Timeline kinetics of protective immunity to SARS-CoV-2 upon primary vaccination and humoral response to variants after booster dose.

New variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have emerged, imposing the need for periodic booster doses. However, whether booster doses should be applied to the entire population or groups, and the booster doses interval, remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated humoral reactivity kinetics from before the first dose to 180 days after the third booster dose in different schedules in a well-controlled health worker cohort. Among the 2,506 employees, the first 500 vaccinated health workers were invited to participate. The third booster dose was administered 8 months after the first dose. Among the invited participants, 470 were included in the study; 258 received inactivated vaccine CoronaVac (VAC group) and 212 received viral vector vaccine ChAdOx1 (AZV group). The groups were homogeneous in terms of age and sex. 347 participants were followed up after the booster dose with AZV or BNT162b2 (Pfizer, BNT group): 63 with VAC/AZV, 117 with VAC/BNT, 72 with the AZV/AZV and 95 with AZV/BNT schedules. Blood samples were collected immediately before, 28 days after each dose and 180 days after the primary vaccination and booster dose. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured by chemiluminescence and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Plasma immune mediators were quantified using a multiplex immunoassay. Geometric mean of antibodies increased 28 days after the second dose with 100 % seroconversion rate in both groups and decreased 180 days after the first dose. In the baseline-seropositive VAC group, the levels of plasma immune mediators increased after the second dose. Booster dose was applied at 4-6 months after the primary vaccination. Heterologous booster in VAC or AZV primary vaccinees were effective maintaining the titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies even after 6 months of follow-up. The heterologous schedule induced higher and stable antibody reactivity, even after 180 days, protecting to ancestral (Wuhan), Delta, and Omicron variants.

Serum biomarker profile orchestrating the seroconversion status of patients with autoimmune diseases upon planned primary 17DD Yellow fever vaccination.

The present study aimed to investigate whether the serum biomarkers of immune response orchestrate the seroconversion status in patients with autoimmune diseases (AID) upon planned primary 17DD-YF vaccination. For this purpose a total of 161 individuals were enrolled in a prospective study, including patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA = 38), Spondyloarthritis (SpA = 51), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE = 21) and Sjögren's Syndrome (SS = 30) along with a group of healthy controls (HC = 21). Analysis of plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) titers and seropositivity rates along with the 17DD-YF viremia and serum biomarkers were carried out at distinct time points (D0/D3-4/D5-6/D7/D14-28). The results demonstrated an overall lower PRNT titer and seropositivity rate (170 vs. 448; 77 vs. 95%) in AID as compared to HC, especially in SpA and SLE subgroups. No significant differences were observed in the viremia levels amongst groups. In general, a more prominent serum biomarker response was observed in AID as compared to HC, throughout the timeline kinetics. Remarkably, AID/PRNT(-) exhibited higher levels of several biomarkers at baseline as compared to AID/PRNT+. Moreover, while AID/PRNT(+) exhibited earlier increase in serum biomarkers at D3-4/D5-6, the AID/PRNT(-) displayed higher response at later time points (D7/D14-D28). Of note, a synchronic increase of IFN-γ at the peak of viremia (D5-6) was observed in HC and AID/PRNT(+) groups, whereas a later asynchronous IFN-γ response was reported for AID/PRNT(-) at D7. The biomarker profile tends to deflate at post-vaccination timeline, highlighting a putative immunomodulatory effect of live attenuated 17DD-YF vaccine in AID/PRNT(+), but not in AID/PRNT(-). Altogether these data suggested that inflammatory status prior vaccination, low IFN-γ at viremia peak and the occurrence of asynchronous biomarker storm after 17DD-YF vaccination may orchestrate the lack of neutralizing antibody response γ.

Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2020: HIV infection in adolescents and adults.

