HIV Prevalence Remains High Among MSM in California
Results from a statewide survey suggest that one in five MSM are HIV-infected.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
April 12, 2006
Covering:
Xia Q et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2006 Feb 1; 41:238-45
The Return of All-Nuke Regimens?
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
In a pilot study, quadruple-NRTI regimens were as potent and tolerable as standard efavirenz-based regimens.
By Charles B. Hicks, MD
March 29, 2006
Covering:
Moyle G et al., Antivir Ther 2006 Jan; 11:73-8
Assessing the Cost of HIV Care
Patients with severe immunodeficiency incur substantially higher annual healthcare costs than those with moderate immunodeficiency. Physician reimbursement accounts for only a tiny percentage of the cost of HIV care, regardless of patient status.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
March 29, 2006
Covering:
Chen RY et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Apr 1; 42:1003-10
Mayer KH and Chaguturu S., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Apr 1; 42:1011-3
HCV Coinfection and Immunologic Response to Antiretroviral Therapy
HCV coinfection may be associated with blunted CD4-cell reconstitution after initiation of potent combination antiretroviral therapy.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
March 29, 2006
Covering:
Braitstein P et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Jan 15; 193:259-68
Nevirapine Once-Daily vs. Twice-Daily
Once-daily nevirapine yields the same daily drug exposure as twice-daily nevirapine, but leads to a lower Cmin and a higher Cmax .
By Shahin Lockman, MD, MSc
March 29, 2006
Covering:
Kappelhoff BS et al., HIV Clin Trials 2005 Sep/Oct; 6:254-61
Reducing Nevirapine Resistance in Mothers and Infants
Two studies suggest that rates of nevirapine resistance can be reduced by adding AZT (with or without 3TC) to maternal and infant regimens.
By G. Sonia Nagy, MD
March 29, 2006
Covering:
Chaix M-L et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Feb 15; 193:482-7
Eshleman SH et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Feb 15; 193:479-81
Declining HIV Prevalence in Zimbabwe
Delayed sexual debut, fewer casual partners, and increased condom use appear to be associated with declines in HIV prevalence in eastern Zimbabwe.
By Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD
March 29, 2006
Covering:
Gregson S et al., Science 2006 Feb 3; 311:664-6
Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant TB Rising
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is becoming increasingly common, according to a CDC/WHO survey of 25 TB laboratories on six continents. Seven percent of TB isolates were . . .
March 29, 2006
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2006 Mar 24; 55:301-5
Polylactic Acid Improves Appearance and Quality of Life in HIV-Related Lipodystrophy Syndrome
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A simple, life-altering treatment
By Jeffrey S. Dover MD, FRCPC
March 28, 2006
Covering:
Cattelan AM et al., Arch Dermatol 2006 Mar; 142:329-34
Report from the 13th Retrovirus Conference
Many results presented at the 2006 Retrovirus Conference could have an immediate and direct effect on HIV clinical care.
Burden of HIV Increasing Among Women
Women represented 8% of all AIDS diagnoses in the U.S. in 1985. By 2004, that percentage had risen to 27%.
What’s the Optimal Initial ART Regimen for HIV?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Once-daily tenofovir, emtricitabine, and efavirenz outperformed the standard regimen of twice-daily zidovudine/lamivudine and efavirenz.
By Roy M. Gulick, MD, MPH
March 10, 2006
Covering:
Gallant JE et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jan 19; 354:251-60
Less High-Risk Sex = Less HIV
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Changes in sexual behavior reduced HIV prevalence in a southern African population.
By Bradley E. Britigan, MD
March 10, 2006
Covering:
Gregson S et al., Science 2006 Feb 3; 311:664-6
Nongonococcal Urethritis — From a Virus?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Adenoviruses and HSV-1 may be important causes of nongonococcal urethritis associated with insertive oral sex.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
March 10, 2006
Covering:
Bradshaw CS et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Feb 1; 193:336-45
Pharmacogenetic Factors and the Discontinuation of Efavirenz
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Patients stopping efavirenz-based combination therapy might be well advised to continue their NRTIs for 24 to 48 hours after discontinuing efavirenz to avoid prolonged NNRTI monotherapy.
By Gene D. Morse, PharmD
March 1, 2006
Covering:
Ribaudo HJ et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Feb 1; 42:401-7
Nolan D et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Feb 1; 42:408-10
Finally, Some Good News about CCR5 Antagonists
Maraviroc was both safe and effective in a 10-day, dose-finding monotherapy trial.
By John J.W. Fangman, MD
March 1, 2006
Covering:
Fätkenheuer G et al., Nat Med 2005 Nov; 11:1170-2
Hepatitis C in HIV Infection
New studies advance our knowledge of the natural history of HCV infection — and the reliability of noninvasive tests for liver fibrosis — in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.
By Helmut Albrecht, MD
March 1, 2006
Covering:
Luetkemeyer A et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2006 Jan 1; 41:31-6
Nunes D et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2005 Dec 15; 40:538-44
A Troublesome Twosome: AIDS and Persistent Bacteremia
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Antiretroviral Rounds
Two experts weigh in on the management of an HIV-infected patient with salmonella bacteremia.
By Anthony J. Vaccaro, MD, Juan Sierra-Madero, MD, and Elizabeth Jenny-Avital, MD
March 1, 2006
Racial Disparities Among Women
The rate of HIV incidence among black women declined almost 7% from 2001 through 2004. However, the rate is still 21 times higher for black . . .
When Abstinence-Only Education Replaces Comprehensive Sex Education
Response to "Maybe They Do Listen . . ."
By Alain Joffe, MD, MPH
February 24, 2006
Rifamycin Resistance in Patients with HIV and TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Twice-weekly rifabutin was associated with development of rifamycin resistance in patients with low CD4-cell counts.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 24, 2006
Covering:
Burman W et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2006 Feb 1; 173:350-6
Male Circumcision Reduces HIV Risk
Observational studies from Africa have shown that circumcised men are less likely to become infected with HIV. However, because of confounding by sexual practices, the . . .
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
February 24, 2006
Covering:
Auvert B et al., PLoS Med 2005 Nov; 2:e298
Who Should Be Providing HIV Care? A Roundtable Discussion
The question of who should provide HIV care has been around as long as the HIV epidemic itself. What constitutes HIV expertise? Can primary care . . .
Drug Interactions Might Provoke Tenofovir-Associated Renal Failure
A review of 27 cases suggests that ritonavir, ddI, and atazanavir might raise the risk for tenofovir-associated renal failure.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
February 15, 2006
Covering:
Zimmermann AE et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Jan 15; 42:283-90
How to Predict Who Will Respond to Salvage Therapy
Four readily available baseline factors — viral load, CD4-cell count, number of active agents, and prior exposure to antivirals — predicted response rates in the TORO studies.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
February 15, 2006
Covering:
Montaner J et al., HIV Clin Trials 2005 Nov/Dec; 6:281-90
