Article
Immunology
Ashima Pyngottu, Alexandra U. Scherrer, Roger Kouyos, Michael Huber, Hans Hirsch, Matthieu Perreau, Sabine Yerly, Alexandra Calmy, Matthias Cavassini, Marcel Stoeckle, Hansjakob Furrer, Pietro Vernazza, Enos Bernasconi, Huldrych F. Guenthard
Summary: This study examined factors associated with treatment failure in HIV patients on InSTI-based regimens, finding that high baseline viral load and AIDS-defining events were linked to failure. CD4 cell counts between 200-500 and >500 cells/μL were protective. Risk factors for treatment failure were similar to those for older treatments.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Collins Iwuji, Meg Osler, Lusanda Mazibuko, Natalia Hounsome, Nothando Ngwenya, Rujeko Samanthia Chimukuche, Thandeka Khoza, Dickman Gareta, Henry Sunpath, Andrew Boulle, Kobus Herbst
Summary: This study aims to address the issues of poor viral load monitoring and inadequate management of virological failure in HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy in rural South Africa. By implementing a quality improvement package and technological enhancements, the study seeks to improve viral load monitoring and virological suppression.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Virology
Sontaga Manyana, Lilishia Gounder, Melendhran Pillay, Justen Manasa, Kogieleum Naidoo, Benjamin Chimukangara
Summary: This review discusses the use of Sanger sequencing and next generation sequencing (NGS) for HIV-1 drug resistance genotyping in resource limited settings, highlighting the limitations of Sanger sequencing in terms of cost and throughput, as well as the advantages of NGS in detecting low-abundance drug-resistant variants and reducing per sample costs.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Paul Turner, Priscilla Rupali, Japheth A. Opintan, Walter Jaoko, Nicholas A. Feasey, Sharon J. Peacock, Elizabeth A. Ashley
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to human health globally, and surveillance is crucial for understanding the issue. While there is substantial investment in laboratory capacity in low-income and middle-income countries, there remains a lack of focus on effective laboratory data management.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Virology
Howard Newman, Diana Hardie
Summary: HIV-1 viral load testing is essential for monitoring antiretroviral treatment programs, but resource-limited settings face challenges that affect testing quality. Despite logistical and financial obstacles, innovative solutions exist to overcome barriers and provide widespread access to viral load testing.
REVIEWS IN MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Michal Knapp, Michal Reficha, Danny Haelewaters, Ezequiel Gonzalez
Summary: Winter survival and overwintering performance of invasive ladybirds are negatively affected by parasitic fungus infection. The infected ladybirds have lower survival rates, higher body mass loss, and reduced post-winter longevity. During overwintering, total haemocyte and protein concentration as well as antimicrobial activity decrease. Energy exhaustion is the most probable explanation for increased overwintering mortality in infected ladybirds.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Pediatrics
Angela Dramowski, Marina Aucamp, Emily Beales, Adrie Bekker, Mark Frederic Cotton, Felicity C. Fitzgerald, Appiah-Korang Labi, Neal Russell, Jonathan Strysko, Andrew Whitelaw, Susan Coffin
Summary: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections are significant causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, resulting in prolonged hospitalization and increased healthcare costs. However, there is a lack of research on HAI/AMR prevention in resource-limited neonatal units.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
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
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Samreen Sarwar, Javed Muhammad, Faheem Shahzad
Summary: This paper documents a modified hand washing method that doesn't require the use of disposable paper towels. In this method, both hands and faucets remain in contact with soap for at least 40-60 s. The survey results show that the lab staff found this method to be more applicable and implementable than the WHO-recommended hand washing technique, and it also improved their hand washing compliance. The authors suggest that this hand washing method can be used as an effective risk control measure in resource-limited laboratory settings.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Isaac Tsikhutsu, Margaret Bii, Nicole Dear, Kavitha Ganesan, Alex Kasembeli, Valentine Sing'oei, Kevin Rombosia, Christopher Ochieng, Priyanka Desai, Vanessa Wolfman, Peter Coakley, Elizabeth H. Lee, Patrick W. Hickey, Jeffrey Livezey, Patricia Agaba
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of viral suppression and predictors of viral suppression in children and adolescents living with HIV in Kenya. The study found that 80% of participants achieved viral suppression. Factors associated with viral suppression included longer duration of ART, use of an integrase strand transfer inhibitor-containing regimen, and receiving healthcare at a level 3 facility. On the other hand, missing ART doses, unsuppressed maternal viral load, and fewer adherence counseling referrals were inversely associated with viral suppression.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
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
Immunology
Tanakorn Apornpong, Beatriz Grinsztejn, Michael Hughes, Justin Ritz, Stephen J. Kerr, Courtney Fletcher, Kiat Ruxrungtham, Catherine Godfrey, Robert Gross, Evelyn Hogg, Carole L. Wallis, Sharlaa Badal-Faesen, Mina C. Hosseinipour, Rosie Mngqbisa, Breno R. Santos, Sarita Shah, Laura J. Hovind, Sajeeda Mawlana, Marije Van Schalkwyk, Nuntisa Chotirosniramit, Cecilia Kanyama, Nagalingeswaran Kumarasamy, Robert Salata, Ann C. Collier, Monica Gandhi
Summary: The study found stronger associations between antiretroviral hair concentrations and virologic outcomes compared to self-reported adherence, with decreasing hair concentrations significantly associated with virologic failure. Hair adherence measures could help identify individuals at risk of second-line treatment failure in need of interventions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ni Ni Tun, Frank Smithuis, Nyan Lynn Tun, Myo Min, Myo Ma Ma Hlaing, Josefien van Olmen, Lutgarde Lynen, Tinne Gils
Summary: In resource-limited settings, centralised HIV viral load testing often limits access. In Myanmar, the introduction of near point-of-care (POC) viral load testing significantly increased testing coverage and improved case management.
