Current Issue : April-June Volume : 2022 Issue Number : 2 Articles : 6 Articles
Introduction: Programmes that merge management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) aim to improve HIV/TB co-infected patients’ access to comprehensive treatment. However, several reports from sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) indicate suboptimal uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) even after integration of HIV and TB treatment. This study assessed ART uptake, its barriers and enablers in programmes integrating TB and HIV treatment in SSA. Method: A systematic review was performed. Seven databases were searched for eligible quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies published from March 2004 through July 2019. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to obtain pooled estimates of ART uptake. A thematic approach was used to analyse and synthesise data on barriers and enablers. Results: Of 5139 references identified, 27 were included in the review: 23/27 estimated ART uptake and 10/27 assessed barriers to and/or enablers of ART uptake. The pooled ART uptake was 53% (95% CI: 42, 63%) and betweenstudy heterogeneity was high ( I2 = 99.71%, p < 0.001). WHO guideline on collaborative TB/HIV activities and sample size were associated with heterogeneity. There were statistically significant subgroup effects with high heterogeneity after subgroup analyses by region, guideline on collaborative TB/HIV activities, study design, and sample size. The most frequently described socioeconomic and individual level barriers to ART uptake were stigma, low income, and younger age group. The most frequently reported health system-related barriers were limited staff capacity, shortages in medical supplies, lack of infrastructure, and poor adherence to or lack of treatment guidelines. Clinical barriers included intolerance to anti-TB drugs, fear of drug toxicity, and contraindications to antiretrovirals. Health system enablers included good management of the procurement, supply, and dispensation chain; convenience and accessibility of treatment services; and strong staff capacity. Availability of psychosocial support was the most frequently reported enabler of uptake at the community level....
Objectives: Accelerated atherosclerosis in older HIV-infected patients has been attributed to persistent immune activation and high burden cytomegalovirus (CMV), as demonstrated in transplant recipients and the general population. Here we assess CMV and inflammatory markers linked with vascular health in young adult patients treated in Indonesia. Study design: HIV-infected adults (n = 32) were examined when they began antiretroviral therapy (ART) with < 200 CD4 T-cells/μl (V0) and after 60 months (V60). Age-matched healthy controls (HC, n = 32) were assessed once. Methods: Flow Mediated Dilatation (FMD) was assessed by ultrasound on brachial arteries at V60 and in HC. Plasma markers of immune activation and endothelial activation, and CMV antibodies (lysate, gB, IE-1) were assessed in all samples. Results were assessed using bivariate (non-parametric) and multivariable analyses. Results: Levels of inflammatory biomarkers and CMV antibodies declined on ART, but the antibodies remained higher than in HC. FMD values were similar in patients and HC at V60. In HIV patients, levels of CMV lysate antibody correlated inversely (r = − 0.37) with FMD. The optimal model predicting lower FMD values (adjusted R2 = 0.214, p = 0.012) included CMV lysate antibodies and chondroitin sulphate. In HC, levels of sTNFR correlated inversely with FMD (r = − 0.41) and remained as a risk factor in the optimal multivariable model, with CMV glycoprotein-B (gB) antibody predicting a healthier FMD (adjusted R2 = 0.248, p = 0.013). Conclusions: Higher levels CMV antibodies optimally predict vascular health measured by FMD in HIV patients. However in healthy controls, sTNFR marks risk and CMV gB antibody may be protective....
Objective: To understand the distribution of drug susceptibility test results of opportunistic infections of tuberculosis and non-tuberculous bacilli in AIDS patients. Methods: The AIDS patients who were hospitalized in our hospital from January 2016 to June 2019 were collected as the research objects, and patients with opportunistic tuberculosis and non-tuberculous bacilli from AIDS patients were screened for drug susceptibility tests, and the distribution characteristics of drug susceptibility were analyzed. Results: 179 strains of tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria were isolated from the specimens of AIDS patients, including 135 cases of tuberculosis mycobacteria and 44 cases of non-tuberculous mycobacteria. In the results of the drug susceptibility test, most strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis showed sensitivity to commonly used drugs, and a few strains showed resistance; most strains of non-tuberculous mycobacteria showed resistance, and a few strains showed sensitivity. Conclusion: AIDS opportunistic infection of Mycobacterium.................
