Community-acquired pneumonia in people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) during the current era of effective antiretroviral therapy: A multi-center retrospective cohort study.

Background: It is unclear if Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection affects the prognosis for community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the current era of effective anti-retroviral therapy. In this multi-center retrospective cohort study of patients admitted for CAP, we compared the in-hospital mortality rate between people with HIV (PWH) and people without HIV.

Methods: The study included consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of CAP across 31 hospitals in Ontario, Canada from 2015 to 2022.

Barriers and facilitators to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among transgender women in Colombia: A qualitative analysis using the COM-B model.

Transgender women [TGW] in Colombia are disproportionately affected by HIV due to their low sociodemographic conditions, varied risk behaviours, difficulty accessing health services, and discrimination. Offering pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] as part of a combination of prevention strategies is an appropriate option for this population to reduce their risk of HIV infection. However, little is known about how to implement a PrEP program for TGW in Colombia.

Applying implementation science frameworks to identify factors that influence the intention of healthcare providers to offer PrEP care and advocate for PrEP in HIV clinics in Colombia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Few studies have used implementation science frameworks to identify determinants of PrEP prescription by healthcare providers. In this work, we developed and psychometrically examined a questionnaire using the theoretical domains framework (TDF) and the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR). We used this questionnaire to investigate what factors influence the intention of healthcare providers to offer PrEP care and advocate for PrEP.

Scales to Assess Knowledge, Motivation, and Self-Efficacy for HIV PrEP in Colombian MSM: PrEP-COL Study.

Objective: We evaluated the construct validity Spanish version of knowledge, stigma, norms, and self-efficacy scales regarding PrEP in MSM.

Methods: Sample of 287 MSM. Exploratory confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory were used to validate the constructs.

Adaptation and Pilot Evaluation of an Intervention Addressing the Sexual Health Needs of Gay Men Living with HIV Infection in Colombia.

Interventions addressing the sexual health need of HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Latin America are scarce. We adapted and evaluated GPS, a group-based intervention led by peers, developed using the Information-Motivation-Behavioral (IMB) model and motivational interviewing (MI). We used McKleroy et al framework to culturally adapt GPS to MSM living with HIV infection in Colombia.

Application of the "syndemics" theory to explain unprotected sex and transactional sex: A crosssectional study in men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women, and non-MSM in Colombia.

Introduction: Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) in Colombia are highly affected by HIV. To improve understanding of the role of HIV risk behaviors in HIV acquisition, we used the syndemic framework, a useful concept to inform prevention efforts.

Objective: To examine the effect of four psychosocial conditions, namely, forced sex, history of childhood sexual abuse, frequent alcohol use, and illicit drug use on unprotected sex and the synergistic effects ("syndemic" effects) of these conditions on HIV risk behavior.

[HIV drug resistance in ART-experienced patients in Cali, Colombia, 2008-2010].

Introduction: Little has been published in Colombia on HIV drug resistance in patients taking antiretroviral treatment (ART). Currently, the Colombian guidelines do not recommend the use of genotypic antiretroviral resistance tests (GART) for treatment-naive patients or for those experiencing a first therapeutic failure.

Objective: To determine the frequency of relevant resistance mutations and the degree of susceptibility/ resistance of HIV to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in ART-experienced patients.

HIV Testing and Counselling in Colombia: Local Experience on Two Different Recruitment Strategies to Better Reach Low Socioeconomic Status Communities.

HIV testing rates remain very low in Colombia, with only 20% of individuals at risk ever tested. In order to tackle this issue, the Corporacion de Lucha Contra el Sida (CLS) has implemented a multidisciplinary, provider-initiated, population-based HIV testing/counselling strategy named BAFI. In this report, we describe the experience of CLS at reaching populations from low socioeconomic backgrounds in 2008-2009.

In vitro and structural evaluation of PL-100 as a potential second-generation HIV-1 protease inhibitor.

Objectives: HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs) are key components of HIV therapy. PL-100 is a novel lysine sulphonamide that demonstrates potent antiviral activity against multiresistant HIV-1 strains as well as a higher genetic barrier for development of resistance mutations compared with first-generation PIs. In the present study, we compared the antiviral activity of PL-100 against HIV-1 subtype B with that of darunavir.

The role of polymorphisms at position 89 in the HIV-1 protease gene in the development of drug resistance to HIV-1 protease inhibitors.

Objectives: Relatively little is known about the development of resistance to protease inhibitors (PIs) in non-B subtypes. In subtype B viruses, L89 is commonly found at position 89 in the HIV protease (PR) gene, whereas M89 is commonly observed as a polymorphism in other subtypes. We compared the frequencies of substitutions at position 89 in PR in tissue culture selections and in clinical databases of PI-naive and PI-experienced populations.