Article
Virology
John Paul Demosthenes, Ben Chirag Ghale, Diviya Alex, Veena Vadhini Ramalingam, Gnanadurai John Fletcher, Priya Abraham, Rajesh Kannangai
Summary: This study demonstrates the utility of the assay low positive control (LPC) as an effective internal quality control (IQC) for monitoring the reliability of HIV-1 viral load assay. The data shows minimal biological variation in LPC values over ten years, suggesting that LPC can replace IQC for monitoring assay trends in resource-constrained settings.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yun Lan, Xuemei Ling, Xizi Deng, Yaqing Lin, Junbin Li, Liya Li, Ruiying He, Weiping Cai, Feng Li, Linghua Li, Fengyu Hu
Summary: A study in Guangdong, China found that low-level viral load (LLVL) HIV-1 infections have drug resistance mutations. These mutations are associated with the duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART), initial ART regimen, ethnicity, and WHO clinical stages. Therefore, the risk factors associated with HIV drug resistance should be seriously considered for better control.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kasper S. Moestrup, Joanne Reekie, Adrian G. Zucco, Tomas O. Jensen, Jens Ulrik S. Jensen, Lothar Wiese, Sisse R. Ostrowski, Carsten U. Niemann, Cameron MacPherson, Jens Lundgren, Marie Helleberg
Summary: In this study, it was found that the rates of readmissions and deaths after hospital discharge in COVID-19 patients were substantial. This suggests that a 28-day follow-up period, focusing only on recovery, might be too short, especially for critically ill patients.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ashley Roen, Cynthia Terrones, Wendy Bannister, Marie Helleberg, Michael Asger Andersen, Carsten Utoft Niemann, Gedske Daugaard, Lena Specht, Amanda Mocroft, Joanne Reekie, Jens Lundgren
Summary: This study investigates the burden of serious infectious diseases in cancer patients undergoing treatment. The results show that although the incidence of positive blood cultures is not high, the mortality rate is high when it occurs.
