Increase In CD4 Cell Count Research Articles

Ten years of antiretroviral therapy: Incidences, patterns and risk factors of opportunistic infections in an urban Ugandan cohort.

BackgroundDespite increased antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage and the raised CD4 threshold for starting ART, opportunistic infections (OIs) are still one of the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. There are few studies from resource-limited settings on long-term reporting of OIs other than tuberculosis.MethodsPatients starting ART between April 2004 and April 2005 were enrolled and followed-up for 10 years in Kampala, Uganda. We report incidences, patterns and risk factors using Cox proportional hazards models of OIs among all patients and among patients with CD4 cell counts >200 cells/μL.ResultsOf the 559 patients starting ART, 164 patients developed a total of 241 OIs during 10 years of follow-up. The overall incidence was highest for oral candidiasis (25.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 20.5–31.6 per 1000 person-years of follow-up), followed by tuberculosis (15.3, 95% CI: 11.7–20.1), herpes zoster (12.3, 95% CI: 9.1–16.6) and cryptococcal meningitis (3.0, 95% CI: 1.7–5.5). Incidence rates for all OIs were highest in the first year after ART initiation and decreased with the increase of the current CD4 cell count. Factors independently associated with development of OIs were baseline nevirapine-based regimens, time-varying higher viral load, time-varying lower CD4 cell count and time-varying lower hemoglobin. In patients developing OIs at a current CD4 cell count >200 cells/μL, factors independently associated with OI development were time-varying increase in viral load and time-varying decrease in hemoglobin, whereas a baseline CD4 cell count <50 cells/μL was protective.ConclusionWe report high early incidences of OIs, decreasing with increasing CD4 cell count and time spent on ART. Ongoing HIV replication and anemia were strong predictors for OI development independent of the CD4 cell count. Our findings support the recommendation for early initiation of ART and suggest close monitoring for OIs among patients recently started on ART, with low CD4 cell count, high viral load and anemia.

A meta-analysis comparing 48-week treatment outcomes of single and multi-tablet antiretroviral regimens for the treatment of people living with HIV

ObjectivesTo compare outcomes with single tablet regimens (STR) versus multi-tablet regimens (MTR) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment using published data.DesignSystematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of literature on approved and investigational HIV regimens.MethodsThe research followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Single or un-blinded studies reporting a direct comparison between STR and MTR were eligible for the meta-analysis. Double-blinded studies were excluded due to lack of difference in pill burden between cohorts. The key outcomes of interest included: adherence rates/proportion meeting target, efficacy, safety/tolerability, non-clinical and economic outcomes.ResultsAfter screening 63 full-text articles and posters, 14 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. The analysis showed that patients taking STR had improved outcomes over those taking MTR. Patients were significantly more adherent regardless of daily dosing frequency (odds ratio [OR]: 1.96, p < 0.001) and were more likely to achieve virological suppression (relative risk [RR]: 1.05, p = 0.002). There was a trend toward a lower discontinuation risk in the STR cohort, together with reported higher therapy satisfaction, better symptom control, improved health status, reduced healthcare resource utilization and demonstrated cost-effectiveness compared to MTR. There were no differences in CD4 cell count increase (at 48 weeks) or safety outcomes.ConclusionsThe findings of this study confirm previously reported preliminary findings of the advantages of STR over MTR for HIV treatment in adherence, therapy continuation, viral suppression, tolerability, quality of life improvement, cost-effectiveness and healthcare resource utilization.

