Evaluation of C-Reactive Protein and Computer-Aided Analysis of Chest X-rays as Tuberculosis Triage Tests at Health Facilities in Lesotho and South Africa.

BACKGROUND: To improve tuberculosis case-finding, rapid, non-sputum triage tests need to be developed according to the World Health Organization target product profile (TPP) (>90% sensitivity, >70% specificity). We prospectively evaluated and compared artificial intelligence-based, computer-aided detection software, CAD4TBv7, and C-reactive protein assay (CRP) as triage tests at health facilities in Lesotho and South Africa. METHODS: Adults (≥18 years) presenting with ≥1 of the 4 cardinal tuberculosis symptoms were consecutively recruited between February 2021 and April 2022. After informed consent, each participant underwent a digital chest X-ray for CAD4TBv7 and a CRP test. Participants provided 1 sputum sample for Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and Xpert MTB/RIF and 1 for liquid culture. Additionally, an expert radiologist read the chest X-rays via teleradiology. For primary analysis, a composite microbiological reference standard (ie, positive culture or Xpert Ultra) was used. RESULTS: We enrolled 1392 participants, 48% were people with HIV and 24% had previously tuberculosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve for CAD4TBv7 and CRP showed an area under the curve of .87 (95% CI: .84-.91) and .80 (95% CI: .76-.84), respectively. At thresholds corresponding to 90% sensitivity, specificity was 68.2% (95% CI: 65.4-71.0%) and 38.2% (95% CI: 35.3-41.1%) for CAD4TBv7 and CRP, respectively. CAD4TBv7 detected tuberculosis as well as an expert radiologist. CAD4TBv7 almost met the TPP criteria for tuberculosis triage. CONCLUSIONS: CAD4TBv7 is accurate as a triage test for patients with tuberculosis symptoms from areas with a high tuberculosis and HIV burden. The role of CRP in tuberculosis triage requires further research. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04666311.

Realist evaluation of a community-based antiretroviral therapy (CBART) programme for key populations in Benue State in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: World Health Organization recommended community-based ART (CBART) approaches to improve access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and treatment outcomes among key populations living with (KPLHIV). Key populations (KP) are female sex workers, men who have sex with men, persons who inject drugs, and transgender people. How CBART for KP (KP-CBART) worked and why, for whom and in what circumstances it worked within KP communities or at community sites, are yet to be described. The aim of this study is to describe the different KP-CBART approaches or models in Nigeria, identifying the context conditions and mechanisms that are likely to produce the desired outcomes. METHOD: Building on our previous study eliciting an initial programme theory for KP-CBART, we used a multiple case design and cross-case analysis to evaluate 3 KP-CBART approaches, namely: One Stop Shop clinic; community drop-in centre; and outreach venue. Between 2021 and 2023, we conducted a retrospective cohort study, 99 indepth interviews and 5 focused group discussions with various actors. Using realist evaluation, we synthesised context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCs) and developed programme theory for each of the cases and an overall theory. RESULT: The analysis showed the central importance of decentralizing ART service delivery to a safe place within the community for KPLHIV. The provision of ART in a KP friendly environment triggered a feeling of safety and trust in the healthcare workers among KPLHIV, resulting in KP-CBART acceptance and improved ART uptake, medication adherence and retention on ART. KP community engagement in ART delivery, peer support through support group meetings, and linkages with KP-led organizations improved self-efficacy, fostered solidarity and a sense of belonging among KP. These resources encouraged and motivated clients to engage with the KP-CBART model. However, fear of disclosure of HIV and KP status, and lack of trust between KP groups, demotivated and discouraged KPLHIV from initiating ART and continuing their treatment in KP-CBART. CONCLUSION: To optimise access to ART and treatment outcomes for KPLHIV, policy makers and health practitioners should ensure the provision of a safe place for ART service delivery that can be trusted by the clients and the KP communities.

