Incidence Of AIDS-defining Illnesses Research Articles

Etiology and outcomes for patients infected with HIV in intensive care units in a tertiary care hospital in China.

Although the National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program (NFATP) has resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses in China, severe complications in patients infected with HIV may require aggressive treatment and critical care support. The objective for this study was to investigate the etiology and outcomes of patients infected with HIV admitted to intensive care units in Ditan Hospital, China. The evaluation of the etiology and outcomes of patients infected with HIV admitted to intensive care units was conducted using the clinical data from 122 patients infected with HIV (129 occasions) admitted to the Beijing Ditan hospital from January 1, 2009, to October 1, 2013. Over the five-year study period, 129 occasions occurred for 122 patients infected with HIV admitted to intensive care units. Respiratory failure was the most common condition (53.4%) among the 129 occasions analyzed. This was followed by pneumothorax (12.4%), infectious shock (8.5%), neurological problems (8.5%), renal failure (7.8%), post-operative complications and trauma (5.4%), coronary heart disease (3.1%), adverse effects of HAART (3.1%), lymphoma (2.4%), and liver failure (0.8%). Mortality in intensive care units was 64.5% while in-hospital mortality was 65.9%. The strongest protective predictor for in-hospital mortality was earlier admission to an intensive care unit (OR = 0.050, CI = 0.020-0.126, P < 0.001). Respiratory failure was the most common condition in patients infected with HIV admitted to intensive care units, and the outcome for the patients was poor. Mortality was negatively associated with earlier admission to an intensive care unit, but was not associated with HAART.

The Incidence of AIDS-Defining Illnesses at a Current CD4 Count ≥200 Cells/µL in the Post–Combination Antiretroviral Therapy Era

Few studies consider the incidence of individual AIDS-defining illnesses (ADIs) at higher CD4 counts, relevant on a population level for monitoring and resource allocation. Individuals from the Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research Europe (COHERE) aged ≥14 years with ≥1 CD4 count of ≥200 µL between 1998 and 2010 were included. Incidence rates (per 1000 person-years of follow-up [PYFU]) were calculated for each ADI within different CD4 strata; Poisson regression, using generalized estimating equations and robust standard errors, was used to model rates of ADIs with current CD4 ≥500/µL. A total of 12 135 ADIs occurred at a CD4 count of ≥200 cells/µL among 207 539 persons with 1 154 803 PYFU. Incidence rates declined from 20.5 per 1000 PYFU (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.0-21.1 per 1000 PYFU) with current CD4 200-349 cells/µL to 4.1 per 1000 PYFU (95% CI, 3.6-4.6 per 1000 PYFU) with current CD4 ≥ 1000 cells/µL. Persons with a current CD4 of 500-749 cells/µL had a significantly higher rate of ADIs (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 1.20; 95% CI, 1.10-1.32), whereas those with a current CD4 of ≥1000 cells/µL had a similar rate (aIRR, 0.92; 95% CI, .79-1.07), compared to a current CD4 of 750-999 cells/µL. Results were consistent in persons with high or low viral load. Findings were stronger for malignant ADIs (aIRR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.25-1.86) than for nonmalignant ADIs (aIRR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.25), comparing persons with a current CD4 of 500-749 cells/µL to 750-999 cells/µL. The incidence of ADIs was higher in individuals with a current CD4 count of 500-749 cells/µL compared to those with a CD4 count of 750-999 cells/µL, but did not decrease further at higher CD4 counts. Results were similar in patients virologically suppressed on combination antiretroviral therapy, suggesting that immune reconstitution is not complete until the CD4 increases to >750 cells/µL.

Pregnancy in a Patient with Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Pregnancy in a Patient with Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Kaposi’s Sarcoma The occurrence of malignancy amongst people living with HIV/AIDS represents a challenge in managing such patients. An estimated 30-40% of HIV-infected patients are likely to develop a cancer during their disease. The AIDS-defining cancers Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and cervical cancer, are the most observed AIDS-defining cancers. In the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART), a significant decrease in the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses is observed, while non-AIDS malignancies are on the increase, and constitute around 58% of all cancers diagnosed in HIV-infected patients.

