HIV viral suppression and risk of viral rebound in patients on antiretroviral therapy: a two- year retrospective cohort study in Northern Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: The world is moving towards the third target of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to ensure most people receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) are virologically suppressed. Little is known about viral suppression at an undetectable level and the risk of viral rebound phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa which covers 67% of the global HIV burden.This study aimed to investigate the proportion of viral suppression at an undetectable level and the risk of viral rebound among people living with HIV receiving ART in northern Tanzania. METHODOLOGY: A hospital based-retrospective study recruited people living with HIV who were on ART for at least two years at Kibong'oto Infectious Disease Hospital and Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Participants' two-year plasma HIV were captured at months 6, 12, and 24 of ART. Undetectable viral load was defined by plasma HIV of viral load (VL) less than 20copies/ml and viral rebound (VR) was considered to anyone having VL of more than 50 copies/ml after having history of undetectable level of the VL less than 20copies/ml. A multivariable log-binomial generalized linear model was used to determine factors for undetectable VL and viral VR. RESULTS: Among 416 PLHIV recruited, 226 (54.3%) were female. The mean (standard deviation) age was 43.7 (13.3) years. The overall proportion of undetectable VL was 68% (95% CI: 63.3-72.3) and 40.0% had viral rebound (95% CI: 34.7-45.6). Participants who had at least 3 clinic visits were 1.3 times more likely to have undetectable VL compared to those who had 1 to 2 clinic visits in a year (p = 0.029). Similarly, participants with many clinical visits ( > = 3 visits) per year were less likely to have VR compared to those with fewer visits ( = 2 visits) [adjusted relative risk (aRR) = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.44-0.93]. CONCLUSION: Participants who had fewer clinic visits per year(ART refills) were less likely to achieve viral suppression and more likely to experience viral rebound. Enhanced health education and close follow-up of PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy are crucial to reinforce adherence and maintain an undetectable viral load.

Effectiveness of intensive adherence counselling in achieving an undetectable viral load among people on antiretroviral therapy with low-level viraemia in Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Uganda was using a threshold of 1000 copies/mL to determine viral non-suppression for antiretroviral therapy monitoring among people living with HIV, prior to this study. It was not clear whether people living with HIV with low-level viraemia (LLV, ≥50 to <1000 copies/mL) would benefit from intensive adherence counselling (IAC). The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of IAC among people living with HIV, receiving antiretroviral therapy, and with LLV in Uganda, to guide key policy decisions in HIV care, including the review of the viral load (VL) testing algorithm. METHODS: This cluster-randomized clinical trial comprised adults from eight HIV clinics who were living with HIV, receiving ART, and had recent VL results indicating LLV (tested from July 2022 to October 2022). Participants in the intervention arm clinics received three once-monthly sessions of IAC, and those in the comparison non-intervention arm clinics received the standard of care. At the end of the study, all participants were re-tested for VL to determine the proportions of those who then had an undetectable VL (<50 copies/mL). We assessed the statistical association between cross-tabulated variables using Fisher's exact test and then modified Poisson regression. RESULTS: A total of 136 participants were enrolled into the study at eight HIV clinics. All 68 participants in the intervention arm completed all IAC sessions. Only one participant in the non-intervention arm was lost to follow-up. The average follow-up time was 3.7 months (standard deviation [SD] 0.2) and 3.5 months (SD 0.1) in the intervention and non-intervention arms, respectively. In total, 59 (43.7%) of 135 people living with HIV achieved an undetectable VL during the study follow-up period. The effect of IAC on attaining an undetectable VL among people with LLV was nearly twice as high in the intervention arm (57.4%) than in the non-intervention arm (29.9%): adjusted risk ratio 1.9 (95% confidence interval 1.0-3.5), p = 0.037. CONCLUSION: IAC doubled the likelihood of an undetectable VL among people living with HIV with LLV. Therefore, IAC has been instituted as an intervention to manage people living with HIV with LLV in Uganda, and this should also be adopted in other Sub-Saharan African countries with similar settings. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT05514418.

