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Background: Long-term non-inferior efficacy of the 2-drug regimen (2DR) DTG/3TC compared with 3/4-drug regimens (3/4DRs) has been demonstrated in treatment-naive (DTG + TDF/FTC through 144 weeks) and treatment-experienced individuals with [...]

Background: TANGO demonstrated non-inferior virological efficacy (HIV-1 RNA >50 copies/mL, Snapshot) of switching to DTG/3TC versus continuing TBR in HIV-1-infected, virologically suppressed adults at 96 weeks. Abbott RealTime HIV-1 assay [...]

BACKGROUNDRemdesivir improves clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with moderate-to-severe coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Whether the use of remdesivir in syrtlptomatic, norillospitalized patients with Covid-19 who are at high risk for disease progression prevents hospitalization is uncertain. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving non-hospitalized patients with Covid-19 who had symptom onset within the previous 7 days and who had at least one risk factor for disease progression (age ≥60 years, obesity, or certain coexisting medical conditions). Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous remdesivir (200 mg on day 1 and 100 mg on days 2 and 3) or placebo. The primary efficacy end point was a composite of Covid-19-related hospitalization or death from any cause by day 28. The primary safety end point was any adverse event. A secondary end point was a composite of a Covid-19-related medically attended visit or death from any cause by day 28. RESULTS A total of 562 patients who underwent randomization and received at least one dose of remdesivir or placebo were included in the analyses: 279 patients in the remdesivir group and 283 in the placebo group. The mean age was 50 years, 47.9% of the patients were women, and 41.890 were Hispanic or Latinx. The most common coexisting conditions were diabetes mellitus (61.690), obesity (55.2%) and hypertension (47.7%). Covid-19--related hospitalization or death from any cause occurred in 2 patients (0.7%) in the remdesivir group and in 15 (5.3%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03 to 0.59; P= 0.008). A total of 4 of 246 patients (1.6%) in the remdesivir group and 21 of 252 (8.3%) in the placebo group had a Covid-19--related medically attended visit by day 28 (hazard ratio, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.56). No patients had died by day 28. Adverse events occurred in 42.3% of the patients in the remdesivir group and in 46.3% of those in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS Among nonhospitalized patients who were at high risk for Covid-19 progression, a 3-day course of remdesivir had an acceptable safety profile and resulted in an 87% lower risk of hospitalization or death than placebo. (Funded by Gilead Sciences; PINETKEE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04501952; EudraCT number, 2020-003510-12.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Treatment for people with HIV-1 and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on haemodialysis (HD) has previously required complex dose-adjusted regimens, with limited data on the use of a single-tablet regimen in this population. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of once-daily bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of bictegravir (BIC) in adults with HIV-1 and ESKD on HD., Methods: We performed an open-label extension (OLE) of an open-label, multicentre, single-group phase 3b study (NCT02600819) of adults with ESKD on HD and HIV-1 with virological suppression. Participants switched to elvitegravir/cobicistat/F/TAF (E/C/F/TAF) 150/150/200/10 mg for 96 weeks, following which a subgroup of US participants entered an OLE phase in which they switched to B/F/TAF 50/200/25 mg for 48 weeks, returning for study visits at weeks 4 and 12, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Study assessments included virological response, safety and pharmacokinetic analysis of BIC., Results: Ten participants entered the OLE (median age, 55 years). Virological suppression (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) was maintained in all participants over 48 weeks of B/F/TAF treatment. B/F/TAF was well tolerated, with no treatment discontinuations. Mean BIC trough concentrations were lower than those previously reported for people with HIV-1 with normal kidney function, but remained four- to seven-fold higher than the established protein-adjusted 95% effective concentration against wild-type HIV-1., Conclusion: These findings support the use of the once-daily B/F/TAF single-tablet regimen for people with HIV-1 and ESKD on HD. This regimen offers a convenient treatment option for this population as it reduces the need for dose adjustment, eases pill burden and avoids potential drug-drug interactions associated with alternatives that may impact individuals on multiple medications or awaiting transplantation., (© 2024 The Author(s). HIV Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British HIV Association.)

