Advisory Meeting on Tenofovir/FTC for PrEP, and a Proposed "Niche" for its Use
In his blog HIV and ID Observations , Dr. Paul Sax describes one scenario in which pre-exposure prophylaxis "makes a whole lot of sense."
Preexposure Prophylaxis to Prevent HIV in Men Who Have Sex with Men: At What Cost?
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Costs seem acceptable if prophylaxis is targeted to high-risk men.
PrEP in MSM: Enough Bang for the Buck?
PrEP may be cost-effective, particularly in high-risk MSM, but many questions remain.
By Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH
April 30, 2012
Covering:
Juusola JL et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156:541
Undetectable Viral Load — Not a Guarantee Against Transmitting HIV
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
Summary and Comment
Free
Detectable HIV RNA in semen concurrent with undetectable plasma HIV RNA is not an uncommon event, a finding which may have implications for HIV transmission.
By Charles B. Hicks, MD
April 23, 2012
Covering:
Lambert-Niclot S et al., AIDS 2012 Feb 29
Politch JA et al., AIDS 2012 Mar 23
HPV Vaccination for Treating Anal Neoplasia?
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Vaccination of men with early anal neoplasia may reduce risk for recurrence.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
April 10, 2012
Covering:
Swedish KA et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Apr; 54:891
A Skeptic Looks at "Test and Treat"
The theory is appealing, but what happens in reality?
Updated DHHS Guidelines on HIV Treatment
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
Key revisions focus on HIV treatment for all, HIV management in older patients, the coadministration of new hepatitis C drugs with antiretrovirals, and the timing of ART initiation in patients with tuberculosis.
By Charles B. Hicks, MD
April 2, 2012
Covering:
Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents., 2012 Mar 27
Late Diagnosis and Delayed Entry into Care Continue to Limit the Benefits of ART
CROI 2012 highlighted the need for stronger efforts in screening, treatment initiation, and retention in care.
High Adherence Critical to the Success of PrEP
Data presented at CROI 2012 explain the reason for the lack of PrEP efficacy in the FEM-PrEP trial.
More Confusion on Anal Cancer Screening
Just because we can screen doesn't mean we should, writes Dr. Paul Sax in his blog HIV and ID Observations .
Follow-Up Sexual Abuse Examinations in Children Can Change Diagnosis or Treatment
Dermatology
Summary and Comment
Follow-up exams added clinically significant information in 23% of cases.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
March 23, 2012
Covering:
Gavril AR et al., Pediatrics 2012 Feb; 129:282
Time to Change the PEP Guidelines?
A new study supports the use of tenofovir/FTC plus raltegravir for nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis.
By Brian R. Wood, MD, and Paul E. Sax, MD
March 19, 2012
Covering:
Mayer KH et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2012 Apr 1; 59:354
CROI 2012 Really Rapid Review — with CROI 2013 Dates!
Dr. Paul Sax offers a quick but comprehensive take on the meeting in his blog HIV and ID Observations <$EMPH_O>.<$EMPH_C>
HPV Vaccination History: A Window on Cervical Health
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Identifying barriers to vaccine uptake
Halting the HIV Epidemic in Urban MSM: What Will Make the Difference?
Major reductions in incidence will require improvements at every step of the care continuum, but the barriers to such widespread change are substantial.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
March 12, 2012
Covering:
Sorensen SW et al., PLoS ONE 2012 Feb 10; 7:e29098
Expanded HIV Testing Offers a Good Return on Investment
Nearly two dollars were returned for every one dollar invested in a CDC testing initiative aimed at populations disproportionately affected by the epidemic.
By Charles B. Hicks, MD
March 12, 2012
Covering:
Hutchinson AB et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2012 Mar 1; 59:281
Highly Azithromycin-Resistant Gonococcus Identified in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
This discovery bodes ill for treatment of gonorrhea.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
March 7, 2012
Covering:
Katz AR et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 15; 54:841
Is ART for Treatment and Prevention a Win–Win?
A modeling analysis suggests that it can save both lives and money.
By Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH
March 5, 2012
Covering:
Granich R et al., PLoS ONE 2012 Feb 13; 7:e30216
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, the World's Most Outdated HIV Guidelines, and What to Do About Them
Dr. Paul Sax describes how his institution is handling PEP in his blog HIV and ID Observations .
Misperceptions of HIV Risk Common Among MSM
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
Summary and Comment
Free
An HIV testing program at a New England bathhouse revealed a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections — and a major disconnect between behavior and risk perception.
By Demetre C. Daskalakis, MD
February 27, 2012
Covering:
Mayer KH et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2012 Feb 1; 59:194
Postexposure Prophylaxis: Better Alternatives Are Needed for High-Risk MSM
PEP users had a high incidence of HIV infection, most likely because of ongoing high-risk sexual behavior.
By Raphael J. Landovitz, MD, MSc
February 17, 2012
Covering:
Heuker J et al., AIDS 2012 Feb 20; 26:505
Detels R and Winslow DL., AIDS 2012 Feb 20; 26:519
Oral HPV Infection Is Common
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
Such infection — associated with a form of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma — is present in 6.9% of the U.S. population aged 14 to 69.
Recent Patterns of Anal Cancer in HIV-Infected Patients
Rates exceed those in the general population for all risk groups but are highest among men who have sex with men.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
February 6, 2012
Covering:
Silverberg MJ et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jan 30
Testing Midstream Urine for Chlamydia trachomatis
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Midstream samples might be adequate for evaluating both chlamydial and urinary tract infections, but study results were not definitive.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
February 2, 2012
Covering:
Mangin D et al., Ann Fam Med 2012 Jan/Feb; 10:50
High-Dose Antivirals Do Not Fully Suppress Reactivation of Genital Herpes Simplex
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Suppressive therapy is not adequate for preventing transmission.