Trends in perimortal conditions and mortality rates among HIV-infected patients

Failure to replicate associations between Toxoplasma gondii or hepatitis C virus infection and personality traits

Background

Infections with Toxoplasma gondii (Toxo), a protozoan that can infect the brain, have been reported to alter behavior in rodents and humans; several investigators have related Toxo infection to personality traits such as novelty seeking in humans. We investigated human personality traits in relation to Toxo in Egypt, where such infection is common.

Results

In a community-based sample of Egyptian adults (N = 255), Toxo infection were indexed by levels of IgG antibodies. Viruses like hepatitis C virus (HCV) have also been associated with cognitive dysfunction and mood disorders; therefore, HCV antibody titers were also assayed for comparison. The antibody levels were analyzed in relation to the Arabic version of the NEO personality inventory (NEO-FFI-3), accounting for demographic variables. No significant correlations were noted with Toxo or HCV antibody levels, after co-varying for demographic and socio-economic factors and following corrections for multiple comparisons.

Conclusions

Infection with Toxo or HCV infection was not associated with variations in personality traits in a sample of Egyptian adults. The possible reasons for the discordance with prior reported associations are discussed.

Alcohol Use and Abuse Conspires With HIV Infection to Aggravate Intestinal Dysbiosis and Increase Microbial Translocation in People Living With HIV: A Review

The intestinal microbiome is an essential so-called human "organ", vital for the induction of innate immunity, for metabolizing nutrients, and for maintenance of the structural integrity of the intestinal barrier. HIV infection adversely influences the richness and diversity of the intestinal microbiome, resulting in structural and functional impairment of the intestinal barrier and an increased intestinal permeability. Pathogens and metabolites may thus cross the "leaky" intestinal barrier and enter the systemic circulation, which is a significant factor accounting for the persistent underlying chronic inflammatory state present in people living with HIV (PLWH). Additionally, alcohol use and abuse has been found to be prevalent in PLWH and has been strongly associated with the incidence and progression of HIV/AIDS. Recently, converging evidence has indicated that the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is related to intestinal microbiome and barrier function through numerous pathways. Alcohol acts as a "partner" with HIV in disrupting microbiome ecology, and thus impairing of the intestinal barrier. Optimizing the microbiome and restoring the integrity of the intestinal barrier is likely to be an effective adjunctive therapeutic strategy for PLWH. We herein critically review the interplay among HIV, alcohol, and the gut barrier, thus setting the scene with regards to development of effective strategies to counteract the dysregulated gut microbiome and the reduction of microbial translocation and inflammation in PLWH.

The HIV Outpatient Study-25 Years of HIV Patient Care and Epidemiologic Research

Background

The clinical epidemiology of treated HIV infection in the United States has dramatically changed in the past 25 years. Few sources of longitudinal data exist for people with HIV (PWH) spanning that period. Cohort data enable investigating new exposure and disease associations and monitoring progress along the HIV care continuum.

Methods

We synthesized key published findings and conducted primary data analyses in the HIV Outpatient Study (HOPS), an open cohort of PWH seen at public and private HIV clinics since 1993. We assessed temporal trends in health outcomes (1993-2017) and mortality (1994-2017) for 10 566 HOPS participants.

Results

The HOPS contributed to characterizing new conditions (eg, lipodystrophy), demonstrated reduced mortality with earlier HIV treatment, uncovered associations between select antiretroviral agents and cardiovascular disease, and documented remarkable shifts in morbidity from AIDS opportunistic infections to chronic noncommunicable diseases. The median CD4 cell count of participants increased from 244 cells/mm³ to 640 cells/mm³ from 1993 to 2017. Mortality fell from 121 to 16 per 1000 person-years from 1994 to 2017 (P < .001). In 2010, 83.7% of HOPS participants had a most recent HIV viral load <200 copies/mL, compared with 92.2% in 2017.

Conclusions

Since 1993, the HOPS has been detecting emerging issues and challenges in HIV disease management. HOPS data can also be used for monitoring trends in infectious and chronic diseases, immunologic and viral suppression status, retention in care, and survival, thereby informing progress toward the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative.

National and sub-national HIV/AIDS-related mortality in Iran, 1990-2015: a population-based modeling study

Surveillance of HIV/AIDS mortality is crucial to evaluate a country’s response to the disease. With a modified estimation approach, this study aimed to provide more accurate estimates on deaths due to HIV/AIDS in Iran from 1990 to 2015 at national and sub-national levels. Using a comprehensive data set, death registration incompleteness and misclassification were addressed by demographical and statistical methods. Trends of mortality due to HIV/AIDS at national and sub-national levels were estimated by applying a set of models. A total of 474 men (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 175–1332) and 256 women (95% UI: 36–1871) died due to HIV/AIDS in 2015 in Iran. Peaked in 1995, HIV/AIDS-related mortality has steadily declined among both genders. Mortality rates were remarkably higher among men than women during the period studied. At the sub-national level, the highest and the lowest annual percent change were found at 10.97 and −1.36% for women, and 4.04 and −3.47% for men, respectively. The findings of our study (731 deaths) were remarkably lower than the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (4000) but higher than Global Burden of Disease (339) estimates in 2015. The overall decrease in mortality due to HIV/AIDS may be attributed to the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases; however, the role of the national and international organizations to fight HIV/AIDS should not be overlooked. To decrease HIV/AIDS mortality and to achieve international goals, evidence-based action is required. To fast-track targets, the priority must be to prevent infection, promote early diagnosis, provide access to treatment, and to ensure treatment adherence among patients.

Statin use and all-cause mortality in people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

It is unknown whether statin use among people living with HIV results in a reduction in all-cause mortality. We aimed to evaluate the effect of statin use on all-cause mortality among people living with HIV.

Methods

We conducted comprehensive literature searches of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and cross-references up to April 2018. We included randomised, quasi-randomised trials and prospective cohort studies that examined the association between statin use and cardio-protective and mortality outcomes among people living with HIV. Two reviewers independently abstracted the data. Hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled using empirical Bayesian random-effect meta-analysis. A number of sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Results

We included seven studies with a total of 35,708 participants. The percentage of participants on statins across the studies ranged from 8 to 35%. Where reported, the percentage of participants with hypertension ranged from 14 to 35% and 7 to 10% had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Statin use was associated with a 33% reduction in all-cause mortality (pooled HR = 0.67, 95% Credible Interval 0.39 to 0.96). The probability that statin use conferred a moderate mortality benefit (i.e. decreased risk of mortality of at least 25%, HR ≤ 0.75) was 71.5%. Down-weighting and excluding the lower quality studies resulted in a more conservative estimate of the pooled HR.

Conclusion

Statin use appears to confer moderate mortality benefits in people living with HIV.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-018-3162-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Secular trends in opportunistic infections, cancers and mortality in patients with AIDS during the era of modern combination antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to estimate the incidence of, determine risk factors for, and investigate the consequences of opportunistic infections (OIs) and malignancies among patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the era of modern combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

METHODS

Three enrolment periods (1998-2002, 2003-2005 and 2006-2012), corresponding to changes in predominant cART regimens, were compared among 1889 participants enrolled in a prospective cohort study, the Longitudinal Study of Ocular Complications of AIDS (LSOCA). Incidences of AIDS-related OIs and cancers were estimated. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression models were used to determine the effect of demographic and clinical characteristics on OIs and mortality.

RESULTS

Between participants enrolled in the 1998-2002 and 2006-2012 enrolment periods, the incidence of OIs decreased from 27 per 1000 person-years (PY) to 11 per 1000 PY (P < 0.001), and mortality decreased from 41 per 1000 PY to 18 per 1000 PY (P < 0.0001), corresponding to improvements in cART regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements in cART regimens led to a progressive decline in the incidence of OIs and mortality between 1999 and 2013 among patients with AIDS in the era of modern cART.