Evaluation of Adherence, Virology and Imunology Response in HIV Patients Treated with a Once Daily Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) and a Free Combination of Antiretroviral

A once daily FDC is a treatment strategy to reduce both the pill burden and the dosing frequency. This study to evaluate the adherence, virology and immunology response in patients treated with a once daily FDC (single pill) and free combination of antiretroviral (more than one pill). A cross sectional study on adults HIV–infected (aged &gt;18 years old) in Sulianti Saroso Hospital, ARV–naïve patients for 12 months of treatment, receiving the first line ARV bases on Tenovofir and Efavirenz in the form of once daily FDC and a free combination of ARV. Ninety eight patients (a once daily FDC group consist of 78 patients and a free combination group consist of 20 patients) were recruited during the period of July to October 2017. The proportion of patients with good adherence (≥95%) after 12 months of once daily FDC treatment group was 98,7%, and a free combination group was 100%. The proportion of patients with an undetectable viral load to a once daily FDC treatment group was 80%, and a free combination group was 85,5%. The viral load and adherence were not significantly different statistically in two groups (Fisher Exact, p value &gt;0,05) at 12 months of treatment and there was no significant difference in the increase in CD4 cell count at 6 months between those 2 groups at 6 months of treatment (Chi-Square p = 0,723). A once daily FDC treatment strategy and a free combination of ARV have the same benefits toward adherence, immunology response at 6 months therapy and virology response in HIV patients during 12 months of therapy. Confirmatory studies with similar proportion of patients between the two groups are needed to clarify the benefits of adherence, immunology and virology response.

The immune system cell populations were increased in salt-induced hypertensive rats without an increase in the serum testosterone level (Short communication).

The consumption of dietary salt has significantly increased globally, especially in the developed countries. High dietary salt intake has been linked to onset and complications in hypertension with a dimorphism tendency. There is scanty information about the influence of high salt diet on the immune cell population and androgen level in circulation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats of 8weeks old were used for this study. They were divided into control (fed 0.1% salted feed) and salt-loaded groups (fed 8% salted feed) for 8 weeks. All experimental rats were allowed access to clean drinking water; daily feed consumption was measured in addition to weekly weight. On confirmation of hypertension using PowerLab® data acquisitions system, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected into EDTA and sterile sample bottles. EDTA-blood samples were used for white blood cell and CD4 counts while the serum was used for hormonal assays. All salt-loaded rats became hypertensive, with a significant increase in total white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and CD4 cell counts. However, the eosinophil count was significantly decreased in salt-loaded rats. This study showed no change in the serum testosterone in salt-loaded male rats compared with control. In summary, dietary salt loading while precipitating hypertension also activated increased production of white blood cells and CD4 cells without any change in the serum testosterone level.

A Markov model to estimate mortality due to HIV/AIDS using CD4 cell counts based states and viral load: a principal component analysis approach

Background: Improvement of health in HIV/AIDS patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is characterised by an increase in CD4 cell counts and a decrease in viral load to undetectable levels. In modelling HIV/AIDS progression in patients, researchers mostly deal with either viral load only or CD4 cell counts only as they expect these two variables to be collinear. Methods: In this study, a cohort of 320 HIV/AIDS patients under HAART follow-up from a wellness clinic in Bela-Bela, South Africa is used. A time homogeneous Markov model is developed to explain and predict probability of death from HIV/AIDS. Principal component variables are created by fitting a regression model of viral load on CD4 cell counts. Results: Inclusion of a viral load principal component improves the efficiency of the model. The new viral load covariate helps to explain the component of mortality/transition, which could not be explained by the CD4 cell counts alone. CD4 cell counts are categorised to define the states for the Markov model. Results show that the expected percentage prevalence gives almost a perfect fit of the observed data. Conclusion: The orthogonal viral load covariate along with CD4 baseline, gender, non-adherence to treatment and age in years (y) variables play a significant role in modelling HIV/AIDS progression based on both CD4 cell counts and viral load monitoring.

Rapid CD4 decline prior to antiretroviral therapy predicts subsequent failure to reconstitute despite HIV viral suppression.