Predictors of Detectable Viremia, Outcomes, and Implications for Management of People Living With HIV Who Are Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Southern Nigeria.

Background: This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with detectable viremia, as well as clinical outcomes among people with HIV (PWH) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) who initially achieved viral suppression in 2 southern states in Nigeria. Methods: The retrospective cohort study used data from the electronic medical records of 96 comprehensive ART centers. PWH were followed up who achieved viral suppression (viral load [VL] ≤50 copies/mL) upon starting ART based on the first VL test. We examined the presence of detectable viremia in follow-up VL results, graded by the absolute VL count from the second and third consecutive VL tests as follows: transient viremia (second follow-up VL, 51-999 copies/mL; third, ≤50 copies/mL), persistent viremia (second follow-up VL, 51-999 copies/mL or ≥1000 copies/mL; third, >50 copies/mL), and virologic failure (second and third follow-up VL, >1000 copies/mL). We analyzed demographic and clinical factors associated with detectable viremia using logistic regression analysis on Stata 14. Results: Overall, 15 050 PWH had achieved viral suppression following ART initiation (median age, 34 years; 71.3% female). On follow-up, 3101 (20.6%) had a viremic event: 11.6%, transient viremia; 8.8%, persistent viremia; 0.2%, virologic failure. Shorter duration of ART (P < .001), being 0 to 14 years of age (P < .001), and not being enrolled in a differentiated service delivery model (P < .001) were significantly associated with detectable viremia. Conclusions: Our study shows that people who initially attain vial suppression upon starting ART remain at risk of detectable viremia.

"Tô tranquila, estou com meus exames indetectáveis": as relações afetivo-sexuais de mulheres jovens vivendo com HIV com carga viral indetectável / "I'm calm, I have my undetectable exams": the affective-sexual relationships of young women living with HIV with an undetectable viral load / "Estoy tranquila, tengo mis exámenes de laboratorio indetectables": las relaciones afectivo-sexuales de mujeres jovenes viviendo con VIH con carga viral indetectable

Resumo Neste artigo, discutimos de que modo o discurso biomédico sobre carga viral indetectável (re)organiza as trajetórias afetivas e sexuais de mulheres jovens vivendo com HIV. Realizamos entrevistas semiestruturadas com cinco jovens vivendo com HIV/aids, com idade entre 18 e 30 anos, tanto pela internet, como em um serviço de saúde especializado (SAE) em Salvador-Ba, no período entre 2015 e 2017. As interações online aconteceram através do Whatsapp e Facebook. As jovens vivenciam a necessidade de negociar o prazer e a prevenção. Posicionam-se como sujeitos de "risco" e adotam a noção de carga viral indetectável como forma de sentirem-se seguras na prevenção. Os novos discursos biomédicos são incorporados em seus cotidianos, e os sentimentos de medo, rejeição e a "possibilidade" de "perigo" para o outro (soronegativo) contribuem para a reorganização de suas vidas e de seus relacionamentos.

Abstract In this article, we discuss how the biomedical discourse of undetectable viral load reorganises the affective and sexual trajectories of young women living with HIV. We conducted semi-structured interviews with five young women living with HIV/AIDS, aged between 18 and 30 yo, on the internet and at a specialized health service (SAE) in Salvador-Ba, between 2015 and 2017. The online interactions occurred through Whatsapp and Facebook. Young women experience the need to negotiate pleasure and prevention. They position herself as at "risk" subjects and adopt the notion of undetectable viral load as a way to feel safe in prevention. The new biomedical discourses are incorporated into their daily lives, and the fear, rejection and "possibility" of "danger" for another (seronegative) contributed to the reorganization of their lives and relationships.

