Here we present results from a survey on anti‐severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) seroprevalence in healthy blood donors from a low incidence coronavirus disease 2019 area ...(Apulia region, South Eastern Italy). Among 904 subjects tested, only in nine cases (0.99%) antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 were demonstrated. All the nine seropositive patients were negative for the research of viral RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in nasopharyngeal swabs. These data, along with those recently reported from other countries, clearly show that we are very far from herd immunity and that the containment measures are at the moment the only realistic instrument we have to slow the spread of the pandemic.
Highlights
Seroprevalence for SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies was studied in group of 904 healthy blood donors from South Eastern Italy.
Antibodies were detected only in nine (0.99%) cases. All the subjects were negative for viral RNA in nasopharyngeal swabs.
Herd immunity to the virus is far away to reach and is probably not a viable option to contain the spread of the pandemic
High School students, recognized as a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), were the focal point of an educational campaign in Southern Italy to share information and good ...practices about STIs and HIV/AIDS. A baseline survey comprising 76 items was conducted via the REDCap platform to assess students' initial knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to STIs and HIV/AIDS. Sociodemographic variables were also investigated. The association between variables and KAP score was assessed by Kruskal-Wallis' or Spearman's test, as appropriate. An ordinal regression model was built to estimate the effect size, reported as odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), for achieving higher KAP scores among students features. On a scale of 0 to 29, 1702 participants achieved a median KAP score of 14 points. Higher scores were predominantly reported by students from classical High Schools (OR 3.19, 95% C.I. 1.60-6.33, p<0.001). Additionally, elevated scores were associated with sexually active students (OR 1.48, 95% C.I. 1.12-1.96, p = 0.01), those vaccinated against Human Papilloma Virus (OR 2.47, 95% C.I. 1.89-3.24, p<0.001), those who had used emergency contraception (OR 1.56, 95% C.I. 1.09-2.24, p = 0.02, Table 2) and those obtaining information from TikTok (OR 1.62, 95% C.I. 1.14-2.30, p = 0.01). Conversely, being heterosexual was associated with an overall lower score (OR 0.48, 95% C.I. 0.32-0.73, p<0.001). High School students, often due to early sexual debut, seek information about HIV and STIs independently using social channels. However, the overall level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices remains low. Urgent school-based interventions are needed for this age group.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Is it possible to achieve a collaboration between Infectious Diseases (ID) Specialists and General Practitioners (GPs) in the management of chronic HIV infection? A cross sectional survey was ...conducted among People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) attending the outpatient services of four Italian Infectious Diseases Centers to understand to which extent patients trust their GPs and involve them in the management of their chronic condition. Information about level of communication with GPs, subjective perception of the disease, and presence of co-medications were collected and matched with socio-demographic data using X.sup.2 statistics. A p50 years. Overall, 508 patients (76%) had informed GPs about HIV-positivity. Communication of diagnosis was significantly associated with age >50years, lower education level, history of disease >10 years and residency in Northern Italy. The "Undetectable = Untrasmittable" (U = U) concept was investigated as an indirect measure of perceived stigma. 23% of subjects was unaware of its meaning. Despite undetectable status, 50% of PLWHIV found difficult to communicate their condition to GPs, especially married (52% vs 48% of unmarried, p = 0.003), well-educated patients (51% vs 48, p = 0.007), living in Southern vs Northern Italy (52% vs 46%, p< 0.001). More than 75% of the participants consulted the ID specialist for co-medications and DDIs management, often complaining a lack of communication of the former with GPs. Overall, a good level of communication between PLWHIV and GPs was outlined, even if a wider involvement of the latter in HIV care is desirable.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background:
Few data are available about the efficacy, durability, and tolerability of doravirine (DOR) + integrase strand inhibitors (INI) as a switching strategy among antiretroviral therapy ...(ART)–experienced people living with HIV (PLWH).
Setting:
Retrospective, multicenter cohort study investigating the durability, efficacy, and tolerability of 2 off-label drug associations of DOR + INI among ART-experienced PLWH.
Methods:
The study included PLWH who switched to DOR combined with either raltegravir (RAL) or dolutegravir (DTG) between June 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, with at least 1 follow-up (FU) visit. Virologic, biometric, and metabolic parameters were evaluated at baseline (T0) and at 1–3 (T1), 6 (T2), and 12 (T3) months. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses assessed the 28-week probability of persistence on the regimens. Patient satisfaction was measured using the HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire.