Article
Respiratory System
Rebekka Faber Thudium, Andreas Ronit, Shoaib Afzal, Yunus Colak, Julie Lyng Forman, Fernando Mendo, Fabian Chen, Vicente Estrada, Nagalingeswaran Kumarasamy, Borge G. Nordestgaard, Jens Lundgren, Jorgen Vestbo, Ken M. Kunisaki, Susanne Dam Nielsen
Summary: This study compared the decline in lung function between people living with HIV who receive antiretroviral therapy and matched controls, and found that well-treated PLWH have faster lung function decline than controls. Smoking seems to modify this association, suggesting that smoking may lead to more rapid lung function decline in PLWH than in controls.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Migle J. Gabrielaite, Marc Bennedbaek, Malthe Sebro J. Rasmussen, Virginia Kan, Hansjakob J. Furrer, Robert Flisiak, Marcelo J. Losso, Jens D. Lundgren, INSIGHT START Study Group, Rasmus L. Marvig
Summary: After HIV transmission, the viral population becomes more diverse due to recombination and acquired mutations, and this diversity is associated with viral load (VL), a key progression marker. Understanding the relationship between intrahost genetic diversity and VL could help improve HIV monitoring and treatment strategies.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Robbie Hammond, Valentina Cambiano, Fiona C. Lampe, David Asboe, Amanda Clarke, Richard Gilson, Graham J. Hart, Ada Rose Miltz, Nneka Nwokolo, Anne M. Johnson, Andrew N. Phillips, Andrew Speakman, Gary Whitlock, Alison Rodger, Janey Sewell
Summary: A longitudinal study on 622 men who have sex with men (MSM) found that factors such as age, unemployment, smoking, recent condomless sex, recent STI, and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) use were associated with starting chemsex. On the other hand, age over 40, condomless sex, and use of PEP and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) were associated with lower likelihood of stopping chemsex. These findings can help identify individuals at high risk of starting chemsex and provide an opportunity for sexual health services to intervene with risk reduction measures, especially PrEP.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Samuel M. Brown, Christina E. Barkauskas, Birgit Grund, Shweta Sharma, Andrew N. Phillips, Lindsay Leither, Ithan Peltan, Michael Lanspa, Daniel L. Gilstrap, Ahmad Mourad, Kathleen Lane, Jeremy R. Beitler, Alexis L. Serra, Ivan Garcia, Eyad Almasri, Mohamed Fayed, Kinsley Hubel, Estelle S. Harris, Elizabeth A. Middleton, Macy A. G. Barrios, Kusum S. Mathews, Neha N. Goel, Samuel Acquah, Jarrod Mosier, Cameron Hypes, Elizabeth Salvagio Campbell, Akram Khan, Catherine L. Hough, Jennifer G. Wilson, Joseph E. Levitt, Abhijit Duggal, Siddharth Dugar, Andrew J. Goodwin, Charles Terry, Peter Chen, Sam Torbati, Nithya Iyer, Uriel S. Sandkovsky, Nicholas J. Johnson, Bryce R. H. Robinson, Michaela Matthay, Neil Raggarwal, Ivors Douglas, Jonathan Casey, Manuel Hache-Marliere, J. Georges Youssef, William Nkemdirim, Brad Leshnower, Omar Awan, Sonal Pannu, Darragh Shane O'Mahony, Prasad Manian, J. W. Awori Hayanga, Glenn W. Wortmann, Bruno M. Tomazini, Robert F. Miller, Jens-Ulrik Jensen, Daniel Murray, Nina A. Bickell, Jigna Zatakia, Sarah Burris, Elizabeth S. Higgs, Ven Natarajan, Robin L. Dewar, Adam Schechner, Nayon Kang, Alejandro Arenas-Pinto, Fleur Hudson, Adit A. Ginde, Wesley H. Self, Angela J. Rogers, Cathryn F. Oldmixon, Haley Morin, Adriana Sanchez, Amy C. Weintrob, Alexandre Biasi Cavalcanti, Anne Davis-Karim, Nicole Engen, Eileen Denning, B. Taylor Thompson, Annetine C. Gelijns, Virginia Kan, Victoria J. Davey, Jens Lundgren, Abdel G. Babiker, James Neaton, H. Clifford Lane
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of aviptadil in treating acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients. The results showed no significant difference in the primary efficacy outcome at day 90 compared to placebo, and there was also no significant difference in mortality between the two groups. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the aviptadil and placebo groups.
LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christos Argyropoulos, Janina Leckler, Jon Salmanton-Garcia, Marinos Constantinou, Alexandra Alexandrou, Sophia Themistocleous, Evgenia Noula, George Shiamakkides, Andria Nearchou, Fiona A. Stewart, Kerstin Albus, Markela Koniordou, Ioannis Kopsidas, Orly Spivak, Margot Hellemans, Greet Hendrickx, Ruth Joanna Davis, Anna Maria Azzini, Paula Valle Simon, Antonio Javier Carcas-Sansuan, Helena Hervius Askling, Sirkka Vene, Jana Baranda Prellezo, Elena alvarez-Barco, Alan J. Macken, Romina Di Marzo, Catarina Luis, Ole F. Olesen, Jesus A. Frias Iniesta, Imre Barta, Krisztina Toth, Murat Akova, Marc M. J. Bonten, Miriam Cohen-Kandli, Rebecca Jane Cox, Lenka Souckova, Petr Husa, Ligita Jancoriene, Odile Launay, Jens Lundgren, Patrick Mallon, Charis Armeftis, Laura Marques, Pontus Naucler, Jordi Ochando, Evelina Tacconelli, Pierre van Damme, Theoklis Zaoutis, Sanne Hofstraat, Patricia Bruijning-Verhagen, Markus Zeitlinger, Oliver A. Cornely, Zoi Dorothea Pana
Summary: This study aims to develop a toolkit that provides trustworthy information and promotes positive attitudes towards vaccine trials, with a focus on inclusiveness and equity. The produced materials, including brochures, videos, and puzzles, inform the public about the benefits and risks of trial participation and aim to build confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alec Miners, Fiona C. Lampe, Valentina Cambiano, Achim Schwenk, Alison Rodger, Zia Sadique, Sophia Rein, Valerie Delpech, Andrew N. Phillips
Summary: This study aims to understand the healthcare activity and costs associated with caring for people living with HIV. The findings suggest that CD4 cell count and new patient status are the strongest predictors of hospital activity and costs. Demographic factors have weaker associations with costs and activity. These results can be used in future economic evaluations and budget planning.
