Viremia Does Not Independently Predict Cardiovascular Disease in People With HIV: A RESPOND Cohort Study.

Background: HIV viremia has been considered a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, but many studies have had insufficient data on potential confounders. We explored the association between viremia and CVD after adjusting for established risk factors and analyzed whether consideration of viremia would improve CVD prediction.

Methods: Adults from RESPOND were followed from the first date with available data until the first of rigorously defined CVD, loss to follow-up, death, or administrative censoring.

Differences in integrated assessment and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) for people with HIV across the WHO European region.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the extent of integration of non-communicable disease (NCD) assessment and management in HIV clinics across Europe.

Methods: A structured electronic questionnaire with 41 multiple-choice and rating-scale questions assessing NCD assessment and management was sent to 88 HIV clinics across the WHO European Region during March-May 2023. One response per clinic was collected.

Prolonged survival of a patient with active MDR-TB HIV co-morbidity: insights from a strain with a unique genomic deletion.

Coinfection of HIV and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) presents significant challenges in terms of the treatment and prognosis of tuberculosis, leading to complexities in managing the disease and impacting the overall outcome for TB patients. This study presents a remarkable case of a patient with MDR-TB and HIV coinfection who survived for over 8 years, despite poor treatment adherence and comorbidities. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the infecting () strain revealed a unique genomic deletion, spanning 18 genes, including key genes involved in hypoxia response, intracellular survival, immunodominant antigens, and dormancy.

Dual anti-viral treatment for persistent COVID-19 in immunocompromised hemato-oncological patients is associated with a favorable prognosis and minor side effects.

In hemato-oncological patients, COVID-19 can present as a persistent infection with ongoing symptoms and viral replication over a prolonged period of time. Data are scarce on the preferred treatment options for these patients. We describe our experience with a five-day course of dual anti-viral treatment with remdesivir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for hemato-oncological immunocompromised patients with persistent COVID-19.

Rate and predictors of blood culture positivity after antibiotic administration: a prospective single-center study.

Purpose: Blood culture obtainment prior to antibiotic administration, in patients with suspected infection, is considered the best practice in international guidelines. However, there is little data regarding the effect of a single dose of antibiotics on blood culture sterilization.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study, enrolling consecutive patients with suspected infection, hospitalized in an internal medicine ward between December 2019 and January 2023.

Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus After 3 Doses of Messenger RNA BNT162b2 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Vaccine: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Recent studies have shown good serological and cellular immune responses in people living with human immunodeficiency virus PLWH) after receipt of 2 doses of messenger RNAA (mRNA) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine. Data are missing regarding the response after 3 vaccine doses.

Methods: We followed up a group of PLWH who received 3 doses of the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine and for whom data of humoral immune response after 2 vaccine doses were available.

Safety and outcomes of an early discharge strategy with oxygen home therapy in stable severe COVID-19 patients.

Background: COVID-19 disease leads to prolonged hospitalisations and adverse outcomes. We describe our strategy for routine early discharge of severe COVID-19 patients with home oxygen during the Delta variant surge.

Methods: Our strategy included COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen support nasal cannula, with stabilised but not yet improved respiration (intervention group), that followed strict criteria.

Mpox Presenting as Proctitis in Men Who Have Sex With Men.

In our cohort of 70 patients of men who have sex with men (MSM) with mpox, more than one-third presented with proctitis. In two-thirds of proctitis patients, there was no typical rash upon presentation, and in one-fifth, there was no rash at all, making the diagnosis a challenge. A rectal swab for mpox polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be diagnostic.

Changes in body mass index and clinical outcomes after initiation of contemporary antiretroviral regimens.

Background: Weight gain is becoming increasingly prevalent amongst people with HIV (PWH) receiving contemporary antiretroviral treatment. We investigated BMI changes and clinical impact in a large prospective observational study.

Methods: PWH aged ≥18 years were included who started a new antiretroviral (baseline) during 2010-2019 with baseline and ≥1 follow-up BMI assessment available.

Associations of vaccine status with characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients in the booster era.

Background: The resurgence of COVID-19 cases since June 2021, referred to as the fourth COVID-19 wave, has led to the approval and administration of booster vaccines. Our study aims to identify any associations between vaccine status with the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 disease.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all COVID-19 patients admitted to a large tertiary center between July 25 and October 25, 2021 (fourth wave in Israel).

SARS-CoV-2 Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses of Patients With HIV After Vaccination With BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in the Tel-Aviv Medical Center.

Background: Little is known about vaccine efficacy and sustainability among people with HIV (PWH). We estimated humoral and cellular immune responses postvaccination with BNT162b2 mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine among PWH in Tel-Aviv Medical Center.

Methods: The vaccine humoral response was evaluated by measuring immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers of antispike receptor-binding domain antibodies (anti-RBD IgG).

Clinical features and outcomes of bacteremic and non-bacteremic Campylobacteriosis: a case-control study.

Purpose: Campylobacter bloodstream infection (C-BSI) is uncommon, and its clinical significance is unclear. The aim of the study was to determine risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with Campylobacter BSI.

Methods: We performed a single center retrospective case-control study comparing patients with C-BSI (cases) and patients with nonbacteremic Campylobacter enteritis (controls), from January 2007 through June 2020.

Emergence of Mycobacterium canariasense infections in central Israel.

In 2018, Mycobacterium canariasense bloodstream infection was diagnosed in Israel. Further investigation had identified additional five cases in three medical centers, including isolates from blood (1), cornea (1), and sputum (3). Isolates were susceptible to all the antimicrobial tested.

Prevalence and Outcomes for Heavily Treatment-Experienced Individuals Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in a European Cohort.

Background: Although antiretroviral treatments have improved survival of persons living with HIV, their long-term use may limit available drug options. We estimated the prevalence of heavily treatment-experienced (HTE) status and the potential clinical consequences of becoming HTE.

Setting: EuroSIDA, a European multicenter prospective cohort study.

Immunogenicity of Sci-B-Vac (a Third-Generation Hepatitis B Vaccine) in HIV-Positive Adults.

Background: Guidelines recommend hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination of all adults positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Immune responses to single-antigen HBV vaccine among HIV-positive patients are low when compared with HIV-negative adults. Sci-B-Vac™ is a recombinant third-generation HBV that may be advantageous in this population.

C-reactive protein serum levels as an early predictor of outcome in patients with pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus infection.

Background: Data for predicting which patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection are likely to run a complicated course are sparse. We retrospectively studied whether the admission serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can serve as a predictor of illness severity.

Methods: Included were all consecutive adult patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) between May-December, 2009 with a flu-like illness, a confirmed diagnosis of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection and a serum CRP level measured within 24 hours of presentation.