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The study investigated the durability of switched therapy and factors associated with the viral rebound among patients on second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda.A retrospective dynamic cohort of adults initiated on second-line ART after virological failure to first-line ART.Patients on second-line treatment for at least 6 months between 2007 and 2017 were included. Patients were followed, until they experienced a viral rebound (viral load ≥200 copies/ml). Cumulative probability of viral rebounds and factors associated with viral rebound were determined using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazard models.One thousand, one hundred and one participants were enrolled of which 64% were women, the median age was 37 years [interquartile range (IQR) 31-43]. The preswitch median CD4 + cell count and viral load were 128 cells/μl (IQR 58-244) and 45 978 copies/ml (IQR 13 827-139 583), respectively. During the 4190.37 person-years, the incidence rate of viral rebound was 83.29 [95% confidence interval (CI) 74.99-92.49] per 1000 person-years. The probability of viral rebound at 5 and 10 years was 0.29 (95% CI 0.26-0.32) and 0.62 (95% CI 0.55-0.69), respectively. The median rebound-free survival was 8.7 years. Young adults (18-24 years) [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.49, 95% CI 1.32-4.67], preswitch viral load at least 100 000 copies/ml (aHR 1.53, 95% CI 1.22-1.92), and atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r)-based second-line (aHR 1.73, 95% CI 1.29-2.32) were associated with an increased risk of viral rebound.Switched therapies are durable for 8 years after failure of recommended regimens. A high preswitch viral load, ATV/r-based regimens, and young adulthood are risk factors for viral rebound, which underscores the need for more durable regimens and differentiated care services.

Background Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, particularly when given with a ritonavir-boosted PI, reduces bone mineral density (BMD) and increases bone turnover markers (BTMs). Ritonavir-boosted atazanavir plus lamivudine is a feasible simplified option. We evaluated whether switching from a triple ritonavir-boosted PI plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to a two-drug regimen of lamivudine plus ritonavir-boosted atazanavir would improve BMD. Methods Single-arm pilot study. Virologically suppressed patients on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus lamivudine or emtricitabine plus ritonavir-boosted PI with low BMD, without previous resistance mutations and/or virological failure to study drugs were switched to 100/300 mg of ritonavir-boosted atazanavir plus 300 mg of lamivudine once daily. The primary endpoint was BMD change by DXA at Week 48. Results There were 31 patients, 4 (13%) female, and median age was 40 years. Seven participants (22.5%) had osteoporosis. At 48 weeks, mean (SD) changes in spine and hip BMD were +0.01 (0.03) (P = 0.0239) and +0.013 (0.03) g/cm2 (P = 0.0046), respectively. Mean (SD) T-score changes were +0.1 (0.23) (P = 0.0089) and +0.25 (0.76) (P = 0.0197), respectively. N-telopeptide and urine tenofovir disoproxil fumarate toxicity markers showed significant improvements. One participant withdrew from the study and two were lost to follow-up. There were no virological failures, or serious or grade 3–4 adverse events. Conclusions Switching from a tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus ritonavir-boosted PI triple therapy to a lamivudine plus ritonavir-boosted atazanavir two-drug regimen in virologically suppressed HIV-infected adults with low BMD was safe, increased low BMD and reduced plasma markers of bone turnover and urine markers of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate toxicity over 48 weeks.

Response to ritonavir-boosted-protease inhibitors (PI/r)-based regimen is associated with some Gag mutations among HIV-1 B-clade. There is limited data on Gag mutations and their covariation with mutations in protease among HIV-1 non-B-clades at PI/r-based treatment failure. Thus, we characterized Gag mutations present in isolates from HIV-1 infected individuals treated with a PI/r-regimen (n = 143) and compared them with those obtained from individuals not treated with PI/r (ART-naïve [n = 101] or reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTI) treated [n = 118]). The most frequent HIV-1 subtypes were CRF02_AG (54.69%), A (13.53%), D (6.35%) and G (4.69%). Eighteen Gag mutations showed a significantly higher prevalence in PI/r-treated isolates compared to ART-naïve (p

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive kidney transplant (KT) recipients have been shown to experience higher rejection rates due in part to drug-drug interactions between antiretroviral therapy (ART) and immunosuppression regimens. High tacrolimus (FK) intrapatient variability (IPV) is associated with inferior outcomes in KT. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of protease inhibitor (PI)-based ART on FK IPV and graft outcomes. Methods We performed a single-center review of HIV-positive KT recipients from 2007 to 2017. Percentage coefficient of variation (%CV = (σ/μ) × 100; σ, median; μ, standard deviation) was calculated for FK IPV. FK IPV at 6 and 12 months, graft function, and immune outcomes in PI-based vs non-PI-based KT recipients were compared. Results A total of 23 HIV-positive KT patients were identified, of whom 10 were maintained on PI-based ART. Median IPV for the entire cohort at 6 and 12 months was 35.8% and 41%, respectively. Patients on PI-based regimens were proportionally more likely to experience high IPV at both time points. Median FK IPV was numerically higher at 6 months (37.3% vs 26.8%, P = .11) and significantly higher at 12 months (57.8% vs 30.9%, P = .01) for patients on PI-based regimens. Lastly, inferior graft function was observed in PI-based patients. Conclusion Our data suggest that PI-based ART is associated with a higher degree of FK IPV, which may contribute to worsening graft function. Larger studies are warranted to determine the impact of PI-based ART on FK IPV and graft outcomes in this population.