Background: Switching to the 2-drug regimen dolutegravir/lamivudine demonstrated durable non-inferior efficacy vs continuing 3- or 4-drug tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens for maintaining virologic suppression in people with HIV-1 through Week 144 in TANGO., Setting: 134 centers, 10 countries., Methods: Adults with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL for >6 months and no history of virologic failure were randomized to switch from stable tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens to dolutegravir/lamivudine on Day 1 (early-switch group) for 196 weeks. Those randomized to continue tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens on Day 1 who maintained virologic suppression at Week 144 switched to dolutegravir/lamivudine at Week 148 (late-switch group). Efficacy, safety, and tolerability (including weight and biomarker changes) of dolutegravir/lamivudine in early-switch and late-switch groups were assessed through Week 196., Results: Overall, 369 participants switched to dolutegravir/lamivudine on Day 1 (early-switch) and 298 switched at Week 148 (late-switch). In the early-switch group, 83% (306/369) maintained virologic suppression through Year 4, and 3% (11/369) reported new adverse events between Weeks 144 and 196. The late-switch group at Week 196 and early-switch group at Week 48 had comparable proportions with virologic suppression (93% each) and similar safety profiles. No late-switch participants and 1 early-switch participant met confirmed virologic withdrawal criteria through Week 196, with no resistance-associated mutations observed. Treatment continued to be well tolerated long-term., Conclusion: Switching from tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens to dolutegravir/lamivudine showed durable efficacy, high barrier to resistance, and good tolerability through 4 years. These results support dolutegravir/lamivudine as a robust treatment for maintaining virologic suppression., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: SDW has received funding from ViiV Healthcare paid to his institution. FBonnet has served as a consultant, invited speaker, and/or received grants from Gilead and ViiV Healthcare. OO has served as a consultant for Gilead and ViiV Healthcare and received honoraria from ViiV Healthcare. FBisshop has participated in advisory boards for Gilead. JOlalla has served as a consultant, invited speaker, and/or received grants from Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Merck, and ViiV Healthcare. J-PR has served as a consultant, invited speaker, and/or received grants from AbbVie, Gilead, GSK, Merck, and ViiV Healthcare. CW has no conflicts to disclose. RM, KP, RW, JOyee, EL, BW, BJ, KYS, and MA-K are employees of ViiV Healthcare or GSK and own stock in GSK. PS is a complimentary worker on behalf of GSK. This study was funded by ViiV Healthcare., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Cabotegravir plus rilpivirine is the only approved complete long-acting regimen for the maintenance of HIV-1 virological suppression dosed every 2 months. The SOLAR study aimed to compare long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine every 2 months with continued once-daily bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide for the maintenance of HIV-1 virological suppression in adults living with HIV., Methods: SOLAR is a randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 3b, non-inferiority study. The study was done in 118 centres across 14 countries. Participants with HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL were randomly assigned (2:1), stratified by sex at birth and BMI, to either long-acting cabotegravir (600 mg) plus rilpivirine (900 mg) dosed intramuscularly every 2 months or to continue daily oral bictegravir (50 mg), emtricitabine (200 mg), and tenofovir alafenamide (25 mg). Participants randomly assigned to long-acting therapy had a choice to receive cabotegravir (30 mg) plus rilpivirine (25 mg) once daily as an optional oral lead-in for approximately 1 month. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of participants with virological non-response (HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies per mL; the US Food and Drug Administration snapshot algorithm, 4% non-inferiority margin; modified intention-to-treat exposed population) at month 11 (long-acting start with injections group) and month 12 (long-acting with oral lead-in group and bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide group). The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04542070, and is ongoing., Findings: 837 participants were screened between Nov 9, 2020, and May 31, 2021, and 687 were randomly assigned to switch treatment or continue existing treatment. Of 670 participants (modified intention-to-treat exposed population), 447 (67%) switched to long-acting therapy (274 [61%] of 447 start with injections; 173 [39%] of 447 with oral lead-in) and 223 (33%) continued bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide. Baseline characteristics were similar; median age was 37 years (range 18-74), 118 (18%) of 670 were female sex at birth, 207 (31%) of 670 were non-White, and median BMI was 25·9 kg/m 2 (IQR 23·3-29·5). At month 11-12, long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine showed non-inferior efficacy versus bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies per mL, five [1%] of 447 vs one [<1%] of 223), with an adjusted treatment difference of 0·7 (95% CI -0·7 to 2·0). Excluding injection site reactions, adverse events and serious adverse events were similar between groups. No treatment-related deaths occurred. More long-acting group participants had adverse events leading to withdrawal (25 [6%] of 454 vs two [1%] of 227). Injection site reactions were reported by 316 (70%) of 454 long-acting participants; most (98%) were grade 1 or 2., Interpretation: These data support the use of long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine dosed every 2 months as a complete antiretroviral regimen that has similar efficacy to a commonly used integrase strand transfer inhibitor-based first-line regimen, while addressing unmet psychosocial issues associated with daily oral treatment., Funding: ViiV Healthcare., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests MNR reports consulting fees from Merck, Gilead, ViiV Healthcare, and Janssen, and honoraria from AbbVie, Gilead, ViiV Healthcare, and Janssen. RD reports owning stock in Gilead, GSK, BMS, Pfizer, Merck, and Janssen, and financial support for research from Merck, Gilead, ViiV Healthcare, and Janssen. SO reports research grants from ViiV Healthcare and Gilead Sciences, honoraria from ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, and MSD, and participation in advisory boards for ViiV Healthcare. SW reports funding for investigator-initiated clinical trials from Merck, ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, and Janssen, consulting fees from Merck and ViiV Healthcare, honoraria from Merck, ViiV Healthcare, and Gilead, and is the Co-Director of the Canadian HIV Trials Network. GDP reports consulting fees from AbbVie, GS Pharma, Merck, Janssen, ViiV Healthcare, Pfizer, Roche, AstraZeneca, and Atea