Normalization of eosinophil count is predictive of oxygen weaning over the course of COVID-19 infection among hospitalized adults during the first wave of 2020 pandemic.

Background: Understanding COVID-19 outcomes remains a challenge. While numerous biomarkers have been proposed for severity at admission, limited exploration exists for markers during the infection course, especially for the requirement of oxygen therapy. This study investigates the potential of eosinophil count normalization as a predictor for oxygen weaning during the initial wave of the pandemic.

Plasma concentrations of antiretroviral drugs in a successful 4-days-a-week maintenance treatment strategy in HIV-1 patients (ANRS 170-Quatuor trial).

Objectives: Charaterization of the plasma concentrations of antiretrovirals in a 4-days-a-week maintenance treatment strategy in the ANRS-170-QUATUOR study.

Methods: Patients were randomized in two groups receiving triple therapy taken 4-days-ON and 3-days-OFF (4/7) or continuous therapy (7/7). Plasma antiretroviral concentrations were monitored during the 'ON-treatment period' (Day 3 or 4 of the 4-day treatment block) and the 'OFF-treatment period' (Day 3 of the 3-day drug cessation) for the 4/7 group, or before the daily drug intake for the 7/7 group, until week-48 (W48).

Interest of Absolute Eosinopenia as a Marker of Influenza in Outpatients during the Fall-Winter Seasons 2016-2018 in the Greater Paris Area: The SUPERFLUOUS Study.

Introduction: Prior to the emergence of COVID-19, when influenza was the predominant cause of viral respiratory tract infections (VRTIs), this study aimed to analyze the distinct biological abnormalities associated with influenza in outpatient settings.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted among outpatients, with the majority seeking consultation at the emergency department, who tested positive for VRTIs using RT-PCR between 2016 and 2018. Patient characteristics were compared between influenza (A and B types) and non-influenza viruses, and predictors of influenza were identified using two different models focusing on absolute eosinopenia (0/mm) and lymphocyte count <800/mm.

Four days/week antiretroviral maintenance strategy (ANRS 170 QUATUOR): substudies of reservoirs and ultrasensitive drug resistance.

Background: In a 4 days/week (4/7 days) maintenance strategy (ANRS-170 QUATUOR trial), the virological impact of an intermittent strategy was assessed by ultrasensitive virological analyses of reservoirs and resistance.

Methods: HIV-1 total DNA, ultra-sensitive plasma viral load (USpVL) and semen VL were measured in the first 121 participants. Sanger and ultra-deep sequencing (UDS) were performed on the HIV-1 genome (Illumina technology) according to the ANRS consensus.

Striking differences in weight gain after cART initiation depending on early or advanced presentation: results from the ANRS CO4 FHDH cohort.

Background: Many studies have reported weight gain in ART-naive people living with HIV (PWH) initiating an integrase strand-transfer inhibitor-based regimen. We studied the impact of early or advanced presentation and that of individual drugs in PWH initiating combined ART (cART) between 2012 and 2018.

Methods: From the French Hospital Database HIV cohort, we assessed factors associated with a weight gain  ≥10%, weight change after cART initiation or BMI increase  ≥5 kg/m2 up to 30 months.

Elevation of brain ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient) in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and evolution after treatment: A pilot study.

Background: Thirty to 50% of HIV-infected patients develop HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) despite virological control. The previously published Neuro+3 study showed their neurocognitive status can be improved by intensifying antiviral therapy. Our study is a part of the Neuro3+ study and aims to study apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) as a biomarker for neurological improvement.

A Restructured Hospital Into a One-Building Organization for COVID-19 Patients: A Resilient and Effective Response to the Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique crisis challenging healthcare institutions as it rapidly overwhelmed hospitals due to a large influx of patients. This major event forced all the components of the healthcare systems to adapt and invent new workflows. Thus, our tertiary care hospital was reorganized entirely.

Superinfection is associated with short-term outcome and mortality in viral respiratory tract infections during the fall-winter seasons 2016-2018 in the Greater Paris area: the SUPERFLUOUS study: outcomes of viral infections.