The History of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Africa

HIV testing of African immigrants in Belgium showed that HIV existed among Africans by 1983. However, the epidemic was recognized much later in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to stigma and perceived fear of possible negative consequences to the countries' economies. This delay had devastating mortality, morbidity, and social consequences. In countries where earlier recognition occurred, political leadership was vital in mounting a response. The response involved establishment of AIDS control programs and research on the HIV epidemiology and candidate preventive interventions. Over time, the number of effective interventions has grown; the game changer being triple antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART has led to a rapid decline in HIV-related morbidity and mortality in addition to prevention of onward HIV transmission. Other effective interventions include safe male circumcision, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and post-exposure prophylaxis. However, since none of these is sufficient by itself, delivering a combination package of these interventions is important for ending the HIV epidemic as a public health threat.

Scientific Production about the Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy

OBJECTIVE

To identify the elite of authors about the subject adherence to antiretroviral therapy; to identify the journals turned to publishing articles about adherence to antiretroviral therapy; and to identify and analyze the most commonly used words in abstracts of articles about adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

METHOD

A bibliometric study conducted through the Scopus base. We used articles published between 1996 and 2014, after application of the eligibility criteria, there were composed the sample with 24 articles. The data were analyzed descriptively. Were used the laws of bibliometric (Lotka, Bradford and Zipf) and the conceptual cloud map of words, through the program Cmap tools.

RESULTS

Lotka's Law identified the 5 authors more productive (46% of the total published). Bradford is impaired in this study. Concerning Zipf, 3 zones were determined, 31.47% of the words with in the first zone, 26.46% in the second and 42.06% in the third. In the conceptual map, the words/factors that positively and negatively influence adherence were emphasized, among them the need for more research in the health services.

CONCLUSION

There are few publications about the accession to antiretroviral therapy, and the scientific production is in the process of maturation. One can infer that the theme researched is not yet an obsolete topic. It should be noted that the Bibliometric was a relevant statistic tool to generate information about the publications about the antiretroviral therapy.

Treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in HIV-infected patients: a review

INTRODUCTION

Pneumocystis pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening pulmonary infection that occurs in immunocompromised individuals and HIV-infected patients with a low CD4 cell count. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has been used as the first-line agent for treatment, but mutations within dihydropteroate synthase gene render potential resistance to sulfamide. Despite advances of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), Pneumocystis pneumonia continues to occur in HIV-infected patients with late presentation for cART or virological and immunological failure after receiving cART. Areas covered: This review summarizes the diagnosis and first-line and alternative treatment and prophylaxis for Pneumocystis pneumonia in HIV-infected patients. Articles for this review were identified through searching PubMed. Search terms included: 'Pneumocystis pneumonia', 'Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia', 'Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia', 'trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole', 'primaquine', 'trimetrexate', 'dapsone', 'pentamidine', 'atovaquone', 'echinocandins', 'human immunodeficiency virus infection', 'acquired immunodeficiency syndrome', 'resistance to sulfamide' and combinations of these terms. We limited the search to English language papers that were published between 1981 and March 2017. We screened all identified articles and cross-referenced studies from retrieved articles. Expert commentary: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole will continue to be the first-line agent for Pneumocystis pneumonia given its cost, availability of both oral and parenteral formulations, and effectiveness or efficacy in both treatment and prophylaxis. Whether resistance due to mutations within dihydropteroate synthase gene compromises treatment effectiveness remains controversial. Continued search for effective alternatives with better safety profiles for Pneumocystis pneumonia is warranted.

Association of Tenofovir Use With Risk of Incident Heart Failure in HIV-Infected Patients

BACKGROUND

The antiretroviral medication, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), is used by most human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons in the United States despite higher risks of chronic kidney disease. Although chronic kidney disease is a strong risk factor for heart failure (HF), the association of TDF with incident HF is unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We identified 21 435 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in the United States Veterans Health Administration actively using antiretrovirals between 2002 and 2011. We excluded patients with a prior diagnosis of HF. TDF was analyzed categorically (current, past, or never use) and continuously (per year of use). Proportional hazards regression and fully adjusted marginal structural models were used to determine the association of TDF exposure with risk of incident HF after adjustment for demographic, human immunodeficiency virus-related, and cardiovascular risk factors. During follow-up, 438 incident HF events occurred. Unadjusted 5-year event rates for current, past, and never users of TDF were 0.9 (95%CI 0.7-1.1), 1.7 (1.4-2.2), and 4.5 (3.9-5.0), respectively. In fully adjusted analyses, HF risk was markedly lower in current TDF users (HR=0.68; 95%CI 0.53-0.86) compared with never users. Among current TDF users, each additional year of TDF exposure was associated with a 21% lower risk of incident HF (95%CI: 0.68-0.92). When limited to antiretroviral-naive patients, HF risk remained lower in current TDF users (HR=0.53; 95%CI 0.36-0.78) compared to never users.

CONCLUSIONS

Among a large national cohort of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, TDF use was strongly associated with lower risk of incident HF. These findings warrant confirmation in other populations, both with TDF and the recently approved tenofovir alafenamide fumarate.

Patterns of Systemic Hypertension among Adults with Perinatally Acquired HIV

Patients with perinatally acquired HIV may be at risk for the development of age-related non-AIDS diseases. The primary aim of this study was to describe patterns of systemic hypertension among a cohort of adults (≥18 years) with perinatally acquired HIV. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among adults (≥18 years) with perinatally acquired HIV infection. Primary outcomes included documentation of systemic hypertension as well as several additional non-AIDS-associated illnesses. Systemic hypertension incidence rates and rate ratios (RRs) were calculated among groups aged ≥18 and <18 years at the time of hypertension diagnosis. The overall prevalence of hypertension in the cohort (N = 109) was 26.6%, and the incidence rate of hypertension was significantly higher among those aged ≥18 years compared to those who are aged <18 years at the time of diagnosis (RR: 10.0, CI: 7.29-13.71). By multivariable analysis, only coexisting renal disease was associated with an increased risk of hypertension diagnosis.

Incidence of AIDS-Defining Opportunistic Infections in a Multicohort Analysis of HIV-infected Persons in the United States and Canada, 2000-2010

BACKGROUND

There are few recent data on the rates of AIDS-defining opportunistic infections (OIs) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in care in the United States and Canada.

METHODS

We studied HIV-infected participants in 16 cohorts in the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design (NA-ACCORD) during 2000-2010. After excluding 16 737 (21%) with any AIDS-defining clinical events documented before NA-ACCORD enrollment, we analyzed incident OIs among the remaining 63 541 persons, most of whom received antiretroviral therapy during the observation. We calculated incidence rates per 100 person-years of observation (hereafter, "person-years") with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the first occurrence of any OI and select individual OIs during 2000-2003, 2004-2007, and 2008-2010.

RESULTS

A total of 63 541 persons contributed 261 573 person-years, of whom 5836 (9%) developed at least 1 OI. The incidence rate of any first OI decreased over the 3 observation periods, with 3.0 cases, 2.4 cases, and 1.5 cases per 100 person-years of observation during 2000-2003, 2004-2007, and 2008-2010, respectively (Ptrend<.001); the rates of most individual OIs decreased as well. During 2008-2010, the leading OIs included Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, esophageal candidiasis, and disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex or Mycobacterium kansasii infection.

CONCLUSIONS

For HIV-infected persons in care during 2000-2010, rates of first OI were relatively low and generally declined over this time.