The Rising Challenge of Non-AIDS-Defining Cancers in HIV-Infected Patients

Since the advent of HAART, patients with HIV infection have seen a significant improvement in their morbidity, mortality, and life expectancy. The incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses, including AIDS-defining malignancies, has been on the decline. However, deaths due to non-AIDS-defining illnesses have been on the rise. These so-called non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs) include cancers of the lung, liver, kidney, anus, head and neck, and skin, as well as Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is poorly understood why this higher rate of NADCs is occurring. The key challenge facing oncologists is how to administer chemotherapy effectively and safely to patients on antiretroviral therapy. The challenge to clinicians caring for HIV-infected patients is to develop and implement effective means to screen, treat, and prevent NADCs in the future. This review presents data on the epidemiology and etiology of NADCs, as well as ongoing research into this evolving aspect of the HIV epidemic.

Profile of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients at a tertiary care center in Lebanon

According to statistics published in December 2007 by the National AIDS Program, Lebanon is home to 1056 individuals infected with HIV. Little is known about the clinical profile of opportunistic infections (OIs) and AIDS defining illnesses (ADIs) and their relative contribution to the morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected patients in Lebanon. The aim of this study is to describe the spectrum of OIs and ADIs in HIV-infected patients diagnosed and/or treated at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) in Lebanon. Data on various OIs and ADIs were collected from the medical records of patients with HIV infection who were diagnosed or received their medical care at AUBMC from 1984 to January 2008. Eighty-nine HIV-infected patients were included in the analysis. The incidence of ADIs was 72% (64/89). The most commonly diagnosed OIs were cerebral toxoplasmosis (21%), followed by fungal infections (17%). The majority of ADIs (75%) occurred when the CD4 count was below 200 cells/mm(3). Clinical guidelines for the prevention of OIs in HIV-infected individuals have been developed on the basis of natural history data collected in industrialized countries. Our results can be used to define local priorities for opportunistic infection prophylaxis.

Incidence and determinants of new AIDS-defining illnesses after HAART initiation in a Senegalese cohort.

BackgroundAlthough a dramatic decrease in AIDS progression has been observed after Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART) in both low- and high-resource settings, few data support that fact in low-resource settings.This study describes the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses (ADI) after HAART initiation and analyzes their risk factors in a low-resource setting. A focus was put on CD4 cell counts and viral load measurements.Methods404 HIV-1-infected Senegalese adult patients were enrolled in a prospective observational cohort and data censored as of April 2008. A Poisson regression was used to model the incidence of ADIs over two periods and to assess its association with baseline variables, current CD4, current viral load, CD4 response, and virological response.ResultsADI incidence declined from 20.5 ADIs per 100 person-years, 95% CI = [16.3;25.8] during the first year to 4.3, 95% CI = [2.3;8.1] during the fourth year but increased afterwards. Before 42 months, the decrease was greater in patients with clinical stage CDC-C at baseline and with a viral load remaining below 1000 cp/mL but was uniform across CD4 strata (p = 0.1). After 42 months, 293 patients were still at risk. The current CD4 and viral load were associated with ADI incidence (decrease of 21% per 50 CD4/mm3 and of 61% for patients with a viral load < 1000 cp/mL).ConclusionsDuring the first four years, a uniform decline of ADI incidence was observed even in patients with low CD4-cell counts at HAART initiation as long as the viral load remained undetectable. An increase was noted later in patients with immunologic and virological failures but also in patients with only virological failure.

Opportunistic Infections and Other AIDS-defining Illnesses in Poland in 2000–2002