HIV infection is presented in the chapters of the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2020. Health professionals and managers must learn the signs and symptoms of HIV infection and know how to diagnose it to provide appropriate treatment and reduce complications. HIV infection has become a chronic disease. Its treatment includes addressing common comorbidities such as arterial hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, in addition to cardiac risk assessment, cancer prevention, and guidance on immunization. Initiation of treatment for HIV patients is recommended regardless of clinical or immunological criteria as adopted by the Ministry of Health since 2013. Lately, it has been simplified with more tolerable first-line medications and fewer drug interactions, making its management easy to implement, including by primary health care. HIV cases are concentrated in specific population groups, such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transexuals, people who use alcohol or other drugs, and vulnerable people, such as black, incarcerated, or people living on the streets.

[Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: HIV infection in adolescents and adults]. / Protocolo Brasileiro para Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis 2020: infecção pelo HIV em adolescentes e adultos.

HIV infection is the subject of one of the chapters of the "Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections", published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2020. It is important that health professionals and managers learn the signs and symptoms of HIV infection and know how to diagnose it, in order to provide appropriate treatment and reduce complications. HIV infection has become a chronic disease and its treatment includes addressing common comorbidities in clinical practice such as arterial hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, in addition to cardiac risk assessment, cancer prevention and guidance on immunization. Initiation of treatment for all HIV patients, regardless of clinical or immunological criteria, adopted by the Ministry of Health since 2013, has now been simplified with more tolerable first-line medications and with fewer drug interactions, which makes its management easy to implement, including by Primary Health Care.

A infecção pelo HIV é tema de um dos capítulos do "Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas para Atenção Integral às Pessoas com Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis", publicado pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil em 2020. É importante que profissionais de saúde e gestores conheçam os sinais e sintomas da infecção pelo HIV e saibam fazer o seu diagnóstico, a fim de oferecer tratamento adequado e reduzir complicações. A infecção pelo HIV tornou-se doença crônica e seu tratamento inclui a abordagem de comorbidades comuns na prática clínica, como hipertensão arterial, diabetes e dislipidemia, além da avaliação de risco cardiológico, prevenção de neoplasias e orientação para imunizações. O início do tratamento para todas as pessoas vivendo com HIV, independentemente de critérios clínicos ou imunológicos, adotado pelo Ministério da Saúde em 2013, foi agora simplificado com medicamentos de primeira linha mais toleráveis e com menos interações medicamentosas, o que torna seu manejo de fácil implementação, inclusive pela Atenção Primária à Saúde.

La infección por VIH es uno de los capítulos del "Protocolo Clínico y Directrices Terapéuticas para la Atención Integral a las Personas con Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual", publicado por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil en 2020. Es importante que los profesionales de la salud y gestores conozcan los signos y síntomas de la infección por VIH y sepan diagnosticarla, para proporcionar un tratamiento adecuado y reducir complicaciones. La infección por VIH se ha convertido en una enfermedad crónica y su tratamiento incluye abordar comorbilidades comunes en la práctica clínica, como hipertensión arterial, diabetes y dislipidemia, además de la evaluación del riesgo cardíaco, prevención del cáncer y pautas de inmunización. El inicio del tratamiento de VIH, independientemente de criterios clínicos o inmunológicos, adoptado por el Ministerio de Salud en 2013, fue ahora simplificado con medicamentos de primera línea más tolerables y con menos interacciones medicamentosas, lo que facilita la implementación de su manejo, incluso en la atención primaria.

Protocolo Brasileiro para Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis 2020: infecção pelo HIV em adolescentes e adultos / Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: HIV infection in adolescents and adults / Protocolo Brasileño para Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual 2020: infección por VIH en adolescentes y adultos

A infecção pelo HIV é tema de um dos capítulos do "Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas para Atenção Integral às Pessoas com Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis", publicado pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil em 2020. É importante que profissionais de saúde e gestores conheçam os sinais e sintomas da infecção pelo HIV e saibam fazer o seu diagnóstico, a fim de oferecer tratamento adequado e reduzir complicações. A infecção pelo HIV tornou-se doença crônica e seu tratamento inclui a abordagem de comorbidades comuns na prática clínica, como hipertensão arterial, diabetes e dislipidemia, além da avaliação de risco cardiológico, prevenção de neoplasias e orientação para imunizações. O início do tratamento para todas as pessoas vivendo com HIV, independentemente de critérios clínicos ou imunológicos, adotado pelo Ministério da Saúde em 2013, foi agora simplificado com medicamentos de primeira linha mais toleráveis e com menos interações medicamentosas, o que torna seu manejo de fácil implementação, inclusive pela Atenção Primária à Saúde.

