Acyclovir Strikes Out for HIV Prevention
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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
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
Lesbians reported fewer viral STI diagnoses than did bisexual or heterosexual women — but many questions remain.
Survival With and Without HIV: Getting Closer
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
In industrialized countries, mortality rates among persons infected sexually with HIV are now similar — for the first 5 years after seroconversion — to rates for the general population.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
July 1, 2008
Covering:
Bhaskaran K et al., JAMA 2008 Jul 2; 300:51
Delayed Initiation of HIV Care
More than one third of HIV-infected patients in New York City did not receive follow-up care within the first 3 months after their HIV diagnoses.
By Keith Henry, MD
June 30, 2008
Covering:
Torian LV et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Jun 9; 168:1181
Does HPV Cause Cutaneous SCCs in Immunocompetent Individuals?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
HPV DNA was highly prevalent in those with and without SCC.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
June 27, 2008
Covering:
Asgari MM et al., J Invest Dermatol 2008 Jun; 128:1409
Chlamydia Screening in Young Women: Are We Missing the Boat?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Chlamydia screening was not performed at most preventive care visits by young women.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
June 26, 2008
Covering:
Hoover K and Tao G., Obstet Gynecol 2008 May; 111:1097
CRP Levels in HIV- and HIV/HCV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
HIV infection is associated with increased CRP levels in men, whereas HIV/HCV coinfection is associated with decreased CRP levels in men and women.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
June 18, 2008
Covering:
Reingold JS et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008 Jun 1; 48:142
Green Tea Extract Is Useful for Local Treatment of Anogenital Warts
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Warts were cleared completely in more than half the patients who used sinecatechin ointment.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
June 17, 2008
Covering:
Tatti S et al., Obstet Gynecol 2008 Jun; 111:1371
ART as a Preventive Intervention
A mathematical model of HIV transmission suggests that improving access to ART could slow the spread of the HIV epidemic during the next 25 years.
By Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH
June 16, 2008
Covering:
Lima VD et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Jul 1; 198:59
HIV Prevalence and Risk Behavior in the NYC House Ball Community
Novel HIV prevention strategies may be required for communities with unique identities.
By Raphael J. Landovitz, MD
June 9, 2008
Covering:
Murrill CS et al., Am J Public Health 2008 Jun; 98:1074
HPV Vaccine: Uptake and Obstacles
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Almost 70% of 12- and 13-year-old British schoolgirls received the first two doses of HPV vaccine; parents who declined did so primarily because of lack of information or safety concerns.
Reversing the Tide: Treating HIV in Africa
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Provision of antiretroviral therapy in Malawi has led to a rapid reduction in all-cause adult mortality.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
May 28, 2008
Covering:
Jahn A et al., Lancet 2008 May 10; 371:1603
Egger M and Boulle A., Lancet 2008 May 10; 371:1558
An Explanation for Systemic Symptoms During Primary Genital HSV Infection?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
For the first time ever, investigators have demonstrated the occurrence of viremia among patients with primary genital HSV infection.
Seeking the Best HIV Drugs
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A head-to-head comparison of three now-dated regimens endorses an efavirenz-based combination, but the race is very close.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
May 27, 2008
Covering:
Riddler SA et al., N Engl J Med 2008 May 15; 358:2095
Hirschel B and Calmy A., N Engl J Med 2008 May 15; 358:2170
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in MSM with Newly Diagnosed HIV
In this San Francisco study, 38% of MSM had gonorrhea, chlamydia, or both at the time of HIV diagnosis.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
May 23, 2008
Covering:
Scott KC et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008 May 1; 48:109
Breaking the Connection Between HSV-2 and HIV
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In an African study, HSV-2–suppressive therapy with acyclovir did not reduce risk for HIV acquisition.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
May 22, 2008
Covering:
Watson-Jones D et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 10; 358:1560
First-Line Therapy for HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Virologic suppression is more likely with an efavirenz-based regimen than with a lopinavir/ritonavir-based one.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
May 14, 2008
Covering:
Riddler SA et al., N Engl J Med 2008 May 15; 358:2095
Hirschel B and Calmy A., N Engl J Med 2008 May 15; 358:2170
Entecavir Inhibits HIV at Reduced Viral Inoculum
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The HBV drug entecavir has anti-HIV activity at a low viral inoculum and shouldn’t be used in HIV/HBV-coinfected patients who are not receiving combination ART.
By Lynn L. Estes, PharmD
May 14, 2008
Covering:
Lin P-F et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2008 May; 52:1759
Reproductive Health and the Balance of Power
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Having an older sex partner during adolescence or experiencing marital sexual abuse was associated with increased risk for pregnancy or STI acquisition.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
May 8, 2008
Covering:
Ryan S et al., Perspect Sex Reprod Health 2008 Mar; 40:17
Weiss HA et al., Sex Transm Infect 2008 Apr; 84:133
Cefixime Tablets Available in the U.S. Again
Cefixime tablets (Suprax; 400 mg) are now available in the U.S. for the first time since 2002. Cefixime is the only CDC-recommended oral treatment for . . .
By ACC Editors
May 5, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Apr 25; 57:435
One Quarter of U.S. Adolescent Girls Have STIs
Women's Health Summary and Comment
NHANES 2003–2004 data revealed a high prevalence of STIs, particularly HPV, in 14- to 19-year-old girls.
Early Childhood Circumcision and Risk for Common STIs
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Rates of STIs were similar for circumcised and uncircumcised men.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
April 17, 2008
Covering:
Dickson NP et al., J Pediatr 2008 Mar; 152:383
Trichomoniasis — Just Another Nuisance?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
The common STI, trichomoniasis vaginalis, could have considerable consequences.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
April 17, 2008
Covering:
Miller M et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Feb 15; 197:503
Van Der Pol B et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Feb 15; 197:548
HPV Carriage Rates Are Lower in Circumcised Men
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The difference appears due to lower rates of oncogenic types.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
April 10, 2008
Covering:
Hernandez BY et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Mar 15; 197:787
