Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ritu Parchure, Trupti Darak, Purva More, Vijaya Jori, Shrinivas Darak, Lokesh Gabane, Pramod Deoraj, Neha Kapoor, Vinita Verma, Bhawani Singh, Chinmoyee Das, Shobini Rajan, Vinay Kulkarni
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic had varying effects on HIV testing in different populations in Maharashtra, India. While annual HIV testing remained stable among certain groups like Female Sex Workers, Men having Sex with Men, and Transgender individuals, it declined among Migrants and Intravenous Drug Users during the lockdown. However, there was a sharp recovery in testing among most groups after the lockdown, particularly due to community-based screening approaches. Overall, there was a 58% reduction in annual HIV-positive registrations, highlighting the importance of community-based networks and participatory structures in reaching the community during the pandemic.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elizabeth Mueni Mutisya, Vincent Muturi-Kioi, Andrew Abaasa, Delvin Nyasani, Rhoda W. Kabuti, Laura Lunani, Timothy Kotikot, Moses Mundia, Gaudensia Mutua, Geoffrey Ombati, Hannah Nduta, Matt A. Price, Joshua Kimani, Aggrey Omu Anzala
Summary: This study assessed the feasibility of conducting HIV prevention trials among key populations in Nairobi. The results showed that the trial could be conducted successfully within the designated timeframe, and a high incidence of HIV infection was observed, highlighting the need for effective HIV prevention products in these populations.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Pitchaya P. Indravudh, Katherine Fielding, Richard Chilongosi, Rebecca Nzawa, Melissa Neuman, Moses K. Kumwenda, Rose Nyirenda, Cheryl C. Johnson, Miriam Taegtmeyer, Nicola Desmond, Karin Hatzold, Elizabeth L. Corbett
Summary: In rural Malawi, door-to-door distribution of HIV self-testing kits increased recent and lifetime HIV testing rates, showing high safety and potential to contribute to HIV elimination goals.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wilbroad Mutale, Kellie Freeborn, Lauren A. Graybill, Mildred M. Lusaka, Katie R. Mollan, Oliver Mweemba, Margaret Kasaro, Rose Lungu, Andrew Kumwenda, Friday Saidi, Kimberly A. Powers, Suzanne Maman, Nora E. Rosenberg, Benjamin H. Chi
Summary: The study successfully increased HIV testing rates in male partners of pregnant women through a combination approach involving targeted education and self-testing kits, but reduced facility-based testing rates. The findings highlight the importance of considering comprehensive HIV programmes in designing interventions for HIV prevention and treatment during pregnancy.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Sheri A. Lippman, Audrey Pettifor, Mi-Suk Kang Dufour, Chodziwadziwa Whiteson Kabudula, Rhian Twine, Dean Peacock, Rhandzekile Mathebula, Aimee Julien, Rebecca West, Torsten B. Neilands, Ryan Wagner, Ann Gottert, F. Xavier Gomez-Olive, Dumisani Rebombo, Nicole Haberland, Julie Pulerwitz, Louis Pappie Majuba, Stephen Tollman, Kathleen Kahn
Summary: Community mobilisation showed modest improvements in HIV testing and linkage to care, with greater effects observed in women. Integrated efforts addressing social barriers and improved service delivery are necessary for optimal impact.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Melissa Neuman, Bernadette Hensen, Alwyn Mwinga, Namwinga Chintu, Katherine L. Fielding, Nixon Handima, Karin Hatzold, Cheryl Johnson, Chama Mulubwa, Mutinta Nalubamba, Eveline Otte Im Kampe, Musonda Simwinga, Gina Smith, Dickson Tsamwa, Elizabeth Lucy Corbett, Helen Ayles
Summary: Ending HIV by 2030 is a global priority, and alternative HIV testing strategies such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) are needed to reach all individuals with HIV testing services (HTS). This study evaluated the impact of community-based distribution of HIVST on HTS uptake in rural and urban Zambia, finding that despite distributing a large number of HIVST kits, there was no evidence of increased HTS uptake. Other models, such as secondary distribution and community-designed distribution, may provide alternative strategies to reach target populations.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Helen O. Pitchik, Fahmida Tofail, Mahbubur Rahman, Fahmida Akter, Jesmin Sultana, Abul Kasham Shoab, Tarique Md Nurul Huda, Tania Jahir, Md Ruhul Amin, Md Khobair Hossain, Jyoti Bhushan Das, Esther O. Chung, Kendra A. Byrd, Farzana Yeasmin, Laura H. Kwong, Jenna E. Forsyth, Malay K. Mridha, Peter J. Winch, Stephen P. Luby, Lia C. H. Fernald