HIV infection is the subject of one of the chapters of the "Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections", published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2020. It is important that health professionals and managers learn the signs and symptoms of HIV infection and know how to diagnose it, in order to provide appropriate treatment and reduce complications. HIV infection has become a chronic disease and its treatment includes addressing common comorbidities in clinical practice such as arterial hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, in addition to cardiac risk assessment, cancer prevention and guidance on immunization. Initiation of treatment for all HIV patients, regardless of clinical or immunological criteria, adopted by the Ministry of Health since 2013, has now been simplified with more tolerable first-line medications and with fewer drug interactions, which makes its management easy to implement, including by Primary Health Care.

La infección por VIH es uno de los capítulos del "Protocolo Clínico y Directrices Terapéuticas para la Atención Integral a las Personas con Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual", publicado por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil en 2020. Es importante que los profesionales de la salud y gestores conozcan los signos y síntomas de la infección por VIH y sepan diagnosticarla, para proporcionar un tratamiento adecuado y reducir complicaciones. La infección por VIH se ha convertido en una enfermedad crónica y su tratamiento incluye abordar comorbilidades comunes en la práctica clínica, como hipertensión arterial, diabetes y dislipidemia, además de la evaluación del riesgo cardíaco, prevención del cáncer y pautas de inmunización. El inicio del tratamiento de VIH, independientemente de criterios clínicos o inmunológicos, adoptado por el Ministerio de Salud en 2013, fue ahora simplificado con medicamentos de primera línea más tolerables y con menos interacciones medicamentosas, lo que facilita la implementación de su manejo, incluso en la atención primaria.

Protocolo Brasileiro para Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis 2020: infecção pelo HIV em adolescentes e adultos / Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: HIV infection in adolescents and adults / Protocolo Brasileño para Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual 2020: infección por VIH en adolescentes y adultos

Resumo A infecção pelo HIV é tema de um dos capítulos do "Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas para Atenção Integral às Pessoas com Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis", publicado pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil em 2020. É importante que profissionais de saúde e gestores conheçam os sinais e sintomas da infecção pelo HIV e saibam fazer o seu diagnóstico, a fim de oferecer tratamento adequado e reduzir complicações. A infecção pelo HIV tornou-se doença crônica e seu tratamento inclui a abordagem de comorbidades comuns na prática clínica, como hipertensão arterial, diabetes e dislipidemia, além da avaliação de risco cardiológico, prevenção de neoplasias e orientação para imunizações. O início do tratamento para todas as pessoas vivendo com HIV, independentemente de critérios clínicos ou imunológicos, adotado pelo Ministério da Saúde em 2013, foi agora simplificado com medicamentos de primeira linha mais toleráveis e com menos interações medicamentosas, o que torna seu manejo de fácil implementação, inclusive pela Atenção Primária à Saúde.

Abstract HIV infection is the subject of one of the chapters of the "Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections", published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2020. It is important that health professionals and managers learn the signs and symptoms of HIV infection and know how to diagnose it, in order to provide appropriate treatment and reduce complications. HIV infection has become a chronic disease and its treatment includes addressing common comorbidities in clinical practice such as arterial hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, in addition to cardiac risk assessment, cancer prevention and guidance on immunization. Initiation of treatment for all HIV patients, regardless of clinical or immunological criteria, adopted by the Ministry of Health since 2013, has now been simplified with more tolerable first-line medications and with fewer drug interactions, which makes its management easy to implement, including by Primary Health Care.

