Underlying Neural Mechanisms of Cognitive Improvement in Fronto-striatal Response Inhibition in People Living with HIV Switching Off Efavirenz: A Randomized Controlled BOLD fMRI Trial.

Introduction: It is unclear whether neurotoxicity due to the antiretroviral drug efavirenz (EFV) results in neurocognitive impairment in people living with HIV (PLWH). Previously, we found that discontinuing EFV was associated with improved processing speed and attention on neuropsychological assessment. In this imaging study, we investigate potential neural mechanisms underlying this cognitive improvement using a BOLD fMRI task assessing cortical and subcortical functioning.

Dynamics of Low-Level Viremia and Immune Activation after Switching to a Darunavir-Based Regimen.

There is an ongoing debate regarding whether low-level viremia (LLV), in particular persistent LLV, during HIV treatment with optimal adherence originates from low-level viral replication, viral production, or both. We performed an observational study in 30 individuals with LLV who switched to a boosted darunavir (DRV)-based therapy. In-depth virological analyses were used to characterize the viral population and the (activity) of the viral reservoir.

Integrated analysis of viral blips, residual viremia, and associated factors in people with HIV: Results from a retrospective cohort study.

The etiology of viral blips is not yet fully elucidated. One of the hypotheses is that blips reflect variations in residual viremia (RV) near the detectability threshold. In this study, we evaluated whether RV is associated with viral blips and which factors are associated with RV.

Assessing and improving the quality of guideline-adherent hepatitis B virus care in people with HIV: A cross-sectional study.

The increasing use of non-tenofovir containing antiretroviral regimens calls for renewed attention to the prevention and management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in people with HIV (PWH). We retrospectively assessed adherence to HBV guidelines, including complete HBV screening in PWH. In people with HIV/HBV co-infection, this included HBV therapy, screening for hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and on-therapy virologic response monitoring.

Retrospective study of COVID-19 experiences in elite multinational aquatic athletes.

This study assessed the experiences of elite aquatic athletes with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the first World Championship conducted without social distancing and an isolation "bubble". An online questionnaire was completed by 812 athletes (22.7 ± 5.

No long-term effect of past Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia on pulmonary function in people with HIV.

Objective: To assess the impact of past Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) on the pulmonary diffusion capacity in people with HIV (PWH) with a history of advanced immunodeficiency.

Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: Adult PWH with past PJP >1 year ago were included as the study group.

The Effect of Efavirenz on Reward Processing in Asymptomatic People Living with HIV: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have demonstrated that HIV-infection affects the fronto-striatal network. It has not been examined what impact efavirenz (EFV), an antiretroviral drug notorious for its neurocognitive effects, has on the reward system: a key subcomponent involved in depressive and apathy symptoms. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of EFV on reward processing using a monetary incentive delay (MID) task.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization for detecting Coxiella burnetii in tissue samples from chronic Q fever patients.

Objective: Detection of the intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii, causative agent of chronic Q fever, is notoriously difficult. Diagnosis of and duration of antibiotic treatment for chronic Q fever is partly determined by detection of the bacterium with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) might be a promising technique for detecting C.

No increased risk of mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma after Q fever detected: results from a 16-year ecological analysis of the Dutch population incorporating the 2007-2010 Q fever outbreak.

Background: A causative role of Coxiella burnetii (the causative agent of Q fever) in the pathogenesis of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been suggested, although supporting studies show conflicting evidence. We assessed whether this association is present by performing a detailed analysis on the risk of mature B-cell NHL after Q fever during and after the largest Q fever outbreak reported worldwide in the entire Dutch population over a 16-year period.

Methods: We performed an ecological analysis.

No Influence of Previous Infection on ICU Admission and Mortality in Emergency Department Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Background: the geographical similarities of the Dutch 2007-2010 Q fever outbreak and the start of the 2020 coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Netherlands raised questions and provided a unique opportunity to study an association between infection and the outcome following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in two Dutch hospitals. We assessed evidence of previous infection in COVID-19 patients diagnosed at the ED during the first COVID-19 wave and compared a combined outcome of in-hospital mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission using adjusted odds ratios (OR).

Lower Incidence of HIV-1 Blips Observed During Integrase Inhibitor-Based Combination Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: As the nature of viral blips remains unclear, their occurrence often leads to uncertainty. This study compares blip incidence rates during treatment with different combination antiretroviral therapy anchors.

