PURPOSE:Reducing the number of drugs in combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) likely reduces toxicity. We hypothesized that dual therapy (DT) with nevirapine (NVP) and lamivudine (3TC) would be non-inferior to a virtual control without treatment failure. METHODS:This multicenter study enrolled patients on cART with HIV plasma viral load (pVL) <50 cp/ml for ≥2 years and on NVP for ≥6 months. Patients were compared to a simulated virtual control group with an assumed failure rate of zero. Those with prior Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor failure or 3TC resistance were excluded. Treatment was simplified to DT with NVP/3TC for 48 weeks, with quarterly pVL-measurements. The primary endpoint was confirmed virologic failure (pVL ≥ 200 cp/mL). A 4% non-inferiority margin and sample size of 201 were set, with a stopping rule if three virologic failures occurred. RESULTS:From April 2019 to January 2023, 201 patients from five centers in Switzerland and Germany started DT, which 194 participants completed. Two patients (1.03%, 95% CI: -0.92% to 3.68%) reached the primary endpoint for failure due to adherence issues. No additional failures were observed during a 12-month post-study follow-up of 184 participants. CONCLUSIONS:Simplification to NVP and 3TC was as effective as the ideal virtual control. However, the results of NVP and 3TC maintenance therapy are only applicable to people living with HIV who meet the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria. Virtual controls could improve research efficiency and warrant further evaluation.

Background & Aims:Ongoing transmission of HCV infections is associated with risk factors such as drug injection, needlestick injuries, and men who have sex with men (MSM). Ways of transmission, the course of acute infection, changes of virologic features, and incidence over time are not well known. Methods:Over a period of 10 years, n = 161 patients with recently acquired HCV infection (RAHC) (median follow-up 6.8 years) were prospectively enrolled. NS5B sequencing was performed to re-evaluate the HCV genotype (GT) and for phylogenetic analyses. Results:Patients with RAHC were mainly male (92.5%), MSM (90.1%), and HIV-coinfected (86.3%). Transmission risk factors for MSM and non-MSM were sexual risk behaviour (100 and 6.3%, respectively), injection drug use (9.7 and 37.5%, respectively), and nasal drug use (15.2 and 0%, respectively). Spontaneous and interferon- or direct-acting antiviral-based clearance rates were 13.6, 84.3 and 93.4%, respectively. Mean RAHC declined from 19.8 in the first to 13.2 in the past five study years. Although the majority of infections was caused by HCV GT1a, the frequency of HCV GT4d and slightly HCV GT3a increased over time. No relevant clustering of HCV isolates was observed in non-MSM. However, 45% of HCV GT1a and 100% of HCV GT4d MSM cases clustered with MSM isolates from other countries. Travel-associated infections were supported by personal data in an MSM subgroup. No international clustering was detected in MSM with HCV GT1b or HCV GT3a. Conclusions:RAHCs were mainly diagnosed in HIV-coinfected MSM patients and were associated with sexual risk behaviour. Spontaneous clearance rates were low, and phylogenetic clusters were observed in the majority of patients. Impact and Implications:We evaluated the occurrence and transmission of recently acquired HCV infections (RAHCs) over a period of 10 years. Our data demonstrate that the presence of RAHC was mainly found in HIV-coinfected MSM, with internationally connected transmission networks being observed in the majority of patients. Spontaneous clearance rates were low, and reinfection rates increased mainly driven by a small subset of MSM patients with high-risk behaviour.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) substantially affects lipid metabolism, and remodeling of sphingolipids appears to be essential for HCV persistence in vitro. The aim of the current study is the evaluation of serum sphingolipid variations during acute HCV infection. We enrolled prospectively 60 consecutive patients with acute HCV infection, most of them already infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and serum was collected at the time of diagnosis and longitudinally over a six-month period until initiation of antiviral therapy or confirmed spontaneous clearance. Quantification of serum sphingolipids was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Spontaneous clearance was observed in 11 out of 60 patients (18.3%), a sustained viral response (SVR) in 43 out of 45 patients (95.5%) receiving an antiviral treatment after follow-up, whereas persistence of HCV occurred in six out of 60 patients (10%). C24-ceramide (C24-Cer)-levels increased at follow-up in patients with spontaneous HCV eradication (p < 0.01), as compared to baseline. Sphingosine and sphinganine values were significantly upregulated in patients unable to clear HCV over time compared to patients with spontaneous clearance of HCV infection on follow-up (p = 0.013 and 0.006, respectively). In summary, the persistence of HCV after acute infection induces a downregulation of C24Cer and a simultaneous elevation of serum sphingosine and sphinganine concentrations.

