Identifying the unknown: Application of molecular epidemiology tools to identify clustering and HIV transmission routes in Poland.

Background: Understanding the dynamics of HIV-1 transmission is essential for developing effective screening and intervention strategies. Viral genetic sequences provide valuable information that can be used to infer the history and patterns of viral transmission.

Purpose: Our study explores the structure and dynamics of HIV transmissions in Poland from 1999 to 2022 to elucidate key patterns related with national epidemics.

Frequency of Major Transmitted Integrase Resistance in Poland Remains Low Despite Change in Subtype Variability.

With the widespread use of integrase inhibitors and the expanding use of long-acting cabotegravir in both pre-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral treatment, molecular surveillance on the transmission of integrase resistance has regained clinical significance. This study aimed to determine the frequency of INSTI-transmitted drug resistance mutations (DRMs) among treatment-naïve individuals in Poland from 2016 to 2023. INSTI resistance was analyzed in 882 antiretroviral treatment-naïve individuals using Sanger sequencing.

Polymorphisms in the genes encoding RLR and TLR3 and CMV DNAemia in subjects coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus and cytomegalovirus.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a pathogen that is common worldwide and is often present in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are host sensors that activate the immune response against infectious agents. However, it is unclear whether PRR single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the occurrence of CMV DNAemia in subjects coinfected with HIV and CMV.

Has COVID-19 Changed the Incidence and Profile of Late Presenters for HIV Infection in Lodz, Polish Reference Centre, Poland?

: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and characteristics of HIV late presenters (LPs) and advanced LPs (aLPs) registered in the Lodz HIV centre during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) with those of the pre-pandemic period (2017-2019). : A retrospective analysis was performed of the predictive factors associated with HIV LPs and aLPs based on multivariable logistic regression. The patient entry into specialist HIV care after diagnosis during the pandemic was analysed.

Phylodynamic evolution of HIV-1 A6 sub-subtype epidemics in Poland.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) A6 sub-subtype is highly prevalent in Eastern Europe. Over the past decade, the dissemination of the A6 lineage has been expanding in Poland. The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine may further escalate the spread of this sub-subtype.

Clinical Perspective on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care of Ukrainian War Refugees in Poland.

Background: The Russian invasion of Ukraine forced migration for safety, protection, and assistance. Poland is the primary sheltering country for Ukrainian refugees, providing support including medical care, which resulted in the rapid ∼15% increase in the number of followed-up people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH) in the country. Here, we present the national experience on HIV care provided for refugees from Ukraine.

Delayed HIV diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland: A call for targeted HIV testing for those under suspicion of SARS-CoV-2.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse patients newly diagnosed with HIV who were originally admitted to hospitals with suspicion of COVID-19.

Methods: This was a retrospective case series undertaken at four sites. Only adults with new HIV diagnosis and COVID-19 exclusion hospitalized in 2020-2021 were included.

Simvastatin Coadministration Modulates the Electrostatically Driven Incorporation of Doxorubicin into Model Lipid and Cell Membranes.

Understanding the interactions between drugs and lipid membranes is a prerequisite for finding the optimal way to deliver drugs into cells. Coadministration of statins and anticancer agents has been reported to have a positive effect on anticancer therapy. In this study, we elucidate the mechanism by which simvastatin (SIM) improves the efficiency of biological membrane penetration by the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) in neutral and slightly acidic solutions.

Non-HIV-related comorbidities and uncontrolled HIV replication are independent factors increasing the odds of hospitalization due to COVID-19 among HIV-positive patients in Poland.

Purpose: Immunocompromised patients are postulated to be at elevated risk of unfavorable outcomes of COVID-19. The exact effect of HIV infection on the course of COVID-19 remains to be elucidated. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HIV-infected individuals.

Control of HBV infection in HIV/HBV co-infected patients treated with antiretroviral therapy - experience of Lodz Centre.

Aim Of The Study: To analyse the impact of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) on selected markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as well as assessment of the degree of fibrosis in antiretroviral patients who had HIV/HBV co-infection.

Material And Methods: Analysis of HBs antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs, HBsAg levels, anti-HDV, anti-HCV, as well as assessment of HBV DNA viraemia and liver fibrosis by elastography in people with HIV/HBV co-infection.

Results: Among 515 people under the care of the Lodz Centre at the time of treatment initiation 28 people (5.

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.

The 2848C/T Polymorphism Is Associated with the CMV DNAemia among HIV/CMV Co-Infected Patients.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and are essential components of the host's innate immune response. The aim of this study was to determine the genotype frequency and investigate the association between polymorphisms and cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNAemia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/CMV co-infected patients. A total of 205 HIV/CMV co-infected adults were screened for the presence of the four polymorphisms (-1237T/C, -1486T/C, 1174G/A, and 2848C/T) by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Molecular epidemiology and HIV-1 variant evolution in Poland between 2015 and 2019.

The occurrence of HIV-1 subtypes differs worldwide and within Europe, with non-B variants mainly found across different exposure groups. In this study, we investigated the distribution and temporal trends in HIV-1 subtype variability across Poland between 2015 and 2019. Sequences of the pol gene fragment from 2518 individuals were used for the analysis of subtype prevalence.