Summary: In this study, a multicomponent, group-based early child development intervention was evaluated in rural Bangladesh. The results indicate that both group and combined interventions were effective in improving child development outcomes, suggesting the potential for scaling up such interventions.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tiffany Lillie, Dorica Boyee, Gloriose Kamariza, Alphonse Nkunzimana, Dismas Gashobotse, Navindra Persaud
Summary: This study in Burundi implemented peer-assisted HIV self-testing (HIVST) for female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender people to improve access to HIV testing and link confirmed HIV positive individuals to treatment. The results showed higher HIV seropositivity rates among those tested with HIVST compared to standard testing, demonstrating the effectiveness of HIVST in diagnosing underserved key populations and connecting them to treatment.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sheila Harvey, Tanya Abramsky, Gerry Mshana, Christian Holm Hansen, Grace J. Mtolela, Flora Madaha, Ramadhan Hashim, Imma Kapinga, Charlotte Watts, Shelley Lees, Saidi Kapiga
Summary: The intervention was effective in reducing emotional abuse and positively impacting attitudes and beliefs condoning IPV, but was not sufficient to reduce physical or sexual IPV.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joseph Kamanga, Kayla Stankevitz, Andres Martinez, Robert Chiegil, Lameck Nyirenda, Florence Mulenga, Mario Chen, Mulamuli Mpofu, Sam Lubasi, Moses Bateganya
Summary: The Open Doors project was successful in reaching a large number of previously undiagnosed key populations by implementing targeted managerial and technical interventions, resulting in a significant increase in HIV positivity rate sustained over 12 months. This demonstrates the effectiveness of differentiated, data-driven approaches in closing the 95-95-95 gaps among key populations.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
David Coomes, Dylan Green, Ruanne Barnabas, Monisha Sharma, Magdalena Barr-DiChiara, Muhammad S. Jamil, R. Baggaley, Morkor Newman Owiredu, Virginia Macdonald, Van Thi Thuy Nguyen, Son Hai Vo, Melanie Taylor, Teodora Wi, Cheryl Johnson, Alison L. Drake
Summary: Annual HIV and syphilis testing among key populations using dual RDT is cost-effective in Vietnam and similar settings to achieve global reduction goals for HIV and syphilis.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mirthe Muilwijk, Marie Loh, Samreen Siddiqui, Sara Mahmood, Saranya Palaniswamy, Khurram Shahzad, Lathika K. Athauda, Ranil Jayawardena, Tayyaba Batool, Saira Burney, Matthew Glover, Vodathi Bamunuarachchi, Manju Panda, Madawa Madawanarachchi, Baldeesh Rai, Iqra Sattar, Wnurinham Silva, Swati Waghdhare, Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin, Ravindra Prasan Rannan-Eliya, Nilmini Wijemunige, Heather M. Gage, Jonathan Valabhji, Gary S. Frost, Rajitha Wickremasinghe, Anuradhani Kasturiratne, Khadija Khawaja, Sajjad Ahmad, Irene G. M. van Valkengoed, Prasad Katulanda, Sujeet Jha, Jaspal S. Kooner, John C. Chambers
Summary: The study assessed the effectiveness of intensive family-based lifestyle intervention for South Asians at risk of T2D in terms of weight loss, improved glycaemia and blood pressure. The intervention group showed significant reductions in weight and waist circumference at 12 months, while the control group had smaller reductions.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Angelo Brandelli Costa, Lucas Henriques Viscardi, Marina Feijo, Anna Martha Vaitses Fontanari
Summary: This study assessed the effectiveness of HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT-HIV) for sexual risk reduction among key populations (KP). The results showed that VCT-HIV reduced the frequency of unsafe sex compared to baseline. However, the findings are limited to men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who inject drugs (PWID), indicating a lack of data on other key populations.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Israa Alzain Ali, Arun Shet, Maya Mascarenhas, Maria Rosaria Galanti