The silent war of CMV in aging and HIV infection

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV), the prototypical β-herpervirus, is a widespread pathogen that establishes a lifelong latent infection in myeloid progenitor, and possibly other cells as well. Although immunocompetent individuals show mild or no symptoms despite periodic reactivation during myeloid cell differentiation, CMV is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in older adults and in persons chronically infected with HIV. Indeed, in these individuals, reactivation of CMV can cause serious complications. This review will focus of the effects of CMV during aging and HIV/AIDS, with particular attention to the cellular immunity and age-related pathology outcomes from this persistent infection. The impact of the long-term chronic exposure to CMV antigens on the expansion of CD8 T cells with features of replicative senescence will be highlighted.

A plausible causal link between antiretroviral therapy and increased blood pressure in a sub-Saharan African setting: A propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

The transition from association to causation could represent a fundamental step for taking preventive action against hypertension and its complications, especially among HIV-infected persons on antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan African countries.

METHODS

406 consecutive HIV-infected adults attending a tertiary HIV clinic in semi-urban Nigeria were prospectively recruited between August and November 2014. These participants were stratified by antiretroviral treatment status. A propensity score matching model was fitted to examine the causal average treatment effects on the treated (ATT) of antiretroviral therapy on blood pressure. Propensity score matching entailed using nearest neighbour matching with a calliper width of 0.2 to achieve similarity in the baseline characteristics between participants naïve and exposed to antiretroviral therapy.

RESULTS

Matching HIV-infected patients naïve and exposed to antiretroviral therapy on the propensity score yielded a total of 303 participants - 229 antiretroviral-exposed and 74 antiretroviral-naïve - matched without any residual differences in the baseline characteristics between both groups of patients. In this propensity score-matched sample, the estimated ATT for the effects of antiretroviral therapy on systolic (7.85mmHg, 95% CI 3.72 to 15.68) and diastolic blood pressure (7.45mmHg, 95% CI 4.99 to 13.61) were statistically significant (P<0.001 for each).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high probability that the epidemiological association between antiretroviral therapy and increased blood pressure be causal in nature among people living with HIV in sub-Saharan African settings. HIV-infected patients commencing antiretroviral treatment in these settings may require regular hypertension screening and other cardiovascular risk assessments.

Journeying with HIV patients across the health care spectrum - an examination of a seamless model of HIV Psychiatry of a large urban general hospital

OBJECTIVE

To describe a model of HIV psychiatry used in an urban hospital in Toronto and examine it against current literature.

METHOD

Using a narrative method, we elaborate on how this model delivers care across many different settings and the integral roles that the HIV psychiatrist plays in each of these settings. This is articulated against a backdrop of existing literature regarding models of HIV care.

RESULTS

This model is an example of an integrated model as opposed to a traditional consultation-liaison model and is able to deliver seamless care while remaining focused on patient-centric care.

CONCLUSION

An HIV psychiatrist delivers seamless and patient-centric care by journeying with patients across the healthcare spectrum and playing different roles in different care settings.

Life expectancy of HIV-positive individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy in Canada

Background

We sought to evaluate life expectancy and mortality of HIV-positive individuals initiating combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) across Canada, and to consider the potential error introduced by participant loss to follow-up (LTFU).

Methods

Our study used data from the Canadian Observational Cohort (CANOC) collaboration, including HIV-positive individuals aged ≥18 years who initiated ART on or after January 1, 2000. The CANOC collaboration collates data from eight sites in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. We computed abridged life-tables and remaining life expectancies at age 20 and compared outcomes by calendar period and patient characteristics at treatment initiation. To correct for potential underreporting of mortality due to participant LTFU, we conservatively estimated 30 % mortality among participants lost to follow-up.

Results

9997 individuals contributed 49,589 person-years and 830 deaths for a crude mortality rate of 16.7 [standard error (SE) 0.6] per 1000 person-years. When assigning death to 30 % of participants lost to follow-up, we estimated 1170 deaths and a mortality rate of 23.6 [SE 0.7] per 1000 person-years. The crude overall life expectancy at age 20 was 45.2 [SE 0.7] and 37.5 [SE 0.6] years after adjusting for LTFU. In the LTFU-adjusted analysis, lower life expectancy at age 20 was observed for women compared to men (32.4 [SE 1.1] vs. 39.2 [SE 0.7] years), for participants with injection drug use (IDU) history compared to those without IDU history (23.9 [SE 1.0] vs. 52.3 [SE 0.8] years), for participants reporting Aboriginal ancestry compared to those with no Aboriginal ancestry (17.7 [SE 1.5] vs. 51.2 [SE 1.0] years), and for participants with CD4 count <350 cells/μL compared to CD4 count ≥350 cells/μL at treatment initiation (36.3 [SE 0.7] vs. 43.5 [SE 1.3] years). Life expectancy at age 20 in the calendar period 2000–2003 was lower than in periods 2004–2007 and 2008–2012 in the LTFU-adjusted analyses (30.8 [SE 0.9] vs. 38.6 [SE 1.0] and 54.2 [SE 1.4]).

Conclusions

Life expectancy and mortality for HIV-positive individuals receiving ART differ by calendar period and patient characteristics at treatment initiation. Failure to consider LTFU may result in underestimation of mortality rates and overestimation of life expectancy.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-015-0969-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Hepatitis B and HIV co-infection is still treated using lamivudine-only antiretroviral therapy combination in Uganda

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV are endemic in Uganda. Co-infection is common and leads to rapid progression of liver disease. Burden of co-infection is unknown yet most patients are on lamivudine-only ART where resistance is frequent. Most patients are initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) without knowing their HBV status.

OBJECTIVES

To determine burden of co-infection and HBV viral suppression among patients on ART in Northern Uganda.

METHODS

We recruited HIV infected adult patients on ART in a cross-sectional study. Age, sex, ART regimen and duration were recorded. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBcAb) and liver panel were performed. For those HBsAg+, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA were performed. CD4 cell count was recorded.

RESULTS

Three hundred patients were recruited. Twenty (6.7%) were co-infected, while 41% were anti-HBcAb+. Overall 188 (62.7%) were on lamivudine- only HBV active drug. Median ART duration 2 years (IQR 1-5), mean CD4+ cell count 317 cells/microlitre (SD 255-557). Of 20 HIV/HBV co-infected, 11/20 (55%) were on lamivudine-only ART, median duration 1.5 years. Nineteen (95%) had undetectable HBV DNA. Seventeen (85%) were HBeAg negative. Mean CD4+ cell count 327 cells/microlitre (SD 197-482).

CONCLUSION

A large proportion of patients were on lamivudine- only HBV-active ART. Resistance may occur long term thus testing for HBV and correct ART is recommended.

Trends in nontuberculous mycobacterial disease in hospitalized subjects in Spain (1997-2010) according to HIV infection

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to estimate the incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease and the rate of NTM disease-related mortality and to analyse trends in these variables according to HIV infection.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study for the period 1997-2010 using data from the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) provided by the Spanish Ministry of Health. The exposure variables were: (i) HIV infection (HIV positive versus HIV negative); (ii) calendar period in relation to widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) [1997-1999 (early cART period), 2000-2003 (middle cART period) and 2004-2010 (late cART period)]. The outcome variables were (i) new NTM disease diagnosis and (ii) mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 3729 cases of incident NTM disease were collected in MBDS, 1795 in the HIV-negative group and 1934 in the HIV-positive group, among whom 602 deaths occurred, 223 in the HIV-negative group and 379 in the HIV-positive group. The incidence of NTM disease and the rate of NTM disease-related mortality were 1000-fold higher in the HIV-positive group than in the HIV-negative group. Regarding the incidence of NTM disease, in the HIV-negative group the incidence increased from 2.91 to 3.97 events per 1,000,000 patient-years from 1997-1999 to 2004-2010 (P < 0.001), while in the HIV-positive group the incidence decreased from 2.29 to 0.71 events per 1000 patient-years from 1997-1999 to 2004-2010 (P < 0.001). Regarding mortality, in the HIV-negative group mortality increased from 2.63 to 4.26 events per 10,000,000 patient-years from 1997-1999 to 2000-2003 (P = 0.059), and then the rate stabilized at around 3.87 events per 10,000,000 patient-years in 2004-2010 (P = 0.128), while in the HIV-positive group mortality decreased from 4.28 to 1.39 events per 10,000 patient-years from 1997-1999 to 2004-2010 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV infection was associated with a higher NTM disease incidence and higher NTM disease-related mortality than in the general population, but these rates decreased in the HIV-positive group from 1997-1999 to 2004-2010, whereas the NTM disease incidence increased in the HIV-negative group.

