Predicting the population impact of increased HIV testing and treatment in Australia

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 146 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Jansson ◽  
Cliff C. Kerr ◽  
David P. Wilson

Introduction The treatment as prevention strategy has gained popularity as a way to reduce the incidence of HIV by suppressing viral load such that transmission risk is decreased. The effectiveness of the strategy also requires early diagnosis. Methods: Informed by data on the influence of diagnosis and treatment on reducing transmission risk, a model simulated the impact of increasing testing and treatment rates on the expected incidence of HIV in Australia under varying assumptions of treatment efficacy and risk compensation. The model utilises Australia’s National HIV Registry data, and simulates disease progression, testing, treatment, transmission and mortality. Results: Decreasing the average time between infection and diagnosis by 30% is expected to reduce population incidence by 12% (~126 cases per year, 95% confidence interval (CI): 82–198). Treatment of all people living with HIV with CD4 counts <500 cells μL–1 is expected to reduce new infections by 30.9% (95% CI: 15.9–37.6%) at 96% efficacy if no risk compensation occurs. The number of infections could increase up to 12.9% (95% CI: 20.1–7.4%) at 26% efficacy if a return to prediagnosis risk levels occur. Conclusion: Treatment as prevention has the potential to prevent HIV infections but its effectiveness depends on the efficacy outside trial settings among men who have sex with men and the level of risk compensation. If antiretroviral therapy has high efficacy, risk compensation will not greatly change the number of infections. If the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy is low, risk compensation could lead to increased infections.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2300
Author(s):  
Han-Chang Ku ◽  
Yi-Tseng Tsai ◽  
Sriyani-Padmalatha Konara-Mudiyanselage ◽  
Yi-Lin Wu ◽  
Tsung Yu ◽  
...  

The incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients infected with HIV is higher than that of the general population. However, the incidence of HZ in HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled incidence rate and risk factors for HZ in the post-ART era. We identified studies assessing the incidence of HZ in the post-ART era between 1 January 2000 and 28 February 2021, from four databases. Pooled risk ratios were calculated from 11 articles using a random-effects model. The heterogeneity of the included trials was evaluated by visually inspecting funnel plots, performing random-effects meta-regression and using I2 statistics. Of the 2111 studies screened, we identified 11 studies that were eligible for final inclusion in the systematic review and 8 studies that were eligible for a meta-analysis. The pooled incidence of HZ in the post-ART era (after the introduction of ART in 1997) was 2.30 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56–3.05) per 100 person years (PYs). The risks of incidence of HZ among people living with HIV included male sex (AOR: 4.35 (95% CI: 054–2.41)), men who have sex with men (AOR: 1.21 (95% CI: −0.76–1.13)), CD4 count < 200 cells/μL (AOR: 11.59 (95% CI: 0.53–4.38)) and not receiving ART (AOR: 2.89 (95% CI: −0.44–2.56)). The incidence of HZ is substantially lower among HIV infected patients receiving ART than those not receiving ART. Initiating ART immediately after diagnosis to treat all HIV-positive individuals is crucial to minimize the disease burden of HZ.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristie C. Waterfield ◽  
Gulzar H. Shah ◽  
Gina D. Etheredge ◽  
Osaremhen Ikhile

Abstract Background With the indiscriminate spread of COVID-19 globally, many populations are experiencing negative consequences such as job loss, food insecurity, and inability to manage existing medical conditions and maintain preventive measures such as social distancing and personal preventative equipment. Some of the most disadvantaged in the COVID-19 era are people living with HIV/AIDS and other autoimmune diseases. Discussion As the number of new HIV infections decrease globally, many subpopulations remain at high risk of infection due to lack of or limited access to prevention services, as well as clinical care and treatment. For persons living with HIV or at higher risk of contracting HIV, including persons who inject drugs or men that have sex with men, the risk of COVID-19 infection increases if they have certain comorbidities, are older than 60 years of age, and are homeless, orphaned, or vulnerable children. The risk of COVID-19 is also more significant for those that live in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, rural, and/or poverty-stricken areas. An additional concern for those living the HIV is the double stigma that may arise if they also test positive for COVID-19. As public health and health care workers try to tackle the needs of the populations that they serve, they are beginning to realize the need for a change in the infrastructure that will include more efficient partnerships between public health, health care, and HIV programs. Conclusion Persons living with HIV that also have other underlying comorbidities are a great disadvantage from the negative consequences of COVID-19. For those that may test positive for both HIV and COVID-19, the increased psychosocial burdens stemming from stress and isolation, as well as, experiencing additional barriers that inhibit access to care, may cause them to become more disenfranchised. Thus, it becomes very important during the current pandemic for these challenges and barriers to be addressed so that these persons living with HIV can maintain continuity of care, as well as, their social and mental support systems.