Imbalance of macrophage polarization plays an indispensable role in acute lung injury (ALI), which is considered as a promising target. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is expressed in the macrophage, and has a pivotal role in secreting inflammatory cytokines. We reported that saquinavir (SQV), a first-generation human immunodeficiency virus-protease inhibitor, restricted exaggerated inflammatory response. However, whether MMP-9 could regulate macrophage polarization and inhibit by SQV is still unknown. We focused on the important role of macrophage polarization in CLP (cecal ligation puncture)-mediated ALI and determined the ability of SQV to maintain M2 over M1 phenotype partially through the inhibition of MMP-9. We also performed a limited clinical study to determine if MMP-9 is a biomarker of sepsis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased MMP-9 expression and recombinant MMP-9 (rMMP-9) exacerbated LPS-mediated M1 switching. Small interfering RNA to MMP-9 inhibited LPS-mediated M1 phenotype and SQV inhibition of this switching was reversed with rMMP-9, suggesting an important role for MMP-9 in mediating LPS-induced M1 phenotype. MMP-9 messenger RNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of these 14 patients correlated with their clinical assessment. There was a significant dose-dependent decrease in mortality and ALI after CLP with SQV. SQV significantly inhibited LPS-mediated M1 phenotype and increased M2 phenotype in cultured RAW 264.7 and primary murine bone marrow-derived macrophages as well as lung macrophages from CLP-treated mice. This study supports an important role for MMP-9 in macrophage phenotypic switching and suggests that SQV-mediated inhibition of MMP-9 may be involved in suppressing ALI during systemic sepsis.

Item does not contain fulltext BACKGROUND: Children with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection have limited options for effective antiretroviral treatment (ART). METHODS: We conducted an open-label, randomized, noninferiority trial comparing three-drug ART based on the HIV integrase inhibitor dolutegravir with standard care (non-dolutegravir-based ART) in children and adolescents starting first- or second-line ART. The primary end point was the proportion of participants with virologic or clinical treatment failure by 96 weeks, as estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Safety was assessed. RESULTS: From September 2016 through June 2018, a total of 707 children and adolescents who weighed at least 14 kg were randomly assigned to receive dolutegravir-based ART (350 participants) or standard care (357). The median age was 12.2 years (range, 2.9 to 18.0), the median weight was 30.7 kg (range, 14.0 to 85.0), and 49% of the participants were girls. By design, 311 participants (44%) started first-line ART (with 92% of those in the standard-care group receiving efavirenz-based ART), and 396 (56%) started second-line ART (with 98% of those in the standard-care group receiving boosted protease inhibitor-based ART). The median follow-up was 142 weeks. By 96 weeks, 47 participants in the dolutegravir group and 75 in the standard-care group had treatment failure (estimated probability, 0.14 vs. 0.22; difference, -0.08; 95% confidence interval, -0.14 to -0.03; P = 0.004). Treatment effects were similar with first- and second-line therapies (P = 0.16 for heterogeneity). A total of 35 participants in the dolutegravir group and 40 in the standard-care group had at least one serious adverse event (P = 0.53), and 73 and 86, respectively, had at least one adverse event of grade 3 or higher (P = 0.24). At least one ART-modifying adverse event occurred in 5 participants in the dolutegravir group and in 17 in the standard-care group (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this trial involving children and adolescents with HIV-1 infection who were starting first- or second-line treatment, dolutegravir-based ART was superior to standard care. (Funded by ViiV Healthcare; ODYSSEY ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02259127; EUDRACT number, 2014-002632-14; and ISRCTN number, ISRCTN91737921.).

