Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance to Ceftazidime/Avibactam in Clinical Isolates of Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Latin American Hospitals.

Ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) is the combination of a third-generation cephalosporin and a new non-ß-lactam ß-lactamase inhibitor capable of inactivating class A, C, and some D ß-lactamases. From a collection of 2,727 clinical isolates of Enterobacterales (n = 2,235) and P. aeruginosa (n = 492) that were collected between 2016 and 2017 from five Latin American countries, we investigated the molecular resistance mechanisms to CZA of 127 (18/2,235 [0.8%] Enterobacterales and 109/492 [22.1%] P. aeruginosa). First, by qPCR for the presence of genes encoding KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP, OXA-48-like, and SPM-1 carbapenemases, and second, by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). From the CZA-resistant isolates, MBL-encoding genes were detected in all 18 Enterobacterales and 42/109 P. aeruginosa isolates, explaining their resistant phenotype. Resistant isolates that yielded a negative qPCR result for any of the MBL encoding genes were subjected to WGS. The WGS analysis of the 67 remaining P. aeruginosa isolates showed mutations in genes previously associated with reduced susceptibility to CZA, such as those involved in the MexAB-OprM efflux pump and AmpC (PDC) hyperproduction, PoxB (blaOXA-50-like), FtsI (PBP3), DacB (PBP4), and OprD. The results presented here offer a snapshot of the molecular epidemiological landscape for CZA resistance before the introduction of this antibiotic into the Latin American market. Therefore, these results serve as a valuable comparison tool to trace the evolution of the resistance to CZA in this carbapenemase-endemic geographical region. IMPORTANCE In this manuscript, we determine the molecular mechanisms of ceftazidime-avibactam resistance in Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa isolates from five Latin American countries. Our results reveal a low rate of resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam among Enterobacterales; in contrast, resistance in P. aeruginosa has proven to be more complex, as it might involve multiple known and possibly unknown resistance mechanisms.

"Sigma Volvere" acerca del vólvulo de sigmoides, diagnóstico y manejo quirúrgico, reporte de serie de casos / "Sigma Volvere" About Sigmoid Volvulus, Diagnosis and Surgical Management. Case Series Report

Resumen Presentar la experiencia en el diagnóstico clínico-radiológico y tratamiento de vólvulo sigmoideo. Se incluyeron casos con clínica sugestiva de obstrucción intestinal secundaria a vólvulo de sigmoides. Los factores de riesgo fueron: sexo masculino, mayor estancia hospitalaria, edad mayor a 70 años y la tríada clásica. Los estudios de imagen resultaron concluyentes, siendo la radiografía de abdomen y la tomografía simple de abdomen, los de elección para el abordaje diagnóstico. El vólvulo de sigmoides tiene un patrón clínico-radiológico predecible, un examen físico minucioso y estudios de gabinete de primera línea pueden ser concluyentes. La opción terapéutica para estos pacientes fue la cirugía.

Abstract To present the experience in clinical/radiological diagnosis and treatment of sigmoid volvulus. Cases with symptoms suggestive of intestinal obstruction secondary to sigmoid volvulus were included. The risk factors were: male sex, longer hospital stay, age over 70 years and the classic triad. Imaging studies were conclusive, with abdominal radiography and simple abdominal tomography being the tests of choice for the diagnostic approach. Sigmoid volvulus has a predictable clinical-radiological pattern, a thorough physical examination and first-line cabinet studies can be conclusive. The therapeutic option for these patients was surgery.

Early Enteral Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Complications in Pediatric Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety of enteral nutrition (EN) in children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). To describe nutritional status and the characteristics of the nutritional support in this population. METHODS: A retrospective single-center analysis (2006-2016) including children <18 years on ECMO. Demographic data, nutritional status, characteristics of nutritional support, and development of gastrointestinal (GI) complications were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred children, with a median age of 9.7 months (interquartile range [IQR] 3.9-63.1) were enrolled. Undernutrition was prevalent among children on ECMO (33.3%) mainly in patients <2 years (P = 0.042). Most patients (64%) received EN at some point during ECMO therapy. EN was administered in the first 48 hours after ECMO initiation (48HEN) to 60.3% of the children.Mortality rate in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was lower in patients who received EN as the initial artificial nutrition support (ANS) (37.7 vs 51%, P = 0.005) and in children on 48HEN (34% vs 50%, P = 0.04). In the logistic regression analysis, duration of ECMO support and low cardiac output indication were the only factors associated with mortality.Although most patients on ECMO (45%) developed digestive complications, they were mostly mild, being constipation the most prevalent. In the logistic regression analysis, EN was not associated with an increase in GI complications (P = 0.09). Only three patients developed intestinal ischemia (one without EN and two on EN). CONCLUSIONS: Undernutrition is prevalent among children on ECMO, mainly in infants <2 years. EN is not associated with severe gastrointestinal complications or higher mortality in these children.

