Strong Association Between HIV Incidence and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 in Zambia and South Africa: Prospective Data From the HPTN 071 (PopART) Trial.

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) is an important cofactor for HIV acquisition and transmission. Associations between the infections are reexamined in longitudinal data from an HIV prevention trial.

Methods: The HPTN 071 (PopART) trial evaluated a combination prevention intervention in 21 urban communities in Zambia and South Africa.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a prediction model for community-based screening of active tuberculosis.

Background: Active case finding could effectively detect tuberculosis (TB) patients, but it can be costly. Therefore, a feasible, cost-saving, and efficient algorithm for community-based TB screening is needed.

Methods: The study population was based on a previous TB prevalence survey conducted in the Zambia/South Africa Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Reduction trial.

Imaging and Circulating Biomarker-Defined Cardiac Pathology in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. However, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood. This systematic review aims to synthesise the evidence on the prevalence of cardiac pathology based on cardiac imaging and circulating biomarkers in patients with PTB.

Identification of antibody targets associated with lower HIV viral load and viremic control.

Background: High HIV viral loads (VL) are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and on-going transmission. HIV controllers maintain low VLs in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We previously used a massively multiplexed antibody profiling assay (VirScan) to compare antibody profiles in HIV controllers and persons living with HIV (PWH) who were virally suppressed on ART.

Evaluation of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the prevention of COVID-19 (COPCOV): A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has proved ineffective in treating patients hospitalised with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), but uncertainty remains over its safety and efficacy in chemoprevention. Previous chemoprevention randomised controlled trials (RCTs) did not individually show benefit of HCQ against COVID-19 and, although meta-analysis did suggest clinical benefit, guidelines recommend against its use.

Methods And Findings: Healthy adult participants from the healthcare setting, and later from the community, were enrolled in 26 centres in 11 countries to a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial of COVID-19 chemoprevention.