Background: Administration of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prolongs QTc corrected interval (QTc). The effect and safety of Lopinavir/Ritonavir in combination with these therapies have seldom been studied. Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate changes in QTc in patients receiving double (Hydroxychloroquine + Azithromycin) and triple therapy (Hydroxychloroquine + Azithromycin + Lopinavir/Ritonavir) to treat COVID-19. Secondary outcome was the incidence of in-hospital all-cause mortality. Methods: Patients under treatment with double (DT) and triple therapy (TT) for COVID-19 were consecutively included in this prospective observational study. Serial in-hospital electrocardiograms were performed to measure QTc at baseline and during therapy. Results: 168 patients (±66.2 years old) were included: 32.1% received DT and 67.9% received TT. The mean baseline QTc was 410.33 ms. Patients under DT and TT prolonged QTc interval respect baseline values (p, Highlights • What is known? • Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin prolong QTc in patients with COVID-19, prompting ECG monitoring due to increased risk of ventricular arrythmias. • What is the new? • The impact of Lopinavir/Ritonavir in addition to Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin on QTc has not been studied previously. In our series, triple therapy did not further prolong QTc interval compared to double therapy.

ACTG A5288 was a strategy trial conducted in diverse populations from multiple continents of people living with HIV (PLWH) failing second-line protease inhibitor (PI)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) from 10 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Participants resistant to lopinavir (LPV) and/or multiple nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors started on third-line regimens that included raltegravir (RAL), darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) and/or etravirine (ETR) according to their resistance profiles. At 48 weeks, 87% of these participants achieved HIV-1 RNA ≤200 copies/ml. We report here long-term outcomes over 144 weeks.Study participants were enrolled from 2013 to 2015, prior to the availability of dolutegravir in LMICs. "Extended Follow-up" of the study started after the last participant enrolled had reached 48 weeks and included participants still on antiretroviral (ARV) regimens containing RAL, DRV/r and/or ETR at that time. RAL, DRV/r and ETR were provided for an additional 96 weeks (giving total follow-up of ≥144 weeks), with HIV-1 RNA measured at 48 and 96 weeks and CD4 count at 96 weeks after entry into Extended Follow-up. Proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≤200 copies/ml was estimated every 24 weeks, using imputation if necessary to handle the different measurement schedule in Extended Follow-up; mean CD4 count changes were estimated using loess regression.Of 257 participants (38% females), at study entry, median CD4 count was 179 cells/mmThird-line regimens comprising of RAL, DRV/r and/or ETR were very well tolerated and had high rates of durable virologic suppression among PLWH in LMICs who were failing on second-line PI-based ART prior to the availability of dolutegravir.

We retrospectively reviewed patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections who were admitted to an intensive care unit in Daegu, South Korea. The outcomes of patients who did (cases) or did not (controls) receive darunavir-cobicistat (800-150 mg) therapy were compared. Fourteen patients received darunavir-cobicistat treatment, and 96 received other antiviral therapy (controls). Overall, the darunavir-cobicistat group comprised patients with milder illness, and the crude mortality rate of all patients in the darunavir-cobicistat group was lower than that in the controls [odds ratio (OR) 0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.89, p=0.035]. After 1:2 propensity-score matching, there were 14 patients in the darunavir-cobicistat group, and 28 patients in the controls. In propensity score-matched analysis, the darunavir-cobicistat group had lower mortality than the controls (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01-0.52, p=0.009). In conclusion, darunavir-cobicistat therapy was found to be associated with a significant survival benefit in critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: The effectiveness of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) and chloroquine treatment for COVID-19 has not been verified. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to summarize the clinical practices of nonsevere patients with COVID-19 receiving the standard care, LPV/r or chloroquine in Beijing Ditan Hospital from January 20 to March 26, 2020. The main outcome measurements include the changes of cycle threshold values of open reading frame 1 ab (ORF1ab) and nucleocapsid (N) genes by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction assay from day 1 to 7 after admission for patients receiving standard care or after treatment being initiated for patients receiving either LPV/r or chloroquine. The proportion of developing severe illness, fever duration and the time from symptom onset to chest computer tomography improvement, and negative conversion of nucleic acid were compared. Results: Of the 129 patients included in the study, 59 received the standard care, 51 received LPV/r, and 19 received chloroquine. The demographics and baseline characteristics were comparable among the 3 groups. The median duration of fever, median time from symptom onset to chest computer tomography improvement, and negative conversion of the nucleic acid were similar among the 3 groups. The median increase in cycle threshold values of N and ORF1ab gene for patients receiving LPV/r or chloroquine or the standard care during the treatment course was 7.0 and 8.5, 8.0, and 7.6, 5.0, and 4.0, respectively. These figures were not found significantly different among the 3 groups. Conclusions: Antiviral therapy using LPV/r or chloroquine seemed not to improve the prognosis or shorten the clinical course of COVID-19.