Resumen La infección por VIH es uno de los capítulos del "Protocolo Clínico y Directrices Terapéuticas para la Atención Integral a las Personas con Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual", publicado por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil en 2020. Es importante que los profesionales de la salud y gestores conozcan los signos y síntomas de la infección por VIH y sepan diagnosticarla, para proporcionar un tratamiento adecuado y reducir complicaciones. La infección por VIH se ha convertido en una enfermedad crónica y su tratamiento incluye abordar comorbilidades comunes en la práctica clínica, como hipertensión arterial, diabetes y dislipidemia, además de la evaluación del riesgo cardíaco, prevención del cáncer y pautas de inmunización. El inicio del tratamiento de VIH, independientemente de criterios clínicos o inmunológicos, adoptado por el Ministerio de Salud en 2013, fue ahora simplificado con medicamentos de primera línea más tolerables y con menos interacciones medicamentosas, lo que facilita la implementación de su manejo, incluso en la atención primaria.

Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2020: HIV infection in adolescents and adults

Abstract HIV infection is presented in the chapters of the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2020. Health professionals and managers must learn the signs and symptoms of HIV infection and know how to diagnose it to provide appropriate treatment and reduce complications. HIV infection has become a chronic disease. Its treatment includes addressing common comorbidities such as arterial hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, in addition to cardiac risk assessment, cancer prevention, and guidance on immunization. Initiation of treatment for HIV patients is recommended regardless of clinical or immunological criteria as adopted by the Ministry of Health since 2013. Lately, it has been simplified with more tolerable first-line medications and fewer drug interactions, making its management easy to implement, including by primary health care.

Planned Yellow Fever Primary Vaccination Is Safe and Immunogenic in Patients With Autoimmune Diseases: A Prospective Non-interventional Study.

Yellow Fever (YF) vaccination is suggested to induce a large number of adverse events (AE) and suboptimal responses in patients with autoimmune diseases (AID); however, there have been no studies on 17DD-YF primary vaccination performance in patients with AID. This prospective non-interventional study conducted between March and July, 2017 assessed the safety and immunogenicity of planned 17DD-YF primary vaccination in patients with AID. Adult patients with AID (both sexes) were enrolled, along with healthy controls, at a single hospital (Vitória, Brazil). Included patients were referred for planned vaccination by a rheumatologist; in remission, or with low disease activity; and had low level immunosuppression or the attending physician advised interruption of immunosuppression for safety reasons. The occurrence of AE, neutralizing antibody kinetics, seropositivity rates, and 17DD-YF viremia were evaluated at various time points (day 0 (D0), D3, D4, D5, D6, D14, and D28). Individuals evaluated (n = 278), including patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA; 79), spondyloarthritis (SpA; 59), systemic sclerosis (8), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; 27), primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS; 54), and healthy controls (HC; 51). Only mild AE were reported. The frequency of local and systemic AE in patients with AID and HC did not differ significantly (8 vs. 10% and 21 vs. 32%; p = 1.00 and 0.18, respectively). Patients with AID presented late seroconversion profiles according to kinetic timelines of the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). PRNT-determined virus titers (copies/mL) [181 (95% confidence interval (CI), 144-228) vs. 440 (95% CI, 291-665), p = 0.004] and seropositivity rate (78 vs. 96%, p = 0.01) were lower in patients with AID after 28 days, particularly those with SpA (73%) and SLE (73%), relative to HC. The YF viremia peak (RNAnemia) was 5-6 days after vaccination in all groups. In conclusion, consistent seroconversion rates were observed in patients with AID and our findings support that planned 17DD-YF primary vaccination is safe and immunogenic in patients with AID.

Comparison of the ACC/AHA and Framingham algorithms to assess cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the predictions of Framingham cardiovascular (CV) risk score (FRS) and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) risk score in an HIV outpatient clinic in the city of Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil. In a cross-sectional study 341 HIV infected patients over 40 years old consecutively recruited were interviewed. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to assess agreement between the two algorithms. 61.3% were stratified as low risk by Framingham score, compared with 54% by ACC/AHA score (Spearman correlation 0.845; p < 0.000). Only 26.1% were classified as cardiovascular high risk by Framingham compared to 46% by ACC/AHA score (Kappa = 0.745; p < 0.039). Only one out of eight patients had cardiovascular high risk by Framingham at the time of a myocardial infarction event registered up to five years before the study period. Both cardiovascular risk scores but especially Framingham underestimated high-risk patients in this HIV-infected population.

