Effective Treatment of Lymphogranuloma venereum Proctitis With Azithromycin.

Background: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) serovars L1, L2, and L3 and is endemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Europe. We evaluated weekly oral azithromycin 1 g for 3 weeks as a treatment for LGV proctitis.

Methods: This is an open clinical trial with convenience allocation according to treating physician preferences.

Virological Outcome Measures During Analytical Treatment Interruptions in Chronic HIV-1-Infected Patients.

Background: Analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs) are essential in research on HIV cure. However, the heterogeneity of virological outcome measures used in different trials hinders the interpretation of the efficacy of different strategies.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of viral load (VL) evolution in 334 ATI episodes in chronic HIV-1-infected patients collected from 11 prospective studies.

A Classifier to Predict Viral Control After Antiretroviral Treatment Interruption in Chronic HIV-1-Infected Patients.

Objectives: To construct a classifier that predicts the probability of viral control after analytical treatment interruptions (ATI) in HIV research trials.

Methods: Participants of a dendritic cell-based therapeutic vaccine trial (DCV2) constituted the derivation cohort. One of the primary endpoints of DCV2 was the drop of viral load (VL) set point after 12 weeks of ATI (delta VL12).

Phase I clinical trial of an intranodally administered mRNA-based therapeutic vaccine against HIV-1 infection.

Objective: The efficacy of therapeutic vaccines against HIV-1 infection has been modest. New inerts to redirect responses to vulnerable sites are urgently needed to improve these results.

Design: We performed the first-in-human clinical trial with naked mRNA (iHIVARNA) combining a dendritic cell activation strategy (TriMix:CD40L+CD70+caTLR4 RNA) with a novel HIV immunogen sequences (HTI immunogen).

Analysis of the costs and cost-effectiveness of the guidelines recommended by the 2018 GESIDA/Spanish National AIDS Plan for initial antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected adults.

Background: The GESIDA/National AIDS Plan expert panel recommended preferred regimens (PR), alternative regimens (AR) and other regimens (OR) for antiretroviral treatment (ART) as initial therapy in HIV-infected patients for 2018. The objective of this study was to evaluate the costs and the efficiency of initiating treatment with PR and AR.

Methods: Economic assessment of costs and efficiency (cost-effectiveness) based on decision tree analyses.

Imbalance in mitochondrial dynamics and apoptosis in pregnancies among HIV-infected women on HAART with obstetric complications.

Background: HIV infection and HAART trigger genetic and functional mitochondrial alterations leading to cell death and adverse clinical manifestations. Mitochondrial dynamics enable mitochondrial turnover and degradation of damaged mitochondria, which may lead to apoptosis.

Objectives: To evaluate markers of mitochondrial dynamics and apoptosis in pregnancies among HIV-infected women on HAART and determine their potential association with obstetric complications.

Polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions in an HIV-infected elderly population.

Objective: Comorbidities associated with the ageing of the HIV+ population may require chronic treatment. Our aim is to determine the degree of polypharmacy and the number of potential drug-drug interactions, as well as the relationship between both variables in a HIV-infected population over the age of 65.

Methods: Descriptive transversal study targeting HIV+ patients aged ≥65, attended in a Spanish hospital in 2014.

Impact of long-term antiretroviral therapy interruption and resumption on viral reservoir in HIV-1 infected patients.

: We assessed if the increase on viral reservoir after long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption (ATI) is reversible upon ART resumption in chronic HIV-1 infected patients. Total HIV-1 DNA increased to pre-ART levels after 48 weeks of ATI to return to pre-ATI levels after 104 weeks of ART resumption. Conversely, integrated HIV-1 DNA remained elevated after ART reinitiation.

Costs and cost-efficacy analysis of the 2017 GESIDA/Spanish National AIDS Plan recommended guidelines for initial antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected adults.