Attrition one year after starting antiretroviral therapy before and after the programmatic implementation of HIV "Treat All" in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence on the real-world effects of "Treat All" on attrition has not been systematically reviewed. We aimed to review existing literature to compare attrition 12 months after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, before and after "Treat All" was implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa and describe predictors of attrition. METHODS: We searched Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science in July 2020 and created alerts up to the end of June 2023. We also searched for preprints and conference abstracts. Two co-authors screened and selected the articles. Risk of bias was assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We extracted and tabulated data on study characteristics, attrition 12 months after ART initiation, and predictors of attrition. We calculated a pooled risk ratio for attrition using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eight articles and one conference abstract (nine studies) out of 8179 screened records were included in the meta-analysis. The random-effects adjusted pooled risk ratio (RR) comparing attrition before and after "Treat All" 12 months after ART initiation was not significant [RR = 1.07 (95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.91-1.24)], with 92% heterogeneity (I2). Being a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, starting ART with advanced HIV, and starting ART within the same week were reported as risk factors for attrition both before and after "Treat All". CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant difference in attrition before and after "Treat All" one year after ART initiation. While "Treat All" is being implemented widely, differentiated approaches to enhance retention should be prioritised for those subgroups at risk of attrition. PROSPERO NUMBER: CRD42020191582 .

Initial programme theory for community-based ART delivery for key populations in Benue State, Nigeria: a realist evaluation study.

BACKGROUND: The community-based antiretroviral therapy delivery (CBART) model was implemented in Benue State in Nigeria to increase access of key populations living with HIV (KPLHIV) to antiretroviral treatment. Key populations (KP) are female sex workers, men who have sex with men, persons who inject drugs, and transgender people. Evidence shows that the CBART model for KP (KP-CBART) can improve HIV outcomes along the cascade of HIV care and treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. However, how KP-CBART works, for whom, why, and under what circumstances it generates specific outcomes are not yet clear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the initial programme theory (IPT) of the KP-CBART in Benue State using a realist approach. METHOD: The study design is exploratory and qualitative, exploring the implementation of KP-CBART. We reviewed the intervention logic framework & guidelines for the KP-CBART in Nigeria, conducted a desk review of KP-CBART in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and interviewed programme managers in the Benue HIV programme between November 2021 and April 2022. Findings were synthesized using the Context-Mechanism-Outcome (CMO) heuristic tool to explain the relationship between the different types of CBART models, contextual factors, actors, mechanisms and outcomes. Using a generative causality logic (retroduction and abduction), we developed, following a realist approach, CMO configurations (CMOc), summarized as an empirically testable IPT. RESULT: We developed 7 CMOc and an IPT of the KP-CBART. Where KPLHIV receive ART in a safe place while living in a setting of punitive laws, harassment, stigma and discrimination, KP will adhere to treatment and be retained in care because they feel safe and trust the healthcare providers. Where KPLHIV are involved in the design, planning and implementation of HIV services; medication adherence and retention in care will improve because KP clients perceive HIV services to be KP-friendly and participate in KP-CBART. CONCLUSION: Implementation of CBART model where KPLHIV feel safe, trust healthcare providers, and participate in HIV service delivery can improve medication adherence and retention in care. This programme hypothesis will be tested and refined in the next phase of the realist evaluation of KP-CBART.