Head-to-head comparison of accuracy of a rapid point-of-care HIV test with oral versus whole-blood specimens: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The focus on prevention strategies aimed at curbing the HIV epidemic is growing, and therefore screening for HIV has again taken centre stage. Our aim was to establish whether a convenient, non-invasive, HIV test that uses oral fluid was accurate by comparison with the same test with blood-based specimens.

Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the diagnostic accuracy of a rapid HIV-antibody-based point-of-care test (Oraquick advance rapid HIV-1/2, OraSure Technologies Inc, PA, USA) when used with oral versus blood-based specimens in adults.

A template-dependent dislocation mechanism potentiates K65R reverse transcriptase mutation development in subtype C variants of HIV-1.

Numerous studies have suggested that the K65R reverse transcriptase (RT) mutation develops more readily in subtype C than subtype B HIV-1. We recently showed that this discrepancy lies partly in the subtype C template coding sequence that predisposes RT to pause at the site of K65R mutagenesis. However, the mechanism underlying this observation and the elevated rates of K65R development remained unknown.

Tissue culture drug resistance analysis of a novel HIV-1 protease inhibitor termed PL-100 in non-B HIV-1 subtypes.

PL-100 is a novel HIV-1 protease inhibitor (PI) that maintains activity against viruses that are resistant to other PIs. To further characterize this compound, we used it to select for drug resistance in tissue culture, using two non-B HIV-1 subtypes, viz. subtype C and a CRF01_AE recombinant virus.

Differences in resistance mutations among HIV-1 non-subtype B infections: a systematic review of evidence (1996-2008).

Ninety percent of HIV-1-infected people worldwide harbour non-subtype B variants of HIV-1. Yet knowledge of resistance mutations in non-B HIV-1 and their clinical relevance is limited. Although a few reviews, editorials and perspectives have been published alluding to this lack of data among non-B subtypes, no systematic review has been performed to date.

Sequencing of therapy to avoid resistance and the need for new antiretroviral drugs in the treatment of HIV disease.

HIV-1 drug regimens now offer more potent, less toxic and more durable choices. However, strategies addressing convenient sequential use of active antiretroviral combinations are rarely presented in the literature. Studies have seldom directly addressed this issue, despite it being a matter of daily use in clinical practice.

Effects of the K65R and K65R/M184V reverse transcriptase mutations in subtype C HIV on enzyme function and drug resistance.

Background: We investigated the effects of mutations K65R and K65R plus M184V on enzymatic function and mechanisms of drug resistance in subtype C reverse transcriptase (RT).

Methods: Recombinant subtype C HIV-1 RTs containing K65R or K65R+M184V were purified from Escherichia coli. Enzyme activities and tenofovir (TFV) incorporation efficiency by wild-type (WT) and mutant RTs of both subtypes were determined in cell-free assays.

Role of genetic diversity amongst HIV-1 non-B subtypes in drug resistance: a systematic review of virologic and biochemical evidence.

The genetic diversity of HIV-1 has required its classification into types and subtypes. There is controversy as to how and to what extent genetic diversity may affect the emergence of antiretroviral drug resistance in HIV-1 subtypes other than B. To better understand the impact of genetic diversity (represented by different HIV-1 subtypes) on resistance to reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitor drugs, a systematic review was conducted on virologic and biochemical evidence obtained from work with non-B HIV-1 subtypes.

Benefits of an educational program for journalists on media coverage of HIV/AIDS in developing countries.

Objective: a) To assess the suitability of the curriculum content and didactical quality of information delivered to educate journalists in the J2J program in HIV/AIDS (process evaluation) and b) to explore the effects of such programs on journalists' reporting of HIV/AIDS related information (outcome evaluation).

Design: Descriptive study.

Methods: For the process evaluation, each J2J program curriculum was evaluated for accuracy and pertinence by individuals with high familiarity with HIV/AIDS research.

Antiretroviral therapy : optimal sequencing of therapy to avoid resistance.

In the second decade of highly active antiretroviral therapy, drug regimens offer more potent, less toxic and more durable choices. However, strategies addressing convenient sequential use of active antiretroviral combinations are rarely presented in the literature. Studies have seldom directly addressed this issue, despite it being a matter of daily use in clinical practice.

Protease inhibitor resistance in HIV-infected patients: molecular and clinical perspectives.

The problem of HIV-1 drug resistance has established a need for new compounds that retain activity against mutated resistant viral isolates. Fortunately, a number of new compounds have recently been developed that possess excellent activity against HIV-1 strains that contain as many as eight relevant drug-resistance mutations in the viral protease (PR) gene. These newer protease inhibitors (PI) are characterized by higher genetic barrier for drug resistance, meaning that higher numbers of mutations are required for resistance to develop in comparison with older members of the PI family of drugs.