Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ignatius Senteza, Barbara Castelnuovo, David Mukunya, Fredrick Makumbi
Summary: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of virological non-suppression among adult males attending HIV care services in fishing communities. The findings revealed alarmingly high rates of virological non-suppression in these communities, exceeding the threshold set by UNAIDS. Several key determinants were identified, including hazardous alcohol use, unemployment, and barriers to HIV treatment services.
Article
Environmental Sciences
De E. Yu, Yu Jun Xu, Mu Li, Yuan Yang, Hua Yue Liang, Shan Mei Zhong, Cai Qin, Ya Nan Lan, Da Wei Li, Ji Peng Yu, Yuan Pang, Xue Qiu Qin, Hao Liang, Kao Kao Zhu, Li Ye, Bang Yu Liang
Summary: This study investigated the HIV-1 subtype distribution and HIV drug resistance in ART failure patients in Hainan, China from 2014 to 2020. The study found a high diversity of HIV-1 subtypes and a prevalent HIV drug resistance. Unemployment, hypoimmunity or opportunistic infections, and recent samples were associated with increased odds of HIV drug resistance. The study highlights the importance of long-term HIV drug resistance surveillance.
BIOMEDICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samuel Tekle Mengistu, Ghirmay Ghebrekidan Ghebremeskel, Oliver Okoth Achila, Miriam Berhane Abrehe, Samuel Fisseha Tewelde, Mahmud Mohammed Idris, Tsegereda Gebrehiwot Tikue, Araia Berhane Mesfin
Summary: Treatment failure in HIV infected children is a major concern in resource-constrained settings in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the prevalence, incidence, and factors associated with first-line cART failure. The results showed that suboptimal adherence, use of certain antiretroviral drugs, severe immunosuppression, wasting or weight for height z-score < -2, late cART initiation calendar years, and older age at cART initiation were independent factors of treatment failure. To address this problem, access to viral load tests, adherence support, integration of nutritional care into the clinic, and research on factors associated with suboptimal adherence should be prioritized.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Stephanie Raymond, Nicolas Jeanne, Florence Nicot, Chloe Dimeglio, Romain Carcenac, Agnes Harter, Noemie Ranger, Guillaume Martin-Blondel, Pierre Delobel, Jacques Izopet
Summary: This study evaluated the routine use of the Sentosa ultra-deep sequencing (UDS) system for HIV-1 polymerase resistance genotyping in treatment-naive individuals and analyzed the virological response (VR) to first-line antiretroviral treatment. The results showed that the Vela UDS platform is appropriate for determining antiretroviral resistance in patients on a first-line antiretroviral treatment. The VR was found to be correlated with the baseline HIV virus load and resistance to at least one protease inhibitor (PI).
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Giulia Stella, Lorenzo Volpicelli, Domenico Di Carlo, Ilaria Vicenti, Luigi Celani, Franco Maggiolo, Anna Paola Callegaro, William Gennari, Daniela Francisci, Francesca Lombardi, Lorenzo Piermatteo, Antonia Bezenchek, Valeria Micheli, Barbara Rossetti, Maria Mercedes Santoro
Summary: Despite the prevalence of single-tablet regimens (STRs), the impact of pre-existing drug resistance on virological failure (VF) remains understudied. A large cohort analysis found that pre-existing resistance affects the virological efficacy of STRs in treatment-experienced individuals who are both aviraemic and viraemic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Claudia R. de Andrade Arrais, Kledoaldo Lima, Marta Barreiros, Jessyca K. F. Rodrigues, Nilviane P. S. Sousa, Daniel D. Costa, Francisco D. R. P. Santos, Gerson F. M. Pereira, Antonia I. e Silva Viana, Allan K. Barros, Elcio Leal
Summary: This study evaluated the genetic characterization of 132 HIV-1 pol sequences from children and adolescents undergoing antiretroviral therapy in Northeast Brazil. Most individuals harbored HIV-1 B and BF recombinants, with an overall antiretroviral resistance rate of 47%. The study highlighted the importance of surveillance of resistance mutations, with key mutations including M184V and K103N.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hongli Chen, Jing Hu, Chang Song, Miaomiao Li, Yesheng Zhou, Aobo Dong, Ruihua Kang, Jingjing Hao, Jiaxin Zhang, Xiu Liu, Dan Li, Yi Feng, Lingjie Liao, Yuhua Ruan, Hui Xing, Yiming Shao
