Current status of liver transplantation for human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in China's Mainland

According to the report from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention,the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection exceeded 1.2 million individuals by the year 2022,with an annual increase of about 80000 cases.The overall prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among individuals co-infected with HIV reached 13.7%,almost twice the rate of the general population in China.In addition to the well-documented susceptibility to opportunistic infections and new malignancies,HIV infected patients frequently experience liver-related organ damage,with the liver and kidneys being the most commonly affected.This often leads to the development of end-stage liver and kidney diseases.Therefore,organ transplantation has emerged as an important part of active treatment for HIV infected patients.However,the curative effect is not satisfactory.HIV infection has been considered a contraindication for organ transplantation.Until the emergence of highly active anti-retroviral therapy in 1996,the once intractable replication of retrovirus was effectively inhibited.With prolonged survival,the failure of important organs has become the main cause of death among HIV patients.Therefore,transplant centers worldwide have resu-med exploration of organ transplantation for HIV-infected individuals and reached a positive conclusion.This study provides an overview of the current landscape of HIV-positive patients receiving liver transplantation(LT)in main-land China.To date,our transplant center has conducted LT for eight end-stage liver disease patients co-infected with HIV,and all but one,who died two months postoperatively due to sepsis and progressive multi-organ failure,have survived.Comparative analysis with hepatitis B virus-infected patients during the same period revealed no statistically significant differences in acute rejection reactions,cytomegalovirus infection,bacteremia,pulmonary infections,acute kidney injury,new-onset cancers,or vascular and biliary complications.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection among Mexican human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected patients

AIM: To determine the frequency of occult hepatitis B infection (OHBI) in a group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1+/ hepatitis B surface antigen negative (HBsAg)- patients from Mexico.

Role of upper endoscopy in diagnosing opportunistic infections in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically decreased opportunistic infections (OIs) in human immunodef iciency virus (HIV)-infected patients. However,gastrointestinal disease continues to account for a high proportion of presenting symptoms in these patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms in treated patients who respond to therapy are more likely to the result of drug-induced complications than OI. Endoscopic evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract remains a cornerstone of diagnosis,especially in patients with advanced immunodeficiency,who are at risk for OI. The peripheral blood CD4 lymphocyte count helps to predict the risk of an OI,with the highest risk seen in HIV-infected patients with low CD4 count (< 200 cells/mm3). This review provides an update of the role of endoscopy in diagnosing OI in the upper gastrointestinal tract in HIV-infected patients in the era of HAART.

Hepatitis C virus infection in the human immunodeficiency virus infected patient

Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)and hepatitis C virus(HCV)share the same transmission routes;therefore,coinfection is frequent.An estimated 5-10 million individuals alone in the western world are infected with both viruses.The majority of people acquire HCV by injection drug use and,to a lesser extent,through blood transfusion and blood products.Recently,there has been an increase in HCV infections among men who have sex with men.In the context of effective antiretroviral treatment,liver-related deaths are now more common than Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromerelated deaths among HIV-HCV coinfected individuals.Morbidity and mortality rates from chronic HCV infection will increase because the infection incidence peaked in the mid-1980s and because liver disease progresses slowly and is clinically silent to cirrhosis and end-stage-liver disease over a 15-20 year time period for 15%-20%of chronically infected individuals.HCV treatment has rapidly changed with the development of new direct-acting antiviral agents;therefore,cure rates have greatly improved because the new treatment regimens target different parts of the HCV life cycle.In this review,we focus on the epidemiology,diagnosis and the natural course of HCV as well as current and future strategies for HCV therapy in the context of HIV-HCV coinfection in the western world.

Insights into human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis B virus co-infection in India

Shared routes of transmission lead to frequent human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-hepatitis B virus(HBV) coinfection in a host which results in about 10% of HIV positive individuals to have chronic hepatitis B infection worldwide. In post-antiretroviral therapy era, liverdiseases have emerged as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals and HBV coinfection have become the major health issue among this population particularly from the regions with endemic HBV infection. In setting of HIV-HBV co-infection, HIV significantly impacts the natural history of HBV infection, its disease profile and the treatment outcome in negative manner. Moreover, the epidemiological pattern of HBV infection and the diversity in HBV genome(genotypic and phenotypic) are also varied in HIV co-infected subjects as compared to HBV mono-infected individuals. Several reports on the abovementioned issues are available from developed parts of the world as well as from sub-Saharan African countries. In contrast, most of these research areas remained unexplored in India despite having considerable burden of HIV and HBV infections. This review discusses present knowledge from the studies on HIV-HBV co-infection in India and relevant reports from different parts of the world. Issues needed for the future research relevant to HIV-HBV co-infection in India are also highlighted here, including a call for further investigations on this field of study.