Introduction: GESIDA and the Spanish National AIDS Plan panel of experts have recommended preferred (PR), alternative (AR) and other regimens (OR) for antiretroviral therapy (ART) as initial therapy in HIV-infected patients for 2017. The objective of this study was to evaluate the costs and the efficiency of initiating treatment with PR and AR.

Methods: Economic assessment of costs and efficiency (cost-efficacy) based on decision tree analyses.

New challenges in therapeutic vaccines against HIV infection.

There is a growing interest in developing curative strategies for HIV infection. Therapeutic vaccines are one of the most promising approaches. We will review the current knowledge and the new challenges in this research field.

Preclinical development of BCG.HIVA, harboring an integrative expression vector, for a HIV-TB Pediatric vaccine. Enhancement of stability and specific HIV-1 T-cell immunity.

One of the critical issues that should be addressed in the development of a BCG-based HIV vaccine is genetic plasmid stability. Therefore, to address this issue we have considered using integrative vectors and the auxotrophic mutant of BCG complemented with a plasmid carrying a wild-type complementing gene. In this study, we have constructed an integrative E.

Atherogenic properties of LDL particles after switching from Truvada or Kivexa plus lopinavir/r to lamivudine plus lopinavir/r: OLE-MET substudy.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of tenofovir or abacavir discontinuation on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) phenotype and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity in HIV-infected patients treated with lopinavir/ritonavir plus 2 nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI).

Methods: Multicenter, open-label study. Patients were randomized to continue with lopinavir/ritonavir plus 2 NRTI (triple therapy) or to switch to lopinavir/ritonavir plus lamivudine (dual therapy).

HIV-1 promonocytic and lymphoid cell lines: an in vitro model of in vivo mitochondrial and apoptotic lesion.

To characterize mitochondrial/apoptotic parameters in chronically human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)-infected promonocytic and lymphoid cells which could be further used as therapeutic targets to test pro-mitochondrial or anti-apoptotic strategies as in vitro cell platforms to deal with HIV-infection. Mitochondrial/apoptotic parameters of U1 promonocytic and ACH2 lymphoid cell lines were compared to those of their uninfected U937 and CEM counterparts. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was quantified by rt-PCR while mitochondrial complex IV (CIV) function was measured by spectrophotometry.

Cost-effectiveness of initial antiretroviral treatment administered as single vs. multiple tablet regimens with the same or different components.

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of single-tablet regimens (STR) and multiple-tablet regimens (MTR) with exactly the same or different components.

Methods: A study was conducted on HIV-1-infected antiretroviral-naïve patients from 6 Spanish or French centers, who were started on treatment with STR-Atripla, or the same components separately (MTR-SC), or a different MTR (MTR-Other). Effectiveness was measured as percentage of HIV-RNA <50copies/mL at 48 weeks (ITT).

Mitochondrial toxicity and caspase activation in HIV pregnant women.

To assess the impact of HIV-infection and highly active anti-retroviral treatment in mitochondria and apoptotic activation of caspases during pregnancy and their association with adverse perinatal outcome. Changes of mitochondrial parameters and apoptotic caspase activation in maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells were compared at first trimester of pregnancy and delivery in 27 HIV-infected and -treated pregnant women versus 24 uninfected pregnant controls. We correlated immunovirological, therapeutic and perinatal outcome with experimental findings: mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, mitochondrial protein synthesis, mitochondrial function and apoptotic caspase activation.

Costs and cost-efficacy analysis of the 2016 GESIDA/Spanish AIDS National Plan recommended guidelines for initial antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected adults.

Introduction: GESIDA and the AIDS National Plan panel of experts suggest preferred (PR), alternative (AR), and other regimens (OR) for antiretroviral treatment (ART) as initial therapy in HIV-infected patients for the year 2016. The objective of this study is to evaluate the costs and the efficacy of initiating treatment with these regimens.

Methods: Economic assessment of costs and efficiency (cost/efficacy) based on decision tree analyses.

MicroRNA Profile in CD8+ T-Lymphocytes from HIV-Infected Individuals: Relationship with Antiviral Immune Response and Disease Progression.