HIV-1 infection is characterized by loss of CD4T cells, leading to immunodeficiency. Initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) results in suppression of the viral load and increased CD4 counts. Both viral and host factors determine CD4 cell responses to ART with approximately 15-30% of individuals having suboptimal increase of CD4T cell count, most commonly due to lack of compliance to ART. A smaller fraction of patients will have immune reconstitution failure and suboptimal CD4 increase despite suppression of HIV replication, and these individuals are at risk for adverse health outcomes. We sought to characterize the factors associated with decreased immunological response among Manitoba's HIV patient population. This retrospective case-control study included HIV patients with immune reconstitution failure despite suppression of HIV replication by ART. The immune reconstitution failure was defined by CD4 cell count increase from baseline of less than 100 CD4 cells/mm3 or lack of increase to above 200 CD4 cells/mm3 within one year of viral load suppression. Age and nadir CD4 cell counts are known risk factors associated with immune reconstitution failure. We chose controls (Patients with immune reconstitution success) of similar age and CD4 nadir cell with cases (Patients with immune reconstitution failure). We explored the potential effects of gender, HLA type, presence of co-infection, ethnicity, ART type, and rate of pre-treatment CD4 decline among cases and controls. Of more than 550 patients followed by our HIV clinic, 42 individuals met our definition of immune reconstitution failure and they were assigned to the cases group. 31 patients, comprising a range of ages and CD4 nadirs similar to those of the cases, were assigned to the control group. Our primary analysis was a regression model, predicting post-ART change in CD4 over time. After controlling for age and nadir CD4 cell counts, the only potential predictor that appears consistently associated with the rate of post-ART rise in CD4 over time in our cohort, regardless of the other variables that we have controlled for, is the rate of decline in CD4 pre-ART initiation. Several factors have been variably correlated with immune reconstitution failure of CD4 T cell count. Age and low CD4 nadir are factors previously shown to correlate with immune reconstitution failure; and we have controlled for them in our study. Another possible predictor is the rate of decline in CD4 pre-ART, which can serve as an additional marker of reconstitution failure and necessitate prioritizing individuals to ART initiation or identification of a subset of individuals that may be targeted for future adjunct strategies to improve immune recovery.

THE INFLUENCE OF HIV INFECTION DURATION BEFORE ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY ON IMMUNOLOGICAL TREATMENT FAILURE.

Some patients with HIV infection receiving virologically effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) did not show any growth in CD4 cell count during treatment. Despite the long-term treatment of patients, immunodeficiency persisted. In the observational cohort retro/prospective study we investigated the effect of the duration of HIV infection before starting the antiretroviral therapy on the development of immunological treatment failure. In a group of 140 HIV-infected patients a moderate inverse correlation was found between the duration of HIV infection and CD4 cell gain after 6 months, 1, 2 and 3 years of ART (r = -0.33, p < 0.01; r = -0.3, p < 0.01; r = -0.3, p < 0.01; r = -0.29, p < 0.01, respectively). In the case of ART starting at CD4 count of 200-350 cells/mcl statistically significant differences were revealed in the levels of relative CD4 count at 6 months, 1, 2 and 3 years of ART in sub-groups with durations of HIV infection prior to initiating therapy of 1-8 years and > 8 years (p = 0.035; p = 0.015; p = 0.05; p = 0.05, respectively). In patients who started ART with CD4 levels > 200 cells/mcl after 8 years of HIV infection, the risk of immunological treatment failure is 4 times higher as compared to patients with the same CD4 level, but lesser duration of HIV infection. The shorter the duration of HIV infection, the greater the increase in CD4 cell count. When starting ART at CD4 level of 200-350 cells/mcl, restoration of CD4 count is more intense in the group with lesser period of HIV infection. A negative effect of the >8-year infection duration before the start of ART on the development of the immunological treatment failure was observed in a subgroup with a starting level of CD4 > 200 cells /mcl.

Trends in CD4 cell count response to first-line antiretroviral treatment in HIV-positive patients from Asia, 2003-2013: TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database Low Intensity Transfer.