Person-centred care and short oral treatment for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis improve retention in care in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the effect of adaptations to a person-centred care with short oral regimens on retention in care for rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. METHODS: The study included people with RR-TB registered in the programme between 01 October 2016 and 18 April 2021. From 19 November 2019, the programme implemented a trial investigating the safety and effectiveness of short oral RR-TB regimens. During the trial, person-centred care was adapted. We included the data from people living with RR-TB treated in the period before and after the care model was adapted and applied Kaplan-Meier statistics to compare rates of retention in care. RESULTS: Of 236 patients registered in the RR-TB programme, 146 (61.9%) were registered before and 90 (38.1%) after the model of care was adapted. Before adaptations enhancing person-centred care, pre-treatment attrition was 23.3% (n = 34/146), whilst under the adapted care model it was 5.6% (n = 5/90). Attrition on treatment was 22.3% (n = 25/112) before adaptations, whilst during the study period none of the participants were lost-to-follow-up on treatment and 3.3% died (n = 3/90). CONCLUSIONS: As person-centred care delivery and treatment regimens were adapted to better fit-specific contextual challenges and the needs of the target population, retention in care improved amongst people with RR-TB in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Virological outcomes and risk factors for non-suppression for routine and repeat viral load testing after enhanced adherence counselling during viral load testing scale-up in Zimbabwe: analytic cross-sectional study using laboratory data from 2014 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: Since the scale-up of routine viral load (VL) testing started in 2016, there is limited evidence on VL suppression rates under programmatic settings and groups at risk of non-suppression. We conducted a study to estimate VL non-suppression (> 1000 copies/ml) and its risk factors using "routine" and "repeat after enhanced adherence counselling (EAC)" VL results. METHODS: We conducted an analytic cross-sectional study using secondary VL testing data collected between 2014 and 2018 from a centrally located laboratory. We analysed data from routine tests and repeat tests after an individual received EAC. Our outcome was viral load non-suppression. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with having VL non-suppression for routine and repeat VL. RESULTS: We analysed 103,609 VL test results (101,725 routine and 1884 repeat test results) collected from the country's ten provinces. Of the 101,725 routine and 1884 repeat VL tests, 13.8% and 52.9% were non-suppressed, respectively. Only one in seven (1:7) of the non-suppressed routine VL tests had a repeat test after EAC. For routine VL tests; males (vs females, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.19, [95% CI 1.14-1.24]) and adolescents (10-19 years) (vs adults (25-49 years), aOR = 3.11, [95% CI 2.9-3.31]) were more at risk of VL non-suppression. The patients who received care at the secondary level (vs primary, aOR = 1.21, [95% CI 1.17-1.26]) and tertiary level (vs primary, aOR = 1.63, [95% CI 1.44-1.85]) had a higher risk of VL non-suppression compared to the primary level. Those that started ART in 2014-2015 (vs < 2010, aOR = 0.83, [95% CI 0.79-0.88]) and from 2016 onwards (vs < 2010, aOR = 0.84, [95% CI 0.79-0.89]) had a lower risk of VL non-suppression. For repeat VL tests; young adults (20-24 years) (vs adults (25-49 years), (aOR) = 3.48, [95% CI 2.16 -5.83]), adolescents (10-19 years) (vs adults (25-49 years), aOR = 2.76, [95% CI 2.11-3.72]) and children (0-9 years) (vs adults (25-49 years), aOR = 1.51, [95% CI 1.03-2.22]) were at risk of VL non-suppression. CONCLUSION: Close to 90% suppression in routine VL shows that Zimbabwe is on track to reach the third UNAIDS target. Strategies to improve the identification of clients with high routine VL results for repeating testing after EAC and ART adherence in subpopulations (men, adolescents and young adolescents) at risk of viral non-suppression should be prioritised.

Prednisone for the Prevention of Paradoxical Tuberculosis-Associated IRIS.

