Factors associated to modification of first-line antiretroviral therapy due to adverse events in people living with HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has modified the outcome of patients with HIV infection, providing virological control and reducing mortality. However, there are several reasons as to why patients may discontinue their antiretroviral therapy, with adverse events being one of the main reasons reported in the literature. This is a case-control nested in a cohort of people living with HIV/AIDS, conducted to identify the incidence of ART modification due to adverse events and the associated factors, in two referral services in Recife, Brazil, between 2011 and 2014. Of the modifications occurred in the first year of ART, 25.7% were driven by adverse events. The median time elapsed between initiating ART and the first modification due to adverse events was 70.5 days (95% CI: 26-161 days). The main adverse events were dermatological, neuropsychiatric and gastrointestinal. Dermatological events were the earliest to appear after initiating ART. Efavirenz was the most prescribed and most modified drug during the study period. The group of participants who used zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz had a 2-fold greater chance (adjusted OR: 2.16 95% CI: 1.28-3.65) of switching ART due to adverse events when compared to the group that used tenofovir with lamivudine and efavirenz.

Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory factors associated with chronic kidney disease in Mexican HIV-infected patients / Fatores epidemiológicos, clínicos e laboratoriais associados à doença renal crônica em pacientes mexicanos infectados pelo HIV

ABSTRACT Aim: To determine the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory factors associated with CKD in Mexican HIV-infected patients. Methods: Cross-sectional study. We included 274 patients with HIV/AIDS. CKD was defined by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 assessed by CKD-EPI) and albuminuria criteria from KDIGO guidelines. Clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory characteristics were compared between patients with and without CKD. The factors associated with CKD were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 41±11 years, and 72.3% of the patients were men. The global prevalence of CKD was 11.7% (n = 32); 7.2% (n = 20) were defined by eGFR criterion; 7.6% (n = 21), by the albuminuria criterion; and 3.2% (n = 9), by both CKD criteria. The most frequently observed stages of CKD were KDIGO G3A1 stage with 4.7% (n = 13), KDIGO G1A2 stage with 3.6% (n = 10) and KDIGO G3A2 stage with 1.7% (n = 5). The factors associated with CKD were use of abacavir/lamivudine (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.1-8.9; p = 0.03), a CD4 lymphocyte count < 400 cells/µL (OR 2.6; 95% 1.03-6.4, p = 0.04), age (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.04-1.2, p = 0.001) and albuminuria (OR 19.98; 95% CI: 5.5-72.2; p < 0.001). Conclusions: CKD was a frequent complication in HIV-infected patients. These findings confirm the importance of screening and the early detection of CKD, as well as the importance of identifying and treating traditional and non-traditional risk factors associated with CKD.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de doença renal crônica (DRC) e os fatores epidemiológicos, clínicos e laboratoriais associados à DRC em pacientes mexicanos infectados pelo HIV. Métodos: Estudo transversal. Incluímos 274 pacientes com HIV/AIDS. A DRC foi definida pela taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (TFGe < 60 mL/min/1,73 m2, avaliada pelo CKD-EPI) e pelos critérios de albuminúria das diretrizes do KDIGO. As características clínicas, epidemiológicas e laboratoriais foram comparadas entre pacientes com e sem DRC. Os fatores associados à DRC foram avaliados por análise de regressão logística. Resultados: A média da idade foi de 41 ± 11 anos e 72,3% dos pacientes eram homens. A prevalência global de DRC foi de 11,7% (n = 32); 7,2% (n = 20) foram definidos pelo critério TFGe; 7,6% (n = 21), pelo critério da albuminúria; e 3,2% (n = 9), pelos dois critérios para DRC. Os estágios mais frequentemente observados da DRC foram o estágio KDIGO G3A1 com 4,7% (n = 13); estágio KDIGO G1A2 com 3,6% (n = 10) e estágio KDIGO G3A2 com 1,7% (n = 5). Os fatores associados à DRC foram o uso de abacavir/lamivudina (OR 3,2; IC95% 1,1-8,9; p = 0,03), contagem de linfócitos CD4 < 400 células/µL (OR 2,6; 95% 1,03-6,4, p = 0,04), idade (OR 1,1; IC95% 1,04-1,2, p = 0,001) e albuminúria (OR 19,98; IC95%: 5,5-72,2; p < 0,001). Conclusões: A DRC foi uma complicação frequente em pacientes infectados pelo HIV. Esses achados confirmam a importância do rastreamento e da detecção precoce da DRC, bem como a importância de identificar e tratar os fatores de risco tradicionais e não tradicionais associados à DRC.

