Shorter Time to Discontinuation Due to Treatment Failure in People Living with HIV Switched to Dolutegravir Plus Either Rilpivirine or Lamivudine Compared with Integrase Inhibitor-Based Triple Therapy in a Large Spanish Cohort.

Introduction: Standard therapy for HIV treatment has consisted of two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) paired with a third agent. Use of two-drug regimens (2DR) has been considered for selected patients in part to avoid toxicities associated with the use of NRTIs. This study aimed to compare the real-world outcomes of integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-based three-drug regimens (3DR) versus 2DR of dolutegravir (DTG) + rilpivirine (RPV) or DTG + lamivudine (3TC).

eGFR-EPI changes among HIV patients who switch from F/TDF to F/TAF while maintaining the same third agent in the Spanish VACH cohort.

Evidence from clinical practice on the effects of switching from emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF) to emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF)-based triple-therapy (TT) regimens on renal parameters is limited. This retrospective analysis evaluated the effects on renal function of switching from F/TDF to F/TAF-based TT regimens with no change in third agent among people living with HIV (PLWH). Data were from a multicenter Spanish PLWH cohort.

Real world effectiveness of standard of care triple therapy versus two-drug combinations for treatment of people living with HIV.

Background: Since 1996, the standard of care (SOC) therapy for HIV treatment has consisted of a backbone of two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) paired with a third agent. Use of two-drug combinations (2DC) has been considered for selected patients to avoid toxicities associated with the use of NRTIs. This study aimed to compare the real-world outcomes of integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-containing triple therapy (TT) to dolutegravir- (DTG) and/or boosted protease inhibitor (bPI)-based 2DC in a large Spanish cohort of HIV patients.

The transmission dynamics and diversity of human metapneumovirus in Peru.

Background: The transmission dynamics of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in tropical countries remain unclear. Further understanding of the genetic diversity of the virus could aid in HMPV vaccine design and improve our understanding of respiratory virus transmission dynamics in low- and middle-income countries.

Materials & Methods: We examined the evolution of HMPV in Peru through phylogenetic analysis of 61 full genome HMPV sequences collected in three ecologically diverse regions of Peru (Lima, Piura, and Iquitos) during 2008-2012, comprising the largest data set of HMPV whole genomes sequenced from any tropical country to date.

Epidemiologic, clinical, and virologic characteristics of human rhinovirus infection among otherwise healthy children and adults: rhinovirus among adults and children.

Background: human rhinovirus (HRV) is a major cause of influenza-like illness (ILI) in adults and children. Differences in disease severity by HRV species have been described among hospitalized patients with underlying illness. Less is known about the clinical and virologic characteristics of HRV infection among otherwise healthy populations, particularly adults.

Evaluation of the degree of liver fibrosis and genetical characteristics in HIV patients with spontaneous clearance of HCV in Cartagena, Spain.

Introduction: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the region of the Interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene on chromosome 19, coding for the interferon (IFN)-λ3, are involved in hepatitis c virus (HCV), spontaneous clearance. There is little information on the degree of liver fibrosis (LF) in HIV patients, who have had spontaneous clearance of HCV. Our objective in this study is to assess the degree of liver fibrosis in this population, as well as to identify key genetic characteristics associated with spontaneous clearance.

Influenza-like illness sentinel surveillance in one hospital in Medellin, Colombia. 2007-2012.

Background: The city of Medellin in Colombia has almost no documentation of the causes of acute respiratory infections (ARIs). As part of an ongoing collaboration, we conducted an epidemiologic surveillance for influenza and other respiratory viruses. It described the influenza strains that were circulating in the region along with their distribution over time, and performing molecular characterization to some of those strains.

Human parainfluenza virus in patients with influenza-like illness from Central and South America during 2006-2010.

Background: Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are common viral causes of community-acquired pneumonia, particularly in children. The four types of HPIV have world-wide distribution; however, limited information exists about the epidemiological profile of HPIV in Latin-America.

Objective: Provide epidemiologic and phylogenetic information about HPIVs that circulated in Latin America between 2006 and 2010 to better characterize the extent and variability of this respiratory virus in the region.

Human rhinoviruses and enteroviruses in influenza-like illness in Latin America.

Background: Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) belong to the Picornaviridae family with high similarity to human enteroviruses (HEVs). Limited data is available from Latin America regarding the clinical presentation and strains of these viruses in respiratory disease.

Methods: We collected nasopharyngeal swabs at clinics located in eight Latin American countries from 3,375 subjects aged 25 years or younger who presented with influenza-like illness.

[Human metapneumovirus in children: first cases in Colombia].

Human metapneumovirus is a newly discovered pathogen associated with respiratory disease and occurring mainly in children. It produces an acute viral respiratory disease picture that varies from mild disease to severe, and which can require strict surveillance in intensive care units. Currently, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and cell culture are the most common methods for its diagnosis.

Adenovirus respiratory tract infections in Peru.

Background: Currently, there is a paucity of data regarding human adenovirus (HAdv) circulation in Andean regions of South America. To address this shortcoming, we report the clinical, phylogenetic, and epidemiologic characteristics of HAdv respiratory tract infection from a large sentinel surveillance study conducted among adults and children in Peru.