There are concerns about central nervous system (CNS)-replication of HIV-1 in patients on boosted protease inhibitors. Purpose of this study was to compare HIV-1 viral loads (VLs) from patients treated with only boosted dual protease inhibitor (bdPI), versus combination antiretroviral therapy (cART group), containing two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and a third partner. All patients from a large German HIV-treatment cohort with available medication, clinical and demographic data, including results from simultaneous HIV-1 viral load (VL) assessments in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood plasma, were retrospectively evaluated as controlled cross-sectional study. CSF had been obtained from patients with variable neurological symptoms during 2005–2014. Statistical analysis comprised nonparametric tests, regression and correlation techniques accounting for undetectable quantifications. Statistical analysis comprised nonparametric tests, regression and correlation techniques accounting for undetectable quantifications. Overall, 155 patients were evaluable (bdPI: 24; cART: 131). At time of CSF-collection, both groups were comparable in age, gender, CD4-cell counts, or primary HIV-transmission risks, though bdPI patients were clinically more advanced. The proportion of patients with undetectable HIV-1 (<50 copies/ml) in CSF was lower for bdPI group (25 vs 49.6 %; p = 0.026), but similar in plasma (46 vs 41 %). Median CSF-VL was higher in bdPI group (600 vs 50 copies/ml; p = 0.027) and similar in plasma. Mean VL CSF/plasma ratio was 342.91 for bdPI- and 54.48 for cART patients (p < 0.001). Pearson’s regression analysis revealed a trend for an elevated VL-ratio over time within bdPI group. HIV-1 replication was higher and more frequently detectable in CSF from bdPI patients, indicating a worse CNS penetration effectiveness of used boosted PI. Within bdPI group, measured CNS-viral replication was increasing over time, suggesting an over time impaired HIV-1 suppression in CSF.

Little is known about the importance of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease in acute hepatitis C. In this prospective study, 82 consecutive patients with acute hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection were enrolled. Individuals were infected with highly related HCV strains and the baseline NS3 quasispecies diversity and complexity was higher compared to a chronic hepatitis C control group (P<0.0001). Both parameters were comparable in patients with spontaneous clearance (n=6) versus treatment-induced SVR (n=5) or development of chronic hepatitis C (n=9). Longitudinal NS3 quasispecies kinetics showed a trend to a decreasing diversity and complexity (P<0.05) within 4 weeks in patients with spontaneous clearance compared to the other groups. The innate immune signalling protein CARDIF was cleaved to a similar extent independent of the outcome. Together with a more pronounced viral load decline (P<0.05), an early decreasing NS3 quasispecies evolution indicates spontaneous clearance of acute hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing evidence for chemoradiotherapy as standard treatment for anal cancer in patients with HIV infection, there is still some uncertainty regarding increased toxicity and adverse effects on the immune status.OBJECTIVE: We report the clinical outcome of 5-fluorouracil/mitomycin C-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy for anal carcinoma in patients with HIV infection with an emphasis on the long-term course of CD4 counts and the HIV-related morbidity during follow-up.DESIGN AND SETTINGS: A retrospective single-institution chart review was performed.PATIENTS: Between 1997 and 2012, 36 HIV-positive patients were treated with standard chemoradiotherapy (median tumor dose, 54 (range, 50.4-60.4) Gy at 1.8 Gy/fraction; 5-fluorouracil, 800-1000 mg/m(2), days 1-4 or 1-5; mitomycin C, 10 mg/m(2), day 1, in the first and fifth week).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A retrospective analysis was performed with respect to tumor response, local control, cancer and overall survival, and toxicity. Immunological parameters, including pre- and posttreatment CD4 counts, viral load, and HIV-specific morbidity were recorded during follow-up.RESULTS: Chemoradiotherapy could be completed in all patients. Acute grade 3 toxicities occurred in 17/36 patients (47%). Complete response was achieved in 31 patients (86%). Five-year local control, colostomy-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival were 72%, 87%, 77%, and 74%. The median pretreatment CD4 count significantly decreased from 367 cells/L to 139 cells/L, 3 to 7 weeks after completion of chemoradiotherapy (p < 0.001). Four patients (11%) experienced opportunistic illnesses during the follow-up (median, 66; range, 10-164 months).LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its retrospective design and its small sample size.CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm again that, in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era, anal cancer can be treated in HIV-positive patients with standard chemoradiotherapy, with a clinical outcome similar to their HIV-negative counterparts. The chemoradiotherapy-related decline of the CD4 counts, which remain decreased up to 6 years after chemoradiotherapy, was not associated with increased HIV-related clinical morbidity.