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) guidelines have changed over the past decade, recommending earlier initiation and more tolerable regimens. The study objective was to examine the CD4 response to ART, depending on the year of ART initiation, in HIV-positive patients in the Asia-Pacific. We included HIV-positive adult patients who initiated ART between 2003 and 2013 in our regional cohort from eight urban referral centres in seven countries within Asia. We used mixed-effects linear regression models to evaluate differences in CD4 response by year of ART initiation during 36 months of follow-up, adjusted a priori for other covariates. Overall, 16,962 patients were included. Patients initiating in 2006-9 and 2010-13 had an estimated mean CD4 cell count increase of 8 and 15 cells/µl, respectively, at any given time during the 36-month follow-up, compared to those in 2003-5. The median CD4 cell count at ART initiation also increased from 96 cells/µl in 2003-5 to 173 cells/µl in 2010-13. Our results suggest that the CD4 response to ART is modestly higher for those initiating ART in more recent years. Moreover, fewer patients are presenting with lower absolute CD4 cell counts over time. This is likely to reduce their risk of opportunistic infections and future non-AIDS defining cancers.

Effect of immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy on risk of severe bacterial infections in HIV-positive people with CD4 cell counts of more than 500 cells per μL: secondary outcome results from a randomised controlled trial

SummaryBackgroundThe effects of antiretroviral therapy on risk of severe bacterial infections in people with high CD4 cell counts have not been well described. In this study, we aimed to quantify the effects of immediate versus deferred ART on the risk of severe bacterial infection in people with high CD4 cell counts in a preplanned analysis of the START trial.MethodsThe START trial was a randomised controlled trial in ART-naive HIV-positive patients with CD4 cell count of more than 500 cells per μL assigned to immediate ART or deferral until their CD4 cell counts were lower than 350 cells per μL. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to model time to severe bacterial infection, which was defined as a composite endpoint of bacterial pneumonia (confirmed by the endpoint review committee), pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis, or any bacterial infectious disorder of grade 4 severity, that required unscheduled hospital admissions, or caused death. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00867048.FindingsPatients were recruited from April 15, 2009, to Dec 23, 2013. The data cutoff for follow-up was May 26, 2015. Of 4685 HIV-positive people enrolled, 120 had severe bacterial infections (immediate-initiation group n=34, deferred-initiation group n=86; median 2·8 years of follow-up). Immediate ART was associated with a reduced risk of severe bacterial infection compared with deferred ART (hazard ratio [HR] 0·39, 95% CI 0·26–0·57, p<0·0001). In the immediate-initiation group, average neutrophil count over follow-up was 321 cells per μL higher, and average CD4 cell count 194 cells per μL higher than the deferred-initiation group (p<0·0001). In univariable analysis, higher time-updated CD4 cell count (0·78, 0·71–0·85, p=0·0001) was associated with reduced risk of severe bacterial infection. Time-updated neutrophil count was not associated with severe bacterial infection. After adjustment for time-updated factors in multivariable analysis, particularly the CD4 cell count, the HR for immediate-initiation group moved closer to 1 (HR 0·84, 0·50–1·41, p=0·52). These results were consistent when subgroups of the severe bacterial infection composite were analysed separately.InterpretationImmediate ART reduces the risk of several severe bacterial infections in HIV-positive people with high CD4 cell count. This is partly explained by ART-induced increases in CD4 cell count, but not by increases in neutrophil count.FundingNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health, Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le SIDA et les Hépatites Virales, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, European AIDS Treatment Network, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, UK National Institute for Health Research and Medical Research Council, Danish National Research Foundation.

Strategies for Increasing Physical Activity and Healthy Lifestyles for the Individual With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Strategies for Increasing Physical Activity and Healthy Lifestyles for the Individual With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Enhancing HIV Testing and Treatment among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: A Pilot Model with Two-Rapid Tests, Single Blood Draw Session, and Intensified Case Management in Six Cities in 2013.

