Asymptomatic people with well-controlled HIV do not have abnormal left ventricular global longitudinal strain.

Background: Previous studies have reported impairment in systolic and diastolic function in people with HIV (PWHIV). Our aim was to determine if echocardiographically measured left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) is abnormal in asymptomatic PWHIV.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of PWHIV ( = 98, 89% male, median age 53 years) and HIV-negative people ( = 50, median age 53 years) without known cardiovascular disease were recruited from a single centre.

Factors associated with the development of coronary artery disease in people with HIV.

Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to describe the features associated with CAD in PLHIV.

Methods: A case ([n =160] PLHIV with CAD) control ([n =317] PLHIV matched by age and sex without CAD) study was performed at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia (January 1996 and December 2018).

Robust SARS-CoV-2 T cell responses with common TCRαβ motifs toward COVID-19 vaccines in patients with hematological malignancy impacting B cells.

Immunocompromised hematology patients are vulnerable to severe COVID-19 and respond poorly to vaccination. Relative deficits in immunity are, however, unclear, especially after 3 vaccine doses. We evaluated immune responses in hematology patients across three COVID-19 vaccination doses.

Effect of Rosuvastatin Therapy on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Immune Activation in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus at Intermediate Cardiovascular Risk.

Background: Statins may help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) with chronic inflammation owing to their pleotropic lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties.

Methods: The impact of 48 weeks of rosuvastatin therapy on inflammation and immune activation in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in PWH at moderate cardiovascular disease risk was assessed.

Results: Rosuvastatin did not alter plasma levels of interleukin 6, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 2, CXCL10, soluble CD14, or soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1 (P ≥ .

Impact of rosuvastatin on atherosclerosis in people with HIV at moderate cardiovascular risk: a randomised, controlled trial.

Background: People living with HIV-1 (PLHIV) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Objective: This study aimed to determine if PLHIV would benefit from starting statins at a lower threshold than currently recommended in the general population.

Design: A double-blind multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was performed.

Monocytes from men living with HIV exhibit heightened atherogenic potential despite long-term viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: People living with HIV have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). Monocytes play a key role in the early stages of atherosclerosis-driven CVD by forming lipid-laden foam cells within artery walls. HIV infection potentiates foam cell formation ex vivo, but the mechanisms contributing to this are not known.

Immune Biomarkers in the Prediction of Future Myocardial Infarctions in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

In a retrospective case control analysis, following adjustments for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, higher lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) was associated with future myocardial infarctions in hsCRP human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). LBP may be a marker of cardiovascular risk with utility in HIV.

Changes in plasma lipidome following initiation of antiretroviral therapy.

Introduction: HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been associated with increased cardiovascular disease and important changes in lipid metabolism. Advances in mass-spectrometry technology allow for the detailed assessment of individual lipid species which may illuminate the mechanisms underlying increased cardiovascular risk. We describe the change in plasma lipidome with initiation of antiretroviral therapy and compare these by regimen.

Predictors of chronic kidney disease and utility of risk prediction scores in HIV-positive individuals.

Objective: The current study aimed to validate existing risk prediction scores and identify predictors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the setting of HIV.

Design And Methods: A retrospective cohort study of HIV-positive individuals (n = 748) with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) more than 60 ml/min was conducted at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with development of CKD, defined as two consecutive measurements of eGFR less than 60 ml/min.

Porphyromonas gingivalis antibody levels and diagnosis of coronary artery disease in HIV-positive individuals.

Background And Objective: Periodontal disease has been associated with cardiovascular disease in the general population. It is unknown whether IgG antibody levels for periodontal pathogens are associated with the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in HIV-positive individuals.

Material And Methods: Twenty-four HIV-positive individuals (cases) with stored plasma available in the 12 months before CAD diagnosis were age- and sex-matched 1:2 with 46 HIV-positive individuals without CAD (controls).

Contribution of Common Infections to Cardiovascular risk in HIV Positive Individuals.

HIV-positive individuals are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease due to complex interactions between the increased incidence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and HIV and antiretroviral-associated inflammation and dyslipidemia. Increasing evidence suggests that a number of important co-pathogens, including cytomegalovirus, hepatitis C virus, and periodontal disease, are likely to also be contributing. Mechanisms such as molecular mimicry and modification of lipids play a role; however, induction of systemic inflammation is the likely key pathogenic link by which this occurs.

Decreased levels of platelet-derived soluble glycoprotein VI detected prior to the first diagnosis of coronary artery disease in HIV-positive individuals.

HIV-positive patients are at increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD); changes in platelet activation may play a role. This study was performed to determine if levels of soluble glycoprotein VI (sGPVI), a platelet-specific marker of activation, were different in HIV-positive patients compared with HIV-negative controls and further if levels were predictive of CAD in HIV. Twenty-four HIV-positive individuals (HIV cases) with CAD were compared with 46 age- and sex-matched HIV-positive controls without CAD and 41 HIV-negative controls (healthy controls).

The impact of a multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship team on the timeliness of antimicrobial therapy in patients with positive blood cultures: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship teams play an important role in assisting with the optimization of antimicrobial use in acute care settings. We aimed to determine whether a rapid review by a multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship team would improve the timeliness of optimal antimicrobial therapy for patients with positive blood cultures.

Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial was undertaken in two Australian hospitals.

Effects of abacavir administration on structural and functional markers of platelet activation.

Background: Current abacavir exposure has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular disease. Changes in platelet reactivity could plausibly explain the clinically observed pattern of association.

Objective: To determine if platelet reactivity changed following abacavir exposure and whether this effect was reversible on cessation of the drug.

Plasma lipidomic profiling of treated HIV-positive individuals and the implications for cardiovascular risk prediction.

Background: The increased risk of coronary artery disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients is collectively contributed to by the human immunodeficiency virus and antiretroviral-associated dyslipidaemia. In this study, we investigate the characterisation of the plasma lipid profiles of treated HIV patients and the relationship of 316 plasma lipid species across multiple lipid classes with the risk of future cardiovascular events in HIV-positive patients.

Methods: In a retrospective case-control study, we analysed plasma lipid profiles of 113 subjects.

Locally extensive angio-invasive Scedosporium prolificans infection following resection for squamous cell lung carcinoma.

We report a case of Scedosporium prolificans infection in a patient following surgery for squamous cell lung carcinoma. Combination therapy with voriconazole and terbinafine was commenced for intrathoracic infection and mycotic vasculitis. In spite of antifungal treatment, he developed culture-positive sternal and rib osteomyelitis four months later.