Despite the availability of modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), neurocognitive impairment persists among some persons with HIV (PWH). We investigated the role of exposure to four major classes of ARTs in neurocognitive impairment in PWH. A single-site cohort of 343 PWH was recruited. Lifetime ART medication history was obtained from medical health records. We evaluated the role of ART exposure as a predictor of neurocognitive impairment using univariate analyses and machine learning, while accounting for potential effects of demographic, clinical, and comorbidity-related risk factors. Out of a total of 26 tested variables, two random forest analyses identified the most important characteristics of a neurocognitively impaired group (N = 59): Compared with a neurocognitively high-performing group (N = 132; F1-score = 0.79), we uncovered 13 important risk factors; compared with an intermediate-performing group (N = 152; F1-score = 0.75), 16 risk factors emerged. Longer lifetime ART exposure, especially to integrase inhibitors, was one of the most important predictors of neurocognitive impairment in both analyses (rank 2 of 13 and rank 4 of 16, respectively), superseding effects of age (rank 11/13, rank 15/16) and HIV duration (rank 13/13, rank 16/16). Concerning specific integrase inhibitors, the impaired group had significantly longer dolutegravir exposure (p = 0.011) compared with the high-performing group (p = 0.012; trend compared with the intermediate group p = 0.063). A longer duration to integrase inhibitor intake was negatively related to cognition in this cohort. Our findings suggest that possible cognitive complications of long-term exposure to integrase inhibitors, in particular dolutegravir, should be closely monitored in PWH.

Even though darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) has high potency and a greater genetic barrier, there are few studies on the long-term effectiveness of DRV/r-based salvage therapy in people living with HIV (PLWH) in low and middle-income countries. This retrospective cohort study, from São Paulo, Brazil, included ART-experienced PLWH aged ≥18 years with virological failure (VF) who had started DRV/r plus an optimized background regimen (OBR) between 2008 and 2012. The proportion of patients with viral load (VL) 100,000 copies/mL and poor adherence were associated with VF. DRV/r plus an OBR showed high long-term virological suppression and immunological recovery. VL>100,000 copies/mL and poor adherence were associated with VF at 144 weeks.

Objective: Growing evidence suggests that the use of integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) is associated with greater weight gain than other antiretroviral therapies; as a result, United States (US)-based treatment guidelines were updated to reflect this and raise clinicians’ awareness. This real-world study describes demographics and compares weight/body mass index (BMI) change between insured US patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) initiating a protease inhibitor (PI) or INSTI. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted using Decision Resources Group’s Real World Data Repository (7/17/2017-6/1/2019). Adult patients with HIV-1 who initiated a new PI or INSTI on or after 7/17/2018 (index date) and had ≥12 months of continuous pre-index clinical activity were included. Baseline characteristics were balanced using inverse probability of treatment weighting. The proportion of patients with ≥5% weight/BMI increases and mean weight/BMI change from pre- to post-index were evaluated. Outcomes were compared using odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MDs). Results: 20,367 patients (9,993 PI and 10,374 INSTI) were included. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced (mean age =50 years; ∼30% females in both cohorts). Pre- and post-index weight and BMI measurements were available in 429 and 430 PI patients, and 397 and 383 INSTI patients, respectively. Mean time between index and last post-index measurements was ∼7 months. Patients using PI-based regimens were 39% and 49% less likely to experience ≥5% weight and BMI increase than those using INSTI-based regimens, respectively (OR [≥5% weight gain] = 0.61; p = 0.014; OR [≥5% BMI gain] = 0.51; p 2; p Conclusions: Relative to patients initiating a new INSTI, patients initiating a new PI were less likely to experience ≥5% weight/BMI gain post-index. Additionally, mean weight/BMI gain was lower in the PI than in the INSTI cohort.

Background The current outbreak of COVID‐19 has spread rapidly all over the world. Respiratory droplets and contaction with infected patients are the two major transmission routes. However, the value of tear virus nucleic acid is still not clear. We dynamic detected the SARS‐CoV‐2 in eye sample of one COVID‐19 patient with obstruction of common lacrimal ducts. Methods Besides the routine examination, nasopharyngeal and eye swab were continuously measured by polymerase chain reaction assay and next‐generation sequencing (NGS). Gene detection was performed for drug use guidance, and flow cytometry was performed to analyse the lymphocyte subsets. Results Nasopharyngeal swabs were positive for 22 days, but eye swabs were still continuously positive for 2 weeks after nasopharyngeal swabs turned negative. The low level of lymphocyte and the high level IL‐6 lasted for almost 4 weeks, then became near normal. Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) confirmed the existing of SARS‐CoV‐2, HSV1 and HHV6B virus nucleic acid. The gene detection for drug use guidance showed the genetic locus ABCB1 (3435T>C) rs1045642 belonged to type CC and it mean the efficiency of lopinavir–ritonavir would be significantly decreased. The flow cytometry of lymphocyte subsets showed PD‐1+ CD95+ cells was accounting for 94.8% in CD3+ CD8+ T subset and for 94.8% in CD3+ TCRγδ+ T subset. Conclusions As obstruction of common lacrimal duct, positively detection in one eye for 2 weeks more after nasopharyngeal swab became negative. More eye swabs should be collected from COVID‐19 patients, especially from those immunocompromised, those with eye symptoms and those had a history of ocular diseases.