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR), molecular transmission networks, and the impact of virological failure in HIV-positive individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in China. The findings showed a high prevalence of PDR, which significantly affected virological failure after 3 years of ART. The study also revealed the transmission of drug-resistant strains in the molecular transmission network.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah Nabukeera, Joseph Kagaayi, Fredrick Edward Makumbi, Henry Mugerwa, Joseph K. B. Matovu
Summary: Despite an increase in the proportion of HIV-positive children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in recent years, up to 60% of children on ART do not achieve virological suppression. Factors such as being at WHO clinical stage 4 at ART initiation and experiencing ART-induced side effects were significantly associated with virological non-suppression, while older age at ART initiation was protective. This suggests a need for age-specific interventions to improve virological suppression among HIV-positive children receiving ART.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ruxandra-Cristina Marin, Adrian Streinu-Cercel, Lavinia Cristina Moleriu, Simona Gabriela Bungau
Summary: This study compared the long-term virological response to antiretroviral therapy in Romanian patients infected with HIV. The results showed that DRV/c was more effective in suppressing the viral load compared to DRV/r in subtype F HIV-1 infected patients. Additionally, a small number of patients exhibited resistance to therapy and developed viral mutations.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tianhao Zhang, Lingjie Liao, Yiming Shao, Yi Feng, Yuhua Ruan, Hui Xing
Summary: This report highlights the association between HIV drug resistance and increased risk of death among HIV-infected patients receiving ART, emphasizing the importance of strengthening drug resistance monitoring and prevention during ART treatment. Routine and prompt viral load testing and drug resistance testing should be carried out for HIV-infected patients.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gillian M. Hunt, Mukhlid Yousif, Leon Levin, Johanna Ledwaba, Kim Steegen, Tendesayi Kufa, Hloniphile Zwane, Monalisa Kalimashe, Vibha Kana, Getahun Aynalem, Jaclyn Perlman, Kassahun Ayalew, Gurpreet Kindra, Karidia Diallo, Sergio Carmona, Gayle Sherman, Elliot J. Raizes
Summary: HIV drug resistance is highly prevalent among paediatric patients failing ART in South Africa, with 90% of patients harbouring resistance to NNRTIs and/or NRTIs. Scaling up resistance testing would facilitate access to second- and third-line regimens in South Africa.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
J. Elwitigala, L. Rajapaksa, S. C. Inzaule, K. A. M. Ariyaratne, S. Jayasena, S. Kurle, A. Patil, D. Kale, L. Siriwardna, G. Samaraweera, H. Perera, C. Jayakody
Summary: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study in Sri Lanka to estimate the prevalence of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) in adults initiating ART. The study found a high prevalence of resistance to the NNRTI drugs efavirenz/nevirapine, especially in patients with prior ARV exposure, women, and those reporting as heterosexual.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pretty Rosereine Mbouyap, Joseph Fokam, Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue, Leonella Mossiang, Desire Takou, Collins Ambe Chenwi, Alex Durand Nka, Beatrice Dambaya, Georges Teto, Grace Angong Beloumou, Sandrine Claire Djupsa Ndjeyep, Aude Christelle Ka'e, Charles Kouanfack, Alexis Ndjolo, Francois-Xavier Mbopi Keou
Summary: To evaluate the efficacy of third-line (3L) regimens in Cameroon, a cohort study was conducted among patients initiating a 3L antiretroviral therapy regimen. HIV genotypic resistance profiles were assessed and a good virological response was achieved in most patients, regardless of genotypic profile at recruitment or variations in 3L regimens.
