brain hubs in the HIV-infected subjects increased in number and tended to shift to sensorimotor and temporal areas. In the HIV-infected subjects, decreased GMVs in ACC and bilateral cerebellum were related to lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores; the CD4 counts were positively related to the GMVs in ACC and sensorimotor areas. These findings suggest that focally reduced gray matter, disrupted nodal profiles of structural wirings, and a shift in hub distribution may represent neuroanatomical biomarkers of HIV infection on the developing brain.

Serological positive markers of hepatitis B virus in femoral venous blood or umbilical cord blood should not be evidence of in-utero infection among neonates.

BACKGROUND: Maternal-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus(HBV) occurs even after passive-active immunization. Some scholars speculate that in-utero infection may be the main cause of immunoprophylaxis failure. However, there is a lack of evidence about the possible occurrence periods of perinatal transmission. METHODS: From 2008 to 2012, 428 pairs of HBsAg-positive mothers and neonates were enrolled and 385 infants aged 8-12 months were followed. HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc, HBV-DNA) were performed on all subjects. RESULTS: Of mothers who were positive for HBsAg, HBeAg, HBV-DNA, 35.1 %, 94.3 %, 12.7 % of their neonates were positive for those indices, respectively. Neonates' mean titers of those indices were significantly lower than their mothers'. There were no significant differences in rates of positivity and mean titers of anti-HBe and anti-HBc between neonates and mothers. Most of the positive indices turned negative during the follow-up period. Immunoprophylaxis failed in seventeen infants: four infants had HBV-DNA > 6 log 10copies/mL both at birth and in follow-up; in six infants, mean viral load was 3.72 ± 0.17 log 10copies/mLat birth and 7.62 ± 0.14 log 10copies/mL at follow-up; seven infants were HBV-DNA negative at birth but were found to have > 6 log 10copies/mL during follow-up. Infants that were immunoprophylaxis failures were all born to HBeAg-positive mothers with HBV-DNA > 6 log 10copies/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The placental barrier can partly prevent maternal HBsAg, HBeAg, HBV-DNA from passing through to fetus. Performing HBsAg, HBeAg, HBV-DNA once at birth can neither diagnose nor exclude maternal-infant transmission. The diagnosis of infection period depends on the dynamic changes in viral load from birth through the follow-up period but whether the infection occurred in utero, at delivery or during the neonatal period could not be determined.

Hepatitis B Virus Stimulated Fibronectin Facilitates Viral Maintenance and Replication through Two Distinct Mechanisms.

Fibronectin (FN) is a high molecular weight extracellular matrix protein that functions in cell adhesion, growth, migration, and embryonic development. However, little is known about the role of FN during viral infection. In the present study, we found significantly higher levels of FN in sera, and liver tissues from hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients relative to healthy individuals. HBV expression enhanced FN mRNA and protein levels in the hepatic cell lines Huh7 and HepG2. HBV infection of susceptible HepG2-sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide cells also increased FN expression. We also found that transcriptional factor specificity protein 1 was involved in the induction of FN by HBV. Knockdown of FN expression significantly inhibited HBV DNA replication and protein synthesis through activating endogenous IFN-α production. In addition, FN interacted with the transforming growth factor ß-activated protein kinase 1 (TAK1) and TAK1-binding protein complex and attenuated interferon signaling by inhibiting TAK1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, the nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65 was found to be inhibited by FN. We also observed that FN promoted HBV enhancers to support HBV expression. These results suggest novel functions of endogenous FN involved in immune evasion and maintenance of HBV replication.

Short Communication: HIV-1 Infection Suppresses Circulating Viral Restriction microRNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in host innate immunity against HIV-1 infection. We examined the impact of HIV-1 infection on viral restriction miRNAs in plasma of HIV-1-infected subjects. HIV-1-infected subjects had significantly lower plasma levels of HIV-1 restriction miRNAs (miRs-29a, -29b, -125b, -223, -198, and -382) than control subjects. Further in vitro studies showed that HIV-1 infection of macrophages suppressed production of the extracellular miRs-29b, -125b, and -223. These data demonstrate the compelling evidence that HIV-1 infection impairs host innate immunity by inhibiting antiviral miRNAs, which provide a possible mechanism for HIV-1 persistence in the host.