Setting: Retrospective cohort study in a tertiary hospital.

Fosfomycin Vs Ciprofloxacin as Oral Step-Down Treatment for Escherichia coli Febrile Urinary Tract Infections in Women: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multicenter Trial.

Background: We aimed to determine the noninferiority of fosfomycin compared to ciprofloxacin as an oral step-down treatment for Escherichia coli febrile urinary tract infections (fUTIs) in women.

Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial in 15 Dutch hospitals. Adult women who were receiving 2-5 days of empirical intravenous antimicrobials for E.

Estimating regional prevalence of chronic hepatitis C with a capture-recapture analysis.

Background: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a candidate disease for micro-elimination. Accurate baseline HCV prevalence estimation is essential to monitor progress to micro-elimination but can be methodologically challenging in low-endemic regions like the Netherlands due to lack of disaggregated data by age or risk-groups on the number of chronic HCV patients (i.e.

Nitrofurantoin 100 mg versus 50 mg prophylaxis for urinary tract infections, a cohort study.

Objectives: Guidelines do not distinguish between 50 mg or 100 mg nitrofurantoin as daily prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), although 50 mg might have a better safety profile. Our objective was to compare the effectiveness and safety of both regimens.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from 84 Dutch GP practices between 2013 and 2020.

Still New Chronic Q Fever Cases Diagnosed 8 Years After a Large Q Fever Outbreak.

Background: Chronic Q fever usually develops within 2 years after primary infection with Coxiella burnetii. We determined the interval between acute Q fever and diagnosis of chronic infection, assessed what factors contribute to a longer interval, and evaluated the long-term follow-up.

Methods: From 2007 to 2018, patients with chronic Q fever were included from 45 participating hospitals.

Mortality outcomes with hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in COVID-19 from an international collaborative meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Substantial COVID-19 research investment has been allocated to randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine, which currently face recruitment challenges or early discontinuation. We aim to estimate the effects of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine on survival in COVID-19 from all currently available RCT evidence, published and unpublished. We present a rapid meta-analysis of ongoing, completed, or discontinued RCTs on hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine treatment for any COVID-19 patients (protocol: https://osf.

The prognostic value of serological titres for clinical outcomes during treatment and follow-up of patients with chronic Q fever.

Objectives: We assessed the prognostic value of phase I IgG titres during treatment and follow-up of chronic Q fever.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study to analyse the course of phase I IgG titres in chronic Q fever. We used a multivariable time-varying Cox regression to assess our primary (first disease-related event) and secondary (therapy failure) outcomes.

Dual Antiretroviral Therapy-All Quiet Beneath the Surface?

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is characterized by progressive depletion of CD4+ lymphocytes cells as a result of chronic immune activation. Next to the decreases in the number of CD4+ cells which leads to opportunistic infections, HIV-related immune activation is associated with several prevalent comorbidities in the HIV-positive population such as cardiovascular and bone disease. Traditionally, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) consists of three drugs with activity against HIV and is highly effective in diminishing the degree of immune activation.

Long-term serological follow-up after primary Coxiella burnetii infection in patients with vascular risk factors for chronic Q fever.

We evaluated the long-term serological follow-up of patients with vascular risk factors for chronic Q fever that were previously Coxiella burnetii seropositive. C. burnetii phase I IgG titers were reevaluated in patients that gave informed consent or retrospectively collected in patients already deceased or lost to follow-up.

Decreased All-Cause and Liver-Related Mortality Risk in HIV/Hepatitis B Virus Coinfection Coinciding With the Introduction of Tenofovir-Containing Combination Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: The development of efficacious combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has led to a dramatic decrease in mortality in HIV-positive patients. Specific data on the impact in HIV/hepatitis B virus (HBV)-coinfected patients are lacking. In this study, all-cause and cause-specific mortality risks stratified per era of diagnosis are investigated.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3751143 in P2RX7 is associated with therapy failure in chronic Q fever while rs7125062 in MMP1 is associated with fewer complications.

Objectives: Chronic Q fever is a persistent infection with the intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Development of chronic Q fever is associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding for pattern recognition receptors, for phagolysosomal pathway components and for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We evaluated the association of SNPs in these innate-immunity and MMP genes with clinical outcomes.