scholarly journals People with high HIV viral load within risk networks: who are these people and who refers them best?

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (07.1) ◽  
pp. 103S-110S ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Korobchuk ◽  
Hayk Davtyan ◽  
Olga Denisiuk ◽  
Rony Zachariah ◽  
Georgios K Nikolopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
High Viral Load ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Risk Networks ◽  
Multiple Partners ◽  
Sex Partner

Introduction: Viral load is one of the most important determinants for HIV transmission. Identification of people with high viral load (PHVL) can be effective in limiting onward HIV transmission. In order to improve the identification of these individuals within risk networks, we determined a) the number of PHVL recruited through risk networks b) their socio-demographic, behavioural and clinical characteristics and c) the characteristics of individuals who referred these PHVL to the study. Methodology: From November 2013 to March 2016, in Odessa, Ukraine, Transmission Reduction Intervention Project (TRIP) was implemented to identify people recently infected with HIV within the risk networks of “seeds” and “venues” where they engaged in risk behaviour. Results: TRIP identified 53 PHVL, of whom 32 (60%) injected drugs; 42 (79%) were unaware of their HIV status; 25 (47%) had more than one sex partner, and only 14 (26%) were using condoms. There were 164 people who referred individuals into the study; 33 of them (20%) referred PHVL. In terms of referrers, those with lower than secondary level of education, not living with a sex partner, and reporting regular condom use were significantly more likely (p < 0.05) to refer PHVL. Most PHVL (38, 72%) and their referrers (27, 82%) were found through venues. Conclusions: In Odessa city, PHVL are at high risk of transmitting HIV as the majority inject drugs, do not know their HIV status, and have unprotected sex and/or multiple partners. Targeting these individuals for HIV prevention, harm reduction and initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) is urgent.

scholarly journals Impact of HIV-Status Disclosure on HIV Viral Load in Pregnant and Postpartum Women on Antiretroviral Therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsty Brittain ◽  
Claude A. Mellins ◽  
Robert H. Remien ◽  
Tamsin K. Phillips ◽  
Allison Zerbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Hiv Status Disclosure ◽  
Status Disclosure

scholarly journals Antiretroviral Drug Concentrations in Breastmilk, Maternal HIV Viral Load, and HIV Transmission to the Infant

2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-473
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Davis ◽  
Amanda Corbett ◽  
Josh Kaullen ◽  
Julie A. E. Nelson ◽  
Charles S. Chasela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Antiretroviral Drug ◽  
Maternal Hiv

scholarly journals Evaluation of an HIV-Related Workshop for Adolescents at a Secondary School in Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
Burt Davis ◽  
Katharina Grosser
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Knowledge Levels ◽  
Basic Facts ◽  
Mother To Child ◽  
Hiv Aids

This study set out to establish to what extent an HIV-related awareness workshop involving German adolescents at a secondary school in Brandenburg can help to increase knowledge levels about this disease. Only a few studies have explored what German youths know about HIV, with none so far evaluating a workshop aimed at increasing HIV-related knowledge levels among this cohort. In a pre-test post-test design, changes in participants&rsquo; knowledge levels related to the risk of HIV transmission associated with different types of exposures or behaviors such as unprotected sex, mother-to-child-transmission, blood transfusions, and shaking hands were assessed. Previous studies have shown that German youths lack knowledge in this regard. From pre-test to post-test, there was a statistically significant increase in knowledge levels about the risk of HIV transmission. However, knowledge levels about the risk of HIV transmission was relatively low. An average of 59.2% questions were answered correctly at pre-test vs. 68.1% of questions at post-test. The present study underlines that an awareness workshop can be a useful tool to improve knowledge levels about the risk of HIV transmission among youths. However, the results also revealed that there is still some work to be done to educate young Germans about the basic facts around HIV/AIDS. Although HIV incidence rate in Germany has been slightly decreasing, there is a growing number of new infections among people who are unaware of their HIV status &ndash; while research shows that youths in this country are seemingly complacent about the danger of HIV/AIDS, and often do not use condoms during sex.

scholarly journals Study of indicators of the immune status in HIV-infected patients with concurrent allergic pathology

2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 821-826
Author(s):  
S A Nora ◽  
G S Arkhipova ◽  
E I Arkhipova ◽  
N E Nikitina ◽  
S V Buikin
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Drug Hypersensitivity ◽  
High Viral Load ◽  
Allergic Reactions ◽  
Hypersensitivity Reactions ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions ◽  
Allergic Manifestations