Pharmaceuticals, honoraria from AbbVie, GS Pharma, Merck, Janssen, ViiV Healthcare, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca, and participation in advisory boards for AbbVie, GS Pharma, Merck, Janssen, ViiV Healthcare, Pfizer, Roche, AstraZeneca, and Atea Pharmaceuticals. KSu, DS-P, CLL, RD'A, MPB, PP, VC, WRS, HPG, KSm, and JvW are employees of ViiV Healthcare and stockholders of GSK. AB and FZ are employees and stockholders of GSK. RVS-R and VVE are employees and stockholders of Janssen. AC, CC, OO, VD-B, and JS declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: In TANGO, switching to dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) demonstrated long-term noninferior efficacy vs continuing tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens in treatment-experienced adults with HIV-1. The phase 3 SALSA study evaluated efficacy and safety of switching to DTG/3TC compared with continuing various 3-/4-drug current antiretroviral regimens (CARs)., Methods: Adults with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL and no previous virologic failure were randomized (1:1, stratified by baseline third agent class) to switch to once-daily fixed-dose combination DTG/3TC or continue CAR (primary endpoint: proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL at week 48; Snapshot, intention-to-treat-exposed population, 5% noninferiority margin)., Results: Overall, 493 adults (39% women; 39% aged ≥50 years; 19% African American/African heritage; 14% Asian) were randomized to switch to DTG/3TC (n = 246) or continue CAR (n = 247). At week 48, 1 (0.4%) participant in the DTG/3TC group and 3 (1.2%) in the CAR group had HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL (Snapshot), demonstrating noninferiority (adjusted difference, -0.8%; 95% CI, -2.4%, .8%). Zero participants met confirmed virologic withdrawal criteria; therefore, no resistance testing was performed. Drug-related adverse events were more frequent with DTG/3TC (20%) than CAR (6%) through week 48 but comparable post-week 24 (5% vs 2%, respectively). Proximal tubular renal function and bone turnover biomarkers improved with DTG/3TC. Both groups had generally minimal changes in lipids and inflammatory biomarkers., Conclusions: Switching to DTG/3TC was noninferior to continuing CAR for maintaining virologic suppression at week 48 with no observed resistance, supporting the efficacy, good safety, and high barrier to resistance of DTG/3TC., Clinical Trials Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04021290., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. J. M. L. has received honoraria or consultation fees from and participated in company-sponsored speakers bureaus for ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, and Janssen-Cilag. C. B. has received grants for an investigator-initiated study from GSK and honoraria for presentations from GSK, Gilead, and Merck Sharpe and Dohme; and has participated in advisory boards for GSK and Gilead. L. H. has received fees for participation in advisory boards or presentations from ViiV Healthcare, Merck Sharpe and Dohme, and Gilead and has received travel support for congress attendance from ViiV Healthcare, Merck Sharpe and Dohme, and Gilead. O. O. has received honoraria from ViiV Healthcare and Gilead. C. G. has received consulting fees and honoraria from ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, Merck Sharp and Dohme, and Janssen and has received support for meeting attendance from Gilead and Janssen. F. M. has received grants from ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, and Janssen, which were paid to his institution; has received honoraria from ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, Janssen, and Merck Sharp and Dohme; and has participated in data safety monitoring/advisory boards for ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, Janssen, and Merck Sharp and Dohme. S. T. has received grants for investigator-initiated studies from Gilead; has participated in and received honoraria for advisory boards or company-sponsored speakers bureaus from ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, and Merck Sharp and Dohme; has received support for registration at scientific conferences from ViiV Healthcare; and is the unpaid Medical Director of Saving Lives. E. B., C. M., B. W., M. U., G. B., and J. v. W. are employees of ViiV Healthcare and may own stock in GSK. J. O. and L. C. are employees of and may own stock in GSK. C.-Y. C. and O. D. report no potential conflicts. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Background: Switching to dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) was noninferior to continuing tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based regimens for maintaining virologic suppression at week 48 of the TANGO study. Here we present week 144 outcomes (efficacy, safety, weight, and biomarkers)., Methods: TANGO is a randomized (1:1, stratified by baseline third agent class), open-label, noninferiority phase 3 study. Virologically suppressed (>6 months) adults with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) switched to once-daily DTG/3TC or continued TAF-based regimens., Results: A total of 741 participants received study treatment (DTG/3TC, n = 369; TAF-based regimen, n = 372). At week 144, the proportion of participants with an HIV-1 RNA level ≥50 copies/mL (primary end point, Snapshot; intention-to-treat-exposed population) after switching to DTG/3TC was 0.3% (1 of 369) versus 1.3% (5 of 372) for those continuing TAF-based regimens, demonstrating noninferiority (adjusted treatment difference, -1.1 [95% confidence interval, -2.4 to .2), with DTG/3TC favored in the per-protocol analysis (adjusted treatment difference, -1.1 [-2.3 to -.0]; P = .04). Few participants met confirmed virologic withdrawal criteria (none in the DTG/3TC and 3 in the TAF-based regimen group), with no resistance observed. Drug-related adverse events were more frequent with DTG/3TC (15%; leading to discontinuation in 4%) than TAF-based regimens (5%; leading to discontinuation in 1%) through week 144, but rates were comparable after week 48 (4%; leading to discontinuation in 1% in both groups). Changes from baseline in lipid values generally favored DTG/3TC; no clinical impact on renal function and comparable changes in inflammatory and bone biomarkers across groups were observed., Conclusions: Switching to DTG/3TC demonstrated noninferior and durable efficacy compared with continuing TAF-based regimens in treatment-experienced adults with HIV-1, with good safety and tolerability, and no resistance through 144 weeks., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. O. O. has received personal fees from ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, and Merck; has received financial support for meeting attendance/travel from GlaxoSmithKline and Merck; and owns stock in Gilead, Pfizer, and GlaxoSmithKline. S. D. W. has received financial support or grants paid to his institution from ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, and Janssen and has participated in data safety monitoring or advisory boards for ViiV Healthcare and Curevac. F. B. has participated in advisory boards for Gilead and is the president of AusPATH. J. P. 