Resumen En este artículo, discutimos cómo el discurso biomédico sobre la carga viral indetectable (re)organiza las trayectorias afectivas y sexuales de las mujeres jovens que viven con el VIH. Realizamos entrevistas semiestructuradas con cinco jovenes que viven con VIH/ SIDA, con edades entre 18 y 30 años, tanto en línea como en un servicio especializado de salud (SAE) en Salvador-Ba, entre 2015 y 2017. Las interacciones en línea ocorrieron través de Whatsapp y Facebook. Las mujeres jóvenes experimentan la necesidad de negociar el placer y la prevención. Se posicionan como sujetos de "riesgo" y adoptan la noción de una carga viral indetectable como forma de sentirse seguras en la prevención. Los nuevos discursos biomédicos se incorporan a su cotidianidad, y los sentimientos de miedo, rechazo y "posibilidad" de "peligro" para el otro (seronegativo) contribuyen a la reorganización de sus vidas y relaciones.

Seroconversion and antibody persistence after yellow fever vaccination in people living with HIV: impact of baseline HIV viral load and yellow fever seropositivity.

BACKGROUND: Data on seroconversion rates following yellow fever (YF) vaccine and effect of revaccination in people living with HIV (PLWH) are scarce. We aimed at determining key factors for seroconversion after YF vaccine in PLWH and the role of preexisting neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) at vaccination. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study at several timepoints in two Belgian AIDS Reference Center. For each individual, plasma samples from three timepoints were selected: Timepoint 0 (TP0) in the year before administration of the YF vaccine, Timepoint 1 (TP1) in the year following the YF vaccine, Timepoint 2 (TP2) >1 year after the YF vaccine. Plasma samples were analysed for YF NAbs by plaque reduction neutralization test. The primary endpoint was the number of patients with protective levels of NAbs ≥ 1/10. A boosted immune response was defined as a 4-fold increase in serologic titres following revaccination. RESULTS: Of the 160 PLWH included, protective levels of NAbs were present in 36%, 87% and 72% of subjects at baseline, at a median of 12 months and a median of 96 months after YF vaccination, respectively. Among vaccine recipients negative for YF NAbs at baseline (n = 102), 83% seroconverted. PLWH with undetectable HIV viral load (VL) at baseline were more likely to seroconvert (P < 0·01). A booster response was observed in only 17% of subjects with baseline seropositivity (n = 10 out of 58). In multivariate analysis, undetectable HIV VL at vaccination and baseline YF seropositivity were associated with persistent levels of protective NAbs at a median of 8 years after YF vaccination. CONCLUSION: Undetectable HIV VL at baseline is associated with high rates of seroconversion. YF seropositivity before revaccination is associated with low rates of booster effect but a higher chance of long term persistent NAbs response, suggesting a benefit of revaccination in PLWH.

The First Experience of Effective 3rd Line Antiretroviral Therapy - A Case of 40-Year-Old Female Retroviral-Infected Patient at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Treatment failure continues to be an impediment to the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HART) in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection (HIV-1). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends third-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for patients who have failed second-line ART. Darunavir (DRV) boosted with ritonavir (DRV/r) has a higher genetic barrier to resistance, is active against multidrug-resistant HIV isolates, retaining virological activity even when multiple protease mutations are present, and has been shown to be cost-effective when compared to other boosted protease inhibitors (PIs). CASE SUMMARY: This is a case of a 40-year-old female known HIV/AIDS patient who has been on ART for the last 14 years with good adherence and regular follow-up, and who is now on 3rd line ART medication with TLD (tenofovir/lamivudine/dolutegravir)+DRV/r (in her 11th month) after being diagnosed with second-line treatment failure. After 6 months and 1 week of therapy, the viral load (VL) was sent, and the result was undetectable. The patient's clinical conditions had greatly improved. CONCLUSION: Third-line ART therapy, which was once thought to be a salvageable treatment, is now the primary option for second-line ART failure. TLD in combination with ritonavir-boosted darunavir is found to be effective at lowering viral loads in the blood below detectable limits. Despite a lack of data on the use of third-line ART in Ethiopia, access to third-line ART containing ritonavir-boosted darunavir is recommended because it has been shown to be an effective alternative for patients who have failed second-line ART. We recommend that more research be done with a larger sample size, and that the findings in this paper be used with caution.

