Time Spent with HIV Viral Load > 1500 Copies/mL Among Persons Engaged in Continuity HIV Care in an Urban Clinic in the United States, 2010-2015

Treatment of Advanced HIV in the Modern Era

Antiretroviral therapy has transformed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection from a fatal illness into a manageable chronic condition. However, despite remarkable progress, the HIV epidemic remains a global health challenge, with ambitious targets such as 95-95-95 by 2030 at risk of being unmet. While antiretroviral therapy availability has expanded worldwide, gaps persist, including unawareness of HIV status, inconsistent medication uptake, and limited engagement in care across diverse settings. Advanced HIV represents a particularly challenging yet underexplored aspect of HIV care. Its definition is complex, complicating efforts to address the needs of this vulnerable population. This review characterizes advanced HIV populations, defines them by spectra of immune suppression, antiretroviral therapy exposure, and drug resistance, and explores contemporary approaches to their management, with a particular focus on drug resistance and its clinical implications in modern HIV care. It highlights the unique challenges faced by individuals presenting late to care, those with limited care engagement, and aging populations with long-term exposure to HIV and antiretroviral therapy. By defining these populations, refining our understanding of advanced HIV, and addressing the diverse needs of affected individuals, providers can enhance outcomes and develop strategies to overcome barriers to care. Bridging these critical gaps is essential to advancing global efforts to end the HIV epidemic, both in the USA and worldwide.

Systematic review on cumulative HIV viraemia among people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral treatment and its association with mortality and morbidity

BACKGROUND

We performed a systematic review to generate evidence on the association between cumulative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viraemia and health outcomes.

METHODS

Quantitative studies reporting on HIV cumulative viraemia (CV) and its association with health outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) were included. We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science and conference abstracts from 1 January 2008 to 1 August 2022.

RESULTS

The systematic review included 26 studies. The association between CV and mortality depended on the study population, methods used to calculate CV and its level. Higher CV was not consistently associated with greater risk of acquire immunodeficiency syndrome-defining clinical conditions. However, four studies present a strong relationship between CV and cardiovascular disease. The risk was not confirmed in relation of increased hazards of stroke. Studies that assessed the effect of CV on the risk of cancer reported a positive association between CV and malignancy, although the effect may differ for different types of cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

CV is associated with adverse health outcomes in PLHIV on ART, especially at higher levels. However, its role in clinical and programmatic monitoring and management of PLHIV on ART is yet to be established.

Antibody and Cell-Based Therapies against Virus-Induced Cancers in the Context of HIV/AIDS

Infectious agents, notably viruses, can cause or increase the risk of cancer occurrences. These agents often disrupt normal cellular functions, promote uncontrolled proliferation and growth, and trigger chronic inflammation, leading to cancer. Approximately 20% of all cancer cases in humans are associated with an infectious pathogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recognizes seven viruses as direct oncogenic agents, including Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1), human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Most viruses linked to increased cancer risk are typically transmitted through contact with contaminated body fluids and high-risk behaviors. The risk of infection can be reduced through vaccinations and routine testing, as well as recognizing and addressing risky behaviors and staying informed about public health concerns. Numerous strategies are currently in pre-clinical phases or undergoing clinical trials for targeting cancers driven by viral infections. Herein, we provide an overview of risk factors associated with increased cancer incidence in people living with HIV (PLWH) as well as other chronic viral infections, and contributing factors such as aging, toxicity from ART, coinfections, and comorbidities. Furthermore, we highlight both antibody- and cell-based strategies directed against virus-induced cancers while also emphasizing approaches aimed at discovering cures or achieving complete remission for affected individuals.

Trends in Time Spent Viremic Among Persons Newly Diagnosed With HIV in San Francisco

OBJECTIVE

To examine trends in time spent viremic and initiation into antiretroviral treatment (ART) among persons newly diagnosed with HIV in San Francisco.

METHODS

Using HIV surveillance data, we included persons diagnosed with HIV during 2012-2020, a San Francisco resident at HIV diagnosis, alive 12 months after HIV diagnosis, and had ≥2 viral load tests within 12 months after diagnosis. Percent person-time spent (pPT) >200, pPT >1500, and pPT >10,000 copies per milliliter was calculated during the 12 months after HIV diagnosis. Multivariate regression models assessed the year of diagnosis and time spent above each viral threshold and year of diagnosis and ART initiation within 0-7 days (rapid), 8-365 days (delayed), or no ART initiation.