has received grants, personal fees, and nonfinancial support from ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, and Janssen-Cilag. C. W. has received personal fees from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead, Janssen, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, Roche, Theratechnologies, and ViiV Healthcare for speaking at educational events or participating in advisory boards. M. A. -K., 
P. L., K. A. P., R. W., B. W., M. A., J. v. W., and K. Y. S. are employees of ViiV Healthcare and own stock in GlaxoSmithKline. J. W. and N. G. are employees of and own stock in GlaxoSmithKline. F. A. and J. -P. R. report no potential conflicts. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Background: Few therapies are approved for hospitalized patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Ibrutinib, a once-daily Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, may mitigate COVID-19-induced lung damage by reducing inflammatory cytokines. The multicenter, randomized, double-blind phase 2 iNSPIRE study evaluated ibrutinib for prevention of respiratory failure in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19., Methods: Adult patients with severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalization and supplemental oxygen but without respiratory failure were randomized 1:1 (stratified by remdesivir prescription) to ibrutinib 420 mg or placebo once daily for up to 28 days plus standard of care (SOC), including remdesivir and/or dexamethasone., Results: Forty-six patients were randomized to ibrutinib plus SOC (n = 22) or placebo plus SOC (n = 24). The primary endpoint (proportion of patients alive and without respiratory failure through day 28) was not met, with no statistically significant difference adjusting for remdesivir prescription (86% with ibrutinib plus SOC vs 79% with placebo plus SOC; adjusted difference, 5.8% [80% confidence interval, -9.2% to 20.4%]; P  = .599). Secondary endpoints also showed no statistically significant improvement with ibrutinib plus SOC. Median treatment duration was 14 days for ibrutinib and placebo. Adverse events were similar with ibrutinib plus SOC vs placebo plus SOC (overall: 55% vs 50%; serious: 18% vs 13%) and were consistent with the known safety profile of ibrutinib., Conclusions: Addition of ibrutinib to SOC did not improve the proportion of patients alive and without respiratory failure through day 28 in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. Ibrutinib had a manageable safety profile, with similar safety to placebo., Clinical Trials Registration: NCT04375397., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Objectives: To evaluate safety and immunogenicity of V114 [15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) containing serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F], followed by 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) 8 weeks later, in adults living with HIV., Design: In this phase 3 study (V114-018; NCT03480802), pneumococcal vaccine-naive adults with HIV (CD4+ cell count ≥50 cells/μl, plasma HIV RNA <50 000 copies/ml, receiving antiretroviral therapy) were randomized 1 : 1 to receive one dose of V114 or licensed 13-valent PCV (PCV13) on day 1; participants received PPSV23 at week 8., Methods: Adverse events and serotype-specific opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were evaluated after each vaccination., Results: Of 302 participants enrolled, 292 (96.7%) completed the study. Proportions of participants experiencing at least one adverse event were 73.0 and 62.7% in the V114 and PCV13 groups following PCV and 60.7 and 71.6% following PPSV23. Most solicited adverse events were of mild or moderate severity and short duration. OPA geometric mean titers (GMTs) and IgG geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were generally comparable between groups for shared serotypes at day 30 and maintained at week 12. OPA and IgG responses for additional serotypes in V114 (22F, 33F) were higher following V114 than PCV13 at day 30 but comparable at week 12, 30 days post-PPSV23., Conclusion: In pneumococcal vaccine-naive adults living with HIV, V114 was well tolerated and induced immune responses for all 15 pneumococcal serotypes. V114 can be followed by PPSV23 8 weeks later to broaden serotype coverage., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objectives: Long-acting formulations of cabotegravir (CAB) and rilpivirine (RPV) have demonstrated efficacy in Phase 3 studies. POLAR (NCT03639311) assessed antiviral activity and safety of CAB+RPV long-acting administered every 2 months (Q2M) in adults living with HIV-1 who previously received daily oral CAB+RPV in LATTE (NCT01641809)., Design: A Phase 2b, multicenter, open-label, rollover study., Methods: LATTE participants with plasma HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/ml who completed at least 300 weeks on study were eligible. Participants elected to switch to either CAB+RPV long-acting Q2M or daily oral dolutegravir/RPV for maintenance of virologic suppression. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA greater than or equal to 50 copies/ml at Month 12 (M12) per the Food and Drug Administration Snapshot algorithm. The incidence of confirmed virologic failure (CVF, two consecutive HIV-1 RNA measurements greater than or equal to 200 copies/ml), as well as safety, laboratory, and patient-reported outcomes (HIV Treatment Satisfaction and preference questionnaires) were also assessed., Results: Of 97 participants enrolled, 90 chose to receive CAB+RPV long-acting and seven chose dolutegravir/RPV. At M12, no participant had HIV-1 RNA greater than or equal to 50 copies/ml or met the CVF criterion in either treatment group. No new safety signals were identified. Total treatment satisfaction was high at Baseline and remained stable through M12 across both treatment groups. Overall, 88% (n = 77/88) of long-acting arm participants preferred CAB+RPV long-acting to oral CAB+RPV., Conclusion: CAB+RPV long-acting maintained virologic suppression in participants who had previously received daily oral CAB+RPV for at least 5 years in LATTE, with a favorable safety profile. Most participants preferred CAB+RPV long-acting to their prior oral CAB+RPV regimen at M12., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: With the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the United States, Black Americans