2021 ◽  
pp. 095646242110465
Author(s):  
Seth C Kalichman ◽  
Lisa A Eaton ◽  
Moira O Kalichman

Undetected sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose health threats to people living with HIV and when combined with uncontrolled HIV can amplify HIV transmission. The current study screened 174 self-identified men under age 36 living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for urethral and rectal incident chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. Participants were also screened for biomarkers indicating alcohol and other drug use, subclinical genital inflammation, and HIV viral load. ART adherence and sexual behaviors were also assessed prospectively over 1 month. Results detected an undiagnosed STI in 32 (18%) individuals. Participants with a previously undetected STI had significantly greater HIV viremia than those who did not have an STI after controlling for several confounding variables. Participants with an undetected STI also engaged in greater condomless anal intercourse with HIV negative and unknown status partners, including partners to whom they had not disclosed their HIV status. These findings show that undetected STI are associated with incomplete ART adherence and unsuppressed HIV, all of which are important for preventing HIV transmission.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e023957
Author(s):  
Beverly Allan ◽  
Kalysha Closson ◽  
Alexandra B Collins ◽  
Mia Kibel ◽  
Shenyi Pan ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo assess the impact of physicians’ patient base composition on all-cause mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who initiated highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in British Columbia (BC), Canada.DesignObservational cohort study from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2013.SettingBC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS’ (BC-CfE) Drug Treatment Program, where HAART is available at no cost.ParticipantsPLHIV aged ≥ 19 who initiated HAART in BC in the HAART Observational Medical Evaluation and Research (HOMER) Study.Outcome measuresAll-cause mortality as determined through monthly linkages to the BC Vital Statistics Agency.Statistical analysisWe examined the relationships between patient characteristics, physicians’ patient base composition, the location of the practice, and physicians’ experience with PLHIV and all-cause mortality using unadjusted and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsA total of 4 445 PLHIV (median age = 42, Q1, Q3 = 34–49; 80% male) were eligible for our study. Patients were seen by 683 prescribing physicians with a median experience of 77 previously treated PLHIV in the past 2 years (Q1, Q3 = 23–170). A multivariable Cox model indicated that the following factors were associated with all-cause mortality: age (aHR = 1.05 per 1-year increase, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.06), year of HAART initiation (2004–2007: aHR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.53 to 0.81, 2008-2011: aHR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.35 to 0.61, Ref: 2000–2003), CD4 cell count at baseline (aHR = 0.88 per 100-unit increase in cells/mm3, 95% CI = 0.82 to 0.94), and < 95% adherence in first year on HAART (aHR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.88 to 2.76). In addition, physicians’ patient base composition, specifically, the proportion of patients who have a history of injection drug use (aHR = 1.11 per 10% increase in the proportion of patients, 95% CI = 1.07 to 1.15) or Indigenous ancestry (aHR = 1.07 per 10% increase , 95% CI = 1.03–1.11) and being a patient of a physician who primarily serves individuals outside of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority region (aHR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.47) were associated with mortality.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that physicians with a higher proportion of individuals who face potential barriers to care may need additional supports to decrease mortality among their patients. Future research is required to examine these relationships in other settings and to determine strategies that may mitigate the associations between the composition of physicians’ patient bases and survival.


Author(s):  
Shuang Li ◽  
Junping Zhu ◽  
Bin Su ◽  
Huanhuan Wei ◽  
Fei Chen ◽  
...  

