Transition to dolutegravir-based ART in 35 low- and middle-income countries: a global survey of HIV care clinics.

Objective: We studied the transition to dolutegravir-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) at HIV treatment clinics within the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA).

Design: Site-level survey conducted in 2020-2021 among HIV clinics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: We assessed the status of dolutegravir rollout and viral load and drug resistance testing practices for persons on ART switching to dolutegravir-based regimens.

Lessons learned from over a decade of data audits in international observational HIV cohorts in Latin America and East Africa.

Introduction: Routine patient care data are increasingly used for biomedical research, but such "secondary use" data have known limitations, including their quality. When leveraging routine care data for observational research, developing audit protocols that can maximize informational return and minimize costs is paramount.

Methods: For more than a decade, the Latin America and East Africa regions of the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium have been auditing the observational data drawn from participating human immunodeficiency virus clinics.

Assessment of liver disease by non-invasive methods in perinatally infected Brazilian adolescents and young adults living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Introduction: Effective and long-term combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has decreased morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals. Despite treatment advances, HIV-infected children continue to develop noninfectious conditions, including liver fibrosis.

Methods: Cross-sectional study designed to identify liver fibrosis in HIV-infected adolescents and young adults, in an outpatients clinic of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Division at Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), diagnosed by noninvasive methods (liver elastography-FibroScan®, APRI and FIB4).

Chronic meningococcemia in a vertically HIV-infected adolescent.

Chronic meningococcemia is a rare manifestation of meningococcal disease, characterized by a period of more than one week of intermittent or continuous fever, arthralgia and skin lesions without meningitis. It can occur both in previously healthy and immunocompromised patients. The gold standard for the diagnosis is culture isolation of in sterile material.

Self-audits as alternatives to travel-audits for improving data quality in the Caribbean, Central and South America network for HIV epidemiology.

Introduction: Audits play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of observational cohort data. While previous work has validated the audit process, sending trained auditors to sites ("travel-audits") can be costly. We investigate the efficacy of training sites to conduct "self-audits.

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Herpes Zoster in Patients With HIV/AIDS and Those With Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background: HIV infection and juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE) are risk factors for the development of herpes zoster (HZ) and its complications. Both diseases share similar immunologic aspects, such as immunodeficiency and immune activation. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate and compare the frequency and characteristics of HZ episodes in pediatric patients with HIV infection and jSLE.

Prolonged Antiretroviral Therapy in Adolescents With Vertical HIV Infection Leads to Different Cytokine Profiles Depending on Viremia Persistence.

Background: We investigated immune activation, exhaustion markers and cytokine expression upon stimulation in adolescents with vertical HIV infection.

Methods: Thirty adolescents receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for vertical HIV infection, including 12 with detectable viral load (HIV/DET), 18 with undetectable viral load (HIV/UND) and 30 control adolescents without HIV infection (CONTROL), were evaluated for immune activation and programmed cell death protein-1 expression by flow cytometry, and 21 cytokines by Luminex Multiple Analyte Profiling technology after in vitro peripheral blood phytohemagglutinin stimulation.

Results: Lower CD4 T cells and higher T cell activation and exhaustion markers were noted on CD4 T and on CD8 T cells and memory subsets from HIV/DET group, who also produced lower in vitro IFN-gamma, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-5 and IL-6 than HIV/UND group.

Congenital Cytomegalovirus and HIV Perinatal Transmission.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (cCMV) is an important cause of hearing loss and cognitive impairment. Prior studies suggest that HIV-exposed children are at higher risk of acquiring cCMV. We assessed the presence, magnitude and risk factors associated with cCMV among infants born to HIV-infected women, who were not receiving antiretrovirals during pregnancy.

Combined evaluation of sexually transmitted infections in HIV-infected pregnant women and infant HIV transmission.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Treponema pallidum (TP), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) may lead to adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes. The role of combined maternal STIs in HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) was evaluated in mother-infant pairs from NICHD HPTN 040.

Methodology: Urine samples from HIV-infected pregnant women during labor were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for CT, NG, and CMV.

Adolescent pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention: current perspectives.

Adolescents are a critical population that is disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic. More than 2 million adolescents between the age group of 10 and 19 years are living with HIV, and millions are at risk of infection. HIV risks are considerably higher among girls, especially in high-prevalence settings such as eastern and southern Africa.

HIV Viral Load Suppression in Adults and Children Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy-Results From the IeDEA Collaboration.

Background: Having 90% of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and achieving an undetectable viral load (VL) is 1 of the 90:90:90 by 2020 targets. In this global analysis, we investigated the proportions of adult and paediatric patients with VL suppression in the first 3 years after ART initiation.

Methods: Patients from the IeDEA cohorts who initiated ART between 2010 and 2014 were included.

Bone mineral density and vitamin D concentration: the challenges in taking care of children and adolescents infected with HIV.

Background: The increase in life expectancy for patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has resulted in health complications related to a chronic disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of bone mineral density (BMD) alterations and vitamin D concentrations in HIV-infected children and adolescents and to verify the variations in those parameters during a 12-month interval.

Methods: A prospective cohort study with a dual period of evaluation was conducted in 57 patients perinatally HIV-infected and one patient with sexual abuse in early infancy.

Costs and benefits of secrecy: the dilemma experienced by adolescents seropositive for HIV.

This study explored the experiences of the first generation of adolescents who acquired HIV through vertical transmission when disclosing their diagnosis to friends and romantic partners. The study sample was selected by convenience, with 20 patients (13-20 years old) participating in a qualitative investigation using individual interviews (language: Portuguese; duration: 45 minutes). The participants were followed in specialized clinics for the treatment of pediatric AIDS in São Paulo, Brazil.