are still underrepresented in HIV medical research., Setting: BRAAVE (NCT03631732) is a randomized, phase 3b, multicenter, open-label US study., Methods: Adults identifying as Black or African American and virologically suppressed on 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) plus third agent were randomized (2:1) to switch to open-label bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) once daily or stay on baseline regimen (SBR) for 24 weeks, after which SBR had delayed switch to B/F/TAF. Resistance to non-NRTIs, protease inhibitors, and/or NRTIs was permitted; integrase strand transfer inhibitor resistance was exclusionary. Primary endpoint was proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL at week 24 (snapshot algorithm; noninferiority margin of 6%)., Results: Of 558 screened, 495 were randomized/treated (B/F/TAF n = 330; SBR n = 165). Overall, 32% were ciswomen, 2% transwomen, and 10% had an M184V/I mutation. At week 24, 0.6% on B/F/TAF vs 1.8% on SBR had HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL (difference -1.2%; 95% confidence interval -4.8% to 0.9%), demonstrating noninferiority of B/F/TAF vs SBR. Proportions with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL at week 24 were 96% B/F/TAF and 95% SBR and remained high at week 48. No participant had treatment-emergent resistance to study drug. Treatments were well tolerated. Study drug-related adverse events, mostly grade 1, occurred in 10% of participants on B/F/TAF through week 48 and led to discontinuation in 9 participants through week 48., Conclusions: For Black Americans with HIV, switching to B/F/TAF was noninferior to continuing a variety of regimens, including those with pre-existing NRTI mutations., Competing Interests: P.K. reports grants from Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Merck, and Theratechnologies, has received personal fees for participating in advisory boards for GSK, Merck, and Theratechnologies, and is a shareholder of stock from Gilead, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Pfizer. M.S. has received research grants and support awarded to his institution from Gilead, Merck, and ViiV Healthcare. A.K.W. has received research grants from Gilead, Janssen, Pfizer, and GSK and has served on advisory boards for Gilead and Janssen. I.B. has received speakers' bureau honoraria from Gilead, ViiV, and Janssen. C.O.H. has received grant support from the National Institutes of Health (K23HL116209) and has served as consultant to Gilead Sciences. M.N.R. has served on the speakers' bureau for Gilead, Janssen, AbbVie, and Allergan and has consulted for Gilead, ViiV, and Merck. C.M. reports receiving research grants from Gilead, Janssen, Merck, and ViiV and speaker's bureau income from Gilead and Merck. C.B., K.A., S.E.C., D.M.B., and H.M. are employees of Gilead and shareholders of Gilead stock. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: The 2-drug regimen dolutegravir (DTG) + lamivudine (3TC) is indicated for treatment-naive adults with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We present efficacy and safety of switching to DTG/3TC in virologically suppressed individuals., Methods: TANGO is an open-label, multicenter, phase 3 study that randomized adults (1:1, stratified by baseline third agent class) with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL to switch to once-daily fixed-dose DTG/3TC or remain on a tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based regimen. The primary end point was proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL at week 48 (US Food and Drug Administration Snapshot algorithm) in the intention-to-treat-exposed population (4% noninferiority margin)., Results: 743 adults were enrolled; 741 received ≥1 dose of study drug (DTG/3TC, N = 369; TAF-based regimen, N = 372). At week 48, proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL receiving DTG/3TC was 0.3% (1/369) vs 0.5% (2/372) with a TAF-based regimen (adjusted treatment difference [95% confidence interval], -0.3 [-1.2 to .7]), meeting noninferiority criteria. No participants receiving DTG/3TC and 1 receiving a TAF-based regimen met confirmed virologic withdrawal criteria, with no emergent resistance at failure. Drug-related grade ≥2 adverse events and withdrawals due to adverse events occurred in 17 (4.6%) and 13 (3.5%) participants with DTG/3TC and 3 (0.8%) and 2 (0.5%) with a TAF-based regimen, respectively., Conclusions: DTG/3TC was noninferior in maintaining virologic suppression vs a TAF-based regimen at week 48, with no virologic failure or emergent resistance reported with DTG/3TC, supporting it as a simplification strategy for virologically suppressed people with HIV-1., Clinical Trials Registration: NCT03446573., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Background: The safety and efficacy of doravirine were compared with that of efavirenz as initial treatment of adults living with HIV-1 infection (NCT01632345)., Methods: A Phase IIb double-blind trial with participants stratified by screening HIV-1 RNA (≤ or >100,000 copies/ml) and randomized 1:1:1:1:1 to receive once-daily doravirine (25, 50, 100 or 200 mg) or efavirenz 600 mg (Part I) for up to 96 weeks, with open-label tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg (TDF/FTC). After dose selection at week 24, doravirine 100 mg was provided to participants receiving the other doses of doravirine and additional participants were randomized 1:1 to receive once-daily doravirine 100 mg or efavirenz 600 mg for 96 weeks with TDF/FTC (Part II). Primary outcomes were the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA <40 copies/ml at week 24, and central nervous system (CNS) adverse events (AEs) by weeks 8 and 24 (Parts I+II combined)., Results: 210 and 132 participants were randomized in Parts I and II, respectively, and 216 (108 on doravirine 100 mg, 108 on efavirenz) were evaluable for Parts I+II combined. At week 24, the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA <40 copies/ml was 72.9% for doravirine 100 mg and 73.1% for efavirenz (difference -0.5 [95% CI -12.3, 11.2]). In addition, CNS AEs were reported by 26.9% and 47.2% of doravirine and efavirenz recipients, respectively (difference -20.4 [95% CI -32.6, -7.5]; P=0.002)., Conclusions: Doravirine 100 mg with TDF/FTC demonstrated similar antiretroviral activity and superior CNS safety compared with efavirenz 600 mg with TDF/FTC.

