Measurements of tenofovir-diphosphate and emtricitabine-triphosphate concentrations in dried blood spots of people receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV with co-formulated tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine.

Background/purpose(s): Data regarding the concentrations of tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) and emtricitabine-triphosphate (FTC-TP) in the Asian population receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) (TDF/FTC) are limited, and the associations between the frequency of TDF/FTC administration and drug concentration among people receiving on-demand PrEP remain unclear.

Methods: Fifty-seven participants receiving daily TDF/FTC and 113 participants receiving on-demand TDF/FTC were enrolled in this study. The concentrations of TFV-DP and FTC-TP were measured in dried blood spots using liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry.

Clinically Significant Functional Impairments and Symptoms in COVID-19 Survivors: Empirical Research Quantitative.

Background: COVID-19 survivors may experience complex, distressing and persistent symptoms, referred to as long COVID, lasting months or years after diagnosis. More evidence is needed for effective long COVID screening and management.

Aim: To explore the clinical profile of long COVID and factors associated with its development.

Detection of Treponema pallidum DNA for diagnosis, resistance identification, and treatment outcome prediction in early syphilis among men who have sex with men.

Objectives: We investigated the use of Treponema pallidum DNA (TP-DNA) for diagnosis, resistance identification, and treatment outcome prediction in early syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: MSM seeking care for sexually transmitted infections were prospectively enrolled from September 2021 to August 2024. Oral rinse, rectal swab, and urethral swab samples were tested for TP-DNA.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection among at-risk populations in Taiwan: Emergence of genovariant L2b and treatment response to antimicrobials.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study investigated the prevalence and genotype distribution of C. trachomatis, and treatment response, focusing on the recent emergence of genovariant L2b in Taiwan.

Short-term evolution of Mpox-specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies among individuals undergoing MVA-BN vaccination.

Objectives: The data on immune responses of individuals undergoing modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccination are scarce. We aimed to compare Mpox virus-specific antibody and neutralizing antibody responses among people with and those without HIV receiving MVA-BN vaccines.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled participants undergoing two-dose MVA-BN vaccination to investigate seroresponses after vaccination.

Incidence and outcome of hepatitis D virus infection in people with HIV in the era of tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves survival in HBV-coinfected people with HIV (PWH). We investigated the incidence of HDV infection and its clinical impact in HBV-coinfected PWH in the era of tenofovir-containing ART.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2022, HBV-coinfected PWH were included and followed until December 2023.

Telemedicine facilitates medical care for hospitalized patients in quarantine.

Background/purpose: Telemedicine is an innovative medical care system that facilitates visual communication between patients and healthcare workers (HCWs), mainly in a community-based setting. We investigated the clinical effectiveness of in-patient telemedicine care for patients in quarantine for the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We conducted a prospective study to include patients with mild-to-moderate severity of COVID-19 and their primary-care HCWs.

Monkeypox virus A29L protein as the target for specific diagnosis and serological analysis.

The unexpected monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak has been reported in many non-endemic countries and regions since May 2022. The mutant strains of Mpox virus (MPXV) were found with higher infectivity and greater capability for sustained human-to-human transmission, posing a significant public health threat. MPXV A29L, a protein homolog of vaccinia virus (VACV) A27L, plays an important role in viral attachment to host cell membranes.

Exploring the characteristics and antecedents of clinically significant long COVID: A longitudinal cohort study.

Background: A significant number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors are experiencing long COVID, with symptoms lasting beyond three months. While diverse long COVID symptoms are established, there are gaps in understanding its long-term trends, intensity, and risk factors, requiring further investigation.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the long COVID characteristics and associated factors by following COVID-19 survivors for one year post-infection and comparing them with healthy counterparts.

Clinical manifestations and viral kinetics of people with Mpox: A case series during the 2023 outbreak in Taiwan.

Monkeypox (Mpox) has emerged as a global threat since 2022. We reported 14 cases of Mpox in 10 people with HIV (PWH) and 4 people without HIV (PWoH), of whom 64.3% had sexually transmitted co-infections.

Hypogonadism among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Taiwan: Prevalence and associated factors.

Background: Male hypogonadism is not uncommon in people with HIV (PWH), with estimated prevalence ranging from 9% to 16%. Existing data are limited on the serum testosterone levels in PWH in Asian populations.

Methods: We enrolled HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) and had been on stable antiretroviral therapy and MSM without HIV between February 2021 and November 2022.

Mycoplasma genitalium infection and resistance-associated mutations to macrolides and fluoroquinolones among high-risk patients in Taiwan.

Background: Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging etiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with increasing resistance to antimicrobials. Surveillance on the epidemiology of M. genitalium infection and antimicrobial resistance is warranted.

A Phase 3, Randomized, Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b in Patients with Moderate COVID-19.

Introduction: Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a novel mono-pegylated proline-interferon. This clinical study aimed to evaluate its antiviral efficacy of ropeginterferon alfa-2b against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: This is a multicenter, randomized, open-label study.

Complete response to front-line therapies is associated with long-term survival in HIV-related lymphomas in Taiwan.

Background: The prognosis for people living with HIV (PLWH) who develop lymphomas has been greatly improved by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. However, real-world clinical data on this patient group in Asia are limited.

Methods: Treatment outcomes were retrospectively examined for 104 PLWH with lymphomas between 2000 and 2019.

Sexually transmitted coinfections among at-risk HIV-positive MSM: implications for optimal preemptive treatment.

Background: Concurrent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common in sexually active populations. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and coinfection rates of bacterial STIs among sexually active, HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), and to assess the potential benefits of different combination treatment regimens in managing concurrent bacterial STIs.

Methods: From September 2021 to September 2023, HIV-positive MSM underwent STI testing when they had symptoms suggestive of STIs or recently acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or early syphilis.

Clinical manifestations and risk factors for COVID-19 and its severity in patients with hematological malignancies.

Background: Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) were at a high risk of developing severe disease from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to assess the clinical outcome of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with HM.

Methods: Adult patients with HM who were hospitalized with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 between May, 2021 and November, 2022 were retrospectively identified.

Effectiveness and evolution of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein titers after three doses of COVID-19 vaccination in people with HIV.

Background: Real-world vaccine effectiveness following the third dose of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 remains less investigated among people with HIV (PWH).

Methods: PWH receiving the third dose of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 (either 50- or 100-μg) were enrolled. Participants were followed for 180 days until the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 infection, seroconversion of anti-nucleocapsid IgG, death, or loss to follow-up.

Effect of early dexamethasone on outcomes of COVID-19: A quasi-experimental study using propensity score matching.

Background: The RECOVERY trial demonstrated that the use of dexamethasone is associated with a 36% lower 28-day mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 on invasive mechanical ventilation. Nevertheless, the optimal timing to start dexamethasone remains uncertain.

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study at National Taiwan University Hospital (Taipei, Taiwan) using propensity score matching to simulate a randomized controlled trial to receive or not to receive early dexamethasone (6 mg/day) during the first 7 days following the onset of symptoms.

Case Report: Pericardial Actinomycosis in a 79-Year-Old Man with Poor Dental Hygiene.

Actinomycosis is an uncommon infection caused by Actinomyces species, and the diagnosis is often challenging owing to low prevalence and diverse clinical manifestations. Pericardial involvement of actinomycosis is particularly rare. Here, we present a case of a 79-year-old man who initially complained of exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, and decreased urine amount.

Under-utilization of statins among people with HIV who were aged 40 years or older.

From June 2022 to April 2023, 1629 HIV-positive participants were assessed for the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The 10-year ASCVD risk of <5 %, 5 % to <7.5 %, ≥7.