Since the advent of highly effective combined antiretroviral treatment (cART), and with the implementation of large HIV testing programs and universal access to cART, the burden of AIDS-related comorbidities has dramatically decreased over time. The incidence of Kaposi’s sarcoma (SK), strongly associated with HIV replication and CD4 immunosuppression, was greatly reduced. However, KS remains the most common cancer in patients living with HIV (PLHIV). HIV physicians are increasingly faced with KS in virally suppressed HIV-patients, as reflected by increasing description of case series. Though SK seem less aggressive than those in PLHIV with uncontrolled HIV-disease, some may require systemic chemotherapy. Persistent lack of specific anti-HHV-8 cellular immunity could be involved in the physiopathology of these KS. These clinical forms are a real therapeutic challenge without possible short-term improvement of anti-HHV-8 immunity, and no active replication of HIV to control. The cumulative toxicity of chemotherapies repeatedly leads to a therapeutic dead end. The introduction or maintenance of protease inhibitors in cART does not seem to have an impact on the evolution of these KS. Research programs in this emerging condition are important to consider new strategies....
Background: In 2007–2012 the Mexican government launched the National HIV program and there was a major change in HIV policies implemented in 2013–2018, when efforts focused on prevention, increase in early diagnosis and timely treatment. Still, late HIV diagnosis is a major concern in Mexico due to its association with the development of AIDS development and mortality. Thus, the objectives of this study were to identify the determinants of late HIV diagnosis (i.e. CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3) in Mexico from 2008 to 2017 and to evaluate the impact of the 2013–2017 National HIV program. Methods: Using patient level data from the SALVAR database, which includes 64% of the population receiving HIV care in Mexico, an adjusted logistic model was conducted. Main study outcomes were HIV late diagnosis which was defined as CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3 at diagnosis. Results: The study included 106,830 individuals newly diagnosed with HIV and treated in Mexican public health facilities between 2008 and 2017 (mean age: 33 years old, 80% male). HIV late diagnosis decreased from 45 to 43% (P < 0.001) between 2008 and 2012 and 2013–2017 (i.e. before and after the implementation of the 2013–2017 policy). Multivariable logistic regressions indicated that being diagnosed between 2013 and 2017 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96 [95% Confidence interval [CI] [0.93, 0.98]) or in health facilities specialized in HIV care (OR = 0.64 [95% CI 0.60, 0.69]) was associated with early diagnosis. Being male, older than 29 years old, diagnosed in Central East, the South region of Mexico or in high-marginalized locality increased the odds of a late diagnosis. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the 2013–2017 National HIV program in Mexico has been marginally successful in decreasing the proportion of individuals with late HIV diagnosis in Mexico. We identified several predictors of late diagnosis which could help establishing health policies. The main determinants for late diagnosis were being male, older than 29 years old, and being diagnosed in a Hospital or National Institute....
Background: To evaluate the effect of reconstruction and repair, using a mini-plate and bone graft for HIV -positive patients with giant cell tumor of long bone. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 12 HIV positive patients with giant cell tumor of long bone. A non-HIV-positive cohort of patients, matched for age, sex, and disease type, was selected as the control group. From June 2012 to August 2020, curettage by ultrasonic scalpel was performed in all patients, combined with min- plate and bone graft treatment. All patients were followed- up for 18 to 60 months. Limb function was evaluated, using the MSTS93 scoring system, and any examples of postoperative recurrence, distant metastasis, complications, MSTS93 score, and fracture prognosis were recorded. Results: The mean age of HIV group was 43.5 years. The ratio of men to women was 11: 1. In all cases the histopathological diagnosis was clear, except the patients with primary malignant giant cell tumor of bone, including five, three, two, and two cases in the proximal tibia, distal femur, distal tibia, and talus, respectively. Following their surgery, all patients were followed up with an average of 31.24 ± 11.84 months. No local recurrence or pulmonary metastases were observed. Post-surgery, all the 12 patients showed good bone morphologic repair and reconstruction, good bone healing, good joint function, and no pathological fractures around their lesion. In the HIV group, one case of giant cell tumor in the proximal tibia showed mild articular surface collapse and mild valgus deformity of the knee joint but retained good joint function. The MSTS scores of excellent or good in the two groups comprised 83.3%, thus, there was no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). Compared with preoperatively, the MSTS scores in the HIV group were significantly improved, ranging from 7 to 11 points preoperatively to 24 to 27 points postoperatively; this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Reconstruction and repair, using a mini-plate and bone graft for HIV -positive patients with giant cell tumor of long bone can achieve satisfactory results. The mini- plate requires little space and is flexible during reconstruction and fixation, significantly reducing complications such as surgical site infection, as well as preserving joint function and avoiding amputation; therefore, it is a safe and effective treatment method....
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