Results:
Ninety-five PLWH were included, 52 in DOR + RAL and 43 in DOR + DTG. Six treatment discontinuations were reported during a mean of 37 (±17) weeks of FU (incidence of 2.7 × 1000 person-weeks FU). Only 2 were the result of virological failure without resistance mutations. DOR + DTG demonstrated significantly higher 28-week persistence than DOR + RAL (HR 1.90, 95% CI: 1.24–2.90, log-rank:
P
= 0.003). Weight, waist circumference, and fasting lipids reduced considerably at T3 vs T0. Overall, high satisfaction with the new treatment was reported, particularly in the DOR + RAL (68 (64–72)/72), compared with the DOR + DTG group (58 (50–65)/72,
P
< 0.001).
Conclusions:
Our experience revealed few treatment discontinuations, improved metabolic parameters, and high patient satisfaction among ART-experienced PLWH switching to DOR combined with INI, irrespective of the specific INI used.
Abstract
Background and Aims
Whether the HCV test‐and‐treat strategy impacted on the rate of new HCV infections among PLWH in Italy is unknown.
Methods
Prospective study of PLWH in the ICONA network. ...At baseline, PLWH were tested for HCV‐Ab; HCV‐RNA (if HCV‐Ab positive) and, if positive, treated with DAA. SVR12 indicated eradication. Seroconversions and re‐infections were evaluated yearly in HCV‐Ab neg and HCV‐RNA neg at first screening. We estimated the following: HCV seroconversions, incidence of HCV reinfections, and access to DAA and SVR12 rates tighter with factors associated with each outcome. Data were analysed by Cox regression, Poisson regression and logistic regression models.
Results
Sixteen thousand seven hundred and forty‐three PLWH were included; 27.3% HCV‐Ab positive; of these, 39.3% HCV‐RNA positive. HCV seroconversion incidence: .48/100 PYFU (95% CI: .36–.65); re‐infections incidence: 1.40/100 PYFU (95% CI: .91–2.04). The risk factor for HCV re‐infection was young age: aIRR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.17–2.95) per 10 years younger. 86.4% of HCV viremic in follow‐up started DAA. PWID vs. heterosexuals (aHR .75, 95% CI .62–.90), HIV‐RNA >50 copies/mL (aHR .70, 95% CI .56–.87), HCV genotype other than G1, G2, G3, G4 or with multiple/missing HCV genotype and post‐COVID‐19 calendar periods were associated with lower DAA access. 922/965 (95.5%) PLWH achieved SVR12. We estimated 72% reduction of chance to achieve SVR12 in PLWH with a CD4 count <200/mm
3
(vs. CD4 ≥200/mm
3
aOR .18, 95% CI: .07–.46). 95.5% of DAA‐treated individuals eradicated HCV, but they represent only 53.2% of HCV viremic PLWH and 66.4% of those in follow‐up. HCV‐RNA positivity by year decreased from 41.7% in 2017 to 11.7% in 2022.
Conclusions
The screening‐and‐treat campaign implemented in Italy, even if only partially effective, resulted in a dramatic drop in HCV circulation in our cohort.
Baricitinib: A chance to treat COVID‐19? Lo Caputo, Sergio; Corso, Gaetano; Clerici, Mario ...
Journal of medical virology,
November 2020, Letnik:
92, Številka:
11
Journal Article
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the first coronavirus that has caused a pandemic. Assessing the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare worker groups offers a ...unique opportunity to study the correlation between seroconversion and immunization because of their occupational exposure and a higher risk of contagion. The study enrolled 3242 asymptomatic employees of "Policlinico Riuniti", Foggia. After the first screening, we collected sequential serum samples for up to 23 weeks from the same subjects. In order to perform a longitudinal follow-up study and get information about the titration of IgG levels, we analyzed data from subjects (33) with at least two consecutive serological IgG-positive tests; 62 (1.9%; 95% CI: 1.4-2.3) tested positive for at least one anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody. The seroprevalence was lower in the high-risk group 1.4% (6/428; 95% CI: 0.5-2.6) vs. the intermediate-risk group 2.0% (55/2736; 95% CI: 1.5-2.5). Overall, within eight weeks, we detected a mean reduction of -17% in IgG levels. Our data suggest a reduction of about 9.27 AU/mL every week (R
= 0.35,
= 0.0003). This study revealed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Foggia's hospital healthcare staff (1.9%). Moreover, the IgG level reduction suggests that the serological response fades fast in asymptomatic infections.
Current HIV treatment regimens provide sustained virologic suppression, at least partially restore the immune system and have limited side effects; however, they do not allow viral eradication and ...they are burdened by daily pill intake with a life-long commitment for the people living with HIV (PHIV). Injectable agents might represent a turning point in the care of PHIV, allowing less frequent administration of antiretroviral treatment (ART), more widespread use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and more stable drug levels in the blood, thus increasing the odds to get closer to end the HIV pandemic. The aim of this manuscript is to give a comprehensive review of injectable antiretrovirals that have been used in the past, which are available now, will be available in the future, and their role in the treatment of HIV infection.
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