Impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Minority Variants on the Virus Response to a Rilpivirine-Based First-line Regimen.

Background: Minority resistant variants of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) could influence the virological response to treatment based on nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Data on minority rilpivirine-resistant variants are scarce. This study used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify patients harboring minority resistant variants to nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors and NNRTIs and to assess their influence on the virological response (VR).

A cohort study of treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients treated with raltegravir: factors associated with virological response and mutations selected at failure.

This study aimed to identify factors associated with virological response (VR) to raltegravir (RAL)-containing regimens in 468 treatment-experienced but integrase inhibitor-naive HIV-1 patients receiving a RAL-containing regimen. VR was defined at Month 6 (M6) as HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) <50 copies/mL. The impacts on VR of baseline integrase mutations, VL, CD4 count, genotypic sensitivity score for nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors, and the number of new antiretrovirals used for the first time associated with RAL were investigated.

[Cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract associated with human papillomavirus].

Carcinomas of the aerodigestive tract are most often secondary to alcohol and tobacco intoxication. However, it is shown that the oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) have an increasing role in the carcinogenesis of these cancers. Patients with HPV+ carcinoma are generally younger and not alcohol and tobacco users.

PD-1-expressing tumor-infiltrating T cells are a favorable prognostic biomarker in HPV-associated head and neck cancer.

Head and neck cancers positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) have a more favorable clinical outcome than HPV-negative cancers, but it is unknown why this is the case. We hypothesized that prognosis was affected by intrinsic features of HPV-infected tumor cells or differences in host immune response. In this study, we focused on a comparison of regulatory Foxp3(+) T cells and programmed death-1 (PD-1)(+) T cells in the microenvironment of tumors that were positive or negative for HPV, in two groups that were matched for various clinical and biologic parameters.

Lack of regression of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions despite immune restoration under cART.

Background: A high prevalence of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASIL) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections were observed in HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) in the precART (combined antiretroviral therapy) era. The impact of cART on the natural history of HPV infection and ASIL is poorly documented.

Methods: Ninety-four HIV-infected MSM naive of cART were enrolled in a longitudinal study before starting cART.

Characterization and whole genome analysis of human papillomavirus type 16 e1-1374^63nt variants.

Background: The variation of the most common Human papillomavirus (HPV) type found in cervical cancer, the HPV16, has been extensively investigated in almost all viral genes. The E1 gene variation, however, has been rarely studied. The main objective of the present investigation was to analyze the variability of the E6 and E1 genes, focusing on the recently identified E1-1374^63nt variant.

Value of cytologic Papanicolaou smears and polymerase chain reaction screening for human papillomavirus DNA in detecting anal intraepithelial neoplasia: comparison with histology of a surgical sample.

Background: The performance of cytologic screening and its correlation with histology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA have not been evaluated in populations with a low prevalence of anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN). The objective of the current study was to analyze the significance of abnormal smears relative to the histology and PCR detection of HPV DNA.

Methods: A cytologic smear and a viral sample were taken in 300 consecutive patients undergoing surgery (Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy and/or fissurectomy) who gave their informed consent.

An unusual human papillomavirus type 82 detection in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: case report and review of literature.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx is extremely rare in adolescent or younger adult and typically has an aggressive nature. The mechanism of laryngeal oncogenesis is complex and little is known about the role of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in SCC in young age. HPV infection may occur during birth or latter by oro-genital contact.

Residual HIV-1 RNA and HIV-1 DNA production in the genital tract reservoir of women treated with HAART: the prospective ANRS EP24 GYNODYN study.

Background: The female genital tract constitutes a reservoir for HIV providing active production of both cell-free HIV RNA and cell-associated DNA within the cervicovaginal secretions. The objective of this study was to prospectively assess residual HIV-1 RNA and HIV-1 DNA production in the genital tract reservoir of women initiating HAART over an 18-month period.

Methods: Paired blood and cervicovaginal lavage samples were collected at inclusion and 1, 6, 12 and 18 months after HAART initiation, in 23 women in first-line HAART and six women in virological failure, for measurement of HIV-1 RNA and HIV-1 DNA shedding and/or drug concentrations.