Acceleration of age-associated methylation patterns in HIV-1-infected adults

Patients with treated HIV-1-infection experience earlier occurrence of aging-associated diseases, raising speculation that HIV-1-infection, or antiretroviral treatment, may accelerate aging. We recently described an age-related co-methylation module comprised of hundreds of CpGs; however, it is unknown whether aging and HIV-1-infection exert negative health effects through similar, or disparate, mechanisms. We investigated whether HIV-1-infection would induce age-associated methylation changes. We evaluated DNA methylation levels at >450,000 CpG sites in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of young (20-35) and older (36-56) adults in two separate groups of participants. Each age group for each data set consisted of 12 HIV-1-infected and 12 age-matched HIV-1-uninfected samples for a total of 96 samples. The effects of age and HIV-1 infection on methylation at each CpG revealed a strong correlation of 0.49, p<1 x 10(-200) and 0.47, p<1 x 10(-200). Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) identified 17 co-methylation modules; module 3 (ME3) was significantly correlated with age (cor=0.70) and HIV-1 status (cor=0.31). Older HIV-1+ individuals had a greater number of hypermethylated CpGs across ME3 (p=0.015). In a multivariate model, ME3 was significantly associated with age and HIV status (Data set 1: βage=0.007088, p=2.08 x 10(-9); βHIV=0.099574, p=0.0011; Data set 2: βage=0.008762, p=1.27 x 10(-5); βHIV=0.128649, p=0.0001). Using this model, we estimate that HIV-1 infection accelerates age-related methylation by approximately 13.7 years in data set 1 and 14.7 years in data set 2. The genes related to CpGs in ME3 are enriched for polycomb group target genes known to be involved in cell renewal and aging. The overlap between ME3 and an aging methylation module found in solid tissues is also highly significant (Fisher-exact p=5.6 x 10(-6), odds ratio=1.91). These data demonstrate that HIV-1 infection is associated with methylation patterns that are similar to age-associated patterns and suggest that general aging and HIV-1 related aging work through some common cellular and molecular mechanisms. These results are an important first step for finding potential therapeutic targets and novel clinical approaches to mitigate the detrimental effects of both HIV-1-infection and aging.

Impact of HIV infection on cardiac deformation

AIM

The aim of this study was to detect abnormalities in left ventricular myocardial function due to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection without established cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

An echocardiogram was performed in 50 asymptomatic HIV-infected patients (age 41 ± 6 years, 64% male) and in 20 healthy individuals. Conventional echocardiography and pulsed tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were performed according to the guidelines. The strain rate of the basal segments was obtained with color tissue Doppler and used to evaluate systolic strain rate (SRS), early diastolic strain rate (SRE) and late diastolic strain rate (SRA). Longitudinal, radial and circumferential strain were assessed by 2D speckle tracking.

RESULTS

The mean duration of HIV infection was 10 ± 5 years, CD4 count was 579 ± 286 cells/mm³, 32% had detectable viral load, and 86% were under treatment. Of the HIV-infected patients, one had grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. The groups were not different except for E wave (HIV 0.72 ± 0.17 m/s vs. control 0.84 ± 0.16 m/s, p=0.01), longitudinal strain (-19.5 ± 1.9% vs. -21 ± 2%, p=0.005), SRS (-1.1 ± 0.28 s⁻¹ vs. -1.3 ± 0.28 s⁻¹, p=0.02) and SRE (1.8 ± 0.4 s⁻¹ vs. 2.2 ± 0.4 s⁻¹, p<0.001), but only SRS (p=0.03, 95% CI 0.036; 0.67) and SRE (p=0.001, 95% CI -0.599; -0.168) had independent value.

CONCLUSION

In an HIV-infected population without established cardiovascular disease, myocardial deformation abnormalities can be detected with strain and strain rate, revealing markers of myocardial injury.

Cytomegalovirus immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome manifesting as acute appendicitis in an HIV-infected patient

Background

Appendicitis occurs with increased frequency in HIV infected compared to HIV uninfected persons. CMV-related appendicitis specifically presents with typical appendicitis symptoms including surgical abdomen, fever and leukocytosis and may have a more severe course with higher mortality than other types of infective appendicitis. We report the first case of CMV appendicitis as a manifestation of Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS).

Case presentation

The patient was a 38 year old woman with a recent diagnosis of HIV infection who complained of right lower quadrant pain, anorexia, nausea and fevers two weeks after initiating antiretroviral therapy. Acute appendicitis was suspected and the patient underwent an appendectomy. Pathologic examination of the resected appendiceal tissue demonstrated inflammation with perforation and cytopathic changes typical of CMV that were positive for CMV by immunostain. This presentation of CMV abruptly after antiretroviral therapy initiation with a pronounced cellular infiltration of the tissue, is consistent with CMV-IRIS presenting as appendicitis.

Conclusions

Appendicitis can be a rare manifestation of CMV-IRIS in HIV-infected patients who start antiretroviral therapy. Evaluation of appendiceal tissue for cytopathic changes and CMV should be considered in acute appendicitis in HIV infected persons.

A quantitative perspective to the study of brain arterial remodeling of donors with and without HIV in the Brain Arterial Remodeling Study (BARS)

Mechanisms underlying brain arterial remodeling are uncertain. We tested the hypothesis that arterial size and location are important determinants of arterial characteristics. We collected large and penetrating brain arteries from cadavers with and without HIV. Morphometric characterization was obtained from digital images using color-based thresholding. The association of arterial size and location with lumen diameter, media and adventitia area, media proportion, a wall thickness, wall-to-lumen ratio and stenosis was obtained with multilevel mixed models and a P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. We included 336 brains, in which 2279 large arteries and 1488 penetrating arteries were identified. We found that arterial size was significantly associated with all arterial characteristics studied of large and penetrating arteries with exception of arterial stenosis in large arteries. After adjusting for size, an independent association was found between lumen diameters, media and adventitia thickness with artery locations. Arterial stenosis was also associated with artery location in both large and penetrating arteries. In summary, significant effects of size and/or location were found in arterial characteristics typically used to define arterial remodeling. Brain arterial remodeling characteristics differ across arterial sizes and location, and these differences should be controlled for in future studies of brain arterial remodeling.

Clostridium difficile in a HIV-infected cohort: incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Clostridium difficile is the most commonly reported infectious diarrhoea in HIV-infected patients in the United States. We set out to determine the incidence, risk factors and clinical presentation of C. difficile infections (CDIs) in a cohort of HIV-infected individuals.

DESIGN

We performed a nested, case-control analysis with four non-CDI controls randomly selected for each case.

METHODS

We assessed the incidence of CDI in the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort between 1 July 2003 and 31 December 2010. Incident cases were defined as first positive C. difficile cytotoxin assay or PCR for toxin B gene. We used conditional logistic regression models to assess risk factors for CDI. We abstracted data on the clinical presentation and outcomes from case chart review.

