Psychological and physical intimate partner violence and sexual risk behavior among South African couples: a dyadic analysis.

This study aimed to examine intimate partner violence (IPV) as it relates to both partners' perceptions of IPV and sexual behaviors, considering how their IPV might be interdependent within the relationship dynamics. The sample consisted of 713 female-male dyads in which women were pregnant and living with HIV in rural South Africa. Using an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM), we examined the interdependent influence of psychological and physical IPV on men by their female partners and psychological and physical IPV on women by their male partners on sexual risk behavior. The APIM model found there were no actor (b = -0.06, SE = 0.05, p = .221) or partner (b = -1.2, SE = 0.06, p = .056) effects contributing to protected sex by female IPV victimization. In contrast, significant actor (b = -0.28, SE = 0.06, p < .001) and partner (b = -0.29, SE = 0.06, p < .001) effects for protection were related to male IPV victimization. The model also found that the covariate of female HIV disclosure was associated with both male (b = 0.5, SE = 0.12, p < .001) and female protected sexual intercourse (b = 0.58, SE = 0.1, p < .001). Female HIV disclosure was related to an increased likelihood of protected sex by both male and female partners. As male partners reported more IPV victimization, the likelihood of protected sex between male and female partners decreased.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02085356.

HIV and carotid atherosclerosis: a mediational model.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the US and is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality for people living with HIV (PLWH). This study examined the association between HIV infection, cocaine usage, and inflammatory markers, and their combined association with carotid atherosclerosis among young and middle-aged adults with HIV. Participants (N = 494) were enrolled based on HIV status and cocaine use. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and cocaine use were assessed. Cytokines and growth factors, IL-1a, IL-6, TNFα and VEGF, and immune activation markers, sCD14 and sCD163 were measured. Participant age was 36.2 years (SD = 9.5); 50% were male, 49% female and 1% transgender; 39% were HIV-positive, 50% were current or past smokers, and 39% endorsed cocaine use. A path analysis showed an indirect effect of HIV serostatus on the presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques (Indirect Effect = 0.048, SE = 0.024, p = .043), when controlling age, BMI, smoking, and cocaine use. This effect was mediated by inflammatory markers and changes in blood pressure. Findings point to putative underlying mechanisms leading to atherosclerosis among PLWH.

Implementation of an Immediate HIV Treatment Initiation Program in a Public/Academic Medical Center in the U.S. South: The Miami Test and Treat Rapid Response Program.

Test and Rapid Response Treatment (TRRT) linkage programs have demonstrated improved HIV suppression rates. This paper describes the design and implementation of the Miami TRRT initiative and its clinical impact. Assisted by a dedicated care navigator, patients receiving a reactive HIV rapid test at the Florida Department of Health STD Clinic were offered same-day HIV care at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center Adult HIV Outpatient Clinic. Patient retention and labs were tracked for 12 months. Of the 2337 individuals tested, 46 had a reactive HIV test; 41 (89%) consented to participate. For the 36 patients in continued care for a year, 33 (91.7%) achieved virological suppression (< 200 copies/mL) within 70 days of their reactive HIV rapid test; at 12 months, 35 (97.2%) remained suppressed, and mean CD4 T cell counts increased from 452 ± 266 to 597 ± 322 cells/mm3. The Miami TRRT initiative demonstrated that immediate linkage to care is feasible and improves retention and suppression in a public/academic medical center in the U.S. South.

Subversion of host immune responses by otopathogens during otitis media.