Effect of ventilation rate on recovery after cardiac arrest in a pediatric animal model.

AIMS: To assess the impact of two different respiratory rates in hemodynamic, perfusion and ventilation parameters in a pediatric animal model of cardiac arrest (CA). METHODS: An experimental randomized controlled trial was carried out in 50 piglets under asphyxial CA. After ROSC, they were randomized into two groups: 20 and 30 respirations per minute (rpm). Hemodynamic, perfusion and ventilation parameters were measured 10 minutes after asphyxia, just before ROSC and at 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after ROSC. Independent medians test, Kruskal-Wallis test and χ2 test, were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Spearman's Rho was used to assess correlation between continuous variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) was significantly lower in the 30 rpm group after 15 minutes (41 vs. 54.5 mmHg, p <0.01), 30 minutes (39.5 vs. 51 mmHg, p < 0.01) and 60 minutes (36.5 vs. 48 mmHg, p = 0.02) of ROSC. The percentage of normoventilated subjects (PaCO2 30-50 mmHg) was significantly higher in the 30 rpm group throughout the experiment. pH normalization occurred faster in the 30 rpm group with significant differences at 60 minutes (7.40 vs. 7.34, p = 0.02). Lactic acid levels were high immediately after ROSC in both groups, but were significantly lower in the 20 rpm group at 30 (3.7 vs. 4.7 p = 0.04) and 60 minutes (2.6 vs. 3.6 p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This animal model of asphyxial CA shows that a respiratory rate of 30 rpm is more effective to reach normoventilation than 20 rpm in piglets after ROSC. This ventilation strategy seems to be safe, as it does not cause hyperventilation and does not affect hemodynamics or cerebral tissue perfusion.

Trends in Transmission of Drug Resistance and Prevalence of Non-B Subtypes in Patients with Acute or Recent HIV-1 Infection in Barcelona in the Last 16 Years (1997-2012).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) and non-B subtypes in patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection in Barcelona during the period 1997-2012. METHODS: Patients from the "Hospital Clínic Primary HIV-1 Infection Cohort" with a genotyping test performed within 180 days of infection were included. The 2009 WHO List of Mutations for Surveillance of Transmitted HIV-1 Drug Resistance was used for estimating the prevalence of TDR and phylogenetic analysis for subtype determination. RESULTS: 189 patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection were analyzed in 4 time periods (1997-2000, n=28; 2001-4, n=42; 2005-8, n=55 and 2009-12, n=64). The proportion of patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection with respect to the total of newly HIV-diagnosed patients in our center increased over the time and was 2.18%, 3.82%, 4.15% and 4.55% for the 4 periods, respectively (p=0.005). The global prevalence of TDR was 9%, or 17.9%, 9.5%, 3.6% and 9.4% by study period (p=0.2). The increase in the last period was driven by protease-inhibitor and nucleoside-reverse-transcriptase-inhibitor resistance mutations while non-nucleoside-reverse-transcriptase inhibitor TDR and TDR of more than one family decreased. The overall prevalence of non-B subtypes was 11.1%, or 0%, 4.8%, 9.1% and 20.3 by study period (p=0.01). B/F recombinants, B/G recombinants and subtype F emerged in the last period. We also noticed an increase in the number of immigrant patients (p=0.052). The proportion of men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) among patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection increased over the time (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of TDR in patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection in Barcelona was 9%, and it has stayed relatively stable in recent years. Non-B subtypes and immigrants proportions progressively increased.

[Efficacy of initial antiretroviral therapy based on lopinavir/ritonavir plus 2 nucleoside/nucleotide analogs in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection]. / Eficacia del tratamiento antirretroviral de inicio basado en lopinavir/ritonavir más 2 análogos de nucleósidos/nucleótidos en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana-1.

Triple combination regimens consisting of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) plus 2 nucleoside/nucleotide analogs continue to be a valid option in initial antiretroviral therapy. Other protease inhibitors boosted with ritonavir (and in future with cobicistat) have been introduced, as well as other non-nucleoside analogs (rilpivirin) and 3 integrase inhibitors. None of the new regimens have shown superiority over LPV/r or comparisons are lacking. Therefore, regimens including LPV/r continue to be recommended as initial first-line or alternative strategies in most treatment guidelines. Dual combinations with LPV/r (plus raltegravir or lamivudine) are described in another article and can provide a similar response rate to triple combinations, better tolerance, and an improved cost-efficacy ratio, both for initial therapy and in simplification strategies. In contrast, LPV/r or darunavir/r monotherapy does not seem an acceptable option in treatment-naïve patients and is becoming increasingly less acceptable in simplification strategies.