Cancer prevention in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Cancer is a leading cause of death in patients with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection. With the advent of antiretroviral treatment, the risk of AIDS-defining cancers declined but the ageing of this population resulted in the emergence of other common cancers, particularly lung and hepatocellular cancer. Accordingly, screening programs similar to the general population should be implemented in patients with HIV infection. Vaccination against common oncogenic viruses is also essential. However, rates of cancer screening and vaccination against HPV and HBV are considerably low in this population, highlighting a pressing need to educate patients and healthcare professionals about the importance of cancer preventive measures in these vulnerable patients.

Recently acquired hepatitis C virus infection among people living with human immunodeficiency virus at a university hospital in Taiwan

BACKGROUND Little is known about the engagement in hepatitis C virus(HCV)care and completion of HCV treatment in people living with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)(PLWH)who have HCV coinfection in the Asia-Pacific region.Examining the HCV care cascade can identify barriers to the completion of HCV treatment and facilitate achievement of HCV micro-elimination in PLWH.AIM To investigate the care cascade of incident HCV infections among PLWH in Taiwan.METHODS PLWH with incident HCV infections,defined as HCV seroconversion,were retrospectively identified by sequential anti-HCV testing of all archived blood samples at National Taiwan University Hospital between 2011 and 2018.All PLWH with incident HCV infections were followed until December 31,2019.The care cascade of HCV examined included all incident HCV-infected patients,the percentages of anti-HCV antibodies detected by HIV-treating physicians in clinical care,plasma HCV RNA load tested,HCV RNA positivity diagnosed,referral to treatment assessment made,anti-HCV treatment initiated,and sustained virologic response achieved.Those who had HCV seroconversion during the interferon(IFN)era(2011–2016)and the direct-acting antiviral(DAA)era(2017–2018)were analyzed separately.The duration of HCV viremia—from the date of seroconversion to viral clearance by treatments or until the end of observation—and the incidence of sexually transmitted infections(STIs)during the HCV viremic period were estimated.RESULTS During the study period,287 of 3495(8.2%)PLWH(92.3%being men who have sex with men)who were HCV-seronegative at baseline developed HCV seroconversion by retrospective testing of all archived blood samples.Of the 287 incident HCV infections,277(96.5%)had anti-HCV antibodies detected by HIV-treating physicians,270(94.1%)had plasma HCV RNA determined and 251(87.5%)tested positive for HCV RNA.Of those with HCV viremia,226(78.7%)were referred to treatment assessment,215(74.9%)initiated anti-HCV treatment,and 202(70.4%)achieved viral clearance.Compared with that in the IFN era,the median interval from HCV seroconversion by retrospective testing to detection of HCV seropositivity by HIV-treating physicians was significantly shorter in the DAA era{179 d[interquartile range(IQR)87-434]vs 92 d(IQR 57-173);P<0.001}.The incidence rate of STIs in the DAA vs the IFN era was 50.5 per 100 person-years of follow-up(PYFU)and 38.5 per 100 PYFU,respectively,with an incidence rate ratio of 1.31(95%confidence interval 0.96-1.77),while the duration of HCV viremia was 380 d(IQR 274-554)and 735 d(IQR 391-1447)(P<0.001),respectively.CONCLUSION While anti-HCV therapies are effective in achieving viral clearance,our study suggests more efforts are needed to expedite the linkage of PLWH diagnosed with incident HCV infections to HCV treatment.