Background: Following a study of predictors of superinfection in viral respiratory tract infections (VRTIs), this study analyzes the predictors of the outcome.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective study conducted among adults who tested positive for VRTIs with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. We compared characteristics between influenza virus, Paramyxoviridae, and Pneumoviridae and identified predictors of favorable short-term outcome, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mortality.

Reprogramming dysfunctional CD8+ T cells to promote properties associated with natural HIV control.

Virus-specific CD8+ T cells play a central role in HIV-1 natural controllers to maintain suppressed viremia in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. These cells display a memory program that confers them stemness properties, high survival, polyfunctionality, proliferative capacity, metabolic plasticity, and antiviral potential. The development and maintenance of such qualities by memory CD8+ T cells appear crucial to achieving natural HIV-1 control.

HIV-Sheltering Platelets From Immunological Non-Responders Induce a Dysfunctional Glycolytic CD4 T-Cell Profile.

Immunological non-responders (InRs) are HIV-infected individuals in whom the administration of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), although successful in suppressing viral replication, cannot properly reconstitute patient circulating CD4 T-cell number to immunocompetent levels. The causes for this immunological failure remain elusive, and no therapeutic strategy is available to restore a proper CD4 T-cell immune response in these individuals. We have recently demonstrated that platelets harboring infectious HIV are a hallmark of InR, and we now report on a causal connection between HIV-containing platelets and T-cell dysfunctions.

A 4-days-on and 3-days-off maintenance treatment strategy for adults with HIV-1 (ANRS 170 QUATUOR): a randomised, open-label, multicentre, parallel, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Intermittent (on 4 days per week) antiretroviral therapy (ART) for patients with HIV-1 might be more convenient, better tolerated, and cheaper than continuous treatment. We aimed to establish the efficacy and safety of a 4-days-on and 3-days-off (intermittent) maintenance regimen versus a standard 7 day (continuous) maintenance regimen.

Methods: In a randomised, open-label, multicentre, parallel, non-inferiority trial, we randomly assigned (1:1) adults with HIV-1 infection with a plasma viral load (pVL) of less than 50 copies per mL for more than 12 months and no drug-resistance mutations to either the intermittent regimen or their existing continuous maintenance regimen, with stratification according to third therapeutic agent (protease inhibitor, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, or integrase-strand transfer inhibitor).

Predictors of Hospitalization and Superinfection in Viral Respiratory Tract Infections Between Influenza and Paramyxoviruses: The SUPERFLUOUS Study.

Background: Viral respiratory tract infections (VRTIs) are among the most common diseases, but the risks of superinfection for different virus species have never been compared.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective study conducted among adults who tested positive for VRTIs with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. We compared characteristics between influenza (A or B) and paramyxoviruses (respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus types 1 and 3, and human metapneumovirus) and identified predictors of superinfection and hospitalization.

SARS-CoV-2 reinfections among hospital staff in the greater Paris area.

After one year, among 236 hospital staff members (HSMs) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, we observed 5 cases of suspected reinfection in our teaching hospital in France. No probable reinfection was retained considering PCR Cycle Threshold and clinical context. Focus should concern COVID-free HSMs still not vaccinated rather than the ones previously infected.

'Blue toes' following vaccination with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Highlights: COVID toes can be encountered in young individuals during acute COVID-19 infection while it results from the direct action of Spike protein on vessels. We report the case of COVID toes during the French campaign of vaccination that occurred 4 days after the vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine against COVID-19.

The first wave of COVID-19 in hospital staff members of a tertiary care hospital in the greater Paris area: A surveillance and risk factors study.

Introduction: Understanding how hospital staff members (HSMs), including healthcare workers, acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the first wave can guide the control measures in the current second wave in Europe.

Methods: From March 5 to May 10, 2020, the Raymond-Poincaré Hospital held a weekday consultation for HSMs for PCR testing. HSMs were requested to complete a questionnaire on their potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Clinical Cutaneous Features of Patients Infected With SARS-CoV-2 Hospitalized for Pneumonia: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of a current pandemic worldwide. This virus can reach all organs and disturbs the immune system, leading to a cytokine storm in severe forms. We aimed to report cutaneous features among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalized patients.