Eficacia del tratamiento antirretroviral de inicio basado en lopinavir/ritonavir más 2 análogos de nucleósidos/nucleótidos en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana-1 / Efficacy of initial antiretroviral therapy based on lopinavir/ritonavir plus 2 nucleoside/nucleotide analogs in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

Las combinaciones triples con lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) más 2 análogos de nucleósidos/nucleótidos siguen siendo una opción válida para el tratamiento antirretroviral inicial. Se han introducido otros inhibidores de la proteasa potenciados con ritonavir (y en el futuro con cobicistat), se han introducido otros no-nucleósidos (rilpivirina) y 3 inhibidores de la integrasa. Ninguna de las nuevas pautas ha demostrado superioridad al compararse con LPV/r o no se han comparado. Por ello, las pautas que incluyen LPV/r se siguen recomendando para el tratamiento inicial como pautas preferentes o alternativas en la mayoría de guías terapéuticas. Las combinaciones dobles con LPV/r (más raltegravir o lamivudina) se describen en otro capítulo y pueden ofrecer una tasa de respuesta similar, mejor tolerancia y una mejor relación coste-eficacia, tanto para el tratamiento inicial como en estrategias de 'simplificación'. Por el contrario, la monoterapia con LPV/r o con darunavir/r no parece aceptable en pacientes naïve y cada vez menos en estrategias de 'simplificación' (AU)

Triple combination regimens consisting of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) plus 2 nucleoside/nucleotide analogs continue to be a valid option in initial antiretroviral therapy. Other protease inhibitors boosted with ritonavir (and in future with cobicistat) have been introduced, as well as other non-nucleoside analogs (rilpivirin) and 3 integrase inhibitors. None of the new regimens have shown superiority over LPV/r or comparisons are lacking. Therefore, regimens including LPV/r continue to be recommended as initial firstline or alternative strategies in most treatment guidelines. Dual combinations with LPV/r (plus raltegravir or lamivudine) are described in another article and can provide a similar response rate to triple combinations, better tolerance, and an improved cost-efficacy ratio, both for initial therapy and in simplification strategies. In contrast, LPV/r or darunavir/r monotherapy does not seem an acceptable option in treatment-naïve patients and is becoming increasingly less acceptable in simplification strategies (AU)

Análisis de costes y de coste/eficacia de las pautas preferentes de GESIDA/Plan Nacional sobre el Sida en 2013 para el tratamiento antirretroviral inicial en adultos infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana / Analysis of costs and cost-effectiveness of preferred GESIDA/National AIDS Plan regimens for initial antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus infected adult patients in 2013

INTRODUCCIÓN: El panel de expertos de GESIDA/Plan Nacional sobre el Sida ha propuesto «pautas preferentes» de tratamiento antirretroviral (TARV) como terapia de inicio en pacientes infectados por VIH para 2013. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar los costes y la eficiencia de iniciar tratamiento con estas pautas. MÉTODOS: Evaluación económica de costes y eficiencia (coste/eficacia) mediante construcción de árboles de decisión. Se definió eficacia como la probabilidad de tener carga viral < 50 copias/ml en la semana 48 en análisis por intención de tratar. Se definió coste de iniciar tratamiento con una pauta como los costes del TARV y de todas sus consecuencias (efectos adversos [EA], cambios de pauta y estudio de resistencias) que se producen en las siguientes 48 semanas. Se utilizó la perspectiva del Sistema Nacional de Salud, considerando solo costes directos diferenciales: fármacos (a precio oficial), manejo de EA, estudios de resistencias y determinación de HLA B*5701. El ámbito es Espańa, con costes de 2013. Se realizó análisis de sensibilidad determinista construyendo 3 escenarios para cada pauta: basal, más favorable y más desfavorable. RESULTADOS: En el escenario basal, los costes de iniciar tratamiento oscilaron entre 6.747 euros para TDF/FTC + NVP y 12.059 euros para TDF/FTC + RAL. La eficacia osciló entre 0,66 para ABC/3TC + LPV/r y ABC/3TC + ATV/r, y 0,87 para TDF/FTC + RAL y ABC/3TC + RAL. La eficiencia, en términos de coste/eficacia, osciló entre 8.396 y 13.930 euros por respondedor a las 48 semanas, para TDF/FTC/RPV y TDF/FTC + RAL, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: Considerando el precio oficial del TARV, la pauta más eficiente fue TDF/FTC/RPV, seguida de las otras pautas que contienen no nucleósidos. El análisis de sensibilidad confirmó la robustez de estos hallazgos