ObjectivesTo explore models to improve HIV testing, linkage to care and treatment among men who have sex with men (MSM) in cooperation with community-based organizations (CBOs) in China.MethodsWe introduced a new model for HIV testing services targeting MSM in six cities in 2013.These models introduced provision of rapid HIV testing by CBO staff and streamlined processes for HIV screening, confirmation of initial reactive screening results, and linkage to care among diagnosed people. We monitored attrition along each step of the continuum of care from screening to treatment and compared program performance between 2012 and 2013. According to the providers of two rapid tests (HIV screening), four different services delivery models were examined in 2013: Model A = first screen at CDC, second at CDC (Model A = CDC+CDC), Model B = first and second screens at CBOs (Model B = CBO+CBO), Model C = first screen at CBO, second at Hospital (Model C = CBO+Hosp), and Model D = first screen at CBO, second at CDC (Model D = CBO+CDC). Logistic regressions were performed to assess advantages of different screening models of case finding and case management.ResultsCompared to 2012, the number of HIV screening tests performed for MSM increased 35.8% in 2013 (72,577 in 2013 vs. 53,455 in 2012). We observed a 5.6% increase in proportion of cases screened reactive receiving HIV confirmatory tests (93.9% in 2013 vs. 89.2% in 2012, χ2 = 48.52, p<0.001) and 65% reduction in loss to CD4 cell count tests (15% in 2013 vs. 43% in 2012, χ2 = 628.85, p<0.001). Regarding linkage to care and treatment, the 2013 pilot showed that the Model D had the highest rate of loss between screening reactive and confirmatory test among the four models, with 18.1% fewer receiving a second screening test and a further 5.9% loss among those receiving HIV confirmatory tests. The Model B and the Model C showed lower losses (0.8% and 1.3%) for newly diagnosed HIV positives receiving CD4 cell count tests, and higher rates of HIV positives referred to designated ART hospitals (88.0% and 93.3%) than the Model A and Model D (4.6% and 5.7% for CD4 cell count test, and 68.9% and 64.4% for referring to designated ART hospitals). The proportion of cases where the screening test was reactive that were commenced on ART was highest in Model C; 52.8% of cases commenced on ART compared to 38.9%, 34.2% and 21.1% in Models A, B and D respectively. Using Model A as a reference group, the multivariate logistic regression results also showed the advantages of Models B, C and D, which increased CD4 cell count test, referral to designated ART hospitals and initiation of ART, when controlling for program city and other factors.ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated that involvement of CBOs in HIV rapid testing provision, streamlining testing and care procedures and early hospital case management can improve testing, linkage to, and retention in care and treatment among MSM in China.

The impact of prescribed opioids on CD4 cell count recovery among HIV-infected patients newly initiating antiretroviral therapy.

Certain prescribed opioids have immunosuppressive properties, yet their impact on clinically relevant outcomes, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) response among HIV-infected patients, remains understudied. Using the Veterans Aging Cohort Study data, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of 4358 HIV-infected patients initiating ART between 2002 and 2010 and then followed them for 24 months. The primary independent variable was prescribed opioid duration, categorized using pharmacy data as none prescribed, short-term (< 90 days) and long-term (≥ 90 days). Outcomes included CD4 cell count over time. Analyses adjusted for demographics, comorbid conditions, ART type and year of initiation, and overall disease severity [ascertained with the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index]. Sensitivity analyses examined whether effects varied according to baseline CD4 cell count, achievement of viral load suppression, and opioid properties (i.e. dose and known immunosuppressive properties). Compared to those with none, patients with short-term opioids had a similar increase in CD4 cell count (mean rise per year: 74 vs. 68 cells/μL; P = 0.11), as did those with long-term prescribed opioids (mean rise per year: 74 vs. 75 cells/μL; P = 0.98). In sensitivity analysis, compared with no opioids, the effects of short-term prescribed opioids were statistically significant among those with a baseline CD4 cell count ≥ 500 cells/μL (mean rise per year: 52 cells/μL for no opioids vs. 20 cells/μL for short-term opioids; P = 0.04); findings were otherwise unchanged. Despite immunosuppressive properties intrinsic to opioids, prescribed opioids appeared to have no effect on CD4 cell counts over 24 months among HIV-infected patients initiating ART.