RESULTS

We identified 154 incident CDI cases for an incidence of 8.3 cases per 1000 patient years. No unique clinical features of HIV-associated CDI were identified. In multivariate analysis, risk of CDI was independently increased for CD4 cell count of 50 cells/μl or less [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 20.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8-151.4], hospital onset CDI (AOR 26.7, 95% CI 3.1-231.2) and use of clindamycin (AOR 27.6, 95% CI 2.2-339.4), fluoroquinolones (AOR 4.5, 95% CI 1.2-17.5), macrolides (AOR 6.3, 95% CI 1.8-22.1), gastric acid suppressants (AOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-6.9) or immunosuppressive agents (AOR 6.8, 95% CI 1.2-39.6).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of CDI in HIV-infected patients was twice that previously reported. Our data show that compromised cellular immunity, as defined by CD4 cell count of 50 cells/μl or less, is a risk factor for CDI. Clinicians should be aware of the increased CDI risk, particularly in those with severe CD4 cell count suppression.

A home-based exercise intervention to increase physical activity among people living with HIV: study design of a randomized clinical trial

Background

While combination antiretroviral therapy has extended the life expectancy of those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there is a high prevalence of comorbidities that increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The side effects associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) lead to multiple metabolic disorders, making the management of these metabolic issues and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in those treated with ART a critical issue. Clinical research trials, primarily clinical exercise, rarely include this population due to unique challenges in research methods with underserved minority populations living with a life threatening illness like HIV/AIDS. This paper describes the rationale and design of a randomized clinical trial evaluating the feasibility of a home-based exercise program designed to increase physical activity (PA) and reduce the risk of CVD in PLWHA.

Methods/design

PLWHA being treated with ART will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a home-based PA intervention or standard care. All participants will receive an educational weight loss workbook and pedometer for self-monitoring of PA. Only those in the intervention group will receive additional elastic Thera-bands® for strength training and behavioral telephone based coaching.

Discussion

This study will evaluate the feasibility of a home-based program designed to increase PA among PLWHA. Further, it will evaluate the effectiveness of such a program to decrease modifiable risk factors for CVD as a secondary outcome. This study was funded by the NIH/NINR R21 Grant 1R21NRO11281.

Trial registration

Clinical Trial Identifier NCT01377064

Cardiovascular profile and events of US adults 20-49 years with HIV: results from the NHANES 1999-2008

The incidence of vascular events in HIV-infected individuals is increasing. We investigated whether there is a higher prevalence of vascular risk factors in the adult US population with HIV compared to uninfected controls that could explain some of the increased vascular events. We obtained prevalence estimates of vascular risk factors, stratified by the HIV status, in sampled adults aged 20-49 years from the 1999 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Estimates were weighted to account for oversampling and nonresponse. Logistic regression models with adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic status were created to adjust for confounders. The analysis included 12,339 US adults, 76 with HIV infection. The weighted seroprevalence of HIV was 0.48% (95% CI 0.33-0.65). In univariate analysis, HIV infection was more prevalent in non-Hispanic blacks (odds ratio [OR] 7.4, 95% CI 3.6-15.2), men (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.42-4.89), the physically inactive (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.0), and current smokers (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.4). Increased waist circumference (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-1.0) was less common in HIV-infected individuals, although controlling for sex and ethnicity differences, this difference became nonsignificant (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-1.2). Further controlling for differences in income and education rendered the associations with smoking and physical inactivity nonsignificant, but revealed associations of HIV infection with hypertension (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.0-6.0) and diabetes (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.1-16.1). These results underscore the need to further investigate the role of cardiovascular risk factors in the growing HIV population.

Colorectal cancer screening in human immunodeficiency virus population: Are they at average risk?

AIM: To evaluate if human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) population is getting adequate screening for colon cancer in the highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART) era with improved longevity, and the prevalence of polyps and adenomas in this population, when compared with the general population.

METHODS: We conducted retrospective chart review of average-risk HIV population for colon cancer attending our infectious disease clinic. Individuals who underwent diagnostic colonoscopy were excluded. We extracted various demographic, HIV disease-specific and colonoscopy data including histo-pathological reports in the last 10 years. Total population was divided into a study group, who underwent screening colonoscopy and a control group who did not. We analyzed data using standard statistical methods and software.

RESULTS: We found that 25% of average-risk HIV-infected population was screened for colon cancer using colonoscopy. There was no difference in gender and ethnic distribution between the groups. We found wider distribution of age (50-84 years with mean 56 years) in the control group when compared to (50-73 years with mean 58 years) the study group. However, there were 89% of subjects with well-controlled HIV disease measured by HIV RNA copies of < 75 in the study group when compared with 70% in the control group (P < 0.0001). We noticed polyp detection rate of 55% and adenoma detection rate of 32% in HIV population.

CONCLUSION: It is unclear whether HIV or HAART medications play a role in increased prevalence of adenomas. We suggest that when estimating the risk for colonic neoplasms, HIV population should be considered as a high-risk group and screened accordingly.

Regional brain structural dysmorphology in human immunodeficiency virus infection: effects of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, alcoholism, and age

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and alcoholism each carries liability for disruption of brain structure and function integrity. Despite considerable prevalence of HIV-alcoholism comorbidity, few studies examined the potentially heightened burden of disease comorbidity.

METHODS

Participants were 342 men and women: 110 alcoholics, 59 with HIV infection, 65 with HIV infection and alcoholism, and 108 healthy control subjects. This design enabled examination of independent and combined effects of HIV infection and alcoholism along with other factors (acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS]-defining events, hepatitis C infection, age) on regional brain volumes derived from T1-weighted magnetic resonance images.

RESULTS

Brain volumes, expressed as Z scores corrected for intracranial volume and age, were measured in 20 tissue and 5 ventricular and sulcal regions. The most profound and consistent volume deficits occurred with alcohol use disorders, notable in the cortical mantle, insular and anterior cingulate cortices, thalamus, corpus callosum, and frontal sulci. The HIV-only group had smaller thalamic and larger frontal sulcal volumes than control subjects. HIV disease-related factors associated with greater volume abnormalities included CD4 cell count nadir, clinical staging, history of AIDS-defining events, infection age, and current age. Longer sobriety and less lifetime alcohol consumption were predictive of attenuated brain volume abnormalities in both alcohol groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Having HIV infection with alcoholism and AIDS had an especially poor outcome on brain structures. That longer periods of sobriety and less lifetime alcohol consumption were predictive of attenuated brain volume abnormalities encourages the inclusion of alcohol recovery efforts in HIV/AIDS therapeutic settings.

Implementation of targeted interventions to decrease antiretroviral-related errors in hospitalized patients

PURPOSE

The implementation and effectiveness of targeted interventions aimed at decreasing the frequency of antiretroviral-related errors in hospitalized patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are described.

SUMMARY

A prospective investigation conducted at the University of North Carolina Hospitals revealed a high rate of antiretroviral-related errors occurring on admission to the hospital and throughout a patient's hospital stay. The high frequency of errors emphasized the need for targeted interventions aimed at preventing these errors and quickly identifying and resolving errors that do occur. Several interventions aimed at decreasing this error rate were instituted, including the addition of computer alerts for incorrect doses and drug interactions to the pharmacy order-entry system, distribution of an educational pocket-sized card among the staff, addition of commercially available combination antiretroviral products to the hospital formulary, updates of the computerized prescriber-order-entry (CPOE) system to include common dosage defaults, involvement of the infectious diseases consultation service to evaluate prescribed regimens of newly admitted patients with HIV, and daily review of newly initiated anti-retroviral regimens by a clinical pharmacist trained in HIV care. A follow-up analysis was conducted after these interventions were implemented to evaluate their effectiveness. Of the 78 patients identified during the postintervention analysis, 12 (15%) had at least one error in their initial drug regimen versus 49 patients (72%) in the preintervention study (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Antiretroviral medication error rates decreased after the implementation of targeted interventions that included distributing an educational pocket-sized card, adding alerts to the pharmacy order- entry system, incorporating default dosages into the CPOE system, and adding combination antiretrovirals to the formulary.

