Seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 in Ireland among blood donors, men who have sex with men, and heterosexual genitourinary medicine and infectious diseases clinic attendees.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) seroprevalence varies geographically and between subpopulations. High seroprevalence rates have been ascribed to men who have sex with men (MSM), African migrants, and HIV-infected individuals. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HHV-8 in an Irish population, including specific risk groups.

Cross-cultural applicability of the episodic disability framework with adults living with HIV in Ireland: a qualitative study.

To explore the cross-cultural applicability of the Episodic Disability Framework with people living with HIV in Ireland. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews. We recruited adults with HIV from a hospital clinic and community-based organization in Dublin, Ireland.

Chasing the rainbow: pleasure, sex-based sociality and consumerism in navigating and exiting the Irish Chemsex scene.

Club drug use among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men is increasingly normalised within sexual contexts and is associated with increased sexual risk behaviours. The term Chemsex is used to describe sexualised drug use lasting several hours or days with multiple sexual partners. A small pilot study, underpinned by interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), was conducted in Dublin, Ireland.

CD3ε Expression Defines Functionally Distinct Subsets of Vδ1 T Cells in Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

Human γδ T cells expressing the Vδ1 T cell receptor (TCR) recognize self and microbial antigens and stress-inducible molecules in a major histocompatibility complex-unrestricted manner and are an important source of innate interleukin (IL)-17. Vδ1 T cells are expanded in the circulation and intestines of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In this study, we show that patients with HIV have elevated frequencies, but not absolute numbers, of circulating Vδ1 T cells compared to control subjects.

Chemsex, risk behaviours and sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men in Dublin, Ireland.

Background: Drug use for or during sex ('chemsex') among MSM has caused concern, because of the direct effects of the drugs themselves, and because of an increased risk of transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chemsex, associated behaviours and STIs among attendees at Ireland's only MSM-specific sexual health clinic in Dublin over a six week period in 2016.

Methods: The questionnaire collected demographic data, information on sexuality and sexual practice, self-reported history of treatment for STIs, and chemsex use.

Generic substitution of antiretrovirals: patients' and health care providers' opinions.

There is interest in introducing generic antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) into high-income countries in order to maximise efficiency in health care budgets. Studies examining patients' and providers' knowledge and attitudes to generic substitution in HIV are few. This was a cross-sectional, observational study with a convenience sample of adult HIV-infected patients and health care providers (HCPs).

Physical Activity is Associated with Metabolic Health in Men Living with HIV.

Metabolic health is a cause for concern among those living with HIV, especially those on antiretroviral therapy. Physical activity (PA) is known to benefit metabolic health, however, few studies have objectively measured PA or investigated the relationship between PA and metabolic health among those living with HIV. In this study, PA and indices of metabolic health among twenty men living with HIV and twenty age matched HIV-negative men were measured.

Opt-Out Panel Testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in an Urban Emergency Department: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: Studies suggest 2 per 1000 people in Dublin are living with HIV, the level above which universal screening is advised. We aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a universal opt-out HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing programme for Emergency Department patients and to describe the incidence and prevalence of blood-borne viruses in this population.

Methods: An opt-out ED blood borne virus screening programme was piloted from March 2014 to January 2015.

Serostatus Disclosure, Stigma Resistance, and Identity Management Among HIV-Positive Gay Men in Ireland.

In this study, we examined how non-infectiousness due to antiretroviral therapy has affected HIV-positive gay men's experience of serostatus disclosure to casual sex partners. Interviews were conducted with 15 seropositive gay men living in Ireland. Using grounded theory, three constructions of non-disclosure were proposed-as self-protection, as a morally permissible act, and as a rejection of the HIV-positive identity.

Point-of-care testing for HIV in an Irish prison setting: results from three major Irish prisons.

HIV is more prevalent in the prison population compared to the general population. Prison inmates are at an increased risk of blood-borne infections. Considerable stigma has been documented amongst inmates with HIV infection.

Reliability and validity of a new HIV-specific questionnaire with adults living with HIV in Canada and Ireland: the HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ).

Background: Our aim was to assess internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and test-retest reliability of the HDQ with adults living with HIV in Canada and Ireland.

Methods: We recruited adults 18 years of age or older living with HIV from hospital clinics and AIDS service organizations in Canada and Ireland. We administered the HDQ paired with reference measures (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, SF-36 Questionnaire, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey), and a demographic questionnaire.

Candida albicans stimulates IL-23 release by human dendritic cells and downstream IL-17 secretion by Vδ1 T cells.

γδ T cells expressing the Vδ1 TCR are expanded in patients with HIV infection. We show in this article that circulating Vδ1 T cell numbers are particularly high in patients with HIV and candidiasis, and that these cells expand and produce IL-17 in response to Candida albicans in vitro. Although C.

Increased Frequencies of Circulating IFN-γ-Producing Vδ1(+) and Vδ2(+) γδ T Cells in Patients with Asymptomatic Persistent Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The outcome of HBV infection is largely determined by the host immune response, with virus-specific cytotoxic T cells being able to mediate immunity against HBV as well as causing liver pathology. γδ T cells are reported to be depleted in patients with HBV-associated liver disease.

Optimism, community attachment and serostatus disclosure among HIV-positive men who have sex with men.

This study investigated the relationship between HIV health optimism (HHO) (the belief that health will remain good after HIV infection due to treatment efficacy), HIV-positive community attachment (HCA), gay community attachment (GCA) and serostatus disclosure to casual sex partners by HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Cross-sectional questionnaire data were gathered from 97 HIV-positive MSM attending an HIV treatment clinic in Dublin, Ireland. Based on self-reported disclosure to casual partners, participants were classified according to their pattern of disclosure (consistent, inconsistent or non-disclosers).