BACKGROUND: Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients who have tuberculosis reduces mortality among patients with low CD4 counts, but it increases the risk of paradoxical tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). METHODS: We conducted this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess whether prophylactic prednisone can safely reduce the incidence of paradoxical tuberculosis-associated IRIS in patients at high risk for the syndrome. We enrolled HIV-infected patients who were initiating ART (and had not previously received ART), had started tuberculosis treatment within 30 days before initiating ART, and had a CD4 count of 100 cells or fewer per microliter. Patients received either prednisone (at a dose of 40 mg per day for 14 days, then 20 mg per day for 14 days) or placebo. The primary end point was the development of tuberculosis-associated IRIS within 12 weeks after initiating ART, as adjudicated by an independent committee. RESULTS: Among the 240 patients who were enrolled, the median age was 36 (interquartile range, 30 to 42), 60% were men, and 73% had microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis; the median CD4 count was 49 cells per microliter (interquartile range, 24 to 86), and the median HIV type 1 RNA viral load was 5.5 log10 copies per milliliter (interquartile range, 5.2 to 5.9). A total of 120 patients were assigned to each group, and 18 patients were lost to follow-up or withdrew. Tuberculosis-associated IRIS was diagnosed in 39 patients (32.5%) in the prednisone group and in 56 (46.7%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51 to 0.96; P=0.03). Open-label glucocorticoids were prescribed to treat tuberculosis-associated IRIS in 16 patients (13.3%) in the prednisone group and in 34 (28.3%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.81). There were five deaths in the prednisone group and four in the placebo group (P=1.00). Severe infections (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining illnesses or invasive bacterial infections) occurred in 11 patients in the prednisone group and in 18 patients in the placebo group (P=0.23). One case of Kaposi's sarcoma occurred in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Prednisone treatment during the first 4 weeks after the initiation of ART for HIV infection resulted in a lower incidence of tuberculosis-associated IRIS than placebo, without evidence of an increased risk of severe infections or cancers. (Funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and others; PredART ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01924286 .).

High rifampicin-resistant TB cure rates and prevention of severe ototoxicity after replacing the injectable by linezolid in early stage of hearing loss.

The short treatment regimen (STR) achieves a >80% cure in rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) patients. However, ototoxicity induced by the injectable is a concern. This is the first study to evaluate the replacement of injectables by linezolid in patients with audiometry abnormalities at baseline or during the treatment.We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all RR-TB patients started on the STR between 2016 and June, 2019, in Niger. Patients underwent audiometry every 2 months in 2016 and every month since 2017.Of 195 patients, 16.9% (33 out of 195) received linezolid from the start (n=17), or switched from injectables to linezolid during treatment (n=16), based on audiometry abnormalities. In 2016, two patients developed severe ototoxicity despite switching to linezolid. Since 2017, no patient developed severe hearing loss or complete deafness. Severe haematological toxicity was observed in 18.1% (six out of 33) of patients on linezolid, none of which was life threatening. The use of linezolid was associated with severe but manageable adverse events (hazard ratio 8.9, 95% CI 2.5-31.5; p=0.001). A total of 90.9% (30 out of 33) of patients on a linezolid-containing STR were cured, and none experienced treatment failure. Three died, but not due to adverse events.Baseline and monthly audiometry monitoring and using linezolid after detection of hearing abnormalities appears effective to prevent severe ototoxicity, while keeping high treatment success and manageable adverse events.

Predictors of virological failure among people living with HIV receiving first line antiretroviral treatment in Myanmar: retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Progress toward the global target for 95% virological suppression among those on antiretroviral treatment (ART) is still suboptimal. We describe the viral load (VL) cascade, the incidence of virological failure and associated risk factors among people living with HIV receiving first-line ART in an HIV cohort in Myanmar treated by the Médecins Sans Frontières in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sports Myanmar. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, including adult patients with at least one HIV viral load test result and having received of at least 6 months' standard first-line ART. The incidence rate of virological failure (HIV viral load ≥ 1000 copies/mL) was calculated. Multivariable Cox's regression was performed to identify risk factors for virological failure. RESULTS: We included 25,260 patients with a median age of 33.1 years (interquartile range, IQR 28.0-39.1) and a median observation time of 5.4 years (IQR 3.7-7.9). Virological failure was documented in 3,579 (14.2%) participants, resulting in an overall incidence rate for failure of 2.5 per 100 person-years of follow-up. Among those who had a follow-up viral load result, 1,258 (57.1%) had confirmed virological failure, of which 836 (66.5%) were switched to second-line treatment. An increased hazard for failure was associated with age ≤ 19 years (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR 1.51; 95% confidence intervals, CI 1.20-1.89; p < 0.001), baseline tuberculosis (aHR 1.39; 95% CI 1.14-1.49; p < 0.001), a history of low-level viremia (aHR 1.60; 95% CI 1.42-1.81; p < 0.001), or a history of loss-to-follow-up (aHR 1.24; 95% CI 1.41-1.52; p = 0.041) and being on the same regimen (aHR 1.37; 95% CI 1.07-1.76; p < 0.001). Cumulative appointment delay was not significantly associated with failure after controlling for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: VL monitoring is an important tool to improve programme outcomes, however limited coverage of VL testing and acting on test results hampers its full potential. In our cohort children and adolescents, PLHIV with history of loss-to-follow-up or those with low-viremia are at the highest risk of virological failure and might require more frequent virological monitoring than is currently recommended.

