Evaluating the Jaccard Similarity Index as a Persistence Measure of Multiple Anal Human Papillomavirus Among Nigerian Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Background: Multiple anal human papillomavirus (HPVs) may increase the risk of anal cancer among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI) was explored as a measure of multiple HPV persistence.

Methods: The TRUST/RV368 cohort enrolled MSM living with and without HIV in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria.

Implementation of and Early Outcomes From Anal Cancer Screening at a Community-Engaged Health Care Facility Providing Care to Nigerian Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Purpose: Anal cancer risk is substantially higher among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) as compared with other reproductive-age adults, but screening is rare across sub-Saharan Africa. We report the use of high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) as a first-line screening tool and the resulting early outcomes among MSM in Abuja, Nigeria.

Methods: From August 2016 to August 2017, 424 MSM enrolled in an anal cancer screening substudy of TRUST/RV368, a combined HIV prevention and treatment cohort.

Individual and Sexual Network Predictors of HIV Incidence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Nigeria.

Background: To date, HIV incidence studies among men who have sex with men (MSM) across sub-Saharan Africa have focused on studying sexual risk practices with less focus on sexual networks.

Setting: TRUST/RV368 conducted in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria, recruited MSM using respondent-driven sampling and followed HIV-negative men for incident infection over 4 years.

Methods: Four-hundred forty-one HIV-uninfected MSM underwent a parallel rapid HIV testing algorithm every 3 months for up to 18 months.

Brief Report: Body Mass Index and Cognitive Function Among HIV-1-Infected Individuals in China, India, and Nigeria.

Background: Risk of cognitive impairment is increased among persons with high or low body mass index in HIV- and HIV+ populations in resource-rich settings. We examined this association among HIV+ patients in 3 resource-limited settings.

Methods: This secondary analysis included data of 761 HIV+ volunteers pooled from 3 prospective cohort studies conducted in China (n = 404; 53%), India (n = 200; 26%), and Nigeria (n = 157; 21%).

Anal Microbial Patterns and Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus in a Pilot Study of Nigerian Men Who Have Sex with Men at Risk for or Living with HIV.

To cluster anal microbiota and define microbial patterns associated with biological, clinical, and behavioral correlates among Nigerian men who have sex with men (MSM) living with or at risk for HIV. In this cross-sectional pilot study, the 15 most abundant 16S taxa in the anal microbiota of 113 MSM underwent unsupervised K-means clustering and z-score comparisons to define similarities and dissimilarities among 4 microbiota taxonomic profiles. Distributions of oncogenic HPV (high-risk human papillomavirus [HR-HPV]), concurrent HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and other clinical and behavioral data were evaluated using Fisher's exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests to determine biological signatures of cluster membership.

Plasma HIV RNA level is associated with neurocognitive function among HIV-1-infected patients in Nigeria.

Plasma HIV RNA level has been shown to correlate with HIV disease progression, morbidity, and mortality. We examined the association between levels of plasma HIV RNA and cognitive function among patients in Nigeria. A total of 179 HIV-1-infected participants with available plasma HIV RNA results and followed longitudinally for up to 2 years were included in this study.

Cognitive Function Among Antiretroviral Treatment-Naive Individuals Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype G Versus CRF02_AG in Nigeria.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype has been shown to be associated with disease progression. We compared cognitive function between individuals infected with HIV-1 subtype G and CRF02_AG in Nigeria.

Methods: For this cross-sectional study, samples were analyzed from 146 antiretroviral-naive participants.

Phylodynamic analysis to inform prevention efforts in mixed HIV epidemics.

In HIV epidemics of Sub Saharan Africa, the utility of HIV prevention efforts focused on key populations at higher risk of HIV infection and transmission is unclear. We conducted a phylodynamic analysis of HIV-1 sequences from four different risk groups in Abuja, Nigeria to estimate transmission patterns between men who have sex with men (MSM) and a representative sample of newly enrolled treatment naive HIV clients without clearly recorded HIV acquisition risks. We develop a realistic dynamical infectious disease model which was fitted to time-scaled phylogenies for subtypes G and CRF02_AG using a structured-coalescent approach.

Stigma, access to healthcare, and HIV risks among men who sell sex to men in Nigeria.

Introduction: Among men who have sex with men (MSM), men who sell sex (MSS) may be subject to increased sexual behaviour-related stigma that affects uptake of healthcare and risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The objectives of this study were to characterize stigma, access to care, and prevalence of HIV among MSS in Nigeria.

Methods: Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit MSM in Abuja and Lagos into the ongoing TRUST/RV368 study, which provides HIV testing and treatment.

Peripheral blood lymphocyte HIV DNA levels correlate with HIV associated neurocognitive disorders in Nigeria.

Mononuclear cells play key roles in the pathogenic mechanisms leading to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs). We examined the association between HIV DNA within peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) subsets and HAND in Nigeria. PBMCs were collected at baseline from 36 antiretroviral naive participants.

Rectal microbiota among HIV-uninfected, untreated HIV, and treated HIV-infected in Nigeria.