Vaccination coverage in a cohort of HIV-infected patients receiving care at an AIDS outpatient clinic in Espírito Santo, Brazil

Abstract This cross-sectional study assessed the immunization status of human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients receiving care at an outpatient clinic in Brazil. The sociodemographic characteristics, CD4 count and HIV viral load of 281 out of 612 adult outpatients were analyzed. A total of 331 patients were excluded because of no availability of vaccination cards. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used. Immunization coverage was higher for diphtheria/tetanus (59.79%) and hepatitis B (56.7%), and lowest for hepatitis A (6.8%) and for meningococcal group C (6%). Only 11.74% of the patients had received the influenza virus vaccine yearly since their HIV-infection diagnosis. No vaccination against influenza (p < 0.034) or hepatitis B (p < 0.029) were associated with CD4 counts <500 cells/mL; no vaccination against flu or pneumococcus were associated with detectable HIV viral load (p < 0.049 and p < 0.002, respectively). Immunization coverage is still very low among HIV-infected adults in this setting despite recommendations and high infection-related mortality.

Comparison of the ACC/AHA and Framingham algorithms to assess cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients.

The aim of this study was to compare the predictions of Framingham cardiovascular (CV) risk score (FRS) and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) risk score in an HIV outpatient clinic in the city of Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil. In a cross-sectional study 341 HIV infected patients over 40 years old consecutively recruited were interviewed. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to assess agreement between the two algorithms. 61.3% were stratified as low risk by Framingham score, compared with 54% by ACC/AHA score (Spearman correlation 0.845; p<0.000). Only 26.1% were classified as cardiovascular high risk by Framingham compared to 46% by ACC/AHA score (Kappa=0.745; p<0.039). Only one out of eight patients had cardiovascular high risk by Framingham at the time of a myocardial infarction event registered up to five years before the study period. Both cardiovascular risk scores but especially Framingham underestimated high-risk patients in this HIV-infected population.

Vaccination coverage in a cohort of HIV-infected patients receiving care at an AIDS outpatient clinic in Espírito Santo, Brazil.

This cross-sectional study assessed the immunization status of human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients receiving care at an outpatient clinic in Brazil. The sociodemographic characteristics, CD4 count and HIV viral load of 281 out of 612 adult outpatients were analyzed. A total of 331 patients were excluded because of no availability of vaccination cards. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used. Immunization coverage was higher for diphtheria/tetanus (59.79%) and hepatitis B (56.7%), and lowest for hepatitis A (6.8%) and for meningococcal group C (6%). Only 11.74% of the patients had received the influenza virus vaccine yearly since their HIV-infection diagnosis. No vaccination against influenza (p<0.034) or hepatitis B (p<0.029) were associated with CD4 counts <500cells/mL; no vaccination against flu or pneumococcus were associated with detectable HIV viral load (p<0.049 and p<0.002, respectively). Immunization coverage is still very low among HIV-infected adults in this setting despite recommendations and high infection-related mortality.

Extensive variation in drug-resistance mutational profile of Brazilian patients failing antiretroviral therapy in five large Brazilian cities

