Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cases Research Articles

HIV/AIDS-RELATED FACTORS AMONGST THE LGBTQ PEOPLE IN SURABAYA

Background: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one of the diseases that cause death in the world caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Since it was first discovered in 1987 until December 2017, the number of person with AIDS was 102,667, and the number of person with HIV infections was 280,623. HIV/AIDS cases in East Java occupy the second highest position in Indonesia. Surabaya is the first city in East Java with 934 HIV cases in 2017. LGBTQ is one of the groups at risk of getting HIV/AIDS with prevalence was 24.82%. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that influence LGBTQ related to the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Surabaya. Material and Method: This study was an analytic research using a cross sectional approach. The subject was 80 LGBTQ respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires then analyzed using Chi-square test, with α = 0.05. Result: The highest age group was 42-46 years (22.5%), the last level of education was dominated by high school (41.3%), and the most types of work were private employees (47.4%). There was no correlation between predisposing factors in the form of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and respondent's HIV status (p = 0.729), there was no correlation between enabling factors in the form of condoms and respondent's HIV status (p = 0.624), there was no correlation between the reinforcing factor in the form of family support with the HIV status of the respondent (p = 0.674) and there was no correlation between preventive behavior and the HIV status of the respondent (p = 0.540). Conclusion: The need for support between LGBTQs for the dangers of HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ should be more aware of their own health and environment with their social patterns

Moving forward: Cost-Effectiveness of PrEP in HIV prevention for Men Who Have Sex with Men in Italy

Abstract Globally, in 2018 1.7 million people contracted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and 770,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) have one of the highest probabilities of HIV transmission. In Italy, in 2018 2,847 new HIV cases were diagnosed, of which 39% among MSM. The MSM population accounts for 16,690 individuals whereof 50% already underwent the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of daily Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in the Italian MSM susceptible population. A Markov transition model was calibrated to the HIV epidemic among MSM in Italy, comparing PrEP to naïve patients (NP). Model parameters were retrieved by querying scientific databases. Transition probabilities were adjusted for incidence of HIV while costs and benefits were discounted at an annual rate of 3%. The impact on results of critical parameters was explored through a Monte Carlo-based sensitivity analysis. The cost-effectiveness analysis results were reported as Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) express as € per Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained. The introduction of such a PrEP program would result in a total cost of €822,398,199 million and lead to a gain of 70,762 discounted QALYs over an 85-year time horizon. Assuming a 92% efficacy of PrEP therapy, the ICER for the PrEP program is €4,346.16/QALY gained. This value is definitively lower than acceptability NICE threshold (£20,000). PrEP can reduce the infection rate up to 60% in a five-year period. The Monte Carlo simulation confirmed the robustness of the model results. This analysis showed PrEP to be cost-effective when used in a susceptible population. Even if PrEP doesn't protect from other sex-related infectious diseases, it could prevent HIV transmission, thus breaking down HIV-infection incidence rate. Each country should reflect on the real possibility to implement a robust Public Health program pondering the adoption of PrEP. Key messages PrEP is very effective at reducing HIV infection when taken correctly. It is the backbone in the “combination prevention”, necessary to reach the SDG of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. This preliminary analysis suggests that the introduction of a daily PrEP program for MSM in Italy is cost-effective and possibly cost saving in the long term.

Concurrent Hepatitis C and B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections Are Associated With Higher Mortality Risk Illustrating the Impact of Syndemics on Health Outcomes.

BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are associated with significant mortality globally and in North America. However, data on impact of concurrent multiple infections on mortality risk are limited. We evaluated the effect of HCV, HBV, and HIV infections and coinfections and associated factors on all-cause mortality in British Columbia (BC), Canada.MethodsThe BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort includes ~1.7 million individuals tested for HCV or HIV, or reported as a case of HCV, HIV, or HBV from 1990 to 2015, linked to administrative databases. We followed people with HCV, HBV, or HIV monoinfection, coinfections, and triple infections from their negative status to date of death or December 31, 2016. Extended Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with all-cause mortality.ResultsOf 658 704 individuals tested for HCV, HBV, and HIV, there were 33 804 (5.13%) deaths. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, individuals with HCV/HBV/HIV (HR, 8.9; 95% CI, 8.2–9.7) infections had the highest risk of mortality followed by HCV/HIV (HR, 4.8; 95% CI, 4.4–5.1), HBV/HIV (HR, 4.1; 95% CI, 3.5–4.8), HCV/HBV (HR, 3.9; 95% CI, 3.7–4.2), HCV (HR, 2.6; 95% CI, 2.6–2.7), HBV (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 2.0–2.3), and HIV (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.5–1.7). Additional factors associated with mortality included injection drug use, problematic alcohol use, material deprivation, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and hypertension.ConclusionsConcurrent multiple infections are associated with high mortality risk. Substance use, comorbidities, and material disadvantage were significantly associated with mortality independent of coinfection. Preventive interventions, including harm reduction combined with coinfection treatments, can significantly reduce mortality.