Objective: Untreated advanced HIV infection alters the gut microbiota, but it is unclear whether antiretroviral therapy (ART) reverses these changes. We compared the composition of the rectal microbiota among three groups of men who have sex with men (MSM): HIV-uninfected, untreated HIV, and ART-treated HIV-infected.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 130 MSM (55 HIV-uninfected, 41 untreated HIV, and 34 ART-treated HIV) in Abuja, Nigeria.

High prevalence of HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea among men who have sex with men and transgender women attending trusted community centres in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria.

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV prevalence have been reported to be higher amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria than in the general population. The objective of this study was to characterize the prevalence of HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea in this population using laboratory-based universal testing.

Methods: TRUST/RV368 represents a cohort of MSM and transgender women (TGW) recruited at trusted community centres in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria, using respondent-driven sampling (RDS).

Online Sex-Seeking Among Men who have Sex with Men in Nigeria: Implications for Online Intervention.

The TRUST/RV368 project was undertaken to apply innovative strategies to engage Nigerian MSM into HIV care. In this analysis we evaluate characteristics of online sex-seekers from the TRUST/RV368 cohort of 1370 MSM in Abuja and Lagos. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equation models were used to assess associations with online sex-seeking.

Prevalence of Anal High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infections Among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex With Men in Nigeria.

Background: Prevalence estimates of anal high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) are needed in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV is endemic. This study evaluated anal HR-HPV in Nigeria among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) for future immunization recommendations.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to compare the prevalence of anal HR-HPV infections between 64 HIV-negative and 90 HIV-positive MSM.

Associations between Cognition, Gender and Monocyte Activation among HIV Infected Individuals in Nigeria.

The potential role of gender in the occurrence of HIV-related neurocognitive impairment (NCI) and associations with markers of HIV-related immune activity has not been previously examined. In this study 149 antiretroviral-naïve seropositive subjects in Nigeria (SP, 92 women and 57 men) and 58 seronegative (SN, 38 women and 20 men) were administered neuropsychological testing that assessed 7 ability domains. From the neuropsychological test scores was calculated a global deficit score (GDS), a measure of overall NCI.

Role of HIV-1 matrix protein p17 variants in lymphoma pathogenesis.

Although in decline after successful anti-HIV therapy, B-cell lymphomas are still elevated in HIV-1-seropositive (HIV+) persons, and the mechanisms are obscure. The HIV-1 matrix protein p17 persists in germinal centers long after HIV-1 drug suppression, and some p17 variants (vp17s) activate Akt signaling and promote growth of transformed B cells. Here we show that vp17s derived from four of five non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) tissues from HIV+ subjects display potent B-cell growth-promoting activity.

The immediate eff ect of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act on stigma, discrimination, and engagement on HIV prevention and treatment services in men who have sex with men in Nigeria: analysis of prospective data from the TRUST cohort.

Background: In January, 2014, the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act was signed into law in Nigeria, further criminalising same-sex sexual relationships. We aimed to assess the immediate effect of this prohibition act on stigma, discrimination, and engagement in HIV prevention and treatment services in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria.

Methods: The TRUST cohort study uses respondent-driven sampling to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of engagement of MSM in HIV prevention and treatment services at a clinical site located with a community-based organisation trusted by the MSM community.

Analysis of reverse transcriptase and protease genes of HIV for antiretroviral drug resistance in treatment-exposed Jamaican pediatrics.

This study reports on the drug resistance profiles for HIV-infected pediatrics in Jamaica who have been exposed to antiretroviral therapy (ART). The genetic diversity of HIV-1 found in these patients was also determined using phylogenetic analysis. The protease-reverse transcriptase (Pro-RT) region of the genome was amplified from 40 samples, sequenced, and analyzed for the identification of antiretroviral resistance-associated mutations (RAMs).

HIV-associated lymphoma sub-type distribution, immunophenotypes and survival in an urban clinic population.

HIV-infected patients have an increased risk for both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. A retrospective cohort of all HIV-infected patients diagnosed with lymphoma in urban clinics from 2000-2013 was evaluated to characterize the distribution and determine effects of sub-type and immunophenotype on survival. Of 160 cases identified, 131 (82%) had complete information and were analyzed.

Socio-Demographic and Adherence Factors Associated with Viral Load Suppression in HIV-Infected Adults Initiating Therapy in Northern Nigeria: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Peer Support Intervention.

Background: Virological suppression is the main goal of antiretroviral therapy. To achieve this goal, efficient interventions that promote treatment adherence are needed. This study was aimed at exploring the impact of peer-education on virological outcomes in Northern Nigeria.

Correlates of Patient Retention in HIV Care and Treatment Programs in Nigeria.

Background: Long-term retention is a crucial component of HIV care because treatment success can only be measured among retained patients. Understanding determinants of retention will inform retention strategies. We evaluated the correlates of retention in a large HIV program in Nigeria.

Adherence to Anti-Retroviral Therapy in North Central Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria bears nearly 10% of the global burden of HIV/AIDS. Most of the AIDS patients dwell in the part of Nigeria known as the "North Central" geopolitical region. Sustaining HIV patients in this high risk region is critical for the overall success of the ART program in Nigeria.