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Objectives: To evaluate the impact of government HIV strategies that aimed to increase HIV testing uptake and frequency among gay and bisexual men (GBM) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Design: We analysed HIV testing data from existing passive and sentinel surveillance systems between 2010 and 2018. Methods: Six indicators were measured: (1) state-wide total HIV laboratory tests; (2) number of GBM attending publicly-funded clinics; (3) 12-monthly testing uptake; (4) annual testing frequency; (5) HIV testing with a STI diagnosis; and (6) HIV positivity. Mathematical modelling was used to estimate (7) the proportion of men with undiagnosed HIV. Indicators were stratified by Australian vs. overseas-born. Results: Overall, 43,560 GBM attended participating clinics (22,662 Australian-born, 20,834 overseas-born) from 2010-2018. Attendees increased from 5,186 in 2010 to 16,507 in 2018. There were increasing trends (p<0.001 for all) in testing uptake (83.9% to 95.1%); testing with a STI diagnosis (68.7% to 94.0%); annual HIV testing frequency (1.4 to 2.7); and a decreasing trend (p<0.01) in HIV positivity (1.7% to 0.9%).Increases in testing were similar in Australian-born and overseas-born GBM. However, there were decreasing trends in the estimated undiagnosed HIV proportion overall (9.5% to 7.7%) and in Australian-born GBM (7.1% to 2.8%), but an increasing trend in overseas-born GBM (15.3% to 16.9%) (p<0.001 for all).

Introduction: The human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) pandemic is characterized by numerous distinct sub-epidemics (clusters) that continually fuel local transmission. The aims of this study were to identify active growing clusters, to understand which factors most influence the transmission dynamics, how these vary between different subtypes and how this information might contribute to effective public health responses. Methods: We used HIV-1 genomic sequence data linked to demographic factors that accounted for approximately 70% of all new HIV-1 notifications in New South Wales (NSW). We assessed differences in transmission cluster dynamics between subtype B and circulating recombinant form 01_AE (CRF01_AE). Separate phylogenetic trees were estimated using 2919 subtype B and 473 CRF01_AE sequences sampled between 2004 and 2018 in combination with global sequence data and NSW-specific clades were classified as clusters, pairs or singletons. Significant differences in demographics between subtypes were assessed with Chi-Square statistics. Results: We identified 104 subtype B and 11 CRF01_AE growing clusters containing a maximum of 29 and 11 sequences for subtype B and CRF01_AE respectively. We observed a > 2-fold increase in the number of NSW-specific CRF01_AE clades over time. Subtype B clusters were associated with individuals reporting men who have sex with men (MSM) as their transmission risk factor, being born in Australia, and being diagnosed during the early stage of infection (p < 0.01). CRF01_AE infections clusters were associated with infections among individuals diagnosed during the early stage of infection (p < 0.05) and CRF01_AE singletons were more likely to be from infections among individuals reporting heterosexual transmission (p < 0.05). We found six subtype B clusters with an above-average growth rate (>1.5 sequences / 6-months) and which consisted of a majority of infections among MSM. We also found four active growing CRF01_AE clusters contai

The impact of HIV infection on the burden of gastrointestinal pathogens in Myanmar is poorly defined. Stools of 103 HIV-infected and 105 HIV-uninfected adult outpatients at a tertiary referral hospital in Yangon were examined microscopically. Stool antigen tests for Helicobacter pylori infection were positive in 63/103 (61%) HIV-infected and 61/105 (58%) HIV-uninfected patients (P = 0.65). Soil-transmitted helminth infections were much less common, occurring in 9/103 (9%) HIV-infected and 13/103 (13%) HIV-uninfected patients (P = 0.50). One HIV-uninfected patient had Giardia duodenalis, but there were no cases of Strongyloides stercoralis, Entamoeba histolytica, Capillaria philippinensis, Isospora, Cyclospora, or Schistosoma infection in the entire cohort. Despite the high prevalence of H. pylori, only 1/208 (0.5%) had ever received eradication, compared with 159/208 (76%) who had ever been dewormed. Helicobacter pylori appears to be an underappreciated pathogen in Myanmar. Its strong association with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease necessitates a more aggressive approach to its management.