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of maternal counselling on the intake of nutrients related to anaemia prevention in anaemic children. The results showed inconclusive evidence of improvement in nutrient intake between the intervention and control groups, with overall intake remaining below recommended levels. This highlights the need for multi-component anaemia prevention interventions addressing factors such as availability of nutritious food.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dafna Kanny, Dita Broz, Teresa Finlayson, Kathryn Lee, Catlainn Sionean, Cyprian Wejnert
Summary: The National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) is a comprehensive system for monitoring the impact of HIV among key populations. This system collects data on behavioral risk factors, HIV testing, and prevention service use. NHBS data are essential for describing trends, tailoring prevention activities, and evaluating HIV prevention efforts. It provides valuable information for public health officials and researchers to identify prevention needs and allocate resources.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Keri N. Althoff, Oliver Laeyendecker, Rong Li, Sally B. Coburn, Ethan Klock, Owen R. Baker, Thomas C. Quinn, Jeffrey Michael, Wendy C. Shields, Johnathon Ehsani, F. Dennis Thomas, Lindsey A. Graham, Zabiullah Ali, Yukari C. Manabe, Ling Li
Summary: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among decedents undergoing forensic postmortem examination in Maryland was 10% in June. Decedents of motor vehicle crashes showed similar seroprevalence compared to those with a natural death, including individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting they may be a sentinel surveillance population.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ronald Moses Galiwango, Charles Ssuuna, Pontiano Kaleebu, Godfrey Kigozi, Joseph Kagaayi, Gertrude Nakigozi, Steven James Reynolds, Tom Lutalo, Edward Nelson Kankaka, John Bosco Wasswa, Sarah N. Kalibbala, Aminah N. Kigozi, Christine Watera, Julia Ejang, Anthony Ndyanabo, Aggrey J. Anok, Deogratius Ssemwanga, Freddie M. Kibengo, Thomas C. Quinn, Mary Grabowski, Larry W. Chang, Maria Wawer, Ronald Gray, Oliver Laeyendecker, David Serwadda
Summary: Point of care rapid recency testing for HIV-1 in Uganda showed low sensitivity and high specificity, with substantial interlaboratory variability. Additional assessment in different settings is needed to evaluate test utility.
AIDS RESEARCH AND HUMAN RETROVIRUSES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Doug Morrison, Oliver Laeyendecker, Ron Brookmeyer
Summary: The study introduces a method for generalized linear regression with interval-censored covariates, which indirectly infers the distribution of the covariate of interest compared to other conventional approaches. The proposed method shows less bias but slight increases in standard error when compared to midpoint analysis and uniform imputation methods.
Article
Immunology
Bezawit A. Woldemeskel, Andrew H. Karaba, Caroline C. Garliss, Evan J. Beck, Kristy H. Wang, Oliver Laeyendecker, Andrea L. Cox, Joel N. Blankson
Summary: Past studies have shown that some vaccines do not elicit optimal responses in individuals living with HIV. However, this study demonstrates that the BNT162b2 vaccine induces robust immune responses in these patients comparable to those in healthy donors.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Charles Ssuuna, Ronald Moses Galiwango, Edward Nelson Kankaka, Joseph Kagaayi, Anthony Ndyanabo, Godfrey Kigozi, Gertrude Nakigozi, Tom Lutalo, Robert Ssekubugu, John Bosco Wasswa, Anthony Mayinja, Martina Cathy Nakibuuka, Samiri Jamiru, John Baptist Oketch, Edward Muwanga, Larry William Chang, Mary Kate Grabowski, Maria Wawer, Ronald Gray, Mark Anderson, Michael Stec, Gavin Cloherty, Oliver Laeyendecker, Steven James Reynolds, Thomas C. Quinn, David Serwadda