Introduction: Physiologic changes during pregnancy may impact the pharmacokinetics of drugs. In addition, efficacy and safety/tolerability concerns have been identified for some antiretroviral agents., Methods: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected pregnant women (18-26 weeks gestation) receiving the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor rilpivirine 25 mg once daily were enrolled in this phase 3b, open-label study examining the impact of pregnancy on the pharmacokinetics of rilpivirine when it is given in combination with other antiretroviral agents. Blood samples (collected over the 24-h dosing interval) to assess total and unbound rilpivirine plasma concentrations were obtained during the second and third trimesters (24-28 and 34-38 weeks gestation, respectively) and 6-12 weeks postpartum. Pharmacokinetic parameters were derived using noncompartmental analysis and compared (pregnancy versus postpartum) using linear mixed effects modeling. Antiviral and immunologic response and safety were assessed., Results: Nineteen women were enrolled; 15 had evaluable pharmacokinetic results. Total rilpivirine exposure was 29-31% lower during pregnancy versus postpartum; differences were less pronounced for unbound (pharmacodynamically active) rilpivirine. At study entry, 12/19 (63.2%) women were virologically suppressed; 10/12 (83.3%) women were suppressed at the postpartum visit. Twelve infants were born to the 12 women who completed the study (7 discontinued); no perinatal viral transmission was observed among 10 infants with available data. Rilpivirine was generally safe and well tolerated in women and infants exposed in utero., Conclusion: Despite decreased rilpivirine exposure during pregnancy, treatment was effective in preventing mother-to-child transmission and suppressing HIV-1 RNA in pregnant women. Results suggest that rilpivirine 25 mg once daily, as part of individualized combination antiretroviral therapy, may be an appropriate option for HIV-1-infected pregnant women., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT00855335.

Background: Treatment of HIV-1-infected women during pregnancy protects maternal health and reduces the risk of perinatal transmission of HIV-1. However, physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy may affect drug pharmacokinetics. This phase IIIb, open-label study evaluated the effects of pregnancy on the pharmacokinetics of the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor etravirine., Methods: Eligible HIV-1-infected pregnant women (18-26 weeks gestation) on an individualized, highly active antiretroviral therapy regimen including etravirine 200 mg twice daily were enrolled. Blood samples to assess the pharmacokinetics of total and unbound etravirine were obtained at clinic visits during the second and third trimesters (24- to 28-weeks and 34- to 38-weeks gestation, respectively) and 6-12 weeks postpartum. At each time point, plasma concentrations were measured over 12 hours (12-hour time point was obtained before the second daily dose of etravirine); pharmacokinetic parameters were derived using noncompartmental analysis and were compared between pregnancy and postpartum using general linear models. Antiviral and immunologic response and safety were assessed at each visit., Results: Etravirine pharmacokinetic profiles were available for 13 of 15 enrolled women. Exposure to total etravirine was generally higher during pregnancy compared with 6-12 weeks postpartum (1.2- to 1.4-fold); the differences were less pronounced for unbound (pharmacodynamically active) etravirine. Virologic response was generally preserved throughout the study, and no perinatal transmission was observed. Etravirine was generally safe and well tolerated., Conclusions: Etravirine 200 mg twice daily, as part of individualized combination antiretroviral therapy, may be a treatment option for HIV-1-infected pregnant women.

This open-label, multinational, pilot study randomized (1:2 ratio) adults with HIV-1 RNA <40 copies per milliliter and nucleos(t)ide-related safety/tolerability issues to switch to ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (ATV/r) plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (n = 37) or the nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitor-sparing regimen of ATV/r plus raltegravir (RAL) (n = 72). At 24 weeks, 35/37 (94.6%) and 58/72 (80.6%) of patients, respectively, maintained virological suppression, the primary endpoint, and 1 (2.7%) and 7 (9.7%), respectively, experienced virological rebound. Corresponding 48-week proportions were 86.5%, 69.4%, 2.7%, and 12.5%, respectively. Adherence was lower and treatment discontinuation was higher with ATV/r+RAL. In conclusion, switching to ATV/r+RAL resulted in a higher virological rebound rate than switching to ATV/r plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine.