To explore CD4-cell and viral evolution in relation to different levels of HIV-1 replication, as observed during protease inhibitor (PI)-based antiretroviral therapy. Adult HIV-1 infected cohort patients, receiving historical salvage therapy with daily doses of saquinavir (2,000 mg), ritonavir (200 mg) and either lopinavir (800 mg) or atazanavir (300 mg) for >36 weeks were retrospectively analysed for highest detectable viral load up to week 96 and assigned to groups according to the viral load level: always <50 copies/ml (1), 50–199 copies/ml (2), 200–499 copies/ml (3) and ≥500 copies/ml (4). A total of 126 patients were evaluated; at baseline, median CD4-cell count was 204/mm 3 , HIV-1 RNA was 5.13 Log10-copies/ml and duration of prior HIV-1 infection was 11.7 years. Patients were assigned by 43, 30, 7 and 20 % to groups 1–4. Median observation time was 136 weeks (range: 38–304); at weeks 48/96, the CD4-cell gains for groups 1–4 were +88/+209, +209/+349, +67/+300 and +114.5/+ 128, respectively. After fitting data in a linear fixed effect model, ascending CD4 slopes were continuously increasing for group 1, similarly for 2 and clearly decreasing for 3–4 ( p = 0.0006). Of 25 individuals from group 4, patient number with major IAS-USA protease mutations increased from 5 to 10 before and after failing PI therapy, whereas minor mutations remained stable ( n = 18). On double-boosted PI therapy, CD4-cell increases through week 96 were similar for patients at always undetectable or with detection of low viral load. Viral detection >200 copies/ml was associated with decreasing CD4-cell slopes and emergence of major mutations, supporting this as benchmark for virological failure definition on PI therapy.

