Are Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cardiovascular Disease Linked?
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Free
Survey data in women showed a statistical association between HPV positivity and cardiovascular disease, but causality is unlikely.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
December 8, 2011
Covering:
Kuo H-K and Fujise K., J Am Coll Cardiol 2011 Nov 1; 58:2001
Microbicide Use Discontinued in HIV Prevention Trial
But the devil's in the details.
By Raphael J. Landovitz, MD, MSc
December 5, 2011
World AIDS Day Wanderings
Musings from Dr. Paul Sax, in his blog HIV and ID Observations
Updated AAP Policy Statement Promotes Routine HIV Testing in Adolescents
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
Routine testing should be offered to all adolescents in areas with high HIV prevalence at least once by age 16 to 18.
Vaccine Update 2011
Meningococcal vaccine is approved in high-risk children aged 9–23 months, Tdap is recommended in pregnant women after 20 weeks' gestation, and routine HPV vaccination is recommended in boys.
When Syphilis Tests Contradict Each Other
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
A third test could help, but uncertainties remain.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
November 22, 2011
Covering:
Park IU et al., J Infect Dis 2011 Nov 1; 204:1297
Hoover KW and Radolf JD., J Infect Dis 2011 Nov 1; 204:1295
Young MSM at the Center of the HIV and Syphilis Epidemics
Two studies — one conducted in New York City and the other nationwide — detail the rising incidence of HIV infection and syphilis among men who have sex with men.
By Sonia Nagy Chimienti, MD
November 21, 2011
Covering:
Pathela P et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2011 Dec 1; 58:408
Torrone EA et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2011 Nov 1; 58:328
Who Should Care for the Aging HIV Patient? Everything Old Is . . . Oh You Know
Dr. Paul Sax invites debate in his blog HIV and ID Observations .
Utility of Urinalysis in Evaluation of Adolescent Males for STIs
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
Findings from a retrospective study support empirical treatment and testing for sexually transmitted infections in adolescent males with urinary complaints; urinalysis is unnecessary.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
November 18, 2011
Covering:
Timm N et al., Pediatr Emerg Care 2011 Nov; 27:1042
HPV-16/18 AS04-Adjuvanted Vaccine Shows High Efficacy Against Cervical Neoplasia
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
It also provided cross-protection against several nonvaccine oncogenic HPV types.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
November 16, 2011
Covering:
Lehtinen M et al., Lancet Oncol 2011 Nov 9
Wheeler CM et al., Lancet Oncol 2011 Nov 9
Schiffman M and Wacholder S., Lancet Oncol 2011 Nov 9
Another Safe Path to Conception in HIV-Serodiscordant Couples?
A small study raises the question of whether, when the infected male partner is optimally treated, pre-exposure prophylaxis may someday replace assisted reproductive technologies.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
October 31, 2011
Covering:
Vernazza PL et al., AIDS 2011 Oct 23; 25:2005
Mastro TD et al., AIDS 2011 Oct 23; 25:2049
HPV Vaccination: Three Doses Might Not Be Necessary
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Free
One or two doses of HPV-16/18 vaccine seemed as effective as three doses for preventing persistent infection.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
October 27, 2011
Covering:
Kreimer AR et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2011 Oct 5; 103:1444
When Persistence Is Not a Virtue: HPV Infection and Cervical Cancer
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Cervical cancer risk was 75 times higher in women with persistent carcinogenic HPV infections than in those who were HPV-negative.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
October 27, 2011
Covering:
Chen H-C et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2011 Sep 21; 103:1387
Modeling the Most Equitable Approach to Cervical Cancer Prevention
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
The most cost-effective strategy included HPV vaccination coverage at 33% and screening frequencies targeted at equalizing uptake across races and ethnicities.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
October 27, 2011
Covering:
Goldie SJ and Daniels N., J Natl Cancer Inst 2011 Sep 21; 103:1374
Pregnancy, Contraception, and Risk for HIV Infection
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
High progesterone levels associated with pregnancy or injectable contraception can double risk for acquiring and transmitting HIV infection.
By Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, MD, MS
October 27, 2011
Covering:
Mugo NR et al., AIDS 2011 Sep 24; 25:1887
Heffron R et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2011 Oct 4
Many Unaware of Their HIV-Positive Status Despite High Rates of Testing
The results illustrate the need for frequent repeat testing and comprehensive prevention efforts.
Hormonal Contraception May Increase Risk for HIV Infection
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
Summary and Comment
Free
Women using hormonal contraception — especially injectable forms — had a twofold increase in the risk for both acquiring and transmitting HIV infection.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
October 7, 2011
Covering:
Heffron R et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2011 Oct 4
Sperm Washing with Assisted Reproduction — Safe and Effective for HIV-Serodiscordant Couples
In a group of studies that involved more than 1700 HIV-serodiscordant couples undergoing sperm washing with assisted reproduction, none of the women or newborns seroconverted to HIV-positive.
By Carole Gilling-Smith, MD, PhD
October 7, 2011
Covering:
Vitorino RL et al., Fertil Steril 2011 Apr; 95:1684
Oral Tenofovir Dropped from HIV PrEP Trial
Evaluation of oral tenofovir/FTC and tenofovir gel will continue as planned.
By Raphael J. Landovitz, MD, MSc
October 3, 2011
Can Combined HIV Antigen/Antibody Testing Speed the Detection of New Infections?
The theory's attractive, but a new test still needs to be validated.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
October 3, 2011
Covering:
Bischof JJ et al., AIDS 2011 Sep 24; 25:1927
What to Do With Discordant Syphilis Serology Results?
Available evidence supports confirmatory treponemal-specific testing for patients who have an initial positive syphilis immunoassay followed by a negative RPR result.
By Timothy J. Henrich, MD
October 3, 2011
Covering:
Park IU et al., J Infect Dis 2011 Sep 19; 204:1297
Hoover KW and Radolf JD., J Infect Dis 2011 Nov 1; 204:1295
HIV Treatment as Prevention: An Interview with Myron Cohen
Insights and observations from the principal investigator of the HPTN 052 trial
"HIV-Related" Osteopenia May Antedate HIV Infection
Low bone-mineral density was more common than expected among HIV-negative men who have sex with men and was correlated with amphetamine and inhalant use.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
September 26, 2011
Covering:
Liu AY et al., PLoS ONE 2011 Aug 29; 6:e23688
Common Sense on HIV Testing
Paul Sax, MD, pleads his case in his blog HIV and ID Observations .
Latino Men in the Southeast Are Late Entrants to HIV Care
Delayed testing, rather than difficulty accessing care, may be to blame.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
September 12, 2011
Covering:
Dennis AM et al., Clin Infect Dis 2011 Sep 1; 53:480
del Rio C., Clin Infect Dis 2011 Sep 1; 53:488