Development and evaluation of a new interferon-gamma release assay for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected individuals in China.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are at high risk of contracting tuberculosis (TB) disease, and current methods for diagnosing TB infection are less effective in this population. We developed and evaluated a new interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), named A.TB, in HIV-infected individuals, with and without active TB, in a setting of high TB burden and low HIV prevalence. METHODS: A total of 255 subjects were divided into 3 groups according to their HIV and TB status: HIV+ without active TB (n = 123), HIV+/TB+ (n = 79), and HIV-/TB+ (n = 65). The A.TB assay was performed in parallel with the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) and tuberculin skin test (TST). RESULTS: The positive rate was 59.3% (n = 123) by A.TB and 53.8% (n = 106) by QFT-GIT. We observed a strong concordance of 81.2% (k = 0.612) between the two IGRAs. The QFT-GIT results were affected by low CD4(+) cell count (p = 0.013), while A.TB results were not. A.TB was also performed in patients with active TB (n = 65) and patients with active TB and HIV co-infection (n = 79). The sensitivity of A.TB in these groups was 80.0% and 81.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The A.TB results were not affected by low CD4(+) cell count in the co-infected cohort. With further evaluation, A.TB may prove to be a valuable tool for diagnosing TB in HIV-infected patients.

Heroin use promotes HCV infection and dysregulates HCV-related circulating microRNAs.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among injection drug users (IDUs). There is accumulating evidence that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with HCV infection and disease progression. The present study was undertaken to determine the in vivo impact of heroin use on HCV infection and HCV-related circulating miRNA expression. Using the blood specimens from four groups of the study subjects (HCV-infected individuals, heroin users with/without HCV infection, and healthy volunteers), we found that HCV-infected heroin users had significantly higher viral load than HCV-infected non-heroin users (p = 0.0004). Measurement of HCV-related circulating miRNAs in plasma showed that miRs-122, 141, 29a, 29b, and 29c were significantly increased in the heroin users with HCV infection, whereas miR-351, an HCV inhibitory miRNA, was significantly decreased in heroin users as compared to control subjects. Further investigation identified a negative correlation between the plasma levels of miR-29 family members and severity of HCV infection based on aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI). In addition, heroin use and/or HCV infection also dysregulated a panel of plasma miRNAs. Taken together, these data for the first time revealed in vivo evidence that heroin use and/or HCV infection alter circulating miRNAs, which provides a novel mechanism for the impaired innate anti-HCV immunity among IDUs.

Prevalence, drug-induced hepatotoxicity, and mortality among patients multi-infected with HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis virus.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence, incidence of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs), and mortality during anti-TB treatment in patients multi-infected with HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and hepatitis virus (hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)). METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-one HIV-positive TB patients were enrolled and divided into an HIV/TB group, HIV/TB/HBV group, and HIV/TB/HCV group; 1013 HIV-negative TB patients were selected randomly as controls. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen (32.4%) HIV-positive TB patients were infected with HBV and/or HCV, compared with 90 (8.9%) HIV-negative TB patients (p=0.000). HIV-positive TB patients had a higher incidence of anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity than HIV-negative TB patients (4.2% vs. 1.0%, odds ratio (OR) 4.348, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.935-9.769, p=0.000). The incidence of abnormal LFTs in the HIV/TB/HBV group and HIV/TB/HCV group were significantly higher than in the HIV/TB group (40.7% vs. 11.1%, OR 5.525, 95% CI 2.325-13.131, p=0.000; 20.0% vs. 11.1%, OR 2.009, 95% CI 1.057-3.820, p=0.031). A total of 68.4% of patients with HBV-DNA >1.0×10(5) copies/ml and 42.9% of patients with HCV-RNA >1.0×10(5) copies/ml had abnormal LFTs. Twenty-three (19.7%) patients multi-infected with HIV, TB, and hepatitis virus died during anti-TB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: HIV, HBV, and HCV are risk factors for the development of abnormal LFTs and mortality during anti-TB treatment. TB patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis virus need close follow-up.