Summary: The study found a high seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among HCW in South-Central Uganda, with a rate of 26.7%. Additionally, individuals presenting with specific COVID-19 like symptoms had a seroprevalence rate of 15.6%. Prior to the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Uganda, 2.3% of collected plasma specimens exhibited reactivity.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Evan J. Beck, Yu-Hsiang Hsieh, Reinaldo E. Fernandez, Gaby Dashler, Emily R. Egbert, Shawn A. Truelove, Caroline Garliss, Richard Wang, Evan M. Bloch, Ruchee Shrestha, Joel Blankson, Andrea L. Cox, Yukari C. Manabe, Thomas Kickler, Richard E. Rothman, Andrew D. Redd, Aaron A. R. Tobian, Aaron M. Milstone, Thomas C. Quinn, Oliver Laeyendecker
Summary: Emergency departments can be used as surveillance sites for infectious diseases. This study aimed to determine the burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection and monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination among patients attending an urban ED in Baltimore City. A testing algorithm was developed to differentiate between previously infected, vaccinated, and unexposed individuals using antibody assays. The study found significant differences in disease burden and vaccination coverage based on sex, race, and ethnicity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chris Wymant, Daniela Bezemer, Francois Blanquart, Luca Ferretti, Astrid Gall, Matthew Hall, Tanya Golubchik, Margreet Bakker, Swee Hoe Ong, Lele Zhao, David Bonsall, Mariateresa de Cesare, George MacIntyre-Cockett, Lucie Abeler-Doerner, Jan Albert, Norbert Bannert, Jacques Fellay, M. Kate Grabowski, Barbara Gunsenheimer-Bartmeyer, Huldrych F. Gunthard, Pia Kivela, Roger D. Kouyos, Oliver Laeyendecker, Laurence Meyer, Kholoud Porter, Matti Ristola, Ard van Sighem, Ben Berkhout, Paul Kellam, Marion Cornelissen, Peter Reiss, Christophe Fraser
Summary: A highly virulent variant of subtype-B HIV-1 was discovered in the Netherlands. Infected individuals with this variant had significantly higher viral loads and faster decline in CD4 cells compared to other subtype-B strains. The increased virulence is attributed to the viral strain, and the variant emerged in the 1990s with increased transmissibility and an unfamiliar molecular mechanism of virulence.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Han-Sol Park, Janna R. Shapiro, Ioannis Sitaras, Bezawit A. Woldemeskel, Caroline C. Garliss, Amanda Dziedzic, Jaiprasath Sachithanandham, Anne E. Jedlicka, Christopher A. Caputo, Kimberly E. Rousseau, Manjusha Thakar, San Suwanmanee, Pricila Hauk, Lateef Aliyu, Natalia Majewska, Sushmita Koley, Bela Patel, Patrick Broderick, Giselle Mosnaim, Sonya L. Heath, Emily S. Spivak, Aarthi Shenoy, Evan M. Bloch, Thomas J. Gniadek, Shmuel Shoham, Arturo Casadevall, Daniel Hanley, Andrea L. Cox, Oliver Laeyendecker, Michael J. Betenbaugh, Steven M. Cramer, Heba H. Mostafa, Andrew Pekosz, Joel N. Blankson, Sabra L. Klein, Aaron A. R. Tobian, David Sullivan, Kelly A. Gebo
Summary: Benchmarks for protective immunity from infection or severe disease after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are still being defined. In this study, the researchers compared different immune responses and viral variants in different groups, including vaccinated individuals and symptomatic patients. The findings showed that neutralizing antibody levels declined over time and were lower against the Alpha variant. Partially and fully vaccinated patients had lower neutralizing antibody levels against the parent virus compared to healthy controls. The study also found that neutralization activity against the Alpha variant was lower in the partially and fully vaccinated infected patients. Parent virus neutralization was identified as a predictive factor for breakthrough infections with the Alpha variant.
Article
Microbiology
Andrew D. Redd, Alessandra Nardin, Hassen Kared, Evan M. Bloch, Brian Abel, Andrew Pekosz, Oliver Laeyendecker, Michael Fehlings, Thomas C. Quinn, Aaron A. R. Tobian
Summary: This study found that the newly identified Omicron variant of concern contains only one mutation in a low-prevalence epitope targeted by CD8(+) T cells, suggesting that the T-cell immune response in previously infected and vaccinated individuals should still be effective against Omicron.