Zidovudine/Lamivudine vs. Abacavir/Lamivudine vs. Tenofovir/Emtricitabine in fixed-dose combinations as initial treatment for HIV patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis / Zidovudina/Lamivudina vs Abacavir/Lamivudina vs Tenofovir/Emtricitabina en combinaciones de dosis fija como tratamiento inicial en pacientes con VIH: revisión sistemática y metanálisis en red

Abstract Introduction: Initial treatment of the HIV is based on the use of three drugs, two of which are nucleoside analog reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. There are three combinations of these drugs which have been approved by different guidelines, each with divergent results in terms of efficacy and safety. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of these three combinations. Methods: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials comparing fixed doses of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate / Emtricitabine (TDF/FTC), Abacavir / Lamivudine (ABC/3TC) and Zidovudine / Lamivudine (ZDV/3TC). Results: Seven clinical trials met the eligibility criteria. The results suggested higher efficacy with TDF/FTC vs. ABC/3TC at 96 weeks and vs. ZDV/3TC at 48 weeks. However, there is clinical and statistical heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis were performed by third drug and by level of viral load prior to treatment, and found no differences in virological control. Network meta-analysis could only be carried out with TDF/FTC vs. ZDV/3TC, and the proportion of patients with virological response, with no differences at 48 weeks nor at 96 weeks. Direct comparisons showed an increased risk of bone marrow suppression of ZDV/3TC vs. TDF/FTC and of ABC/3TC hypersensitivity reactions vs. ZDV/3TC Conclusions: The results did not show differences in effectiveness among the interventions. However, due to the heterogeneity of the third drug and the follow-up time between the included studies, this result is not definitive. The results raise the need for further studies to help improve treatment recommendations in patients infected with HIV.

Resumen Introducción: El tratamiento inicial de la infección por VIH se basa en el uso de tres medicamentos, dos de ellos inhibidores de transcriptasa reversa análogos de nucleósido. Existen tres combinaciones de estos medicamentos aprobadas por diferentes guías, con resultados divergentes en cuanto a eficacia y seguridad. Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia y seguridad de las 3 combinaciones Métodos: Revisión sistemática y metanálisis en red de ensayos clínicos con asignación aleatoria comparando dosis fijas de Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarato/Emtricitabina (TDF/FTC), Abacavir/Lamivudina (ABC/3TC) y Zidovudina/Lamivudina (ZDV/3TC). Resultados: Siete ensayos clínicos cumplieron los criterios de elegibilidad. Los resultados sugirieron mayor eficacia con TDF/FTC vs ABC/3TC a 96 semanas y vs. ZDV/3TC a 48 semanas. Sin embargo, existe heterogeneidad clínica y estadística. Se realizó análisis de subgrupos por tercer medicamento y por nivel de carga viral previa al tratamiento, sin encontrar diferencias en control virológico. Se pudo realizar metanálisis en red con TDF/FTC vs ZDV/3TC y proporción de pacientes con respuesta virológica, sin diferencias a las 48 semanas ni 96 semanas. Las comparaciones directas evidenciaron mayor riesgo de supresión de médula ósea de ZDV/3TC vs TDF/FTC y de reacciones de hipersensibilidad de ABC/3TC vs ZDV/3TC. Conclusión: Los resultados no demostraron diferencias en efectividad entre las intervenciones; sin embargo, debido a heterogeneidad en cuanto al tercer medicamento y el tiempo de seguimiento entre los estudios incluidos, dicho resultado no es definitivo. Los resultados plantean la necesidad de realizar nuevos estudios que ayuden a mejorar las recomendaciones de tratamiento en los pacientes infectados por el VIH.

Hipersensibilidade a lamivudina em paciente infectada pelo HIV: relato de caso / Lamivudine's hypersensitivity in an HIV infected patient: case report

Importância do problema: Relatar um caso de hipersensibilidade à lamivudina, droga considerada segura e antirretroviral indicado como de primeira linha para início de tratamento para pacientes infectados pelo HIV. Comentários: É relatado o caso de paciente infectada pelo HIV que evoluiu com farmacodermia associada à terapia antirretroviral (TARV) utilizando tenofovir, lamivudina e efavirenz. Inicialmente, a hipersensibilidade foi atribuída ao efavirenz, pela maior incidência de eventos desta natureza com este medicamento e este foi substituído por fosamprenavir/ ritonavir. Apesar da substituição, paciente desenvolveu síndrome de Stevens-Johnson. Foi hospitalizada e iniciou novo esquema, com introdução de droga a droga, com atazanavir/ritonavir, seguido de zidovudina e lamivudina, desenvolvendo manifestação de eritema multiforme após a última droga, sendo esta considerada a responsá- vel pela hipersensibilidade. (AU)