The Continuous Surveillance of InSTI Resistance Could be an Important Public Health Tool in the Fight Against HIV Infection.

AIMS: To evaluate the frequency of the InSTIs mutations in a large cohort of HIV-infected people. BACKGROUND: The Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) allows turning HIV infection from a fatal disease to chronic infection, and Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (InSTIs) represent the cornerstone of this treatment. However, the spread of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations represents an emerging threat to the long-term success of HIV treatment programs. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the trend of the HIV drug resistance to InSTIs in a large cohort of HIVpositive people in order to assess the risk represented by these subjects in the spread of the HIV infection to the community. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted analysing all the InSTIs resistance tests performed in HIV positive subjects during 2017-2019 by the HIV Laboratory of the University Hospital "Gaetano Martino" of Messina, Italy. RESULTS: In 2017-2019, 252 InSTIs resistance tests were performed, with 59 (23.4%), 88 (34.9%), and 105 (41.7%) tests respectively in the three considered years. Overall, 28 (11.1%) samples showed resistance to at least one of the four InSTIs. We observed a significant percentage increase of 95% in the resistance to all four drugs. CONCLUSION: InSTI resistance is not rare. Therefore, continuous surveillance along with incessant health education and a wide offer of the HIV test, can be the most important tools in the fight against HIV infection.

Belief, Covariates, and Impact of the "Undetectable = Untransmittable" Message Among People Living with HIV in Australia.

There is effectively no risk of transmission of HIV from an HIV-positive person with consistent undetectable viral load (UDVL) to an HIV-negative person during sex. This has been publicly disseminated by an international health campaign called "undetectable = untransmittable" (U = U). This study extends previous research by examining confidence in the U = U message and potential covariates of confidence in U = U, as well as by assessing the perceived personal risk and sexual outcomes in a sample of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Australia. Between October 2017 and June 2018, 139 adult PLWH were recruited through clinics or community-based strategies. They completed an online questionnaire assessing participant characteristics, general agreement with the U = U message, confidence in U = U as an effective HIV prevention strategy, perceived personal risk of onward transmission, and sexual outcomes. While the majority of participants (70.5%) agreed with the general U = U message, only 48.2% were confident in U = U as an effective HIV transmission prevention strategy across sexual situations. Lack of confidence in U = U was more pronounced in the community subsample, minority group participants, and lower educated participants. A minority of PLWH with self-reported UDVL thought they could pass on HIV and indicated poor sexual outcomes, including sexual inactivity, reduced frequency of sex, and reduced sexual satisfaction. General agreement with the U = U message among PLWH may mask lack of confidence in U = U. Community-based information and education tailored to culturally diverse groups and people with low health literacy are required to promote accurate perception of risk of transmission of HIV with consistent UDVL.

Eu acho que a química entrou em reprovação: Relações afetivo-sexuais de homens jovens vivendo com HIV/aids e com carga viral indetectável / Creo que la química ya no fue la misma: Relaciones afectivo-sexuales de hombres jóvenes que viven con VIH/sida y con carga viral indelectable / The chemistry between us just became weird: Affective-sexual relationships of young men living with HIV/AIDS and with undetectable viral load

Resumo Neste artigo, discutimos narrativas sobre as relações afetivo-sexuais de homens jovens vivendo com HIV/aids, com carga viral indetectável e possibilidade de não transmis-sibilidade do HIV. Realizamos dez entrevistas semiestruturadas com homens que fazem sexo com homens, entre 18 e 30 anos, acompanhados em um SAE - Serviço de Assistência Es-pecializada de Salvador-BA, em 2017. Nas narrativas em foco, a condição de indetectável aparece como uma mudança [bio]identitária importante, e sua manutenção como uma res-ponsabilidade contínua consigo e com o outro. Apesar de avanços biomédicos e das novas possibilidades interativas abertas nesse cenário, os efeitos estigmatizantes do HIV persistem, sustentados pelos discursos de medo e culpa por uma possível transmissão do vírus. Uma noção de corpos perigosos, de risco, em detrimento dos avanços alcançados com os estudos que indicam que indetectável=intransmissível.

