Gene therapy for HIV infection.

Introduction: Highly active antiretroviral therapy has been the big paradigm for transforming HIV infection in a chronic disease. However, it requires lifelong administration as the HIV provirus integrated within infected cells cannot be eliminated and virus replication resumes following antiviral discontinuation. Cumulative toxicities, incomplete immune restoration, elevated cost, drug-drug interactions and selection of drug-resistant viruses are well-known limitations of prolonged HIV medication.

HIV-2 and HTLV-1 infections in Spain, a non-endemic region.

The annual workshop of the Spanish HIV‑2/HTLV Study Group was held at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III in Madrid on December 11, 2013. Nearly 100 experts and researchers in retroviruses other than HIV‑1, the classical AIDS agent, convened for a one‑day meeting devoted to updating knowledge on the epidemiology of HIV‑2 and HTLV-1 infections and discussing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, with special attention to non‑endemic regions such as Spain. The Group was funded 25 years ago and since then has been responsible for the national registry of cases, recording all relevant information for each subject and inviting them to enroll in a prospective cohort and biobank.

Efficacy of prolonged tenofovir therapy on hepatitis delta in HIV-infected patients.

Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) produces the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis. We explored whether prolonged tenofovir exposure might be beneficial on hepatitis delta in HIV-infected patients.

Methods: All HIV-infected patients with hepatitis delta followed at our institution since year 2000 were retrospectively examined.

X4 tropic viruses are on the rise in recent HIV-1 seroconverters in Spain.

Background: Transmission of HIV-1 with drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in Spain remains stable around 13%. However, the profile of recent HIV-1 seroconverters has experienced significant changes.

Methods: Retrospective analyses of all individuals with HIV-1 infection acquired within the past 12 months recruited at a national registry since year 1997.

Towards hepatitis C eradication from the HIV-infected population.

Around 10-15% of the 35 million people living with HIV worldwide have chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and are prone to develop liver-related complications. Exposure to HCV is almost universal among injecting drug users and is on the rise among homosexual men. Response to peginterferon-ribavirin therapy is generally lower in coinfection compared to HCV monoinfection.