Background: Subject C135 is one of the members of the Sydney Blood Bank Cohort, infected in 1981 through transfusion with attenuated nef/3′ long terminal repeat (LTR)-deleted HI V-1, and has maintained undetectable plasma viral load and steady CD4 cell count, in the absence of therapy. Uniquely, C135 combines five factors separately associated with control of viraemia: nef/LTR-deleted HI V-1, HLA -B57, HLA -DR13, heterozygous CCRccr5 Δ32 genotype and vigorous p24-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation. Therefore, we studied in detail viral burden and immunological responses in this individual.Methods: PBMC and gut and lymph node biopsy samples were analysed for proviral HI V-1 DNA by real-time and nested PCR s, and nef/LTR alleles by nested PCR . HI V-specific antibodies were studied by Western blotting, and CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte responses were measured by proliferation and cytokine production in vitro.Results: PBMC samples from 1996, but not since, showed amplification of nef alleles with gross deletions. Infectious HI V-1 was never recovered. Proviral HI V-1 DNA was not detected in recent PBMC or gut or lymph node biopsy samples. C135 has a consistently weak antibody response and a substantial CD4+ T cell proliferative response to a previously described HLA -DR13-restricted epitope of HI V-1 p24 in vitro, which augmented a CD8+ T cell response to an immunodominant HLA -B57-restricted epitope of p24, while his T cells show reduced levels of CCRccr5.Conclusions: Subject C135’s early PCR and weak antibody results are consistent with limited infection with a poorly replicating nef/LTR-deleted strain of HI V-1. With his HLA -B57-restricted gag-specific CD8 and helper HLA -DR13-restricted CD4 T cell proliferative responses, C135 appears to have cleared his HI V-1 infection 37 years after transfusion.

Memory CD4+ T cells (mCD4s) containing integrated HIV DNA are considered the main barrier to a cure for HIV infection. Here, we analyzed HIV DNA reservoirs in antigen-specific subsets of mCDs to delineate the mechanisms by which HIV reservoirs persist during antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV Gag, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and tetanus toxoid (TT)-specific mCD4s were isolated from peripheral blood samples obtained from 11 individual subjects, 2-11 years after commencing ART. Antigen-specific mCD4s were identified by the sensitive OX40 assay and purified by cell sorting. Total HIV DNA levels were quantified by real-time PCR, and clonal viral sequences generated from mCD4 subsets and pre-ART plasma samples. Quantitative results and sequence analysis were restricted to five and three study participants, respectively, which was likely due to the low frequency of the antigen-specific mCD4s and relatively low HIV DNA proviral loads. Median HIV Gag-, CMV-, and TT-specific mCD4s were 0.61%, 2.46%, and 0.78% of total mCD4s, and they contained a median of 2.50, 2.38, and 2.55 log 10 copies of HIV DNA per 10 6 cells, respectively. HIV DNA sequences were derived from antigen-specific mCD4s clustered with sequences derived from pre-ART plasma samples. There was a trend toward increased viral diversity in clonal viral sequences derived from CMV-specific mCD4s relative to TT-specific mCD4s. Despite limitations, this study provides direct evidence that HIV reservoirs persist in memory CD4+ T cell subsets maintained by homeostatic proliferation (TT) and adds to growing evidence against viral evolution during ART. Similar future studies require techniques that sample diverse HIV reservoirs and with improved sensitivity.

Background: Treatment guidelines for antiretroviral therapy (ART) have evolved to emphasize newer regimens that address ageing-related comorbidities. Using national Australian dispensing data we compare ART regimens with Australian HIV treatment guidelines in the context of treated comorbidities. Methods: The study population included all individuals in a 10% sample of national data from the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) who purchased a prescription of ART during 2016. We defined each patient's most recently dispensed ART regimen and characterized them to evaluate regimen complexity and adherence to national HIV treatment guidelines. We then analyzed ART regimens in the context of other co-prescriptions purchased for defined comorbidities. Results: The 1995 patients in our sample purchased 212 different ART regimens during 2016; 1524 (76.4%) purchased one of the top ten most common regimens of which 62.3% were integrase strand transfer inhibitor-based. Among the 1786 (90%) patients that purchased the most common regimens, 83.7% purchased a regimen recommended by the guidelines for initial antiretroviral therapy and 11.4% purchased antiretrovirals that are not recommended for initial therapy; < 1% of the entire cohort purchased medications not recommended for use. While most patients purchased optimal ART regimens with low potential for significant drug interactions, regimen choices in the setting of risk factors for heart disease, renal disease and low bone mineral density appeared suboptimal. Conclusions: Australian HIV providers are prescribing ART regimens in accordance with updated treatment guidelines, but could further optimize regimens in the setting of important medical comorbidities.