Article
Infectious Diseases
T. Charles Witzel, Emily Jay Nicholls, Leanne McCabe, Peter Weatherburn, Sheena McCormack, Christopher Bonell, Mitzy Gafos, Fiona C. Lampe, Andrew Speakman, David Dunn, Denise Ward, Andrew N. Phillips, Roger Pebody, Michelle M. Gabriel, Yolanda Collaco-Moraes, Alison J. Rodger, Fiona M. Burns
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between HIV self-testing (HIVST) and harm. The findings show that harms in HIVST are rare, with the potential sources of harm being the testing kit itself, the intervention measures, or the social context of the participants.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kirstine K. Rasmussen, Quenia dos Santos, Cameron Ross Macpherson, Adrian G. Zucco, Lars Klingen Gjaerde, Emma E. Ilett, Isabelle Lodding, Marie Helleberg, Jens D. Lundgren, Susanne D. Nielsen, Susanne Brix, Henrik Sengelov, Daniel D. Murray
Summary: This study investigated the associations between metabolic profiles and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT). The results showed that lower levels of trimethylamine N-oxide were associated with subsequent CMV infection. Exploratory analysis also revealed other metabolic clusters associated with CMV infection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eva A. M. Baerends, Astrid K. Hvidt, Joanne Reekie, Ole S. Sogaard, Nina B. Staerke, Dorthe Raben, Henrik Nielsen, Kristine T. Petersen, Maria R. Juhl, Isik S. Johansen, Susan O. Lindvig, Lone W. Madsen, Lothar Wiese, Lene S. Knudsen, Mette B. Iversen, Thomas Benfield, Kasper K. Iversen, Sidsel D. Andersen, Anna K. Juhl, Lisa L. Dietz, Signe R. Andreasen, Thea K. Fischer, Christian Erikstrup, Palle Valentiner-Branth, Jens Lundgren, Lars Ostergaard, Martin Tolstrup
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron is rapidly spreading globally, even in regions with high vaccination coverage. A study found that high levels of vaccine-induced antibodies provide partial protection against Omicron breakthrough infections. This is important knowledge to further understand the threshold for protection against new variants and to determine the necessity and timing of booster vaccination.
Article
Immunology
Dina Leth Moller, Soren Schwartz Sorensen, Michael Perch, Finn Gustafsson, Annemette Hald, Andreas Delhbaek Knudsen, Ranya Abdulovski, Nicoline Stender Arentoft, Jens Lundgren, Allan Rasmussen, Sisse Rye Ostrowski, Susanne Dam Nielsen
Summary: This study investigated the change in induced cytokine concentrations after solid organ transplantation (SOT) and found that all stimuli except IL-10 showed decreased concentrations post-SOT. The study also found no difference in induced cytokine concentrations pre-SOT between recipients with or without acute rejection. This standardized assay may provide important information on immune function post-SOT.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Morup, Lusine Nazaryan-Petersen, Migle Gabrielaite, Joanne Reekie, Hanne V. Marquart, Hans Jakob Hartling, Rasmus Marvig, Terese L. Katzenstein, Tania N. Masmas, Jens D. Lundgren, Daniel D. Murray, Marie Helleberg, Line Borgwardt
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andrew N. Phillips, Loveleen Bansi-Matharu, Maryam Shahmanesh, James R. Hargreaves, Jennifer Smith, Paul Revill, Euphemia Sibanda, Peter Ehrenkranz, Kenly Sikwese, Alison Rodger, Jens Lundgren, Charles F. Gilks, Catherine Godfrey, Frances Cowan, Valentina Cambiano
Summary: Providing free post-exposure prophylaxis medication to communities without prescription can reduce the incidence of HIV to some extent, but further pilot projects are needed to assess its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)