Despite the antiretroviral therapy (ART), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related oral disease remains a common problem for people living with HIV (PLWH). Evidence suggests that impairment of immune function in HIV infection might lead to the conversion of commensal bacteria to microorganisms with increased pathogenicity. However, limited information is available about alteration in oral microbiome in PLWH on ART. We performed a longitudinal comparative study on men who have sex with men (MSM) with acute HIV infection (n=15), MSM with chronic HIV infection (n=15), and HIV-uninfected MSM controls (n=15). Throat swabs were collected when these subjects were recruited (W0) and 12 weeks after ART treatment (W12) from the patients. Genomic DNAs were extracted and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed. Microbiome diversity was significantly decreased in patients with acute and chronic HIV infections compared with those in controls at the sampling time of W0 and the significant difference remained at W12. An increased abundance of unidentified Prevotellaceae was found in patients with acute and chronic HIV infections. Moreover, increased abundances of Prevotella in subjects with acute HIV infection and Streptococcus in subjects with chronic HIV infection were observed. In contrast, greater abundance in Lactobacillus, Rothia, Lautropia, and Bacteroides was found in controls. After effective ART, Bradyrhizobium was enriched in both acute and chronic HIV infections, whereas in controls, Lactobacillus, Rothia, Clostridia, Actinobacteria, and Ruminococcaceae were enriched. In addition, we found that lower CD4+ T-cell counts (&lt;200 cells/mm3) were associated with lower relative abundances of Haemophilus, Actinomyces, unidentified Ruminococcaceae, and Rothia. This study has shown alteration in oral microbiome resulting from HIV infection and ART. The results obtained warrant further studies in a large number of subjects with different ethnics. It might contribute to improved oral health in HIV-infected individuals.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e046579
Author(s):  
Bernard Taverne ◽  
Gabrièle Laborde-Balen ◽  
Khaly Diaw ◽  
Madjiguene Gueye ◽  
Ndeye-Ngone Have ◽  
...  

ObjectivesIn Senegal, a national health coverage system named Couverture Medicale Universelle (CMU) has been under development since 2013; its impact on out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses for people living with HIV (PLHIV) remains unknown. Our objective was to assess the impact of the national health coverage system on health expenses for PLHIV by measuring the OOP amount for a routine consultation for various categories of PLHIV, in Dakar and different regions in Senegal, viewed from the patients’ perspective.Design, setting and participantsCross-sectional survey in 2018 and 2019 using a face-to-face questionnaire with PLHIV: 344 adults followed up at Fann Regional Centre for research and training in clinical treatment in Dakar; 60 adult men who have sex with men (MSM) in 2 hospitals in Dakar and 7 facilities in the regions; and 130 children and adolescents (0–19 years) in 16 care facilities in the southern regions. We have calculated the total price of the consultation and associated prescriptions along with the patient’s OOP medical and transportation contributions. The average amounts were compared using the Student’s t-test.ResultsAll patients are on antiretroviral treatment with a median duration of 6 years, 5 years and 3 years for adults, MSM and children/adolescents, respectively. The percentage of people who have health coverage is 26%, 18% and 44% for adults, MSM and children. In practice, these systems are rarely used. The OOP amount (health expenses+transportation costs) for a routine consultation is €11 for adults and children, and €32.5 for MSM.ConclusionThe number of PLHIV with coverage is low, and the system’s effectiveness remains limited. Currently, this system has proved ineffective in implementing free healthcare, recommended by WHO since 2005.


Viruses ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Mariusz Sapuła ◽  
Magdalena Suchacz ◽  
Andrzej Załęski ◽  
Alicja Wiercińska-Drapało

The development of metabolic derangements as a result of HIV treatment has been an important area of research since the introduction of zidovudine in the 1980’s. Antiretroviral therapy has intensely evolved in the last three decades, with new drugs gradually incorporated into everyday clinical practice. With the life expectancy of people living with HIV rapidly approaching that of their HIV-negative counterparts, the influence of these antiretrovirals on the development of the components of the metabolic syndrome remains of major interest to clinicians and their patients. In this review, we aimed to discuss the impact of cART on components of the metabolic syndrome, i.e., weight, plasma lipid levels, plasma glucose levels, and blood pressure, describing the influence of cART classes and of individual antiretrovirals. We also aimed to outline the limitations of the research conducted to date and the remaining knowledge gaps in this area.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260334
Author(s):  
Vanessa Castro-Granell ◽  
Noé Garin ◽  
Ángeles Jaén ◽  
Santiago Cenoz ◽  
María José Galindo ◽  
...  