Prevalence and outcomes of pregnancies in women with HIV over a 20-year period.

Objective: To evaluate time trends in pregnancies and pregnancy outcomes among women with HIV in Europe.

Design: European multicentre prospective cohort study.

Methods: EuroSIDA has collected annual cross-sectional audits of pregnancies between 1996 and 2015.

Gut Microbiota Diversity in HIV-Infected Patients on Successful Antiretroviral Treatment is Linked to Sexual Preferences but not CD4 Nadir.

The effects of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the gut microbiome are poorly understood and the literature data are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the alpha and beta diversity of the fecal microbiota in HIV-infected patients on successful antiretroviral therapy with regard to sexual preferences and CD4 nadir. Thirty-six HIV-infected ART-treated patients with HIV viremia below 20 copies/ml and CD4 > 500 cells/μl were divided into two subgroups based on CD4 nadir.

Prevalence and Outcomes for Heavily Treatment-Experienced Individuals Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in a European Cohort.

Background: Although antiretroviral treatments have improved survival of persons living with HIV, their long-term use may limit available drug options. We estimated the prevalence of heavily treatment-experienced (HTE) status and the potential clinical consequences of becoming HTE.

Setting: EuroSIDA, a European multicenter prospective cohort study.

Effectiveness and Safety of Interferon-Free Direct-Acting Antiviral Hepatitis C Virus Therapy in HIV/Hepatitis C Virus Coinfected Individuals: Results From a Pan-European Study.

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness, safety, and reasons for premature discontinuation of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in a diverse population of HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected individuals in Europe.

Methods: All HIV/HCV coinfected individuals in the EuroSIDA study that started interferon free DAA treatment between January 6, 2014, and January 3, 2018, with ≥12 weeks of follow-up after treatment stop were included in this analysis. Sustained virological response (SVR) was defined as a negative HCV-RNA result ≥12 weeks after stopping treatment (SVR12).

Lipid membranes exposed to dispersions of phytantriol and monoolein cubosomes: Langmuir monolayer and HeLa cell membrane studies.

The interactions of liquid-crystalline nanoparticles based on lipid-like surfactants, glyceryl monooleate, monoolein (GMO) and 1,2,3-trihydroxy-3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecane, phytantriol (PT) with selected model lipid membranes prepared by Langmuir technique were compared. Monolayers of DPPC, DMPS and their mixture DPPC:DMPS 87:13 mol% were used as simple models of one leaflet of a cell membrane. The incorporation of cubosomes into the lipid layers spread at the air-water interface was followed by surface-pressure measurements and Brewster angle microscopy.

How do lipid nanocarriers - Cubosomes affect electrochemical properties of DMPC bilayers deposited on gold (111) electrodes?

Cubosome nanocarriers are promising biomimetic drug delivery systems used in particular for highly toxic drugs in cases where decreasing unwanted side effects is especially important. The properties of electrode supported lipid bilayer prepared by the combined Langmuir-Blodgett and Langmuir-Schaefer techniques were studied using electrochemical techniques following exposure of the film - covered electrode to a solution containing phytantriol - based cubosomes. The inclusion of the carrier in the model membrane under different experimental conditions was probed and the modifications induced in the lipid organization were for the first time inferred by quantitative analysis of the responses of cyclic voltammetry (CV), AC voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) as well as blocking assays using a redox probe in the solution.

Hepatic Expression of Phosphorylated Kinase Akt and Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Isoforms in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.

Some patients with chronic hepatitis C also demonstrate liver steatosis, but the mechanism remains elusive. To analyze the hepatic expression of phosphorylated kinase Akt at Thr 308 and phosphorylated GSK-3 (Glycogen synthase kinase-3) isoforms, GSK3α at Ser 21 and GSK3β at Ser 9, in chronic hepatitis C patients with normal body weight, glucose, and lipid profiles depending on homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels and histological parameters. The study group consisted of 31 patients with chronic hepatitis C.

NFE2L2 is associated with NQO1 expression and low stage of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Oxidative stress is extremely important in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). In response to oxidative stress, adaptive antioxidant defenses are upregulated in the liver. The balance between antioxidant response and oxidative stress plays a key role in hepatic injury in HCV infection.

Transmission patterns of HIV-1 non-R5 strains in Poland.

HIV-1 env sequencing enables predictions of viral coreceptor tropism and phylogenetic investigations of transmission events. The aim of the study was to estimate the contribution of non-R5 strains to the viral spread in Poland. Partial proviral env sequences were retrieved from baseline blood samples of patients with newly diagnosed HIV-1 infection between 2008-2014, including 46 patients with recent HIV-1 infection (RHI), and 246 individuals with long-term infection (LTHI).

Real-life study of dual therapy based on dolutegravir and ritonavir-boosted darunavir in HIV-1-infected treatment-experienced patients.

Background: Dual therapy based on dolutegravir and ritonavir-boosted darunavir (DTG/DRV/r) is a combination of well-known drugs with a high genetic barrier to HIV resistance.

Method: A retrospective analysis of all HIV-1 infected treatment-experienced patients who switched to DTG/DRV/r from May 2014 till March 2017 in 4 Polish centres-results of a 48-week treatment.

Results: The study group consisted of 59 men and 17 women.