INTRODUCTION: There are few data about the range of strategies used to prevent sexual HIV transmission within gay male serodiscordant couples. We examined HIV prevention strategies used by such couples and compared differences between countries. METHODS: Opposites Attract was a cohort study of male serodiscordant couples in Australia, Brazil and Thailand, from May 2014 (Australia) or May 2016 (Brazil/Thailand) to December 2016. At visits, HIV-positive partners had viral load (VL) tested; HIV-negative partners reported sexual behaviour and perceptions of their HIV-positive partner's VL results. Within-couple acts of condomless anal intercourse (CLAI) were categorized by strategy: condom-protected, biomedically protected (undetectable VL and/or pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP]), or not protected by either (HIV-negative partners engaging in insertive CLAI, receptive CLAI with withdrawal, or receptive CLAI with ejaculation). RESULTS: A total of 343 couples were included in this analysis (153 in Australia, 93 in Brazil and 97 in Thailand). Three-quarters of HIV-positive partners were consistently virally suppressed (<200 copies/mL) during follow-up, and HIV-negative partners had correct perceptions of their partner's VL result for 76.5% of tests. One-third of HIV-negative partners used daily PrEP during follow-up. Over follow-up, 73.8% of couples had CLAI. HIV-negative partners reported 31,532 acts of anal intercourse with their HIV-positive partner. Of these, 46.7% were protected by condoms, 48.6% by a biomedical strategy and 4.7% of acts were not protected by these strategies. Australian couples had fewer condom-protected acts and a higher proportion of biomedically protected acts than Brazilian and Thai couples. Of the 1473 CLAI acts where the perceived VL was detectable/unknown and were not protected by PrEP (4.7% of all acts), two-thirds (n = 983) were when the HIV-negative partner was insertive (strategic positioning). Of the 490 acts when the HIV-negative partner w

OBJECTIVES: As HIV-positive people age, diagnosis and management of comorbidities associated with ageing are of increasing concern. In this study, we aimed to compare the self-reported prevalences of heart disease, stroke, thrombosis and diabetes in older Australian HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay and bisexual men (GBM). METHODS: We analysed data from the Australian Positive & Peers Longevity Evaluation Study (APPLES), a study of a prospectively recruited cross-sectional sample of 228 (51.1%) HIV-positive and 218 (48.9%) HIV-negative GBM, aged ≥ 55 years. Regression methods were used to assess the association of HIV status with self-reported comorbidities. RESULTS: Of 446 patients, 389 [200 (51.4%) HIV-positive] reported their disease history. The reported prevalence of comorbidities was higher in the HIV-positive group than in the HIV-negative group: heart disease, 19.5 versus 12.2%; stroke, 7.5 versus 4.2%; thrombosis, 10.5 versus 4.2%; and diabetes, 15.0 versus 9.0%, respectively. In adjusted analyses, HIV-positive GBM had significantly increased odds of reporting heart disease [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.99; P = 0.03] and thrombosis (aOR 2.87; P = 0.01). In our analysis, HIV status was not significantly associated with either age at diagnosis of heart disease (median 53 years for HIV-positive GBM versus 55 years for HIV-negative GBM; P = 0.64) or 5-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimated using the Framingham risk score. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-positive GBM more commonly reported heart disease and thrombosis compared with their HIV-negative peers. These results further highlight the need to understand the impact of HIV on age-related comorbidities in GBM, to guide optimal screening and treatment strategies to reduce the risk of these comorbidities among the HIV-positive population.

