Clinical and epidemiological features of mpox in a Brazilian reference center for HIV and sexually transmitted infections: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The 2022 mpox outbreak has affected disproportionately people living with HIV (PLWH) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate factors associated with laboratory diagnosis of mpox among suspected cases, and access differences between PrEP users and PLWH with confirmed diagnostic. Results: 394 mpox suspected cases were analyzed, 309 (78.4%) confirmed. Most patients with mpox were PLWH (54.4%) and 99 (32%) PrEP users. Mpox cases were likely to be between 25 and 39 years old (aOR=2.8; p=0.042), men who have sex with men/bisexual or transgender women (aOR=17.2; p< 0.001) and to have fever (aOR=4.7; p< 0.001), adenomegaly (aOR=7.2; p< 0.001) and multiple vesicular lesions (aOR=4.2; p< 0.001). Comparing PrEP users to PLWH with confirmed mpox, PrEP users had lesions predominantly with exclusive genital involvement (p=0.016); while PLWH had higher extragenital involvement (p=0.018). Conclusions: PrEP users and PLWHA were the main epidemiological groups in our cohort. Recognizing the differences between vulnerable populations can contribute to the development public policies to control mpox in settings with reduced access to vaccines.

Mpox in a Couple Living with HIV: Relapse or Reinfection?

Mpox is caused by a zoonotic orthopoxvirus capable of infecting several animal species, including humans. The analysis of cases in the current outbreak showed that, differently from what happens in the classical disease, mpox has mostly affected men who have sex with men (MSM) and bisexuals, including a high proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS. The role of the immune system in fighting mpox has been discussed in literature and experts believe that immunity conferred by natural infection may be lifelong, advocating against the possibility of reinfection by monkeypox virus. This report presents a MSM couple living with HIV with cycles of mpox lesions after two different risk exposures. The clinical course of both cases, as well as the temporal and anatomical relationship between the second cycle of monkeypox virus lesions and the second exposure, suggests the occurrence of reinfection. The genomic surveillance of monkeypox virus, a better understanding of its interaction with the human host, and knowledge of the postinfection and postvaccine protection correlation are more relevant at this moment, when we observe an intersection of the mpox multicountry outbreak with the HIV/AIDS epidemic, considering the immunosenescence and other immune system issues caused by HIV.

Acceptability of teleconsultation in a public service specialized in the prevention and care of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections / Aceitabilidade da teleconsulta em um serviço público especializado na prevenção e cuidado da infecção pelo HIV e outras infecções sexualmente transmissíveis

Introduction: Telemedicine was leveraged for its contribution to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in Brazil and worldwide. Objective: We aim to evaluate the acceptability of incorporating teleconsultation through synchronized videoconference by users and professionals in a service specialized in the prevention and treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections, and to identify associated factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 410 users and 57 professionals who answered a category-standardized questionnaire. Predictors of acceptability were assessed using logistic regression model. Results: A total of 364 (88.8%) users said they would accept the modality. The factors positively associated with the odds of acceptance were the self-assessment of having favorable conditions to participate in a teleconsultation (aOR 54.8; 95%CI 12.4­242.1; p<0.001), the perception of saving money (aOR 5.2; 95%CI 1.9­14.0; p=0.001), and perceived convenience of the modality (aOR 6.7; 95%CI 2.9­15.9; p<0.001). Factors associated with reduced odds of acceptance were the fear of not being evaluated well (aOR 0.2; 95%CI 0.1­0.4; p<0.001), or remaining long without seeing the professional (aOR 0.2; 95%CI 0.1­0.5; p<0.001). The acceptance of the modality among professionals was 75.4% and the perception of its convenience (aOR 16.8; 95%CI 2.6­108.4; p=0.003) and that the institution has appropriated conditions (aOR 7.7; 95%CI 1.5­40.6; p=0.016) were associated with increased odds of accepting its incorporation in their routine. Conclusion: Governance should invest in infrastructure and support, secure protocols, digital literacy, and training of its users and employees for video teleconsultation. (AU)