Dynamics of enfuvirtide resistance mutations in enfuvirtide-experienced patients remaining in virological failure under salvage therapy.

Background: Evaluation of the dynamics of enfuvirtide (ENF) resistance mutations after ENF withdrawal in patients with virological failure under salvage therapy may be helpful to optimize the management of ENF in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients.

Methods: Seven patients with a failing ENF-containing regimen, initiated for at least 3 months (median 6.4 months, range 3-14), were included and followed up prospectively at the time of virological failure.

Distribution of HIV-1 and HSV-2 epidemics in Chad revealing HSV-2 hot-spot in regions of high-risk HIV spread.

Introduction: Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) is known to be a potent co-factor of Human Immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1) heterosexual transmission. We were interested in assessing the distribution of HIV-1 and HSV-2 epidemics at the national level in Chad.

Methodology: In 2007, a population-based anonymous serosurvey for HIV-1 and HSV-2 infections, using dried blood spots, was conducted.

Virological failure and HIV type 1 drug resistance profiles among patients followed-up in private sector, Douala, Cameroon.

The rate of virological failure was assessed in 819 patients followed up by the private sector of Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, and treated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. In addition, genotypic resistance testing was carried out in the subgroup of 75 selected patients representative of the 254 patients in virological and/or immunological failure receiving a first-line (83%) or second-line (17%) regimen. Overall, 36% of patients treated by antiretroviral drugs (ARV) were in virological failure, as assessed by plasma viral load above 3.

High frequency of integrase Q148R minority variants in HIV-infected patients naive of integrase inhibitors.

Background: Integrase positions 148 and 155 represent main determinants of resistance to integrase inhibitors. We assessed the prevalence of minority variants harboring such mutations in integrase-naive HIV-infected patients.

Methods: Two groups of patients were studied: 40 heavily antiretroviral-experienced patients, initiating a raltegravir-based therapy and 51 antiretroviral-naive patients.

Evaluation of ultraviolet C for disinfection of endocavitary ultrasound transducers persistently contaminated despite probe covers.

Objective: To determine the rate of bacterial and viral contamination of endocavitary ultrasound probes after endorectal or endovaginal examination with the use of probe covers and to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of a disinfection procedure consisting of cleaning with a disinfectant-impregnated towel followed by disinfection with ultraviolet C (UVC) light.

Methods: Endovaginal or endorectal ultrasound examinations were performed for 440 patients in 3 institutions. All probes were covered by a condom or sheath during the examination.

Foscarnet as salvage therapy in HIV-2-infected patient with antiretroviral treatment failure.

Previous studies have suggested the efficacy of foscarnet combined with thymidine analogues as salvage therapy in late-stage HIV-1 infection. Here, we report on the first case of foscarnet therapy in a patient infected with HIV-2 exhibiting virologic failure. The patient was known to be HIV-2-infected since 1992 and had received 11 sequential lines of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) with almost all the available antiretroviral agents including raltegravir.

A new approach for the evaluation of the human papillomavirus type 16 variability with high resolution melting analysis.

Studies on the variability of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 are based mostly on DNA sequencing of the viral oncogenes E6 and E7. In order to simplify variant identification, high resolution melting (HRM) analysis, which has been shown to distinguish amplicons differing in a single nucleotide, was employed. Optimised HRM analysis was applied to 255 anogenital samples positive for HPV 16.

High frequency of antiretroviral drug resistance among HIV-infected adults receiving first-line highly active antiretroviral therapy in N'Djamena, Chad.

Antiretroviral drug resistance was evaluated in 88 adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus, most with subtype CRF11_cpx, who had received a first-line antiretroviral regimen for 6 months, in N'Djamena, Chad. A total of 47 patients (53%) had detectable viral load at month 6, and 56 (64%) had at least 1 antiretroviral resistance mutation observed.

Foscarnet salvage therapy efficacy is associated with the presence of thymidine-associated mutations (TAMs) in HIV-infected patients.