Objective: This prospective, multicenter, non-interventional cohort study enrolling human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected, virally suppressed adult outpatients in Italy aimed to describe results obtained from patient-reported outcome questionnaires regarding treatment satisfaction and symptom perceptions in HIV-1-positive patients who switched to cobicistat-boosted darunavir antiretroviral regimens, coming from ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors. Methods: Patients entered this study between June 2016 and February 2017, once their treating physician had considered them eligible for cobicistat-boosted darunavir-based treatment as per clinical practice. Patients’ satisfaction regarding regimen and current symptom burdens were assessed using two previously validated, patient-reported outcome questionnaires: HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (HIV-TSQ) and HIV Symptoms Distress Module (HIV-SDM). These questionnaires were administered at prespecified time-points: enrollment (Visit 1), 4–8weeks later (Visit 2), and 48 ± 6weeks after study enrollment (Visit 4). Data of patient-reported outcome total scores for both questionnaires are presented as median with 25th–75th percentiles. Questionnaires scores were analyzed overall and stratified by gender when applicable. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the role of lost to follow-up, using the “last observation carried forward” method. Results: A total of 348 patients were enrolled in this study; 296 patients (208 male and 88 female) provided both evaluable HIV-TSQ and HIV-SDM at enrollment and at 4–8weeks, while 250 patients (174 male and 76 female) provided questionnaire data at enrollment and at 48 ± 6weeks. The total scores of HIV-TSQ showed improvements in patient satisfaction in the overall population both at Visit 2 and Visit 4 (p < 0.001, sign test) and also when stratified by gender throughout the study period. In addition, the overall burden of symptoms, as shown by the HIV-SDM scores, decreased. Conclusions: Switching to a cobicistat-boosted darunavir-based therapy led to overall increased patient satisfaction and reduced symptom burden when compared with previous regimens. The use of patient-reported outcomes in clinical daily practice could provide a useful tool towards achieving guideline goals to achieve “fourth 90”, having 90% of virally suppressed patients with a good health-related quality of life.

Background Cardiovascular and liver disease are main causes of death in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH). In HIV-uninfected patients, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with incident metabolic complications. We investigated the effect of NAFLD on development of metabolic comorbid conditions in PWH. Methods We included PWH undergoing a screening program for NAFLD using transient elastography. NAFLD was defined as a controlled attenuation parameter ≥248 dB/m with exclusion of other liver diseases. Incident diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease were investigated using survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards. Results The study included 485 HIV-monoinfected patients. During a median follow-up of 40.1 months (interquartile range, 26.5–50.7 months), patients with NAFLD had higher incidences of diabetes (4.74 [95% confidence interval, 3.09–7.27] vs 0.87 [.42–1.83] per 100 person-years) and dyslipidemia (8.16 [5.42–12.27] vs 3.99 [2.67–5.95] per 100 person-years) than those without NAFLD. With multivariable analysis, NAFLD was an independent predictor of diabetes (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.13; 95% confidence interval, 2.14–12.31) and dyslipidemia (2.35; 1.34–4.14) development. Conclusions HIV-monoinfected patients with NAFLD are at higher risk of incident diabetes and dyslipidemia. Early referral strategies and timely management of metabolic risk may improve outcomes.

Objective: Use of methamphetamine (METH) is prevalent among HIV-infected individuals. Previous research has shown that both METH and HIV protease inhibitors exert influences on mitochondrial respiratory metabolism and hepatic nervous system. This study aims to study the joint effect of METH and HIV protease inhibitors on hepatic immune function.Materials and methods: Based on the differentially expressed genes obtained from RNA-seq of the liver from mouse model, the expression levels of CD48 and Macrophage Receptor with Collagenous Structure (MARCO) were examined using qRT-PCR and flow cytometry, and the expression and secretion of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, IFN-β, and TNF-α were determined using qRT-PCR and ELISA in THP-1-derived macrophages.Results: Our results indicated that compared with the control group, CD48 molecules were significantly down-regulated by METH-atazanavir co-treatment, and the expression level of CD48 decreased as METH concentration increases. MARCO molecules were increased, especially at larger doses of METH and atazanavir treatment. In addition, in the presence of METH-atazanavir, the expression and secretion of a series of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 increased while the expression and secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 decreased.Conclusion: These results demonstrated that METH and atazanavir had a combined impact on the liver immunity, suggesting that the co-treatment could enhance inflammatory response and suppress NK cell activation via CD48.

