Analysis of genetic and viral determinants of HBsAg levels in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene can influence the course of treated and untreated HBV infection. However, the correlation between different IL28B-SNPs and HBVDNA and quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) in chronic HBV infection remains to be fully elucidated. Patients with chronic HBV infection were analysed for qHBsAg, HBVDNA, HBV genotype and six IL28B-SNPs (rs12980275, rs8105790, rs8099917, rs7248668, rs12979860, rs10853728).

Switch to maraviroc with darunavir/r, both QD, in patients with suppressed HIV-1 was well tolerated but virologically inferior to standard antiretroviral therapy: 48-week results of a randomized trial.

Objectives: Primary study outcome was absence of treatment failure (virological failure, VF, or treatment interruption) per protocol at week 48.

Methods: Patients on 3-drug ART with stable HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL and CCR5-tropic virus were randomized 1:1 to maraviroc with darunavir/ritonavir qd (study arm) or continue current ART (continuation arm).

Results: In June 2015, 115 patients were evaluable for the primary outcome (56 study, 59 continuation arm).

Drug resistance testing through remote genotyping and predicted treatment options in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infected Tanzanian subjects failing first or second line antiretroviral therapy.

Introduction: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been successfully introduced in low-middle income countries. However an increasing rate of ART failure with resistant virus is reported. We therefore described the pattern of drug resistance mutations at antiretroviral treatment (ART) failure in a real-life Tanzanian setting using the remote genotyping procedure and thereafter predicted future treatment options using rule-based algorithm and the EuResist bioinformatics predictive engine.

Total cellular HIV-1 DNA decreases after switching to raltegravir-based regimens in patients with suppressed HIV-1 RNA.

Background: The integrase inhibitor raltegravir has been used to intensify antiretroviral therapy in patients with undetectable plasma HIV-1RNA, resulting in variable perturbation of HIV-1 nucleic acids levels in peripheral blood.

Objectives: We aimed at monitoring residual plasma HIV-1RNA and total cellular HIV-1DNA in virologically suppressed patients switching to raltegravir-based regimens.

Study Design: Fifty-eight subjects on protease inhibitor (PI) or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimens, with plasma HIV-1RNA levels <40 copies/ml for ≥6 months and CD4 counts >200cells/μl for ≥12 months were enrolled.