Cystatin C as a marker of renal function is affected by HIV replication leading to an underestimation of kidney function in HIV patients.

Background: Broad use of tenofovir and an ageing HIV- infected population have created an interest in renal function in HIV patients. Serum cystatin C is a newer marker of renal function and might be more sensitive than creatinine.

Methods: Patients were enrolled consecutively in an observational study.

Predictors of short-term success of antiretroviral therapy in HIV infection.

Objectives: The success of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV infection may be influenced by numerous host factors. There is a lack of data presenting a combined assessment of a variety of these parameters for treatment efficacy in clinical routine practice.

Methods: Different indices of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) were evaluated prospectively in the context of self-reported adherence, health-related quality of life and social determinants, as measured by a questionnaire.

Atazanavir for treatment of HIV infection in clinical routine: efficacy, pharmacokinetics and safety.

Introduction: Atazanavir (ATV) is a novel protease inhibitor that has been recently introduced into therapy of HIV infection. Currently there is little data on ATV therapy from daily practice.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we report on ATV efficacy and safety in clinical routine.

Simultaneous determination of the new HIV protease inhibitor lopinavir (ABT 378) and of indinavir(1), amprenavir, saquinavir, ritonavir (ABT 538)(2) and nelfinavir(3) in human plasma by gradient HPLC.

Protease inhibitors are known by their inhibition of a viral protease that leads to production of immature and non-infectious virus particles. The novel protease inhibitor KALETRA is a co-formulation of lopinavir and ritonavir. Ritonavir reduces the metabolization of lopinavir by the cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme which leads to markedly increased plasma levels of lopinavir(4).