Objective: This study investigates the effectiveness and tolerability of switching to a darunavir/cobicistat (DRV/c)-based antiretroviral regimen from a ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r)-based regimen in virologically suppressed HIV-positive patients. DRV trough values were also investigated. Setting: Prospective, multicenter, single-country, noninterventional cohort study. Methods: This study included patients on a PI/r-based ART for at least 12 months having plasma HIV-1 RNA

Background Protease inhibitors (PI) have relatively low penetration into the genital tract, raising concerns about the potential for genital HIV RNA shedding in patients taking PI-based regimens, particularly PI monotherapy (PI-mono). Methods We measured HIV RNA and PI drug concentrations in samples of semen, cervicovaginal and rectal mucosa secretions, and plasma in patients after 48–96 weeks on PI-mono or standard triple therapy. Results A total of 85 participants were recruited. Of the 43 participants on PI-mono (70% on darunavir [DRV]/ ritonavir [r]), 3 had detectable virus in semen or vaginal secretions (all below quantification limit), and none in rectal mucosa or plasma. Among those taking triple therapy, five had detectable virus in semen or vaginal secretions (HIV RNA >50 copies/ml in one), none in rectal mucosa and one in plasma. The median (IQR) concentration of DRV and atazanavir in semen (659.7 [339–1,089] and 128.8 [63–368] ng/ml, respectively) and cervico-vaginal samples (2,768 [312–7,879] and 1,836 [359–3,314] ng/ml, respectively) exceeded their protein adjusted median inhibition concentration (MIC50). DRV concentration in rectal secretions showed higher variability compared with concentration in the other sites, with particularly high rectal secretion/blood ratios (median 8.4, IQR 2.6–68.7:1). Conclusions We found no substantive evidence of HIV shedding in patients taking PI-mono, suggesting that PIs provide adequate control of virus in the genital compartment and are unlikely to lead to ongoing sexual transmission.

HIV protease inhibitors anti-Plasmodium falciparum activity in adults remains uncertain.Adults with HIV CD4+ counts200 cells/mm3 starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) with P. falciparum subclinical parasitemia (Pf SCP) were randomized 1:1 to (step 1) protease inhibitor lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)-based (arm A) or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (nNRTI)-based ART (arm B) for 15 days. In step 2, participants received nNRTI-based ART and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis for 15 days. P. falciparum SCP clearance was measured by polymerase chain reaction. The Fisher exact test [95% exact confidence interval (CI)] was used to compare proportions of P. falciparum SCP clearance (10 parasites/μL on 3 occasions within 24 hours) between LPV/r and nNRTI arms at day 15. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare time-to-clearance.Fifty-two adults from Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda with a median age = 31 (Q1, Q3: 24-39) years, 33% women, with baseline median CD4+ counts of 324 (259-404) cells/mm3, median HIV-1 RNA viremia of 5.18 log10 copies/mL (4.60-5.71), and median estimated P. falciparum density of 454 parasites/μL (83-2219) enrolled in the study. Forty-nine (94%) participants completed the study. At day 15, there was no statistically significant difference in the proportions of P. falciparum SCP clearance between the LPV/r (23.1% clearance; 6 of the 26) and nNRTI (26.9% clearance; 7 of the 26) arms [between-arm difference 3.9% (95% CI, -21.1% to 28.4%; P = 1.00)]. No significant difference in time-to-clearance was observed between the arms (P = 0.80).In a small randomized study of adults starting ART with P. falciparum SCP, no statistically significant differences were seen between LPV/r- and nNRTI-based ART in P. falciparum SCP clearance after 15 days of treatment.

BackgroundThere are significant drug–drug interactions between human immunodeficiency virus antiretroviral therapy and intranasal steroids, leading to high serum concentrations of iatrogenic steroids and subsequently Cushing's syndrome.MethodAll articles in the literature on cases of intranasal steroid and antiretroviral therapy interactions were reviewed. Full-length manuscripts were analysed and the relevant data were extracted.ResultsA literature search and further cross-referencing yielded a total of seven reports on drug–drug interactions of intranasal corticosteroids and human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitors, published between 1999 and 2019.ConclusionThe use of potent steroids metabolised via CYP3A4, such as fluticasone and budesonide, are not recommended for patients taking ritonavir or cobicistat. Mometasone should be used cautiously with ritonavir because of pharmacokinetic similarities to fluticasone. There was a delayed onset of symptoms in many cases, most likely due to the relatively lower systemic bioavailability of intranasal fluticasone.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the quality of life in patients infected with HIV-1. However, complete viral suppression within anatomical compartments remains unattainable. This is complicated by adverse side effects and poor adherence to lifelong therapy leading to the emergence of viral drug resistance. Thus, there is an immediate need for cellular and tissue-targeted long-acting (LA) ART formulations. Herein, we describe two LA prodrug formulations of darunavir (DRV), a potent antiretroviral protease inhibitor. Two classes of DRV prodrugs, M1DRV and M2DRV, were synthesized as lipophilic and hydrophobic prodrugs and stabilized into aqueous suspensions designated NM1DRV and NM2DRV. The formulations demonstrated enhanced intracellular prodrug levels with sustained drug retention and antiretroviral activities for 15 and 30 days compared to native DRV formulation in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Pharmacokinetics tests of NM1DRV and NM2DRV administered to mice demonstrated sustained drug levels in blood and tissues for 30 days. These data, taken together, support the idea that LA DRV with sustained antiretroviral responses through prodrug nanoformulations is achievable.