The effect of HIV-associated tuberculosis, tuberculosis-IRIS and prednisone on lung function.

Residual pulmonary impairment is common after treatment for tuberculosis (TB). Lung function data in patients with HIV-associated TB are scarce, especially in the context of paradoxical TB-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) and prophylactic prednisone. We aimed to determine the prevalence of lung function abnormalities in patients with HIV-associated TB and CD4 counts ≤100 cells·µL-1 and assess the effect of prophylactic prednisone and the development of paradoxical TB-IRIS on pulmonary impairment.We performed spirometry, 6-min walk test (6MWT) and chest radiography at baseline (week 0) and at weeks 4, 12 and 28 in participants of the PredART trial, which evaluated a 28-day course of prednisone to prevent TB-IRIS in patients with HIV-associated TB commencing antiretroviral therapy.153 participants underwent spirometry and/or 6MWT at one or more time points. Abnormal spirometry measurements were present in 66% of participants at week 0 and 50% at week 28; low forced vital capacity was the commonest abnormality. Chest radiographs showed little or no abnormalities in the majority of participants. Prednisone use resulted in a 42 m greater 6-min walk distance and a 4.9% higher percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s at week 4; these differences were no longer significantly different from week 12 onwards. TB-IRIS did not significantly impair lung function outcome.Residual pulmonary impairment is common in HIV-associated TB. In patients with low CD4 counts, neither prophylactic prednisone as used in our study nor the development of TB-IRIS significantly affected week-28 pulmonary outcome.

Comparison of predictive models for hepatitis C co-infection among HIV patients in Cambodia.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health problem. WHO guidelines recommend screening all people living with HIV for hepatitis C. Considering the limited resources for health in low and middle income countries, targeted HCV screening is potentially a more feasible screening strategy for many HIV cohorts. Hence there is an interest in developing clinician-friendly tools for selecting subgroups of HIV patients for whom HCV testing should be prioritized. Several statistical methods have been developed to predict a binary outcome. Multiple studies have compared the performance of different predictive models, but results were inconsistent. METHODS: A cross-sectional HCV diagnostic study was conducted in the HIV cohort of Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We compared the performance of logistic regression, Spiegelhalter-Knill-Jones and CART to predict Hepatitis C co-infection in this cohort. We estimated the number of HCV co-infections that would be missed. To correct for over-optimism, the leave-one-out bootstrap estimator was used for estimating this quantity. RESULTS: Logistic regression misses the fewest HCV co-infections (8%), but would still refer 98% of HIV patients for HCV testing. Spiegelhalter-Knill-Jones (SKJ) and CART respectively miss 12% and 29% of HCV co-infections but would only refer about 30% for HCV testing. CONCLUSIONS: In our dataset, logistic regression has the highest log-likelihood and smallest proportions of HCV co-infections missed but Spiegelhalter-Knill-Jones has the highest area under the ROC curve. The likelihood ratios estimated by Spiegelhalter-Knill-Jones might be easier to interpret for clinicians than odds ratios estimated by logistic regression or the decision tree from CART. CART is the most flexible method, and no model has to be specified regarding presence of interactions and form of the relationship between outcome and predictor variables.

Evaluation of Convalescent Plasma for Ebola Virus Disease in Guinea.