Review
Oncology
Heidie Frisco Cabanos, Aaron N. Hata
Summary: Drug-resistant persister cells, which play a critical role in the development of drug resistance, maintain viability under therapy but their partial resistance is transient and reversible; they may originate from minimal residual disease and can lead to relapse if treatment is discontinued or if drug resistance develops in response to continued therapy.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Anne Brown, Alain Amstutz, Bienvenu Lengo Nsakala, Ulrike Seeburg, Fiona Vanobberghen, Josephine Muhairwe, Thomas Klimkait, Niklaus Daniel Labhardt
Summary: The SESOTHO trial found that switching to second-line ART is beneficial for patients with persistent viraemia below the WHO threshold of 1000 copies/mL. The majority of participants in the study had resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) while on first-line ART, suggesting the need for treatment modification based on RAMs.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
George M. Nduva, Amin S. Hassan, Jamirah Nazziwa, Susan M. Graham, Joakim Esbjornsson, Eduard J. Sanders
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Victoria Nambasa, Helen B. Ndagije, Allan Serwanga, Leonard Manirakiza, Joanitah Atuhaire, Diana Nakitto, Ronald Kiguba, Albert Figueras
Article
Immunology
Amin S. Hassan, Jonathan Hare, Kamini Gounder, Jamirah Nazziwa, Sara Karlson, Linnea Olsson, Claire Streatfield, Anatoli Kamali, Etienne Karita, William Kilembe, Matt A. Price, Persephone Borrow, Per Bjorkman, Pontiano Kaleebu, Susan Allen, Eric Hunter, Thumbi Ndung'u, Jill Gilmour, Sarah Rowland-Jones, Joakim Esbjornsson, Eduard J. Sanders
Summary: The study found that volunteers with stronger innate immune responses during hyperacute HIV-1 infection were more likely to experience acute retroviral syndrome (ARS), independent of HIV-1 subtype, age, and risk group. Interferon gamma-induced protein (IP)-10 was significantly elevated during hyperacute HIV-1 infection and independently associated with ARS. This suggests that plasma IP-10 may serve as a potential biomarker for stronger innate immunity and could potentially be used in the development of vaccine candidates targeting innate immunity.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christine Watera, Deogratius Ssemwanga, Grace Namayanja, Juliet Asio, Tom Lutalo, Alice Namale, Grace Sanyu, Isaac Ssewanyana, Jesus Fidel Gonzalez-Salazar, Jamirah Nazziwa, Maria Nanyonjo, Elliot Raizes, Usher Kabuga, Christina Mwangi, Wilford Kirungi, Joshua Musinguzi, Kaggwa Mugagga, Edward Katongole Mbidde, Pontiano Kaleebu
Summary: The HIVDR survey conducted in Uganda revealed a high prevalence of NNRTI drug resistance among adults, prompting a revision of the Ugandan ART guidelines to recommend dolutegravir-containing regimens as the preferred first- and second-line ART therapies.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Review
Virology
George M. Nduva, Jamirah Nazziwa, Amin S. Hassan, Eduard J. Sanders, Joakim Esbjornsson
Summary: This review assessed phylogenetic data on HIV-1 transmission dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the mixing between HIV-1 hotspots and areas with lower HIV-1 burden. It described the HIV-1 transmission from both geographic and risk group perspectives in sSA, as well as discussed the challenges faced in phylogenetic inference in mixed epidemics and potential solutions.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Paul Kutyabami, Edson Ireeta Munanura, Rajab Kalidi, Sulah Balikuna, Margaret Ndagire, Bruhan Kaggwa, Winnie Nambatya, Pakoyo Fadhiru Kamba, Allan Musiimenta, Diana Nakitto Kesi, Victoria Nambasa, Allan Serwanga, Helen Byomire Ndagije
Summary: The study assessed the clinical utilization of ceftriaxone in Uganda and found that there was a significant rate of inappropriate use, with some patients not completing their prescribed doses. Factors associated with appropriate ceftriaxone use included gender, pregnancy status, days of hospitalization, health facility level of care, health facility type, and type of prescriber.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Henry Zakumumpa, Freddy Eric Kitutu, Helen Byomire Ndagije, Nakitto-Kesi Diana, Jacquellyn Nambi Ssanyu, Ronald Kiguba