OBJECTIVES The integrase strand inhibitor dolutegravir (DTG) combined with tenofovir and lamivudine (TLD) is a single tablet regimen recommended for 1st, 2nd and 3rd-line public health antiretroviral therapy (ART). We determined drug resistance mutations (DRMs) and evaluated the predictive efficacy of a TLD containing regimen for viremic adolescents and young adults in Harare, Zimbabwe. METHODS We sequenced plasma viral RNA from HIV-1-infected adolescents and young adults on 1st and 2nd-line ART with confirmed virologic failure (viral load >1000 copies/ml) and calculated total genotypic susceptibility scores to current 2nd, 3rd line and DTG regimens. RESULTS A total of 160 participants were genotyped; 112 (70%) on 1st line and 48 (30%) on 2nd line, median (interquartile range) age 18 (15-19) and duration of ART (interquartile range) was 6 (4-8) years. Major DRMs were present in 94 and 67% of 1st and 2nd-line failures, respectively (P

Objectives: This study compared healthcare utilization and costs associated with switching the first-line protease inhibitor (PI) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) based ant...

The antiretroviral agent nelfinavir has antimyeloma activity and can overcome resistance to bortezomib. Our phase I/II trial investigated whether adding nelfinavir to lenalidomide–dexamethasone can overcome lenalidomide resistance in lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Twenty-nine patients were included (high-risk cytogenetic aberrations 31%; ≥2 prior therapy lines 93%; lenalidomide–bortezomib double-refractory 34%). Twenty-four patients (83%) had prior bortezomib and 10 (34%) were lenalidomide–bortezomib double-refractory. They received four cycles of nelfinavir 2500 mg/day with standard-dose lenalidomide (25 mg days 1–21) and dexamethasone (40/20 mg days 1, 8, 15, 22). Minor response or better was achieved in 16 patients (55%; 95% CI 36–74%), including 40% of those who were lenalidomide–bortezomib double-refractory, and partial response or better in nine patients (31%; 95% CI 15–51%). Median progression-free survival was 3.4 (95% CI 2.0–4.9) months and median overall survival 21.6 (13.0–50.1) months. Lenalidomide-related pneumonitis, pneumonia, and neutropenic fever occurred, but there were no unexpected adverse events. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed a 45% (95% CI 40–51%) reduction in total proteasome activity from baseline and significant induction of unfolded protein response and autophagy. Thus, nelfinavir–lenalidomide–dexamethasone is an active oral combination in lenalidomide-refractory MM.

Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of darunavir/cobicistat (DRV/c) monotherapy as an antiretroviral treatment simplification strategy in HIV-infected patients already on suppressive darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) monotherapy in routine clinical practice. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study including all adult patients switched from DRV/r monotherapy to DRV/c monotherapy while HIV-1 RNA was = 50 copies/mL or any change in the regimen after a single determination with HIV-1 RNA >= 50 copies/mL. Changes in renal function parameters and lipid profile were also evaluated. Factors associated with VF were analyzed using Cox regression. In this study, 173 subjects were included. The median (interquartile range) time of follow-up was 58 (50-67) weeks. Overall, 90% of patients remained free of TF during follow-up. Ten (6%) patients discontinued DRV/c monotherapy for nonvirological reasons and eight (5%) developed VF. No DRV-related mutations were identified in patients with VF. A decrease in triglyceride levels (p = .006) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = .005) were observed during follow-up. The presence of blips and CD4+ nadir

Objectives To further characterize HIV-1 viruses of patients experiencing unexplained virological failure (VF) on PI-containing regimens, ultradeep sequencing was performed on protease, gag and gp41 genes in patients failing a first-line treatment. Methods All naive patients initiating an antiretroviral treatment based on boosted darunavir, atazanavir or lopinavir and experiencing VF without any transmitted drug resistance mutation detected by Sanger sequencing on protease and reverse transcriptase genes were selected. Ultradeep sequencing (IlluminaTM Nextera®) was performed on protease, gag and gp41 genes in plasma before initiation of treatment and at VF to identify emergent mutations. Results Among the 32 patients included in the study, emergent and previously undescribed mutations in the viral protease gene were identified in five patients at VF: 64M (1 CRF02_AG), 64M/70R with mutation 15V (2 CRF02_AG), 79A (1 CRF06_cpx) and 79A with mutation 15V (1 CRF02_AG). Two patients showed the emergence of R286K in the gag region, outside of cleavage sites (2 CRF02_AG). In the gp41 region, the V321I mutation emerged inside the cytoplasmic tail (1 subtype A and 1 subtype B). All these patients were treated with a darunavir/ritonavir-based regimen. Conclusions In some cases of VF to PIs, we observed the emergence of protease, Gag or Gp41 mutations that had not previously been associated with VF or PI resistance. These mutations should be further studied, in particular the 15V/64M/70R pattern in the protease gene identified among CRF02_AG viruses.

