HIV Risk Among MSM in Montreal: Good News and Bad
In a cohort of highly educated MSM, HIV incidence was remarkably low, but unprotected anal sex with serodiscordant or casual partners was still very common.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
February 25, 2008
Covering:
Lavoie E et al., Sex Transm Dis 2008 Jan; 35:25
High HIV Risk Among MSM in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
MSM in these countries are at very high risk for HIV infection and should be targeted for prevention efforts.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
February 25, 2008
Covering:
Baral S et al., PLoS Med 2007 Dec; 4:e339
The Changing Face of Viral Meningitis
Enteroviruses and herpes simplex virus are now the most common causes.
By Robin Drucker, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Logan SAE and MacMahon E., BMJ 2008 Jan 5; 336:36
When to Initiate ART?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
This computer model predicts that 30-year-old patients and some 40-year-olds will benefit from initiating ART early in the course of HIV infection.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
February 13, 2008
Covering:
Braithwaite RS et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Feb 5; 148:178
Stroke in Patients with HIV Infection
Neurology Summary and Comment
A cohort study in South Africa finds a high proportion of young patients, many with vasculitis, among those with both HIV infection and stroke.
By Nagagopal Venna, MD, MRCP
February 12, 2008
Covering:
Tipping B et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007 Dec; 78:1320
Connor M., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007 Dec; 78:1291
How Common Is HIV Superinfection?
In a cohort of high-risk women in Kenya, superinfection occurred as long as 5 years after onset of HIV infection, even in the presence of established well-developed immune responses.
HIV Prevalence in the U.S. Population
Approximately 0.5% of people aged 18 to 49 living in U.S. households are infected with HIV, according to National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted . . .
February 11, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).,
Preventing Abacavir Hypersensitivity Reaction
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Screening prospectively for HLA-B*5701 — and avoiding abacavir use in those who test positive — reduces the incidence of hypersensitivity reaction to this NRTI.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
February 6, 2008
Covering:
Mallal S et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 7; 358:568
Ingelman-Sundberg M., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 7; 358:637
Circumcision Status and HIV Infection Among MSM in the U.S.
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Results from an observational study do not support a protective effect of circumcision among Latino and black MSM in the U.S.
By Rebeca M. Plank, MD
February 4, 2008
Covering:
Millett GA et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007 Dec 15; 46:643
Awareness and Use of Pre- and Postexposure Prophylaxis among MSM
Only about half the men surveyed had heard of PEP, and very few had used it.
Tenofovir-Containing Regimens for Postexposure Prophylaxis
Such regimens appear to be safe and effective.
By Raphael J. Landovitz, MD
February 4, 2008
Covering:
Mayer KH et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007 Dec 20
MDR MRSA in Men Who Have Sex with Men
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Male–male sex markedly increases the risks for transmitting and acquiring multidrug-resistant staphylococci.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 30, 2008
Covering:
Diep BA et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Feb 19; 148:249
"Humanized" Mice — A Model for Testing HIV Acquisition
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Pretreatment of these animals with antiretroviral drugs was effective in preventing intravaginal HIV acquisition.
By Thomas Glück, MD
January 30, 2008
Covering:
Denton PW et al., PLoS Med 2008 Jan 15; 5:e16
FDA Approval: Etravirine
Etravirine is highly effective against most viruses with resistance to other NNRTIs. Clinicians will need to be especially aware of the determinants of cross-resistance and of some significant drug–drug interactions.
Dual HIV Infection Without Disease Progression
A new report describes HIV coinfection and superinfection in two patients with nonprogressive HIV disease.
By Jared M. Baeten, MD, PhD
January 28, 2008
Covering:
Casado C et al., J Infect Dis 2007 Sep 15; 196:895
Perceptions About Genital Herpes: Bridging the Clinician–Patient Gap
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions of the transmission and management of genital herpes differed in many ways.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
January 24, 2008
Covering:
Romanowski B et al., Sex Transm Infect 2007 Nov 22
HIV Incidence Among Men with Early Syphilis: A Tale of Three Cities
Among men diagnosed with early syphilis at STD clinics in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, HIV incidence was estimated to be 9.5% per year overall and 12.0% per year for MSM.
Detecting Acute HIV Infection During Pregnancy
Five pregnant women with acute HIV infection were identified at publicly funded testing sites in North Carolina and subsequently treated; none transmitted HIV to their infants.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
January 18, 2008
Covering:
Patterson KB et al., AIDS 2007 Nov; 21:2303
RNA Interference Identifies Potential New Targets for HIV Therapy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Targeting host, rather than viral, proteins can minimize the likelihood of resistance to new agents.
Why Don’t Guys Use Condoms Correctly?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
High motivation and perceived high female-partner motivation contributed to correct condom use by men; loss of erection and poor condom fit or feel thwarted proper use.
The Sting of the HPV Vaccine
More reports of fainting and pain with Gardasil than with other routine vaccines
What Makes HIV Tick?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Using cutting-edge molecular techniques, researchers identified more than 250 human proteins involved in HIV replication, raising the prospect of new therapeutic targets.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
January 16, 2008
Covering:
Brass AL et al., Science 2008 Jan 10
Cohen J., Science 2008 Jan 11; 319:143
Baby Steps: Introducing Systematic HIV Screening in the ED
Rapid HIV testing is feasible in the ED, but questions remain about covering the costs and linking patients to follow-up care.
By Charles B. Hicks, MD
January 14, 2008
Covering:
Brown J et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007 Dec 1; 46:395
New Vaginal Swab Test for Chlamydia Yields Accurate Results in 30 Minutes
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
The test had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 99%.
A Bad Year for Pharmaceutical Erythropoietins
Epoetins are valuable agents but should be used sparingly.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
December 28, 2007