INTRODUCTION: The GESIDA and National AIDS Plan panel of experts have proposed "preferred regimens" of antiretroviral treatment (ART) as initial therapy in HIV infected patients for 2013. The objective of this study is to evaluate the costs and effectiveness of initiating treatment with these "preferred regimens". METHODS: An economic assessment of costs and effectiveness (cost/effectiveness) was performed using decision tree analysis models. Effectiveness was defined as the probability of having viral load < 50 copies/mL at week48, in an intention-to-treat analysis. Cost of initiating treatment with an ART regime was defined as the costs of ART and its consequences (adverse effects, changes of ART regime and drug resistance analyses) during the first 48 weeks. The perspective of the analysis is that of the National Health System was applied, only taking into account differential direct costs: ART (official prices), management of adverse effects, resistance studies, and determination of HLA B*5701. The setting is Spain and the costs are those of 2013. A sensitivity deterministic analysis was performed, constructing three scenarios for each regimen: baseline, most favourable, and most unfavourable cases. RESULTS: In the baseline case scenario, the cost of initiating treatment ranges from 6,747euros for TDF/FTC+NVP to 12,059 euros for TDF/FTC+RAL. The effectiveness ranges between 0.66 for ABC/3TC+LPV/r and ABC/3TC+ATV/r, and 0.87 for TDF/FTC+RAL and ABC/3TC+RAL. Effectiveness, in terms of cost/effectiveness, varies between 8,396euros and 13,930 euros per responder at 48 weeks, for TDF/FTC/RPV and TDF/FTC+RAL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Taking ART at official prices, the most effective regimen was TDF/FTC/RPV, followed by the rest of non-nucleoside containing regimens. The sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of these findings

[Analysis of costs and cost-effectiveness of preferred GESIDA/National AIDS Plan regimens for initial antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus infected adult patients in 2013]. / Análisis de costes y de coste/eficacia de las pautas preferentes de GESIDA/Plan Nacional sobre el Sida en 2013 para el tratamiento antirretroviral inicial en adultos infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.

INTRODUCTION: The GESIDA and National AIDS Plan panel of experts have proposed "preferred regimens" of antiretroviral treatment (ART) as initial therapy in HIV infected patients for 2013. The objective of this study is to evaluate the costs and effectiveness of initiating treatment with these "preferred regimens". METHODS: An economic assessment of costs and effectiveness (cost/effectiveness) was performed using decision tree analysis models. Effectiveness was defined as the probability of having viral load <50copies/mL at week48, in an intention-to-treat analysis. Cost of initiating treatment with an ART regime was defined as the costs of ART and its consequences (adverse effects, changes of ART regime and drug resistance analyses) during the first 48weeks. The perspective of the analysis is that of the National Health System was applied, only taking into account differential direct costs: ART (official prices), management of adverse effects, resistance studies, and determination of HLA B*5701. The setting is Spain and the costs are those of 2013. A sensitivity deterministic analysis was performed, constructing three scenarios for each regimen: baseline, most favourable, and most unfavourable cases. RESULTS: In the baseline case scenario, the cost of initiating treatment ranges from 6,747euros for TDF/FTC+NVP to 12,059euros for TDF/FTC+RAL. The effectiveness ranges between 0.66 for ABC/3TC+LPV/r and ABC/3TC+ATV/r, and 0.87 for TDF/FTC+RAL and ABC/3TC+RAL. Effectiveness, in terms of cost/effectiveness, varies between 8,396euros and 13,930euros per responder at 48weeks, for TDF/FTC/RPV and TDF/FTC+RAL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Taking ART at official prices, the most effective regimen was TDF/FTC/RPV, followed by the rest of non-nucleoside containing regimens. The sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of these findings.

[Costs and cost-efficacy analysis of the preferred treatments by GESIDA/National Plan for AIDS for the initial antiretroviral therapy in adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients in 2012]. / Análisis de costes y de coste/eficacia de las pautas preferentes de GESIDA/Plan Nacional sobre el Sida en 2012 para el tratamiento antirretroviral inicial en adultos infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH).

INTRODUCTION: The GESIDA and National AIDS Plan panel of experts propose «preferred regimens¼ of antiretroviral treatment (ART) as initial therapy in HIV infected patients for 2012. The objective of this study is to evaluate the costs and the efficiency of initiating treatment with these «preferred regimens¼. METHODS: Economic assessment of costs and efficiency (cost/efficacy) using decision tree analysis model. Efficacy was defined as the probability of having a viral load <50 copies/ml at week 48, in an intention-to-treat analysis. Cost of initiating treatment with an ART regime was defined as the costs of ART and all its consequences (adverse effects, changes of ART regime, and drug resistance analyses) during the first 48 weeks. The perspective of the analysis is that of the National Health System, considering only differential direct costs: ART (official prices), management of adverse effects, studies of resistance and determination of HLA B 5701. The setting is Spain and the costs are those of 2012. A sensitivity deterministic analysis was conducted, building three scenarios for each regime: baseline, most favourable, and most unfavourable cases. RESULTS: In the baseline case scenario, the cost of initiating treatment ranges from 6,895 euros for TDF/FTC+NVP to 12,067 euros for TDF/FTC+RAL. The efficacy ranges between 0.66 for ABC/3TC+LPV/r and 0.87 for TDF/FTC+RAL. Efficiency, in terms of cost/efficacy, varies between 9,387 and 13,823 euros per responder at 48 weeks, for TDF/FTC/EFV and TDF/FTC+RAL, respectively. In the most unfavourable scenario, the most efficient regime is TDF/FTC+NVP (9,742 per responder). CONCLUSION: Considering the official prices of ART, the most efficient regimens are TDF/FTC/EFV (baseline case and most favourable scenarios), and TDF/FTC+NVP (most unfavourable scenario).