Background: Emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is a standard-of-care nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) backbone. However, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is associated with renal and bone toxic effects; the novel prodrug tenofovir alafenamide achieves 90% lower plasma tenofovir concentrations. We aimed to further assess safety and efficacy of fixed-dose combination emtricitabine with tenofovir alafenamide in patients switched from emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate., Methods: In this controlled, double-blind, multicentre phase 3 study, we recruited virologically suppressed (HIV RNA <50 copies per mL) patients with HIV aged 18 years and older receiving regimens containing fixed-dose combination emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil fumartate from 78 sites in North America and Europe. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to switch to fixed-dose 200 mg emtricitabine with 10 mg or 25 mg tenofovir alafenamide or to continue 200 mg emtricitabine with 200 mg or 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, while remaining on the same third agent for 96 weeks. Randomisation was done by a computer-generated allocation sequence and was stratified by the third agent (boosted protease inhibitor vs other agent). Investigators, patients, and study staff giving treatment, assessing outcomes, and collecting data were masked to treatment group. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL at week 48 as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration snapshot algorithm with a prespecified non-inferiority margin of 10%. The primary efficacy endpoint was analysed with the per-protocol analysis set, whereas the safety analysis included all randomly assigned patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02121795., Findings: We recruited patients between May 6, 2011, and Sept 11, 2014; 780 were screened and 668 were randomly assigned to receive either tenofovir alafenamide (n=333) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (n=330). Through week 48, virological success (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies per mL) was maintained in 314 (94%) of patients in the tenofovir alafenamide group compared with 307 (93%) in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group (difference 1·3%, 95% CI -2·5 to 5·1), showing non-inferiority of tenofovir alafenamide to tenofovir disproxil fumarate. Seven patients in the tenofovir alafenamide (2%) and three (1%) in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group discontinued due to adverse events. There were no cases of proximal renal tubulopathy in either group., Interpretation: In patients switching from emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to emtricitabine with tenofovir alafenamide, high rates of virological suppression were maintained. With its safety advantages, fixed-dose emtricitabine with tenofovir alafenamide has the potential to become an important NRTI backbone., Funding: Gilead Sciences., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: BMS-986001 is a thymidine analogue nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) designed to maintain in-vitro antiviral activity while minimising off-target effects. We assessed the efficacy and safety of BMS-986001 versus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in treatment-naive patients with HIV-1., Methods: In this phase 2b, randomised, active-controlled trial (AI467003), we recruited treatment-naive (no current or previous exposure to an antiretroviral drug for >1 week) adults (aged at least 18 years) with HIV-1 from 47 sites across Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South Africa, and South America. Patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA greater than 5000 copies per mL and CD4 counts greater than 200 cells per μL were randomly assigned (2:2:2:3) to receive BMS-986001 100 mg, 200 mg, or 400 mg once a day or to receive tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg once a day; each allocation was given with efavirenz 600 mg once a day and lamivudine 300 mg once a day. Both patients and investigators were masked to BMS-986001 dose (achieved with similar looking placebo tablets), but not allocation up to and including week 48. The primary endpoints were the proportion of patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL and safety events (serious adverse events and adverse events leading to discontinuation) through week 24; the main analysis was with a modified intention-to-treat population. Resistance analysis was a secondary endpoint, and additional safety parameters were exploratory endpoints. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01489046, and the European Clinical Trials Database, number EudraCT 2011-003329-89., Findings: Patients were recruited between Jan 25, 2012, and Oct 3, 2012; 757 patients were assessed for eligibility and 301 were randomly assigned to receive either BMS-986001 once a day (67 patients to 100 mg, 67 to 200 mg, and 66 to 400 mg) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (n=101). 297 patients received at least one dose of study drug. At week 24, 57 (88%) of 65 patients for whom there were data in the 100 mg group, 54 (81%) of 67 in the 200 mg group, 62 (94%) of 66 in the 400 mg group achieved HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL, compared with 88 (89%) of 99 in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group (modified intention-to-treat population). BMS-986001 was generally well tolerated through week 48. Two patients had BMS-986001-related serious adverse events (atypical drug eruption and thrombocytopenia) and two in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group had study drug-related serious adverse events (potential drug-induced liver injury and depression or lipodystrophy) that led to discontinuation. NRTI resistance-associated mutations were reported in four (2%) of 198 patients, and non-NRTI mutations in 17 (9%) of 198 patients receiving BMS-986001 versus none of 99 and one (1%) of 99 patients receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, respectively. Compared with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, individuals in the BMS-986001 groups showed a smaller decrease in lumbar spine and hip bone mineral density but greater accumulation of limb and trunk fat, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, and increased total cholesterol., Interpretation: BMS-986001 had similar efficacy to that of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and was associated with a smaller decrease in bone mineral density; however, greater resistance and gains in both peripheral and central fat accumulation were recorded for the investigational drug. Bristol-Myers Squibb has discontinued its involvement in the development of BMS-986001, and future decisions on development will be made by Oncolys BioPharma., Funding: Bristol-Myers Squibb., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Doravirine (DOR) is an investigational NNRTI (aka MK-1439) that retains activity against common NNRTI-resistant mutants. We have previously reported the Part 1 results from a two-part, randomized, double-blind, Phase IIb study in ART-naïve HIV-1-positive patients (1). At doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg qd, DOR plus open-label tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) demonstrated potent antiretroviral activity comparable to EFV 600 mg qhs plus TDF/FTC and was generally well tolerated at week 24. DOR 100 mg was selected for use in patients continuing in Part 1 and those newly enrolled in Part 2., Methods: Patients receiving DOR 25, 50 or 200 mg in Part 1 were switched to 100 mg after dose selection. In Part 2, 132 additional patients were randomized 1:1 to DOR 100 mg qd or EFV 600 mg qhs (each with TDF/FTC). We present week 48 efficacy and safety results for all patients in Part 1, and early (week 8) CNS tolerability only for patients randomized to DOR 100 mg or to EFV in Parts 1 and 2 combined. The primary safety endpoint is the % of patients with pre-specified CNS events (all causality) by week 8 for DOR 100 mg qd vs EFV (Parts 1 + 2 combined)., Results: Part 1 week 48 efficacy and safety results are shown below., Conclusions: In ART-naïve, HIV-1-positive patients also receiving TDF/FTC, DOR 100 mg qd demonstrated potent antiretroviral activity and immunological effect at week 48 and was generally safe and well tolerated. Patients who received DOR 100 mg qd had significantly fewer treatment-emergent CNS AEs by week 8 than those who received EFV.