Abstract Background Development of drug-resistance mutations is the main cause of failure in antiretroviral therapy. In Brazil, there is scarce information on resistance pattern for patients failing antiretroviral therapy. Objectives To define the HIV mutational profile associated with drug resistance in Brazilian patients from 5 large cities, after first, second or further failures to antiretroviral therapy. Methods We reviewed genotyping results of 1520 patients failing therapy in five Brazilian cities. Frequency of mutations, mean number of active drugs, viral susceptibility to each antiretrovirals drug, and regional differences were assessed. Results Mean time of antiretrovirals use was 22.7 ± 41.1 months. Mean pre-genotyping viral load was 4.2 ± 0.8 log (2.1 ± 2.0 after switching antiretrovirals). Mean number of remaining active drugs was 9.4, 9.0, and 7.9 after 1st, 2nd, and 3rd failure, respectively. We detected regional variations in drug susceptibility: while BA and RS showed the highest (∼40%) resistance level to ATV/r, FPV/r and LPV/r, in the remaining cities it was around half of this rate. We detected 90% efavirenz/nevirapine resistance in SP, only 45% in RS, and levels between 25% and 30% in the other cities. Regarding NRTI, we found a similar pattern, with RJ presenting the highest, and CE the lowest susceptibility rates for all NRTI. Zidovudine resistance was detected in only 3% of patients in RJ, against 45–65% in the other cities. RJ and RS showed 3% resistance to tenofovir, while in CE it reached 55%. DRV/r (89–97%) and etravirine (61–85%) were the most active drugs, but again, with a wide variation across cities. Conclusions The resistance mutational profile of Brazilian patients failing antiretroviral therapy is quite variable, depending on the city where patients were tested. This variation likely reflects distinctive choice of antiretrovirals drugs to initiate therapy, adherence to specific drugs, or circulating HIV-1 strains. Overall, etravirine and DRV/r remain as the most active drugs.

Extensive variation in drug-resistance mutational profile of Brazilian patients failing antiretroviral therapy in five large Brazilian cities.

BACKGROUND: Development of drug-resistance mutations is the main cause of failure in antiretroviral therapy. In Brazil, there is scarce information on resistance pattern for patients failing antiretroviral therapy. OBJECTIVES: To define the HIV mutational profile associated with drug resistance in Brazilian patients from 5 large cities, after first, second or further failures to antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: We reviewed genotyping results of 1520 patients failing therapy in five Brazilian cities. Frequency of mutations, mean number of active drugs, viral susceptibility to each antiretrovirals drug, and regional differences were assessed. RESULTS: Mean time of antiretrovirals use was 22.7±41.1 months. Mean pre-genotyping viral load was 4.2±0.8log (2.1±2.0 after switching antiretrovirals). Mean number of remaining active drugs was 9.4, 9.0, and 7.9 after 1st, 2nd, and 3rd failure, respectively. We detected regional variations in drug susceptibility: while BA and RS showed the highest (∼40%) resistance level to ATV/r, FPV/r and LPV/r, in the remaining cities it was around half of this rate. We detected 90% efavirenz/nevirapine resistance in SP, only 45% in RS, and levels between 25% and 30% in the other cities. Regarding NRTI, we found a similar pattern, with RJ presenting the highest, and CE the lowest susceptibility rates for all NRTI. Zidovudine resistance was detected in only 3% of patients in RJ, against 45-65% in the other cities. RJ and RS showed 3% resistance to tenofovir, while in CE it reached 55%. DRV/r (89-97%) and etravirine (61-85%) were the most active drugs, but again, with a wide variation across cities. CONCLUSIONS: The resistance mutational profile of Brazilian patients failing antiretroviral therapy is quite variable, depending on the city where patients were tested. This variation likely reflects distinctive choice of antiretrovirals drugs to initiate therapy, adherence to specific drugs, or circulating HIV-1 strains. Overall, etravirine and DRV/r remain as the most active drugs.

Nephrotoxicity during tenofovir treatment: a three-year follow-up study in a Brazilian reference clinic