HIV replication and immune status are independent predictors of the risk of myocardial infarction in HIV-infected individuals

BACKGROUND

Individuals infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than the general population. The specific effects of virological and immunological parameters on the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in HIV-infected individuals are debated.

METHODS

We conducted a nested case-control study within the French Hospital Database on HIV. Case patients (n = 289) were patients who, between January 2000 and December 2006, had a prospectively recorded and validated first MI. Up to 5 HIV-infected controls (n = 884) matched for age, sex, and clinical center were selected, at random with replacement, among patients with no history of MI. Conditional logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of the risk of MI.

RESULTS

Plasma HIV-1 RNA levels >50 copies/mL, a low CD4 T-cell nadir, and a high CD8 T-cell count were independently associated with an increased risk of MI, with respective odds ratios of 1.51 (95% confidence interval, 1.09-2.10), 0.90 (.83-.97) per log(2) unit, and 1.48 (1.01-2.18) for the highest tertile of CD8 T-cell counts (>1150 cells/mm(3)) compared with the lowest (≤760 cells/mm(3)).

CONCLUSIONS

Independently of cardiovascular risk factors and antiretroviral therapy, HIV replication, a low CD4 T-cell nadir and a high current CD8 T-cell count are associated with an increased risk of MI in HIV-infected individuals. This suggests new paths for interventions to diminish the risk of MI in HIV-infected patients.

Impact of immunodepression and moderate alcohol consumption on coronary and other arterial disease events in an 11-year cohort of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between response to antiretroviral therapy (ART), alcohol use and occurrence of a major coronary or other arterial disease event (CADE) in HIV-infected individuals.

DESIGN

A cohort study. A Cox model was used to identify the correlates of a first occurrence of a major CADE.

SETTING

The French ANRS CO8 APROCO-COPILOTE cohort was set up in 1997 to study clinical progression and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) after initiating a protease inhibitor-containing ART. Clinical data were retrieved from medical records. Self-administered questionnaires collected data on PRO and behaviours, including alcohol use.

PARTICIPANTS

Metabolic data were only available for a subgroup (n=675) of the study group (n=1154).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Major coronary or other arterial disease first event.

RESULTS

Over the 11-year follow-up, 49 major CADE were observed, with an incidence rate (95% CI)=0.75(0.57 to 0.99) per 100 person-years. Immunodepression (CD4 cell count <200 cells/mm(3)) was associated with an increased risk of CADE (adjusted HR (95% CI)=2.52(1.15 to 5.48)) after adjustment for female gender (0.25(0.08 to 0.83)), age (1.07(1.04 to 1.10)) and smoking>20 cigarettes/day (4.19(2.17 to 8.11)). Moreover, individuals with moderate alcohol consumption (≤4(3) alcohol units (AU)/day for men(women)) had a lower risk of CADE (0.38(0.20 to 0.71)) than alcohol abstainers, although the risk for those drinking>4(3) AU/day for men(women) was not significantly different from this latter group. These associations remained valid after adjustment for metabolic disorders. No significant association with exposure to any specific antiretroviral was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

In the long term, absence of immunodepression and moderate alcohol consumption remain associated with a lower risk of a major CADE. Combined interventions to reduce CADE-risk-related behaviours including adherence counselling for assuring long-term immunological response to ART in HIV-infected individuals are now a clinical and public health priority.

Accelerated aging and human immunodeficiency virus infection: emerging challenges of growing older in the era of successful antiretroviral therapy

HIV-infected patients are living longer as a result of potent antiretroviral therapy. Immuno-inflammatory phenomena implicated in the normal aging process, including immune senescence, depreciation of the adaptive immune system, and heightened systemic inflammation are also pathophysiologic sequelae of HIV infection, suggesting HIV infection can potentiate the biological mechanisms of aging. Aging HIV-infected patients manifest many comorbidities at earlier ages, and sometimes with more aggressive phenotypes compared to seronegative counterparts. In this review, we describe relevant biologic changes shared by normal aging and HIV infection and explore the growing spectrum of clinical manifestations associated with the accelerated aging phenotype in HIV-infected individuals.

Changing predictors of mortality over time from cART start: implications for care

OBJECTIVE

To determine predictors of mortality and changes in those predictors over time on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in South Africa.

DESIGN

A cohort study.

METHODS

Using routine clinic data with up to 4 years follow-up after antiretroviral therapy initiation and with death ascertainment from a national vital statistics register, we used proportional hazards modeling to assess baseline and time-updated predictors of mortality and changes in strength of those predictors over time on cART. Furthermore, we compared CD4 count among individuals who died by duration on cART.

RESULTS

Fifteen thousand sixty subjects (64% men, median CD4 count 127 cells/mm³) started antiretroviral therapy between January 2003 and January 2008. Over a median follow-up of 1.8 years, 2658 subjects died. The baseline characteristics of WHO stage, hemoglobin, CD4 count, HIV RNA level, and symptoms were all associated with mortality during the first 12 months of cART but lost association thereafter. However, time-updated factors of CD4 count, body mass index, symptoms, anemia, and HIV RNA suppression remained strong predictors of death. Most recent CD4 count before death rose from 71 during the first 3 months of cART to 175 cells per cubic millimeter after >3 years of cART.

CONCLUSION

Over 4 years of cART, risk of death declined and associations with mortality changed. An increase in CD4 count at death and changing associations with mortality may suggest a shift in causes of death, possibly from opportunistic infections to other infections and chronic illnesses.

Can immune-related genotypes illuminate the immunopathogenesis of cytomegalovirus disease in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients?

Most human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients are seropositive for cytomegalovirus (CMV) but a smaller proportion experience end-organ disease. This observation may reflect variations in genes affecting inflammatory and natural killer cell responses. DNA samples were collected from 240 HIV-infected patients followed at the University Hospitals/Case Medical Center (Cleveland, OH) between 1993 and 2008. Seventy-eight patients (African Americans = 41, Caucasians = 37) experienced CMV disease. Genotypes were determined using allele-specific fluorescent probes or multiplex polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primers. IL12B3'UTR*(1) and SLC11A1 D543N*(1,2) were associated with CMV disease in African American patients (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). IL10-1082*(1,2) and LILRB1 I142T*(1) were associated with CMV disease in Caucasians (p = 0.02 and p = 0.07, respectively). DARC T-46C*(1) and CD14 C-159T*(2) were associated with low nadir CD4(+) T cell counts in African American patients (p = 0.002 and p = 0.01, respectively). Caucasian patients carrying TNFA-308*2, TNFA-1031*(2), IL2-330*(1), CCL2-2518*(2), or LILRB1 I142T*(1) had significantly lower nadir CD4(+) T cells in a bootstrapped multivariable model (p = 0.006-0.02). In general, polymorphisms associated with CMV disease and CD4(+) T cell counts were distinct in Caucasian and African American patients in the United States. The LILRB1 I142T polymorphism was associated with both CMV disease and low nadir CD4(+) T cell counts in Caucasians, but the clearest determinant of low nadir CD4(+) T cell count in African American patients was DARC T-46C.

Increased mortality among publicly insured participants in the HIV Outpatient Study despite HAART treatment

OBJECTIVE

Understanding mortality differences among HIV-infected patients can focus efforts to improve survival.

DESIGN

We evaluated death rates, causes, and associated factors among treated patients in the HIV Outpatient Study (HOPS), a large, prospective, multicenter observational cohort of HIV-infected persons seen at a diverse set of US sites of care.

METHODS

Among 3754 HOPS participants seen during 1996-2007 with at least 6 months of follow-up after initiating HAART and receiving HAART at least 75% of time under observation ('substantially treated'), we calculated hazard ratios for death using proportional hazards regression models. We also examined death causes and comorbidities among decedents.