RESULTS

Of 2471 new HIV diagnoses in San Francisco from 2012 to 2020, 1921 (72%) were included. Newly diagnosed persons spent a mean of 40.4% pPT >200, 32.4% pPT >1,500%, and 23.4% pPT >10,000 copies per milliliter; 33.8% had rapid ART initiation, 57.3% delayed, and 9% had no ART initiation. After adjustment, persons diagnosed in years 2014-2015, 2016-2017, 2018-2019, and 2020 were associated with less time spent above all viral thresholds and lower risk of delayed or no ART initiation compared with those diagnosed in 2012-2013. Greater time above thresholds correlated with injection drug use, ages 25-29 and 30-39 years, and homelessness.

CONCLUSIONS

Percent time spent above each viremic level decreased significantly, whereas rapid ART initiation increased among newly diagnosed persons from 2014 through 2020 compared with 2012-2013. Population differences in time spent unsuppressed highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce new HIV infections and improve health.

Person-time spent with HIV viral load above 1500 copies/mL among Miami-Dade County Ryan White Program clients, 2017-2019: a retrospective analysis

HIV transmission risk significantly increases at HIV viral load (VL) >1500 copies/mL. We sought to determine the percentage of person-time spent with VL >1500 copies/mL (pPT >1500) and the associations of demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors and this outcome among persons with HIV receiving care. A retrospective analysis of data from clients enrolled in the Ryan White Program from 2017 to 2019 was performed. We assessed pPT >1500 in HIV care by utilizing consecutive VL pairs and calculating the length of time between each pair and the corresponding time spent for the observation period. The association between pPT >1500 and selected client characteristics were analyzed using a random-effects zero-inflated negative binomial model. Among the 6390 clients, 42% were aged 50 or older, 52% MSM, and 59% Hispanic. Overall, 7.5% of clients spent, on average, 27.4 days per year at substantial risk of transmitting HIV. Younger age, AIDS diagnosis, and reported drug use in the preceding 12 months were associated with higher pPT >1500. Tailored interventions should be implemented to meet the unique HIV needs of groups with consistent viremia to significantly minimize transmission risk.

Effectiveness of an Intervention to Improve HIV Service Delivery for People Who Inject Drugs in Kazakhstan: A Cluster Trial

Importance

The increasing HIV incidence rates and suboptimal rates of testing, engagement, and retention in care for people who inject drugs (PWID) in Kazakhstan underscore the need for effective HIV care continuum interventions for PWID.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of the Bridge HIV care continuum intervention implemented in needle and syringe programs (NSPs) in Kazakhstan.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This stepped-wedge cluster trial was conducted from February 2017 to May 2020, with implementation beginning sequentially across 3 cities (Almaty, Karaganda-Temirtau, and Shymkent) in August 2017, January 2018, and May 2019. Intervention effect sizes were estimated via population-averaged models, and hypothesis testing relied on a permutation testing approach. The primary unit of analysis was an NSP. Data analysis was performed from October 2020 to April 2022.

Interventions

The intervention addresses the full HIV care continuum: identification, testing, referral to services, and linkage to HIV care. The 3 intervention components were (1) a social network strategy, a peer-driven recruitment approach for HIV testing; (2) HIV counseling, rapid testing, and referral following international and national guidelines and protocols; and (3) enhanced antiretroviral treatment and access to services.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were the effectiveness of implementing Bridge's enhanced service integration approach in increasing the number of PWID served at NSPs, increasing the number of PWID who are tested for HIV in NSPs, and improving linking HIV-positive PWID with HIV care. Secondary outcomes included numbers of clients registered for HIV care, initiation of antiretroviral therapy, and viral suppression.

Results

Twenty-four NSPs (8 in each city) served a total of 1225 PWID (369 in Almaty, 618 in Karaganda-Temirtau, and 238 in Shymkent) at the preimplementation study step; 1015 clients (82.9%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 36.7 (7.1) years. Compared with preimplementation study steps, during Bridge intervention implementation steps, NSPs experienced a significant increase in the number of PWID clients registered (incidence rate ratio, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.48-3.78) and the number of PWID who received rapid HIV tests (incidence rate ratio, 3.98; 95% CI, 2.30-6.90). No significant increase in referral to HIV care was observed. The study also found significant support for secondary outcomes of antiretroviral therapy initiation and the number of clients who achieved viral suppression.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this stepped-wedge cluster trial, the findings suggest that implementation of the Bridge intervention was associated with significant improvement in several steps in the continuum of HIV care for PWID in Kazakhstan.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02796027.