Ending the HIV Epidemic: Contributions Resulting From Syphilis Partner Services.

There is a high level of coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among persons diagnosed with syphilis in the United States. Public health workers at state and local health departments help inform exposed partners to sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV infections to facilitate early testing and treatment (partner services). The federal initiative, Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE), identifies 4 key strategies: diagnose, treat, prevent, and respond. This study describes the contributions of syphilis partner services to the EHE strategies in a county prioritized by the EHE plan. A retrospective record review of reported early syphilis cases (less than 1 year's duration) between 2016 and 2018 in the Indianapolis area was conducted to determine the extent of new HIV diagnoses, retention in HIV care, and other evidence-based HIV prevention interventions occurring after provision of syphilis partner services. A total of 752 partners to early syphilis were attempted to be notified of exposure. There were 1,457 case patients and partners that received STD/HIV prevention counseling; 400 partners received STD treatment, 352 partners learned their HIV status, and 22 received new HIV diagnoses, with 68% retained in medical care and 60% virally suppressed. Two thirds of partner services were completed within 21 days. New HIV positivity among partners to HIV-negative syphilis case patients was 3.5% and 14% among HIV-positive syphilis case patients. Partner services for syphilis was an effective method of addressing the EHE strategies, resulting in persons at risk tested, STD treatment provided, behavioral prevention counseling provided, and new HIV cases identified, leading to retention in medical care and viral suppression.

Correlates of inconsistent condom use and drug use among men having sex with men in Poland: a cross-sectional study.

The number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses is rising in many parts of Europe. We sought to evaluate the rising prevalence of new HIV diagnoses in Poland, where the majority of newly-diagnosed HIV cases are men having sex with men (MSM). This study aims to measure the prevalence of condom use and drug use and to identify risk factors for contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among MSM in Poland by distributing an anonymous online survey aimed toward MSM. Among the 1438 participants who completed valid surveys, those with low education level and greater than 100 prior sexual partners showed the highest odds for inconsistent condom use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.027, 2.044, respectively). Participants who identified themselves as heterosexuals, with multiple sexual partners and living in big cities showed the highest odds for drug use (aOR 4.869, 3.305, 1.720, respectively). This study identifies groups at the highest risk of HIV/STIs and provides valuable information for public health experts to develop targeted STI prevention campaigns.

Virus-Specific T Cell Therapies for HIV: Lessons Learned From Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has caused millions of deaths and continues to threaten the health of millions of people worldwide. Despite anti-retroviral therapy (ART) substantially alleviating severity and limiting transmission, HIV has not been eradicated and its persistence can lead to other health concerns such as cancer. The only two cases of HIV cure to date are HIV+ cancer patients receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from a donor with the CCR5 Δ32 mutation. While this approach has not led to such success in other patients and is not applicable to HIV+ individuals without cancer, the encouraging results may point toward a breakthrough in developing a cure strategy for HIV. Adoptive transfer of virus-specific T cells (VSTs) post HSCT has been effectively used to treat and prevent reactivation of latent viral infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), making VSTs an attractive therapeutic to control HIV rebound. Here we will discuss the potential of using adoptive T cell therapies in combination with other treatments such as HSCT and latency reversing agents (LRAs) to achieve a functional cure for HIV.