RESULTS

Substantially treated participants, followed a median 4.7 years (interquartile range, 2.2-8.5), experienced 331 deaths. In multivariable analyses, higher mortality was associated with an index CD4 cell count less than 200 cells/μl [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 2.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.95-4.21], older age (aHR, 1.50 per 10 years; 95% CI 1.33-1.70), log(10)HIV RNA (aHR, 1.67 per log(10); 95% CI 1.51-1.85), but not race/ethnicity (aHR, 0.99 for blacks vs. whites, P = 0.92). Mortality was increased among publicly insured (PUB) vs. privately insured participants (PRV) when index CD4 cell count was at least 200 cells/μl (aHR, 2.03; 95% CI 1.32-3.14) but not when index CD4 cell count was less than 200 cells/μl (aHR, 1.3, P = 0.13). By death cause, PUB had significantly more cardiovascular events and hepatic disorders than PRV. Comorbidities more frequent among PUB vs. PRV decedents included cardiovascular disease, renal impairment, and chronic hepatitis.

CONCLUSION

Among HAART-treated participants with CD4 cell counts at least 200 cells/μl, PUB experienced higher death rates than PRV. Non-AIDS death and disease causes predominated among publicly insured decedents, suggesting that treatable comorbidities contributed to survival disparities.

Cardiovascular risks associated with abacavir and tenofovir exposure in HIV-infected persons

OBJECTIVE

Abacavir use has been associated with cardiovascular risk, but it is unknown whether this association may be partly explained by patients with kidney disease being preferentially treated with abacavir to avoid tenofovir. Our objective was to compare associations of abacavir and tenofovir with cardiovascular risks in HIV-infected veterans.

DESIGN

Cohort study of 10 931 HIV-infected patients initiating antiretroviral therapy in the Veterans Health Administration from 1997 to 2007, using proportional hazards survival regression.

METHODS

Primary predictors were exposure to abacavir or tenofovir within the past 6 months, compared with no exposure to these drugs, respectively. Outcomes were time to first atherosclerotic cardiovascular event, defined as coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral arterial disease; and time to incident heart failure.

RESULTS

Over 60 588 person-years of observation, there were 501 cardiovascular and 194 heart failure events. Age-standardized event rates among abacavir and tenofovir users were 12.5 versus 8.2 per 1000 person-years for cardiovascular disease, and 3.9 and 3.7 per 1000 person-years for heart failure, respectively. In multivariate-adjusted models, including time-updated measurements of kidney function, recent abacavir use was significantly associated with incident cardiovascular disease [hazard ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-2.04]; the association was similar but nonsignificant for heart failure (1.45, 0.85-2.47). In contrast, recent tenofovir use was significantly associated with heart failure (1.82, 1.02-3.24), but not with cardiovascular events (0.78, 0.52-1.16).

CONCLUSION

Recent abacavir exposure was independently associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events. We also observed an association between recent tenofovir exposure and heart failure, which needs to be confirmed in future studies.

An epidemic in evolution: the need for new models of HIV care in the chronic disease era

Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, models of HIV care have needed to be invented or modified as the needs of patients and communities evolved. Early in the epidemic, primary care and palliative care predominated; subsequently, the emergence of effective therapy for HIV infection led to further specialization and a focus on increasingly complex antiretroviral therapy as the cornerstone of effective HIV care. Over the past decade, factors including (1) an aging, long-surviving population; (2) multiple co-morbidities; (3) polypharmacy; and (4) the need for chronic disease management have led to a need for further evolution of HIV care models. Moreover, geographic diffusion; persistent disparities in timely HIV diagnosis, treatment access, and outcomes; and the aging of the HIV provider workforce also suggest the importance of reincorporating primary care providers into the spectrum of HIV care in the current era. Although some HIV-dedicated treatment centers offer comprehensive medical services, other models of HIV care potentially exist and should be developed and evaluated. In particular, primary care- and community-based collaborative practices-where HIV experts or specialists are incorporated into existing health centers-are one approach that combines the benefits of HIV-specific expertise and comprehensive primary care using an integrated, patient-centered approach.

Hepatitis B and C infection and liver disease trends among human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals

AIM: To examine trends in and correlates of liver disease and viral hepatitis in an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected cohort.

METHODS: The multi-site adult/adolescent spectrum of HIV-related diseases (ASD) followed 29 490 HIV-infected individuals receiving medical care in 11 U.S. metropolitan areas for an average of 2.4 years, and a total of 69 487 person-years, between 1998 and 2004. ASD collected data on the presentation, treatment, and outcomes of HIV, including liver disease, hepatitis screening, and hepatitis diagnoses.

RESULTS: Incident liver disease, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) were diagnosed in 0.9, 1.8, and 4.7 per 100 person-years. HBV and HCV screening increased from fewer than 20% to over 60% during this period of observation (P < 0.001). Deaths occurred in 57% of those diagnosed with liver disease relative to 15% overall (P < 0.001). Overall 10% of deaths occurred among individuals with a diagnosis of liver disease. Despite care guidelines promoting screening and vaccination for HBV and screening for HCV, screening and vaccination were not universally conducted or, if conducted, not documented.

CONCLUSION: Due to high rates of incident liver disease, viral hepatitis screening, vaccination, and treatment among HIV-infected individuals should be a priority.

An official ATS workshop report: Emerging issues and current controversies in HIV-associated pulmonary diseases

Pulmonary diseases are major causes of morbidity and death in persons with HIV infection. Millions of people with HIV/AIDS throughout the world are at risk of opportunistic pneumonias such as tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, and Pneumocystis pneumonia. However, the availability of combination antiretroviral therapy has turned HIV into a chronic disease, and noninfectious lung diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary arterial hypertension are also emerging as important causes of illness. Despite the importance of these diseases and the rapidly evolving understanding of their pathogenesis and epidemiology, few avenues exist for the discussion and dissemination of new clinical and basic insights. In May of 2008, the American Thoracic Society sponsored a 1-day workshop, "Emerging Issues and Current Controversies in HIV-Associated Pulmonary Diseases," which brought together basic and clinical researchers in HIV-associated pulmonary disease. A review of the literature was performed by workshop participants, and the workshop included 18 presentations on diverse topics summarized in this article.

Harmful alcohol consumption and patterns of substance use in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretrovirals (ANRS-EN12-VESPA Study): relevance for clinical management and intervention

Alcohol abuse affects secondary prevention and disease progression in HIV-infected patients, and adherence and response to treatment in those chronically treated. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of harmful alcohol consumption (HAC) using various indicators and identify which groups of patients may require specific targeted interventions for HAC risk reduction. A cross-sectional survey, based on a random sample representative of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) was carried out in 102 French hospital departments delivering HIV care. As alcohol abuse is particularly detrimental to patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), we focused only on those individuals receiving HAART with complete alcohol assessment (CAGE, AUDIT-C, regular binge drinking, N=2340). Collected information included medical and socio-demographic data, HIV risk behaviors, adherence to treatment and substance and alcohol use, together with depression, anxiety, and experience of attempted suicide or sex work. HAC prevalence was evaluated as follows: 12% (CAGE score > or =2), 27% (AUDIT-C), and 9% (regular binge drinking). Three groups were at higher risk of HAC: men who have sex with men using stimulants, polydrug users, and to a lesser degree, ex-drug users. Innovative intervention strategies to reduce HAC and improve HIV prevention and HAART adherence in various PLWHA populations need urgent testing and implementation. Such interventions for alcohol risk reduction remain central to promoting improved HIV prevention and assuring HAART effectiveness in these populations.