Análisis de costes y de coste/eficacia de las pautas preferentes de GESIDA para el tratamiento antirretroviral inicial / Costs and cost effectiveness analysis of preferred GESIDA regimens for initial antiretroviral therapy

Introducción El panel de expertos de GESIDA/Plan Nacional del Sida propone «pautas preferentes» de tratamiento antirretroviral como terapia de inicio en pacientes infectados por el VIH. Las pautas preferentes se basan en resultados de ensayos clínicos y en la opinión de los expertos del panel. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar los costes y la eficiencia (coste/eficacia) de iniciar tratamiento con estas pautas. Métodos Evaluación económica de los costes y de la eficiencia (coste/eficacia) mediante la construcción de árboles de decisión. Se definió eficacia como la probabilidad de tener carga viral <50 copias ml en la semana 48 un análisis por intención de tratar perspectiva es del sistema nacional salud habiéndose tenido cuenta solo los costes directos diferenciales fármacos manejo efectos adversos estudios resistencias y determinación hla b 5701 el ámbito España horizonte temporal semanas se refieren a 2011 realizó sensibilidad determinista construyendo tres escenarios para cada pauta: basal más favorable desfavorable Resultados En el escenario basal, los costes de iniciar tratamiento oscilaron entre 7.550 euros para ABC/3TC+EFV y 13.327 euros para TDF/FTC+RAL. La eficacia osciló entre 0,66 para ABC/3TC+LPV/r y 0,86 para TDF/FTC+RAL. La eficiencia, en términos de coste/eficacia, osciló entre 10.175 y 15.539 euros por respondedor a las 48 semanas, para TDF/FTC/EFV y TDF/FTC+RAL, respectivamente. Conclusión La pauta más eficiente fue TDF/FTC+EFV, seguida de ABC/3TC+EFV. El análisis de sensibilidad confirmó la robustez de estos hallazgos(AU)

Introduction GESIDA (AIDS Study Group) and the National AIDS Plan panel of experts propose “preferred regimens” of antiretroviral treatment (ART) as initial therapy in HIV infected patients. These preferred regimens are based on the results of clinical trials, and on the opinions of the experts of the panel. The objective of this study is to evaluate the costs and the cost effectiveness of initiating treatment following these guidelines. Methods Economic assessment of costs and cost effectiveness through the construction of decision trees. Effectiveness was defined as the probability of having viral load <50 copies ml at week 48 in an intention-to-treat analysis the perspective of is that national health system taking into account only differential direct costs art management adverse effects studies resistance and determination hla b 5701 area spain time horizon weeks are those 2011 a deterministic sensitivity was performed building three scenarios for each regimen: baseline most favourable unfavourable Results In the baseline scenario, the cost of initiating treatment ranges from 7,550 Euros for the ABC/3TC+EFV to 13,327 Euros for TDF/FTC+RAL. The efficacy ranges between 0.66 for ABC/3TC+LPV/r and 0.86 for TDF/FTC+RAL. Efficiency, in terms of cost effectiveness, varies between 10,175 and 15,539 Euros per responder at 48 weeks, for TDF/FTC/EFV and TDF/FTC+RAL respectively. Conclusion The most efficient regimen was TDF/FTC+EFV, followed by ABC/3TC+EFV. Sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of these findings (AU)

Manejo clínico de la infección aguda y crónica por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana antes del inicio del tratamiento antirretroviral / Clinical management of acute and chronic human immunodeficiency virus infection before starting antiretroviral treatment

