Article
Virology
Elena Bruzzesi, Arianna Gabrieli, Davide Bernasconi, Giulia Marchetti, Andrea Calcagno, Diego Ripamonti, Andrea Antinori, Nicola Squillace, Antonella Cingolani, Antonio Muscatello, Alessandra Bandera, Andrea Gori, Stefano Rusconi, Silvia Nozza, INACTION Study Grp
Summary: The introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during primary HIV-1 infection (PHI) can restrict the establishment of HIV reservoirs. This study aimed to assess the effect of three different ART regimens on HIV-DNA load in individuals living with HIV (PLWH) who started ART in PHI. The results showed that regardless of the treatment regimen, the HIV-DNA load in PLWH decreased during the treatment period.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhongfang Yang, Zheng Zhu, Huan Wen, Shuyu Han, Lin Zhang, Yanfen Fu, Yan Hu, Bei Wu
Summary: The study identified 5 subgroups of people living with HIV based on symptom severity, with 3 subgroups having similar severity levels. Profiles 1 and 4 had the smallest sums, while Profiles 2 and 5 had the largest sums. It underscores the importance of providing group-specific symptom management interventions for PWH based on the identified profiles to improve their overall well-being.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Refeletswe Lebelonyane, Pamela Bachanas, Lisa Block, Faith Ussery, Mary Grace Alwano, Tafireyi Marukutira, Shenaaz El Halabi, Michelle Roland, William Abrams, Gene Ussery, James A. Miller, Shahin Lockman, Tendani Gaolathe, Molly Pretorius Holme, Shannon Hader, Lisa A. Mills, Kathleen Wirth, Naomi Bock, Janet Moore
Summary: Through the Botswana Combination Prevention Project, increases in knowledge of HIV-positive status and ART coverage were achieved towards the 95-95 targets. The increases in HIV testing and ART use among men and youth were essential in reaching these targets.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chinyere Okoli, Nicolas Van de Velde, Brent Allan, W. David Hardy, Giulio Maria Corbelli, Marvelous Muchenje, Erika Castellanos, Garry Brough, Benjamin Young, Anton Eremin, Pholokgolo Ramothwala, Marta McBritton, Patricia de los Rios
Summary: Regional differences in HIV burden and perceived treatment needs were identified in the study of PLHIV in 25 countries. Understanding and addressing these differences are crucial for tailored care to improve patients' wellbeing and quality of life globally. The study highlights the importance of equitable approaches to HIV care to ensure patients' unmet needs and preferences are met effectively.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria P. Yavropoulou, Artemis Kolynou, Polyzois Makras, Maria Pikilidou, Sideris Nanoudis, Lemonia Skoura, Olga Tsachouridou, Georgios Ntritsos, Alexandros Tzallas, Dimitrios G. Tsalikakis, Olga Tsave, Simeon Metallidis, Dimitrios Chatzidimitriou
Summary: The study examined the serum expression of miRNAs linked to bone metabolism in individuals with HIV-associated bone loss. It found that miRNA-21-5p and miRNA-23a-3p were significantly decreased while miRNA-24-2-5p was significantly increased in HIV+ individuals with osteoporosis compared to those with normal bone mass. These findings suggest a common pattern of altered circulating miRNAs related to bone metabolism in HIV+ individuals with osteoporosis.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Robert Luo, Youyi Fong, Debi Boeras, Ilesh Jani, Lara Vojnov
Summary: This study aimed to compare the clinical effect of point-of-care HIV testing versus laboratory-based testing in HIV-exposed infants. The results showed that point-of-care testing significantly shortened the time to result delivery, time to antiretroviral therapy initiation, and increased the proportion of HIV-positive infants starting antiretroviral therapy within 60 days compared with standard of care.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yi-Hsuan Chen, Chi-Tai Fang, Ming-Chieh Shih, Kuan-Yin Lin, Shu-Sen Chang, Zong-Tai Wu, Yu-Yao Lee, Chang-Hsun Chen
Summary: The study found that routine HIV testing was associated with lower rates of late diagnosis, HIV-related mortality, and all-cause mortality compared to nonroutine testing based on individual risk assessment.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Laura N. Broyles, Robert Luo, Debi Boeras, Lara Vojnov
