Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common cause of death in people living with HIV (PLHIV), yet TB often goes undiagnosed since many patients are not able to produce a sputum specimen, and traditional ...diagnostics are costly or unavailable. A novel, rapid lateral flow assay, Fujifilm SILVAMP TB LAM (SILVAMP-LAM), detects the presence of TB lipoarabinomannan (LAM) in urine, and is substantially more sensitive for diagnosing TB in PLHIV than an earlier LAM assay (Alere Determine TB LAM lateral flow assay LF-LAM). Here, we present an individual participant data meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of SILVAMP-LAM in adult PLHIV, including both published and unpublished data.
Adult PLHIV (≥18 years) were assessed in 5 prospective cohort studies in South Africa (3 cohorts), Vietnam, and Ghana, carried out during 2012 to 2017. Of the 1,595 PLHIV who met eligibility criteria, the majority (61%) were inpatients, median age was 37 years (IQR 30-43), 43% had a CD4 count ≤ 100 cells/μl, and 35% were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Most participants (94%) had a positive WHO symptom screen for TB on enrollment, and 45% were diagnosed with microbiologically confirmed TB, using mycobacterial culture or Xpert MTB/RIF testing of sputum, urine, or blood. Previously published data from inpatients were combined with unpublished data from outpatients. Biobanked urine samples were tested, using blinded double reading, with SILVAMP-LAM and LF-LAM. Applying a microbiological reference standard for assessment of sensitivity, the overall sensitivity for TB detection was 70.7% (95% CI 59.0%-80.8%) for SILVAMP-LAM compared to 34.9% (95% CI 19.5%-50.9%) for LF-LAM. Using a composite reference standard (which included patients with both microbiologically confirmed as well as clinically diagnosed TB), SILVAMP-LAM sensitivity was 65.8% (95% CI 55.9%-74.6%), and that of LF-LAM 31.4% (95% CI 19.1%-43.7%). In patients with CD4 count ≤ 100 cells/μl, SILVAMP-LAM sensitivity was 87.1% (95% CI 79.3%-93.6%), compared to 56.0% (95% CI 43.9%-64.9%) for LF-LAM. In patients with CD4 count 101-200 cells/μl, SILVAMP-LAM sensitivity was 62.7% (95% CI 52.4%-71.9%), compared to 25.3% (95% CI 15.8%-34.9%) for LF-LAM. In those with CD4 count > 200 cells/μl, SILVAMP-LAM sensitivity was 43.9% (95% CI 34.3%-53.9%), compared to 10.9% (95% CI 5.2%-18.4%) for LF-LAM. Using a microbiological reference standard, the specificity of SILVAMP-LAM was 90.9% (95% CI 87.2%-93.7%), and that of LF-LAM 95.3% (95% CI 92.2%-97.7%). Limitations of this study include the use of biobanked, rather than fresh urine samples, and testing by skilled laboratory technicians in research laboratories, rather than at the point of care.
In this study, we found that SILVAMP-LAM identified a substantially higher proportion of TB patients in PLHIV than LF-LAM. The sensitivity of SILVAMP-LAM was highest in patients with CD4 count ≤ 100 cells/μl. Further work is needed to demonstrate accuracy when implemented as a point-of-care test.
Mortality from tuberculosis (TB) has been declining since 2000, nevertheless there is still a significant number of patients who die before or during TB treatment. The aims were to examine and ...describe predictors associated with TB related mortality. A total of 2131 cases were identified, 141 (6.6%) patients died before or during TB treatment. TB related mortality accounted for 104 cases (73.8%) and decreased significantly from 6.7% to 3.2% (p = .04) during the study period. Within 1 months of diagnosis, 49% of TB related deaths had occurred. The strongest risk factors present at time of diagnosis, associated with TB related mortality, were: age > 70 years, Charlson comorbidity index > 1, alcohol abuse, weight loss, anemia, and C-reactive protein > 100 mg/L (p < .05). The majority of TB related deaths occurred soon after diagnosis, emphasizing that TB patients identified to have a high risk of mortality should be closely monitored before and during the intensive treatment period to improve their outcomes.
To compare the risk of a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in people with HIV (PWH) with the general ...population, and estimate the association with vaccination status.
A nationwide, population based, matched cohort study.