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) led to a decreased incidence of the most severe opportunistic infections (OIs) in HIV-infected patients. In Poland, HAART became widely used in 1998. This study was based on data from medical records data collected in the years 2000-2002 from medical centers for HIV-infected patients in Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of opportunistic infections (OIs) and other AIDS defining illnesses (ADIs). The chi(2) test was used to determine any significant trends. The incidence of ADIs was 6.8, 6.5 and 4.8/100 persons/year in 2000-2002, respectively. The most common diagnosed OIs were: fungal infections, tuberculosis, recurrent pneumonia, PCP and toxoplasmosis. In patients receiving HAART (HAART+) the incidence of ADIs was significantly lower than in non-ARV-treated as well as in all HIV+ (p < 0.02, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). A significant decrease in the incidence of ADIs in HAART+ patients between 2000 and 2002 (p < 0.0001) was observed. From 25% to 30% of ADIs among HAART+ patients were diagnosed within the first 3 months of antiretroviral therapy. In HAART+ patients the most common ADIs were fungal infections and tuberculosis. The diagnosis of ADIs resulted in the recognition of HIV status in 8.7-8.9% of patients. Five years after the introduction of HAART the incidence of ADIs had declined. Fungal infections and tuberculosis were the most common OIs in HIV+ patients in Poland.

Viral and cellular cytokines as therapeutic targets in AIDS-related lymphoproliferative disorders.

Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and its widespread use, the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses has decreased dramatically, leading to a much longer survival of patients. Despite some exciting new leads, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) remains a fatal malignancy for the vast majority of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Multiple molecular pathways appear to operate in AIDS lymphomagenesis and some may preferentially be associated with specific malignant histopathologic categories or anatomic sites of origin. AIDS-associated lymphomas share several features, including B-cell lineage derivation, diffuse aggressive histology, and frequent origin from or involvement of extranodal sites. Recently, high-grade primary effusion lymphomas (PEL) have been reported in patients with advanced AIDS. PEL is recognized as a distinct clinicopathologic entity associated with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). KSHV genes are likely to contribute to the neoplastic phenotype of PEL cells that require cytokines and factors from the host or encoded by the virus for growth in vivo. KSHV is also thought to dramatically affect the incidence, type, and course of multicentric Castleman's disease, another lymphoproliferative disorder over-represented in patients with AIDS. This review summarizes the current knowledge of autocrine growth factor loops and angiogenic factors that are involved in the pathogenesis of KSHV-related lymphoproliferative disorders in AIDS. Deregulated cytokines may represent potential targets of novel therapeutic strategies.

Changes in AIDS-related lymphoma since the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy

AbstractHIV infection is associated with a high incidence of AIDS-related lymphomas (ARLs). Since the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses has decreased, leading to a significant improvement in survival of HIV-infected patients. The consequences of HAART use on ARL are under debate. This study compared the incidence and the characteristics of ARL before and after the use of HAART in a large population of HIV-infected patients in the French Hospital Database on HIV (FHDH) and particularly in 3 centers including 145 patients with proven lymphoma. Within the FHDH, the incidence of systemic ARL has decreased between 1993-1994 and 1997-1998, from 86.0 per 10 000 to 42.9 per 10 000 person-years (P < 10−30). The incidence of primary brain lymphoma has also fallen dramatically between the periods, from 27.8 per 10 000 to 9.7 per 10 000 person-years (P < 10−11). The analysis of 145 cases of ARL in 3 hospitals showed that known HIV history was longer in the second period than in the first period among patients with systemic ARL (98 versus 75 months; P < .01). Patients had a higher number of CD4 cells at diagnosis during the second period (191 versus 63/μL, P = 10−3). Survival of patients with systemic ARL also increased between the periods (from 6 to 20 months; P = .004). Therefore, the profile of ARL has changed since the era of HAART, with a lower incidence of systemic and brain ARL. The prognosis of systemic ARL has improved.

The Changing Pattern of AIDS-defining Illnesses with the Introduction of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)in a London Clinic