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated primary lung cancer in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: a multi-institutional collaboration

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are at increased risk for primary lung cancer (LC). We wished to compare the clinicopathologic features and treatment outcome of HIV-LC patients with HIV-indeterminate LC patients. We also sought to compare behavioral characteristics and immunologic features of HIV-LC patients with HIV-positive patients without LC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A database of 75 HIV-positive patients with primary LC in the HAART era was established from an international collaboration. These cases were drawn from the archives of contributing physicians who subspecialize in HIV malignancies. Patient characteristics were compared with registry data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program (SEER; n = 169,091 participants) and with HIV-positive individuals without LC from the Adult and Adolescent Spectrum of HIV-related Diseases project (ASD; n = 36,569 participants).

RESULTS

The median age at HIV-related LC diagnosis was 50 years compared with 68 years for SEER participants (P < .001). HIV-LC patients, like their SEER counterparts, most frequently presented with stage IIIB/IV cancers (77% vs. 70%), usually with adenocarcinoma (46% vs. 47%) or squamous carcinoma (35% vs. 25%) histologies. HIV-LC patients and ASD participants had comparable median nadir CD4+ cell counts (138 cells/µL vs. 160 cells/µL). At LC diagnosis, their median CD4+ count was 340 cells/µL and 86% were receiving HAART. Sixty-three HIV-LC patients (84%) received cancer-specific treatments, but chemotherapy-associated toxicity was substantial. The median survival for both HIV-LC patients and SEER participants with stage IIIB/IV was 9 months.

CONCLUSION

Most HIV-positive patients were receiving HAART and had substantial improvement in CD4+ cell count at time of LC diagnosis. They were able to receive LC treatments; their tumor types and overall survival were similar to SEER LC participants. However, HIV-LC patients were diagnosed with LC at a younger age than their HIV-indeterminate counterparts. Future research should explore how screening, diagnostic and treatment strategies directed toward the general population may apply to HIV-positive patients at risk for LC.

The dual impact of HIV-1 infection and aging on naïve CD4 T-cells: additive and distinct patterns of impairment

HIV-1-infected adults over the age of 50 years progress to AIDS more rapidly than adults in their twenties or thirties. In addition, HIV-1-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) present with clinical diseases, such as various cancers and liver disease, more commonly seen in older uninfected adults. These observations suggest that HIV-1 infection in older persons can have detrimental immunological effects that are not completely reversed by ART. As naïve T-cells are critically important in responses to neoantigens, we first analyzed two subsets (CD45RA⁺CD31⁺ and CD45RA⁺CD31^-) within the naïve CD4⁺ T-cell compartment in young (20–32 years old) and older (39–58 years old), ART-naïve, HIV-1 seropositive individuals within 1–3 years of infection and in age-matched seronegative controls. HIV-1 infection in the young cohort was associated with lower absolute numbers of, and shorter telomere lengths within, both CD45RA⁺CD31⁺CD4⁺ and CD45RA⁺CD31^-CD4⁺ T-cell subsets in comparison to age-matched seronegative controls, changes that resembled seronegative individuals who were decades older. Longitudinal analysis provided evidence of thymic emigration and reconstitution of CD45RA⁺CD31⁺CD4⁺ T-cells two years post-ART, but minimal reconstitution of the CD45RA⁺CD31^-CD4⁺ subset, which could impair de novo immune responses. For both ART-naïve and ART-treated HIV-1-infected adults, a renewable pool of thymic emigrants is necessary to maintain CD4⁺ T-cell homeostasis. Overall, these results offer a partial explanation both for the faster disease progression of older adults and the observation that viral responders to ART present with clinical diseases associated with older adults.

Cigarette smoking and mortality among HIV-infected individuals in Seattle, Washington (1996-2008)

HIV-infected individuals with access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) are living longer and the causes of excess morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are becoming comparable to individuals without HIV infection. However, many PLWHA smoke cigarettes-a well known contributor to excess morbidity and mortality. To investigate the association between smoking and mortality among PLWHA during the HAART era (1996+), we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2,108 PLWHA enrolled in Seattle and King County's Adult and Adolescent Spectrum of HIV Disease Study. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality were obtained using Cox proportional hazards regression. Compared to never smokers, current smokers (aHR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.3) and individuals with an increased dose and/or duration of smoking were at greater risk of all-cause mortality. Although additional research is needed to evaluate the full effect of smoking on cause-specific mortality, smoking cessation programs should target PLWHA to further increase their life expectancy.

Cystatin C, albuminuria, and 5-year all-cause mortality in HIV-infected persons

BACKGROUND

Compared with controls, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons have a greater prevalence of kidney disease, assessed according to high cystatin C level and albuminuria, but not according to creatinine level. However, the clinical importance of increased cystatin C level and albuminuria in the HIV-infected population has not been studied.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted an observational cohort study to determine the association of kidney disease (measured according to albuminuria, cystatin C, and serum creatinine) with mortality.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

922 HIV-infected persons enrolled in the FRAM (Fat Redistribution and Metabolic Change in HIV Infection) Study.

PREDICTOR

Serum cystatin C and serum creatinine levels were used to estimate glomerular filtration rates (eGFR(SCysC) and eGFR(SCr), respectively). Albuminuria was defined as a positive urine dipstick result (≥ 1+) or urine albumin-creatinine ratio >30 mg/g.

OUTCOME

5-Year mortality.

RESULTS

At baseline, decreased kidney function (eGFR(SCysC) <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) or albuminuria was present in 28% of participants. After 5 years of follow-up, mortality was 48% in those with both eGFR(SCysC) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria, 23% in those with eGFR(SCysC) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) alone, 20% in those with albuminuria alone, and 9% in those with neither condition. After multivariable adjustment for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, HIV-related factors, and inflammatory marker levels, eGFR(SCysC) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria were associated with a nearly 2-fold increase in mortality, whereas eGFR(SCr) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) did not appear to have a substantial association with mortality. Together, eGFR(SCysC) <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria accounted for 17% of the population-level attributable risk of mortality.

LIMITATIONS

Vital status was unknown in 261 participants from the original cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Kidney disease marked by albuminuria or increased cystatin C level appears to be an important risk factor for mortality in HIV-infected individuals. A substantial proportion of this risk may be unrecognized because of the current reliance on serum creatinine to estimate kidney function in clinical practice.

AIDS-defining opportunistic illnesses in US patients, 1994-2007: a cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the incidence and spectrum of AIDS-defining opportunistic illnesses in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (cART) era.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study of 8070 participants in the HIV Outpatient Study at 12 U.S. HIV clinics.

METHODS

We calculated incidence rates per 1000 person-years of observation for the first opportunistic infection, first opportunistic malignancy, and first occurrence of each individual opportunistic illness during 1994-2007. Using stratified Poisson regression models, and adjusting for sex, race, and HIV risk category, we modeled annual percentage changes in opportunistic illness incidence rates by calendar period.

RESULTS

Eight thousand and seventy patients (baseline median age 38 years; median CD4 cell count 298 cells/microl) experienced 2027 incident opportunistic illnesses during a median of 2.9 years of observation. During 1994-1997, 1998-2002, and 2003-2007, respectively, rates of opportunistic infections (per 1000 person-years) were 89.0, 25.2 and 13.3 and rates of opportunistic malignancies were 23.4, 5.8 and 3.0 (P for trend <0.001 for both). Opportunistic illness rate decreases were similar for the subset of patients receiving cART. During 2003-2007, there were no significant changes in annual rates of opportunistic infections or opportunistic malignancies; the leading opportunistic illnesses (rate per 1000 person-years) were esophageal candidiasis (5.2), Pneumocystis pneumonia (3.9), cervical cancer (3.5), Mycobacterium avium complex infection (2.5), and cytomegalovirus disease (1.8); 36% opportunistic illness events occurred at CD4 cell counts at least 200 cells/microl.

CONCLUSIONS

Opportunistic illness rates declined precipitously after introduction of cART and stabilized at low levels during 2003-2007. In this contemporary cART era, a third of opportunistic illnesses were diagnosed at CD4 cell counts at least 200 cells/microl.