Relevance: To report a case of hypersensitivity to lamivudine, a medicine that is considered safe and is indicated as part of the initial therapy for HIV infected patients. Comments: It is reported the evolution of an HIV patient who developed a drug eruption due to the following antirretroviral therapy: tenofovir, lamivudine and efavirenz. It initially was attributed to efavirenz, due to its higher incidence in these adverse reactions and it was replaced by fosamprenavir/ritonavir. In spite of the replacement, the patient developed Stevens-Johnson's Syndrome. She was hospitalized and began a new therapy with atazanavir/ritonavir, followed by zidovudine and lamivudine and presented a drug reaction with the last one, which was considered to be the responsible for the hypersensitivity. (AU)

Adverse drug reactions to antiretroviral therapy in AIDS patients at a tertiary care hospital in India: A prospective observational study.

Objectives: To identify the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and to assess their impact on treatment compliance in patients with HIV/AIDS. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and thirty-five (235) AIDS patients who received ART were monitored for ADRs over a period of 6 months. The incidence and nature of ADRs occurring with different ART regimens were recorded. We also assessed the severity, causality as well as the impact of ADRs on the patients' compliance. Results: Of 235 patients receiving ART, 90.6% patients experienced ADRs. A total of 618 ADRs involving various systems were observed. A majority were related to gastrointestinal (42.39%) and central nervous (25.57%) system. 23.1% ADRs were severe in intensity. Severe ADRs occurred in 41 out of 235 (17.4%) patients necessitating drug withdrawal. A majority of the patients (87.8%) who complained of severe ADRs received combination of stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine. Causality assessment revealed 6.63% ADRs were probable and 93.3% ADRs were possible. Non-compliance due to ADRs was observed in 28.9% patients. Conclusions: Myriad ADRs are associated with ART which leads to poor patient compliance. With the increasing access to ART in India, it is prudent that antiretroviral drugs are used judicially with regular monitoring of ADRs.

Lamivudine for chronic hepatitis B: a brief review

Until recently, the only generally approved treatment for chronic hepatitis B was alpha-interferon; however, it gives only moderate efficacy in terms of sustained response (biochemical, virological and histological). In fact, only 20 percent to 40 percent of treated patients respond to therapy, with lower percentages (~ 10 percent) among patients infected with precore-mutant strains of HBV (HBeAb HBV-DNA positive). The FDA of the USA approved the use of lamivudine in adult patients affected by chronic hepatitis B in 1998. In this review, we focused on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and efficacy and tolerability of lamivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B cases that are both HBeAg and anti-HBe-positive.

Acute pancreatitis associated with lamivudine therapy for chronic B hepatitis

Hyperamylasemia is a common complication during lamivudine use. We report a case of a pancreatitis following lamivudine therapy. A careful monitoring of amylase levels during treatment with lamivudine is discussed, mainly in the first weeks, considering the cost of this exam and further complication.

Cryptococcal meningoradiculitis: an atypical presentation after initiation of antiretroviral therapy.

Atypical presentations of cryptococcal infection have been described as clinical manifestations of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in HIV-infected patients following commence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The authors describe a patient presenting with cryptococcal meningoradiculitis two weeks after initiation of ART. In patients with advanced HIV disease, immune reconstitution induced by ART can precipitate onset of atypical clinical manifestations in those patients with latent cryptococcal infection of the central nervous system.

Antiretroviral agents and acid-base balance at delivery of the neonate

Limited evidence is available regarding antiretroviral (ARV) safety for uninfected infants exposed to these drugs in utero. Our objective was to determine if ARV administered to pregnant women is associated with decreasing umbilical arterial pH and base excess in uninfected infants. A prospective study was conducted on 57 neonates divided into three groups: ZDV group, born to mothers taking zidovudine (N = 20), triple therapy (TT) group, born to mothers taking zidovudine + lamivudine + nelfinavir (N = 25), and control group (N = 12), born to uninfected mothers. Umbilical cord blood was used to determine umbilical artery gases. A test was performed to calculate the sample by comparing means by the unpaired one-tailed t-test, with a = 0.05 and ß = 20 percent, indicating the need for a sample of 18 newborn infants for the study groups to detect differences higher than 20 percent. The control and ARV groups were similar in gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar scores. Values of pH, pCO2, bicarbonate, and base excess in cord arterial blood obtained at delivery from the newborns exposed to TT were 7.23, 43.2 mmHg, 19.5 mEq/L, and -8.5 nmol/L, respectively, with no significant difference compared to the control and ZDV groups. We conclude that intrauterine exposure to ARV is not associated with a pathological decrease in umbilical arterial pH or base excess. While our data are reassuring, follow-up is still limited and needs to be continued into adulthood because of the possible potential for adverse effects of triple antiretroviral agents.