The Effect of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Infection on Low Birth Weight, Mother to Child HIV Transmission and Infants’ Death in African Area

Background: It is yet a controversy subject whether low birth weight and infant death are associated to human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection. Objective: To appreciate association between low birth weights, mother to child HIV transmission and infant mortality in HIV-1 infected pregnant women delivering between 2011 and 2016. Materials: We conducted 6 years cohort study in urban Mali. Outcome included preterm delivery, small for gestational age, infant survival status and HIV transmission. Comparison concerned women clinical WHO stage, mother viro-immunological status, and newborn anthropometric parameters. Results: HIV-1 infected women who delivered low birth weight newborn were 20.9% (111/531) versus 16.5% (1910/11.546) in HIV negative patients (p = 0.016). CD4 T cell counts low than 350 T cells count were strongly associated to LBW (p = 0.000;RR = 3.03;95% CI [1.89 - 3.16]). There is no significant association between ART that was initiated during pregnancy (p = 0.061, RR = 0.02;CI 95% (1.02 - 1.99)) or during delivery (p = 0.571;RR = 1.01;CI 95% (0.10 - 3.02)) and LBW delivery. In multivariate analysis ART regimens containing protease inhibitor (PI) were lone regimens associated with LBW ((p = 0.030;RR = 1.001;95% confidence interval [1.28 - 3.80]). Very low birth weight was statistically associated to women HIV infection (adjusted relative risk, 2.02;p = 0.000;95% confidence interval (2.17 - 4.10)). There is no significant difference between mother to child HIV transmission rate in the two HIV-infected pregnant women (10 infected children in group 2: MTCT rate 4.5%) and 3 infected children in group 1 (MTCT rate: 2.7%) (p = 0.56;RR, 0.59;CI 95% (0.18 - 4.39)). In multivariate analysis, LBW was associated with infant death (p = 0.001;RR = 2.04;CI 95% [1.04 - 5.05]). The median weight of infant at the moment of death in group 1 was 851 g (IQR: 520 - 1833 g). Significant relationship was found between infant death among LBW newborn with mother WHO stage 2 (p = 0.004;adjusted RR = 3.22;CI 95% [2.25 - 6.00]), CD4 T cells count 3 (p = 0.005;RR = 2.81;CI 95% [1.20 - 4.11]), PI regimens (p = 0.030;RR = 1.00;CI 95% [1.28 - 3.80]). Conclusion: We confirm increased risk of low birth weight and mother HIV-1 infection and we identified strongest association between mortality in infant born to HIV-1 infected mother and LBW.

Antiretroviral naive and treated patients: Discrepancies of B cell subsets during the natural course of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

AIM To evaluate alterations of memory B cell subpopulations during a 48-wk period in human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) patients. METHODS Forty-one antiretroviral na?ve and 41 treated HIV-1 patients matched for age and duration of HIV infection were recruited. All clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data were recorded or measured. The different B cell subsets were characterized according to their surface markers: Total B cells(CD19^+), memory B cells(CD19^+CD27^+, BMCs), resting BMCs(CD19^+CD27^+CD21^(high), RM), exhausted BMCs(CD19^+CD21^(low)CD27-, EM), IgM memory B(CD19^+CD27^+IgM^(high)), isotype-switched BMCs(CD19^+CD27^+IgM-, ITS) and activated BMCs(CD19^+CD21^(low+)CD27^+, AM) at baseline on week 4 and week 48.RESULTS Mean counts of BMCs were higher in treated patients. There was a marginal upward trend of IgM memory B cell proportions which differed significantly in the treated group(overall trend, P = 0.004). ITS BMC increased over time significantly in all patients. Naive patients had of ^(low)er levels of EM B cells compared to treated, with a downward trend, irrespectively of ^(high)ly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART) intake. Severe impairment of EM B cells was recorded to both treated(P = 0.024) and naive(P = 0.023) and patients. Higher proportions of RM cells were noted in HAART group, which differed significantly on week 4^(th)(P = 0.017) and 48th(P = 0.03). Higher levels of AM were preserved in HAART naive group during the whole study period(week 4: P = 0.018 and 48: P = 0.035). HIV-RNA viremia strongly correlated with AM B cells(r = 0.54, P = 0.01) and moderately with RM cells(r =-0.45, P = 0.026) at baseline.CONCLUSION HIV disrupts memory B cell subpopulations leading to impaired immunologic memory over time. BMC, RM, EM and ITS BMC were higher in patients under HAART. Activated BMCs(AM) were higher in patients without HAART. Viremia correlated with AM and RM. Significant depletion was recorded in EM B cells irrespectively of HAART intake. Perturbations in BMC-populations are not fully restored by antiretrovirals.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension related to human immunodeficiency virus infection:A case series