Background Liver fibrosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals is mostly attributable to co-infection with hepatitis B or C. The impact of other risk factors, including prolonged exposure to combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) is poorly understood. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of liver fibrosis and associated risk factors in HIV-infected individuals based on non-invasive fibrosis assessment using transient elastography (TE) and serum biomarkers (Fibrotest [FT]). Methods In 202 consecutive HIV-infected individuals (159 men; mean age 47 ± 9 years; 35 with hepatitis-C-virus [HCV] co-infection), TE and FT were performed. Repeat TE examinations were conducted 1 and 2 years after study inclusion. Results Significant liver fibrosis was present in 16% and 29% of patients, respectively, when assessed by TE (≥ 7.1 kPa) and FT (> 0.48). A combination of TE and FT predicted significant fibrosis in 8% of all patients (31% in HIV/HCV co-infected and 3% in HIV mono-infected individuals). Chronic ALT, AST and γ-GT elevation was present in 29%, 20% and 51% of all cART-exposed patients and in 19%, 8% and 45.5% of HIV mono-infected individuals. Overall, factors independently associated with significant fibrosis as assessed by TE (OR, 95% CI) were co-infection with HCV (7.29, 1.95-27.34), chronic AST (6.58, 1.30-33.25) and γ-GT (5.17, 1.56-17.08) elevation and time on dideoxynucleoside therapy (1.01, 1.00-1.02). In 68 HIV mono-infected individuals who had repeat TE examinations, TE values did not differ significantly during a median follow-up time of 24 months (median intra-patient changes at last TE examination relative to baseline: -0.2 kPa, p = 0.20). Conclusions Chronic elevation of liver enzymes was observed in up to 45.5% of HIV mono-infected patients on cART. However, only a small subset had significant fibrosis as predicted by TE and FT. There was no evidence for fibrosis progression during follow-up TE examinations.

Genotypes of samples from protease inhibitor-naïve patients in Frankfurt's HIV Cohort were analyzed with five tipranavir resistance prediction algorithms. Mean scores were higher in non-B than in B subtypes. The proportion of non-B subtypes increased with increasing scores, except in weighted algorithms. Virtual and in vitro phenotype analyses of samples with increased scores showed no reduced tipranavir susceptibility. Current algorithms appear suboptimal for interpretation of resistance to tipranavir in non-B subtypes; increased scores might reflect algorithm bias rather than "natural resistance."

BACKGROUNDWe investigated the virologic and immunologic responses to a mono-class, nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor - combination therapy consisting of tenofovir and zidovudine/lamivudine/abacavir in therapy experienced patients.METHODSRetrospective study of 122 patients. Primary analysis was performed at 48 weeks. Virologic response was defined as viral load levels less than 400 copies/ml.RESULTSAbout half of the patients had switched to tenofovir+ zidovudine/lamivudine/abacavir for simplification purposes or toxicity while the other half had experienced virologic failure. 80/122 (66%) responded. Median viral load decreased to 78 copies/ml at week 48; median CD4 count increased to 321 cells/mm(3). Of the 42 virologic failures, only 3 patients failed after week 24. 24/35 patients who had been on a non-suppressive zidovudine/lamivudine/abacavir-only regimen at baseline and added tenofovir to intensify, responded. 41/53 patients who switched from any nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-only regimen improved or maintained suppression. Genotypes were available for 85/122 patients. The only predictor of virologic failure was the combination 41L+210W+215Y/F mutational pattern. 16 of the patients who failed on tenofovir+ zidovudine/lamivudine/abacavir therapy selected new primary nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistance mutations that they previously did not have. 48/85 (56%) patients with genotype tests had at least 3 (3-10; median 4) nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistance-associated mutations in the past.CONCLUSIONSPatients heavily pre-treated with nucleoside analogues may show response to mono-class tenofovir+ zidovudine/lamivudine/abacavir therapy despite having a history of failure with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Lower baseline viral load, higher baseline CD4 count were significant predictors for response. Archived 41L+210W+215Y/F mutational pattern was significantly associated with non-response.

