Determinants of Familiarity and Experience with HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Primary Care Providers in Ontario, Canada.

Background: Despite increased access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Canada, familiarity and experience among primary care providers (PCPs)-including family doctors and those working with key populations-remains limited. To understand the barriers and facilitators of PrEP familiarity and experience, we conducted a situational analysis in PCPs in sub-urban and rural Ontario.

Methods: We surveyed a non-probabilistic sample of PCPs using an online questionnaire, designed with the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

Syphilis Point of Care Rapid Test and Immediate Treatment Evaluation (SPRITE) study: a mixed-methods implementation science research protocol of eight public health units in Ontario, Canada.

Introduction: Urgent, tailored and equitable action is needed to address the alarming rise in syphilis rates in Canada. In the last decade, the rates of infectious syphilis have increased by 345% in Ontario, Canada. Underserved populations-people who use drugs, un(der)housed individuals and those living in rural and remote areas-face unique social and healthcare challenges that increase their vulnerability to syphilis infections and hinder their access to timely diagnosis and treatment.

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.

Evaluation and comparison of four quantitative SARS-CoV-2 serological assays in COVID-19 patients and immunized healthy individuals, cancer patients, and patients with immunosuppressive therapy.

Background: Semi-quantitative and quantitative immunoassays are the most commonly used methodology to evaluate immunity post immunization.

Objectives: To compare four quantitative SARS-CoV-2 serological assays in COVID-19 patients and immunized healthy individuals, cancer patients, and patients with immunosuppressive therapy.

Study Design: 210 serological samples from COVID-19 infection and vaccination cohorts were used to create a serological sample repository.

Quantitative Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Serological Responses Post Three Doses of Immunization and Prior to Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections.

Background: Vaccine mediated SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses should be carefully evaluated. With regular follow-up in healthy individuals, we aimed to determine SARS-CoV-2 serological responses post three doses of immunization and prior to breakthrough infections in the Canadian population.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study, we enrolled 140 healthy participants post COVID-19 vaccination in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Quantitative Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Levels in Cancer Patients Post Three Doses of Immunization and Prior to Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections.

(1) Background: COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness should be carefully evaluated and explicitly defined. To our knowledge, this is the first report to quantitatively evaluate humoral responses post 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 immunization and prior to breakthrough COVID-19 infection in Canadian cancer patients. (2) Methods: In a prospective cohort study, we enrolled 185 cancer participants post COVID-19 vaccination in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

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.

AC-2020-12-1420.R1 - HIV care providers' familiarity, concerns, and attitudes about HIV PrEP in Colombia: insights from the PrEP-Col-Study.

In 2019, Colombia approved the combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Therefore, we conducted a situational analysis in HIV-care providers to identify barriers and facilitators for PrEP implementation. A survey was applied to a non-probabilistic sample of health care workers of HIV-specialized clinics.

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.

Another piece of the Zika puzzle: assessing the associated factors to microcephaly in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Although it is known that Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy may lead to microcephaly in the fetus, the prognostic factors associated with this tragic disorder remain unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prognostic factors associated with the incidence of microcephaly in congenital ZIKV infection.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE (R) Epub ahead of print, Embase, Embase Classic, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, LILACS, and various thesis databases to identify human studies reporting microcephaly associated with congenital ZIKV infection.

Psychometric properties and validity of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in a population attending an HIV clinic in Cali, Colombia.

Introduction: Depression in people living with HIV/AIDS is associated with poor health outcomes. Despite this, assessment of depressive symptoms is not a routine clinical practice in the care of people with HIV in Colombia. One reason could be the lack of validated depression screening scales for this population.

Do HIV-1 non-B subtypes differentially impact resistance mutations and clinical disease progression in treated populations? Evidence from a systematic review.

There are 31 million adults living with HIV-1 non-B subtypes globally, and about 10 million are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Global evidence to guide clinical practice on ART response in HIV-1 non-B subtypes remains limited. We systematically searched 11 databases for the period 1996 to 2013 for evidence.

[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.

Does genetic diversity of HIV-1 non-B subtypes differentially impact disease progression in treatment-naive HIV-1-infected individuals? A systematic review of evidence: 1996-2010.

With 88% of HIV-1-infected individuals living in areas of high prevalence of non-B subtypes and with expanded global access to antiretroviral treatment (ART), studying disease progression amongst non-B subtypes gains relevance. Optimized clinical management is a possibility with knowledge of non-B subtype profiles at baseline, which is currently not possible due to lack of subtype-specific point-of-care assays. In a systematic review, we synthesized global evidence on differential disease progression amongst non-B subtypes in ART-naive individuals.

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.