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To evaluate the treatment outcome of antiretroviral therapy, depending on the use and utility of a concept of resistance-guided switch, patients from the Frankfurt HIV cohort have been followed for 24 weeks. If available, prior resistance data have been evaluated and patients were grouped into their expected viral response. The data of 354 patients were thus analyzed, taking into account the Genotypic Sensitivity Score of the administered medication (> or ≤ 2). When looking at the proportion of patients who achieved a viral load of less than 50/ml, the response rates differed significantly better for patients with a favourable resistance scoring as compared to an unfavourable one (71.9 % as compared to 56.0%, p = 0.008). Interestingly, patients with a favourable resistance score also showed a better immunological response, as measured by median CD4 cell count of 391/μl (Interquartal Range: 250 – 530/μl) against 287/μl (Interquartal Range: 174 – 449/μl) and a larger total increase of 141/μl against 38/μl. A significant virological and immunological benefit could be demonstrated for patients of a cohort with resistance-guided antiretroviral therapy adjustments.

Objectives The renal elimination of tenofovir (TFV) may be subject to renal drug−drug interactions that may increase the risk of kidney injury. Case reports indicated that diclofenac might increase TFV-associated nephrotoxicity via a drug−drug interaction, leading to an increased intracellular TFV concentration in proximal tubular cells. Methods A retrospective analysis of data for all patients from the Frankfurt HIV Cohort (FHC) who had diclofenac prescriptions between January 2008 and June 2012 was carried out. Results Among 89 patients with diclofenac use, 61 patients (68.5%) were treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and 28 patients (31.5%) were treated with TDF-sparing combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Thirteen patients (14.6%) developed acute kidney injury (AKI) shortly after initiating diclofenac treatment. AKI occurred exclusively in TDF-treated patients, although all had previously stable renal function. All cases were accompanied by new onset of at least two parameters indicating proximal tubular damage, such as normoglycaemic-glucosuria and hypophosphataemia. TFV-associated nephrotoxicity was demonstrated by renal biopsy in four cases. Additionally, 11.5% of patients on TDF treatment developed new-onset proximal tubular damage, while having a preserved glomerular filtration rate. In contrast, diclofenac did not affect renal function in patients with TDF-sparing cART, as only one case of isolated hypophataemia was observed in these patients. In univariate analysis, risk factors for AKI were TDF-containing cART (P = 0.0076) and pre-existing hypophosphataemia (P = 0.0086). Conclusions Drug−drug interaction caused by diclofenac could exacerbate TFV-associated nephrotoxicity. Diclofenac should be used with caution in patients on TDF therapy, especially in those with hypophosphataemia. Our findings need to be confirmed in larger studies.

Objectives Renal disease is a common and serious complication in HIV-infected patients. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis for the period 1989–2010 was carried out to determine the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD was defined as initiation of renal replacement therapy. Three time periods were defined: 1989–1996 [pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)], 1997–2003 (early HAART) and 2004–2010 (late HAART). Results Data for 9198 patients [78.2% male; 88.9% Caucasian; cumulative observation time 68 084 patient-years (PY)] were analysed. ESRD was newly diagnosed in 35 patients (0.38%). Risk factors for ESRD were Black ethnicity [relative risk (RR) 5.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3–10.3; P

Summary Background In the current epidemic of Ebola virus disease in western Africa, many aid workers have become infected. Some of these aid workers have been transferred to specialised hospitals in Europe and the USA for intensified treatment, providing the potential for unique insight into the clinical course of Ebola virus disease under optimised supportive measures in isolation units. Methods A 38-year-old male doctor who had contracted an Ebola virus infection in Sierra Leone was airlifted to University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany, on day 5 after disease onset. Within 72 h of admission to the hospital's high-level isolation unit, the patient developed signs of severe multiorgan failure, including lungs, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. In addition to clinical parameters, the diagnostic work-up included radiography, ultrasound, pulse contour cardiac output technology, and microbiological and clinical chemistry analyses. Respiratory failure with pulmonary oedema and biophysical evidence of vascular leak syndrome needed mechanical ventilation. The patient received a 3 day treatment course with FX06 (MChE-F4Pharma, Vienna, Austria), a fibrin-derived peptide under clinical development for vascular leak syndrome. After FX06 administration and concurrent detection of Ebola-virus-specific antibodies and a fall in viral load, vascular leak syndrome and respiratory parameters substantially improved. We gave broad-spectrum empiric antimicrobial therapy and the patient needed intermittent renal replacement therapy. The patient fully recovered. Findings This case report shows the feasibility of delivery of successful intensive care therapy to patients with Ebola virus disease under biosafety level 4 conditions. Interpretation The effective treatment of vascular leakage and multiorgan failure by combination of ventilatory support, antibiotic treatment, and renal replacement therapy can sustain a patient with severe Ebola virus disease until virological remission. FX06 could potentially be a valuable agent in contribution to supportive therapy. Funding University Hospital of Frankfurt.

Summary Objective Of this study was to compare the results of tuberculin skin test (TST) with two interferon- γ releasing-assays (IGRA) in a cohort of HIV positive patients, to analyze impact of prior Bacille-Calmette–Guerin (BCG)-vaccination. Methods Prospective cross sectional study, enrolling only asymptomatic adult HIV infected outpatients from a large German University hospital clinic. All participants were simultaneously tested for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) by QuantiFERON-TB Gold, T-SPOT.TB and TST. Only individuals with available definite results (positive/negative, indeterminates excluded) from all three test systems and recalling BCG-vaccination status by interview questionnaire were evaluated. Results From 286 study participants, 133 were evaluable; BCG-vaccination history was positive for 18 individuals, and negative for 115. The proportion of individuals with a positive TST was significantly higher for vaccinated ( n = 6, 33.3%) than for unvaccinated individuals ( n = 13, 11.3%, p = 0.013). There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with CDC stage C, origin from a TB endemic country or in the CD4 count between the two groups. Conclusion TST but not IGRAs interfered significantly with prior BCG vaccination in a cohort of HIV infected individuals from a low prevalence TB country. Therefore IGRA should preferentially be used for LTBI-testing in BCG-vaccinated adult HIV-patients.

We report on the first successful allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in an HIV-infected patient with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) per- formed at a tertiary care institution. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was administered until transplantation and restarted 34 days later with sustained virological response. The patient did however develop a rapid rise in HIV load during the interruption of HAART associated with an acute febrile illness. Due to the extended period between the onset of SAA until SCT, the posttransplant course was complicated by bacterial infections. Stage two skin GvHD, but no AIDS-defining opportunistic diseases were experienced. Neutrophils recovered to0.5/nL on day +18 and the CD4 count reached 250/microL on day +71 and500/microL on day +182. The patient is in good condition with an ECOG score of 0 twelve months after transplantation. This report demonstrates the feasibility of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the HIV setting.