OBJECTIVES:In the past, bleeding events have been described for patients with haemophilia taking HIV-1 protease inhibitors. Recently, the FDA published a warning concerning intracranial haemorrhage in patients taking the HIV-1 protease inhibitor tipranavir co-administered with ritonavir.METHODS:We investigated (i) platelet aggregation in vivo in HIV-1-infected adult patients (n = 5) immediately before and 2 and 4 h after dosing of tipranavir/ritonavir 500/200 mg. To further characterize the effects, we then evaluated (ii) platelet aggregation and (iii) thromboxane B2 (TxB2) formation (ELISA) with increasing tipranavir concentrations (TPV(conc)) in vitro of up to 100,000 ng/mL. Platelet aggregation was stimulated either with 2 microM ADP (ADP) or 10 mg/L collagen (COL). TPV(conc) were measured with validated EPI-LC-MS/MS. Intraindividual comparisons of values at time points and TPV(conc), respectively, were carried out with repeated samples ANOVA.RESULTS:Platelet aggregation (mean, maximal light transmission A(max)) was significantly decreased in patients 4 h post-dose in collagen- (from 79.8% to 57.1%; P < 0.001) and in ADP-stimulated (from 58.5% to 54.0%; not significant) samples at a median (range) TPV(conc) of 62 500 ng/mL (22,990-67,500). These results could be reproduced in vitro at TPV(conc) 50,000 ng/mL (A(max)ADP/A(max)COL = 20.7/36.9%; P = 0.003/<0.001) and 100 000 ng/mL (A(max)ADP/A(max)COL = 14.5/17.1%; P < 0.001/<0.001). Median (range) TxB2 concentrations were reduced (P = 0.07) from 327 ng/mL (187-500) at baseline to 265 ng/mL (152-428) at 5000 ng/mL and were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) to 187 ng/mL (81-362) at a TPV(conc) of 50,000 ng/mL, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:Five HIV-1-infected patients on tipranavir-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy presented marked decreases in platelet aggregation. In vitro these effects were reproduced and decreased TxB2 formation was also demonstrated. Inhibition of platelet aggregation while receiving tipranavir treatment might contribute to increased risk of bleeding.

Several studies have shown that HIV-1 transmission in serodiscordant couples is significantly reduced when the plasma viral load (pVL) in the infected partner is low or undetectable. However, residual infectivity in the seminal compartment despite undetectable pVL has also been shown. Here we report HIV-1 transmission in a serodiscordant couple despite successful antiretroviral therapy of the HIV-infected partner. The newly infected partner had a negative HIV-1 screening ELISA when his HIV-1-positive partner was already on antiretroviral treatment with undetectable pVL, which remained undetectable beyond the time of seroconversion in the initially negative partner. Frozen blood samples were analyzed phylogenetically from the HIV-1-positive patient and the newly infected partner before treatment and shortly after seroconversion, respectively; they showed a true relationship. On the basis of these data, the present report suggests that transmission of HIV-1 can occur despite undetectable pVL. This should be added to the discussion of prevention strategies, which should not advise the abandonment of safer-sex practices without referring to the relatively low but not impossible risk of HIV-1 transmission in this context.

INTRODUCTION:Thromboembolic complications under antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been described in the past. In particular, the influence of protease inhibitors (PIs) on platelet activation and coagulation is currently under discussion. METHODS:HIV-1-infected, PI-naive adults (n = 18) were investigated before and 4 weeks after the start of the ART, consisting either of boosted PI regimens (n = 13) plus reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) or a double PI regimen (n = 5) without RTI co-medication. Administered PIs were saquinavir (n = 15), lopinavir (n = 4), fosamprenavir (n = 2) and atazanavir (n = 2). Platelet CD62P, CD40L (%+ cells) and PAC-1 binding [mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)] as well as monocyte CD11b (MFI) and monocyte-associated CD41 (%+ cells and MFI) expression were assessed by flow cytometry with or without platelet stimulation. To investigate the influence of platelets on coagulation, the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) [render fluorescence units (RFI)] was determined. RESULTS:CD62P, PAC-1 binding and CD11b expression remained unchanged. In contrast, the mean+/-SD MFI of CD40L (from 18.2+/-9.0 to 25.5+/-10.4, P = 0.038) and CD41 (from 446.1+/-213.8 to 605.0+/-183.8, P = 0.010) as markers for increased platelet-leucocyte interaction increased significantly. The collagen-induced ETP time-to-peak was altered significantly from 23.8+/-11.4 to 17.0+/-4.2 min (P = 0.028), although the ETP RFI peak showed no evidence for increased procoagulatory capacity (47.1+/-18.6 to 57.3+/-19.9, P = 0.085). CONCLUSIONS:Effects of the evaluated PI HIV therapy on platelet function assessed under field conditions seem to be minor, not affecting all investigated parameters. We found no evidence for increased platelet activation under PI-containing ART. However, CD41 as a marker for increased platelet-leucocyte interaction and CD40L, which can contribute to atherosclerosis, increased significantly.