Summary: This article summarizes the risk of sexual transmission of HIV from individuals with low-level viral loads and emphasizes its importance in public health. The review of 8 studies shows that the risk of HIV transmission is almost zero when viral loads are below 1000 copies per mL. These findings can help destigmatize HIV and promote adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nils Wetzstein, Ari Geil, Gerrit Kann, Annette Lehn, Gundolf Schuettfort, Johanna Kessel, Tobias M. Bingold, Claus P. Kuepper-Tetzel, Annette Haberl, Christiana Graf, Maria J. G. T. Vehreschild, Christoph Stephan, Michael Hogardt, Thomas A. Wichelhaus, Timo Wolf
Summary: The study found that disseminated NTM disease did not significantly impact mortality in HIV patients in Germany, but patients required specialized medical attention in the first months after discharge. Most patients suffered from infections due to M. avium complex.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Derara Girma, Hiwot Dejene, Leta Adugna Geleta, Mengistu Tesema, Elsabeth Legesse, Tadesse Nigussie, Berhanu Senbeta Deriba, Tinsae Abeya Geleta, Degemu Sahlu, Addisu Waleligne, Sisay Abebe Debela, Mukemil Awol
Summary: This study aimed to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among HIV-positive women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and identify factors associated with HRQoL. The findings revealed that HIV-positive women had poor HRQoL, which was associated with factors such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), age, rural residence, and bedridden functional status. Healthcare providers should screen and support HIV-positive women with poor HRQoL and pay special attention to PTSD screening and management.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yik Lim Kok, Valentina Vongrad, Sandra E. Chaudron, Mohaned Shilaih, Christine Leemann, Kathrin Neumann, Katharina Kusejko, Francesca Di Giallonardo, Herbert Kuster, Dominique L. Braun, Roger D. Kouyos, Huldrych F. Gunthard, Karin J. Metzner
Summary: Characteristics of HIV-1 integration sites are established as early as during primary infection and are found in both resting and activated CD4(+) T cells. HIV-1 integration sites preferentially occur in specific genes and highly expressed genes, regardless of the activation state of CD4(+) T cells. The preference for cancer-related genes is more prominent at later stages of HIV-1 infection.
Article
Infectious Diseases
J. E. Burns, W. Stohr, S. Kinloch-De Loes, J. Fox, A. Clarke, M. Nelson, J. Thornhill, A. Babiker, J. Frater, S. L. Pett, S. Fidler
Summary: The rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy is crucial for individuals with high baseline viral loads, such as in primary HIV-1 infection. This study evaluated the tolerability of four-drug regimens used in the RIVER study and found that they were well tolerated with high adherence rates. Rapid ART initiation occurred in 28% of participants, with all starting within <= 4 weeks.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Erin M. B. Scholz, Angela D. M. Kashuba
Summary: Finding a cure for HIV is still a top priority despite advances in treatment, as chronic HIV infection is linked to an increased risk of comorbidities and the importance of adhering to daily antiretroviral therapy. Viral recrudescence from cellular reservoirs in lymphoid tissues is central to the pathology of HIV, and understanding ARV concentrations and distribution in lymph nodes may explain their maintenance as HIV reservoirs and viral rebound upon treatment interruption.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael C. Sneller, Jana Blazkova, J. Shawn Justement, Victoria Shi, Brooke D. Kennedy, Kathleen Gittens, Jekaterina Tolstenko, Genevieve McCormack, Emily J. Whitehead, Rachel F. Schneck, Michael A. Proschan, Erika Benko, Colin Kovacs, Cihan Oguz, Michael S. Seaman, Marina Caskey, Michel C. Nussenzweig, Anthony S. Fauci, Susan Moir, Tae-Wook Chun
Summary: The combination therapy with broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies can provide long-term virological suppression without antiretroviral therapy in individuals with HIV. This study offers guidance for future clinical trials involving next-generation antibodies with long half-lives.