Background: Resource constraints in low and middle-income countries necessitate practical approaches to optimizing antiretroviral therapy outcomes. We hypothesised that an untimed plasma lopinavir concentration (UPLC) at week 12 would predict loss of virological response in those taking lopinavir as part of a second-line antiretroviral regimen. Methods: We measured plasma lopinavir concentration at week 12 on stored samples from the SECOND-LINE study. We characterized UPLC as: detectable and optimal (≥1000-μg/l); detectable but suboptimal (≥25 to <-1000-μg/l); and undetectable (<25-μg/l). We used Cox regression to explore the relationship between UPLC and loss of virological response over 48 weeks and backwards stepwise logistic regression to explore the relationship between UPLC and other predictors of virological failure at week 48. Results: At week 48, we observed virological failure in 15/32 (47%) and 53/485 (11%) of patients with undetectable and detectable UPLC, respectively, P-<-0.001. Both suboptimal [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.94; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-5.62; P-=-0.001], and undetectable (adjusted HR 3.55; 95% CI 1.89-6.64; P-<-0.001) UPLC were associated with higher rates of loss of virological response over 48 weeks. In multivariate analysis, an independent association with virological failure at week 48 and undetectable UPLC was observed after adjustment (odds ratio 5.48; 95% CI 2.23-13.42; P-<-0.01). Conclusion: In low and middle-income countries implementing a public health approach to antiretroviral therapy treatment, an untimed plasma drug concentration may provide a practical method for early identification of patients with inadequate medication adherence and facilitate timely corrective interventions to prevent virological failure.

After publication of the article [1], it has been brought to our attention that one of the members of the EPIC-NSW study group has had their name spelt incorrectly in the acknowledgements. The article mentions "Muhammad Hammoud" when in fact the correct spelling is "Mohamed Hammoud".

IntroductionThe HIV Strategy in New South Wales (NSW) Australia aims to virtually eliminate HIV transmission by 2020. We estimated the 2016 HIV diagnosis and care cascade for the state of NSW, with a focus on introducing population‐based data to improve data quality and assess progress towards the UNAIDS 90‐90‐90 targets.MethodsTo estimate the number of people living with diagnosed HIV (PLDHIV) we used NSW data from the Australian National HIV Registry, enhanced by surveillance among people recently diagnosed with HIV to improve migration estimates. The number of undiagnosed PLHIV was estimated using back‐projection modelling by CD4 count at diagnosis. De‐duplicated prescription claims data were obtained from the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and were combined with an estimate for those ineligible, to determine the number of PLDHIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Data from a clinic network with 87% coverage of PLDHIV in NSW enabled the estimation of the number on ART who had HIV suppression.Results and discussionWe estimated that 10,110 PLHIV resided in NSW in 2016 (range 8400 to 11,720), among whom 9230 (91.3%) were diagnosed, and 8490 (92.0% of those diagnosed) were receiving ART. Among PLDHIV receiving ART, 8020 (94.5%) had suppressed viral load (<200 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL). Overall, 79.3% of all PLHIV had HIV virological suppression.ConclusionNSW has met each of the UNAIDS 90‐90‐90 targets. The enhanced surveillance methods and data collection systems improved data quality. Measuring and meeting the 90‐90‐90 targets is feasible and could be achieved in comparable parts of the world.

Background: The New South Wales (NSW) HIV Strategy 2016-2020 aims for the virtual elimination of HIV transmission in NSW, Australia, by 2020. Despite high and increasing levels of HIV testing and treatment since 2012, the annual number of HIV diagnoses in NSW has remained generally unchanged. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV infection among gay and bisexual men (GBM) when taken appropriately. However, there have been no population-level studies that evaluate the impact of rapid PrEP scale-up in high-risk GBM. Expanded PrEP Implementation in Communities in NSW (EPIC-NSW) is a population-level evaluation of the rapid, targeted roll-out of PrEP to high-risk individuals. Methods: EPIC-NSW, is an open-label, single-arm, multi-centre prospective observational study of PrEP implementation and impact. Over 20 public and private clinics across urban and regional areas in NSW have participated in the rapid roll-out of PrEP, supported by strong community mobilization and PrEP promotion. The study began on 1 March 2016, aiming to enroll at least 3700 HIV negative people at high risk of HIV. This estimate took into consideration criteria for PrEP prescription in people at high risk for acquiring HIV as defined in the NSW PrEP guidelines. Study participants receive once daily co-formulated tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) and are followed for up to 24 months. Follow-up includes: testing for HIV at 1 month, HIV and other sexually transmissible infections three-monthly, HCV annually and monitoring of renal function six-monthly. Optional online behavioural surveys are conducted quarterly. The co-primary endpoints are (i) HIV diagnoses and incidence in the cohort and (ii) HIV diagnoses in NSW. Discussion: EPIC-NSW is a population-based PrEP implementation trial which targets the entire estimated population of GBM at high risk for HIV infection in NSW. It will provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the population impact o

