Raltegravir: Pivotal Studies Published
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
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When combined with other active agents, raltegravir suppressed HIV replication in most patients with drug-resistant HIV infection.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
July 23, 2008
Covering:
Steigbigel RT et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jul 24; 359:339
Cooper DA et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jul 24; 359:355
Havlir DV., N Engl J Med 2008 Jul 24; 359:416
Limitations of Risk-Based HIV Testing
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
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Nearly 40% of men who have sex with men did not disclose this risk factor to their healthcare providers.
STIs in HIV-Infected DMPA Users
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
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STI acquisition rates did not differ in HIV-infected DMPA users and nonusers.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
July 17, 2008
Covering:
Overton ET et al., Contraception 2008 May 29
Venous Thromboembolism in HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
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Recent hospitalization is the strongest risk factor for VTE in HIV-infected patients.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
July 16, 2008
Covering:
Ahonkhai AA et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008 Jul 1; 48:310
Anal Cancer: Rising Incidence in HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
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Anal cancer incidence in HIV-infected patients seems to have increased after the introduction of effective ART, perhaps because HIV-infected patients are living longer.
Kaposi Sarcoma in HIV-Negative MSM
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
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Researchers in France describe Kaposi sarcoma in HIV-negative men who have sex with men, perhaps linked to high HHV-8 prevalence in this group.
Syphilis and HIV Infection
HIV/AIDS
Summary and Comment
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In a study of patients with HIV and syphilis, greater immunosuppression at syphilis diagnosis was associated with the development of neurosyphilis and with serologic failure after adequate syphilis treatment. Conversely, potent ART reduced the likelihood of both outcomes.
By Carlos del Rio, MD , and Jodie Dionne-Odom, MD
July 14, 2008
Covering:
Ghanem KG et al., AIDS 2008 Jun 19; 22:1145
Ghanem KG et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Jul 15; 47:258
Acyclovir Strikes Out for HIV Prevention
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
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In a large, randomized study, acyclovir suppression of HSV-2 did not reduce the rate of HIV acquisition.
More False-Positive Results with Rapid Oral-Fluid HIV Tests
HIV/AIDS
Summary and Comment
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Recent experience indicates that all reactive oral-fluid tests should be followed by whole-blood tests using finger sticks. Western blot confirmation is required for all positive rapid tests.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
July 7, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Jun 20; 57:660
Sexual Orientation and Viral STI Risk: Still No Real Answers
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
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Lesbians reported fewer viral STI diagnoses than did bisexual or heterosexual women — but many questions remain.