Abstract In this study, 275 patients in use of tenofovir were retrospectively followed-up for three years to evaluate risk factors involved in impaired renal function. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test were used to verify any differences in creatinine levels and estimated clearance at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months, adjusting for the co-variables sex, skin color, age >50 years, arterial hypertension, diabetes and the use of the ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors (PI/r) lopinavir/r or atazanavir/r. The software package STATISTICA 10® was used for statistical analysis. The patients’ mean age was 43.2 ± 10.7 years. Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and diabetes were found in 20.4% and 8.7% of the patients, respectively. Overall, 96.7% were on tenofovir associated with lamivudine (TDF + 3TC), 39.3% on lopinavir/r, 29.8% on efavirenz, and 17.6% on atazanavir/r. There was a statistically significant difference in estimated creatinine clearance at 24 months, when the co-variables male (F = 3.95; p = 0.048), SAH (F = 6.964; p = 0.009), and age over 50 years (F = 45.81; p < 0.001) were taken into consideration. Analysis of the co-variable use of atazanavir/r showed a tendency toward an increased risk over time (F = 2.437; p = 0.063); however, no significant time interaction was seen. At 36-month, a statistically significant difference was found for age over 50 years, (F = 32.02; p < 0.05) and there was a significant time-by-sex interaction (F = 3.117; p = 0.0149). TDF was discontinued in 12 patients, one because of a femoral neck fracture (0.7%) and 11 due to nephrotoxicity (4%). Of these latter cases, 9/11 patients were also using protease inhibitors. These data strongly alert that tenofovir use should be individualized with careful attention to renal function especially in male patients, over 50 years, with SAH, and probably those on ATV/r.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and its association with sarcopenia.

Presarcopenia and sarcopenia were evaluated in HIV-infected individuals and in healthy elderly controls according to the consensus definitions of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Bioelectrical impedance, a hydraulic hand dynamometer, and gait speed were used to evaluate muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance, respectively. Adjusted and unadjusted binary logistic regression predicted the risk of sarcopenia. Predictor contribution was assessed by the Wald test. Significance was established at p≤0.05. The HIV-infected group consisted of 33 patients on treatment (42.4% women; mean age 59±7 years; mean BMI 25±6kg/m(2); viral load undetectable in 30 cases). The HIV-uninfected group consisted of 60 individuals (71.7% women; mean age 70±7 years; mean BMI 28±6kg/m(2)). Of the controls, 4 (6.7%) individuals had presarcopenia and 4 (6.7%) sarcopenia compared to 4 (12.1%) and 8 (24.2%), respectively, in the HIV-infected group. The HIV-infected patients had a 4.95 higher risk (95% CI: 1.34-18.23) for sarcopenia compared to the controls. It should be pointed out that the control group was on average 10 years older. This risk increased further (RR=5.20; 95% CI: 1.40-19.20) after adjusting for age and BMI. HIV-infected patients were shown to be at a greater risk of sarcopenia, an indicator of frailty, even following adjustment for age and BMI.

Nephrotoxicity during tenofovir treatment: a three-year follow-up study in a Brazilian reference clinic.

In this study, 275 patients in use of tenofovir were retrospectively followed-up for three years to evaluate risk factors involved in impaired renal function. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test were used to verify any differences in creatinine levels and estimated clearance at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months, adjusting for the co-variables sex, skin color, age >50 years, arterial hypertension, diabetes and the use of the ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors (PI/r) lopinavir/r or atazanavir/r. The software package STATISTICA 10(®) was used for statistical analysis. The patients' mean age was 43.2±10.7 years. Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and diabetes were found in 20.4% and 8.7% of the patients, respectively. Overall, 96.7% were on tenofovir associated with lamivudine (TDF+3TC), 39.3% on lopinavir/r, 29.8% on efavirenz, and 17.6% on atazanavir/r. There was a statistically significant difference in estimated creatinine clearance at 24 months, when the co-variables male (F=3.95; p=0.048), SAH (F=6.964; p=0.009), and age over 50 years (F=45.81; p<0.001) were taken into consideration. Analysis of the co-variable use of atazanavir/r showed a tendency toward an increased risk over time (F=2.437; p=0.063); however, no significant time interaction was seen. At 36-month, a statistically significant difference was found for age over 50 years, (F=32.02; p<0.05) and there was a significant time-by-sex interaction (F=3.117; p=0.0149). TDF was discontinued in 12 patients, one because of a femoral neck fracture (0.7%) and 11 due to nephrotoxicity (4%). Of these latter cases, 9/11 patients were also using protease inhibitors. These data strongly alert that tenofovir use should be individualized with careful attention to renal function especially in male patients, over 50 years, with SAH, and probably those on ATV/r.

Syphilis and HIV co-infection in patients who attend an AIDS outpatient clinic in Vitoria, Brazil.