The dynamics of latent HIV is linked to infection and clearance of resting memory CD4+ T cells. Infection also resides within activated, non-dividing memory cells and can be impacted by antigen-driven and homeostatic proliferation despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). We investigated whether plasma viral level (pVL) and HIV DNA dynamics could be explained by HIV’s impact on memory CD4+ T cell homeostasis. Median total, 2-LTR and integrated HIV DNA levels per μL of peripheral blood, for 8 primary (PHI) and 8 chronic HIV infected (CHI) individuals enrolled on a raltegravir (RAL) based regimen, exhibited greatest changes over the 1st year of ART. Dynamics slowed over the following 2 years so that total HIV DNA levels were equivalent to reported values for individuals after 10 years of ART. The mathematical model reproduced the multiphasic dynamics of pVL, and levels of total, 2-LTR and integrated HIV DNA in both PHI and CHI over 3 years of ART. Under these simulations, residual viremia originated from reactivated latently infected cells where most of these cells arose from clonal expansion within the resting phenotype. Since virion production from clonally expanded cells will not be affected by antiretroviral drugs, simulations of ART intensification had little impact on pVL. HIV DNA decay over the first year of ART followed the loss of activated memory cells (120 day half-life) while the 5.9 year half-life of total HIV DNA after this point mirrored the slower decay of resting memory cells. Simulations had difficulty reproducing the fast early HIV DNA dynamics, including 2-LTR levels peaking at week 12, and the later slow loss of total and 2-LTR HIV DNA, suggesting some ongoing infection. In summary, our modelling indicates that much of the dynamical behavior of HIV can be explained by its impact on memory CD4+ T cell homeostasis.

© 2017 The Author(s). Background: Approximately 0.8% of adults aged 18-49 in Myanmar are seropositive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Identifying the demographic, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is essential to inform optimal management strategies in this resource-limited country. Methods: To create a "snapshot" of the PLHIV seeking anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in Myanmar, data were collected from the registration cards of all patients who had been prescribed ART at two large referral hospitals in Yangon, prior to March 18, 2016. Results and discussion: Anti-retroviral therapy had been prescribed to 2643 patients at the two hospitals. The patients' median [interquartile range (IQR)] age was 37 (31-44) years; 1494 (57%) were male. At registration, injecting drug use was reported in 22 (0.8%), male-to-male sexual contact in eleven (0.4%) and female sex work in eleven (0.4%), suggesting that patients under-report these risk behaviours, that health care workers are uncomfortable enquiring about them or that the two hospitals are under-servicing these populations. All three explanations appear likely. Most patients were symptomatic at registration with 2027 (77%) presenting with WHO stage 3 or 4 disease. In the 2442 patients with a CD4+ T cell count recorded at registration, the median (IQR) count was 169 (59-328) cells/mm3. After a median (IQR) duration of 359 (185-540) days of ART, 151 (5.7%) patients had died, 111 (4.2%) patients had been lost to follow-up, while 2381 were alive on ART. Tuberculosis (TB) co-infection was common: 1083 (41%) were already on anti-TB treatment at registration, while a further 41 (1.7%) required anti-TB treatment during follow-up. Only 21 (0.8%) patients were prescribed isoniazid prophylaxis therapy (IPT); one of these was lost to follow-up, but none of the remaining 20 patients died or required anti-TB treatment during a median (IQR) follow-up of 275 (235-293) days. Conclusions: Peop

© 2017 Xu, Phetsouphanh, Suzuki, Aggrawal, Graff-Dubois, Roche, Bailey, Alcantara, Cashin, Sivasubramaniam, Koelsch, Autran, Harvey, Gorry, Moris, Cooper, Turville, Kent, Kelleher and Zaunders. Background: T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are increasingly recognized as a major reservoir of HIV infection that will likely need to be addressed in approaches to curing HIV. However, Tfh express minimal CCR5, the major coreceptor for HIV-1, and the mechanism by which they are infected is unclear. We have previously shown that macaque Tfh lack CCR5, but are infected in vivo with CCR5-using SIV at levels comparable to other memory CD4+ T cells. Similarly, human splenic Tfh cells are highly infected with HIV-1 DNA. Therefore, we set out to examine the mechanism of infection of Tfh cells. Methodology: Tfh and other CD4+ T cell subsets from macaque lymph nodes and spleens, splenic Tfh from HIV+ subjects, and tonsillar Tfh from HIV-uninfected subjects were isolated by cell sorting prior to cell surface and molecular characterization. HIV proviral gp120 sequences were submitted to genotypic and phenotypic tropism assays. Entry of CCR5- and CXCR4-using viruses into Tfh from uninfected tonsillar tissue was measured using a fusion assay. Results: Phylogenetic analysis, genotypic, and phenotypic analysis showed that splenic Tfh cells from chronic HIV+ subjects were predominantly infected with CCR5-using viruses. In macaques, purified CCR5+PD-1intermediate(int)+ memory CD4+ T cells were shown to include pre-Tfh cells capable of differentiating in vitro to Tfh by upregulation of PD-1 and Bcl6, confirmed by qRT-PCR and single-cell multiplex PCR. Infected PD-1int cells survive, carry SIV provirus, and differentiate into PD-1hi Tfh after T cell receptor stimulation, suggesting a pathway for SIV infection of Tfh. In addition, a small subset of macaque and human PD-1hi Tfh can express low levels of CCR5, which makes them susceptible to infection. Fusion assays demonstrated CCR5-using HIV-1

