Tuberculosis-HIV Co-Infection: Progress and Challenges After Two Decades of Global Antiretroviral Treatment Roll-Out.

Despite wide antiretroviral scale-up during the past two decades resulting in declining new infections and mortality globally, HIV-associated tuberculosis remains as a major public health concern. Tuberculosis is the leading HIV-associated opportunistic infection and the main cause of death globally and, particularly, in resource-limited settings. Several challenges exist regarding diagnosis, global implementation of latent tuberculosis treatment, management of active tuberculosis, delivery of optimal patient-centered TB and HIV prevention and care in high burden countries.

Pharmacokinetic interaction between rifampicin and the once-daily combination of saquinavir and low-dose ritonavir in HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis.

Objectives: To assess plasma steady-state pharmacokinetics (PK) of rifampicin, isoniazid, saquinavir and ritonavir in HIV and tuberculosis (TB) co-infected patients, and investigate potential interactions between TB drugs and protease inhibitors (PIs).

Methods: Open-label, single-arm, sequential PK study including 22 patients with HIV infection and TB. During the first 2 months, patients received rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide, with or without ethambutol (first PK study, n = 22).

HIV and syphilis: when to perform a lumbar puncture.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine predictive factors for neurosyphilis in HIV-infected patients with syphilis and optimize the use of lumbar puncture.

Study Design: The authors reviewed 112 cases of HIV-infected patients with syphilis who underwent a lumbar puncture. Diagnosis of neurosyphilis was based on a cerebrospinal fluid white blood cells count > or =20/microL, and/or a reactive cerebrospinal fluid-Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, and/or a positive intrathecal T.

Once-daily regimen of saquinavir, ritonavir, didanosine, and lamivudine in HIV-infected patients with standard tuberculosis therapy (TBQD Study).

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of a once-daily regimen with didanosine, lamivudine, saquinavir, and low-dose ritonavir in antiretroviral (ARV)-naive patients with tuberculosis treated with rifampin and the influence of rifampin on plasma trough concentration (Ctrough) of saquinavir.

Methods: Single-arm, prospective, multicenter, open-label pilot study, including 32 adult ARV-naive subjects with HIV infection and tuberculosis under standard treatment that included rifampin (600 mg q.d.