Aim. To study the indicators of the immune status and manifestations of allergic diseases in HIV-infected patients in the Novgorod region. Methods. We studied the data of HIV-infected patients living in the Novgorod region for the years 20002021. A total of 1020 cases of HIV infection were studied, in which 121 (12%) patients were diagnosed with allergic reactions. In patients with allergic manifestations, the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ribonucleic acid content was measured by the polymerase chain reaction method, and the indicators of the immune status (the content of lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, the levels of CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ cells, immunoregulatory index) were assessed. For statistical analysis, the Student's test (t) was used to assess the statistical significance of differences in immune status indicators, and the Pearson 2 test to assess the statistical significance of differences in allergic manifestations in patients with HIV. Results. The subjects of the study were divided into 2 groups based on the levels of HIV viral load. Analysis of these groups using the Pearson 2 test showed a statistically significant (p 0.012) correlation between high viral load and the development of drug hypersensitivity reaction in HIV-infected patients. The following etiology of allergic reactions was determined among the subjects: drug (59%), food (19%), pollen (5.7%), household (5.7%), chemical (1.9%), unspecified (6.7%). The study of the immune status in two groups did not reveal statistically significant differences (p 0.05). The study of the immune status indicators in HIV-infected patients with drug hypersensitivity reactions and different levels of viral load revealed a significantly higher level of CD3+ cells (p 0.003) in patients with drug hypersensitivity reactions and detectable viral load. Conclusion. The study revealed statistically significant differences in the immune status of HIV-infected patients with drug hypersensitivity reactions living in the Novgorod region compared with HIV-infected patients without drug allergies.

scholarly journals COVID-19 infections post-vaccination by HIV status in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally B. Coburn ◽  
Elizabeth Humes ◽  
Raynell Lang ◽  
Cameron Stewart ◽  
Brenna C Hogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Cumulative Incidence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Viral Load Suppression ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Post Vaccination ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Vaccine Type

ABSTRACTImportanceRecommendations for additional doses of COVID vaccine are restricted to people with HIV who have advanced disease or unsuppressed HIV viral load. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection risk post-vaccination among PWH is essential for informing vaccination guidelines.ObjectiveEstimate the risk of breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated people with (PWH) and without (PWoH) HIV in the US.Design, setting, and participantsThe Corona-Infectious-Virus Epidemiology Team (CIVET)-II cohort collaboration consists of 4 longitudinal cohorts from integrated health systems and academic health centers. Each cohort identified individuals ≥18 years old, in-care, and fully vaccinated for COVID-19 through 30 June 2021. PWH were matched to PWoH on date fully vaccinated, age group, race/ethnicity, and sex at birth. Incidence rates per 1,000 person-years and cumulative incidence of breakthrough infections with 95% confidence intervals ([,]) were estimated by HIV status. Cox proportional hazards models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) of breakthrough infections by HIV status adjusting for demographic factors, prior COVID-19 illness, vaccine type (BNT162b2, [Pfizer], mRNA-1273 [Moderna], Jansen Ad26.COV2.S [J&J]), calendar time, and cohort. Risk factors for breakthroughs among PWH, were also investigated.ExposureHIV infectionOutcomeCOVID-19 breakthrough infections, defined as laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 diagnosis after an individual was fully vaccinated.ResultsAmong 109,599 individuals (31,840 PWH and 77,759 PWoH), the rate of breakthrough infections was higher in PWH versus PWoH: 44 [41, 48] vs. 31 [29, 33] per 1,000 person-years. Cumulative incidence at 210 days after date fully vaccinated was low, albeit higher in PWH versus PWoH overall (2.8% versus 2.1%, log-rank p<0.001, risk difference=0.7% [0.4%, 1.0%]) and within each vaccine type. Breakthrough infection risk was 41% higher in PWH versus PWoH (aHR=1.41 [1.28, 1.56]). Among PWH, younger age (18-24 versus 45-54), history of COVID-19 prior to fully vaccinated date, and J&J vaccination (versus Pfizer) were associated with increased risk of breakthroughs. There was no association of breakthrough with HIV viral load suppression or CD4 count among PWH.Conclusions and RelevanceCOVID-19 vaccination is effective against infection with SARS-CoV-2 strains circulating through 30 Sept 2021. PWH have an increased risk of breakthrough infections compared to PWoH. Recommendations for additional vaccine doses should be expanded to all PWH.

scholarly journals Revealing HIV viral load patterns using unsupervised machine learning and cluster summarization