Introdução: A telemedicina foi alavancada por sua contribuição para mitigar o impacto da COVID-19 no Brasil e no mundo. Objetivo: Pretendemos avaliar a aceitabilidade da incorporação da teleconsulta por videoconferência síncrona por usuários e profissionais de um serviço especializado na prevenção e tratamento da infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e outras infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, bem como identificar fatores associados. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 410 usuários e 57 profissionais, que responderam a um questionário padronizado por categoria. Os preditores de aceitabilidade foram avaliados utilizando-se um modelo de regressão logística. Resultados: O total de 364 (88,8%) usuários disseram que aceitariam a modalidade. Os fatores positivamente associados à probabilidade de aceitação foram a autoavaliação quanto a ter condições favoráveis para participar de uma teleconsulta (razão de chances ajustada ­ aOR 54,8; intervalo de confiança de 95% ­ IC95% 12,4­242,1; p<0,001), a percepção de poupar dinheiro (aOR 5,2; IC95% 1,9­14,0; p=0,001) e a percepção de conveniência da modalidade (aOR 6,7; IC95% 2,9­15,9; p<0,001). As menores probabilidades de aceitação foram o medo de não ser bem avaliado (aOR 0,2; IC95% 0,1­0,4; p<0,001) e de permanecer muito tempo sem ver o profissional (aOR 0,2; IC95% 0,1­0,5; p<0,001). A aceitação da modalidade pelos profissionais foi de 75,4% e a percepção de sua conveniência (aOR 16,8; IC95% 2,6­108,4; p=0,003) e a de que a instituição possui condições favoráveis (aOR 7,7; IC95% 1,5­40,6; p=0,016) foram associadas com a maior probabilidade de aceitar a incorporação da modalidade em sua rotina. Conclusão: A governança deve investir em infraestrutura e apoio, protocolos seguros, literacia digital e treinamento de seus usuários e funcionários para a videoconsulta. (AU)

Improving the continuum of care monitoring in Brazilian HIV healthcare services: An implementation science approach.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of an intervention improving the continuum of care monitoring (CCM) within HIV public healthcare services in São Paulo, Brazil, and implementing a clinical monitoring system. This system identified three patient groups prioritized for additional care engagement: (1) individuals diagnosed with HIV, but not receiving treatment (the treatment gap group); (2) individuals receiving treatment for >6 months with a detectable viral load (the virologic failure group); and (3) patients lost to follow-up (LTFU). METHODS: The implementation strategies included three training sessions, covering system logistics, case discussions, and development of maintenance goals. These strategies were conducted within 30 HIV public healthcare services (May 2019 to April 2020). After each training session, professionals shared their experiences with CCM at regional meetings. Before and after the intervention, providers were invited to answer 23 items from the normalization process theory questionnaire (online) to understand contextual factors. The mean item scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The RE-AIM implementation science framework (evaluating reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) was used to evaluate the integration of the CCM. RESULTS: In the study, 47 (19.3%) of 243 patients with a treatment gap initiated treatment, 456 (49.1%) of 928 patients with virologic failure achieved suppression, and 700 of 1552 (45.1%) LTFU patients restarted treatment. Strategies for the search and reengagement of patients were developed and shared. Providers recognized the positive effects of CCM on their work and how it modified existing activities (3.7 vs. 4.4, p<0.0001, and 3.9 vs. 4.1, p<0.05); 27 (90%) centers developed plans to sustain routine CCM. CONCLUSION: Implementing CCM helped identify patients requiring more intensive attention. This intervention led to changes in providers' perceptions of CCM and care and management processes, which increased the number of patients engaged across the care continuum and improved outcomes.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the NoMAD questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese.

