Claudin-1 gene variants and susceptibility to hepatitis C infection in HIV-1 infected intravenous drug users (an ANRS case-control study).

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence is highly diverse among human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infected patients, ranging between 10% of HIV-1 infected homo-bisexuel men, to >92% in patients infected with HIV-1 who acquired HIV-1 through intravenous drug use. Thus, being HCV-free while having acquired HIV-1 via intravenous drug use is a rare situation. Claudin-1 is a protein involved in intracellular tight-junctions and has been identified as a major cellular co-receptor for HCV infection.

Glomerular lesions in patients with sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an increasing cause of chronic kidney disease, but the spectrum of glomerular lesions and their underlying mechanisms remain poorly described. We reviewed 18 renal biopsies from patients with SCD and glomerular involvement and studied the expression of hypoxic markers in the biopsy specimens. Four histopathologic variants were distinguished: focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (39%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (28%), thrombotic microangiopathy glomerulopathy (17%), and specific sickle cell disease glomerulopathy (17%).

Ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor monotherapy for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

Guidelines for the use of antiretrovirals for HIV-1 infection recommend combining at least three agents. Toxicities, cost, and the complexity of such regimens warrant the search for other options. Boosted protease inhibitor monotherapy is one of the appealing options being investigated.

Post-exposure prophylaxis with a maraviroc-containing regimen after occupational exposure to a multi-resistant HIV-infected source person.

We report the case of a health care worker who received a post-exposure prophylaxis including an investigational drug, maraviroc, after a needle stick percutaneous injury to an HIV-infected patient with late-stage disease and harboring a multi-drug resistant virus. Post-exposure prophylaxis including maraviroc was pursued for a total of 28 days, with a weekly clinical and biological evaluation. Post-exposure prophylaxis was well tolerated, with no increase in liver function tests.