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the virological, immunological and clinical responses to the boosted double protease inhibitor (PI) regimen combination of lopinavir/ritonavir and saquinavir ('LOPSAQ') without reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTI) in HIV-positive patients who have few viable RTI treatment options.METHODSCohort study of 128 heavily pre-treated patients who were experiencing therapy failure on their current regimen due to RTI resistance and/or systemic toxicities. Patients with PI-resistance mutations or RTI toxicity underwent a structured treatment interruption (STI) (n=76) until virus reverted to wild-type or until resolution of toxicity symptoms. Baseline was defined as the time point when lopinavir/ritonavir plus saquinavir therapy was initiated. Virological response was defined as viral load<400 copies/mL at week 48.RESULTSA total of 78 (61%) patients experienced a virological response to therapy (ITT). Median viral load at baseline was 5.06 log10 copies/mL; at week 48 median was 2.16 log10 copies. Median CD4 at week 48 was 280 cells/mm3 compared with 172 cells at baseline. At week 48, 78/128 patients were still on therapy. In univariable analyses, significant predictors of virological response included higher CD4 count (P<0.001), lower viral load (P=0.002), less PI-experience (P=0.006) at baseline and fewer PI-resistance mutations (P=0.043) at end of prior failing regimen; in the multivariable analysis only higher CD4 count at baseline (P=0.009) and fewer number of drugs previously taken (P=0.003) could be specified as independent predictors for response.CONCLUSIONSThe combination of lopinavir/ritonavir and saquinavir without RTIs is a potential option as salvage therapy for patients experiencing therapy failure due to RTI resistance or toxicity. This regimen may not be suitable for patients with very low baseline CD4 cell counts, very broad antiretroviral therapy experience or extensive PI-resistance mutations.

AIMSTo evaluate the pharmacokinetics of nevirapine and any possible influencing factors in pregnant women (n = 16), nonpregnant women (n = 13) and men (n = 14), who received nevirapine 200 mg twice daily together with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.METHODSBlood samples were taken for 12 h at steady state. Nevirapine concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The influence of gender, age, body weight and comedication on minimum and maximum concentrations (C(min), C(max)), area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), total clearance (CL(tot)), half-life (t(1/2)) and volume of distribution (V(d)) was analysed by multivariate techniques.RESULTSMean [95% confidence interval (CI)]C(max), AUC(ss) and clearance were 5221 ng ml(-1) (4267, 6175), 50 789 ng (-1)h ml(-1) (43 453, 58 125) and 69.9 ml min(-1) for men, 5871 ng ml(-1) (4848, 6895), 57 045 ng h(-1) ml(-1) (45 997, 68 093) and 65.6 ml min(-1) for nonpregnant women and 4505 ng ml(-1) (3644, 5366), 44 579 ng h(-1) ml(-1) (36 564, 52 594) and 82.1 ml min(-1) for pregnant women. The differences between pregnant and nonpregnant women (% difference, 95% CI) in C(max) (-30.3; -28.5, -33.0), AUC(ss) (-28.0; - 25.8, - 29.5) and clearance (20.2; 26.6, 15.6) reached statistical significance (P = 0.010, P = 0.028 and P = 0.028, respectively). The multivariate analysis underscored the influence of bodyweight on the plasma exposure to nevirapine.CONCLUSIONSPregnant women exhibited an increased nevirapine clearance and comparably low plasma concentrations, whereas women with a low bodyweight achieved high plasma nevirapine concentrations. The large variability in nevirapine concentrations in women may lead to loss of efficacy and viral resistance, or drug toxicity, and therefore these patients should be monitored frequently.