Background: The relationship between host microRNAs (miRNA), viral control and immune response has not yet been elucidated in the field of HIV. The aim of this study was to assess the differential miRNA profile in CD8+ T-cells between HIV-infected individuals who differ in terms of viral replication control and immune response.

Methods: miRNA profile from resting and CD3/CD28-stimulated CD8+ T-cells from uninfected individuals (HIV-, n = 11), Elite Controllers (EC, n = 15), Viremic Controllers (VC, n = 15), Viremic Progressors (VP, n = 13) and HIV-infected patients on therapy (ART, n = 14) was assessed using Affymetrix miRNA 3.

Safe Reduction in CD4 Cell Count Monitoring in Stable, Virally Suppressed Patients With HIV Infection or HIV/Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection.

Background: It has been suggested that routine CD4 cell count monitoring in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-monoinfected patients with suppressed viral loads and CD4 cell counts >300 cell/μL could be reduced to annual. HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is frequent, but evidence supporting similar reductions in CD4 cell count monitoring is lacking for this population. We determined whether CD4 cell count monitoring could be reduced in monoinfected and coinfected patients by estimating the probability of maintaining CD4 cell counts ≥200 cells/µL during continuous HIV suppression.

A randomized clinical trial comparing ritonavir-boosted lopinavir versus maraviroc each with tenofovir plus emtricitabine for post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) non-completion at day 28, comparing ritonavir-boosted lopinavir versus maraviroc, both with tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine as the backbone.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, open, randomized clinical trial. Individuals attending the emergency room because of potential sexual exposure to HIV and who met criteria for receiving PEP were randomized to one of two groups: tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine (245/200 mg) once daily plus either ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (400/100 mg) or maraviroc (300 mg) twice daily.

A randomized clinical trial comparing ritonavir-boosted lopinavir versus raltegravir each with tenofovir plus emtricitabine for post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) non-completion at day 28, comparing two regimens.

Methods: A prospective, open, randomized clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Individuals attending the emergency room because of potential sexual exposure to HIV were randomized to tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine (245/200 mg) plus either ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (400/100 mg) or raltegravir (400 mg).

Backbones versus core agents in initial ART regimens: one game, two players.

The advances seen in ART during the last 30 years have been outstanding. Treatment has evolved from the initial use of single agents as monotherapy. The ability to use HIV RNA as a surrogate marker for clinical outcomes allowed the more rapid evaluation of new therapies.

Mortality, Causes of Death and Associated Factors Relate to a Large HIV Population-Based Cohort.

Introduction: Antiretroviral therapy has led to a decrease in HIV-related mortality and to the emergence of non-AIDS defining diseases as competing causes of death. This study estimates the HIV mortality rate and their risk factors with regard to different causes in a large city from January 2001 to June 2013.

Materials And Methods: We followed-up 3137 newly diagnosed HIV non-AIDS cases.

HIV-1/HAART-Related Lipodystrophy Syndrome (HALS) Is Associated with Decreased Circulating sTWEAK Levels.

Background And Objectives: Obesity and HIV-1/HAART-associated lipodystrophy syndrome (HALS) share clinical, pathological and mechanistic features. Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays an important role in obesity and related diseases. We sought to explore the relationship between HALS and circulating levels of soluble (s) TWEAK and its scavenger receptor sCD163.

Costs and cost-effectiveness analysis of 2015 GESIDA/Spanish AIDS National Plan recommended guidelines for initial antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected adults.

Introduction: GESIDA and the AIDS National Plan panel of experts suggest a preferred (PR), alternative (AR) and other regimens (OR) for antiretroviral treatment (ART) as initial therapy in HIV-infected patients for 2015. The objective of this study is to evaluate the costs and the effectiveness of initiating treatment with these regimens.

Methods: Economic assessment of costs and effectiveness (cost/effectiveness) based on decision tree analyses.