Pharmacotherapy, vaccines and malaria advice for HIV-infected travellers

Travel risk assessment, advice and vaccinations in immunocompromised travellers (HIV, solid organ transplant and haematopoeitic stem cell transplant recipients): A review

International travellers with immunocompromising conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, solid organ transplantation (SOT) and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are at a significant risk of travel-related illnesses from both communicable and non-communicable diseases, depending on the intensity of underlying immune dysfunction, travel destinations and activities. In addition, the choice of travel vaccinations, timing and protective antibody responses are also highly dependent on the underlying conditions and thus pose significant challenges to the health-care providers who are involved in pre-travel risk assessment. This review article provides a framework of understanding and approach to aforementioned groups of immunocompromised travellers regarding pre-travel risk assessment and management; in particular travel vaccinations, infectious and non-infectious disease risks and provision of condition-specific advice; to reduce travel-related mortality and morbidity.

Malaria and hiv in adults: when the parasite runs into the virus

Malaria and HIV/AIDS are among the principal causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in resource-limited settings such as sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the international community’s efforts to reduce incidence and prevalence of these diseases, they remain a global public health problem. Clinical manifestations of malaria may be more severe in HIV infected patients, which have higher risks of severe malaria and malaria related death. Co-infected pregnant women, children and international travelers from non-malaria endemic countries are at higher risk of clinical complications. However, there is a paucity and conflicting data regarding malaria and HIV co-infection, particularly on how HIV infection can modify the response to antimalarial drugs and about drug-interactions between antiretroviral agents and artemisinin-based combined regimens. Moreover, consulting HIV-infected international travelers and physicians specialized in HIV care and travel medicine should prescribe an adequate chemoprophylaxis in patients travelling towards malaria endemic areas and pay attention on interactions between antiretrovirals and antimalarial prophylaxis drugs in order to prevent clinical complications of this co-infection.

This review aims to evaluate the available international literature on malaria and HIV co-infection in adults providing a critical comprehensive review of nowadays knowledge.

Malaria Prophylaxis: A Comprehensive Review

The flow of international travellers to and from malaria-endemic areas, especially Africa, has increased in recent years. Apart from the very high morbidity and mortality burden imposed on malaria-endemic areas, imported malaria is the main cause of fever possibly causing severe disease and death in travellers coming from tropical and subtropical areas, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. The importance of behavioural preventive measures (bed nets, repellents, etc.), adequate chemoprophylaxis and, in selected circumstances, stand-by emergency treatment may not be overemphasized. However, no prophylactic regimen may offer complete protection. Expert advice is needed to tailor prophylactic advice according to traveller (age, baseline clinical conditions, etc.) and travel (destination, season, etc.) characteristics in order to reduce malaria risk.

Yellow fever vaccination in HIV-infected patients

Millions of HIV-infected individuals are at risk to yellow fever (YF), a severe hemorrhagic disease, which is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Latin America. The 17D YF vaccine (17DV) is the most effective preventive strategy. Increased vaccine coverage campaigns guided by the WHO, try to prevent outbreaks in YF-endemic countries, including HIV-endemic areas. Data regarding safety and immunogenicity of 17DV in HIV-infected individuals are limited to small studies, mainly in travelers with CD4 cell counts above 200 cells/mm3, demonstrating a reduced immune response and good tolerability. However, rare serious adverse events cannot be excluded. According to current recommendations, 17DV should only be given to asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals with a CD4 cell count above 200 cell/mm3. Data concerning 17DV in HIV-infected individuals living in YF-endemic areas are missing, making mass immunization campaigns against YF very challenging. There is a special need for further studies to investigate the safety and efficacy of 17DV in HIV-infected individuals.

The HIV-positive traveler

Antiretroviral therapy has led to a substantial increase in the life expectancy and quality of life for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. Increasingly, physicians are asked to counsel them before international travel to regions in which infectious diseases are more prevalent. The pretravel evaluation requires an accurate assessment of the patient's level of immune compromise as well as an understanding of the risks involved in travel to tropical countries. We review the safety and efficacy of travel medicine-related vaccines, important considerations when selecting antimalarial prophylaxis, and strategies for management of traveler's diarrhea. The prevention of sexually transmitted infections while abroad also is an important public health intervention for both the traveler and the potential sexual partners abroad. Beyond the health-related issues in international travel, HIV-positive patients may confront some significant legal hurdles in crossing international borders. We provide guidance in navigating the diverse and complex issues that arise for the HIV-positive traveler.