Efficacy and safety of the long-acting fusion inhibitor albuvirtide in antiretroviral-experienced adults with human immunodeficiency virus-1: interim analysis of the randomized, controlled, phase 3, non-inferiority TALENT study.

Background: Albuvirtide is a once-weekly injectable human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 fusion inhibitor. We present interim data for a phase 3 trial assessing the safety and efficacy of albuvirtide plus lopinavir-ritonavir in HIV-1-infected adults already treated with antiretroviral drugs.

Methods: We carried out a 48-week, randomized, controlled, open-label non-inferiority trial at 12 sites in China.

A new dual-targeting real-time RT-PCR assay for hepatitis D virus RNA detection.

In this study, a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR) assay targeting 2 genetic segments was established to detect HDV RNA. Utilizing the World Health Organization International Standard for Hepatitis D Virus RNA, the lower limit of detection was 575 IU/mL, and the linearity of quantification ranged from 575,000 IU/mL to 575 IU/mL. 384 HBsAg-positive samples collected from China were tested by this method and HDV antibody detection.

Efficacy and Safety of Tenofovir and Lamivudine in Combination with Efavirenz in Patients Co-infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus in China.

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is high among individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in China. Both HIV and HBV can be treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and lamivudine (3TC), so we evaluated the safety and efficacy of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) that included TDF, 3TC, and efavirenz (EFV) among ART-naive individuals who were co-infected with HIV and HBV.

Methods: One hundred HIV/HBV co-infected ARV-naive individuals were started on the regimen of TDF, 3TC, and EFV, and the levels of plasma HBV DNA, HIV RNA, and biochemical evaluation related to the function of liver and kidney were analyzed.

[Specific causes of death among 381 AIDS patients who died in hospitals].

Objective: In this study, researchers investigated the demographic and clinical characteristics of AIDS patients who died in hospitals, analyzed the specific causes of death, and looked for the correlation between specific cause of death and their clinical characteristics.

Methods: Data of clinical characteristics of patients and their specific causes AIDS of death who died in the seven hospitals from 2009 to 2010 were collected retrospectively. All the specific causes of death were classified according to the Cause of Death (CoDe) project protocol.

Exploring stakeholder perceptions of facilitators and barriers to using needle exchange programs in Yunnan Province, China.

Injection drug use is an ongoing urban health crisis in China and one of the largest drivers of the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Sentinel surveillance sites in Yunnan province show upwards of 20% of injection drug users (IDUs) are HIV positive. Though the Ministry of Health has scaled-up needle exchange programs (NEPs), they have not received official government recognition nor have they been extensively evaluated to explore factors influencing their acceptability and feasibility.

Expansion of China's free antiretroviral treatment program.

Background: In 2003, China's National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program (NFATP) was initiated as a pilot, which covered only 100 HIV/AIDS patients. By 2011, the pilot had evolved into a nationwide program and had provided free treatment for over 150 000 patients. The objective of this study was to report and evaluate the progress of China's free antiretroviral treatment program.

Pregnancy outcomes and risk factors for low birth weight and preterm delivery among HIV-infected pregnant women in Guangxi, China.

Background: Six provinces in China accounted for 70% - 80% of all reported HIV/AIDS cases in the country in 2009 and five provinces accounted for 78% of all reported mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV cases. Because Guangxi belonged to both groups, the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Plus program was established there to understand better low birth weight (LBW) and preterm delivery (PD) birth outcomes and their associated risk factors better.

Methods: Pregnancy outcomes were examined among HIV-infected pregnant women who enrolled in the PMTCT Plus program from June 2006 to February 2009 in Guangxi, China.

Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis among asymptomatic HIV+ patients in Guangxi, China.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among asymptomatic Chinese patients with HIV infection has not been investigated despite high tuberculosis burden in China. This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of PTB among asymptomatic patients with HIV/AIDS in Guangxi to facilitate the development of diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Methods: All asymptomatic adult HIV-infected patients with CD4 < 350 cells/µl who attended four HIV clinics in Guangxi between August 2006 and March 2008 were evaluated for active PTB with physical examination, chest X-ray (CXR), sputum smear and/or sputum liquid culture.

Engaging HIV-infected patients in antiretroviral therapy services: CD4 cell count testing after HIV diagnosis from 2005 to 2009 in Yunnan and Guangxi, China.