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1144
Author(s):  
Samir A. Farooq ◽  
Samuel J. Weisenthal ◽  
Melissa Trayhan ◽  
Robert J. White ◽  
Kristen Bush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
High Viral Load ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Viral Load Suppression ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Centroid Algorithm ◽  
Meta Analyses

HIV RNA viral load (VL) is an important outcome variable in studies of HIV infected persons. There exists only a handful of methods which classify patients by VL patterns.  Most methods place limits on the use of viral load measurements, are often specific to a particular study design, and do not account for complex, temporal variation. To address this issue, we propose a set of four unambiguous computable characteristics (features) of time-varying HIV viral load patterns, along with a novel centroid-based classification algorithm, which we use to classify a population of 1,576 HIV positive clinic patients into one of five different viral load patterns (clusters) often found in the literature: durably suppressed viral load (DSVL), sustained low viral load (SLVL), sustained high viral load (SHVL), high viral load suppression (HVLS), and rebounding viral load (RVL). The centroid algorithm summarizes these clusters in terms of their centroids and radii. We show that this allows new VL patterns to be assigned pattern membership based on the distance from the centroid relative to its radius, which we term radial normalization classification. This method has the benefit of providing an objective and quantitative method to assign VL pattern membership with a concise and interpretable model that aids clinical decision making. This method also facilitates meta-analyses by providing computably distinct HIV categories. Finally we propose that this novel centroid algorithm could also be useful in the areas of cluster comparison for outcomes research and data reduction in machine learning.

scholarly journals Characterising HIV transmission risk among US patients with HIV in care: a cross-sectional study of sexual risk behaviour among individuals with viral load above 1500 copies/mL

2017 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Stirratt ◽  
Gary Marks ◽  
Christine O’Daniels ◽  
Edward R Cachay ◽  
Meg Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Viral Loads

ObjectivesViral load and sexual risk behaviour contribute to HIV transmission risk. High HIV viral loads present greater transmission risk than transient viral ‘blips’ above an undetectable level. This paper therefore characterises sexual risk behaviour among patients with HIV in care with viral loads>1500 copies/mL and associated demographic characteristics.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at six HIV outpatient clinics in USA. The study sample comprises 1315 patients with HIV with a recent viral load >1500 copies/mL. This study sample was drawn from a larger sample of individuals with a recent viral load >1000 copies/mL who completed a computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) regarding sexual risk practices in the last 2 months. The study sample was 32% heterosexual men, 38% men who have sex with men (MSM) and 30% women.ResultsNinety per cent of the sample had their viral load assay within 60 days of the CASI. Thirty-seven per cent reported being sexually active (vaginal or anal intercourse) in the last 2 months. Most of the sexually active participants reported always using condoms (56.9%) or limiting condomless sex to seroconcordant partners (serosorting; 29.2% overall and 42.9% among MSM). Among sexually active participants who reported condomless anal or vaginal sex with an at-risk partner (14%), most had viral loads>10 000 copies/mL (62%).ConclusionsA relatively small number of patients with HIV in care with viral loads above 1500 copies/mL reported concurrent sexual transmission risk behaviours. Most of the individuals in this small group had markedly elevated viral loads, increasing the probability of transmission. Directing interventions to patients in care with high viral loads and concurrent risk behaviour could strengthen HIV prevention and reduce HIV infections.Trial registration numberNCT02044484, completed.

scholarly journals Sex in Two Cities - Gay Men, Risk and HIV in Perth and- Sydney

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Brown ◽  
B. Maycock ◽  
G. Prestage ◽  
P.V.D. Ven
Keyword(s):  
Gay Men ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Sexual Negotiation ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
Australian City ◽  
Similarities And Differences

After massive and sustained reductions in HIV risk behaviour amongst Australian gay men in the 1980's and early 1990's, since 1996 there have been signs of small but significant increases in unprotected anal intercourse. Gay communities are responding to a post crisis context. However, is this response constant across different locations? This paper investigates changes in sexual negotiation and behaviour amongst gay men in the relatively small Australian city of Perth between 1998 and 2002 and compares these results to similar studies in Sydney, an Australian HIV epicentre city. A number of important similarities and differences between the Perth and Sydney samples are identified, particularly in casual contexts and disclosure of HIV status, identifying that isolated or smaller cities may experience similar phenomena to larger cities, but these may be due to different reasons. The findings point to the need for complementary qualitative research and cautions health promotion practitioners to test their assumptions when developing responses to prevent HIV transmission. Asia Pac JPublic Health 2004; 16(1): 3-8.

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