Evaluating predictive markers for viral rebound and safety assessment in blood and lumbar fluid during HIV-1 treatment interruption.

Background: Validated biomarkers to evaluate HIV-1 cure strategies are currently lacking, therefore requiring analytical treatment interruption (ATI) in study participants. Little is known about the safety of ATI and its long-term impact on patient health.

Objectives: ATI safety was assessed and potential biomarkers predicting viral rebound were evaluated.

Determinants of adherence in a cohort of Belgian HIV patients: a pilot study.

Since the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV is considered a chronic disease. Adherence to HAART is crucial for effectiveness. Non-adherence negatively impacts patient outcome and the larger economy.

Socio-economic, behavioural, (neuro)psychological and clinical determinants of HRQoL in people living with HIV in Belgium: a pilot study.

Introduction: Due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV-1 infection has evolved from a lethal to a chronic disease. As such, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become an important outcome variable. The purpose of this study was to identify socio-economic, behavioural, (neuro)psychological and clinical determinants of HRQoL among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Epidemiological study of phylogenetic transmission clusters in a local HIV-1 epidemic reveals distinct differences between subtype B and non-B infections.

Background: The number of HIV-1 infected individuals in the Western world continues to rise. More in-depth understanding of regional HIV-1 epidemics is necessary for the optimal design and adequate use of future prevention strategies. The use of a combination of phylogenetic analysis of HIV sequences, with data on patients' demographics, infection route, clinical information and laboratory results, will allow a better characterization of individuals responsible for local transmission.

Impact of Delta 32-CCR5 heterozygosity on HIV-1 genetic evolution and variability--a study of 4 individuals infected with closely related HIV-1 strains.

A cluster of four patients acutely infected with a genetically almost identical virus, allowed us to investigate genetic variability and disease progression in early HIV-1 infection with minimal interference of virus specific factors. Two of the patients were heterozygous for the 32-bp deletion in the CCR5 coreceptor gene. Both showed a slower disease progression with lower viral load levels and a reduced rate of genetic evolution compared to the patients with normal CCR5 alleles.

Detection of drug resistance mutations as a predictor of subsequent virological failure in patients with HIV-1 viral rebounds of less than 1,000 RNA copies/ml.

In order to evaluate the usefulness of resistance testing after a viral rebound with plasma HIV RNA levels of less than 1,000 copies (c)/ml, genotyping was performed on 39 samples from patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) showing a viremia of over 50 c/ml up to a maximum of 1,000 c/ml after at least one undetectable viral load result. Protease and reverse transcriptase (RT) sequences were obtained for all 39 samples. In 10 (25.

Families affected by HIV: parents' and children's characteristics and disclosure to the children.

The reduced risk of mother-to-child transmission due to improved HIV treatment has resulted in an increasing number of healthy children born to mothers living with HIV. The study's objective was to identify the number of parents or caregivers in a sample of persons living with HIV in Flanders, the number of HIV-affected children as well as specific family-related characteristics. Using a structured survey quantitative data were assessed on a total of 628 patients at three Flemish Aids reference centres.

Ritonavir/saquinavir plus one nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) versus indinavir plus two NRTIs in protease inhibitor-naive HIV-1-infected adults (IRIS study).

Objectives: To compare the efficacy, tolerability and safety of a ritonavir 400 mg/saquinavir hard gel fomulation 400 mg twice daily versus an indinavir 800 mg once every 8 h containing first-line protease inhibitor (PI) treatment regimen.

Methods: Open, randomized, multicentre clinical trial. PI-naive patients received either ritonavir/saquinavir and one nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) or indinavir and two NRTIs.

The effect of treatment intensification in HIV-infection: a study comparing treatment with ritonavir/saquinavir and ritonavir/saquinavir/stavudine. Prometheus Study Group.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of treatment with ritonavir (RTV)/saquinavir (SQV)/6 stavudine (D4T) or RTV/SQV alone, with treatment intensification if needed, in protease inhibitor- and D4T-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals.

Design: Multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Two-hundred and eight patients were randomized to receive treatment with RTV 400 mg/SQV 400 mg twice daily or RTV 400 mg/SQV 400 mg/D4T 40 mg twice daily.

The SPICE study: 48-week activity of combinations of saquinavir soft gelatin and nelfinavir with and without nucleoside analogues. Study of Protease Inhibitor Combinations in Europe.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of saquinavir soft gelatin capsules (SQV-SGC) and nelfinavir (NFV), with or without two concomitant nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), in an exploratory objective to identify populations most likely to benefit from quadruple therapy.

Design: Phase II/III, open-label, randomized, parallel-arm, multicenter trial.

Participants: Enrollment included 157 protease inhibitor-naive adults (> or = 13 years) with HIV-1 RNA > or = 10,000 copies/ml; 132 participants completed 48 weeks of therapy.