Estudos do vírus da hepatite B em pacientes sob tratamento antiviral e caracterização de seqüências nucleotídicas completas do genótipo G no Brasil / Studies of the virus of hepatitis B in patients under antiviral treatment and characterization of complete nucleotídics sequences of genotype G in Brazil

A infecção causada pelo vírus da hepatite B (HBV) pode levar à doenças hepáticas graves, tais como cirrose e carcinoma hepatocelular. Os genótipos do HBV foram classificados de A-H. No Brasil, os genótipos A, D e F são os mais prevalentes. Nesta tese observamos os genótipos mais difundidos no Brasil, assim como relatamos o genótipo C, prevalente na Ásia e raro no Brasil, o qual foi encontrado em um paciente de origem asiática. O genótipo G, nunca detectado na América do Sul, é descrito pela primeira vez no Brasil em 3 pacientes com mutações de resistência à lamivudina. A lamivudina, um análogo de nucleosídeo, é utilizada para o tratamento da infecção do HBV e HIV. No entanto, o seu uso prolongado está relacionado à resistência. Nesta tese apresentamos os resultados do acompanhamento molecular do HBV de um caso de falência hepática em um paciente que veio a óbito durante tratamento com lamivudina, avaliamos as respostas bioquímica, sorológica e molecular do HBV em 34 pacientes em tratamento com lamivudina por tempo prolongado, assim como fazemos uma relação entre genótipos do HBV e a freqüência das mutações de resistência à lamivudina. Inicialmente, a lamivudina apresentou uma resposta bioquímica e/ou virológica favorável. No entanto, após 24 meses de tratamento, esse efeito não foi mantido, ocorrendo resistência molecular e morte. No caso de falência hepática, além da dupla mutação de resistência à lamivudina (rtL 180M/rtM204V), 3 mutações (L109I, F134L e I208T) que alteram o gene S e 2 mutações (rtS117Y e rtV142A) que alteram a polimerase viral foram observadas próximo ao óbito do paciente. O entecavir, um análogo de guanosina, é indicado no tratamento da hepatite B crônica em pacientes resistentes à lamivudina. Seis pacientes co-infectados HIV/HBV, todos HBeAg positivos, foram acompanhados, com uma média de 52 semanas, no primeiro ensaio clínico com o entecavir, realizado no Brasil, mantendo-se a lamivudina. Observou-se a normalização dos níveis de ALT...

A Case of Primary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of Liver Presenting with Liver Abscess / 대한소화기학회지

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine cell carcinoma is a very rare tumor. We experienced a 75-year-old woman with primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma presenting with pyogenic liver abscess. Abdominal CT scan revealed a multiseptated liver abscess and an enlarged lymph node in portocaval portion. We performed percutaneous drainage of the liver abscess, but the amount of drained pus did not decrease after 20 days. The follow-up abdominal CT scan showed that the cystic portion of liver abscess had been replaced by the solid tumor. Microscopic examination of the tumor tissue showed nests of epithelial cells with uniform round hyperchromatic nuclei and high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio. Immunohistochemical staining was strongly positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin A.

The efficacy and adverse effects of GPO-VIR (stavudine+lamivudine+nevirapine) in treatment-naïve adult HIV patients.

A descriptive, combined retrospective and prospective study was conducted at the Anonymous Clinic, Chon Buri Hospital, Chon Buri Province, Thailand from November 10, 2003 to January 4, 2004. A total of 83 adult HIV-treatment-naïve patients undergoing treatment with GPO-VIR (stavudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine) for at least one year were studied. The objectives of the study were to assess the efficacy of GPO-VIR by evaluating body weight changes, CD4 T-cell count changes, the occurrence of opportunistic infections, and long-term side effects, such as lipodystrophy, during treatment. Of 83 studied patients, approximately half (52.3%) of them had a body weight increase > 10% of pre-treatment body weight after 12 months treatment. After taking GPO-VIR, CD4 T-cell counts increased rapidly, by a median of 78 x 10(6) cells/l during the first three months. 39.5% of the patients attained median CD4 counts > 200 x 10(6) cells/I, and 11.6% achieved > 500 x 10(6) cells/l after 2 years of treatment. The occurrence of opportunistic infections was significantly lower after treatment with GPO-VIR (p = 0.001). Subjective assessment of lipodystrophy by physicians and patients showed that 16.8% had symptoms of lipodystrophy within 2 years of GPO-VIR treatment. There was a significant association between older age group (40-49 years) and occurrence of lipodystrophy (p = 0.043). GPO-VIR is an inexpensive and effective antiretroviral drug regimen for initiating treatment of naïve patients, but careful assessment for lipodystrophy is necessary, especially after one year of treatment.