La evaluación de nuevos casos de infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) es relativamente frecuente, ya que en España se diagnostican cada año varios miles de pacientes con nuevas infecciones. El 80% de los casos tienen una infección crónica por el VIH que puede ser sintomática (diagnóstico tardío) hasta en un 30% de pacientes. La evaluación clínica inicial de la infección por el VIH no está dirigida solo a conocer la situación clínica, virológica (carga viral del VIH, estudio de resistencias y tropismo viral) e inmunológica (cifra de linfocitos CD4) del VIH, sino que debe dirigirse también al estudio de las coinfecciones (virus de la hepatitis, tuberculosis) y comorbilidades (cardiovascular, hepática, renal y ósea) del paciente y al riesgo de transmisión del VIH con el fin de decidir si se debe iniciar o no el tratamiento antirretroviral y con qué fármacos antirretrovirales iniciarlo, la profilaxis de las infecciones oportunistas y el tratamiento de las coinfecciones y comorbilidades. La anamnesis, el examen físico y las pruebas complementarias nos ayudarán a decidir si el paciente es tributario de una intervención terapéutica. El nivel de linfocitos T CD4+, además de sugerir el momento de iniciar el tratamiento (..) (AU)

The evaluation of new cases of HIV infection is relatively common in Spain, where several thousands of patients with new infections are diagnosed each year. Eighty per cent of them have a chronic HIV infection at the first clinical evaluation, which is symptomatic (late presenters) in up to 30% of patients. The initial evaluation of HIV infection is not only directed at determining the clinical, virological (plasma HIV RNA viral load, resistance test and viral tropism) and immunological (CD4+ T-cell cell count) situation of the patients, but must also address the study of their co-infections (hepatitis, tuberculosis) and comorbidities (cardiovascular, hepatic, renal and bone) and the risk of HIV transmission. This is needed in order to decide, whether or not to start antiretroviral treatment, and with which combined antiretroviral treatment to start with, the prophylaxis of opportunistic infections, and the treatment of coinfections and comorbidities. The past and current medical history, the physical examination and laboratory tests will help us decide if the patient is to receive therapeutic intervention. The level of CD4+ T-cell lymphocytes is the best marker to suggest when to start combined antiretroviral treatment, indicating whether or not to start prophylaxis against opportunistic infections (if patients have a CD4+ T-cell count below 200 cells/mm3), and in advanced patients should make us suspect the presence of active opportunistic diseases in symptomatic cases. The management of patients with HIV infection must also include appropriate health education on the modes of transmission and prevention of HIV infection, and also to explain its natural history and how it can be modified with proper antiretroviral treatment, as well as to promote a healthy life. No less important is the psychological support, as these patients must learn to live with a chronic infection, which managed properly can ensure a very good long-term prognosis and quality of life (AU)

[Clinical management of acute and chronic human immunodeficiency virus infection before starting antiretroviral treatment]. / Manejo clínico de la infección aguda y crónica por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana antes del inicio del tratamiento antirretroviral.

The evaluation of new cases of HIV infection is relatively common in Spain, where several thousands of patients with new infections are diagnosed each year. Eighty per cent of them have a chronic HIV infection at the first clinical evaluation, which is symptomatic (late presenters) in up to 30% of patients. The initial evaluation of HIV infection is not only directed at determining the clinical, virological (plasma HIV RNA viral load, resistance test and viral tropism) and immunological (CD4+ T-cell cell count) situation of the patients, but must also address the study of their co-infections (hepatitis, tuberculosis) and comorbidities (cardiovascular, hepatic, renal and bone) and the risk of HIV transmission. This is needed in order to decide, whether or not to start antiretroviral treatment, and with which combined antiretroviral treatment to start with, the prophylaxis of opportunistic infections, and the treatment of coinfections and comorbidities. The past and current medical history, the physical examination and laboratory tests will help us decide if the patient is to receive therapeutic intervention. The level of CD4+ T-cell lymphocytes is the best marker to suggest when to start combined antiretroviral treatment, indicating whether or not to start prophylaxis against opportunistic infections (if patients have a CD4+ T-cell count below 200 cells/mm(3)), and in advanced patients should make us suspect the presence of active opportunistic diseases in symptomatic cases. The management of patients with HIV infection must also include appropriate health education on the modes of transmission and prevention of HIV infection, and also to explain its natural history and how it can be modified with proper antiretroviral treatment, as well as to promote a healthy life. No less important is the psychological support, as these patients must learn to live with a chronic infection, which managed properly can ensure a very good long-term prognosis and quality of life.

[Costs and cost effectiveness analysis of preferred GESIDA regimens for initial antiretroviral therapy]. / Análisis de costes y de coste/eficacia de las pautas preferentes de GESIDA para el tratamiento antirretroviral inicial.

