No accelerated progression of subclinical atherosclerosis with integrase strand transfer inhibitors compared to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Background: The role of integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) in the cardiovascular risk of people with HIV is controversial.

Objectives: To assess the association of INSTI to subclinical atherosclerosis progression measured with the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).

Methods: Prospective study in virologically suppressed people with HIV receiving INSTI- or NNRTI-based regimens.

Distinct gut microbiota signatures associated with progression of atherosclerosis in people living with HIV.

Background: The relationship of microbiota composition dynamics and the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in people with HIV (PWH) remains unknown.

Methods: 96-week, prospective, longitudinal study in virologically-suppressed PWH. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) measurements and stool samples were obtained at baseline, 48-week and 96-week visits.

Integrating SARS-CoV-2-specific interferon-γ release assay testing in the evaluation of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

The cellular immune response is essential in the protection against severe disease in patients with established SARS-CoV-2 infection. The novelty of this study lies in the evaluation of the overall performance of a standardized assay to measure cellular immune response, the SARS-CoV-2-specific interferon-γ release assay (IGRA), in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 IGRA was shown to accurately classify patients based on disease severity and prognosis, and the study revealed that test performance was not affected by the SARS-CoV-2 variant or control tube results.

Pericarditis caused by Mycobacterium africanum: case report.

Background: Mycobacterium africanum is a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and is endemic in West Africa, where it causes up to half of all cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Here, we report the first isolation of Mycobacterium africanum from the pericardial effusion culture of a patient with tuberculous pericarditis.

Case Presentation: A 31-year-old man, native from Senegal, came to the emergency room with massive pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis.

Robust long-term immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in patients recovered from severe COVID-19 after interleukin-6 blockade.

Background: Whether interleukin-6 (IL-6) blockade in patients with COVID-19 will affect the protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 has become an important concern for anti-IL-6 therapy. We aimed to investigate the effects of IL-6 blockade on long-term immunity to SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Prospective, longitudinal cohort study conducted in patients hospitalized for severe or critical COVID-19 with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.