Resumen En este artículo, discutimos narrativas sobre las relaciones afectivo-sexuales de hombres jóvenes que viven con VIH/sida, con carga viral indetectable y posibilidades de no transmisibilidad del VIH. Hicimos diez entrevistas semi-estructuradas con hombres que tienen sexo con hombres, entre 18 y 30 años, en seguimiento en el servicio especializado de salud, en Salvador de Bahía, 2017. En las narrativas en foco, la condición de indetectable expresa un cambio bio-identitario importante, y su mantenimiento una responsabilidad con-tinua consigo y con el otro. A pesar de los avances biomédicos y de las nuevas posibilidades interactivas abiertas en ese escenario, los efectos estigmatizantes del VIH persisten, respal-dados en discursos de miedo y culpa por la posible transmisión del virus. Una noción de cuerpos peligrosos y riesgosos, a pesar de los avances logrados en los estudios que afirman indetectable=intransmisible.

Abstract In this article, we discuss narratives on affective-sexual relationships of young men living with HIV/AIDS, with undetectable viral load and possibility of not transmit-ting HIV. We conducted ten semi-structured interviews with men who have sex with men, aged between 18 and 30 years old, followed at a specialized health service in Salvador, Ba-hia, Brazil, in 2017. In these narratives, the undetectable condition appears as an impor-tant [bio]identity change, and its maintenance as an ongoing responsibility to themselves and others. Despite biomedical advances, the 'undetectable equals Untransmittable' (U=U) campaign and new interactive possibilities open up in this scenario, the stigma of HIV as well as a notion of dangerous/risky bodies persist, supported by discourses of fear and guilt for a possible virus transmission.

Biomedical HIV Protection Among Gay and Bisexual Men Who Use Crystal Methamphetamine.

Use of crystal methamphetamine (crystal) among gay and bisexual men (GBM) has been associated with condomless anal intercourse with casual partners (CLAIC) and HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and undetectable viral load (UVL) are important biomedical HIV prevention strategies. We investigate the relationship between crystal use and HIV sexual risk behaviours in the context of PrEP and UVL. In 2018, 1367 GBM provided details about crystal use and HIV prevention strategies. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate associations between crystal use and behaviour. Recent crystal use was independently associated with greater social engagement with gay men and having more sexual partners. Crystal use was also independently associated with use of PrEP and UVL among GBM who engaged in CLAIC. Although GBM who used crystal were more likely to have engaged in CLAIC, they were also more likely to use biomedical HIV prevention which mitigates against the risks of HIV infection.

Modelo matemático pra uma coisa que não é matemática: narrativas de médicos/as infectologistas sobre carga viral indetectável e intransmissibilidade do HIV / Mathematical model for something that is not mathematical: narratives of infectologists about undetectable viral load and HIV non-transmissibility

Resumo Este artigo parte de uma discussão internacional sobre a intransmissibilidade do vírus HIV, quando a pessoa soropositiva está em tratamento e com carga viral indetectável. Trata-se de um dos resultados da pesquisa qualitativa sobre sociabilidades de jovens vivendo com HIV, com ênfase nos novos discursos/práticas biomédicos e seu impacto nas relações afetivo-sexuais desses/as jovens. Durante os meses de março a novembro de 2017, houve a interação com pessoas vivendo com HIV/Aids (PVHA), com idade entre 18 e 30 anos, e médicos/as infectologistas de um Serviço de Assistência Especializada em Salvador-BA. Para além das mudanças significativas em relação ao HIV, decorrentes dos avanços atuais das biotecnologias, colocamos em pauta algumas controvérsias em torno da intransmissibilidade do vírus do ponto de vista de quatro médicos/as infectologistas. Realizamos entrevistas abertas e a leitura exploratória das narrativas, identificando temas, questões e atores que se deslocavam nos relatos em torno da condição de indetectável. Discutimos que a carga viral indetectável aparece como um assunto delicado/controverso nos consultórios médicos, atualizando a posição de PVHA como potencialmente perigosas, podendo reincidir em práticas sexuais desprotegidas ou "relaxar" no cuidado consigo e com o outro. São narrativas que suscitam questões éticas fundamentais na relação de cuidado, tais como o direito à informação na perspectiva da saúde como um direito humano.

