No impact of HIV coinfection on the mortality in patients with hepatitis C virus infection after sustained virological response.

Background: In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection and advanced liver disease, the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection on the clinical outcome after sustained virological response (SVR) has not been sufficiently clarified. The aim of this study was to compare the mortality after SVR of patients bearing HCV chronic infection and advanced liver fibrosis, with and without HIV-coinfection after a prolonged follow-up.

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter cohort study including individuals with HIV/HCV-coinfection and patients with HCV-monoinfection from Spain, fulfilling: 1) Liver stiffness (LS) ≥9.

Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide in a Multicentre Cohort: Real-Life Experience From Spain.

Background: The evaluation of bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) in clinical trials has shown high rates of virological suppression but information about its use in real-life settings is scarce.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, durability, and predictive variables of therapeutic failure of BIC/FTC/TAF in a real-life cohort.

Methods: This observational, retrospective, multicentered cohort study included treatment-naive (TN) and treatment-experienced (TE) adult patients living with HIV (PLWH) who started treatment with BIC/FTC/TAF from January 1, 2019, to January 31, 2022.

Shorter Time to Discontinuation Due to Treatment Failure in People Living with HIV Switched to Dolutegravir Plus Either Rilpivirine or Lamivudine Compared with Integrase Inhibitor-Based Triple Therapy in a Large Spanish Cohort.

Introduction: Standard therapy for HIV treatment has consisted of two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) paired with a third agent. Use of two-drug regimens (2DR) has been considered for selected patients in part to avoid toxicities associated with the use of NRTIs. This study aimed to compare the real-world outcomes of integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-based three-drug regimens (3DR) versus 2DR of dolutegravir (DTG) + rilpivirine (RPV) or DTG + lamivudine (3TC).

eGFR-EPI changes among HIV patients who switch from F/TDF to F/TAF while maintaining the same third agent in the Spanish VACH cohort.

Evidence from clinical practice on the effects of switching from emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF) to emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF)-based triple-therapy (TT) regimens on renal parameters is limited. This retrospective analysis evaluated the effects on renal function of switching from F/TDF to F/TAF-based TT regimens with no change in third agent among people living with HIV (PLWH). Data were from a multicenter Spanish PLWH cohort.

Kinetics of emergence of liver complications in hepatitis C virus infected patients and advanced fibrosis, with and without HIV-coinfection, after sustained virological response.

Objective: There is scarce available evidence on the distribution over time of liver complications emergence in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients who achieve sustained virological response (SVR) with direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based therapy. Therefore, we aimed at describing the kinetics of liver-related events appearance in this setting.

Design: A multicentric prospective cohort study.

Real world effectiveness of standard of care triple therapy versus two-drug combinations for treatment of people living with HIV.

Background: Since 1996, the standard of care (SOC) therapy for HIV treatment has consisted of a backbone of two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) paired with a third agent. Use of two-drug combinations (2DC) has been considered for selected patients to avoid toxicities associated with the use of NRTIs. This study aimed to compare the real-world outcomes of integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-containing triple therapy (TT) to dolutegravir- (DTG) and/or boosted protease inhibitor (bPI)-based 2DC in a large Spanish cohort of HIV patients.

HIV infection does not increase the risk of liver complications in hepatitis C virus-infected patient with advanced fibrosis, after sustained virological response with direct-acting antivirals.

Objective: To assess the impact of HIV coinfection on the risk of developing liver-related complications in HCV-infected patients with advanced fibrosis treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) after sustained virological response (SVR).

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Multicenter.

Real World Patient-reported Outcomes in HIV-infected Adults Switching to EVIPLERA®, Because of a Previous Intolerance to cART. PRO-STR Study.

Background: To investigate the impact of switching from stable Combined Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) to single-tablet regimen (RPV/FTC/TDF=EVIPLERA® /COMPLERA®) on patient- reported outcomes in HIV-infected adults who cannot tolerate previous cART, in a real-world setting.

Methods: PRO-STR is a 48-week observational, prospective, multicenter study. Presence and magnitude of symptoms (main endpoint), health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL), adherence, satisfaction with treatment and patient preferences were assessed.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatits C Virus Coinfection in Spain: Elimination Is Feasible, but the Burden of Residual Cirrhosis Will Be Significant.

Background: We assessed the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV-Abs) and active HCV infection in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Spain in 2016 and compared the results with those of similar studies performed in 2002, 2009, and 2015.

Methods: The study was performed in 43 centers during October-November 2016. The sample was estimated for an accuracy of 2% and selected by proportional allocation and simple random sampling.

Very low level viraemia and risk of virological failure in treated HIV-1-infected patients.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate whether very low level viraemia (VLLV) (20-50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) was associated with increased risk of virological failure (VF) as compared with persistent full suppression (< 20 copies/mL).

Methods: From the VACH Cohort database, we selected those patients who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) after January 1997 and who achieved effective viral suppression [two consecutive viral loads (VLs) < 50 copies/mL] followed by full suppression (at least one VL <20 copies/mL). We carried out survival analyses to investigate whether the occurrence of VLLV rather than maintaining full suppression at < 20 copies/mL was associated with virological failure (two consecutive VLs > 200 copies/mL or one VL > 200 copies/mL followed by a change of ART regimen, administrative censoring or loss to follow-up), adjusted for nadir CD4 cell count, sex, age, ethnicity, transmission group, type of ART and time on effective suppression at < 50 copies/mL.

ACTG-HIV symptoms changes in patients switched to RPV/FTC/TDF due to previous intolerance to CART. Interim analysis of the PRO-STR study.

Introduction: Tolerability and convenience are crucial aspects for the long-term success of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact in routine clinical practice of switching to the single tablet regimen (STR) RPV/FTC/TDF in patients with intolerance to previous cART, in terms of patients' well-being, assessed by several validated measures.

