Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) related changes in BMI and risk of diabetes: a prospective study from the RESPOND cohort consortium.

Background: With integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) use associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and BMI increases associated with higher diabetes mellitus (DM) risk, this study explored the relationship between INSTI/non-INSTI regimens, BMI changes, and DM risk.

Methods: RESPOND participants were included if they had CD4, HIV RNA, and ≥ 2 BMI measurements during follow up. Those with prior DM were excluded.

Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Transmission Clusters and Transmitted Drug-Resistant Mutations in Croatia from 2019 to 2022.

Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection is challenging due to the highly diverse HIV-genome. We investigated the genetic diversity and prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) followed by phylogenetic analysis in 270 HIV-1 infected, treatment-naïve individuals from Croatia in the period 2019-2022. The results of this research confirmed a high overall prevalence of TDR of 16.

Incidence, risk factors, and clinical findings of syphilis among men living with HIV in Croatia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We conducted a nationwide longitudinal observational study to estimate the incidence of syphilis in a cohort of male persons living with HIV (MLWH) in Croatia in the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 years. Data were reviewed and extracted from the clinical database. We analyzed 1187 MLWH (≥ 18 years) in care in Croatia from 2018 to 2021 and used Poisson regression to calculate rates.

Vaccination against HBV and HAV as Mode of Hepatitis Prevention among People Living with HIV-Data from ECEE Network Group.

(1) Background: Viral hepatitis C (HCV) and viral hepatitis B (HBV) are common co-infections in people living with HIV (PLWH). All PLWH should be vaccinated against HBV and hepatitis A (HAV) and treated for HBV and HCV. We aimed to compare testing, prophylaxis and treatment of viral hepatitis in PLWH in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in 2019 and 2022.

Hepatitis A Outbreak in Men Who Have Sex with Men Using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and People Living with HIV in Croatia, January to October 2022.

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a highly hepatotropic virus transmitted mainly via the fecal-oral route. The purpose of this study is to describe a prolonged HAV outbreak in HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users in Croatia in 2022. Croatia has a centralized system of HIV care and the PrEP service is only available at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases (UHID), Zagreb.

PrEP Scale-Up and PEP in Central and Eastern Europe: Changes in Time and the Challenges We Face with No Expected HIV Vaccine in the near Future.

With no expected vaccine for HIV in the near future, we aimed to define the current situation and challenges for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The Euroguidelines CEE Network Group members were invited to respond to a 27-item survey including questions on PrEP (response rate 91.6%).

The role of HIV/hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus RNA+ triple infection in end-stage liver disease and all-cause mortality in Europe.

Background: There are limited data on end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and mortality in people with HIV (PWH) coinfected with both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Methods: All PWH aged greater than 18 under follow-up in EuroSIDA positive for HBsAg (HBV), and/or HCVRNA+, were followed from baseline (latest of 1 January 2001, EuroSIDA recruitment, known HBV/HCV status) to ESLD, death, last visit, or 31 December 2020. Follow-up while HCVRNA- was excluded.

REVERSIBILITY OF LIPOATROPHY IN HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS TAKING ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY: A COHORT STUDY WITH ULTRASOUND ASSESSMENT.

The aim of this study was to characterize and compare changes in subcutaneous fat in the malar, brachial and crural region in a cohort of HIV-infected patients taking antiretroviral therapy. This prospective longitudinal study included 77 patients who were selected from the initial cohort evaluated in 2007 and 2008. We examined reversibility of lipoatrophy measured by ultrasound over at least five-year period and factors related to its reversibility.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Nephrology Care in People Living with HIV in Central/Eastern Europe and Neighbouring Countries-Cross-Sectional Analysis from the ECEE Network.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The Central and East Europe (CEE) region consists of countries with highly diversified HIV epidemics, health care systems and socioeconomic status. The aim of the present study was to describe variations in CKD burden and care between countries.

Efficiency of the EmERGE Pathway of Care in Five European HIV Centres.

Objective: We aimed to calculate the efficiency of the EmERGE Pathway of Care in five European HIV clinics, developed and implemented for medically stable people living with HIV.

Methods: Participants were followed up for 1 year before and after implementation of EmERGE, between April 2016 and October 2019. Micro-costing studies were performed in the outpatient services of the clinics.

HIV treatment strategies across Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe: New times, old problems.

Introduction: In the last decade, substantial differences in the epidemiology of, antiretroviral therapy (ART) for, cascade of care in and support to people with HIV in vulnerable populations have been observed between countries in Western Europe, Central Europe (CE) and Eastern Europe (EE). The aim of this study was to use a survey to explore whether ART availability and therapies have evolved in CE and EE according to European guidelines.