Effects of hepatitis B immunization on prevention of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus and on the immune response of infants towards hepatitis B vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Combined immunization with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) plus hepatitis B vaccine (HB vaccine) can effectively prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). With the universal administration of HB vaccine, anti-HBs conferred by HB vaccine can be found increasingly in pregnant women, and maternal anti-HBs can be passed through the placenta. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of hepatitis B immunization on preventing mother-to-infant transmission of HBV and on the immune response of infants towards HB vaccine. METHOD: From 2008 to 2013, a prospective study was conducted in 15 centers in China. HBsAg-positive pregnant women and their infants aged 8-12 months who completed immunoprophylaxis were enrolled in the study and tested for HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc). Antepartum administration of HBIG to HBsAg-positive women was based on individual preference. HBsAg-negative pregnant women and their infants of 7-24 months old who received HB vaccines series were enrolled and tests of their HBV markers were performed. RESULTS: 1202 HBsAg-positive mothers and their infants aged 8-12 months were studied and 40 infants were found to be HBsAg positive with the immunoprophylaxis failure rate of 3.3%. Infants with immunoprophylaxis failure were all born to HBeAg-positive mothers of HBV-DNA ≥6 log10copies/ml. Among infants of HBeAg-positive mothers, immunoprophylaxis failure rate in vaccine plus HBIG group, 7.9% (29/367), was significantly lower than the vaccine-only group, 16.9% (11/65), p=0.021; there was no significant difference in the immunoprophylaxis failure rate whether or not antepartum HBIG was given to the pregnant woman, 10.3% (10/97) vs 9.0% (30/335), p=0.685. Anti-HBs positive rate was 56.3% (3883/6899) among HBsAg-negative pregnant women and anti-HBs positive rate was 94.2% in cord blood of anti-HBs-positive mothers. After completing the HB vaccine series, anti-HBs positive rate among infants with maternal anti-HBs titers of <10 IU/L, 10-500 IU/L and ≥500 IU/L was 90.3% (168/186), 90.5% (219/242) and 80.2% (89/111) respectively, p=0.011. Median titers of anti-HBs (IU/L) among infants in the three groups was 344.2, 231.9 and 161.1 respectively, p=0.020. CONCLUSIONS: HBIG plus HB vaccine can effectively prevent mother-to-infant transmission of HBV, but no HBV breakthrough infection was observed in infants born to HBeAg-negative mothers who received HB vaccine with or without HBIG after birth. Antepartum injection of HBIG has no effect on preventing HBV mother-to-infant transmission. High maternal titer of anti-HBs can transplacentally impair immune response of infants towards HB vaccine.

Co-infection of visceral leishmaniasis and HIV-1: a surviving case in China and review of treatment strategies.

Co-infection of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is known to have higher rates of initial treatment failure, relapse and mortality than in those without HIV-1 infection. Co-infection of VL and HIV-1 usually results in death by the end of treatment in previously reported cases in China. Here we report on a patient with VL and HIV-1 co-infection who received a high dose and an extended course of sodium stibogluconate treatment in addition to antiretroviral therapy (ART). This treatment regimen resulted in good control of VL and HIV-1 infection, while the conventional protocol of sodium stibogluconate treatment was not able to prevent multiple VL relapses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first surviving case of VL and HIV-1 co-infection with this particular treatment regimen in China.

[Analysis of cervical HPV infection in HIV positive Chinese women].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate prevalence HPV infections in cervix among HIV-infected Chinese women. METHODS: From September 2009 to May 2011, 293 women with positive HIV underwent cervical cancer screening as study group matched with 200 women with negative HIV as control group. Questionnaires including demographic information and HIV associated information were collected, Pap smear and 23 subtype of HPV were performed in those women. The women with positive HPV were followed up per 6 months, and the period of following up were more than 12 months. Binary logistic analysis was used for high risk factors of HPV persistent infection. RESULTS: Prevalent HPV infection was 44.4% (130/293) in study group and 20.0% (40/200) in control group, respectively, which reached statistical difference (P < 0.05). The most common genotype of HPV was HPV 16, which prevalence was 13.7% (40/293) in study group and 7.0% (14/200) in control group. The other HPV subtype prevalence was HPV-58, HPV-52, HPV-43 and HPV-18, which was 9.2% (27/293), 8.2% (24/293), 8.2% (24/293), 6.8% (20/293) in study group and 3.0% (6/200), 2.5% (5/200), 1.5% (3/200), 2.5% (5/200) in control group. At time point of 12 months following up, the persistent prevalence of HPV was 47.5% (48/101) in study group and 21.1% (8/38) in control group, which reached statistical difference (P < 0.05). Multiple HPV infections (OR = 6.4, 95%CI: 1.6 - 25.6), abnormal cytology (OR = 18.1, 95%CI: 4.5 - 76.9) and lower CD(4) T cell count (compared with CD(4) > 3.5 × 10(8)/L, if 2.0 × 10(8) ≤ CD(4) ≤ 3.5 × 10(8), OR = 8.1, 95%CI: 1.3 - 56.3; if CD(4) < 2.0 × 10(8)/L, OR = 9.1, 95%CI: 1.8 - 46.9) were independently associated with HPV persistence among HIV-positive subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and persistence of HPV infections were more common among HIV-positive Chinese women than those in HIV-negative Chinese women. Improving immune function, decreasing multiple HPV infections, treating abnormal cervical cytology could decrease prevalence of HPV infection.