Methods/principal Findings: Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from participants visiting any of 38 participating health centers, and viral pathogens were identified by immunofluorescence assay in cell culture.

Sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness in two hospitals in Maracay, Venezuela: 2006-2010.

Background: Limited information exists on the epidemiology of acute febrile respiratory illnesses in tropical South American countries such as Venezuela. The objective of the present study was to examine the epidemiology of influenza-like illness (ILI) in two hospitals in Maracay, Venezuela.

Methodology/principal Findings: We performed a prospective surveillance study of persons with ILI who presented for care at two hospitals in Maracay, Venezuela, from October 2006 to December 2010.

Discovery proteomics and nonparametric modeling pipeline in the development of a candidate biomarker panel for dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Secondary dengue viral infection can produce capillary leakage associated with increased mortality known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Because the mortality of DHF can be reduced by early detection and intensive support, improved methods for its detection are needed. We applied multidimensional protein profiling to predict outcomes in a prospective dengue surveillance study in South America.

A three-component biomarker panel for prediction of dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Dengue virus infections are a major cause of morbidity in tropical countries. Early detection of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) may help identify individuals that would benefit from intensive therapy. Predictive modeling was performed using 11 laboratory values of 51 individuals (38 DF and 13 DHF) obtained on initial presentation using logistic regression.

Human metapneumovirus strains circulating in Latin America.

The human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is responsible for acute respiratory tract infections in young children, elderly patients, and immunocompromised hosts. In this study, we genetically analyzed the circulating HMPV in Central and South America from July 2008 to June 2009 and characterized the strains present in this region. Samples were collected during an international collaborative influenza like illness surveillance study and then sequenced with specific primers for the HMPV G gene.

Sentinel surveillance of influenza-like-illness in two cities of the tropical country of Ecuador: 2006-2010.

Background: Tropical countries are thought to play an important role in the global behavior of respiratory infections such as influenza. The tropical country of Ecuador has almost no documentation of the causes of acute respiratory infections. The objectives of this study were to identify the viral agents associated with influenza like illness (ILI) in Ecuador, describe what strains of influenza were circulating in the region along with their epidemiologic characteristics, and perform molecular characterization of those strains.

Circulating strains of human respiratory syncytial virus in central and south America.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of viral lower respiratory tract infections among infants and young children. HRSV strains vary genetically and antigenically and have been classified into two broad subgroups, A and B (HRSV-A and HRSV-B, respectively). To date, little is known about the circulating strains of HRSV in Latin America.

Capacity-building efforts by the AFHSC-GEIS program.

Capacity-building initiatives related to public health are defined as developing laboratory infrastructure, strengthening host-country disease surveillance initiatives, transferring technical expertise and training personnel. These initiatives represented a major piece of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, Division of Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System (AFHSC-GEIS) contributions to worldwide emerging infectious disease (EID) surveillance and response. Capacity-building initiatives were undertaken with over 80 local and regional Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Defense, as well as other government entities and institutions worldwide.

Influenza and other respiratory viruses in three Central American countries.

Background: Despite the disease burden imposed by respiratory diseases on children in Central America, there is a paucity of data describing the etiologic agents of the disease.

Aims: To analyze viral etiologic agents associated with influenza-like illness (ILI) in participants reporting to one outpatient health center, one pediatric hospital, and three general hospitals in El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua Material &

Methods: Between August 2006 and April 2009, pharyngeal swabs were collected from outpatients and inpatients. Patient specimens were inoculated onto cultured cell monolayers, and viral antigens were detected by indirect and direct immunofluorescence staining.

Noxa mediates p18INK4c cell-cycle control of homeostasis in B cells and plasma cell precursors.

Inhibition of Cdk4/Cdk6 by p18(INK4c) (p18) is pivotal for generation of noncycling immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting plasma cells (PCs). In the absence of p18, CD138(+) plasmacytoid cells continue to cycle and turnover rapidly, suggesting that p18 controls PC homeostasis. We now show that p18 selectively acts in a rare population of rapidly cycling CD138(hi)/B220(hi) intermediate PCs (iPCs).

Genetic analysis of influenza A/H1N1 of swine origin virus (SOIV) circulating in Central and South America.

Since the first detection of swine origin virus (SOIV) on March 28, 2009, the virus has spread worldwide and oseltamivir-resistant strains have already been identified in the past months. Here, we show the phylogenetic analysis of 63 SOIV isolates from eight countries in Central and South America, and their sensitivity to oseltamivir.

Molecular characterization of adenovirus circulating in Central and South America during the 2006-2008 period.

Background: Human Adenoviruses are recognized pathogens, causing a broad spectrum of diseases. Serotype identification is critical for epidemiological surveillance, detection of new strains and understanding of HAdvs pathogenesis. Little data is available about HAdvs subtypes in Latin America.

Antiviral resistance in influenza viruses circulating in Central and South America based on the detection of established genetic markers.

Background: Recent influenza antiviral resistance studies reveal an alarming increase in both adamantanes and neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) resistant viral strains worldwide, particularly in Asia, Europe and the United States.

Objectives: In this study, we have evaluated influenza virus resistance in Central and South America.

Methods: Influenza viruses, isolated from symptomatic patients throughout Central and South America in 2005-2008 were analyzed for inhibitor resistance.