Objectives:To quantify the progressive impact of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses (ADIs) over a 9-year period.Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Eligible patients were 1538 AIDS-free, HIV-1-positive patients attending a large HIV clinic in west London who were at risk of developing AIDS because their CD4 count had declined to O350e106/1 cells during the period 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1998. Incidence rates for the 12 most frequent ADIs were compared for two time periods, 1990–1995 (pre-HAART) and 1996–1998 (post-HAART), using Poisson regression methods. Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to examine the contribution of ART and HAART to any observed temporal trends in incidence rates.Results: After a median follow-up of 35 months, 450 (29%) patients had developed AIDS. Between the two time periods there was a significant decrease in the incidence ofPneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) by 35% (4.11 per 100 person-years in 1990–1995 vs. 2.67 in 1996–1998;P= 0.007), Kaposi's sarcoma by 34% (3.27 vs. 2.17;P= 0.022) and cryptosporidiosis by 60% (0.76 vs. 0.31;P= 0.029). A non-significant reduction in incidence was observed for cryptococcosis by 45% (0.81 vs. 0.45;P= 0.11), oesophageal candidiasis by 29% (3.34 vs. 2.39;P= 0.053) and mycobacterium avium complex by 18% (1.58 vs. 1.29;P= 0.4), and a non-significant increase was observed for tuberculosis by 17% (0.62 vs. 0.73;P= 0.66) and non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) by 51% (0.43 vs. 0.65;P= 0.31). The incidence of cerebral toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, recurrent bacterial chest infections and dementia remained stable. There was a clear stepwise reduction in the incidence of PCP, Kaposi's sarcoma and cryptosporidiosis with the use of non-H AART and HAART regimens relative to no ART. In a multivariate analysis, the use of ART and HAART explained the progressive decrease in incidence of PCP and Kaposi's sarcoma.Conclusions:The incidence of most ADIs has decreased over the last 9 years. The striking reduction in the inci-dence of PCP and Kaposi's sarcoma since 1996 can be attributed to the use of combination ART and particularly HAART. The non-significant increase in the incidence of NHL and tuberculosis needs confirmation in other patient cohorts.

A Comparison of Exposure Groups in the EuroSIDA Study: Starting Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), Response to HAART, and Survival

Background: Concerns have been raised that intravenous drug users may be less likely to start highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and that adherence to therapy may be poor among this group of patients. Given the decreased mortality and incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses among patients with HIV who start HAART, this may lead to a poorer prognosis among intravenous drug users. Purpose: To compare homosexual men, intravenous drug users, and heterosexuals in EuroSIDA, a prospective European cohort of 7331 patients with HIV in terms of starting a HAART treatment regimen, immunologic and virologic response to therapy, and survival. Methods: 6645 patients were included in this analysis. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the factors associated with use of HAART regimens and survival following recruitment to the EuroSIDA study. Results: In a multivariate logistic regression model, intravenous drug users were significantly less likely to be receiving HAART at recruitment to EuroSIDA (odds ratio [OR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.62; p < .0001) when compared with homosexual men. Similarly, during follow-up, intravenous drug users were at a 27% reduced risk of starting HAART, after adjustment for other factors related to starting HAART (relative hazard [RH], 0.73; 95% CI, 0.64-0.82; p < .0001). There were no differences between heterosexual and homosexual patients, and similar results were found within regions of Europe (South, Central and Northern). Among those patients who started HAART, there were no significant differences between exposure groups in CD4 lymphocyte count response to HAART or virologic response to HAART. After adjustment for factors related to survival, intravenous drug users were at a small, but nonsignificant increased risk of death compared with homosexuals (RH 1.16; 95% CI, 0.99-1.38; p = .074). Conclusions: Intravenous drug users were significantly less likely to start HAART, but among those who did, response to therapy was similar to that of other exposure groups. There were no differences in risk of death. If intravenous drug users continue to use HAART less commonly than other exposure groups, it may result in a poorer prognosis, a different spectrum of AIDS-defining illnesses, and differential long-term clinical needs.

The incidence and spectrum of AIDS-defining illnesses in persons treated with antiretroviral drugs.

The incidence and spectrum of primary AIDS-defining illnesses in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients receiving antiretroviral drugs may have changed since the introduction of newer antiretroviral agents. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients enrolled in the British Columbia Drug Treatment Program who were ever prescribed antiretroviral drugs between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1996. Rates were calculated on a 6-month basis. There were 344 AIDS cases diagnosed among 2,533 participants between 1994 and 1996. The incidence of primary AIDS diseases decreased from 1994 to 1996, with a sharp decline in 1995 and 1996. There was no statistically significant change in the incidence of primary AIDS diagnoses relative to one another, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Kaposi's sarcoma remain the most common AIDS index diagnoses. In patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in the modern era, the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses has decreased substantially, but the spectrum of AIDS-defining illnesses remains unchanged.