HLA-dependent hypersensitivity reaction to nevirapine in Chinese Han HIV-infected patients.

In this study, one hundred and three HIV-positive Chinese Han patients treated with a nevirapine (NVP)-based regimens were investigated for the association between nevirapine hypersensitivity reaction (NVP HSR) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele. HLA-Cw, -DRB1 alleles were determined in 32 NVP HSR cases and 71 NVP-tolerant patients. We found that considerable overlap was observed for the clinical and demographic characteristics of the 32 hypersensitive patients and 71 tolerant patients. Twelve out of 32 NVP HSR cases developed allergic hepatotoxicity. More HLA-Cw*04 alleles were observed in NVP HSR cases than in NVP-tolerant cases (p=0.029). The frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 in NVP-tolerant cases was significant higher than that in NVP HSR cases ( p=0.018). Multivariate logistic regression identified that HLA-Cw*04 presence was a risk factor related to NVP HSR (p=0.030, OR=3.611, 95% CI of OR: 1.135-11.489). To clearly understanding its value in clinical practice, further studies involving larger cohorts of patients from different races with different levels of immune suppression are needed.

Epidemiologic risk profile of human papillomavirus infections in human immunodeficiency virus-positive Chinese women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive women in China. To this end, we enrolled 200 HIV-positive and 182 HIV-negative women in this cross-sectional cohort study. The following sampling methods were used: (i) structured interview, (ii) CD4 cell counts, and (iii) cervical specimens. HPV genotype (total 23 types) was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction assay. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent causative factors for HPV infection. The prevalence of HPV infection was 3-fold higher in the HIV-positive women than in the HIV-negative women. The overall prevalences of HPV infection, high risk (HR)-HPV infection, and multiple HPV infections in the HIV-positive women were 36.5%, 33.5%, and 13.0%, respectively, and the corresponding values in HIV-negative women were 12.1%, 10.4%, and 6.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). The types of HR-HPVs were similar in the HIV-positive and HIV-negative women (HPV-16, -52, -58, and -18), and the prevalences of infections by these viruses were 1.5- to 3-fold higher in the HIV-positive group than in the HIV-negative group. HR-HPV infection among the HIV-positive women was associated with three factors: low CD4 count (OR for 200 ≤ CD4 ≤ 350 and CD4 < 200/µL were 2.11 and 3.13, respectively), HIV infection through sexual contact (OR, 7.90; 95% CI, 2.38-14.60), and having HIV-positive sexual partners (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.03-3.95). We found that the prevalence of HPV infection among the HIV-positive Chinese women was higher than that among the HIV-negative women; moreover, among the HIV-positive women, factors associated with HIV infection were risk factors for HR-HPV infection.