Abstract This article is based on an international discussion on HIV non-transmissibility when the HIV-positive person is under treatment and has an undetectable viral load. This is one of the results of research on the sociability of young people living with HIV, with emphasis on new biomedical discourses/practices and their impact on the affective-sexual relationships of young people. From March to November of 2017, the researchers interacted with people living with HIV (PLHIV), aged between 18 and 30 years, and infectologists in a Specialized Service in Salvador-BA, Brazil. Beyond significant changes in relation to HIV due to advances in biotechnology, the study focused on some controversies surrounding the non-transmissibility of the virus from the viewpoint of four infectologists. Open interviews and exploratory reading of the narratives were conducted, identifying themes, issues and actors that moved in the reports on the condition of undetectable. The article argues that undetectable viral load appears as a sensitive/controversial subject in medical offices, updating the PLHIV's position as potentially dangerous that may engage in unprotected sexual practices or "relax" in mutual care. Such narratives raise fundamental ethical issues in care relations, such as the right to information from the perspective of health as a human right.

A tale of two epidemics: gay men's mental health and the biomedicalisation of HIV prevention and care in Toronto.

There is mounting urgency regarding the mental health of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM). We examined how GBM are understanding the relationship between HIV and their mental health given the increasing biomedicalisation of HIV prevention and care. Our Grounded Theory analysis derived from qualitative interviews with 24 GBM living in Toronto, Canada, including both HIV-negative and HIV-positive men. Participants understood biomedical advances, such as undetectable viral load and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), as providing some relief from HIV-related distress. However, they offered ambivalent perspectives on the biomedicalisation of HIV. Some considered non-HIV-specific stressors (e.g. unemployment, racial discrimination) more significant than HIV-related concerns. These men expressed HIV-related distress as being under control due to biomedical advances or as always negligible when compared to non-HIV-specific stressors. Others emphasised the ongoing mental health implications of HIV (e.g. enduring risk and stigma). We describe a tension between optimistic responses to biomedicine's ability to ease the psychosocial burdens associated with HIV and the inability for biomedicine to address the social and economic determinants driving the dual epidemics of HIV and mental distress amongst GBM. We argue for more socio-material analysis over further sexual behavioural analysis of GBM mental health disparities.

The Longitudinal Effects of Non-injection Substance Use on Sustained HIV Viral Load Undetectability Among MSM and Heterosexual Men in Brazil and Thailand: The Role of ART Adherence and Depressive Symptoms (HPTN 063).

The effect of non-injection substance use on HIV viral load (VL) is understudied in international settings. Data are from HPTN063, a longitudinal observational study of HIV-infected individuals in Brazil, Thailand, and Zambia, with focus on men with VL data (Brazil = 146; Thailand = 159). Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) assessed whether non-injection substance use (stimulants, cannabis, alcohol, polysubstance) was associated with VL undetectability. ART adherence and depressive symptoms were examined as mediators of the association. In Thailand, substance use was not significantly associated with VL undetectability or ART adherence, but alcohol misuse among MSM was associated with increased odds of depression (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI 1.20, 6.32, p = 0.02). In Brazil, alcohol misuse by MSM was associated with decreased odds of undetectable VL (AOR = 0.34; 95% CI 0.13, 0.92, p = 0.03). Polysubstance use by heterosexual men in Brazil was associated with decreased odds of ART adherence (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI 0.08, 0.78, p = 0.02). VL suppression appears attainable among non-injection substance users. Substance use interventions among HIV-positive men should address depression, adherence, and VL undetectability.