We included all Danish PWH ≥18 years ( n = 5276) and an age and sex-matched general population cohort ( n = 42 308). We used Cox regression analyses to calculate (adjusted) incidence rate ratios (a)IRR and further stratified and restricted the analyses.
We observed no major difference in risk of first positive SARS-CoV-2 test aIRR: 0.8 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8-0.9), but a higher risk of first hospital contact with COVID-19 and hospitalization with severe COVID-19 for PWH vs. controls IRR: 2.0; (1.6-2.5), 1.8 (1.4-2.3). Risk of first hospitalization decreased substantially in PWH with calendar time first half of year 2022 vs. 2020 IRR: 0.3; (0.2-0.6), whereas the risk compared to population controls remained almost twofold increased. We did not observe increased risk of death after SARS-CoV-2 infection aIRR: 0.7 (95% CI: 0.3-2.0). Compared to PWH who had received two vaccines PWH who receiving a third vaccine had reduced risk of first positive SARS-CoV-2 test, death (individuals ≥60years) and hospitalization aIRR: 0.9 (0.7-1.0); 0.2 (0.1-0.7); 0.6 (0.2-1.2).
PWH have almost the same risk of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test as the general population. Although risk of hospital contacts and severe outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection is increased, the risk of death does not seem to be substantially increased. Importantly, a third vaccine is associated with reduced risk of infection, and death.
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.2 sublineage is rapidly replacing earlier Omicron lineages, suggesting BA.2 has increased vaccine evasion properties. We measured neutralization titers of authentic ...BA.1 and BA.2 isolates in serum samples from persons who received the BNT162b2 booster vaccine. All samples neutralized BA.1 and BA.2 at equal median values.
Objective
To describe incidence and clinical characteristics of bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) infections after BCG bladder instillation amongst patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer in ...Denmark.
Patients and methods
We conducted a nationwide register‐based cohort study in Denmark between 2002 through 2017. Patients with BCG infection were identified by cross‐linking data from the Danish National Hospital Registry on patients treated with BCG instillations and patients diagnosed with tuberculosis according to the International Classification of Diseases 10, and data obtained from International Reference Laboratory of Mycobacteriology. Hospital records were reviewed for clinical information.
Results
During the study period, 6753 patients (5281 men; mean SD age 71.1 (0.1) years) received BCG instillations, of which 66 patients (1%) developed BCG infections. There were no differences in age or Charlson Comorbidity Index between the patients in the study population stratified by BCG infection. The median (interquartile range) time from first BCG instillation until symptoms of BCG infection was 169.5 (38–585) days. Extrapulmonary localisation of BCG infections (37 patients, 56.1%) was significantly more frequent than pulmonary BCG infections (20 patients, 30.3%; P < 0.001). The most common extrapulmonary localisation was the genitourinary tract (29 patients, 78.4%).
Conclusion
BCG infections after bladder instillation are rare, mainly affect male patients, and are most frequently extrapulmonary. BCG infections should be suspected despite a long time span between occurrence of symptoms and prior bladder instillation.
To investigate psychosocial, sexual, reproductive and menopausal health in women with HIV (WWH) compared to women without HIV (WWOH) in Denmark.
A nationwide cross-sectional study.
Data was retrieved ...from the SHARE study, a Danish nationwide cross-sectional survey examining psychosocial, sexual and reproductive health in people with HIV. Data from WWH, collected in 2021-2022, was matched 1:10 on age to a comparison group of WWOH from the nationally representative cohort study Project SEXUS. Associations between HIV status and psychosocial and sexual health outcomes were assessed by adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) obtained in logistic regression analyses controlling for potential confounding variables. The severity of menopausal symptoms in WWH was compared to published reference norms.
Among 144 WWH and 1440 WWOH, recurrent loneliness was significantly more common among WWH (aOR 2.22 95% CI: 1.25-3.96), and WWH had significantly fewer children and close friends (aOR 0.52 95% CI: 0.28-0.96 for 3-9 vs. 0-2 close friends). Symptoms of anxiety and depression did not differ between groups. Lack of sexual desire (aOR 2.90 95% CI: 1.29-6.50), low FSFI-6 score indicating sexual dysfunction (aOR 3.40 95% CI: 1.33-8.69), lubrication dysfunction (aOR 8.24 95% CI: 2.83-24.00) and genital pain dysfunction (aOR 5.13 95% CI: 1.26-20.86) were significantly more common in WWH compared to WWOH. No differences were seen in menopausal characteristics.
