Publications by authors named "D Serota"
Although people who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk of acquiring HIV, knowledge and uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among this population remain low due to numerous psychosocial and structural barriers. Multiple implementation strategies have been proposed to address this gap, notably providing long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations of PrEP and offering PrEP at syringe services programs (SSPs). This qualitative study explores the acceptability and feasibility of offering LAI-PrEP for PWID at risk for HIV at Florida's first legal SSP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFXylazine, commonly referred to as "Tranq," is an alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonist that is FDA-approved only as a sedative and tranquilizer for veterinary use. However, its use as an adulterant in various illicit drugs, including fentanyl, has been on the rise, leading to its street name, "Tranq-Dope." Intravenous injection use of xylazine produces distinctive skin ulceration with accompanying necrosis, which can be considered virtually pathognomonic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study focuses on a Comprehensive-TeleHarm Reduction (C-THR) intervention aimed at improving HIV prevention services for people who inject drugs (PWID) through syringe services programs (SSP) in Miami, Florida.
- The CHARIOT trial will involve 350 PWID participants who will be randomly assigned to receive either C-THR or standard clinic referrals, with the goal of increasing engagement in HIV prevention methods like PrEP and medications for opioid use disorder.
- The outcomes will be assessed over 12 months, focusing on factors such as engagement, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and barriers to implementing the C-THR intervention.
Article Synopsis
- - Xylazine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, has become a contaminant in fentanyl and is associated with naloxone-resistant overdoses and unusual wounds in drug users; a unique case in Florida involved a woman with xylazine-induced wounds confirmed through a test strip at a syringe services program.
- - The woman, 43, presented to a student-run clinic for care of multiple ulcerations on her forearms, and after receiving treatment, she returned seven weeks later with worsening wounds; xylazine was confirmed in her urine during this second visit.
- - Many people who use drugs (PWUD) struggle to access traditional healthcare due to stigma and lack of insurance, highlighting the urgent need for improved access
Background: Tele-harm reduction (THR) is a telehealth-enhanced, peer-led, harm reduction intervention delivered within a trusted syringe services program (SSP) venue. The primary goal of THR is to facilitate linkage to care and rapid, enduring virologic suppression among people who inject drugs (PWID) with HIV. An SSP in Miami, Florida, developed THR to circumvent pervasive stigma within the traditional healthcare system.
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