Pretreatment HIV-1 Resistance in Argentina: Results from the Second Surveillance Study Following World Health Organization Guidelines (2019).

More than 62,000 individuals are currently on antiretroviral treatment within the public health system in Argentina. In 2019, more than 50% of people on ART received non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). In this context, the second nationwide HIV-1 pretreatment drug resistance surveillance study was carried out between April and December 2019 to assess the prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance in Argentina using the World Health Organization guidelines.

Colorimetric RT-LAMP Detection of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Lineages of Concern Direct from Nasopharyngeal Swab Samples without RNA Isolation.

Since, during the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, a large part of the human population has become infected, a rapid and simple diagnostic method has been necessary to detect its causative agent, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and control its spread. Thus, in the present study, we developed a colorimetric reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) kit that allows the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swab samples without the need for RNA extraction. The kit utilizes three sets of LAMP primers targeting two regions of ORF1ab and one region in the E gene.

[Skin manifestations in patients with COVID-19. A prospective study].

As of March 2020, skin lesions associated with COVID-19 have been described. The objectives of the study were to characterize the skin lesions in these patients, analyze their temporal relationship, association with the severity of the disease, extracutaneous symptoms and laboratory parameters. A prospective, observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted in hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

Making Visible HTLV Infection in a Non-endemic Area of Argentina.

In Argentina, the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection has been documented mainly among blood banks with a prevalence of ~0.02-0.046% for Buenos Aires city, 0.

Immunogenicity induced by the use of alternative vaccine platforms to deal with vaccine shortages in a low- to middle-income country: Results of two randomized clinical trials.

Background: Shortages of component two of Sputnik V vaccine (rAd5) are delaying the possibility of achieving full immunisation. The immunogenic response associated with the use of alternative schemes to complete the scheme was not explored.

Methods: We did two non-inferiority randomized clinical trials with outcomes measures blinded to investigators on adults aged 21-65 years, vaccinated with a single dose of rAd26 ≥ 30 days before screening and no history of SARS-CoV-2.

Genetic diversity and phylogeographic analysis of human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) in two distant regions of Argentina: Association with the genetic ancestry of the population.

Background: The genetic diversity of persistent infectious agents, such as HHV-8, correlates closely with the migration of modern humans out of East Africa which makes them useful to trace human migrations. However, there is scarce data about the evolutionary history of HHV-8 particularly in multiethnic Latin American populations.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to characterize the genetic diversity and the phylogeography of HHV-8 in two distant geographic regions of Argentina, and to establish potential associations with pathogenic conditions and the genetic ancestry of the population.

Relevance of HTLV-1 proviral load in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients living in endemic and non-endemic areas of Argentina.

HTLV-1 proviral load (pVL) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) is proposed as a marker of disease progression but its role still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of HTLV-1 pVL in symptomatic patients and asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers. In this cross-sectional study the pVL was measured by Real Time PCR in 102 asymptomatic carriers and 22 symptomatic patients (5ATLL, 15 TSP and 2 uveitis).

Prevalence of rilpivirine resistance in people starting antiretroviral treatment in Argentina.

Background: Rilpivirine-based regimens are now preferred or alternative first-line regimens according to many HIV treatment guidelines. Recently, a surveillance study conducted in Argentina determined that prevalence of pretreatment resistance to first-generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) was 10%. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of resistance mutations to newer generation NNRTIs in the population starting ART in Argentina.

[HIV-1 resistance to antiretroviral drugs in pregnant women from Buenos Aires metropolitan area].

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of antiretroviral resistance associated mutations in HIV-1 infected pregnant woman treated in Buenos Aires metropolitan area (period 2008-2014). A total of 136 women with viral load = 500 copies/ml were included: 77 (56.6%) were treatment-naïve and 59 (43.

Analysis of the Molecular Evolution of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes in Symptomatic Acute Infections in Argentina.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a globally distributed human pathogen that leads to both self-limited and chronic infections. At least eight genotypes (A-H) with distinct geographical allocations and phylodynamic behaviors have been described. They differ substantially in many virological and probably some clinical parameters.