AIM: To present 18 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-related pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH) with presenting features,treatment options and follow-up data.METHODS: This is a single-centre,retrospective,observational study that used prospectively collected data,conducted during a 14-year period on HIV-related PAH patients who were referred to a pulmonary hy-pertension unit. All patients infected with HIV were consecutively admitted for an initial evaluation of PAH during the study period and included in our study. Right heart catheterisation was used for the diagnosis of PAH. Specific PAH treatment was started according to the physician's judgment and the recommendations for idiopathic PAH. The data collected included demographic characteristics,parameters related to both HIV infection and PAH and disease follow-up.RESULTS: Eighteen patients were included. Intravenous drug use was the major risk factor for HIV infection. Risk factors for PAH,other than HIV infection,were present in 55.5% patients. The elapsed time between HIV infection and PAH diagnoses was 12.2 ± 6.9 years. At PAH diagnosis,94.1% patients had a CD4 cell count > 200 cells/μL. Highly active antiretroviral therapy(present in 47.1% patients) was associated with an accelerated onset of PAH. Survival rates were 93.8%,92.9% and 85.7% at one,two and three years,respectively. Concerning specific therapy,33.3% of the patients were started on a prostacyclin analogue,and the rest were on oral drugs,mainly phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. During the follow-up period,specific therapy was de-escalated to oral drugs in all of the living patients.CONCLUSION: The survival rates of HIV-related PAH patients were higher,most likely due to new aggressive specific therapy. The majority of patients were on oral specific therapy and clinically stable. Moreover,sildenafil appears to be a safe therapy for less severe HIVrelated PAH.

Non-initiation of hepatitis C virus antiviral therapy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus co-infection

AIM: To assess whether reasons for hepatitis C virus(HCV) therapy non-initiation differentially affect racial and ethnic minorities with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)/HCV co-infection.METHODS: Analysis included co-infected HCV treatment-na?ve patients in the University of North Carolina CFAR HIV Clinical Cohort(January 1, 2004 and December31, 2011). Medical records were abstracted to document non-modifiable medical(e.g., hepatic decompensation, advanced immunosuppression), potentially modifiable medical(e.g., substance abuse, severe depression, psychiatric illness), and non-medical(e.g., personal,social, and economic factors) reasons for non-initiation. Statistical differences in the prevalence of reasons for non-treatment between racial/ethnic groups were assessed using the two-tailed Fisher's exact test. Three separate regression models were fit for each reason category. Odds ratios and their 95%CIs(Wald's) were computed.RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-one patients with HIV/HCV co-infection within the cohort met study inclusion. The study sample was racially and ethnically diverse; most patients were African-American(74%), followed by Caucasian(19%), and Hispanic/other(7%). The median age was 46 years(interquartile range = 39-50) and most patients were male(74%). Among the 171 patients, reasons for non-treatment were common among all patients, regardless of race/ethnicity(50% with ≥ 1 non-modifiable medical reason, 66% with ≥1 potentially modifiable medical reason, and 66% with ≥ 1 non-medical reason). There were no significant differences by race/ethnicity. Compared to Caucasians, African-Americans did not have increased odds of nonmodifiable [adjusted odds ratio(a OR) = 1.47, 95%CI: 0.57-3.80], potentially modifiable(a OR = 0.72, 95%CI: 0.25-2.09) or non-medical(a OR = 0.90, 95%CI: 0.32-2.52) reasons for non-initiation.CONCLUSION: Race/ethnicity alone is not predictive of reasons for HCV therapy non-initiation. Targeted interventions are needed to improve access to therapy for all co-infected patients, including minorities.