Factors Associated With Poor Linkage to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care Among Index Clients and Sex Partners Receiving Human Immunodeficiency Virus Assisted Partner Services in Kenya.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) assisted partner services (aPS) has been recommended as a strategy to increase HIV case finding. We evaluated factors associated with poor linkage to HIV care among newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals (index clients) and their partners after receiving aPS in Kenya. In a cluster randomized trial conducted between 2013 and 2015, 9 facilities were randomized to immediate aPS (intervention). Linkage to care-defined as HIV clinic registration, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation were self-reported. Antiretroviral therapy was only offered to those with CD4 less than 500 during this period. We estimated linkage to care and ART initiation separately for index clients and their partners using log-binomial generalized estimating equation models with exchangeable correlation structure and robust standard errors. Overall, 550 index clients and 621 sex partners enrolled, of whom 46% (284 of 621) were HIV-positive. Of the 284, 264 (93%) sex partners returned at 6 weeks: 120 newly diagnosed and 144 whom had known HIV-positive status. Among the 120 newly diagnosed, only 69% (83) linked to care at 6 weeks, whereas among the 18 known HIV-positive sex partners not already in care at baseline, 61% (11) linked. Newly diagnosed HIV-positive sex partners who were younger and single were less likely to link to care (P < 0.05 for all). Only two thirds of newly diagnosed, and known HIV-positive sex partners not in care linked to care after receiving aPS. The HIV aPS programs should optimize HIV care for newly diagnosed HIV-positive sex partners, especially those who are younger and single.

Proportion and Characterization of Co-infections of HIV and Hepatitis C or Hepatitis B among People with HIV in Alabama, 2007-2016.

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk of other infections, including viral hepatitis, which can complicate the treatment and progression of the disease. We sought to characterize Alabama cases of HIV co-infected with hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B virus. Using surveillance data, we defined co-infection as a person identified as having hepatitis C or hepatitis B and HIV during 2007-2016. We compared demographics, outcomes, and risk factors for co-infected versus monoinfected individuals with HIV. We mapped co-infected individuals' distribution. Of 5824 people with HIV, 259 (4.4%) were co-infected with hepatitis C (antibody or RNA positive) and 145 (2.5%) with hepatitis B (surface antigen, e antigen, or DNA positive) during 2007-2016. Individuals with HIV and hepatitis C had a greater odds of injection drug use (adjusted odds ratio 9.7; 95% confidence interval 6.0-15.5). Individuals with HIV and hepatitis B had a greater odds of male-to-male sexual contact (adjusted odds ratio 1.7; 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.6). Co-infection was greater in urban public health districts. We identified risk behaviors among Alabama populations associated with increased odds for HIV and viral hepatitis co-infection. Outreach, prevention, testing, and treatment resources can be targeted to these populations.

Depression and HIV risk behaviors among adolescent girls and young women seeking family planning services in Western Kenya.

We assessed prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors and depressive symptoms among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15-24 years attending four public family planning clinics in Western Kenya from January to June 2019. Moderate-to-severe depression (MSD) was defined as a Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) score ≥10. Among 487 AGYW, the median age was 22 years (interquartile range 20-23), and 59 (12%) AGYW reported MSD. MSD was more prevalent among AGYW without a current partner (p = 0.001) and associated with HIV risk factors including partner ≥10 years older, recent transactional sex, forced sex, intimate partner violence, and alcohol use (each p ≤ 0.005). Thirty-four percent of AGYW with MSD had a high HIV risk score corresponding to 5 to 15 incident HIV cases per 100 person-years. Overlapping high prevalence of depression and HIV risk among AGYW underscores the need for integrated mental health and HIV services in family planning clinics.

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) PREVENTION PROGRAM AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN (MSM) IN SEMARANG CITY

Background: The prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) in Indonesia continues to increase. The HIV cases among MSM in Semarang increased by 43 cases in 2013 to 147 cases in 2017. The prevalence of syphilis among MSM increased by 5.20% in 2011 to 11.38% in 2015. The use of condoms among MSM does not reach 50%. The Prevention of Sexual Transmission of HIV Program or Pencegahan HIV melalui Transmisi Seksual (PMTS) that focuses on sexual transmission risk factors did not provide optimal results.Aim: This study aimed to analyze aspects affecting the PMTS Program on MSM in Semarang City, including standard and objectives, resources, inter-organizational communication and enforcement activities, characteristics of the implementing agencies, economic, social, and political conditions, and the disposition of implementors.Method: This study was a descriptive study using a qualitative approach. Primary data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 14 informants, while secondary data were obtained from observation and document analysis. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The research was conducted from July to October 2019 in Semarang City.Results: The implemetation of the PMTS Program among MSM has some gaps. For example, these included (1) unclear standards of PMTS Program, (2) limited funding and infrastructures, (3) lack of communication, (4) stigma and discrimination at the stakeholder level, implementing agencies level, and community level.Conclusion: The implementation of PMTS Program among MSM has not worked appropriately. Eliminating stigma and discrimination against MSM needs to be taken into account. All health workers in primary healthcare centers must be introduced to the diminish of stigma and discrimination against MSM. Communication and coordination as well as resources among the program implementers have to be more well-established. Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Men who have Sex with Men, prevention program.

