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 r...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.展开更多
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 didno...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.展开更多
Objective: To test the hypothesis that Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in Black patients is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors that may increase aortic stiffness assessed by pulse wave...Objective: To test the hypothesis that Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in Black patients is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors that may increase aortic stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Methods: We matched 96 Cameroonian Controls to 238 (Un) treated HIV-positive patients [HIV] for age. In each participant, aortic PWV (ComplioR), blood pressures (BP), lipid profile and fasting blood glucose (FPG) were measured. Results: Waist circumference was lower in HIV than in Controls (both p g·dl-1), and of diabetes (FPG > 125 mg·dl-1) were higher in HIV than in the Controls (50% vs 27%, and 23% vs 1%, respectively;both p < 0.0001). HDL-C was lower in HIV as compared to the Control (p = 0.02). Fasting triglycerides (TG) and the atherogenic dyslipidemia ratio [log(TG)/HDL-C] were higher in HIV than in the Controls (both p < 0.05). Hypertension prevalence was high but comparable in the two groups (48% vs 44% respectively, p > 0.05). HIV patients exhibited a twice-higher prevalence of MetS (AHA/NHLBI score 33/5) than that of the Controls (41% vs 21%;p 0.01). Similarly, severity of MetS phenotype was higher in HIV as compared to the Controls (2.14% vs 1.59%;p < 0.0001). PWV adjusted for age, mean BP and gender was faster in HIV in comparison to the controls (7.33 m/s vs 6.86 m/s, respectively;p = 0.036). Conclusions: HIV infection is associated with higher prevalence of MetS and its phenotype in Black African patients that may induce increased aortic stiffness.展开更多
Introduction:Injecting drug use is a public health concern due to its clinical,social,economic,and legal consequences.Objective:(1)To evaluate the prevalence of infections associated with injecting drug use;and(2)To a...Introduction:Injecting drug use is a public health concern due to its clinical,social,economic,and legal consequences.Objective:(1)To evaluate the prevalence of infections associated with injecting drug use;and(2)To assess the social profile of substance users and high-risk behaviors among people who inject drugs(PWID)receiving opioid substitution therapy(OST).Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 PWID who were deemed eligible using inclusion and exclusion criteria.Data were collected through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire after obtaining informed written consent.Results:The results revealed that 14%of PWID had human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),7%had tuberculosis,and 2%had hepatitis B virus(HBV).None of the PWID self-reported hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection.Importantly,71%of PWID were living on the streets(i.e.homeless),and 41%of PWID had a history of sharing needles with other users in the preceding 3 months.Unmarried or single PWID had significantly increased risk of homelessness(χ^(2)=4.570;P=0.032)and reported high-risk sexual practices with commercial sexual partners in the preceding 3 months(χ^(2)=4.163;P=0.041).Homeless PWID had significantly increased frequency of injecting practices(P=0.020).Conclusion:Despite the higher global prevalence of HCV compared with HBV and HIV among PWID,HCV testing is not currently conducted at most OST centers in India.Access to free needles and syringes should be enhanced to reduce the morbidity associated with injecting drug use.展开更多
Using Giyke, a Chinese Materia Medica, in treating 60 human immunodeticiency virus in-fected patients. the total effective rate was 35%. the rates of immunological improvement and stabilitywere 68. 3% - 90% , while th...Using Giyke, a Chinese Materia Medica, in treating 60 human immunodeticiency virus in-fected patients. the total effective rate was 35%. the rates of immunological improvement and stabilitywere 68. 3% - 90% , while those of symptoms amelioration were 35% - 64% respectively. Polymerasechain reaction was used to check one of two patients and revealed positive. Experimental study showedGlyke could inhibit simian immunodeficiency virus as well as enhance the patient's immune function.展开更多
基金Supported by National Taiwan University Hospital,Taipei,Taiwan,No.NTUH106-003347(to Sun HY).
文摘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.
文摘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.
文摘Objective: To test the hypothesis that Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in Black patients is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors that may increase aortic stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Methods: We matched 96 Cameroonian Controls to 238 (Un) treated HIV-positive patients [HIV] for age. In each participant, aortic PWV (ComplioR), blood pressures (BP), lipid profile and fasting blood glucose (FPG) were measured. Results: Waist circumference was lower in HIV than in Controls (both p g·dl-1), and of diabetes (FPG > 125 mg·dl-1) were higher in HIV than in the Controls (50% vs 27%, and 23% vs 1%, respectively;both p < 0.0001). HDL-C was lower in HIV as compared to the Control (p = 0.02). Fasting triglycerides (TG) and the atherogenic dyslipidemia ratio [log(TG)/HDL-C] were higher in HIV than in the Controls (both p < 0.05). Hypertension prevalence was high but comparable in the two groups (48% vs 44% respectively, p > 0.05). HIV patients exhibited a twice-higher prevalence of MetS (AHA/NHLBI score 33/5) than that of the Controls (41% vs 21%;p 0.01). Similarly, severity of MetS phenotype was higher in HIV as compared to the Controls (2.14% vs 1.59%;p < 0.0001). PWV adjusted for age, mean BP and gender was faster in HIV in comparison to the controls (7.33 m/s vs 6.86 m/s, respectively;p = 0.036). Conclusions: HIV infection is associated with higher prevalence of MetS and its phenotype in Black African patients that may induce increased aortic stiffness.
文摘Introduction:Injecting drug use is a public health concern due to its clinical,social,economic,and legal consequences.Objective:(1)To evaluate the prevalence of infections associated with injecting drug use;and(2)To assess the social profile of substance users and high-risk behaviors among people who inject drugs(PWID)receiving opioid substitution therapy(OST).Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 PWID who were deemed eligible using inclusion and exclusion criteria.Data were collected through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire after obtaining informed written consent.Results:The results revealed that 14%of PWID had human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),7%had tuberculosis,and 2%had hepatitis B virus(HBV).None of the PWID self-reported hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection.Importantly,71%of PWID were living on the streets(i.e.homeless),and 41%of PWID had a history of sharing needles with other users in the preceding 3 months.Unmarried or single PWID had significantly increased risk of homelessness(χ^(2)=4.570;P=0.032)and reported high-risk sexual practices with commercial sexual partners in the preceding 3 months(χ^(2)=4.163;P=0.041).Homeless PWID had significantly increased frequency of injecting practices(P=0.020).Conclusion:Despite the higher global prevalence of HCV compared with HBV and HIV among PWID,HCV testing is not currently conducted at most OST centers in India.Access to free needles and syringes should be enhanced to reduce the morbidity associated with injecting drug use.
文摘Using Giyke, a Chinese Materia Medica, in treating 60 human immunodeticiency virus in-fected patients. the total effective rate was 35%. the rates of immunological improvement and stabilitywere 68. 3% - 90% , while those of symptoms amelioration were 35% - 64% respectively. Polymerasechain reaction was used to check one of two patients and revealed positive. Experimental study showedGlyke could inhibit simian immunodeficiency virus as well as enhance the patient's immune function.