Article
Dermatology
Huizhen Chen, Yuxia Zhu, Qiu Chen
Summary: The meta-analysis aimed to compare fracture-associated wound infections (FAWIs) in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients undergoing surgical treatment for fractures. 14 examinations from 1991 to 2023 were included, involving 3528 individuals with fractures. The results showed that HIV-positive patients had significantly higher FAWI rates before antiretroviral treatment, but there was no significant difference in FAWI rates after antiretroviral treatment compared to HIV-negative patients. However, caution is needed due to the small sample size and limited number of comparisons in the meta-analysis.
INTERNATIONAL WOUND JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mirjam C. M. Van der Ende-van Loon, A. Stoker, P. T. Nieuwkerk, W. L. Curvers, E. J. Schoon
Summary: This study reviewed instruments used for measuring HRQoL in BE patients, finding none specifically designed or validated for this population. Factors influencing HRQoL in BE patients were identified, emphasizing the importance of choosing PROMs from a patient perspective.
QUALITY OF LIFE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Reja E. A. Schaaf, Myrthe L. Verburgh, Anders Boyd, Ferdinand W. Wit, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk, Maarten F. Schim van der Loeff, Peter Reiss
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing has had an impact on the health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms in older people with HIV. Worrying about contracting COVID-19 is associated with lower health perception and increased risk of depressive symptoms.
JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Karima Amaador, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk, Monique C. Minnema, Marie Jose Kersten, Josephine M. Vos
Summary: Treatment preferences of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM) patients were assessed using a discrete choice experiment. Results showed that 5-year progression-free survival and risk of secondary malignancies were the most important attributes for making treatment choices. Patients preferred fixed-duration treatment with IV/SC administration at the hospital over a continuous daily oral regimen at home. These findings can inform discussions with individual patients and help design clinical trials in WM.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mirjam C. M. van der Ende-van Loon, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk, Stephan H. C. van Stiphout, Robert C. H. Scheffer, Rogier J. J. de Ridder, Roos E. Pouw, Alaa Alkhalaf, Bas L. A. M. Weusten, Wouter L. Curvers, Erik J. Schoon
Summary: The study found that non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (NDBE) patients have similar or better health-related quality of life, anxiety, and depression compared to the general population. However, factors such as cancer worry, gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety and depression, and female gender can influence the negative perception of the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus.
UNITED EUROPEAN GASTROENTEROLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Pien van Paassen, Maartje Dijkstra, Holly L. Peay, Casper Rokx, Annelies Verbon, Peter Reiss, Jan M. Prins, Gail E. Henderson, Stuart Rennie, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk, Godelieve J. de Bree
Summary: Participants of the Netherlands Cohort Study on Acute HIV infection (NOVA study) who started antiretroviral therapy during acute HIV infection have limited knowledge of HIV cure and mostly perceive HIV cure as complete eradication of the virus from their bodies. While they value the importance of HIV cure, concerns about viral rebound and increased infectiousness during antiretroviral therapy interruption (ATI) in clinical trials remain significant. Hope for cure during trial participation persists despite being informed of no personal medical benefit.
JOURNAL OF VIRUS ERADICATION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Anouk Verveen, Elke Wynberg, Hugo D. G. van Willigen, Udi Davidovich, Anja Lok, Eric P. Moll van Charante, Menno D. de Jong, Godelieve de Bree, Maria Prins, Hans Knoop, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk
Summary: This study aims to investigate the long-term health-related quality of life among mild or moderate COVID-19 patients not requiring hospitalization, and assess the impact of public health control measures on their quality of life.
Article
Oncology
Naomi C. A. van der Velden, Hanneke W. M. van Laarhoven, Pythia T. T. Nieuwkerk, Steven C. C. Kuijper, Dirkje W. W. Sommeijer, Petronella B. B. Ottevanger, Helle-Brit Fiebrich, Serge E. E. Dohmen, Geert-Jan Creemers, Filip Y. F. L. de Vos, Ellen M. A. Smets, Inge Henselmans
Summary: In this study, patients' attitudes towards striving for quality of life became more negative over 6 months, while attitudes towards striving for length of life did not change on a group level. The study found that more helplessness/hopelessness, less fighting spirit, less state anxiety, and more observed shared decision making were related to more positive attitudes towards striving for quality of life.