Predictors and Evolution of Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Perinatally HIV-Infected Adolescents in Brazil.

Purpose: Antiretroviral therapy medication adherence is a complex phenomenon influenced by multiple factors. This study examines its evolution and predictors among perinatally HIV-infected youths in São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: During a 1-year longitudinal cohort study, perinatally HIV-infected youths aged 13-21 years taking antiretroviral therapy were recruited in hospitals and HIV/AIDS reference centers.

Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in HIV-infected Pregnant Women and Adverse Infant Outcomes.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnancy such as Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) may lead to adverse infant outcomes.

Methods: Individual urine specimens from HIV-infected pregnant women diagnosed with HIV during labor were collected at the time of infant birth and tested by polymerase chain reaction for CT and NG. Infant HIV infection was determined at 3 months with morbidity/mortality assessed through 6 months.

Adolescents growing with HIV/AIDS: experiences of the transition from pediatrics to adult care.

The main objective of this work is to describe the formation of the Transition Adolescent Clinic (TAC) and understand the process of transitioning adolescents with HIV/AIDS from pediatric to adult care, from the vantage point of individuals subjected to this process. A qualitative method and an intentional sample selected by criteria were adopted for this investigation, which was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. An in-depth semi-structured interview was conducted with sixteen HIV-infected adolescents who had been part of a transitioning protocol.

Renal abnormalities in a cohort of HIV-infected children and adolescents.

Background: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of renal abnormalities and the evolution of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- infected children and adolescents followed up in an infectious disease outpatient pediatric clinic.

Methods: We performed a cohort study of 115 children and adolescents. Outcomes of two evaluations for urinalysis, microalbuminuria/urinary creatinine ratio, urinary retinol-binding protein (uRBP) concentration, and estimated GFR (eGFR) were obtained for each patient, with an average interval of 6 months between evaluations.

[Experiences of adolescents seropositive for HIV/AIDS: a qualitative study].

Objective:: Explore the meanings attributed by young individuals about "living as an adolescent with HIV" in a group of patients that acquired the infection at birth and the elements involved with the adherence to antiretroviral treatment.

Methods:: Qualitative study, involving 20 subjects (aged 13-20 years), followed at services specialized in the treatment of pediatric AIDS in São Paulo, Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were carried out of which script consisted of questions about their personal histories, experiences and difficulties they must face while living with HIV/AIDS.

Impaired bone mineral accrual in prepubertal HIV-infected children: a cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate bone mass accrual and determine the influence of clinical, anthropometric, dietary and biochemical parameters on bone mass.

Methods: A cohort study including 35 prepubertal HIV-infected children, between 7 and 12 years, attended at a referral center. At time 1 (T1) and time 2 (T2), patients were assessed according to clinical, anthropometric, dietary, biochemical parameters and bone mineral density (BMD).

[Persistence of hepatitis A virus antibodies after primary immunization and response to revaccination in children and adolescents with perinatal HIV exposure].

Objective:: To assess possible factors associated with the loss of antibodies to hepatitis A 7 years after the primary immunization in children of HIV-infected mothers and the response to revaccination in patients seronegative for hepatitis A.

Methods:: Quantification of HAV antibodies by electrochemiluminescence was performed in 39 adolescents followed up at the Pediatric Aids Clinic of Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp): 29 HIV-infected (HIV group) (median age: 12.8 years) and 10 HIV-exposed but non-infected (ENI group) (median age: 13.

[Noncirrhotic portal hypertension in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected adolescent].

Objective:: To alert the pediatrician who is following up HIV-infected patients about the possibility of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) in this period of life, in order to avoid the catastrophic consequences of this disease as bleeding esophageal varices.

Case Description:: A 13 years old HIV-infected patient by vertical route was receiving didanosine (ddI) for 12 years. Although the HIV viral load had been undetectable for 12 years, this patient showed gradual decrease of CD4+ T cells, prolonged thrombocytopenia and high alkaline phosphatase.

Syphilis in HIV-infected mothers and infants: results from the NICHD/HPTN 040 study.

Background: Untreated syphilis during pregnancy is associated with spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, prematurity and infant mortality. Syphilis may facilitate HIV transmission, which is especially concerning in low- and middle-income countries where both diseases are common.

Methods: We performed an analysis of data available from NICHD/HPTN 040 (P1043), a study focused on the prevention of intrapartum HIV transmission to 1684 infants born to 1664 untreated HIV-infected women.

Nutritional status and metabolic disorders in HIV-exposed uninfected prepubertal children.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the nutritional status and metabolic alterations in HIV-exposed uninfected (HIVe) children compared with HIV-unexposed (HIVn) children.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 76 children distributed into two groups: HIVe (n = 31) and HIVn (n = 45). Biochemical data (hematologic test, lipid profile, insulin resistance, hepatic profile, and C-reactive protein) were evaluated.

Body composition in prepubertal, HIV-infected children: a comparison of bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) equations developed for healthy pediatric populations and for HIV-infected children using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the gold standard.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 40 prepubertal, HIV-infected children who regularly attended the Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinic at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. The study was conducted from August to November 2008.

Insulin resistance and glucose and lipid concentrations in a cohort of perinatally HIV-infected Latin American children.

We measured glucose, insulin and lipids in 249 perinatally HIV-infected Latin American children. Only 1 subject had impaired fasting glucose; 6.8% had insulin resistance.