© 2017 The Author(s). Background: Abacavir and rilpivirine are alternative antiretroviral drugs for treatment-naïve HIV-infected patients. However, both drugs are only recommended for the patients who have pre-treatment HIV RNA <100,000 copies/mL. In resource-limited settings, pre-treatment HIV RNA is not routinely performed and not widely available. The aims of this study are to determine factors associated with pre-treatment HIV RNA <100,000 copies/mL and to construct a model to predict this outcome. Methods: HIV-infected adults enrolled in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database were eligible if they had an HIV RNA measurement documented at the time of ART initiation. The dataset was randomly split into a derivation data set (75% of patients) and a validation data set (25%). Factors associated with pre-treatment HIV RNA <100,000 copies/mL were evaluated by logistic regression adjusted for study site. A prediction model and prediction scores were created. Results: A total of 2592 patients were enrolled for the analysis. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] age was 35.8 (29.9-42.5) years; CD4 count was 147 (50-248) cells/mm3; and pre-treatment HIV RNA was 100,000 (34,045-301,075) copies/mL. Factors associated with pre-treatment HIV RNA <100,000 copies/mL were age <30 years [OR 1.40 vs. 41-50 years; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-1.80, p = 0.01], body mass index >30 kg/m2 (OR 2.4 vs. <18.5 kg/m2; 95% CI 1.1-5.1, p = 0.02), anemia (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.40-2.10, p < 0.01), CD4 count >350 cells/mm3 (OR 3.9 vs. <100 cells/mm3; 95% CI 2.0-4.1, p < 0.01), total lymphocyte count >2000 cells/mm3 (OR 1.7 vs. <1000 cells/mm3; 95% CI 1.3-2.3, p < 0.01), and no prior AIDS-defining illness (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5-2.3, p < 0.01). Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis yielded area under the curve of 0.70 (95% CI 0.67-0.72) among derivation patients and 0.69 (95% CI 0.65-0.74) among validation patients. A cut off score >25 yielded the sensitivity of 46.7%, specificity of 79.1

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can lead to significant changes to the HIV reservoir and HIV immune responses, indicating that further characterization of HIV-infected patients undergoing HSCT is warranted. Methods: We studied 3 patients who underwent HSCT after either reduced intensity conditioning or myeloablative conditioning regimen. We measured HIV antigens and antibodies (Ag/Ab), HIV-specific CD4 + T-cell responses, HIV RNA, and DNA in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, isolated CD4 + T cells from peripheral blood, and lymph node cells. The patients remained on antiretroviral therapy throughout the follow-up period. Results: All patients have been in continued remission for 4-6 years post-HSCT. Analyses of HIV RNA and DNA levels showed substantial reductions in HIV reservoir-related measurements in all 3 patients, changes in immune response varied with pronounced reductions in 2 patients and a less dramatic reduction in 1 patient. One patient experienced unexpected viral rebound 4 years after HSCT. Conclusions: These 3 cases highlight the substantial changes to the HIV reservoir and the HIV immune response in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT. The viral rebound observed in 1 patient indicates that replication competent HIV can re-emerge several years after HSCT despite these marked changes.