JCO ONCOLOGY PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anjuly Castelan, Jeannine F. Nellen, Marc van der Valk, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of intentional and unintentional non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy among people with HIV, and found that younger age was associated with both types of non-adherence. Intentional non-adherence was also associated with being a migrant from specific regions, having concerns about negative effects of the medication, and strong beliefs about overuse of medicines in general.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Wilda D. Rosmolen, Roos E. Pouw, Mark I. van Berge Henegouwen, Jacques J. Bergman, Mirjam A. Sprangers, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk
Summary: Fear of cancer recurrence after endoscopic treatment for early Barrett's neoplasia decreases over time, but not as much as in surgically treated patients.
DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kennedy M. Ngowi, Linda Minja, I. Marion Sumari-de Boer, Rob E. Aarnoutse, Lyidia Masika, Mirjam A. G. Sprangers, Francis M. Pima, Blandina T. Mmbaga, Peter Reiss, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk
Summary: This study aims to compare the predictive ability of different adherence measures for viral load suppression among participants. The results show that adherence assessed solely by self-report, pharmacy refill count, or real-time medication monitoring is not sensitive enough to predict treatment failure. However, combining all three measures significantly improves sensitivity. The cutoff points for adherence assessment range from 80% to 100%.
AIDS RESEARCH AND THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Florianne M. J. Hafkamp, Esther W. M. Taanman-Kueter, Toni M. M. Van Capel, Elke Wynberg, Hugo D. G. Van Willigen, Anouk Verveen, Neeltje A. Kootstra, Pythia Nieuwkerk, Menno D. de Jong, Godelieve J. de Bree, Maria Prins, Mette D. Hazenberg, Tom Groot Kormelink, Esther C. de Jong, RECoVERED study grp
Summary: Neutrophils in COVID-19 patients, especially those hospitalized, demonstrate aberrant phenotype, impaired degranulation, and reduced ROS generation. These abnormalities may persist for up to 6 months.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Elke Wynberg, Anouk Verveen, Hugo D. G. van Willigen, Pythia Nieuwkerk, Udi Davidovich, Anja Lok, Menno D. de Jong, Godelieve J. de Bree, Tjalling Leenstra, Hans Knoop, Maria Prins, Anders Boyd
Summary: This study utilized data from a prospective cohort study to explore the 2-year trajectories of 'long COVID' and their association with illness perception. The results showed that there was little fluctuation in the total number of symptoms, but individual symptoms may develop as others resolve. Reporting a greater number of symptoms was associated with a more negative illness perception over time.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hugo D. G. van Willigen, Elke Wynberg, Anouk Verveen, Maartje Dijkstra, Bas J. Verkaik, Orlane J. A. Figaroa, Marianne C. de Jong, Annelou L. I. P. van der Veen, Agata Makowska, Nelleke Koedoot, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk, Anders Boyd, Maria Prins, Menno D. de Jong, Godelieve J. de Bree, Joost G. van den Aardweg
Summary: After one year of follow-up, a significant proportion of individuals with moderate or severe/critical COVID-19 still have impaired pulmonary function. However, pulmonary function improves over time in most severity groups. These findings have important implications for the rehabilitation and follow-up of COVID-19 survivors.
Article
Psychiatry
Anouk Verveen, Elke Wynberg, Hugo D. G. van Willigen, Udi Davidovich, Anja Lok, Eric P. Moll van Charante, Menno D. de Jong, Godelieve de Bree, Maria Prins, Hans Knoop, Pythia T. Nieuwkerk
Summary: This study investigates the clinically relevant symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and concentration problems reported by individuals up to 12 months after COVID-19 symptom onset. The findings show that only a minority of patients experience clinically significant mental health issues following the infection.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Primary Health Care
Saskia Bogers, Pythia Nieuwkerk, Nynke van Dijk, Maarten Schim van der Loeff, Suzanne Geerlings, Jan van Bergen, T. van Benthem
Summary: The educational intervention aimed at improving HIV testing by General Practitioners (GPs) in the Netherlands resulted in reported changes in testing behavior. Most GPs reported improvements in STI consultations, adherence to guidelines, proactive testing, and more testing for extragenital STIs. However, barriers such as HIV-related stigma and low perceived risk still existed. The evaluation of the intervention revealed a discrepancy between reported changes and observed increases in testing rates, highlighting challenges in implementation and evaluation.