The tolerance of antiretroviral drugs in infants must be carefully evaluated. In previous studies of children with HIV type 1 (HIV-1) less weight gain was observed in children given lopinavir-ritonavir-based combinations than those given nevirapine. We aimed to compare the effects of lopinavir-ritonavir and lamivudine on growth in HIV-exposed uninfected infants included in the ANRS 12174 trial.ANRS 12174 was a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial of infant prophylaxis to prevent HIV-1 transmission by breastfeeding done at four antenatal clinics in Burkina Faso, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. HIV-exposed uninfected infants born to asymptomatic mothers not eligible for antiretroviral therapy (CD4 count350 cells per μL) were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive lopinavir-ritonavir or lamivudine 7 days after birth, with stratification by country. In a prespecified secondary analysis, we assessed the effect of lopinavir-ritonavir and lamivudine on the growth of these infants from day 7 until cessation of breastfeeding (maximum treatment time 12 months) in the modified intention-to-treat population, which included all children correctly enrolled with at least one follow-up anthropometric measurement. We compared the growth of infants, defined as children's WHO-defined length-for-age Z score (LAZ), weight-for-length Z score (WAZ), and weight-for-age Z score (WLZ). We used linear mixed effect and β spline-regression models to compare growth between the treatment groups. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00640263.1273 HIV-exposed uninfected infants and their mothers were enrolled between Nov 16, 2009, and May 7, 2013, of whom 1266 (99%) infants were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis (630 assigned to lopinavir-ritonavir, 636 assigned to lamivudine). Baseline characteristics of the infants and mothers were similar across the two treatment groups. No differences in least-squares (LS) mean LAZ were identified between the treatment groups at any timepoint. LS mean WLZ was significantly lower in the lopinavir-ritonavir group than the lamivudine group at 26 weeks (difference -0·22 [95% CI -0·34 to -0·09], p=0·0006) and 50 weeks (-0·25 [-0·47 to -0·04], p=0·02). LS mean WAZ was also significantly lower in the lopinavir-ritonavir group than the lamivudine group at 26 weeks (difference -0·18 [95% CI -0·30 to -0·05], p=0·01) and 50 weeks (-0·24 [-0·45 to -0·05], p=0·02). Linear mixed models showed that lopinavir-ritonavir was associated with decreases in WLZ and WAZ over time (p0·0001 and p=0·002), whereas spline regression models indicated that these reductions occurred early and remained constant thereafter (p0·0001 with a knot at 44 days for WLZ; p=0·02 with a knot at 118 days for WAZ). The difference in LS mean WLZ at 50 weeks between the treatment groups was higher among girls than boys (difference -0·29 [95% CI -0·58 to 0·01], p=0·05 for girls; -0·22 [-0·53 to 0·09], p=0·18 for boys).Less weight gain was observed in infants given lopinavir-ritonavir than those given lamivudine, which is indicative of a persistent effect that could have long-term deleterious effects. This finding merits attention considering the recommendations for early and lifelong treatment of infants with HIV.French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, the Total Foundation, the European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, and the Research Council of Norway.

Information on the virologic durability of modern antiretroviral regimens is important to clinicians. We aimed to describe virologic durability of first-line integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-, or protease inhibitor (PI)-based antiretroviral regimens. This was a retrospective study of antiretroviral-naïve patients that initiated first-line antiretroviral regimens with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and an INSTI, NNRTI, or PI between January 2006 and June 2016. The outcome was time to virologic failure, which was assessed by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox regression models. There were 780 patients (median age = 37 years [interquartile range (IQR) = 30–45], 93.3% male, 56.2% Caucasian, median HIV duration = 1.8 years [IQR = 0.4–5.4], baseline log10viral load [VL]=4.6 [IQR = 4.1–5.1], and baseline CD4+ cell count = 320 cells/µl [IQR = 217–440]). In total, 189/780 were on a third agent INSTI, 339/780 on a third agent NNRTI, and 252/780 on a third agent PI. Kaplan–Meier survival probability revealed longer time to virologic failure for INSTI, followed by NNRTI then PI (p 10of baseline VL (aHR = 1.94; 95%CI = 1.58–2.39 per log10) increased risk. Virologic failure was delayed and virologic durability prolonged for INSTI- compared to NNRTI- and PI-based regimens, supporting current antiretroviral therapy guidelines.