BACKGROUND: The Normalization Measure Development (NoMAD) tool is used to determine the contextual determinants in the process of implementing complex health interventions. The aim of this study is to translate and culturally adapt NoMAD to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation was performed in five steps: 1) translation of the questionnaire into Portuguese; 2) synthesis and creation of the first version; 3) back-translation of the instrument into the source language; 4) review of the instrument by a group of experts and target professionals; and 5) pretesting. A final version of the questionnaire was answered by users of a clinical monitoring system in specialist care services for people living with HIV/AIDS, and the internal consistency of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 188 health professionals, of which 87.7% were female, and the average age was 45.2 years. For the final version of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha was over 0.70 for the construct's coherence (0.74), collective action (0.70), cognitive participation (0.71), and reflexive monitoring (0.81). CONCLUSION: The NoMAD questionnaire was cross-culturally adapted and can be used to evaluate the implementation of complex health care interventions.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the NoMAD questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: The Normalization Measure Development (NoMAD) tool is used to determine the contextual determinants in the process of implementing complex health interventions. The aim of this study is to translate and culturally adapt NoMAD to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation was performed in five steps: 1) translation of the questionnaire into Portuguese; 2) synthesis and creation of the first version; 3) back-translation of the instrument into the source language; 4) review of the instrument by a group of experts and target professionals; and 5) pretesting. A final version of the questionnaire was answered by users of a clinical monitoring system in specialist care services for people living with HIV/AIDS, and the internal consistency of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 188 health professionals, of which 87.7% were female, and the average age was 45.2 years. For the final version of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha was over 0.70 for the construct's coherence (0.74), collective action (0.70), cognitive participation (0.71), and reflexive monitoring (0.81). CONCLUSION: The NoMAD questionnaire was cross-culturally adapted and can be used to evaluate the implementation of complex health care interventions.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: O questionário Normalisation Measure Development (NoMAD) tool busca identificar os fatores contextuais determinantes no processo de implementação de intervenções complexas em saúde. Este artigo tem por objetivo traduzir e adaptar culturalmente o NoMAD para o português do Brasil. MÉTODOS: A adaptação transcultural foi realizada em cinco etapas: 1-Tradução do questionário para o português; 2-Síntese e criação da primeira versão; 3-Retro-tradução do instrumento para a língua de origem; 4-Revisão por grupo de especialista e profissionais-alvo do instrumento; e 5-Pré-teste. A versão final do questionário foi respondida por usuários do sistema de monitoramento clínico em serviços de assistência especializada às pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS e sua consistência interna foi avaliada por meio de alpha de Cronbach. RESULTADOS: O questionário foi respondido por 188 profissionais, 87,7% eram do sexo feminino e média de idade de 45,2 anos. A versão final do questionário apresentou α de Cronbach superiores a 0.70 nos construtos coerência (0.74), ação coletiva (0.70), participação cognitiva (0,71) e monitoramento reflexivo (0.81). CONCLUSÃO: O questionário NoMAD foi adaptado transculturalmente e pode ser utilizado para avaliar a implementação de intervenções complexas no cuidado em saúde.

An intervention for the implementation of clinical monitoring in specialized care services to people living with HIV/AIDS. / Intervenção para a implementação do monitoramento clínico em serviços especializados de atenção às pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids.

The clinical monitoring of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) contributes to identifying and managing cases of individuals who have not begun treatment (gap), those experiencing treatment failure or who have abandoned treatment. This article sought to present and discuss the development of a methodology to implement the clinical monitoring of PLWHA in the services of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS). The methodology used since 2014 by the CRT-STI/AIDS-Coordination of the STI/AIDS Program, São Paulo State, Brazil, was re-structured in three meetings between June and August 2018. The new methodology retained the axes of presentation of number of users in treatment failure, gap or abandonment in the participant services, as well as the discussion of individual, social and programmatic vulnerabilities. A new axis was added which directs the discussion of the possibilities of reorganizing service care flows and management practices. Additionally, the intervention started to be carried out in health services, with the participation of a higher number of professionals from the multi-professional team, discussion of cases, workflows and processes, and regional meetings to exchange clinical monitoring experiences between services. The re-structuring of the methodology contributed to a reduction in treatment gap, a reorganization of care flows and the inclusion of clinical monitoring as a management tool in services specialized in providing care to PLWHA. This methodology can be implemented by other state programs, municipalities and services, since all have access to the same information sources used in this intervention.

Intervenção para a implementação do monitoramento clínico em serviços especializados de atenção às pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids / Intervención para la implementación del monitoreo clínico en servicios especializados de atención a personas afectadas por el VIH/SIDA / An intervention for the implementation of clinical monitoring in specialized care services to people living with HIV/AIDS

O monitoramento clínico de pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids (PVHA) contribui para a identificação e gestão de caso das pessoas sem início de tratamento (gap), em falha terapêutica e em abandono de tratamento. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar e discutir o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia para a implementação do monitoramento clínico das PVHA em serviços do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). A metodologia utilizada desde 2014 pelo Centro de Referência e Treinamento DST/AIDS-SP-Coordenação do Programa Estadual de IST/AIDS do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, foi reestruturada em três reuniões, no período de junho a agosto de 2018. Foram mantidos os eixos de apresentação do número de usuários com falha terapêutica, em gap e em abandono de tratamento nos serviços participantes, e a discussão de vulnerabilidades individuais, sociais e programáticas. Foi adicionado um novo eixo que direciona a discussão das possibilidades de reorganização de fluxos assistenciais e práticas gerenciais do serviço. Adicionalmente, a intervenção passou a ser feita nos serviços de saúde, com a participação de um número maior de profissionais da equipe multiprofissional, discussão de casos, fluxos e processos de trabalho e encontros regionais para a troca de experiências em monitoramento clínico entre os serviços. A reestruturação da metodologia contribuiu para a diminuição do gap de tratamento, reorganização de fluxos assistenciais e inclusão do monitoramento clínico como ferramenta de gestão nos serviços de assistência especializada às PVHA. Essa metodologia pode ser implementada por outros programas estaduais, municípios e serviços, uma vez que todos têm acesso às mesmas fontes de informação usadas nesta intervenção.

