Publications by authors named "Amin Hassan"
The complex dynamics of protein expression in plasma during hyperacute HIV-1 infection and its relation to acute retroviral syndrome, viral control, and disease progression are largely unknown. Here, we quantify 1293 blood plasma proteins from 157 longitudinally linked plasma samples collected before, during, and after hyperacute HIV-1 infection of 54 participants from four sub-Saharan African countries. Six distinct longitudinal expression profiles are identified, of which four demonstrate a consistent decrease in protein levels following HIV-1 infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Estimates on sexual behavior (SB) among emerging adults (EmA) is varied in literature, which presents a challenge when designing targeted interventions. We aimed to summarize literature on prevalence and risk factors of SB among EmA in Africa.
Methods: A search for studies published in PubMed, Embase, and Psych Info by March 2023 was done.
Background: Sexual behavior (SB) is a well-documented pathway to HIV acquisition in emerging adults and remains common amongst African emerging adults. Previous research in high-income countries indicates a correlation between disordered eating behavior (DEB) and engaging in sexual behaviors. We aimed to describe the relationship between DEB and SB amongst emerging adults attending a tertiary educational institution at the Kenyan Coast.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study looked at how certain infections might affect the immune system and make people more likely to get HIV-1, especially in high-risk individuals in Coastal Kenya.
- Researchers compared people who got HIV-1 to those who did not, checking their exposure to infections like malaria, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- They found that while malaria and CMV didn’t seem linked to getting HIV-1, exposure to STIs was linked, and some immune markers were changed in those who got HIV-1 compared to those who didn't.
This research focused on evaluating blood mineral levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) as an indicator of oxidative stress before and after giving birth in Achai and Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy cows. Blood samples were obtained from a total of 50 cows representing both breeds on the third, second, and first week prior to calving, as well as on the day of calving (day 0). Subsequently, samples were collected on the 1-3 weeks postpartum to allow a comprehensive evaluation of blood parameters throughout the peripartum period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A study in Kenya assessed the prevalence of pre-treatment HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) among various groups, including MSM, PWID, FSWs, heterosexuals, and children, revealing that children had the highest resistance at 41.3%.
- The analysis covered HIV-1 sequences collected from 1986 to 2020, identifying a concerning increase in pre-treatment HIVDR from 6.9% before 2005 to 24.2% from 2016-2020, particularly among HETs, who saw fluctuations in their resistance rates.
- The research identified 32 transmission clusters with shared mutations, indicating ongoing transmission, particularly in a notable cluster of MSM with the K103N mutation,
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely disrupted global health service delivery. We aimed to assess impact of the pandemic on same-day HIV diagnosis/ART initiation, six-months non-retention and initial virologic non-suppression (VnS) among individuals starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Kenya.
Methods: Individual-level longitudinal service delivery data were analysed.
Article Synopsis
- * Using qualitative data from interviews with 26 key informants, the research identifies various SRTBs, such as unprotected sex and transactional relationships, and maps their interconnected influences through an ecological model and causal loop diagram.
- * The findings indicate a strong prevalence of unprotected sex among emerging adults, suggesting that improved sexuality education and enhanced counseling support could help mitigate these risky behaviors in Kenyan universities.
Background: Aggregate electronic data repositories and population-level cross-sectional surveys play a critical role in HIV programme monitoring and surveillance for data-driven decision-making. However, these data sources have inherent limitations including inability to respond to public health priorities in real-time and to longitudinally follow up clients for ascertainment of long-term outcomes. Electronic medical records (EMRs) have tremendous potential to bridge these gaps when harnessed into a centralised data repository.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Early combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) leads to improved care linkage and virologic suppression, according to WHO guidelines, and this study analyzed its impact in Kenya.
- Among 8,592 HIV-infected adults starting cART, same-day initiation after diagnosis rose significantly, yet those starting cART on the same day showed higher non-retention rates compared to those starting after 91+ days.
- While about 14% of participants experienced initial virologic non-suppression within the first six months, there was no significant association found between the timing of cART initiation and viral suppression outcomes.
Modeling the Impact of HIV-1 Nucleic Acid Testing Among Symptomatic Adult Outpatients in Kenya.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
August 2022
Article Synopsis
Background: Immune responses to vaccination are a known trigger for a new onset of glomerular disease or disease flare in susceptible individuals. Mass immunization against SARS-CoV-2 in the COVID-19 pandemic provides a unique opportunity to study vaccination-associated autoimmune kidney diseases. In the recent literature, there are several patient reports demonstrating a temporal association of SARS-CoV-2 immunization and kidney diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- In Kenya, key populations like men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and female sex workers significantly impact the transmission of HIV-1 within the broader heterosexual population, but data on their transmission dynamics is limited.
- A study analyzed 4058 HIV-1 sequences from various risk groups and regions, revealing that 89% of transmissions occur within the same risk group, with 11% from mixing between groups.
- The research indicates that low-prevalence regions and key populations mainly act as sinks for HIV-1 transmission, suggesting that both key populations and the general epidemic need targeted intervention strategies.
HIV-1 transmission dynamics involving men who have sex with men (MSM) in Africa are not well understood. We investigated the rates of HIV-1 transmission between MSM across three regions in Kenya: Coast, Nairobi, and Nyanza. We analyzed 372 HIV-1 partial sequences sampled during 2006-2019 from MSM in Coast ( = 178, 47.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: HIV testing is the first step to stop transmission. We aimed to evaluate HIV testing history and new diagnoses among adult outpatients in Kenya aged 18-39 years seeking care for symptoms of acute HIV infection (AHI).
Methods: The Tambua Mapema Plus study, a stepped-wedge trial, enrolled patients presenting to care at six primary care facilities with symptoms of AHI for a targeted HIV-1 nucleic acid (NA) testing intervention compared with standard provider-initiated testing using rapid antibody tests.
To reduce global HIV-1 incidence, there is a need to understand and disentangle HIV-1 transmission dynamics and to determine the geographic areas and populations that act as hubs or drivers of HIV-1 spread. In Sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), the region with the highest HIV-1 burden, information about such transmission dynamics is sparse. Phylogenetic inference is a powerful method for the study of HIV-1 transmission networks and source attribution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) in a group of African adults and children with low CD4+ cell counts, and its relationship to mortality rates and new cases of cryptococcal disease in the REALITY trial.
- Researchers conducted retrospective testing on plasma samples from participants who were either given enhanced prophylaxis or standard treatment while starting antiretroviral therapy.
- Findings indicated that enhanced prophylaxis led to fewer deaths and new cases of cryptococcal disease regardless of the initial CrAg positivity status, implying that treatment effectiveness was consistent across different baseline conditions.
Article Synopsis
- Detection and management of acute HIV infection (AHI) is crucial, especially for young adults (18-39 years), who often seek care for symptoms and can be diagnosed early in the healthcare system, leading to significant health benefits.
- The Tambua Mapema Plus study aims to test 1500 young adults for acute and prevalent HIV, link them to immediate care, and provide partner notification services to enhance understanding of local sexual networks and improve treatment outcomes.
- A modified stepped-wedge design will evaluate the success of this intervention at selected health facilities in coastal Kenya, tracking clinical outcomes like treatment initiation and viral suppression over 12 months for newly diagnosed patients and their partners.