WWH in Denmark have fewer children and close friends, and more often report recurrent loneliness, lacking sexual desire and sexual dysfunction compared to WWOH. No differences were evident in menopausal characteristics.
In solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, the humoral response following COVID-19 vaccination is reduced, as a result of their immunosuppressed treatment. In this study, we investigated antibody ...concentrations after booster vaccinations until the fifth dose, the latter by monovalent or bivalent BA1 or BA4/5 vaccines. In addition, we evaluated the efficacy of vaccination by recording breakthrough infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.
This prospective cohort study included 438 SOT recipients (>18 years) vaccinated with mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 from January 2021 until March 2023. Blood samples were drawn before and after each vaccination and tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD IgG antibodies with the lowest and highest cut-off at 7.1 and 5,680 BAU/mL, respectively. Vaccine information, breakthrough infections, and hospitalizations were collected from the medical records.
Most participants received BNT162b2 and 61.4% received five vaccine doses. The response proportion in SOT recipients increased from 86.7% after the fourth dose to 93.0% following the fifth dose. Antibody concentration decreased with 142.7 BAU/mL between the third and fourth dose (median 132 days, Quartile 1: 123, Quartile 3: 148) and 234.3 BAU/mL between the fourth and fifth (median 250 days, Quartile 1: 241, Quartile 3: 262) dose among those without breakthrough infection (p=0.34). When comparing the Omicron BA.1 or Omicron BA.4/BA.5 adapted vaccines, no significant differences in antibody concentration were found, but 20.0% of SOT recipients receiving a monovalent fifth vaccine dose had a breakthrough infection compared to 4.0% and 7.9% among those who received BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 adapted vaccines, respectively (p=0.04). Since January 2021, 240 (54.8%) participants had a breakthrough infection, and 22 were hospitalized, but no deaths were observed.
The fifth COVID-19 vaccine dose raised antibody response to 93.0% of the study population. Additional booster doses, as well as bivalent vaccines, led to higher levels of antibody concentration in SOT recipients. We found a lower incidence of breakthrough infections among SOT recipients after receiving a bivalent vaccine as a fifth dose compared to those receiving a monovalent dose. Antibody concentrations did not wane when the time between doses was prolonged from four to eight months.
Exposures to human immunodeficiency (HIV) and antiretroviral therapy in utero may have adverse effects on infant growth. Among children born in Denmark and aged 0-5 years, we aimed to compare ...anthropometric outcomes in HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) children with those in children not exposed to HIV.
In a nationwide register-based study we included all singleton HEU children born in Denmark in 2000-2016. HEU children were individually matched by child sex, parity, and maternal place of birth to 5 singleton controls born to mothers without HIV. Weight-for-age z (WAZ) scores, length-for-age z (LAZ) scores, and weight-for-length or body mass index-for-age z scores were generated according to the World Health Organization standards and the Fenton growth chart for premature infants. Differences in mean z scores were analyzed using linear mixed models, both univariate and adjusted for social and maternal factors.
In total, 485 HEU children and 2495 HIV-unexposed controls were included. Compared with controls, HEU children were smaller at birth, with an adjusted difference in mean WAZ and LAZ scores of -0.29 (95% confidence interval CI, -.46 to -.12) and -0.51 (95% CI, -.71 to -.31), respectively (both P ≤ .001). Over time, there was a trend toward increasing WAZ and LAZ scores in HEU children, and there was no significant difference in adjusted WAZ scores after age 14 days (-0.13 95% CI, -.27 to .01; P = .07) and LAZ scores after age 6 months (-0.15 95% CI, -.32 to .02; P = .08).
Compared with a matched control group, HEU children were smaller at birth, but this difference decreased with time and is not considered to have a negative effect on the health and well-being of HEU children during early childhood.
Worldwide, millions of persons have received multiple COVID-19 vaccinations and subsequently recovered from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron breakthrough infections. In 2 small, matched cohorts (n = 12, n = 24) in ...Denmark, we found Omicron BA.1/BA.2 breakthrough infection after 3-dose BNT162b2 vaccination provided improved Omicron BA.5 neutralization over 3-dose vaccination alone.
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