Drug use implies important challenges related to HIV management, particularly due to an increased risk of potential interactions between antiretroviral therapy (ART) and illicit drugs (pDDIs). This study analyses the prevalence and severity of pDDIs among people living with HIV (PLHIV). It also explores their awareness of pDDIs and their beliefs about the toxicity that they may cause, as well as the impact of pDDIs on selected health variables. We conducted an on-line cross-sectional survey across 33 Spanish hospitals and NGOs to collect demographics and clinical data. pDDIs were checked against the Interaction Checker developed by Liverpool University. The sample of the present study was composed of 694 PLHIV who used illicit drugs. They represented 49.5% of the 1,401 PLHIV that participated in the survey. After excluding 38 participants due to lack of information on their ART or illicit drug use, 335 (51.1%) participants consuming drugs presented with some potentially significant pDDIs between their ART and illicit drugs, with a mean of 2.1±1.7 (1–10) pDDIs per patient. The drugs most frequently involved in pDDIs were cocaine, cannabis, MDMA and nitrates ("poppers"). The prevalence of pDDIs across ART regimens was: protease inhibitors (41.7%); integrase inhibitor-boosted regimens (32.1%), and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (26.3%). An awareness of pDDIs and beliefs about their potential toxicity correlated positively with intentional non-adherence (p<0.0001). Participants with pDDIs exhibited a higher prevalence of intentional non-adherence (2.19±1.04 vs. 1.93±0.94; p = 0.001). The presence of pDDIs was not associated with poorer results in the clinical variables analysed. A significant proportion of PLHIV who use drugs experience pDDIs, thereby requiring close monitoring. pDDIs should be considered in the clinical management of HIV patients. Adequate information about pDDIs and indicators about how to manage ART when PLHIV use drugs could improve ART non-adherence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (11.1) ◽  
pp. 128S-132S
Author(s):  
Alfiya Denebayeva ◽  
Arpine Abrahamyan ◽  
Aelita Sargsyan ◽  
Karine Kentenyants ◽  
Ainur Zhandybayeva ◽  
...  

Introduction: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an effective preventive strategy against tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV (PLWH). In Kazakhstan, according to the revised HIV treatment guideline (2017), ART should be initiated immediately after HIV diagnosis established, regardless of CD4+ count. Aim: To evaluate the impact of early initiation of ART on TB infection in PLWH registered in the Center of Prevention and Control of AIDS, Almaty, Kazakhstan, between 2008 and 2018. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the data of 4,053 patients from electronic HIV case management system (2008-2018) (EHCMS). Results: The study revealed low rates (12.6%) of rapid ART (≤ 1 month after HIV diagnosis). Patients in the rapid ART initiation group were less likely to develop TB compared with those who started treatment >1 month after the HIV detection (odds ratio 1.6; 95% confidence interval [1.1, 2.2]; p = 0.00799). Interestingly, the risk for developing TB among patients receiving ART ≥ 1 month after HIV diagnosis was significantly higher compared with those not taking any treatment. The latter was explained by several confounding not addressed during the analysis, since ART was prescribed to patients with primarily deeper immunodeficiency, while the patients not receiving ART were less immunocompromised. Conclusion: Despite the recently changed HIV treatment guideline in Kazakhstan, ART is still initiated based on the disease severity. In 2018, the initiation of ART during the first month after HIV diagnosis increased by 50%. However, it is necessary to reduce the time to initiation of ART for all patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 337-339
Author(s):  
Christopher Polk ◽  
Sam Webb ◽  
Nigel Rozario ◽  
Charity G. Moore ◽  
Alan C. Heffner ◽  
...  

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