Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, the World's Most Outdated HIV Guidelines, and What to Do About Them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.
New Approach to Immunizing Against HIV Is Dramatically Effective in Mice
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Vectored immunoprophylaxis delivers genes that encode HIV-neutralizing antibodies.
Oral and Fingerstick Sample Collection for HIV Screening: Subtle but Important Differences in Accuracy
The OraQuick rapid HIV test performed well on both types of samples but was less sensitive and specific on oral fluid, which would lead to a lower positive predictive value in low-prevalence settings.
By Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH
January 30, 2012
Covering:
Pai NP et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2012 Jan 24
Leung CC and Lee SS., Lancet Infect Dis 2012 Jan 24
Pre-Super Sunday Scombroids
From doctors cheating Medicaid to older men contracting HIV, Dr. Paul Sax offers his take on the week's ID news in his blog HIV/ID Observations .
A Combined HIV Antigen/Antibody Rapid Test Fails Field Evaluation
Diagnosis of acute HIV infection remains elusive.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
January 13, 2012
Covering:
Rosenberg NE et al., J Infect Dis 2011 Dec 29
Is HIV Becoming More Virulent?
A meta-analysis suggests that over the course of the epidemic, the mean virologic set point of HIV-infected patients has been increasing and the mean baseline CD4-cell count has been decreasing.
Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Now for Males, Too
Infectious Diseases Vaccine Watch
Free
New recommendations — for males — include routine use of HPV4 at ages 11 or 12 years and vaccination through age 26 for those who have not completed the three-dose series.
Estimating HPV Transmission Rates
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a college-age crowd, heterosexual transmission was considerable.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
January 10, 2012
Covering:
Burchell AN et al., J Infect Dis 2011 Dec 1; 204:1723
Sexual Behavior and Routine HIV Testing in Older U.S. Adults
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Blacks were most likely to be single or nonmonogamous; undergoing HIV testing was uncommon, especially among black women.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
January 5, 2012
Covering:
Harawa NT et al., Sex Transm Dis 2011 Dec; 38:1110
Herpes Simplex Vaccine Trial Yields Mixed Results
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a large cohort of young women, the vaccine showed efficacy against HSV-1 infection — with or without disease — but not against HSV-2 infection.
HIV/AIDS Year in Review 2011
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Letter to Readers
Free
Our physician-editors offer their perspective on the year's most important stories in HIV medicine.
HIV Treatment as Prevention — The Time Is Now
Results from HPTN 052 provide a strong impetus for expanding "test-and-treat" programs and for enhancing overall access to ART.
Antiretroviral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: New Hope and New Conundrums
PrEP studies yielded mixed results in 2011, particularly for women.
HIV Continues to Target Young Black MSM . . .
. . . and syphilis isn't far behind.
The Latest "Vital Signs" for the U.S. HIV Epidemic Suggest an Emergency
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Only 28% of HIV-infected individuals in the U.S. have achieved virologic suppression, and the case-fatality rate remains high, especially in the South.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
December 22, 2011
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011 Dec 2; 60:1618
Hanna DB et al., AIDS 2012 Jan 2; 26:95
Asymptomatic STDs Common Among HIV-Infected Individuals
A prospective analysis shows that HIV-infected individuals, especially men who have sex with men, continue to engage in risky behavior and to have high rates of asymptomatic STDs.
By Brian R. Wood, MD, and Paul E. Sax, MD
December 22, 2011
Covering:
Mayer KH et al., Sex Transm Dis 2012 Jan; 39:1
Antiretroviral Therapy Can Diminish Contraceptive Implant Efficacy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Two pregnancies were reported among subdermal implant users who were also taking efavirenz.
What Are the Implications of Poor Immunologic Response to ART?
Among patients with virologic suppression, those with initially poor immunologic response continued to have persistently low CD4-cell counts and had an increased risk for morbidity and mortality.
By Keith Henry, MD
December 12, 2011
Covering:
Van Lelyveld SFL et al., AIDS 2011 Nov 22
Optimizing the Approach to HIV Testing
What adds value in the STI clinic?