Summary: According to clinicians in ART clinics in Uganda, DTG-based regimens are generally well tolerated by most patients, but some patients experience suspected adverse drug reactions, with hyperglycemia, insomnia, and reduced libido being key concerns. Further studies are recommended to investigate the prevalence of dolutegravir-induced hyperglycemia in Ugandan patients.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ronald Kiguba, Helen Byomire Ndagije, Victoria Nambasa, Cordelia Katureebe, Henry Zakumumpa, Stella Maris Nanyonga, Jacquellyn Nambi Ssanyu, Phil Tregunno, Kendal Harrison, Corinne S. Merle, Marie-Eve Raguenaud, Freddy Eric Kitutu
Summary: This study aims to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a peer support intervention for reporting ADRs among PLHIV receiving CART in Uganda, identify barriers and facilitators to the intervention, and characterize ADR reporting and management.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ronald Kiguba, Norah Mwebaza, Ronald Ssenyonga, Helen Byomire Ndagije, Victoria Nambasa, Cordelia Katureebe, Kenneth Katumba, Phil Tregunno, Kendal Harrison, Charles Karamagi, Kathryn A. Scott, Munir Pirmohamed
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Med Safety mobile application in improving pharmacovigilance and investigate the barriers and facilitators to its uptake in HIV patients in Uganda. The study will be conducted as a pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial involving 382 cART sites.
Article
Virology
Uroosa Tariq, Jamirah Nazziwa, Sviataslau Sasinovich, Sharaf Ali Shah, Sadaf Naeem, Syed Hani Abidi, Joakim Esbjornsson
Summary: This study provides a detailed characterization of the HIV-1 sub-subtype A1 epidemic in Pakistan. It reveals that the majority of the Pakistan HIV-1 sub-subtype A1 strains are unique to Pakistan and exhibit a specific mutation pattern in the Gag protein. The study also establishes a link between these signature variations and alterations in Gag protein structure and Gag-specific T-cell epitopes.
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Manal M. Younus, Mayada Alkhakany, Priya Bahri, Angela Caro, Hadir Rostom, Helen Byomire Ndagije, Mohamed A. Elhawary
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mohamed A. Elhawary, Comfort K. Ogar, Monica Tarapues, Angela Caro, Helen Byomire Ndagije, Ghita Benabdallah, Houda Sefiani, Hadir Rostom
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Helen Byomire Ndagije, David Walusimbi, Joanita Atuhaire, Sheila Ampaire
Summary: Pharmacovigilance in Africa has grown over time, with the majority of countries being members of the WHO Programme for international drug monitoring. However, challenges such as weak regulation, insufficient resources, and differing policies still exist. This expert opinion offers insights from long-term experience and suggests solutions for implementing pharmacovigilance in resource-limited settings.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jackson K. Mukonzo, Helen Byomire Ndagije, George Tsey Sabblah, Wangui Mathenge, David A. Price, Thaddeus H. Grasela
Summary: Drug regulatory institutions are increasingly interconnected globally, with efforts to strengthen capacities in low- and middle-income countries. However, there is a tendency to focus on transferring knowledge and skills from high-income countries to low-income countries, while overlooking the unique insights that low-income countries can bring to regulatory deliberations.
CTS-CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Virology
M. T. Boswell, J. Nazziwa, K. Kuroki, A. Palm, S. Karlson, F. Mansson, A. Biague, Z. J. da Silva, C. O. Onyango, T. de Silva, A. Jaye, H. Norrgren, P. Medstrand, M. Jansson, K. Maenaka, S. L. Rowland-Jones, J. Esbjornsson
Summary: HIV-2 infection progresses at a slower rate compared to HIV-1, and this study found that lower viral loads, enhanced T-cell responses, and positive selection on conserved residues are associated with slower progression. Faster progressors had higher viral diversity and evolutionary rates. The study also identified specific amino acid differences in the p26 protein associated with progression. This research suggests that HIV-2 p26 may be a potential therapeutic target.