Factors associated with syphilis seroprevalence in women with and at-risk for HIV infection in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (1994-2015).

Objective: Syphilis rates among women in the USA more than doubled between 2014 and 2018. We sought to identify correlates of syphilis among women enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) to inform targeted interventions.

Methods: The retrospective cross-sectional analysis of secondary data included women with HIV or at-risk of HIV who enrolled in the multisite US WIHS cohort between 1994 and 2015.

Performance of a single-use, rapid, point-of-care PCR device for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Timely detection and treatment are important for the control of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis. The objective of this study was to measure the performance of the Visby Medical Sexual Health Test, a single-use, point-of-care PCR device.

Methods: Women aged 14 years and older who presented consecutively to ten clinical sites across seven US states were enrolled for a cross-sectional, single-visit study.

Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide discontinuation and return to normal weight.

HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) are considered well tolerated with few treatment-limiting adverse effects. However, emerging data from clinical trials has identified excessive weight gain possibly due to INSTI alone or with tenofovir alafenamide as a new and possible long-term complication of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Identifying who is at greatest risk and whether the unintended weight gain is reversible remain unanswered questions.

Effect of Truvada lawsuit advertising on preexposure prophylaxis attitudes and decisions among sexual and gender minority youth and young adults at risk for HIV.

Objective: In 2019, US advocates reported misleading language regarding the safety of TDF/FTC (Truvada) used by lawsuit advertisements against Gilead Sciences. We sought to ascertain the reach and effects of the advertisements on preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) opinions and decisions in a cohort of youth and young adults at-risk for HIV.

Design: An online survey was administered to participants enrolled in Keeping it LITE, a prospective US cohort study of ethnically diverse, sexually active, cisgender and transgender persons ages 13-37.

Lead Health Fairs: A Community-Based Approach to Addressing Lead Exposure in Chicago.

Lead exposure has been linked to neurological, reproductive, and developmental effects, and approximately 3.5% of Chicago children under the age of 3 years have elevated blood lead levels. The aim of this research was to provide outreach opportunities to address the issue of lead exposure in water and soil.

Proyecto Promover: Attempts to Roll Out an HIV Prevention and Testing Initiative Within a Mexican Immigrant Community.

Latinx immigrants and men, in particular, living in the US are disproportionally impacted by HIV. Despite these concerns, there is limited research on the development, implementation, and evaluation of community-based HIV education and HIV testing interventions. The current study describes such efforts within a historic Mexican immigrant enclave in Chicago.

Canonical Wnts Mediate CD8 T Cell Noncytolytic Anti-HIV-1 Activity and Correlate with HIV-1 Clinical Status.

CD8 T cells do not rely solely on cytotoxic functions for significant HIV control. Moreover, the noncytotoxic CD8 T cell antiviral response is a primary mediator of natural HIV control such as that seen in HIV elite controllers and long-term nonprogressors that does not require combined antiretroviral therapy. In this study, we investigated the biological factors contributing to the noncytotoxic control of HIV replication mediated by primary human CD8 T cells.

HIV-1 Virologic Rebound Due to Coadministration of Divalent Cations and Bictegravir.

A potential drug-drug interaction exists between divalent and trivalent cations (Ca, Fe, Mg, Al, Zn) and HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). There are limited case reports describing the clinical significance of this potential interaction and none to our knowledge identifying zinc co-administration with INSTIs. In this report we present a patient taking bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide who became viremic after ingesting zinc and calcium supplements and later was able to obtain virologic re-suppression after discontinuing supplements.

Randomized Trial of Lactin-V to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis.

Background: Bacterial vaginosis affects 15 to 50% of women of reproductive age, and recurrence is common after treatment with an antibiotic agent. The high incidence of recurrence suggests the need for new treatments to prevent recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial to evaluate the ability of CTV-05 (Lactin-V) to prevent the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis.

Real-world efficacy of direct acting antiviral therapies in patients with HIV/HCV.