Our goal was to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, syphilis in HIV-infected patients who attend an AIDS outpatient clinic in Vitoria, Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional study-including interviews for demographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics-and blood collection (venipuncture and fingerstick) for VDRL and treponemal tests (rapid test) in a total of 438 patients. The mean age was 43.0 years (SD = 11), and mean years of school was 8.1 (SD = 4.2). The prevalence of syphilis was 5.3 % (95 % CI 3.3-7.3). The treponemal test was positive in 18.9 % of participants. In multivariate analysis, prevalent syphilis infection was independently associated with male gender (AOR 4.6, 95 % CI 1.1-20.0), a history of male-male sex (AOR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.6-4.1), current use of antiretroviral therapy (AOR 5.5, 95 % CI 1.7-16.7), and history of treated syphilis infection (AOR 5.5, 95 % CI 2.0-15.8). Syphilis prevalence was high in patients living with HIV/AIDS who attend an AIDS clinic; therefore, routine sexually transmitted infections counseling and screening should be included in their care.

Dyslipidemia and fasting glucose impairment among HIV patients three years after the first antiretroviral regimen in a Brazilian AIDS outpatient clinic

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cumulative incidence of dyslipidemia and fasting glucose impairment three years after initiating the first antiretroviral (ART) regimen and the association with the type of ART regimen in an AIDS outpatient clinic in Brazil. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of HIV-1 infected patients attending an outpatient HIV clinic in Vitoria, Brazil, between January/2010 and May/2011. Data, including blood pressure, dyslipidemia (high total cholesterol and low HDL-C), fasting glucose, and cardiovascular risk by Framingham Risk Score were abstracted from medical records from clinic visits six months prior and three years after starting ART. We assessed independent associated factors for dyslipidemia using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-eight patients on ART were studied. Median age was 45 years (interquartile range (IQR): 37-52), and median time since HIV diagnosis was 7.7 years (IQR: 3.8-10.0). The proportion of patients with dyslipidemia was 22.3% (95% CI: 18.6-25.9%) 36 months after ART initiation. Triglycerides levels >150 mg/dL (55.2% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.021) and high fasting glucose (5.8% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.034) were diagnosed more frequently after ART use when compared to baseline values. Multiple logistic regression analysis has shown dyslipidemia to be associated with lopinavir/r use [OR = 1.74 (95% CI: 1.12-2.86)]. CONCLUSION: These data show high chance of dyslipidemia after initiation of ART. Long-term follow-up will help identify the impact of ART on cardiovascular risk.

Dyslipidemia and fasting glucose impairment among HIV patients three years after the first antiretroviral regimen in a Brazilian AIDS outpatient clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cumulative incidence of dyslipidemia and fasting glucose impairment three years after initiating the first antiretroviral (ART) regimen and the association with the type of ART regimen in an AIDS outpatient clinic in Brazil. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of HIV-1 infected patients attending an outpatient HIV clinic in Vitoria, Brazil, between January/2010 and May/2011. Data, including blood pressure, dyslipidemia (high total cholesterol and low HDL-C), fasting glucose, and cardiovascular risk by Framingham Risk Score were abstracted from medical records from clinic visits six months prior and three years after starting ART. We assessed independent associated factors for dyslipidemia using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-eight patients on ART were studied. Median age was 45 years (interquartile range (IQR): 37-52), and median time since HIV diagnosis was 7.7 years (IQR: 3.8-10.0). The proportion of patients with dyslipidemia was 22.3% (95% CI: 18.6-25.9%) 36 months after ART initiation. Triglycerides levels >150mg/dL (55.2% vs. 25.4%, p=0.021) and high fasting glucose (5.8% vs. 2.3%, p=0.034) were diagnosed more frequently after ART use when compared to baseline values. Multiple logistic regression analysis has shown dyslipidemia to be associated with lopinavir/r use [OR=1.74 (95% CI: 1.12-2.86)]. CONCLUSION: These data show high chance of dyslipidemia after initiation of ART. Long-term follow-up will help identify the impact of ART on cardiovascular risk.