A Recent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Outbreak Among People Who Inject Drugs in Munich, Germany, Is Associated With Consumption of Synthetic Cathinones.

BackgroundNeedle and syringe sharing among people who inject drugs (PWID) can result in a rapid regional spread of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) variant. Such outbreaks have been identified recently in several countries and have raised public health attention because of an association with new psychoactive substances (NPS).MethodsDried serum spots from approximately 60% of newly diagnosed HIV cases in Germany in 2013–2018 were received together with statutory notification data. Samples were sequenced in the pol-region, genotyped, and viral phylogenies were analyzed. For selected samples, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) status and the presence of NPS were determined.ResultsAn outbreak of closely related 27 subtype C infections with a core of 11 cases with almost identical sequences was identified using phylogenetic analyses. The first case of the outbreak was diagnosed in 2015, and the last one was in 2018. With exception of 3 infections, all were reported from Munich, the capital of the federal state of Bavaria. Of 26 analyzed outbreak members, 24 (92.3%) had a resolved or viremic HCV coinfection. In 8 of 18 (44%) cases, α-pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone and/or the related substance α-pyrrolidinoheptiophenone was identified.ConclusionsDespite harm reduction services in place, HIV outbreaks of considerable size can occur in PWID. The establishment of a real-time molecular surveillance is advised to rapidly identify outbreaks and target prevention measures.

New Strategies in Clinical Guideline Delivery: Randomized Trial of Online, Interactive Decision Support Versus Guidelines for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Treatment Selection by Trainees.

Support for clinicians in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medicine is critical given national HIV-provider shortages. The US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines are comprehensive but complex to apply for antiretroviral therapy (ART) selection. Human immunodeficiency virus antiretroviral selection support and interactive search tool (HIV-ASSIST) (www.hivassist.com) is a free tool providing ART decision support that could augment implementation of clinical practice guidelines. We conducted a randomized study of medical trainees at Johns Hopkins University, in which participants were asked to select an ART regimen for 10 HIV case scenarios through an electronic survey. Participants were randomized to receive either DHHS guidelines alone, or DHHS guidelines and HIV-ASSIST to support their decision making. ART selections were graded "appropriate" if consistent with DHHS guidelines, or concordant with regimens selected by HIV experts at 4 academic institutions. Among 118 trainees, participants randomized to receive HIV-ASSIST had a significantly higher percentage of appropriate ART selections compared to those receiving DHHS guidelines alone (percentage of appropriate responses in DHHS vs HIV-ASSIST arms: median [Q1, Q3], 40% [30%, 50%] vs 90% [80%, 100%]; P < .001). The effect was seen for all case types, but most pronounced for complex cases involving ART-experienced patients with ongoing viremia (DHHS vs HIV-ASSIST: median [Q1, Q3], 0% [0%, 33%] vs 100% [66%, 100%]). Trainees using HIV-ASSIST were significantly more likely to choose appropriate ART regimens compared to those using guidelines alone. Interactive decision support tools may be important to ensure appropriate implementation of HIV guidelines. NCT04080765.

Impact of sickle cell disease on presentation and progression of paediatric HIV: a retrospective cohort study.

HIV and sickle cell disease (SCD) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Given their separate roles in immune dysregulation, our objective was to characterise the impact that SCD has on the presentation and progression of paediatric HIV. The study was a retrospective cohort study (study period 2004-2018). Cases of HIV+and SCD-afflicted patients (HIV+/SCD+) were obtained via electronic chart review from a paediatric HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda and matched 1:3 with HIV+controls without SCD (HIV+/SCD-). Thirty-five HIV+/SCD+subjects and 95 HIV+/SCD- controls were analysed (39% female (51/130), age 3.6years (SD3.9)). At baseline, WHO clinical stage (64% total cohort Stage III/IV) and nutritional status (9.4% severe acute malnutrition) were similar for both groups, whereas HIV+/SCD+had higher though non-significant baseline CD4 count (1036 (SD713) vs 849 (SD638) cells/microlitre, P=0.20, two-tailed t-test). There were 19 deaths, 6 (17%) HIV+/SCD+and 13 (14%) HIV+/SCD-, with unadjusted/adjusted models showing no significant difference. Nutritional progression and clinical stage progression showed no significant differences between groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a slower rate of treatment failures in the HIV+/SCD+cohort (P=0.11, log-rank survival test). Trajectory analysis showed that in the time period analysed, the HIV+/SCD+cohort showed a more rapid rise and higher total CD4 count (P=0.012, regression analysis). The study suggests that SCD does not adversely affect the progression of HIV in patients on ART. Further, HIV+/SCD+achieved higher CD4 counts and fewer HIV treatment failures, suggesting physiological effects due to SCD might mitigate HIV progression.