El monitoreo clínico de personas afectadas por el VIH/SIDA (PVHA) contribuye a la identificación y gestión de caso de personas sin inicio de tratamiento (gap), con fallos en la parte terapéutica y abandono del tratamiento. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar y discutir el desarrollo de una metodología para la implementación del monitoreo clínico de las PVHA en servicios del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS). La metodología utilizada desde 2014 por el CRT-ETS/SIDA-Coordinación del Programa Estatal de ETS/SIDA del Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, fue reestructurada en tres reuniones, durante el período de junio a agosto de 2018. Se mantuvieron los ejes de presentación del número de usuarios con fallos en la parte terapéutica, gap y con abandono de tratamiento en los servicios participantes estudiados, así como la discusión de vulnerabilidades individuales, sociales y programáticas. Se añadió un nuevo eje que vertebra la discusión sobre las posibilidades de reorganización de los flujos asistenciales y prácticas de gestión del servicio. Asimismo, la intervención pasó a realizarse en los servicios de salud, con la participación de un mayor número de profesionales del equipo multiprofesional, discusión de casos, flujos y procesos de trabajo, así como encuentros regionales para el intercambio de experiencias en el monitoreo clínico entre los servicios. La reestructuración de la metodología contribuyó a la disminución del gap en el tratamiento, la reorganización de flujos asistenciales, así como la inclusión del monitoreo clínico como herramienta de gestión en los servicios de asistencia especializada a las PVHA. Esta metodología puede ser implementada en otros programas estatales, municipios y servicios, ya que todos tienen acceso a las mismas fuentes de información usadas en esta intervención.

The clinical monitoring of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) contributes to identifying and managing cases of individuals who have not begun treatment (gap), those experiencing treatment failure or who have abandoned treatment. This article sought to present and discuss the development of a methodology to implement the clinical monitoring of PLWHA in the services of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS). The methodology used since 2014 by the CRT-STI/AIDS-Coordination of the STI/AIDS Program, São Paulo State, Brazil, was re-structured in three meetings between June and August 2018. The new methodology retained the axes of presentation of number of users in treatment failure, gap or abandonment in the participant services, as well as the discussion of individual, social and programmatic vulnerabilities. A new axis was added which directs the discussion of the possibilities of reorganizing service care flows and management practices. Additionally, the intervention started to be carried out in health services, with the participation of a higher number of professionals from the multi-professional team, discussion of cases, workflows and processes, and regional meetings to exchange clinical monitoring experiences between services. The re-structuring of the methodology contributed to a reduction in treatment gap, a reorganization of care flows and the inclusion of clinical monitoring as a management tool in services specialized in providing care to PLWHA. This methodology can be implemented by other state programs, municipalities and services, since all have access to the same information sources used in this intervention.

Concordance of HIV type 1 tropism phenotype to predictions using web-based analysis of V3 sequences: composite algorithms may be needed to properly assess viral tropism.

Genotypic prediction of HIV-1 tropism has been considered a practical surrogate for phenotypic tests and recently an European Consensus has set up recommendations for its use in clinical practice. Twenty-five antiretroviral-experienced patients, all heavily treated cases with a median of 16 years of antiretroviral therapy, had viral tropism determined by the Trofile assay and predicted by HIV-1 sequencing of partial env, followed by interpretation using web-based tools. Trofile determined 17/24 (71%) as X4 tropic or dual/mixed viruses, with one nonreportable result. The use of European consensus recommendations for single sequences (geno2pheno false-positive rates 20% cutoff) would lead to 4/24 (16.7%) misclassifications, whereas a composite algorithm misclassified 1/24 (4%). The use of the geno2pheno clinical option using CD4 T cell counts at collection was useful in resolving some discrepancies. Applying the European recommendations followed by additional web-based tools for cases around the recommended cutoff would resolve most misclassifications.

