Use of contraindicated antiretroviral drugs in people with HIV/HCV coinfections receiving HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals-Results from the EuroSIDA study.

Objectives: Our objective was to determine whether antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) were used according to the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) guidelines for people with HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) between 30 November 2014 and 31 December 2019 in the pan-European EuroSIDA study.

Methods: At each publication date of the EACS guidelines, plus 3 and 6 months, we calculated the number of people receiving DAAs with potential and actual ARV contraindications ('red shading' in the EACS guidelines). We used logistic regression to investigate factors associated with using contraindicated ARVs.

BK polyomavirus associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a person living with HIV.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare demyelinating disease of the white matter central nervous system occurring in immunocompromised patients particularly those with T cell deficiency such as in HIV, haematological and solid organ malignancies and those taking immunomodulatory medications. PML is caused by JC virus however in rare cases BK virus has been isolated in the cerebral spinal fluid of patients presenting with PML. In this case we describe a 49 year old man who presented to the emergency department with a 2 week history of progressive right sided weakness and dysarthria.

Successful Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis and Cryptococcoma with Isavuconazole in a Patient Living with HIV.

We describe the successful use of isavuconazole for treatment of an HIV-positive patient with cryptococcal meningitis following induction therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine. Because the Cryptococcus neoformans isolate from cerebrospinal fluid had a borderline minimum inhibitory concentration of 8 mg/L, initial consolidation therapy was given with a daily dose of fluconazole 1200 mg based on area under the curve to minimum inhibitory concentration modelling data. Toxicity, and the radiological emergence of a cryptococcoma in the setting of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, prompted a therapeutic switch to isavuconazole.

Virtual HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis outpatient service in the era of COVID-19.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care providers have had to rapidly change how they deliver care to patients. We discuss how we are delivering a virtual HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) service during this time; challenges faced; challenges expected and goals for the coming months.

Evolution of a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) service in a community-located sexual health clinic: concise report of the PrEPxpress.

Screening and treatment of sexually transmissible infections, including HIV, are free in the UK nations; pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) became free in England in October 2017 through the PrEP Impact trial. Doctor-led PrEP clinics started at 56 Dean Street in September 2015, with the drug purchased privately at full price. The service was expanded to other staff to support initiation and monitoring of increasing numbers of attendees purchasing PrEP from online pharmacies.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the nucleoside sparing dual regimen containing rilpivirine plus darunavir/ritonavir in treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals.

Background: We aimed at investigating the antiviral activity and the pharmacokinetics of the dual antiretroviral (ARV) combination of rilpivirine plus darunavir/ritonavir 25/800/100 mg once-daily in naïve HIV-1-infected individuals (NHII) with different baseline viral loads.

Settings: Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics study in ARV-naïve HIV-infected individuals.

Methods: The primary endpoint was the number of NHII with HIV-RNA < 40 copies/mL at week 48.

Pegylated interferon-α induced hypoferremia is associated with the immediate response to treatment in hepatitis C.

Unlabelled: Pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN-α) forms an integral part of the current treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. PEG-IFN-α suppresses HCV production by augmenting the innate antiviral immune response. Recent studies have reported the induction of hepcidin, the iron regulatory hormone, by IFN-α in vitro.

Chronic Hepatitis E as a cause for cryptogenic cirrhosis in HIV.

Chronic Hepatitis E infection (HEV) is reported in immunocompromised patients. A 45-year-old HIV-infected man had no cause found for a persistent transaminitis which predated commencement of antiretroviral therapy. Hepatic elastography and liver biopsy revealed cirrhosis.

Early proteomic analysis may allow noninvasive identification of hepatitis C response to treatment with pegylated interferon α-2b and ribavirin.

Background And Aim: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a significant disease burden worldwide. Approximately 170 million people are chronically infected. HCV can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Early viral and peripheral blood mononuclear cell responses to pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment: the first 24 h.

Objectives: This study explored gene expression differences in predicting response to pegylated interferon (IFN-PEG) and ribavirin (RBV) in hepatitis C infection. Current treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) with IFN-PEG alpha-2a/b and RBV is an expensive regimen with frequent significant side-effects where less than 60% of patients ultimately achieve a sustained virological response. Responders and nonresponders may not be identified for up to 6 months post-treatment.