How Do Gay Serodiscordant Couples in Sydney, Australia Negotiate Undetectable Viral Load for HIV Prevention?

Many gay Australian serodiscordant couples are currently relying on an HIV-positive partner's undetectable viral load (UVL) to practice condomless sex. For these couples, preventing HIV is often considered a mutual responsibility, yet they lack a formally endorsed strategy that helps them navigate 'UVL for prevention' (UfP) as a couple. Drawing on interviews with 21 Australian gay men representing 15 serodiscordant couples, we explored 'the couple' within serodiscordant HIV prevention. In learning to rely on UfP, couples were initially apprehensive as they navigated unfamiliar territory, but their concerns faded over time. Confidence in UfP was facilitated by repeated condomless sex without transmission, consistent test results, and being in a couple framed by trust, commitment, and familiarity. Gay male serodiscordant couples should be encouraged to negotiate clear, spoken 'viral load agreements' (VLAs) if they choose to rely on UfP.

Perceptions of HIV-Related Stigma in Portugal Among MSM With HIV Infection and an Undetectable Viral Load.

We explored perceptions of HIV-related stigma using a qualitative approach based on the findings of in-depth e-mail asynchronous interviews with 37 self-identified Portuguese men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV infection and undetectable viral loads. Participants were asked to answer an online interview. Major findings concerned external perceptions of HIV-related stigma, HIV status disclosure, the impact of HIV on everyday life, the presence of double discrimination, and general perceptions of HIV-related stigma. Results revealed (a) stigmatizing and discriminatory behaviors and practices in psychosocial and inter-relational events, but not in accessing and receiving health care; (b) double exposure to stigma associated with being gay and having HIV; and (c) undetectability as an autonomous identity with important connections to social and interpersonal interactions. An important implication was related to multilevel risk perceptions and the psychosocial complexity and challenges of HIV infection. In Portugal, HIV is still a socially disabling disease.

Characterization of HIV-1 Near Full-Length Proviral Genome Quasispecies from Patients with Undetectable Viral Load Undergoing First-Line HAART Therapy.

Increased access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) by human immunodeficiency virus postive (HIV⁺) individuals has become a reality worldwide. In Brazil, HAART currently reaches over half of HIV-infected subjects. In the context of a remarkable HIV-1 genetic variability, highly related variants, called quasispecies, are generated. HIV quasispecies generated during infection can influence virus persistence and pathogenicity, representing a challenge to treatment. However, the clinical relevance of minority quasispecies is still uncertain. In this study, we have determined the archived proviral sequences, viral subtype and drug resistance mutations from a cohort of HIV⁺ patients with undetectable viral load undergoing HAART as first-line therapy using next-generation sequencing for near full-length virus genome (NFLG) assembly. HIV-1 consensus sequences representing NFLG were obtained for eleven patients, while for another twelve varying genome coverage rates were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis showed the predominance of subtype B (83%; 19/23). Considering the minority variants, 18 patients carried archived virus harboring at least one mutation conferring antiretroviral resistance; for six patients, the mutations correlated with the current ARVs used. These data highlight the importance of monitoring HIV minority drug resistant variants and their clinical impact, to guide future regimen switches and improve HIV treatment success.