Initial antiretroviral therapy in a 20-year observational cohort of patients followed at a reference center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil / Terapia antiretroviral inicial (ARV) em uma coorte observacional de 20 anos de pacientes em seguimento em um centro de referência na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil

INTRODUÇÃO: A produção e o acesso gratuito e universal aos antiretrovirais (ARV) foram responsáveis pela grande queda na morbi-mortalidade por HIV/Aids no Brasil. OBJETIVO: descrever o tratamento com ARV no Centro de Referência e Treinamento DST/AIDS São Paulo. MÉTODO: Análise longitudinal das características do primeiro tratamento com antirretrovirais de uma coorte retrospectiva de pacientes com 13 anos e mais, matriculados no Centro de Referência, 1985-2005, descrito através de tabelas de frequência e gráficos. RESULTADOS: Foram descritos 4191 pacientes. A maior concentração de iniciação foi no período 1999-2003; 82,7 por cento dos pacientes eram virgens de tratamento. A monoterapia prevaleceu até 1995, o pico da terapia dupla foi 1996-1998, e o período de 1999 a 2005 se caracterizou pela prescrição de terapia tripla. Na terapia tripla, esquemas com inibidores de protease corresponderam a 1.462 (34,9 por cento) de todas as prescrições iniciais. A combinação AZT, 3TC e EFV foi o esquema mais frequentemente prescrito (47,4 por cento) em 2005. CONCLUSÕES: Esse estudo descritivo possibilita o desenvolvimento de análises mais profundas sobre os fatores envolvidos no tratamento de pacientes com HIV/AIDS.

INTRODUCTION: Production and free universal access to ART for patients with HIV/Aids were responsible for a major fall in morbidity-mortality in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To describe antiretroviral treatment at the São Paulo STD/Aids Training and Reference Center. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of the characteristics of the first treatment with antiretroviral drugs of a retrospective cohort of patients 13 years and over, enrolled at the Reference Center, 1985-2005, described by frequency tables and graphs. RESULTS: 4,191 patients were described. The most frequent initiation period was 1999-2003; 82.7% of patients were treatment naïve. Monotherapy prevailed until 1995, the peak of double therapy was 1996-98, and 1999-2005 was characterized by triple therapy. Regarding triple therapy, regimens with protease inhibitors accounted for 1,462 (34.9%) of all first prescriptions. The combination AZT, 3TC and EFV was the most frequently prescribed regimen (47.4%) in 2005.CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive study may enable more in depth analyses on the factors involved in the treatment patients with HIV/AIDS.

Terapia antiretroviral inicial (ARV) em uma coorte observacional de 20 anos de pacientes em seguimento em um centro de referência na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: Production and free universal access to ART for patients with HIV/Aids were responsible for a major fall in morbidity-mortality in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To describe antiretroviral treatment at the São Paulo STD/Aids Training and Reference Center. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of the characteristics of the first treatment with antiretroviral drugs of a retrospective cohort of patients 13 years and over, enrolled at the Reference Center, 1985-2005, described by frequency tables and graphs. RESULTS: 4,191 patients were described. The most frequent initiation period was 1999-2003; 82.7 percent of patients were treatment naïve. Monotherapy prevailed until 1995, the peak of double therapy was 1996-98, and 1999-2005 was characterized by triple therapy. Regarding triple therapy, regimens with protease inhibitors accounted for 1,462 (34.9 percent) of all first prescriptions. The combination AZT, 3TC and EFV was the most frequently prescribed regimen (47.4 percent) in 2005. CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive study may enable more in depth analyses on the factors involved in the treatment patients with HIV/AIDS.(AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: A produção e o acesso gratuito e universal aos antiretrovirais (ARV) foram responsáveis pela grande queda na morbi-mortalidade por HIV/Aids no Brasil. OBJETIVO: descrever o tratamento com ARV no Centro de Referência e Treinamento DST/AIDS São Paulo. MÉTODO: Análise longitudinal das características do primeiro tratamento com antirretrovirais de uma coorte retrospectiva de pacientes com 13 anos e mais, matriculados no Centro de Referência, 1985-2005, descrito através de tabelas de frequência e gráficos. RESULTADOS: Foram descritos 4191 pacientes. A maior concentração de iniciação foi no período 1999-2003; 82,7 por cento dos pacientes eram virgens de tratamento. A monoterapia prevaleceu até 1995, o pico da terapia dupla foi 1996-1998, e o período de 1999 a 2005 se caracterizou pela prescrição de terapia tripla. Na terapia tripla, esquemas com inibidores de protease corresponderam a 1.462 (34,9 por cento) de todas as prescrições iniciais. A combinação AZT, 3TC e EFV foi o esquema mais frequentemente prescrito (47,4 por cento) em 2005. CONCLUSÕES: Esse estudo descritivo possibilita o desenvolvimento de análises mais profundas sobre os fatores envolvidos no tratamento de pacientes com HIV/AIDS.(AU)