Otitis media (OM) is one of the most common ear diseases affecting humans. Children are at greater risk and suffer most frequently from OM, which can cause serious deterioration in the quality of life. OM is generally classified into two main types: acute and chronic OM (AOM and COM). AOM is characterized by tympanic membrane swelling or otorrhea and is accompanied by signs or symptoms of ear infection. In COM, there is a tympanic membrane perforation and purulent discharge. The most common pathogens that cause AOM are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are commonly associated with COM. Innate and adaptive immune responses provide protection against OM. However, pathogens employ a wide arsenal of weapons to evade potent immune responses and these mechanisms likely contribute to AOM and COM. Immunologic evasion is multifactorial, and involves damage to host mucociliary tract, genetic polymorphisms within otopathogens, the number and variety of different otopathogens in the nasopharynx as well as the interaction between the host's innate and adaptive immune responses. Otopathogens utilize host mucin production, phase variation, biofilm production, glycans, as well as neutrophil and eosinophilic extracellular traps to induce OM. The objective of this review article is to discuss our current understanding about the mechanisms through which otopathogens escape host immunity to induce OM. A better knowledge about the molecular mechanisms leading to subversion of host immune responses will provide novel clues to develop effective treatment modalities for OM.

Blood Pressure, HIV, and Cocaine Use Among Ethnically and Racially Diverse Individuals.

OBJECTIVES: Racial minorities are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and CVD is the primary cause of mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. Cocaine use also has been associated with hypertension. This study examined the contribution of lifestyle factors to systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) among people living with HIV and cocaine users from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds. METHODS: Participants (N = 401: 213 men, 188 women) aged 18 to 50 years with no history of CVD were recruited from South Florida. A total of 200 participants were HIV-cocaine-infected, 100 were HIV-infected individuals with no history of cocaine use, and 101 were HIV-uninfected individuals with cocaine abuse or dependence. Carotid intima-media thickness and plaque, blood pressure (BP), and lifestyle risk were assessed. RESULTS: Mean age was 36 years (standard deviation 9.33); the majority (62%) were African American. Carotid plaques were identified in 23% of participants; 42% were obese, 68% engaged in ≥150 minutes of weekly exercise, and 68% were smokers. Sex, body mass index (BMI), and diet were associated with systolic BP. Age, BMI, cannabis use, and diet were associated with diastolic BP and MAP. CONCLUSIONS: Age, BMI, cannabis use, and diet were associated with increased diastolic BP and MAP. Cocaine did not emerge as a significant predictor of CVD after controlling for cannabis dependence. Cocaine and HIV lacked significant association with CVD, possibly because the majority of the sample was younger than age 40. Lifestyle modifications and substance abuse counseling may be important in preventing CVD among those without a history of CVD.

Microbial otitis media: recent advancements in treatment, current challenges and opportunities.

Otitis media (OM) is a common disease affecting humans, especially paediatric populations. OM refers to inflammation of the middle ear and can be broadly classified into two types, acute and chronic. Bacterial infection is one of the most common causes of OM. Despite the introduction of vaccines, the incidence of OM remains significantly high worldwide. In this mini-review article, we discuss the recent treatment modalities for OM, such as suspension gel, transcutaneous immunization, and intranasal and transtympanic drug delivery, including therapies that are currently undergoing clinical trials. We provide an overview of how these recent advancements in therapeutic strategies can facilitate the circumvention of current treatment challenges involving preadolescence soft palate dysfunction, biofilm formation, tympanic membrane (ear drum) barrier and the attainment of efficacious drug concentrations in the middle ear. While traditional first-line immunization strategies are generally not very efficacious against biofilms, new technologies that use transdermal or intranasal drug delivery via chitosan-PsaA nanoparticles have shown promising results in experimental animal models of OM. Sustained drug delivery systems such as penta-block copolymer poloxamer 407-polybutylphosphoester (P407-PBP) or poloxamer 407 (e.g. OTO-201, with the brand name 'OTIPRIO') have demonstrated that treatments can be reduced to a single topical application. The emergence of effective new treatment modalities opens up promising new avenues for the treatment of OM that could lead to improved quality of life for many children and their families.