A Framework for Descriptive Epidemiology

In this paper, we propose a framework for thinking through the design and conduct of descriptive epidemiologic studies. A well-defined descriptive question aims to quantify and characterize some feature of the health of a population and must clearly state: 1) the target population, characterized by person and place, and anchored in time; 2) the outcome, event, or health state or characteristic; and 3) the measure of occurrence that will be used to summarize the outcome (e.g., incidence, prevalence, average time to event, etc.). Additionally, 4) any auxiliary variables will be prespecified and their roles as stratification factors (to characterize the outcome distribution) or nuisance variables (to be standardized over) will be stated. We illustrate application of this framework to describe the prevalence of viral suppression on December 31, 2019, among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who had been linked to HIV care in the United States. Application of this framework highlights biases that may arise from missing data, especially 1) differences between the target population and the analytical sample; 2) measurement error; 3) competing events, late entries, loss to follow-up, and inappropriate interpretation of the chosen measure of outcome occurrence; and 4) inappropriate adjustment.

Drugs of Abuse and Their Impact on Viral Pathogenesis

Commonly misused substances such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and opioids suppress immune responses and may impact viral pathogenesis. In recent years, illicit use of opioids has fueled outbreaks of several viral pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). This review focuses on the myriad of mechanisms by which drugs of abuse impact viral replication and disease progression. Virus–drug interactions can accelerate viral disease progression and lead to increased risk of virus transmission.

Neighborhood Matters: Impact on Time Living with Detectable Viral Load for New Adult HIV Diagnoses in South Carolina

We examined the association between neighborhood disadvantages and percent person-time spent with increased transmission risk (VL > 1500 copies/ml) for people living with HIV (PLWH) in South Carolina (SC). The study population included PLWH diagnosed between 1/1/2014 and 12/31/2017, with two or more VL tests 6 months apart (n = 2076). Proportion of time living with VL > 1500 copies/ml after linkage to care was determined. Neighborhood disadvantage was assessed using the area deprivation index (ADI). A generalized linear model was fit to generate parameter estimates for time spent with detectable VL. Almost half of PLWH (49.5%) lived with VL > 1500 copies/ml for some time (median days = 46). Young adults and PLWH who injected drugs experienced the highest proportion for time living with detectable VL. Targeted programs are needed to improve VL suppression, reduce new transmissions and decrease disparities in HIV outcomes in all neighborhoods.

Recent Substance Use and Probability of Unsuppressed HIV Viral Load Among Persons on Antiretroviral Therapy in Continuity Care

Among persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, illegal drug use and hazardous alcohol use are hypothesized to be strong risk factors for failure to achieve or maintain a suppressed HIV viral load, but accurate quantification of this association is difficult because of challenges involved in measuring substance use as part of routine clinical care. We estimated the associations of recent cocaine use, opioid/heroin use, and hazardous alcohol use with unsuppressed viral load among 1,554 persons receiving care at the John G. Bartlett Specialty Practice (Baltimore, Maryland) between 2013 and 2017. We accounted for measurement error in substance use using Bayesian models and prior estimates of the sensitivity and specificity of 2 imperfect measures of substance use derived from a previous analysis in this cohort. The prevalence difference for unsuppressed viral load associated with recent cocaine use was 11.3% (95% credible interval (CrI): 6.4, 17.0); that associated with recent opioid/heroin use was 13.2% (95% CrI: 6.6, 20.7); and that associated with recent hazardous alcohol use was 8.5% (95% CrI: 3.2, 14.4). Failure to account for measurement error resulted in clinically meaningful underestimates of the prevalence difference. Time-varying substance use is prevalent and difficult to measure in routine care; here we demonstrate a method that improves the utility of imperfect data by accounting for measurement error.

Care2Cure: A randomized controlled trial protocol for evaluating nurse case management to improve the hepatitis C care continuum within HIV primary care

Co-infection with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) results in a threefold increase in relative risk of progression to end stage liver disease and cirrhosis compared to HCV alone. Although curative treatments exist, less than one quarter of people with HCV are linked to care, and even fewer have received treatment. The Care2Cure study is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial to improve the HCV care continuum among people co-infected with HIV. This ongoing study was designed to test whether a nurse case management intervention can (i) improve linkage to HCV care and (ii) decrease time to HCV treatment initiation among 70 adults co-infected with HIV who are not engaged in HCV care. The intervention is informed by the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use and consists of nurse-initiated referral, strengths-based education, patient navigation, appointment reminders, and care coordination for drug-drug interactions in the setting of HIV primary care. Validated instruments are used to measure participant characteristics including HCV knowledge, substance use, and depression. The primary outcome is linkage to HCV care (yes/no) within 60 days. In this protocol paper, we describe the first clinical trial to examine the effects of a nurse case management intervention to improve the HCV care continuum among people co-infected with HIV/HCV in the era of all-oral HCV treatment. We describe our work in progress, challenges encountered, and strategies to engage this hard-to-reach population.