Antiretroviral therapy initiation within seven days of enrolment: outcomes and time to undetectable viral load among children at an urban HIV clinic in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Viral suppression is a critical indicator of HIV treatment success. In the era of test-and-start, little is known about treatment outcomes and time to undetectable viral loads. This study compares treatment outcomes, median times to achieve undetectable viral loads and its predictors under different antiretroviral (ART) treatment initiation schedules (i.e. within seven days of enrolment or later). METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 367 patients <18 years who enrolled in care between January 2010 and December 2015 with a baseline viral load of >5000 copies/ml were followed up for 60 months. Undetectable viral load measurements were based on both Roche (<20copies/ml) and Abbot (<75copies/ml). Clinical treatment outcomes were compared using chi-squared test. Survival experiences between the two cohorts were assessed through incidence rates and Kaplan Meier curves. A cox model with competing risks was used to assess predictors for time to undetectable viral load. RESULTS: Of the 367 patients, 180 (49.1%) initiated ART within seven days from enrolment, 192 (52.3%) attained undetectable viral load of which 133 (69.3%) were children below six years and 101 (52.6%) were females. Among those who initiated ART within seven days 15 (8.3%) died and 6 (3.3%) were lost to follow-up compared to 27 (14.4%) and 16 (8.6%) respectively in the later initiators. The median time to undetectable viral load was 24.9 months (95% CI: 19.7, 28.5) among early ART initiators and 38.5 months (95% CI: 31.1, 44.5) among those initiating beyond seven days. There was a significant difference in failure estimates between those initiating within seven and those that deferred (log rank, p = 0.001). Significant predictors for time to undetectable viral load were; starting ART within seven days (SHR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.28), baseline WHO stage I or II (SHR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.28), inconsistent adherence on three consecutive clinic visits (SHR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.67), and baseline weight (SRH = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.07). CONCLUSION: Prompt initiation of ART within the first week of enrolment is associated with better treatment outcomes. Early timing, baseline WHO clinical stage and adherence rates should be major considerations while managing HIV among children.

HCV viral load at baseline and at week 4 of telaprevir/boceprevir based triple therapies are associated with virological outcome in HIV/hepatitis C co-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: As first generation HCV-specific protease inhibitors, boceprevir (BOC) or telaprevir (TVR) can achieve 60% to 70% sustained virological response (SVR) for HCV infected patients with genotype 1 infections, they could remain temporary a therapeutic option in patients living in resources limited countries with limited access to the new anti-HCV direct acting antiviral (DAA) drugs, such as sofosbuvir. OBJECTIVES AND STUDY DESIGN: Here we evaluated in a routine practice setting, the treatment responses, tolerance and factors associated with SVR of a triple therapy with BOC or TVR, combined with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, included in a large cohort of HIV/HCV coinfected patients (ANRS CO13-HEPAVIH). RESULTS: Among the 89 HIV/HCV coinfected patients treated, 65% of whom were previous non-responders to PegIFN/RBV therapy, 65%, 55% and 41% had at baseline genotype 1a, a high baseline HCV-RNA (≥800,000 IU/ml) and a cirrhosis, respectively. The SVR12 rate was 63% overall, 53% for BOC-based regimen and 66% for TVR-based regimen. In multivariate analysis, two factors were significantly associated with HCV SVR: HCV viral load <800,000 IU/mL at treatment initiation versus ≥800,000 IU/mL (OR 4.403, 95% CI 1.29-15.04; p=0.018) and virological response at W4 (HCV-RNA undetectable after 4 weeks of triple therapy) (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.07-10.48; p=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Overall SVR12 was 63% and our results suggest that HIV/HCV coinfected patients with low HCV viral load (<800,000 IU/mL) and undetectable HCV-RNA after 4 weeks of triple therapy with TVR or BOC-based regimen have a higher probability of treatment success.

Pregnancy outcomes of HIV-positive women in a tertiary centre in the UK.

With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the mother-to-child HIV transmission rate in the UK has reduced to less than 2%. A review of delivery outcomes of 106 HIV-positive pregnant women in a tertiary centre between January 2005 and December 2010 was conducted. A total of 20 women had detectable plasma viral load at 36 weeks, or before in the two women who delivered preterm. Various peripartum management measures were undertaken in women with detectable viral load close to delivery, to accelerate reduction in plasma viral load and to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to the fetus. In our review, the overall mother-to-child transmission rate was less than 1% and in women with undetectable viral load at 36 weeks, it was 0% (zero), which signifies the importance of strict virological control and a multidisciplinary approach, which plays an important role in the successful achievement of this.