INTRODUCTION: GESIDA (AIDS Study Group) and the National AIDS Plan panel of experts propose "preferred regimens" of antiretroviral treatment (ART) as initial therapy in HIV infected patients. These preferred regimens are based on the results of clinical trials, and on the opinions of the experts of the panel. The objective of this study is to evaluate the costs and the cost effectiveness of initiating treatment following these guidelines. METHODS: Economic assessment of costs and cost effectiveness through the construction of decision trees. Effectiveness was defined as the probability of having viral load <50 copies/mL at week 48 in an intention-to-treat analysis. The perspective of the analysis is that of the National Health System, taking into account only the differential direct costs (ART, management of adverse effects, studies of resistance, and determination of HLA B * 5701). The area is Spain, the time horizon is 48 weeks, and the costs are those of 2011. A deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed, building three scenarios for each regimen: baseline, the most favourable, and the most unfavourable. RESULTS: In the baseline scenario, the cost of initiating treatment ranges from 7,550 Euros for the ABC/3TC+EFV to 13,327 Euros for TDF/FTC+RAL. The efficacy ranges between 0.66 for ABC/3TC+LPV/r and 0.86 for TDF/FTC+RAL. Efficiency, in terms of cost effectiveness, varies between 10,175 and 15,539 Euros per responder at 48 weeks, for TDF/FTC/EFV and TDF/FTC+RAL respectively. CONCLUSION: The most efficient regimen was TDF/FTC+EFV, followed by ABC/3TC+EFV. Sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of these findings.

Ex vivo production of autologous whole inactivated HIV-1 for clinical use in therapeutic vaccines.

This study provides a detailed description and characterization of the preparation of individualized lots of autologous heat inactivated HIV-1 virions used as immunogen in a clinical trial designed to test an autologous dendritic-cell-based therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine (Clinical Trial DCV-2, NCT00402142). For each participant, ex vivo isolation and expansion of primary virus were performed by co-culturing CD4-enriched PBMCs from the HIV-1-infected patient with PBMC from HIV-seronegative unrelated healthy volunteer donors. The viral supernatants were heat-inactivated and concentrated to obtain 1 mL of autologous immunogen, which was used to load autologous dendritic cells of each patient. High sequence homology was found between the inactivated virus immunogen and the HIV-1 circulating in plasma at the time of HIV-1 isolation. Immunogens contained up to 109 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL showed considerably reduced infectivity after heat inactivation (median of 5.6 log10), and were free of specified adventitious agents. The production of individualized lots of immunogen based on autologous inactivated HIV-1 virus fulfilling clinical-grade good manufacturing practice proved to be feasible, consistent with predetermined specifications, and safe for use in a clinical trial designed to test autologous dendritic cell-based therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine.

Evaluation of the Roche COBAS® TaqMan® HIV-1 test for quantifying HIV-1 RNA in infected cells and lymphoid tissue.

Lymphoid tissue is the main reservoir of HIV-1 in infected individuals. In this study the COBAS® TaqMan® HIV-1 test was evaluated for use with the High Pure System (HPS), for quantifying HIV-1 RNA in infected cells and lymphoid tissue specimens. Serial dilutions of 8E5-LAV1 infected T-cells into SUP-T1 cells and 44 tonsil specimens were examined. Some modifications of the test were required, such as the removal of residual DNA and the HIV-1 RNA output copies were adjusted to the sample input and expressed as HIV-1 RNA copies/µg of total RNA. The Roche COBAS® TaqMan HIV-1® (HPS) test proved to be a robust, sensitive, specific and reproducible method for quantifying HIV-1 RNA in infected cells and lymphoid tissue. Linearity and reproducibility were observed in serial dilutions of 8E5-LAV1 infected T-cells (R²>0.86). High reproducibility was found in clinical tonsil specimens (Wilcoxon test p > 0.05). rDNase I treatment was essential to avoid false positives caused by residual HIV-1 DNA, mainly in tonsil specimens obtained from infected patients receiving effective antiretroviral treatment. Probit analysis determined the limit of detection as 22HIV-1 RNA copies/µg of total RNA. The Roche COBAS® TaqMan® HIV-1 (HPS) test thereby proved to be a helpful tool for measuring the HIV-1 viral load in infected cells and lymphoid tissue reservoirs.

A new multidisciplinary home care telemedicine system to monitor stable chronic human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: a randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy has changed the natural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in developed countries, where it has become a chronic disease. This clinical scenario requires a new approach to simplify follow-up appointments and facilitate access to healthcare professionals. METHODOLOGY: We developed a new internet-based home care model covering the entire management of chronic HIV-infected patients. This was called Virtual Hospital. We report the results of a prospective randomised study performed over two years, comparing standard care received by HIV-infected patients with Virtual Hospital care. HIV-infected patients with access to a computer and broadband were randomised to be monitored either through Virtual Hospital (Arm I) or through standard care at the day hospital (Arm II). After one year of follow up, patients switched their care to the other arm. Virtual Hospital offered four main services: Virtual Consultations, Telepharmacy, Virtual Library and Virtual Community. A technical and clinical evaluation of Virtual Hospital was carried out. FINDINGS: Of the 83 randomised patients, 42 were monitored during the first year through Virtual Hospital (Arm I) and 41 through standard care (Arm II). Baseline characteristics of patients were similar in the two arms. The level of technical satisfaction with the virtual system was high: 85% of patients considered that Virtual Hospital improved their access to clinical data and they felt comfortable with the videoconference system. Neither clinical parameters [level of CD4+ T lymphocytes, proportion of patients with an undetectable level of viral load (p = 0.21) and compliance levels >90% (p = 0.58)] nor the evaluation of quality of life or psychological questionnaires changed significantly between the two types of care. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual Hospital is a feasible and safe tool for the multidisciplinary home care of chronic HIV patients. Telemedicine should be considered as an appropriate support service for the management of chronic HIV infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical-Trials.gov: NCT01117675.