Three lessons for the COVID-19 response from pandemic HIV

The HIV pandemic provides lessons for the response to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: no vaccine is available for either and there are no licensed pharmaceuticals for COVID-19, just as there was not for HIV infection in the early years. Population behaviour will determine the pandemic trajectory of COVID-19,1 just as it did for HIV.

Injecting drug use among gay and bisexual men in New Zealand: Findings from national human immunodeficiency virus epidemiological and behavioural surveillance.

Gay and bisexual men (GBM) who inject drugs are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of dual transmission risks. New Zealand has a progressive history of harm reduction and was the first country to publicly fund needle exchange programs in 1988 for people who inject drugs (PWID). We combine national HIV epidemiological and bio-behavioural surveillance data to understand HIV risk among this subpopulation. We examine trends in new HIV diagnoses 1996-2018 by mode of transmission, and compare HIV cases attributed to sex between men (MSM-only), MSM/injecting drug use (IDU) and IDU-only. IDU among GBM in a national HIV behavioural surveillance survey was also examined. We compare GBM by IDU status (never, 'recent', previous) and identified predictors of recent IDU. Of 1653 locally-acquired HIV diagnoses 1996-2018, 77.4% were MSM-only, 1.5% MSM/IDU, 1.4% IDU-only and 14.2% heterosexual mode of transmission. On average, just one HIV diagnosis attributed to MSM/IDU and IDU, respectively, occurred per annum. MSM/IDU cases were more likely than MSM-only cases to be indigenous Māori ethnicity. Of 3163 GBM survey participants, 5.4% reported lifetime IDU and 1.2% were recent IDU. Among GBM, HIV positivity was 20% among recent IDU and 5.3% among never injectors. Predictors of recent IDU were: age under 30; more than 20 male partners; female partner; condomless intercourse; HIV positivity. New Zealand has averted high endemic HIV rates seen among GBM and PWID in other countries and results have been sustained over 30 years.

Abstract TP479: Early Effect of Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Cerebral Blood Flow and Autoregulation

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are at high risk for ischemic stroke. We measured cerebral blood flow (CBF), oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), and autoregulation in HIV infected subjects and controls. Methods: In treatment-naive HIV infected subjects and age-, gender-, and race-matched controls, OEF was measured by using MRI T2*-weighted echo-planar imaging sequences and CBF was measured by MRI pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL) approach. Static cerebral autoregulation was determined by measuring changes in CBF and OEF, in response to ≈10% reductions in MAP induced by using IV Nicardipine infusion. All images were acquired using a Siemens 3T MR scanner (Treo, Siemens Medical Systems Inc). Cerebral autoregulation was measured globally and regionally in gray matter (GM), white matter (WM) and subcortical GM. Autoregulatory Index (AI) was computed using the equation AI = %CBF change/% MAP change supplemented by CBF associated OEF changes. Nominal p-values are uncorrected for multiple comparisons. Results: Forty-one treatment naive HIV-infected subjects and 47 age-, gender-, race-matched controls participated. HIV-infected subjects had higher CBF in cortical GM compared to the controls (76.8± 12 mL/100 g/min versus 71.6 ± 11 mL/100 g/min; p= 0.04), but not in white matter (30.9± 8 mL/100 g/min versus 30.0 ± 8 mL/100 g/min; p = 0.60) or subcortical GM (62.8± 13 mL/100 g/min versus 61.3 ± 13 mL/100 g/min; p = 0.57). Whole brain (WB), GM, WM, and subcortical GM, OEF were similar between the groups (p &gt; .05). The median AI were similar between cases and controls in WB (0.40 vs 0.18, p=0.86), GM (0.10 vs. 0.16, p=0.87), WM (0.80 vs. 0.87, p=0.31), and subcortical GM (1.65 vs. 1.77, p=0.26). A 12-month follow-up (N=30) in HIV-subjects on antiretroviral therapy did not produce a significant change in CBF or OEF in the WB, GM, WM, or subcortical GM (Paired sample t test p&gt;0.05). Similarly, no changes were noted on the AI (Wilcoxon Match Rank test p&gt;0.05). Conclusions: AI was similar between HIV cases and control and remained so after 12-months of antiretroviral therapy. We found no evidence of a defect in autoregulation to explain the high-risk of ischemic stroke documented in other studies.