HIV-1 reservoirs are most often studied in peripheral blood (PB), but not all lymphocytes recirculate, particularly T follicular helper (Tfh) CD4+ T cells, as well as germinal center (GC) B cells, in lymph nodes (LNs). Ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsies (FNBs) from inguinal LNs and PB samples were obtained from 10 healthy controls (HCs) and 21 HIV-1-infected subjects [11 antiretroviral therapy (ART) naive and 10 on ART]. Tfh cells and GC B cells were enumerated by flow cytometry. HIV-1 DNA and cell-associated (CA) RNA levels in LNs and PB were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. FNBs were obtained without adverse events. Tfh cells and GC B cells were highly elevated in ART-naive subjects, with a median GC B cell count >300-fold higher than HCs, but also remained higher in 4 out of the 10 subjects on ART. GC B cell counts and Tfh cell counts were highly correlated with each other, and also with activated T cells in LNs but not in blood. Levels of HIV-1 DNA and CA RNA viral burden in highly purified CD4+ T cells from FNBs were significantly elevated compared with those in CD4+ T cells from PB in the ART-naive group, but only trended toward an increase in the ART patients. FNBs enabled minimally invasive access to, and parallel measurement of residual activated T and B cells and viral burden within LNs in HIV-1-infected patients. These FNBs revealed significant GC activity that was not apparent from corresponding PB samples.

There is growing interest in utilizing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) to eliminate infected cells following reactivation from HIV-1 latency. A potential barrier is that HIV-1-specific ADCC antibodies decline in patients on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) and may not be sufficient to eliminate reactivated latently infected cells. It is not known whether reactivation from latency with latency-reversing agents (LRAs) could provide sufficient antigenic stimulus to boost HIV-1-specific ADCC. We found that treatment with the LRA panobinostat or a short analytical treatment interruption (ATI), 21 to 59 days, was not sufficient to stimulate an increase in ADCC-competent antibodies, despite viral rebound in all subjects who underwent the short ATI. In contrast, a longer ATI, 2 to 12 months, among subjects enrolled in the Strategies for Management of Antiretroviral Therapy (SMART) trial robustly boosted HIV-1 gp120-specific Fc receptor-binding antibodies and ADCC against HIV-1-infected cells in vitro. These results show that there is a lag between viral recrudescence and the boosting of ADCC antibodies, which has implications for strategies toward eliminating latently infected cells.

Background: There is growing interest in immune therapies to clear the latent HIV-1 after combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). There is limited information on the effect of cART on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and no studies have directly compared ADCC in HIV-1 subtype B- and subtype C-infected subjects. The effect of improving immunocompetence on ADCC to influenza also remains unexplored. Methods: The effect of cART on HIV-1- and influenza-specific ADCC was analyzed in 2 cohorts (39 subtype B- and 47 subtype C-infected subjects) before and after 2 years of cART. ADCC analyses included an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based dimeric recombinant soluble (rs) FcγRIIIa-binding assay, antibody-dependent natural killer cell activation assay, and ADCC-mediated killing assays. Results: HIV-1 subtype B and C Env-specific antibody binding to dimeric rsFcγRIIIa were reduced in subtypes B- and C-infected cohorts after 2 years of cART (both P < 0.05). Reduced ADCC-mediated killing of target cells expressing subtype B Env in the subtype B-infected cohort (P = 0.003) was observed after 96 weeks of cART, but not of subtype C Env in the subtype C-infected cohort. A greater reduction in ADCC was detected in subjects with baseline CD4 counts >300 cells/L (P < 0.05). The resolving immunodeficiency after 96 weeks of cART resulted in improved HA-specific ADCC to 6 strains of influenza (all P < 0.01). Conclusions: cART results in HIV-1 antigen loss and reductions in HIV-1 Env-specific antibodies with Fc functionality in both subtype B- and C-infected subjects, particularly in immunocompetent subjects. Simultaneously, cART improves ADCC to diverse strains of influenza, suggesting reduction in influenza disease after cART.