BACKGROUND: In the wake of the recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in several African countries, the World Health Organization prioritized the evaluation of treatment with convalescent plasma derived from patients who have recovered from the disease. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma for the treatment of EVD in Guinea. METHODS: In this nonrandomized, comparative study, 99 patients of various ages (including pregnant women) with confirmed EVD received two consecutive transfusions of 200 to 250 ml of ABO-compatible convalescent plasma, with each unit of plasma obtained from a separate convalescent donor. The transfusions were initiated on the day of diagnosis or up to 2 days later. The level of neutralizing antibodies against Ebola virus in the plasma was unknown at the time of administration. The control group was 418 patients who had been treated at the same center during the previous 5 months. The primary outcome was the risk of death during the period from 3 to 16 days after diagnosis with adjustments for age and the baseline cycle-threshold value on polymerase-chain-reaction assay; patients who had died before day 3 were excluded. The clinically important difference was defined as an absolute reduction in mortality of 20 percentage points in the convalescent-plasma group as compared with the control group. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients who were treated with plasma were included in the primary analysis. At baseline, the convalescent-plasma group had slightly higher cycle-threshold values and a shorter duration of symptoms than did the control group, along with a higher frequency of eye redness and difficulty in swallowing. From day 3 to day 16 after diagnosis, the risk of death was 31% in the convalescent-plasma group and 38% in the control group (risk difference, -7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -18 to 4). The difference was reduced after adjustment for age and cycle-threshold value (adjusted risk difference, -3 percentage points; 95% CI, -13 to 8). No serious adverse reactions associated with the use of convalescent plasma were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The transfusion of up to 500 ml of convalescent plasma with unknown levels of neutralizing antibodies in 84 patients with confirmed EVD was not associated with a significant improvement in survival. (Funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02342171.).

Viral load detection and management on first line ART in rural Rwanda.

BACKGROUND: To achieve the ambitious 90-90-90 UNAIDS targets, access to routine viral load (VL) is critical. To measure VL, Rwanda has relied on a national reference laboratory for years. In 2014, a VL testing platform was implemented in a rural District in the Northern Province. Here we analyze the uptake of VL testing, identification of risks for detectable VL (≥1000 copies/ml), and the management of patients with a detectable VL. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients who started ART between July 2012 and June 2015 and followed until end December 2016. Using descriptive statistics, we describe the VL cascade, from VL uptake to the start of second-line ART in patients diagnosed with virological failure. We estimate predictors of having a detectable VL using logistic regression. RESULTS: The uptake of VL testing increased progressively between 2013 and 2016, raising from 25.6% (39/152) in 2013 up to 93.2% (510/547) in 2016.In 2016, 88.5% (n = 451) of patients tested, had a suppressed VL. Predictors of having a detectable VL included being male (aOR 2.1; 95%CI 1.12-4.02; p = 0.02), being a sex worker (aOR 6.4; 95%CI 1.1-36.0; p = 0.04), having a WHO clinical stage IV when starting ART (aOR 8.8; 95%CI 1.8-43.0; p < 0.001), having had a previous detectable VL (aOR 7.2; 95%CI 3.5-14.5; p < 0.001), and having had no VL before 2016 (aOR 3.1; 95%CI 1.2-8.1; p = 0.02). Among patients with initial detectable VL between 2013 and 2016, 88% (n = 103) had a follow-up VL, of whom 60.2% (n = 62) suppressed their VL below 1000 copies/ml. The median time between the initial and follow-up VL was of 12.5 months (IQR: 8.7-19.0). Among patients with confirmed treatment failure, 63.4% (n = 26) started second-line ART within the study period. CONCLUSION: VL uptake increased after decentralizing VL testing in rural Rwanda. Virological suppression was high. An individualized follow up of patients at risk of non-suppression and a prompt management of patients with detectable VL may help to achieve and sustain the third global UNAIDS target: virological suppression in 90% of patients on ART.

