Brief Report: Outcomes of Individuals Using HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis-In-Pocket ("PIP") for Low-Frequency, High-Risk Exposures in Toronto, Canada.

BACKGROUND: HIV postexposure prophylaxis-in-pocket ("PIP") is a self-initiated, event-driven HIV prevention modality for individuals with a low frequency of HIV exposures. METHODS: A cohort of 111 patients using PIP as their primary HIV prevention modality was longitudinally evaluated for PIP self-initiation, HIV and sexual transmitted infections, and switching to other HIV prevention modalities between February 2016 and December 2022. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients had 178.7 cumulative patient-years of PIP use. PIP was self-initiated 69 times by 35 (31.5%) individuals, with 0 HIV seroconversions identified. Thirty four individuals (30.6%) transitioned from PIP to pre-exposure prophylaxis and 33 individuals (29.7%) switched from pre-exposure prophylaxis to PIP. CONCLUSIONS: PIP is a useful addition to other pharmacologic HIV prevention tools, and may help prevent infection in those with a lower frequency of unanticipated HIV exposures.

Sinister seafood: bacteraemia secondary to non-O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae infection.

Introduction.Vibrio species are curved, motile Gram-negative bacilli found in estuarine and marine environments, and are known to cause to gastroenteritis, skin and soft tissue infections, and septicaemia. While not responsible for cholera epidemics, non-O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae (NOVC) is increasingly reported as a cause of gastroenteritis. Case presentation. A 66-year-old man presented to an emergency department with a 1 week history of epigastric pain, emesis and fever. Blood cultures drawn on admission initially demonstrated Gram-negative bacilli, and ultimately grew NOVC, which was later confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight MS. Subsequent history revealed that the patient had eaten fish and seafood prior to falling ill. He was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone and oral doxycycline while admitted, and oral ciprofloxacin and doxycycline upon discharge. His bacteraemia was believed to be secondary to altered gut anatomy from prior surgery and proton-pump inhibitor use. Conclusion. Risk factors for NOVC bacteraemia include cirrhosis, immunosuppression and other forms of liver disease. Cases are often linked to a history of seafood ingestion when water temperatures rise, enabling Vibrio species to proliferate. While the optimal management of NOVC bacteraemia is unclear, a combination of a third-generation cephalosporin with a tetracycline has been suggested. Physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for this pathogen when evaluating ill patients with a history of liver disease and seafood ingestion.