Gut epithelial barrier dysfunction in humanimmunodeficiency virus-hepatitis C virus coinfectedpatients:Influence on innate and acquired immunity

Even in cases where viral replication has been controlled by antiretroviral therapy for long periods of time, human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected patients have several non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS) related co-morbidities, including liver disease, cardiovascular disease and neurocognitive decline, which have a clear impact on survival. It has been considered that persistent innate and acquired immune activation contributes to the pathogenesis of these non-AIDS related diseases. Immune activation has been related with several conditions, remarkably with the bacterial translocation related with the intestinal barrier damage by the HIV or by hepatitis C virus(HCV)-related liver cirrhosis. Consequently, increased morbidity and mortality must be expected in HIV-HCV coinfected patients. Disrupted gut barrier lead to an increased passage of microbial products and to an activation of the mucosal immune system and secretion of inflammatory mediators, which in turn might increase barrier dysfunction. In the present review, the intestinal barrier structure, measures of intestinal barrier dysfunction and the modifications of them in HIV monoinfection and in HIV-HCV coinfection will be considered. Both pathogenesis and the consequences for the progression of liver disease secondary to gut microbial fragment leakage and immune activation will be assessed.

Cardiovascular disease in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients: A true or perceived risk?

After the successful introduction of highly active antiretroviral agents the survival of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) in developed countries has increased substantially. This has allowed the surfacing of several chronic diseases among which cardiovascular disease(CVD) is prominent. The pathogenesis of CVD in HIV is complex and involves a combination of traditional and HIV related factors. An accurate assessment of risk of CVD in these patients is still elusive and as a consequence the most appropriate preventive and therapeutic interventions remain controversial.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) share a common route of transmission so that about one third of HIV infected individuals show HCV coinfection. Highly active antiretroviral therapy has offered a longer and better life to infected patients. While has removed AIDS-related diseases from the list of most common causes of death their place has been taken by complications of HCV infection, such as cirrhosis, end stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HIV/HCV co-infection requires complex management, especially when HCC is present. Co-infected patients with HCC undergo the same therapeutic protocol as their mono-infected counterparts, but special issues such as interaction between regimens, withdrawal of therapy and choice of immunosuppressive agents, demand a careful approach by specialists. All these issues are analyzed in this minireview.

TM6SF2 E167K variant predicts severe liver fibrosis for human immunodeficiency/hepatitis C virus co-infected patients, and severe steatosis only for a non-3 hepatitis C virus genotype

AIM To evaluate the impact of the Glu167Lys(E167K) transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2(TM6SF2) variant on the biochemical and morphologic expression of liver lesions in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)/hepatitis C virus(HCV) co-infected patients.METHODS The study comprised 167 consecutive patients with HIV/HCV coinfection and biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis. A pathologist graded liver fibrosis and necroinflammation using the Ishak scoring system, and steatosis using Kleiner's scoring system. Patients were genotyped for TM6SF2 E167K(rs58542926) by real-time Polymerase chain reaction. The 167 patients, 35 therapy-naive and 132 receiving ART, were prevalently males(73.6%), the median age was 40.7 years and the immunological condition good(median CD4+ cells/mm3 = 505.5).RESULTS The 17 patients with the TM6SF2 E167 K variant, compared with the 150 with TM6SF2-E/E, showed higher AST(P = 0.02) and alanine aminotransferase(P = 0.02) and higher fibrosis score(3.1 ± 2.0 vs 2.3 ± 1.5, P = 0.05). In a multivariate analysis, TM6SF2 E167 K was independently associated with severe fibrosis. The same analysis showed that HCV-genotype 3, present in 42.2% of patients was an independent predictor of severe steatosis. The association of TM6SF2 E167 K with severe steatosis, absent for the whole group of 167 patients, was re-evaluated separately for HCVgenotype 3 and non-3 patients: No factor was independently associated with severe steatosis in the HCV-genotype-3 subgroup, whereas an independent association was observed between severe steatosis and TM6SF2 E167 K in non-3 HCV genotypes. No association between the TM6SF2 E167 K variant and severe liver necroinflammation was observed.CONCLUSION In HIV/HCV coinfection the TM6SF2 E167 K variant is an independent predictor of severe fibrosis, but appears to be independently associated with severe steatosis only for patients with a non-3 HCV genotype.