Trial of lamivudine in hepatitis B surface antigen carriers with persistent hepatitis B core IgM antibody

The persistence of hepatitis B core immunoglobulin M [HBc IgM] antibody in hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] carriers is a risk factor with hidden dangers and forecasts the existence of liver damage. A trial of lamivudine in such subset of carriers was carried out for the first time in this study. A total of 62 HBsAg with hepatitis e antibody individuals [age range, 25-45 years] with persistent HBc IgM antibody were randomized to receive either 100 mg lamivudine [32/62] or placebo [30/62] daily for 6 months. The study was performed from June 2000 to October 2002. The carriers were regular attendees of the Virology Center in Mosul, North Iraq for follow up. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was performed to detect the different hepatitis B virus markers. Among the lamivudine group, HBc IgM antibody seroclearance achievement rate was 81.3% and HBsAg seroconversion rate was 9.4% compared to 6.3% and 3.3% in the placebo group. Number of adverse clinical events were observed, but were of mild nature and tolerable by the participants who completed the study. The trial of lamivudine in this subset of HBsAg carriers proved to be safe and efficacious. More studies are needed prior to recommending the drug for routine use on selected HBV carriers

Estimating the length of the first antiretroviral therapy regiment durability in Säo Paulo, Brazil

Brazil was the first country to provide unrestricted, cost-free access to antiretroviral (ARV) medicine for AIDS treatment. However, there is little data about the benefits of such a policy for these patients. We evaluated the duration of benefit obtained with the introduction of ARVs, defined as the durability of the first ARV regiment. We reviewed the medical charts of patients attended from 1996-2000, at the outpatient clinics of the Federal University of Säo Paulo, Brazil. A total of 120 drug-naive HIV-1 infected patients were eligible to participate in the study. About half of the individuals (53 percent) presented with disease symptoms; 59 percent of them had CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³. Mean estimated duration of the benefit of therapy was 14.1 months. The most used regimen in this cohort was Zidovudine/3TC/Indinavir (26 percent), followed by Zidovudine/DDI (17 percent), and Zidovudine/3TC/Nelfinavir (13 percent). The most frequent cause of interruption of therapy was gastrointestinal intolerance. Use of treatment regimens with three drugs was more effective than with two drugs, but only for patients with CD4<200 cells/mm³ or CV>100,000 copies RNA/mL. However, the use of triple therapy was associated with a significantly higher probability of reaching maximum viral suppression, during a longer period (p<0.05).The patients enrolled in the study benefitted from therapy for a limited time, after the introduction of double or triple antiretroviral therapy. The incidence of adverse events was significantly associated with loss of the benefits provided by the initial therapeutic regimen.

Efficacy and Safety of Long-term Lamivudine Therapy in the Patients with Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis Secondary to Hepatitis B / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine use in patients with decompensated cirrhosis B has been reported to improve the hepatic function and often delay the need for liver transplantation. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of long-term lamivudine therapy in patients with decompensated cirrhosis by comparative study using a matched, untreated cohort. METHODS: 41 patients with decompensated cirrhosis B were included for this study (31 male and 10 female; mean age, 50 years; mean observation period, 18 months). They were divided into two groups: a lamivudine treatment group and an untreated control group. 21 patients in the treatment group were treated with lamivudine 75 or 150 mg daily for at least 12 months. Biochemical and serologic markers were evaluated at two to three-month intervals for all patients. Clinical improvement was defined by a decrease in the Child-Pugh score of at least 2 points. RESULTS: During the observation period, 62% (13/21) was responders, 33% (7/21) was breakthrough, and 5% (1/21) was non-responder in the treated group. The mean Child-Pugh score was significantly improved from 8.6 to 6.0 in the treatment group, but aggravated from 8.7 to 10.0 in the control group during the follow-up. The HBeAg seroconversion rate was 31% in the treatment group (5/16) and none in the control group (0/14). Clinical improvement was observed in fifteen of 21 in the treatment group (71%) and only one of 20 in the control group (5%). According to the treatment responses, clinical improvement was observed in ten of 13 responders (77%), four of 7 breakthrough (57%), and one non-responder. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term administration of lamivudine for patients with decompensated cirrhosis B is effective and safe, although breakthrough and non-response occurred in some patients.