Methods: The Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe (ECEE) Network Group conducted two identical multicentre cross-sectional online surveys in 2019 and 2021 concerning the availability and use of antiretroviral drugs (boosted protease inhibitors [bPIs], integrase inhibitors [INSTIs] and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NRTIs]), the introduction of a rapid ART start strategy and the use of two-drug regimens (2DRs) for starting or switching ART.

Preliminary report on the provision of HIV care to war refugees with HIV who are migrating from Ukraine: data from the ECEE Network Group.

The ECEE Network Group investigated early provision of HIV care to war refugees migrating from Ukraine in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) through an online survey. Fourteen countries admitting war refugees from Ukraine on March 31, 2022, completed the survey. Most centers (86%) organized provision of same day antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 30 days (77%), but indicated that it may affect the local HIV care.

A cross-sectional assessment of frailty, falls and perceptions of ageing in people living with HIV using an mHealth platform.

Objective: To evaluate frailty, falls and perceptions of ageing among clinically stable individuals with HIV, engaged with remote healthcare delivered via a novel smartphone application.

Methods: This was a multi-centre European cross-sectional, questionnaire-based sub-study of EmERGE participants. Frailty was assessed using the five-item FRAIL scale.

HIV-1 subtype B spread through cross-border clusters in the Balkans: a molecular analysis in view of incidence trends.

Objectives: To analyze phylogenetic relations and assess the role of cross-border clusters in the spread of HIV-1 subtype B across the Balkans, given the general trends of new HIV diagnoses in seven Balkan countries.

Design: Retrospective phylogenetic and trend analysis.

Methods: In-depth phylogenetic, phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis performed on 2415 HIV-1 subtype B sequences from 1999 to 2019 using maximal likelihood and Bayesian methods.

Correction: Azithromycin consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia, 2020.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The Management of HIV Care Services in Central and Eastern Europe: Data from the Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging time for medical care, especially in the field of infectious diseases (ID), but it has also provided an opportunity to introduce new solutions in HIV management. Here, we investigated the changes in HIV service provision across Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries before and after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods: The Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group consists of experts in the field of ID from 24 countries within the CEE region.

The Presence of Either Typical or Atypical Radiological Changes Predicts Poor COVID-19 Outcomes in HIV-Positive Patients from a Multinational Observational Study: Data from Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group.

HIV-positive patients may present lungs with multiple infections, which may hinder differential diagnoses and the choice of treatment in the course of COVID-19, especially in countries with limited access to high-standard healthcare. Here, we aim to investigate the association between radiological changes and poor COVID-19 outcomes among HIV-positive patients from Central and Eastern Europe. Between November 2020 and May 2021, the Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group started collecting observational data on HIV and COVID-19 co-infections.

Azithromycin consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia, 2020.

Background: During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was great enthusiasm for the use of azithromycin with or without hydroxychloroquine.

Objectives: We analyzed azithromycin consumption in Croatia in 2020 and compared this to the period 2017-2019.

Methods: Azithromycin consumption was evaluated using the IQVIA Adriatic d.

The cost of care for people living with stable HIV in Croatia and the efficiency of EmERGE.

Aim: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of the EmERGE Pathway of Care for medically stable people living with HIV (PLHIV) at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases (UHID), Zagreb. The Pathway includes a mobile application enabling individuals to communicate with their caregivers.

Methods: This study involving 293 participants collected data on the use of HIV outpatient services one year before and after EmERGE implementation.

Retrospective evaluation of an observational cohort by the Central and Eastern Europe Network Group shows a high frequency of potential drug-drug interactions among HIV-positive patients receiving treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objectives: The aim of this international multicentre study was to review potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) for real-life coadministration of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-specific medications.

Methods: The Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group initiated a retrospective, observational cohort study of HIV-positive patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Data were collected through a standardized questionnaire and DDIs were identified using the University of Liverpool's interaction checker.

Hypersensitivity reactions, hepatotoxicity, and other discontinuations in persons receiving integrase strand transfer inhibitors: results from the EuroSIDA study.

Hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) and hepatotoxicity are rare, but potentially serious side-effects of antiretroviral use. To investigate discontinuations due to HSR, hepatotoxicity or other reasons among users of dolutegravir (DTG) vs. raltegravir (RAL) or elvitegravir (EVG) in the EuroSIDA cohort.

National strategies for vaccination against COVID-19 in people living with HIV in Central and Eastern European region.

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLWH) are at higher risk of poorer COVID-19 outcomes. Vaccination is a safe and effective method of prevention against many infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Here we investigate the strategies for national COVID-19 vaccination programmes across central and eastern Europe and the inclusion of PLWH in vaccination programmes.