Methods: Prospective, multicenter study.

Dyslipidaemia in HIV-infected women on antiretroviral therapy. Analysis of 922 patients from the Spanish VACH cohort.

Background: Information concerning lipid disturbances in HIV-infected women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is scarce. The objective of the study is to describe the lipid profile in a large cohort of HIV-infected women on contemporary ART and analyse differences between regimes and patient's characteristics.

Methods: Observational, multicentre, cross-sectional study from the Spanish VACH Cohort.

C-reactive protein for discriminating treatment failure from slow responding pneumonia.

Background: The management of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who fail to improve constitutes a challenge for clinicians. This study investigated the usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP) changes in discriminating true treatment failure from slow response to treatment.

Methods: This prospective multicenter observational study investigated the behavior of plasma CRP levels on days 1 and 4 in hospitalized patients with CAP.

Eligibility for and outcome of treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in a cohort of HIV-infected people in Spain.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (TLTBI) in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, but few studies have investigated the operational aspects of implementing TLTBI in the co-infected population.The study objectives were to describe eligibility for TLTBI as well as treatment prescription, initiation and completion in an HIV-infected Spanish cohort and to investigate factors associated with treatment completion.

Methods: Subjects were prospectively identified between 2000 and 2003 at ten HIV hospital-based clinics in Spain.

Characteristics and outcome of HIV infection in gypsies in the Spanish VACH Cohort.

Objective: To study the characteristics of HIV infection in the gypsy (Roma) population in Spain, as compared with those of the Caucasian, non-gypsy majority.

Design: Cross-sectional, historical cohort study from the Spanish VACH Cohort.

Methods: Patients attending VACH clinics between 1 June 2004 and 30 November 2004 were classified according to their racial and ethnic origin as "gypsies", Caucasian non-gypsy Spanish natives (CNGN), and "other" (the last being excluded from this study).

The relationship between antiretroviral prescription patterns and treatment guidelines in treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected patients.

Background: Reports have shown that the publication of practice guidelines does not guarantee their use in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agreement between antiretroviral treatments (ARTs) prescribed in clinical practice and the recommendations in published guidelines.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in ART-naïve adults of the Spanish Asociacion Medica Vach de Estudios Multicentricos (VACH) Cohort for the period from 2003 to 2006.

[Factors related to non-prescription of tuberculin skin testing in a cohort of HIV-infected people].

Introduction: Tuberculin skin testing (TST) for tuberculosis (TB) is recommended for all patients with HIV infection because of the known relationship between these two conditions. In this report we analyze the incidence and variables associated with non-prescription of TST in a cohort of HIV-infected people.

Patients And Methods: Longitudinal study conducted between 2000 and 2002 at 10 HIV hospital-based clinics.

Effectiveness and safety of didanosine, lamivudine and efavirenz versus zidovudine, lamivudine and efavirenz for the initial treatment of HIV-infected patients from the Spanish VACH cohort.

Background: Preliminary data suggest that a once-daily combination of lamivudine, didanosine and efavirenz is an effective alternative regimen for antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected patients. However, data from randomized trials comparing this combination versus standard first-line regimens are not available yet. In an observational study, we analyse the efficacy and tolerability of didanosine plus lamivudine and efavirenz versus zidovudine plus lamivudine and efavirenz in a cohort of therapy naive patients.

Evaluation of seven tests for diagnosis of human brucellosis in an area where the disease is endemic.

The results of seven serologic tests for diagnosis of human brucellosis were evaluated. The titrated Rose Bengal test, microagglutination test, microtiter-adapted Coombs test, and immunocapture-agglutination test (Brucellacapt) were positive for all sera from patients with acute brucellosis. The immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and IgA commercial enzyme immunoassays (ELISAs) failed to show specific antibodies in 3 patients, 10 patients, and 1 patient, respectively.

First-line antiretroviral therapy with efavirenz or lopinavir/ritonavir plus two nucleoside analogues: the SUSKA study, a non-randomized comparison from the VACH cohort.

Background: Efavirenz and lopinavir/ritonavir are both recommended antiretroviral agents for combination first-line therapy, although information on direct comparisons between them is scarce. A retrospective longitudinal study from the VACH cohort comparing both regimens was performed.

Methods: Efficacy was examined comparing time to virological failure, CD4 recovery and clinical progression.

Prevalence of M. tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis disease among HIV-infected people in Spain.

Objective: To study the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (MTBI) and past/current tuberculosis (TB) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected persons in Spain.

Design: Longitudinal study conducted between 2000 and 2003 at 10 HIV hospital-based clinics. Data were drawn from clinical records.

[Changing trends in HIV epidemics: recent diagnoses in the Spanish VACH cohort (2000-2002)].

Background: Studying the changing trends of HIV epidemics is a useful means of evaluating the results of current preventive plans as well as of defining future needs and objectives.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of the newly-diagnosed cases of HIV infection included in the Spanish VACH cohort. New HIV cases were defined as those diagnosed between January 2001 and December 2002.

A randomized, double-blind study to assess the optimal duration of doxycycline treatment for human brucellosis.

Background: Human brucellosis is usually treated with a combination of tetracyclines and aminoglycosides. However, the optimal duration of therapy has not been clearly determined.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized, multicenter study comparing treatment with doxycycline (100 mg po b.

Hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection in Spain.

Objective And Methods: In a cross-sectional study, based on a cohort composed of HIV-infected patients of fifteen tertiary level institutions of Spain, the main data of the entire cohort are described, characteristics of patients with or without hepatitis C coinfection are compared, and the possible association of hepatitis C virus coinfection with socioeconomic, HIV-related, and hepatitis B-related variables is assessed.

Results: A total of 4,709 patients are studied. Median of age is 37 years, 78.