Objectives: Antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy is recommended to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and for maternal care management. Physiological changes during pregnancy can affect pharmacokinetics, potentially altering pharmacological activity. We therefore evaluated the pharmacokinetics of twice-daily (bid) darunavir in HIV-1-infected pregnant women., Methods: HIV-1-infected pregnant women receiving an antiretroviral regimen containing darunavir/ritonavir 600/100 mg bid were enrolled in this study. Total and unbound darunavir and total ritonavir plasma concentrations were obtained over 12 h during the second and third trimesters and postpartum. Total darunavir and ritonavir plasma concentrations were determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assay and unbound darunavir was determined using (14) C-darunavir-fortified plasma. Pharmacokinetic parameters were derived using noncompartmental analysis., Results: Data were available for 14 women. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 12 h (AUC12h) for total darunavir was 17-24% lower during pregnancy than postpartum. The AUC12h for unbound darunavir was minimally reduced during pregnancy vs. postpartum. The minimum plasma concentration (Cmin) of total and unbound darunavir was on average 43-86% and 10-14% higher, respectively, during pregnancy vs. postpartum. The antiviral response (< 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) was 33% at baseline and increased to 73-90% during treatment; the percentage CD4 count increased over time. One serious adverse event was reported (increased transaminase). All 12 infants born to women remaining in the study at delivery were HIV-1-negative; four of these infants were premature., Conclusions: Total darunavir exposure decreased during pregnancy. No clinically relevant change in unbound (active) darunavir occurred during pregnancy, suggesting that no dose adjustment is required for darunavir/ritonavir 600/100 mg bid in pregnant women., (© 2013 The Authors. HIV Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British HIV Association.)

A theoretical concern exists that atazanavir (ATV) use during pregnancy may exacerbate physiologic neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The aim of this substudy was to evaluate patterns of neonatal bilirubin following ATV/ritonavir (RTV) treatment of pregnant mothers and clinical and pharmacogenetic factors that may correlate. The design involved a subanalysis of study AI424182, a multicenter, open-label, prospective, single-arm Phase I study. The study had two treatment arms: (1) ATV/RTV 300/100 mg once daily or (2) ATV/RTV 400/100 mg once daily, both in combination with zidovudine/lamivudine 300/150 mg twice daily. Total bilirubin was assessed at baseline, each visit, and delivery day for mothers and on days 1 (delivery day), 3, 5, and 7 and weeks 2 and 6 for neonates. Blood samples were obtained for UGT1A1 genotyping and ATV cord blood concentration. Bilirubin elevation of any grade occurred in 14/40 neonates (35%). All Grade 3 to 4 bilirubin abnormalities (n=7) occurred after day 14. The pattern of neonatal bilirubin levels reported was consistent with neonatal physiologic elevations of bilirubin. Little correlation was observed between either maternal bilirubin levels over the last 4 weeks of pregnancy (including delivery) or ATV cord concentration and neonatal bilirubin. There was a significant association between UGT1A1 genotype and bilirubin grade in the maternal population (p=0.0006) but not neonates (p=0.49). Neither neonatal UGT1A1 genotype nor cord blood ATV concentration is a good predictor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. ATV/RTV treatment of mothers does not appear to exacerbate neonatal physiologic hyperbilirubinemia.

Gender-based differences in lipids have been noted in antiretroviral clinical trials. We present the metabolic and anthropometric data from the GRACE (Gender, Race And Clinical Experience) study by gender. Treatment-experienced adults received darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) 600/100 mg twice daily, plus a background regimen, over 48 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained for lipid, glucose, and insulin measurements at baseline and at weeks 24 and 48/early discontinuation. Anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline and at weeks 12, 24, and 48/discontinuation. The Assessment of Body Change and Distress questionnaire was administered at baseline and regular intervals. Descriptive statistics as well as comparisons using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test are reported. Four hundred twenty-nine patients (women, n=287; men, n=142) enrolled in GRACE; 94 women (32.8%) and 33 men (23.2%) discontinued the trial. Median changes in triglycerides from baseline to week 48 were higher in men (25 mg/dL versus 8 mg/dL; p=0.006); the mean change in triglycerides was higher in men than in women in all racial subgroups. Other lipid and glucose level changes were similar between genders. Anthropometric parameters increased for both genders, with larger increases in women. Patients' perceptions of body changes concurred with physical measurements. The proportion of women who were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their bodies increased from 45.2% to 57.8% from baseline to week 48 (p=0.005), while the proportion of men who were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their bodies increased from 56.3% to 61.5% from baseline to week 48 (p=0.317). DRV/r-based therapy was associated with small to moderate changes in metabolic parameters, and few between-gender differences were observed. Levels of self-reported, body-related distress improved for women and men over 48 weeks.

Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis is a rare disease caused by dematiaceous (darkly pigmented) fungi. Cladophialophora species are highly neurotropic, and Cladophialophora bantiana (synonym=Xylohypha bantiana or C. trichoides) is the most commonly identified agent. Most reported cases of cerebral phaeohyphomycosis have occurred in immunocompetent patients; however, some case reports and experimental data have suggested that cellular immune deficiency is a risk factor. We report a case of pulmonary and cerebral phaeohyphomycosis in a cardiac transplant patient due to a newly identified species of Cladophialophora. Optimal management includes both antifungal therapy and surgery.

Gram-positive pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Of the gram-positive pathogens that cause pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common. The diagnosis of gram-positive pneumonia remains less than satisfactory, and newer diagnostic techniques such as antibody- and polymerase chain reaction-based antigen detection have yet to prove themselves. Drug resistance among gram-positive organisms is now endemic throughout the world and remains a serious therapeutic problem despite the availability of new antimicrobials. Efforts to control the spread of resistant strains include, in the case of S. aureus, stringent isolation policies and topical treatment to reduce carriage and, for S. pneumoniae, increased use of available vaccines and the develop- ment of more immunogenic vaccines.