Background: The initiation and expansion of China's national free antiretroviral therapy program has led to significant improvement of survival among its participants. Success of further scaling up treatment coverage rests upon intensifying HIV screening and efficient linkage of care. Timely CD4 cell count testing after HIV diagnosis is necessary to determine whether a patient meets criteria for antiretroviral treatment, and represents a crucial link to engage HIV-infected patients in appropriate care, which has not been evaluated in China.

[Expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on CD8+ T cells in pediatric AIDS patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)].

Objective: To study the expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on CD8(+) T cells in pediatric AIDS patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the relationship of immune activation and disease progression.

Methods: A cross-section study of 194 pediatric AIDS patients receiving HAART was carried out and 52 age-matched healthy children were recruited as control. The percentage of CD4(+), CD8(+), CD8(+)/CD38(+) and CD8(+)/HLA-DR(+) T cells was tested using flow cytometry, and HIV-RNA in plasma was detected by quantitative RT-PCR.

[A retrospective cohort study on reduction of AIDS mortality among patients enrolled in national-free antiretroviral treatment programme in two cities in China].

Objective: To determine the effect of national free highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) on reduction of mortality and relevant risk factors among adult Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted and all AIDS patients diagnosed before Aug. 30th, 2008 in Zhumadian, Henan province, and Fuyang, Anhui province were enrolled in this study, where HAART initiated in early time.

[Study on the quality of life and influencing factors among people living with AIDS].

Objective: Studing the main influencing risk factors to provide evidence for improving the quality of life among people living with HIV.

Methods: The quality of life on 758 patients with HIV was evaluated by the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and some potential risk factors as personal characteristics and disease condition were studied. Means and standard deviations of data were calculated and differences among groups and variances were tested using Student's t test, followed by step-wise multivariate regression.

Different plasma levels of interleukins and chemokines: comparison between children and adults with AIDS in China.

Background: The immunological differences between children and adults with AIDS in China are not well documented. Th1/Th2 cytokines and chemokines are two types of immune factors intimately involved in disease progression of HIV-1 infection. This study aimed to identify changes in plasma levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines inerleukin (IL)-18, IL-16, IL-10 and chemokines regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in HIV-1-infected children and adults in China.

[Clinical features of 66 children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome].

Objective: To study the clinical features of pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS).

Methods: The epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data of 66 children with AIDS were retrospectively studied.

Results: Of the 66 patients, 46 (69.

[Survival analysis of 530 HIV infected former unsafe commercial blood and plasma donors].

Objective: To investigate HIV survival time and it's influencing factors among former commercial blood and plasma donors engaged in unsafe blood donation practices in China.

Methods: HIV/AIDS cases from 8 counties (districts) in 4 provinces confirmed prior to January 24, 2006 related with former commercial blood and plasma donors were selected and data regarding infection, AIDS progression, death, and influencing factors were retrospectively collected.

Results: In 530 cases of HIV infection, 334 (63.

[An ambispective cohort study of the natural history of HIV infection among former unsafe commercial blood and plasma donors].

Objective: Discussing the natural history and the influencing factors of HIV infection among former commercial blood and plasma donors engaged in unsafe blood donation practices in China.

Methods: Using ambispective cohort study, with data obtained from ten counties (districts) from six provinces in the National AIDS Control Demonstration Area. HIV/AIDS cases were found and confirmed prior to July 24, 2006 being former commercial blood.

[HIV-1 genotypic resistance profiles in children failing highly active antiretroviral therapy].

Objective: To study the genotypic resistance profiles of HIV-1 children failing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) so as to provide helpful information for the treatment regime of Chinese children infected with HIV-1.

Methods: Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 20 HIV-1 infected children of Henan province, aged 9 (3 - 14). Nested RT-PCR was used to amplify part of the RT (40 -250 aa) gene.

[Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on plasma MCP-1 and MSP in AIDS patients].

Objective: To study the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on plasma levels of MSP and MCP-1 in AIDS patients.

Methods: Forty Chinese AIDS patients were treated with HAART for 3 months and 84 German AIDS patients with HAART for 3 to 6 years. The pre-treatment and post-treatment plasma levels of MSP and MCP-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and their correlations with CD4+ cell counts and viral loads were analyzed.