Physician-delivered motivational interviewing to improve adherence and retention in care among challenging HIV-infected patients in Argentina (COPA2): study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: "Challenging" HIV-infected patients, those not retained in treatment, represent a critical focus for positive prevention, as linkage to care, early initiation of antiretroviral therapy, adherence and retention in treatment facilitate viral suppression, thus optimizing health and reducing HIV transmission. Argentina was one of the first Latin American countries to guarantee HIV prevention, diagnosis and comprehensive care services, including antiretroviral medication, which removed cost and access as barriers. Yet, dropout occurs at every stage of the HIV continuum. An estimated 110,000 individuals are HIV-infected in Argentina; of these, 70% have been diagnosed and 54% were linked to care. However, only 36% have achieved viral suppression and 31% of those diagnosed delayed entry to care. To achieve meaningful reductions in HIV infection at the community level, innovative strategies must be developed to re-engage patients. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a patient-centered approach and has been used by therapists in Central and South America to enhance motivation and commitment in substance use and risk reduction. Our pilot feasibility study utilized culturally tailored MI in physicians to target patients not retained in treatment in public and private clinics in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Results demonstrated that a physician-based MI intervention was feasible and effective in enhanced and sustained patient adherence, viral suppression, and patient-physician communication and attitudes about treatment among these patients at 6 and 9 months post baseline. METHODS/DESIGN: This clinical trial seeks to extend these findings in public and private clinics in four urban population centers in Argentina, in which clinics (n = 6 clinics, six MDs per clinic site) are randomized to experimental (physician MI Intervention) (n = 3) or control (physician Standard of Care) (n = 3) conditions in a 3:3 ratio. Using a cluster randomized clinical trial design, the study will test the effectiveness of a physician-based MI intervention to improve and sustain retention, adherence, persistence, and viral suppression among "challenging" patients (n = 420) over 24 months. DISCUSSION: Results are anticipated to have significant public health implications for the implementation of MI to re-engage and retain patients in HIV treatment and care and improve viral suppression through high levels of medication adherence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02846350 . Registered on 1 July 2016.

A cluster randomized controlled trial of lay health worker support for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: We evaluate the impact of clinic-based PMTCT community support by trained lay health workers in addition to standard clinical care on PMTCT infant outcomes. METHODS: In a cluster randomized controlled trial, twelve community health centers (CHCs) in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, were randomized to have pregnant women living with HIV receive either: a standard care (SC) condition plus time-equivalent attention-control on disease prevention (SC; 6 CHCs; n  = 357), or an enhanced intervention (EI) condition of SC PMTCT plus the "Protect Your Family" intervention (EI; 6 CHCs; n  = 342). HIV-infected pregnant women in the SC attended four antenatal and two postnatal video sessions and those in the EI, four antenatal and two postnatal PMTCT plus "Protect Your Family" sessions led by trained lay health workers. Maternal PMTCT and HIV knowledge were assessed. Infant HIV status at 6 weeks postnatal was drawn from clinic PCR records; at 12 months, HIV status was assessed by study administered DNA PCR. Maternal adherence was assessed by dried blood spot at 32 weeks, and infant adherence was assessed by maternal report at 6 weeks. The impact of the EI was ascertained on primary outcomes (infant HIV status at 6 weeks and 12 months and ART adherence for mothers and infants), and secondary outcomes (HIV and PMTCT knowledge and HIV transmission related behaviours). A series of logistic regression and latent growth curve models were developed to test the impact of the intervention on study outcomes. RESULTS: In all, 699 women living with HIV were recruited during pregnancy (8-24 weeks), and assessments were completed at baseline, at 32 weeks pregnant (61.7%), and at 6 weeks (47.6%), 6 months (50.6%) and 12 months (59.5%) postnatally. Infants were tested for HIV at 6 weeks and 12 months, 73.5% living infants were tested at 6 weeks and 56.7% at 12 months. There were no significant differences between SC and EI on infant HIV status at 6 weeks and at 12 months, and no differences in maternal adherence at 32 weeks, reported infant adherence at 6 weeks, or PMTCT and HIV knowledge by study condition over time. CONCLUSION: The enhanced intervention administered by trained lay health workers did not have any salutary impact on HIV infant status, ART adherence, HIV and PMTCT knowledge. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov: number NCT02085356.