Atazanavir en el tratamiento de simplificación / Efficacy of atazanavir in simplification regimens

Atazanavir es un nuevo inhibidor de la proteasa azapéptido con un perfil farmacocinético singular, que permite la administración una vez al día de sólo 2 cápsulas en combinación con otros antirretrovirales. Su potente eficacia antiviral se acompaña, además, de un perfil de tolerancia excelente y de ausencia de incrementos significativos de las concentraciones de colesterol y triglicéridos. La respuesta inmunológica y virológica obtenida con atazanavir o atazanavir/ritonavir, tanto en pacientes naive como en pacientes con fracaso virológico previo a otros inhibidores de la proteasa, es excelente. Atazanavir es un atractivo fármaco para la simplificación terapéutica. Además de mantener la supresión virológica, los pacientes que cambian de otros inhibidores de la proteasa a atazanavir presentan reducciones en el colesterol total, el colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad (cHDL) y los triglicéridos. Datos preliminares indican también que el tratamiento de mantenimiento simplificado con atazanavir/ritonavir en monoterapia puede mantener la supresión virológica de manera eficaz en pacientes seleccionados

Atazanavir is a new azapeptide protease inhibitor with a remarkable pharmacokinetic profile, which means it can be administered in only two capsules once per day in combination with other antiretrovirals. Its strong antiviral efficacy is also accompanied by an excellent tolerance profile and no significant increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The immunological and virological response obtained with atazanavir or atazanavir/ritonavir, in naive patients as well as in patients with previous virological failure with other protease inhibitors, is excellent. Atazanavir is an attractive drug for therapeutic simplification. Besides maintaining virological suppression, patients who change from other PI to atazanavir experience reductions in total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Preliminary data suggest that simplified maintenance treatment with atazanavir/ritonavir in monotherapy, can effectively maintain virological suppression in selected patients

Efectos secundarios asociados al raltegravir / Secondary effects associated with raltegravir

Los inhibidores de la integrasa son una nueva modalidad terapéutica contra el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Raltegravir es el primer inhibidor de la integrasa que tiene la aprobación de las autoridades sanitarias para su uso en humanos. Actúa inhibiendo la enzima del VIH que cataliza la integración del virus en el interior del genoma de la célula hospedadora. En la célula hospedadora no existe un homólogo de la integrasa viral, por lo que su potencial toxicidad es probablemente baja. Los resultados de los estudios de seguridad en modelos animales han demostrado que la dosis recomendada en humanos es menor que la dosis por debajo de la cual no se observaron efectos secundarios. Los estudios de genotoxicidad y carcinogenicidad, así como los de fertilidad y desarrollo embrionario han resultado negativos hasta la fecha. Durante los ensayos clínicos, raltegravir ha mostrado un perfil de seguridad muy bueno, con escasos efectos adversos, de intensidad de leve a moderada y similar al comparador. Los más destacables fueron diarrea, náuseas y cefalea. Es destacable que el perfil lipídico de raltegravir resultó mejor que el de efavirenz. Por todo ello, se puede afirmar que el análisis riesgo-beneficio para raltegravir es positivo(AU)

Integrase inhibitors are a new therapeutic modality against HIV. Raltegravir is the first integrase inhibitor to have been approved by the health authorities for human use. This drug acts by inhibiting the HIV enzyme that catalyzes integration of the virus inside the genome of the host cell. In the host cell, there is no homologue to viral integrase and consequently the potential toxicity of this drug is probably low. The results of safety studies in animal models have shown that the recommended dose in humans is lower than the dose below which no secondary effects are observed. Studies of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity, as well as of fertility and embryo development, have been negative to date. During clinical trials, raltegravir has been shown to have a very good safety profile, with few adverse effects, which were mildto- moderate and similar to those of the comparator. The most notable were diarrhea, nausea and headache. The lipid profile of raltegravir was better than that of efavirenz. In view of the above, the risk-benefit ratio for raltegravir is positive(AU)