Letter
Immunology
Pachamuthu Balakrishnan, A. S. Smiline Girija, Iyanar Kannan, Ramachandran Vignesh, Esaki M. Shankar, Sree T. Sucharitha
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jaisheela Vimali, Yean Kong Yong, Amudhan Murugesan, Kumaran Vishnupriya, Rajeev Ashwin, Evangeline Ann Daniel, Pachamuthu Balakrishnan, Sivadoss Raju, Mohamed Rosmawati, Vijayakumar Velu, Marie Larsson, Esaki M. Shankar
Summary: Chronic viral infections lead to cytokine perturbations, which play a key role in the development of the disease. This study found differential cytokine profiles in different infection groups, and cytokine levels were positively correlated with viral loads and liver parameters. Furthermore, IL-5 and IL-7 were identified as cytokines that are closely related to viral control in HBV and HIV infections, respectively.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jaisheela Vimali, Yean K. Yong, Amudhan Murugesan, Rajeev Ashwin, Pachamuthu Balakrishnan, Sivadoss Raju, Vijayakumar Velu, Marie Larsson, Esaki M. Shankar
Summary: Scientific observations suggest that human pegivirus (HPgV) has a positive impact on the progression of HIV disease, potentially reducing HIV viral load and hepatic injury.
Article
Microbiology
Andrew H. Karaba, Trevor S. Johnston, Evan Beck, Oliver Laeyendecker, Andrea L. Cox, Sabra L. Klein, David J. Sullivan
Summary: The relevance of preexisting immunity to the four endemic human coronaviruses in the first week of COVID-19 illness on the outcome of COVID-19 progression stems from the high prevalence of the ehCoV and SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses. The question has been raised of whether therapeutic convalescent plasma or control plasma containing ehCoV antibodies might alter the outcome of COVID-19 progression to hospitalization.
Article
Microbiology
Feben Habtehyimer, Xianming Zhu, Andrew D. Redd, Kelly A. Gebo, Alison G. Abraham, Eshan U. Patel, Oliver Laeyendecker, Thomas J. Gniadek, Reinaldo E. Fernandez, Owen R. Baker, Malathi Ram, Edward R. Cachay, Judith S. Currier, Yuriko Fukuta, Jonathan M. Gerber, Sonya L. Heath, Barry Meisenberg, Moises A. Huaman, Adam C. Levine, Aarthi Shenoy, Shweta Anjan, Janis E. Blair, Daniel Cruser, Donald N. Forthal, Laura L. Hammitt, Seble Kassaye, Giselle S. Mosnaim, Bela Patel, James H. Paxton, Jay S. Raval, Catherine G. Sutcliffe, Matthew Abinante, Kevin S. Oei, Valerie Cluzet, Marie Elena Cordisco, Benjamin Greenblatt, William Rausch, David Shade, Amy L. Gawad, Sabra L. Klein, Andrew Pekosz, Shmuel Shoham, Arturo Casadevall, Evan M. Bloch, Daniel Hanley, Aaron A. R. Tobian, David J. Sullivan
Summary: Early convalescent plasma transfusion can reduce the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 patients, possibly by decreasing IL-6 levels and reducing disease severity.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Eshan U. Patel, Evan M. Bloch, William Clarke, Yu-Hsiang Hsieh, Denali Boon, Yolanda Eby, Reinaldo E. Fernandez, Owen R. Baker, Morgan Keruly, Charles S. Kirby, Ethan Klock, Kirsten Littlefield, Jernelle Miller, Haley A. Schmidt, Philip Sullivan, Estelle Piwowar-Manning, Ruchee Shrestha, Andrew D. Redd, Richard E. Rothman, David Sullivan, Shmuel Shoham, Arturo Casadevall, Thomas C. Quinn, Andrew Pekosz, Aaron A. R. Tobian, Oliver Laeyendecker
Summary: Accurate serological assays are crucial for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, but commercial EIAs may not always accurately detect high nAb titers in individuals, indicating the limitations of current diagnostic methods for COVID-19 convalescent plasma donation.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)