Transmitted drug resistance in women with intrapartum HIV-1 diagnosis: a pilot epidemiological survey in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Introduction: Surveillance of primary resistance to antiretroviral drugs is particularly important in pregnant population, in which infection by drug-resistant HIV has not only implications for maternal treatment, but could also jeopardize the efficacy of neonatal prophylaxis. We aim to describe the prevalence of resistance associated mutations (RAMs) in pregnant women with intrapartum HIV diagnosis in a public hospital of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Materials And Methods: Prospective pilot study (period from 2008 to October 2013).

Increasing trends in primary NNRTI resistance among newly HIV-1-diagnosed individuals in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Objective: Our objective was to estimate primary resistance in an urban setting in a developing country characterized by high antiretroviral (ARV) coverage over the diagnosed population and also by an important proportion of undiagnosed individuals, in order to determine whether any change in primary resistance occurred in the past five years.

Design: We carried out a multi-site resistance surveillance study according to WHO HIV resistance guidelines, using a weighted sampling technique based on annual HIV case reports per site.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 197 drug-naive HIV-1-infected individuals diagnosed between March 2010 and August 2011 at 20 HIV voluntary counselling and testing centres in Buenos Aires.

Kinetics of HIV-1 in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma in cryptococcal meningitis.

In order to determine HIV-1 kinetics in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM), we undertook a prospective collection of paired CSF/plasma samples from antiretroviral therapy-free HIV-infected patients with CM. Samples were obtained at baseline (S1) and at the second (S2) and third (S3) weeks of antifungal therapy. HIV-1 CSF concentrations were significantly lower in both S2 and S3 with respect to S1.

Acute retroviral syndrome and high baseline viral load are predictors of rapid HIV progression among untreated Argentinean seroconverters.

Background: Diagnosis of primary HIV infection (PHI) has important clinical and public health implications. HAART initiation at this stage remains controversial.

Methods: Our objective was to identify predictors of disease progression among Argentinean seroconverters during the first year of infection, within a multicentre registry of PHI-patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2008.

Detection of HIV-1 dual infections in highly exposed treated patients.

Background: Genetic characterization of HIV-1 in Argentina has shown that BF recombinants predominate among heterosexuals and injecting drug users, while in men who have sex with men the most prevalent form is subtype B.

Objectives: The aim of this work was to investigate the presence of HIV dual infections in HIV-infected individuals with high probability of reinfection

Study Design: Blood samples were collected from 23 HIV positive patients with the risk of reinfection from Buenos Aires. A fragment of the HIV gene pol was amplified and phylogenetic analyses were performed.

Variables that influence HIV-1 cerebrospinal fluid viral load in cryptococcal meningitis: a linear regression analysis.

Background: The central nervous system is considered a sanctuary site for HIV-1 replication. Variables associated with HIV cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) viral load in the context of opportunistic CNS infections are poorly understood. Our objective was to evaluate the relation between: (1) CSF HIV-1 viral load and CSF cytological and biochemical characteristics (leukocyte count, protein concentration, cryptococcal antigen titer); (2) CSF HIV-1 viral load and HIV-1 plasma viral load; and (3) CSF leukocyte count and the peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocyte count.

HCV genotype distribution among HIV co-infected individuals in Argentina: relationship with host and viral factors.

Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in individuals infected with HIV is associated with a higher incidence of liver injury hepatic decompensation, and decreased survival than that observed in an HIV-monoinfected population. While prevalence studies on HIV/HCV coinfection have been performed in the U.S.

[HBV and HCV co-infections in HIV positive patients in the "HAART era": new challenges].

Co-infections with HIV and HCV/HBV are frequently found due to the similar routes of transmission (sexual, parenteral and vertical). Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) there has been a notably decrease in patients morbidity and mortality, nevertheless with the prolonged survival, many of these patients are at risk of developing chronic complication, secondary to the infection of hepatotropic viruses. End stage liver disease is one of the main causes of morbid-mortality among HIV patients in developed countries.