Can antiretroviral therapy be tailored to each human immunodeficiency virus-infected individual? Role of pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenetics refers to the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) within human genes on drug therapy outcome. Its study might help clinicians to increase the efficacy of antiretroviral drugs by improving their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and by decreasing their side effects. HLAB*5701 genotyping to avoid the abacavir-associated hypersensitivity reaction(HSR) is a cost-effective diagnostic tool, with a 100% of negative predictive value, and, therefore, it has been included in the guidelines for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection. HALDRB*0101 associates with nevirapine-induced HSR. CYP2B6 SNPs modify efavirenz plasma levels and their genotyping help decreasing its central nervous system, hepatic and HSR toxicities. Cytokines SNPs might influence the development of drug-associated lipodystrophy. APOA5, APOB, APOC3 and APOE SNPs modify lipids plasma levels and might influence the coronary artery disease risk of HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy. UGT1A1*28 and ABCB1(MDR1) 3435 C > T SNPs modify atazanavir plasma levels and enhance hyperbilirubinemia. Much more effort needs to be still devoted to complete large prospective studies with multiple SNPs genotyping in order to reveal more clues about the role played by host genetics in antiretroviral drug efficacy and toxicity.

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection

Occult hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection(OBI) is characterized by the persistence of HBV DNA in the liver tissue in individuals negative for the HBV surface antigen.The prevalence of OBI is quite variable depending on the level of endemic disease in different parts of the world,the different assays utilized in the studies,and the different populations studied.Many studies have been carried out on OBI prevalence in different areas of the world and categories of individuals.The studies show that OBI prevalence seems to be higher among subjects at high risk for HBV infection and with liver disease than among individuals at low risk of infection and without liver disease.

Clinical significance of occult hepatitis B virus infection

Occult hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection(OBI) is defined as the presence of HBV DNA in the liver(with or without detectable HBV DNA in serum) for individuals testing HBV surface antigen negative.Until recently,the clinical effect of OBI was unclear on the progression of liver disease;on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma;and on the risk for reactivation or transmission of HBV infection.Several studies suggest a high prevalence of OBI among patients with cryptogenic chronic liver disease,but its role in the progression to cirrhosis remains unclear.Although OBI has been well documented in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) -positive patients,especially among those coinfected with hepatitis C virus,further studies are needed to determine its current clinical impact in HIV setting.

Non-AIDS definings malignancies among human immunodeficiency virus-positive subjects: Epidemiology and outcome after two decades of HAART era

Highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART) for humanimmunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection has been widely available in industrialized countries since 1996; its widespread use determined a dramatic decline in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS)-related mortality, and consequently, a significant decrease of AIDS-defining cancers. However the increased mean age of HIV-infected patients, prolonged exposure to environmental and lifestyle cancer risk factors, and coinfection with oncogenic viruses contributed to the emergence of other malignancies that are considered non-AIDS-defining cancers(NADCs) as a relevant fraction of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected people twenty years after HAART introduction. The role of immunosuppression in the pathogenesis of NADCs is not well defined, and future researches should investigate the etiology of NADCs. In the last years there is a growing evidence that intensive chemotherapy regimens and radiotherapy could be safely administrated to HIV-positive patients while continuing HAART. This requires a multidisciplinary approach and a close cooperation of oncologists and HIV-physicians in order to best manage compliance of patients to treatment and to face drug-related side effects. Here we review the main epidemiological features, risk factors and clinical behavior of the more common NADCs, such as lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer and anal cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma and some cutaneous malignancies, focusing also on the current therapeutic approaches and preventive screening strategies.

Women's willingness to be tested for human immunodeficiency virus during pregnancy: A review

Mother-to-child-transmission of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) is a primary cause of pediatric infections with HIV. Many of these infections involve women who were not tested early enough in pregnancy, or who didnot receive prevention services. HIV testing of pregnant women is considered to be one of the key strategies for preventing mother-to-child-transmission of HIV, but HIV testing rates among pregnant women in various countries remain suboptimal. Understanding the factors relating to women's willingness to be tested for HIV during pregnancy is critical for developing strategies to increase HIV testing rates among pregnant women. Extensive research points to various factors relating to women's willingness to be tested for HIV during pregnancy, and various recommendations aimed at improving testing rates among pregnant women have been suggested based on the research. In light of the goals set by the United Nations to reduce the rate of infants infected with HIV, it is necessary to summarize what is currently known regarding factors related to women's willingness to be tested for HIV during pregnancy. The purpose of this review is therefore to examine factors related to women's willingness to be tested for HIV during pregnancy, and to summarize recommendations for practice and further research.