Background Lipoatrophy is one of the most feared complications associated with the use of nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (N[t]RTIs). We aimed to assess soft-tissue changes in participants with HIV who had virological failure of a first-line antiretroviral (ART) regimen containing a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor plus two N(t)RTIs and were randomly assigned to receive a second-line regimen containing a boosted protease inhibitor given with either N(t)RTIs or raltegravir. Methods Of the 37 sites that participated in the randomised, open-label, non-inferiority SECOND-LINE study, eight sites from five countries (Argentina, India, Malaysia, South Africa, and Thailand) participated in the body composition substudy. All sites had a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner and all participants enrolled in SECOND-LINE were eligible for inclusion in the substudy. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1), via a computer-generated allocation schedule, to receive either ritonavir-boosted lopinavir plus raltegravir (raltegravir group) or ritonavir-boosted lopinavir plus two or three N(t)RTIs (N[t]RTI group). Randomisation was stratified by site and screening HIV-1 RNA. Participants and investigators were not masked to group assignment, but allocation was concealed until after interventions were assigned. DXA scans were done at weeks 0, 48, and 96. The primary endpoint was mean percentage and absolute change in peripheral limb fat from baseline to week 96. We did intention-to-treat analyses of available data. This substudy is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01513122. Findings Between Aug 1, 2010, and July 10, 2011, we recruited 211 participants into the substudy. The intention-to-treat population comprised 102 participants in the N(t)RTI group and 108 participants in the raltegravir group, of whom 91 and 105 participants, respectively, reached 96 weeks. Mean percentage change in limb fat from baseline to week 96 was 1

In Australia, almost half of HIV-positive people are now aged over 50 and are predominately gay and bisexual men (GBM). Compared to the general HIV-negative population, GBM engage more in behaviours that may increase the risk of age-related comorbidities, including smoking, high alcohol consumption and recreational drug use. The objective of APPLES was to compare comorbidities and risk factors in HIV-positive older GBM with an appropriate control group of HIV-negative GBM. We undertook a prospectively recruited cross-sectional sample of HIV-positive and HIV-negative GBM ≥ 55 years. Detailed data collection included clinic data, a health and lifestyle survey, and blood sample collection. We report key demographic, laboratory markers and self-reported comorbidities by HIV status. For selected comorbidities we also adjust HIV status a priori for age, smoking and body mass index. Over 16 months 228 HIV-positive and 218 HIV-negative men were recruited. Median age was 63 years (IQR: 59–67). Although more HIV-positive men reported having ever smoked, smoking status was not statistically different between HIV positive and HIV negative men (p = 0.081). Greater alcohol use was reported by HIV-negative men (p = 0.002), and recreational drug use reported more often by HIV-positive men (p<0.001). After adjustment, HIV-positive men had significantly increased odds of diabetes (adjusted Odds ratio (aOR): 1.97, p = 0.038), thrombosis (aOR: 3.08, p = 0.007), neuropathy (aOR: 34.6, P<0.001), and non-significantly increased odds for heart-disease (aOR: 1.71, p = 0.077). In conclusion, HIV-positive GBM have significantly increased odds for key self-reported comorbidities. This study underscores the importance of an appropriate HIV-negative control group for more accurate evaluation of the risk and attribution of age-related comorbidities in HIV-positive people.

In Australia, almost half of HIV-positive people are now aged over 50 and are predominately gay and bisexual men (GBM). Compared to the general HIV-negative population, GBM engage more in behaviours that may increase the risk of age-related comorbidities, including smoking, high alcohol consumption and recreational drug use. The objective of APPLES was to compare comorbidities and risk factors in HIV-positive older GBM with an appropriate control group of HIV-negative GBM. We undertook a prospectively recruited cross-sectional sample of HIV-positive and HIV-negative GBM ≥ 55 years. Detailed data collection included clinic data, a health and lifestyle survey, and blood sample collection. We report key demographic, laboratory markers and self-reported comorbidities by HIV status. For selected comorbidities we also adjust HIV status a priori for age, smoking and body mass index. Over 16 months 228 HIV-positive and 218 HIV-negative men were recruited. Median age was 63 years (IQR: 59-67). Although more HIV-positive men reported having ever smoked, smoking status was not statistically different between HIV positive and HIV negative men (p = 0.081). Greater alcohol use was reported by HIV-negative men (p = 0.002), and recreational drug use reported more often by HIV-positive men (p<0.001). After adjustment, HIV-positive men had significantly increased odds of diabetes (adjusted Odds ratio (aOR): 1.97, p = 0.038), thrombosis (aOR: 3.08, p = 0.007), neuropathy (aOR: 34.6, P<0.001), and non-significantly increased odds for heart-disease (aOR: 1.71, p = 0.077). In conclusion, HIV-positive GBM have significantly increased odds for key self-reported comorbidities. This study underscores the importance of an appropriate HIV-negative control group for more accurate evaluation of the risk and attribution of age-related comorbidities in HIV-positive people.