What Is the Role of Paired Rapid Plasma Reagin Testing (Simultaneous Testing of Acute and Convalescent Samples) in the Diagnosis of Repeat Syphilis and the Follow-up of Syphilis?

BACKGROUND: Repeat syphilis is playing an increasing role in syphilis transmission in several populations. The assessment of repeat syphilis and response to treatment depends on accurately measuring intraindividual changes in non-treponemal tests. For a 0- to 6-month delta rapid plasma reagin (RPR) to be determined by routine individual RPR testing, samples are tested 6 months apart with differences in reagent batches, environmental conditions, and observers all leading to measurement errors. We hypothesized that conducting paired RPR testing (simultaneous testing of acute and convalescent samples) would enable a more accurate determination of delta RPR compared with individual testing. METHODS: A total of 120 study participants with a new diagnosis of syphilis were followed up at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months, with RPR testing performed via individual testing at each study visit and at any suspected repeat syphilis. Rapid plasma reagin paired testing was performed on samples from 0 and 6 months and at any suspected repeat syphilis. RESULTS: The quantitative agreement ±1 dilution among paired and individual testing was 97.2%. There was no difference in the proportion with serofast status at 6 months: 21 (19.4%) and 19 (17.6%) according to paired and individual testing, respectively (P = 0.726). There was no statistically significant difference between 0- and 6-month delta RPR as determined by paired and individual testing in predicting seroresponse at 12 months (86.1% and 91.6% agreement with 12-month serofast/nonserofast classification, respectively; P = 0.262). CONCLUSIONS: In our setting, individual testing performed equally well compared with paired testing. Follow-up of syphilis will remain onerous for the patient and the health care provider until new tests that can more accurately assess the response to therapy and repeat syphilis/treatment failure are developed.

Unexpected Infection with Armillifer Parasites.

Visceral pentastomiasis is usually found incidentally during surgery. We describe a case of visceral pentastomiasis discovered during inguinoscrotal hernia surgery for a man from Benin, Africa. Because surgical removal of nymphs is needed for symptomatic patients only, this patient's asymptomatic pentastomiasis was not treated and he recovered from surgery uneventfully.

Rational use of Xpert testing in patients with presumptive TB: clinicians should be encouraged to use the test-treat threshold.

BACKGROUND: A recently published Ugandan study on tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in HIV-positive patients with presumptive smear-negative TB, which showed that out of 90 patients who started TB treatment, 20% (18/90) had a positive Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) test, 24% (22/90) had a negative Xpert test, and 56% (50/90) were started without Xpert testing. Although Xpert testing was available, clinicians did not use it systematically. Here we aim to show more objectively the process of clinical decision-making. First, we estimated that pre-test probability of TB, or the prevalence of TB in smear-negative HIV infected patients with signs of presumptive TB in Uganda, was 17%. Second, we argue that the treatment threshold, the probability of disease at which the utility of treating and not treating is the same, and above which treatment should be started, should be determined. In Uganda, the treatment threshold was not yet formally established. In Rwanda, the calculated treatment threshold was 12%. Hence, one could argue that the threshold was reached without even considering additional tests. Still, Xpert testing can be useful when the probability of disease is above the treatment threshold, but only when a negative Xpert result can lower the probability of disease enough to cross the treatment threshold. This occurs when the pre-test probability is lower than the test-treat threshold, the probability of disease at which the utility of testing and the utility of treating without testing is the same. We estimated that the test-treatment threshold was 28%. Finally, to show the effect of the presence or absence of arguments on the probability of TB, we use confirming and excluding power, and a log10 odds scale to combine arguments. CONCLUSION: If the pre-test probability is above the test-treat threshold, empirical treatment is justified, because even a negative Xpert will not lower the post-test probability below the treatment threshold. However, Xpert testing for the diagnosis of TB should be performed in patients for whom the probability of TB was lower than the test-treat threshold. Especially in resource constrained settings clinicians should be encouraged to take clinical decisions and use scarce resources rationally.