The advent of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies has dramatically transformed HCV treatment, with most recent trials demonstrating high efficacy rates (>90%) across all genotypes and special populations, including patients with HIV/HCV coinfection. The efficacy rates of HCV treatment are nearly identical between patients with HCV monofection and patients with HIV/HCV coinfection; however, there are limited studies to compare real-world efficacy with efficacy observed in clinical trials. Using a database from HIV clinics across the United States (US), we identified 432 patients with HIV/HCV coinfection who completed DAA therapy from January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2017 and were assessed for efficacy.

HIV/HCV therapy with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir after randomized switch to emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide-based single-tablet regimens.

Introduction: Guidelines advocate the treatment of HCV in all HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. The aim of this randomized, open-label study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02707601; https://clinicaltrials.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profile of Tenofovir Alafenamide Versus Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate.

Background: In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is associated with greater increases in all fasting cholesterol subgroups compared with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Because lipid abnormalities may contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, cardiovascular risk assessment is integral to routine HIV care. This post hoc study evaluates the impact of lipid changes on predicted atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and statin eligibility in treatment-naive adults living with HIV treated with TAF or TDF.

Darunavir/Cobicistat/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide in a Rapid-Initiation Model of Care for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection: Primary Analysis of the DIAMOND Study.

Background: Most guidelines recommend rapid treatment initiation for patients with newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, but prospective US data are limited. The DIAMOND (NCT03227861) study using darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (D/C/F/TAF) 800/150/200/10 mg is a phase 3 prospective study evaluating efficacy/safety of a single-tablet regimen in a rapid-initiation model of care.

Methods: Adults aged ≥18 years began D/C/F/TAF ≤14 days from diagnosis without screening/baseline results; as results became available, participants not meeting predefined safety/resistance stopping rules continued.

PrEP and Adolescents: The Role of Providers in Ending the AIDS Epidemic.

Surveillance data on high school adolescent sexual activity, including teenaged pregnancy rates and incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), require pediatricians and other youth providers to be competent and confident in addressing sexual and reproductive health care needs in adolescent and/or young adult populations. The American Academy of Pediatrics has published guidelines, recommendations, clinical reports, and resources on the promotion of healthy sexual development in clinical settings, encouraging sexual health assessments that are inclusive of HIV and STI testing as an integral component of comprehensive health visits. The need for a more determined effort to address sexual health as it relates to HIV specifically is evidenced by a decrease in the number of in-school youth reporting ever being tested, 15- to 24-year-olds representing 21% of new infections, and estimates that >40% of youth with HIV are undiagnosed.

Patterns of alcohol use and associated characteristics and HIV-related outcomes among a sample of African-American women living with HIV.

Background: Alcohol use is common among people living with HIV and negatively impacts care and outcomes. African-American women living with HIV are subject to vulnerabilities that may increase risk for alcohol use and associated HIV-related outcomes.

Methods: We used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of an HIV-related stigma-reduction intervention among African-American women living with HIV in Chicago and Birmingham (2013-2015).

Electronic Clinical Decision Support Intervention to Increase Hepatitis C Screening and Linkage to Care Among Baby Boomers in Urban Safety Net Health Systems.

The article entitled, "Electronic Clinical Decision Support Intervention to Increase Hepatitis C Screening and Linkage to Care Among Baby Boomers in Urban Safety Net Health Systems," by Armstrong et al., published online ahead of print (2019 Oct 8) in Population Health Management [doi: 10.1089/pop.

Darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in treatment-experienced, virologically suppressed patients with HIV-1: subgroup analyses of the phase 3 EMERALD study.

Background: Darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (D/C/F/TAF) 800/150/200/10 mg is a once-daily, single-tablet regimen for treatment of HIV-1 infection. The efficacy/safety of switching to D/C/F/TAF versus continuing boosted protease inhibitor (bPI) + emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (control) were demonstrated in a phase 3, randomized study (EMERALD) of treatment-experienced, virologically suppressed adults through week 48. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate EMERALD outcomes across subgroups of patients based on demographic characteristics, prior treatment experience, and baseline antiretroviral regimen.

Week 96 efficacy and safety results of the phase 3, randomized EMERALD trial to evaluate switching from boosted-protease inhibitors plus emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate regimens to the once daily, single-tablet regimen of darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (D/C/F/TAF) in treatment-experienced, virologically-suppressed adults living with HIV-1.

Darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (D/C/F/TAF) 800/150/200/10 mg was investigated through 96 weeks in EMERALD (NCT02269917). Virologically-suppressed, HIV-1-positive treatment-experienced adults (previous non-darunavir virologic failure [VF] allowed) were randomized (2:1) to D/C/F/TAF or boosted protease inhibitor (PI) plus emtricitabine/tenofovir-disoproxil-fumarate (F/TDF) over 48 weeks. At week 52 participants in the boosted PI arm were offered switch to D/C/F/TAF (late-switch, 44 weeks D/C/F/TAF exposure).

HIV stigma and viral load among African-American women receiving treatment for HIV.

Objective: African-American women are more likely than other women in the United States to experience poor HIV-related health; HIV stigma may contribute to these outcomes. This study assessed the relationship between HIV stigma and viral load, over time, among a sample of African-American women receiving treatment for HIV, and explored social support and depressive symptoms as mediators.

Design: Secondary analysis of longitudinal data.

Viremia Trajectories of HIV in HIV-Positive Women in the United States, 1994-2017.

Importance: Viral suppression of HIV is an important treatment goal to decrease morbidity, mortality, and risk of transmission to others.

Objective: To characterize longitudinal HIV viral load outcomes among women enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS).

Design, Setting, And Participants: A prospective cohort study of HIV-positive women with semiannual study visits and a minimum of 5 follow-up visits was conducted from 1994 to 2017.

Steatosis Rates by Liver Biopsy and Transient Elastography With Controlled Attenuation Parameter in Clinical Experience of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/HCV Coinfection in a Large US Hepatitis Clinic.

Background: Steatosis contributes to liver fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV coinfection. Liver biopsy (LB) is the reference standard for grading steatosis and staging fibrosis, yet recent advances in noninvasive modalities have largely supplanted LB, which may limit recognition of steatosis. We evaluated steatosis rates by LB and transient elastography (TE) with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) among HCV-infected and HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in a US clinic.

Religiosity, Social Support, and Ethnic Identity: Exploring "Resilience Resources" for African-American Women Experiencing HIV-Related Stigma.

Introduction: African-American women living with HIV report substantial HIV-related stigma and depression. Resilience resources are strength-based resources that may moderate the effects of HIV-related stigma on poor psychosocial outcomes such as depression.

Objective: To evaluate whether religiosity, social support, and ethnic identity moderate the effects of HIV-related stigma on depression among African-American women living with HIV.

Developing a Mobile App (LYNX) to Support Linkage to HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the United States have among the highest incidence of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) and the lowest uptake of HIV and STI testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Nearly universal mobile phone ownership among youth provides an opportunity to leverage mobile health apps to increase HIV/STI testing and PrEP uptake among YMSM.

Objective: The goals of this project are to develop and refine LYNX, a novel mobile app to support linkage to HIV/STIs testing and PrEP services among YMSM in the United States, and to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of LYNX in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Brief Report: PrEP Eligibility Among At-Risk Women in the Southern United States: Associated Factors, Awareness, and Acceptability.

Background: Among women in the United States, non-Latina black women in the South have disproportionately high rates of new HIV infections but low use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Effective strategies to identify factors associated with PrEP eligibility could facilitate improved screening, offering, and uptake of PrEP among US women at risk of HIV.

Setting And Methods: We applied 2014 CDC criteria for PrEP use to at-risk HIV-negative women enrolled in the Southern US sites (Atlanta, Chapel Hill, Birmingham/Jackson, Miami) of the Women's Interagency HIV Study from 2014 to 2015 to estimate PrEP eligibility and assess PrEP knowledge and acceptability.

HIV Status Does Not Affect Rectal Microbiome Composition, Diversity, or Stability over Time: A Chicago Women's Interagency HIV Study.

It remains unclear whether differences in gut microbiota noted between HIV-infected and uninfected individuals are driven by HIV or sexual behavior. We evaluated rectal swab microbiota of HIV-infected and uninfected women with similar demographic, neighborhood, and diet characteristics enrolled in the Chicago Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). DNA was amplified for sequencing of fragments of bacterial small subunit (SSU or 16S) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes.