A high prevalence of potential HIV elite controllers identified over 30 years in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: In-depth analysis of the HIV pandemic at its epicenter in the Congo basin has been hampered by 40 years of political unrest and lack of functional public health infrastructure. In recent surveillance studies (2017-18), we found that the prevalence of HIV in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (11%) far exceeded previous estimates.

Methods: 10,457 participants were screened in Kinshasa with rapid tests from 2017-2019.

Increased HIV in Greater Kinshasa Urban Health Zones: Democratic Republic of Congo (2017-2018).

Background: Diagnosis of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is the first step toward achieving the new Fast Track Strategy to end AIDS by 2030: 95-95-95. However, reaching PLHIV is especially difficult in resource-limited settings such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where reliable prevalence data is lacking. This study evaluated the prevalence of HIV in patients in the urban Kinshasa area.

Author Correction: Metagenomic sequencing with spiked primer enrichment for viral diagnostics and genomic surveillance.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Metagenomic sequencing with spiked primer enrichment for viral diagnostics and genomic surveillance.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), the shotgun sequencing of RNA and DNA from clinical samples, has proved useful for broad-spectrum pathogen detection and the genomic surveillance of viral outbreaks. An additional target enrichment step is generally needed for high-sensitivity pathogen identification in low-titre infections, yet available methods using PCR or capture probes can be limited by high cost, narrow scope of detection, lengthy protocols and/or cross-contamination. Here, we developed metagenomic sequencing with spiked primer enrichment (MSSPE), a method for enriching targeted RNA viral sequences while simultaneously retaining metagenomic sensitivity for other pathogens.

Brief Report: Complete Genome Sequence of CG-0018a-01 Establishes HIV-1 Subtype L.

Background: The full spectrum of HIV-1 diversity can be found in Central Africa, including 2 divergent HIV-1 strains collected in 1983 and 1990 in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that were preliminarily classified as group M subtype L. However, a third epidemiologically distinct subtype L genome must be identified to designate L as a true subtype.

Methods: Specimen CG-0018a-01 was collected in 2001 in DRC as part of an HIV diversity study.

HIV Capsid Inhibitors Beyond PF74.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) capsid plays important roles at multiple stages of viral replication. At the initial stages, controlled uncoating (disassembly) of the capsid ensures efficient reverse transcription of the single-stranded RNA genome, into the double-stranded DNA. Whereas at later stages, a proper assembly of capsid ensures the formation of a mature infectious virus particle.

Proteomic Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Plasma of HIV-Infected Alcohol Drinkers and Cigarette Smokers.

Abuse of alcohol and tobacco could exacerbate HIV pathogenesis by transferring materials through exosomes (small nanovesicles). Exosomes present a stable and accessible source of information concerning the health and/or disease status of patients, which can provide diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for myriad conditions. Therefore, we aimed to study the specific exosomal proteins that are altered in both HIV-infected subjects and alcohol/tobacco users.

Contribution of HIV Infection, AIDS, and Antiretroviral Therapy to Exocrine Pathogenesis in Salivary and Lacrimal Glands.

The structure and function of exocrine glands are negatively affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and its co-morbidities, including innate and adaptive immune responses. At the same time, exocrine function may also be influenced by pharmacotherapies directed at the infectious agents. Here, we briefly review the role of the salivary glands and lacrimal glands in normal physiology and exocrine pathogenesis within the context of HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), including the contribution of antiretroviral therapies on both.

Cytokine profiling of exosomes derived from the plasma of HIV-infected alcohol drinkers and cigarette smokers.

Cytokines and chemokines circulate in plasma and may be transferred to distant sites, via exosomes. HIV infection is associated with dysregulation of cytokines and chemokines, which subsequently contribute to the pathogenesis of HIV. Alcohol and tobacco exposure, which are prevalent in HIV-infected individuals, may induce changes in the expression of cytokines and chemokines.

ARCHITECT HIV Combo Ag/Ab and RealTime HIV-1 Assays Detect Diverse HIV Strains in Clinical Specimens.

Periodic evaluation of the impact of viral diversity on diagnostic tests is critical to ensure current technologies are keeping pace with viral evolution. To determine whether HIV diversity impacts the ARCHITECT HIV Combo Ag/Ab (HIV Combo) or RealTime HIV-1 (RT) assays, a set of N = 199 HIV clinical specimens from Cameroon, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand were sequenced and tested in both assays. The panel included historical groups N and P specimens and a newly identified group N specimen.

Malaria over-diagnosis in Cameroon: diagnostic accuracy of Fluorescence and Staining Technologies (FAST) Malaria Stain and LED microscopy versus Giemsa and bright field microscopy validated by polymerase chain reaction.

Background: Malaria is a major world health issue and its continued burden is due, in part, to difficulties in the diagnosis of the illness. The World Health Organization recommends confirmatory testing using microscopy-based techniques or rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) for all cases of suspected malaria. In regions where Plasmodium species are indigenous, there are multiple etiologies of fever leading to misdiagnoses, especially in populations where HIV is prevalent and children.

Sensitive Next-Generation Sequencing Method Reveals Deep Genetic Diversity of HIV-1 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

As the epidemiological epicenter of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a reservoir of circulating HIV strains exhibiting high levels of diversity and recombination. In this study, we characterized HIV specimens collected in two rural areas of the DRC between 2001 and 2003 to identify rare strains of HIV. The gp41 region was sequenced and characterized for 172 HIV-positive specimens.

Enhanced oxidative stress by alcohol use in HIV+ patients: possible involvement of cytochrome P450 2E1 and antioxidant enzymes.

Background: Alcohol consumption is prevalent amongst HIV positive population. Importantly, chronic alcohol use is reported to exacerbate HIV pathogenesis. Although alcohol is known to increase oxidative stress, especially in the liver, there is no clinical evidence that alcohol increases oxidative stress in HIV positive patients.

Effect of mild-to-moderate smoking on viral load, cytokines, oxidative stress, and cytochrome P450 enzymes in HIV-infected individuals.

Mild-to-moderate tobacco smoking is highly prevalent in HIV-infected individuals, and is known to exacerbate HIV pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine the specific effects of mild-to-moderate smoking on viral load, cytokine production, and oxidative stress and cytochrome P450 (CYP) pathways in HIV-infected individuals who have not yet received antiretroviral therapy (ART). Thirty-two human subjects were recruited and assigned to four different cohorts as follows: a) HIV negative non-smokers, b) HIV positive non-smokers, c) HIV negative mild-to-moderate smokers, and d) HIV positive mild-to-moderate smokers.

Drug resistance in non-B subtype HIV-1: impact of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes approximately 2.5 million new infections every year, and nearly 1.6 million patients succumb to HIV each year.

Multi-drug resistant oral Candida species isolated from HIV-positive patients in South Africa and Cameroon.

Candida species are a common cause of infection in immune-compromised HIV-positive individuals, who are usually treated with the antifungal drug, fluconazole, in public hospitals in Africa. However, information about the prevalence of drug resistance to fluconazole and other antifungal agents on Candida species is very limited. This study examined 128 Candida isolates from South Africa and 126 Cameroonian Candida isolates for determination of species prevalence and antifungal drug susceptibility.

Enhanced nicotine metabolism in HIV-1-positive smokers compared with HIV-negative smokers: simultaneous determination of nicotine and its four metabolites in their plasma using a simple and sensitive electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technique.

Smoking is approximately three times more prevalent in HIV-1-positive than HIV-negative individuals in the United States. Nicotine, which is the major constituent of tobacco, is rapidly metabolized mainly by cytochrome P450 (CYP2A6) to many metabolites. In this study, we developed a simple, fast, and sensitive electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method using a strong cation solid phase extraction, and determined the concentration of nicotine and its four major metabolites (cotinine, nornicotine, norcotinine, and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine) in the plasma of HIV-1-positive and HIV-negative smokers.

Tobacco smoking effect on HIV-1 pathogenesis: role of cytochrome P450 isozymes.

Introduction: Tobacco smoking is highly prevalent among the HIV-1-infected population. In addition to diminished immune response, smoking has been shown to increase HIV-1 replication and decrease response to antiretroviral therapy, perhaps through drug-drug interaction. However, the mechanism by which tobacco/nicotine increases HIV-1 replication and mediates drug-drug interaction is poorly understood.

The α-test: rapid cell-free CD4 enumeration using whole saliva.

There is an urgent need for affordable CD4 enumeration to monitor HIV disease. CD4 enumeration is out of reach in resource-limited regions due to the time and temperature restrictions, technical sophistication, and cost of reagents, in particular monoclonal antibodies to measure CD4 on blood cells, the only currently acceptable method. A commonly used cost-saving and time-saving laboratory strategy is to calculate, rather than measure certain blood values.

Four new HIV-1 group N isolates from Cameroon: Prevalence continues to be low.

Analysis of 3555 HIV-seropositive specimens, collected in Cameroon from 2002 to 2006, led to the identification of four HIV-1 group N infections based on differential seroreactivity to HIV env-derived peptides and proteins and confirmation by nucleic acid amplification. Group N prevalence continues to be low accounting for only 0.1% of HIV infections in Cameroon.

Activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway by TNF-alpha in human salivary gland (HSG) cells in vitro, suggests a role for the TNF receptor (TNF-R) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in Sjögren's syndrome-associated autoimmune sialadenitis.

Unlabelled: Studies suggest that apoptosis plays a major role in destruction of salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome. We hypothesise that apoptosis results in the exposure of cryptic T cell epitopes and an autoimmune response which is pathway-specific.

Objective: To activate the extrinsic or intrinsic apoptotic pathway to examine morphology, adhesion molecules, markers of antigen processing, and autoantigens on apoptotic bodies in vitro.

Role of CCL3L1-CCR5 genotypes in the epidemic spread of HIV-1 and evaluation of vaccine efficacy.

Background: Polymorphisms in CCR5, the major coreceptor for HIV, and CCL3L1, a potent CCR5 ligand and HIV-suppressive chemokine, are determinants of HIV-AIDS susceptibility. Here, we mathematically modeled the potential impact of these genetic factors on the epidemic spread of HIV, as well as on its prevention.

Methods And Results: Ro, the basic reproductive number, is a fundamental concept in explaining the emergence and persistence of epidemics.