Delay in HIV Treatment Bodes Ill in HCV-Coinfected Patients
A long interval between HIV diagnosis and initiation of potent combination antiretroviral therapy is associated with accelerated liver damage from HCV.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
February 15, 2006
Covering:
Verma S et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Jan 15; 42:262-70
New Estimate of HIV/AIDS Epidemic in China
A new report, jointly released by the Chinese government, WHO, and UNAIDS, suggests that the number of HIV-infected people in China might be lower than . . .
High-Grade CIN: Risk Factors Above and Beyond HPV?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Associations between infection with oncogenic strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are well documented. Less clear, however, are the roles . . .
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
February 7, 2006
Covering:
Castle PE et al., Int J Cancer 2005 Dec 20; 117:1007-12
A Single Pill for AIDS Nears Reality
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
The combination of tenofovir, FTC, and efavirenz might soon be available in a single pill.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
February 1, 2006
Covering:
Gallant JE et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jan 19; 354:251-60
Report from the 45th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Originally planned for September in New Orleans, ICAAC 2005 was postponed and moved to Washington, DC, in December, right on the heels of the European . . .
By Paul E. Sax, MD
February 1, 2006
Integrating Prevention into Routine Care
A clinician-delivered prevention strategy significantly reduced high-risk sexual behavior among HIV-infected patients.
By Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD
February 1, 2006
Covering:
Fisher JD et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2006 Jan 1; 41:44-52
Rapid Progression to Death in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease
HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with end-stage liver disease have poor survival rates, but potent combination antiretroviral therapy might help.
By Camilla S. Graham, MD, MPH
February 1, 2006
Covering:
Merchante N et al., AIDS 2006 Jan 2; 20:49-57
Validating a Resistance Score for Ritonavir-Boosted Atazanavir
In a small study of PI-experienced patients, the chances of virologic response to ritonavir-boosted atazanavir were greatest in those with fewer than three of eight identified mutations.
By Rebeca M. Plank, MD
February 1, 2006
Covering:
Vora S et al., AIDS 2006 Jan 2; 20:35-40
Androgen Deficiency in Older HIV-Infected Men
Certain comorbidities, including HCV seropositivity and injection drug use, are sometimes associated with low androgen levels in older HIV-infected men.
By G. Sonia Nagy, MD
February 1, 2006
Covering:
Klein RS et al., Clin Infect Dis 2005 Dec 15; 41:1794-803
Grinspoon S., Clin Infect Dis 2005 Dec 15; 41:1804-5
HIV Infection Might Predispose to Recurrent Malaria
In a large study from Uganda, HIV-infected adults (but not children) were unusually vulnerable to repeated episodes of malaria.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
February 1, 2006
Covering:
Kamya MR et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Jan 1; 193:9-15
Kublin JG and Steketee RW., J Infect Dis 2006 Jan 1; 193:1-3
Package Insert Updated for Atazanavir
The FDA has approved a new package insert for atazanavir that includes new data on in vitro inhibition as well as information on the coadministration . . .
A Single Pill for AIDS Nears Reality
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The combination of tenofovir, emtricitabine, and efavirenz might soon be available in a single pill.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
January 27, 2006
Covering:
Gallant JE et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jan 19; 354:251-60
Host Genetics, Risky Behaviors, and HIV Transmission
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Who is — and who is not — susceptible to HIV, and why?
By Linda M. Mundy, MD
January 27, 2006
Covering:
Shrestha S et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Jan 1; 193:16-26
Telenti A and Ioannidis JPA., J Infect Dis 2006 Jan 1; 193:4-6
Advancing STD Detection by Use of Vaginal Swabs
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Second-generation NAATs using vaginal-swab specimens provide high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing <$EMPH_O>C. trachomatis<$EMPH_C> and <$EMPH_O>N. gonorrhoeae<$EMPH_C> infections.
By Linda M. Mundy, MD
January 27, 2006
Covering:
Schachter J et al., Sex Transm Dis 2005 Dec; 32:725-8
RNA Interference Protects Against Genital Herpes in Mice
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Whether this technology will work in human infection remains to be seen.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
January 20, 2006
Covering:
Palliser D et al., Nature 2006 Jan 5; 439:89-94
Enrollment Halted in the SMART Study
During a median follow-up of 24 months, patients who were interrupting therapy regularly had a higher risk for disease progression than did those who maintained continuous therapy.
By ACC Editors
January 18, 2006
Generic Antiretroviral Therapy Works Well in Haiti
Treatment-naive patients receiving generic NNRTI-based potent combination antiretroviral therapy in Haiti have had positive results similar to those seen in the U.S.
By Keith Henry, MD
January 18, 2006
Covering:
Severe P et al., N Engl J Med 2005 Dec 1; 353:2325-34
Kim JY and Gilks C., N Engl J Med 2005 Dec 1; 353:2392-4
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome
Antimycobacterial therapy does not appear to improve symptoms associated with this syndrome, but most patients still have favorable outcomes.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
January 18, 2006
Covering:
Phillips P et al., Clin Infect Dis 2005 Nov 15; 41:1483-97
The Generalizability (or Lack Thereof) of Trial Data
Because the exclusion criteria used in HIV treatment trials are often not fully reported, clinicians might incorrectly believe that the trial results are applicable to their patients.
By G. Sonia Nagy, MD
January 18, 2006
Covering:
Gandhi M et al., AIDS 2005 Nov 4; 19:1885-96
TB Incidence Among HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Antiretrovirals in Developed Countries
TB risk is elevated among patients with a low CD4-cell count at the initiation of potent combination antiretroviral therapy and among those with a poor immunologic response to such therapy.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
January 18, 2006
Covering:
The Antiretroviral Therapy Cohort Collaboration., Clin Infect Dis 2005 Dec 15; 41:1772-82
Lawn SD and Wood R., Clin Infect Dis 2005 Dec 15; 41:1783-6
Another Triple-Nuke Regimen Goes Bust
Triple-NRTI therapy with tenofovir + 3TC/abacavir has an unacceptably high rate of rapid virologic failure and should not be used.
By Keith Henry, MD
January 18, 2006
Covering:
Gallant JE et al., J Infect Dis 2005 Dec 1; 192:1921-30
Kuritzkes DR., J Infect Dis 2005 Dec 1; 192:1867-8
TB Meningitis: Higher Mortality in HIV-Positive Patients
In a cohort of Vietnamese patients with TB meningitis, HIV-positive patients had higher 9-month mortality rates than HIV-negative patients.
By G. Sonia Nagy, MD
January 18, 2006
Covering:
Thwaites GE et al., J Infect Dis 2005 Dec 15; 192:2134-41
Less Than an Ounce of Prevention: Condoms Protect Against HSV-2
Dermatology Summary and Comment
It makes intuitive sense that barrier methods of sexual protection used appropriately would prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including herpes simplex virus, but until now, . . .
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
January 17, 2006
Covering:
Wald A et al., Ann Intern Med 2005 Nov 15; 143:707-13
Hook EW 3rd., Ann Intern Med 2005 Nov 15; 143:751-2
PI Monotherapy as Maintenance HIV Treatment?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a pilot clinical trial, lopinavir/ritonavir monotherapy effectively maintained HIV suppression.
By Roy M. Gulick, MD, MPH
January 13, 2006
Covering:
Arribas JR et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2005 Nov 1; 40:280-7
Zinc Supplements Safe in HIV-Infected Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Zinc supplementation is safe and effective in HIV-infected children and should be used in areas where zinc deficiency is common.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
January 13, 2006
Covering:
Bobat R et al., Lancet 2005 Nov 26; 366:1862-7