Estimation of the Number of HIV Infections and Time to Diagnosis in the Korea.

BackgroundStatistical data of undiagnosed people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are of great importance to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection control. This study estimated the total number of PLHIV using nationwide claims data.MethodsThis study used data of the incident HIV cases identified by the National Health Insurance System between 2009 and 2015. The number of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was identified by diagnoses or prescription records. The estimated number of PLHIV and the time to diagnosis were calculated from the incident numbers of HIV and AIDS cases using the HIV Modeling Tool of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.ResultsBetween 2009 and 2015, a total of 7,033 PLHIV and 2,899 AIDS patients were diagnosed. In 2009, the number of incident HIV cases was 873 (460 AIDS patients), increasing to 995 (337 AIDS patients) in 2015. Besides, the estimated number of prevalent cases was 10,753 in 2009, compared to 14,880 in 2015. Patients visiting health facilities accounted for 42.9% (4,616/10,753) in 2009 and 64.1% (9,544/14,880) in 2015. In 2009, there were 8,363 (77.8%) undiagnosed HIV cases, experiencing a decline to 6,215 (41.8%) in 2015. It took a mean of 6.96 years to diagnose after HIV infection.ConclusionThis study estimates the total burden of HIV infection in Korea for the first time using an internationally recognized HIV modeling tool. Claims data can be used to estimate the number of undiagnosed cases by identifying the total number of PLHIV and AIDS patients visiting health facilities.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Newly-Reported HIV Cases Among Youth Aged 15-24 Years - China, 2010-2019.

What is already known about this topic?An estimated 1,400 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occur every day among youths globally. However, HIV distribution among youth aged 15–24 years in China has not been researched extensively.What is added by this report?Between 2010 and 2019, a total of 141,557 HIV cases among the group aged 15–24 years were reported in China with a male to female ratio at 4.07∶1. The main route of HIV transmission was unprotected sex among men who have sex with men (MSM), and heterosexual transmission for females.What are the implications for public health practice?Effective HIV control and prevention measures need to target youth aged 15–24 years, especially among MSM. Sexual health education and HIV prevention should start from primary and secondary school levels.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Newly Diagnosed Cases of HIV through Injection Drug Use - China, 2012-2019.

What is already known about this topic? The annual rates of newly diagnosed cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are increasing in China, yet the annual number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV infected through injection drug use (IDU) is decreasing. What is added by this report? Newly diagnosed cases of HIV infected through IDU in China from 2012 to 2019 show decreases year over year, but the risk of new infections through injecting drugs still exists. What are the implications for public health practice? This study highlighted that new HIV infections through IDU continue to be at a low level. However, individuals that are newly diagnosed as HIV-positive through IDU need to have their baseline CD4 T+ lymphocytes (CD4) cell counts monitored and have their sources of infections traced.

Epidemiological profile of HIV patients attending ARTC of a tertiary care hospital in Jaipur, India

Introduction: District Jaipur of Rajasthan has a high prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and it comes under category B of HIV transmission. The geographical and sociocultural environments of different states of India are different; hence, the profile of HIV cases also differs from place to place. Area-specific data regarding the profile of HIV cases attending the biggest government hospital of Jaipur could be utilized by higher authorities for the implementation of control measures. Objective: The objective was to describe the sociodemographic profile of HIV cases and to find out the comorbidity of TB-HIV cases. Materials and Methods: The hospital-based, observational, and descriptive study was undertaken at a tertiary care teaching hospital of Jaipur from 1 January to 28 February 2019. Primary data were collected from 220 HIV-positive cases through an interview, and secondary data were collected from case records. Results: The maximum cases (40%) were in the age group of 31 to 40 years. Around 30% of cases were unmarried, widows, or divorced. Half of them were from the below poverty line (BPL) families. Only 9% of patients had a college education. Every third case reported was a housewife. Around 13% of cases were not aware of their spouse’s HIV status. HIV-TB coinfection was present in 20% of cases. Conclusion: The majority of cases were from the sexually active age groups and were poor, unmarried, widows, or divorced, and housewives. The spouse of every eighth case was unaware of the HIV status of their partner. Tuberculosis (TB) was the most common coinfection. This basic information would help policymakers formulate better information, education and communication and control measures that are area and population specific.