Background: Salvage therapy based on foscarnet plus a thymidine analog is effective in patients with advanced-stage HIV disease and viruses harbouring multiple drug-resistance mutations.

Objective: To identify viral genetic determinants associated with the virological efficacy of foscarnet salvage therapy.

Study Design: Thirteen patients received foscarnet at a fixed dose of 80 mg/kg twice daily for 14 days, in combination with zidovudine or stavudine.

Evaluation of the one-step multiplex real-time reverse transcription-PCR ProFlu-1 assay for detection of influenza A and influenza B viruses and respiratory syncytial viruses in children.

We evaluated the one-step multiplex real-time reverse transcription-PCR ProFlu-1 assay for the detection of influenza A and influenza B viruses and respiratory syncytial viruses from 353 pediatric nasopharyngeal aspirates. As assessed by comparison with the results of immunofluorescence testing and cell culture, the specificity and the sensitivity of the ProFlu-1 assay ranged from 97% to 100%. In addition, the ProFlu-1 assay amplified 9% of samples not detected by conventional methods.

Unexpected high prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 seropositivity and HSV genital shedding in pregnant women living in an East Paris suburban area.

Both herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence and the proportion of HSV-1 genital ulcers are increasing in industrialized countries. The consequences of these epidemiological changes, in pregnant women in France, for both the genital shedding of HSV and vertical transmission, have been poorly evaluated. The HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence and the rate of subclinical genital shedding of herpes close to delivery were evaluated in pregnant women, with no history of genital herpes, living in the East Paris suburban area.

HSV-2- and HIV-1- permissive cell lines co-infected by HSV-2 and HIV-1 co-replicate HSV-2 and HIV-1 without production of HSV-2/HIV-1 pseudotype particles.

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a major cofactor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) sexual acquisition and transmission. In the present study, we investigated whether HIV-1 and HSV-2 may interact at the cellular level by forming HIV-1 hybrid virions pseudotyped with HSV-2 envelope glycoproteins, as was previously reported for HSV type 1.

Methods: We evaluated in vitro the production of HSV-2/HIV-1 pseudotypes in mononuclear CEM cells and epithelial HT29 and P4P cells.

Early archives of genetically-restricted proviral DNA in the female genital tract after heterosexual transmission of HIV-1.

Objectives And Method: In order to characterize human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) variants that are transmitted in women via heterosexual intercourse, the env V1-V3 sequences of HIV-1 provirus (DNA) and free virus (RNA) in paired samples of blood and cervicovaginal secretions of untreated chronically and primary infected African women were compared.

Results: Env RNA sequences retrieved from plasma and genital compartments formed a single cluster in primary infection. In contrast, env RNA sequences from these two compartments were distinct in chronically infected women.

Increased polymorphism in the HR-1 gp41 env gene encoding the enfuvirtide (T-20) target in HIV-1 variants harboring multiple antiretroviral drug resistance mutations in the pol gene.

Background: Sequence variations in HR-1 gp41 env gene region encoding the target for T-20 have previously been reported among patients naive to inhibitory fusion.

Objective: To evaluate whether a previous therapeutic history of patients could have an impact on a differential evolution of the gp41 polymorphism.

Methods: We assessed the genetic polymorphism within the critical HR-1 gp41 env gene region in HIV-1 variants from 108 T-20-naive patients (Groups I-III) and 12 patients receiving T-20 as part of a salvage regimen (Group IV).

Genital shedding of herpes simplex virus type 2 in childbearing-aged and pregnant women living in Gabon.

The prevalence of genital shedding of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 and related risk factors was evaluated in a prospective population of 355 women attending the Maternity Joséphine Bongo, in Libreville, Gabon. We found a high prevalence (66%) of HSV-2 seropositivity, with a high proportion, 14%, of women harbouring HSV-2 DNA shedding in their genital secretions. HSV-2 genital shedding was positively associated with previous episodes of genital blisters, current genital ulcer, current genital blister, HIV seropositivity and HSV-2 seropositivity.