Cancer in cohort of HIV-infected population: prevalence and clinical characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and survival time of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related malignancies among HIV-infected population. METHODS: A clinical database search, chart review and verification with health records were undertaken for all AIDS-defining cancers diagnosed in Zhongnan Hospital Wuhan University, Hubei Province, China. Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate survival time in HIV-infected patients with cancer. RESULTS: A total of 3,554 patients with 11,072 person-years of HIV follow-up care were reviewed from January 2004 to December 2008. Sixty-three cancer cases were identified. The median ages of HIV-positive cancer cases were 42.4 ± 8.8 years, CD4 count were 220.9 ± 142.3/µl. The common cancers were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL, 28.6%), cervical cancer (22.2%), liver cancer (17.5%). Statistically significantly elevated SIRs were observed in NHL (SIR in all = 34.5, 95% CI 11.7-89.9, SIR in males = 45.3, 95% CI 24.7-138.9, females = 12.2, 95% CI 3.9-38.2), invasive cervical cancer (SIR = 68.1, 95% CI 19.2-84.5), liver cancer (SIR = 6.0, 95% CI 2.6-12.2), nasopharyngeal cancer (SIR = 6.2, 95% CI 1.5-44.9), bladder cancer (SIR = 4.9, 95% CI 0.9-22.9), esophageal cancer (SIR = 3.1, 95% CI 0.7-14.3), and stomach cancer (SIR = 2.6, 95% CI 0.6-11.6). All cancers combined showed a statistically significantly elevated SIR of 4.1 (95% CI 2.5-4.6), SIR for all cancers was much higher in female (SIR = 4.8, 95% CI 3.2-7.3) than in male (SIR = 3.1, 95% CI 2.1-4.3). Among HIV-positive patients with cancer, the median survival time was 14.5 ± 3.8 months in NHL group, 28.9 ± 3.6 months in cervix group, 5.1 ± 1.1 months in liver group, and 26.7 ± 6.7 months in other groups. The median survival time in HIV-infected group (23.1 ± 3.5 months) was shorter than that in non-HIV-infected group (43.0 ± 5.1 months), (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NHL, cervical cancers and liver cancer are common cancers among HIV-infected individuals in Hubei, China. Most malignant diseases that arise in the setting of HIV infection tend to occur at a more advanced stage with shorter survival time.

[A comprehensive prevention programs on AIDS, HBV and syphilis among pregnant women and couples experienced premarital medical examination].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive prevention programs on HIV, HBV and syphilis transmission from mother to child and between premarital couples. METHODS: HIV, HBV and syphilis were screened among pregnant women with interventional measure for infected women; HIV, HBV and syphilis (TP) were screened among premarital couples with medical advice. RESULTS: The HIV, HBsAg and TP positive rates were 8.4‰ (111/13 280), 54‰ (711/13 186) and 12.8‰ (159/12 401) respectively among pregnant women and the total positive rate of the three diseases was 73.8‰ which was significantly higher than HIV positive rate (P < 0.001). The positive rates of HIV, HBsAg and TP were 17.6‰ (464/26 324), 95.3‰ (1826/19 152) and 18.6‰ (355/19 099) respectively among premarital couples and the total positive rate of the three diseases was 131.5‰ which was significantly higher than HIV positive rate alone (P < 0.001). Comprehensive prevention was more economical than prevention for HIV alone. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive strategies for prevention of HIV, HBV and syphilis was feasible, effective and economical that could help to actively conduct the preventive measures.

[Nevirapine related hepatotoxicity: the prevalence and risk factors in a cohort of ART naive Han Chinese with AIDS].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of hepatotoxicity in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients on combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) containing nevirapine (NVP) and to assess the risk factors and its impact on cART. METHODS: 330 AIDS patients from March 2003 to June 2008 at local county were enrolled and a retrospective study using Kaplan-meier survival and Multivariate logistic regression modeling was conducted. RESULTS: 267 out of 330 patients received NVP based cART and 63 cases received EFV-based cART. The deference of prevalences of hepatotoxicity between the two groups is statistically significant (Chi2 = 6.691, P = 0.01). 133 out of 267 (49.8%) patients on NVP based cART had at least one episode of ALT elevation during a median 21 months (interquartile ranges, IQR 6, 37) follow-up time, amounts for 28.5 cases per 100 person-years. Baseline ALT elevation (OR = 14.368, P = 0.017)and HCV co-infection (OR = 3.009, P = 0.000) were risk factors for cART related hepatotoxicity, while greatly increased CD4+ T(CD4) cell count was protective against hepatotoxicity development (OR = 0.996, P = 0.000). Patients co-infected with HCV received NVP-based cART had the higher probability of hepatotoxicity than those without HCV co-infection (Log rank: Chi2 = 16.764, P = 0.000). 23 out of the 133 subjects (17.3%) with NVP related hepatotoxicity discontinued cART temporarily or shifted NVP to efavirenz. CONCLUSION: NVP related hepatotoxicity was common among ARV naive HIV infected subjects in our cohort. Baseline ALT elevation and HCV co-infection were associated statistically with the development of hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity led to discontinuing cART temporarily or switching to other regimens in some subjects. It suggested that NVP should be used with caution in patients co-infected with HCV among whom anti-HCV therapy before cART initiation may contribute to minimizing the probability of NVP associated hepatotoxicity.