The Use of Ebola Convalescent Plasma to Treat Ebola Virus Disease in Resource-Constrained Settings: A Perspective From the Field.

The clinical evaluation of convalescent plasma (CP) for the treatment of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the current outbreak, predominantly affecting Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, was prioritized by the World Health Organization in September 2014. In each of these countries, nonrandomized comparative clinical trials were initiated. The Ebola-Tx trial in Conakry, Guinea, enrolled 102 patients by 7 July 2015; no severe adverse reactions were noted. The Ebola-CP trial in Sierra Leone and the EVD001 trial in Liberia have included few patients. Although no efficacy data are available yet, current field experience supports the safety, acceptability, and feasibility of CP as EVD treatment. Longer-term follow-up as well as data from nontrial settings and evidence on the scalability of the intervention are required. CP sourced from within the outbreak is the most readily available source of anti-EVD antibodies. Until the advent of effective antivirals or monoclonal antibodies, CP merits further evaluation.

Electrolyte and Metabolic Disturbances in Ebola Patients during a Clinical Trial, Guinea, 2015.

By using data from a 2015 clinical trial on Ebola convalescent-phase plasma in Guinea, we assessed the prevalence of electrolyte and metabolic abnormalities at admission and their predictive value to stratify patients into risk groups. Patients underwent testing with a point-of-care device. We used logistic regression to construct a prognostic model and summarized the predictive value with the area under the receiver operating curve. Abnormalities were common among patients, particularly hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hyponatremia, raised creatinine, high anion gap, and anemia. Besides age and PCR cycle threshold value, renal dysfunction, low calcium levels, and low hemoglobin levels were independently associated with increased risk for death. A prognostic model using all 5 factors was highly discriminatory (area under the receiver operating curve 0.95; 95% CI 0.90-0.99) and enabled the definition of risk criteria to guide targeted care. Most patients had a very low (<5%) or very high (>80%) risk for death.

Design and analysis considerations in the Ebola_Tx trial evaluating convalescent plasma in the treatment of Ebola virus disease in Guinea during the 2014-2015 outbreak.

The Ebola virus disease outbreak in 2014-2015 led to a huge caseload with a high case fatality rate. No specific treatments were available beyond supportive care for conditions such as dehydration and shock. Evaluation of treatment with convalescent plasma from Ebola survivors was identified as a priority. We evaluated this intervention in an emergency setting, where randomization was unacceptable. The original trial design was an open-label study comparing patients receiving convalescent plasma and supportive care to patients receiving supportive care alone. The comparison group comprised patients recruited at the start of the trial before convalescent plasma became available, as well as patients presenting during the trial for whom there was insufficient blood group-compatible plasma or no staffing capacity to provide additional transfusions. However, during the trial, convalescent plasma was available to treat all new patients. The design was changed to use a comparator group comprising patients previously treated at the same Ebola treatment center prior to the start of the trial. In the analysis, it was planned to adjust for any differences in prognostic variables between intervention and comparison groups, specifically baseline polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold and age. In addition, adjustment was planned for other potential confounders, identified in the analysis, such as patient presenting symptoms and time to treatment seeking. Because plasma treatment started up to 3 days after diagnosis and we could not define a similar time-point for the comparator group, patients who died before the third day after confirmation of diagnosis were excluded from both intervention and comparison groups in a per-protocol analysis. Some patients received additional experimental treatments soon after plasma treatment, and these were excluded. We also analyzed mortality including all patients from the time of confirmed diagnosis, irrespective of whether those in the trial series actually received plasma, as an intention-to-treat analysis. Per-protocol and intention-to-treat approaches gave similar conclusions. An important caveat in the interpretation of the findings is that it is unlikely that all potential sources of confounding, such as any variation in supportive care over time, were eliminated. Protocols and electronic data capture systems have now been extensively field-tested for emergency evaluation of treatment with convalescent plasma. Ongoing studies seek to quantify the level of neutralizing antibodies in different plasma donations to determine whether this influences the response and survival of treated patients.