Efavirenz versus boosted atazanavir-containing regimens and immunologic, virologic, and clinical outcomes: A prospective study of HIV-positive individuals.

Objective:To compare regimens consisting of either ritonavir-boosted atazanavir or efavirenz and a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) backbone with respect to clinical, immunologic, and virologic outcomes.Design:Prospective studies of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals in Europe and the United States included in the HIV-CAUSAL Collaboration.Methods:HIV-positive, antiretroviral therapy-naive, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-free individuals were followed from the time they started an atazanavir or efavirenz regimen. We estimated an analog of the “intention-to-treat” effect for efavirenz versus atazanavir regimens on clinical, immunologic, and virologic outcomes with adjustment via inverse probability weighting for time-varying covariates.Results:A total of 4301 individuals started an atazanavir regimen (83 deaths, 157 AIDS-defining illnesses or deaths) and 18,786 individuals started an efavirenz regimen (389 deaths, 825 AIDS-defining illnesses or deaths). During a median follow-up of 31 months, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.98 (0.77, 1.24) for death and 1.09 (0.91, 1.30) for AIDS-defining illness or death comparing efavirenz with atazanavir regimens. The 5-year survival difference was 0.1% (95% confidence interval: −0.7%, 0.8%) and the AIDS-free survival difference was −0.3% (−1.2%, 0.6%). After 12 months, the mean change in CD4 cell count was 20.8 (95% confidence interval: 13.9, 27.8) cells/mm3 lower and the risk of virologic failure was 20% (14%, 26%) lower in the efavirenz regimens.Conclusion:Our estimates are consistent with a smaller 12-month increase in CD4 cell count, and a smaller risk of virologic failure at 12 months for efavirenz compared with atazanavir regimens. No overall differences could be detected with respect to 5-year survival or AIDS-free survival.

Poor CD4 Recovery After ART Linked to Increased Mortality

A discordant immune response (DIR) is loosely defined as a failure to observe a satisfactory increase in CD4-cell counts on antiretroviral therapy (ART) despite good viral suppression. The authors systematically evaluated studies assessing the effect of DIR on mortality, AIDS, and serious non-AIDS events. They included cohort studies and cohorts contained in arms of randomized controlled trials, for adults …

An Estimation of Mortality Risks among People Living with HIV in Karnataka State, India: Learnings from an Intensive HIV/AIDS Care and Support Programme.

BackgroundIn Indian context, limited attempts have been made to estimate the mortality risks among people living with HIV (PLHIV). We estimated the rates of mortality among PLHIV covered under an integrated HIV-prevention cum care and support programme implemented in Karnataka state, India, and attempted to identify the key programme components associated with the higher likelihood of their survival.MethodsRetrospective programme data of 55,801 PLHIV registered with the Samastha programme implemented in Karnataka state during 2006–11 was used. Kaplan-Meier survival methods were used to estimate the ten years expected survival probabilities and Cox-proportional hazard model was used to examine the factors associated with risk of mortality among PLHIV. We also calculated mortality rates (per 1000 person-year) across selected demographic and clinical parameters.ResultsOf the total PLHIV registered with the programme, about nine percent died within the 5-years of programme period with an overall death rate of 38 per 1000 person-years. The mortality rate was higher among males, aged 18 and above, among illiterates, and those residing in rural areas. While the presence of co-infections such as Tuberculosis leads to higher mortality rate, adherence to ART was significantly associated with reduction in overall death rate. Cox proportional hazard model revealed that increase in CD4 cell counts and exposure to intensive care and support programme for at least two years can bring significant reduction in risk of death among PLHIV [(hazard ratio: 0.234; CI: 0.211–0.260) & (hazard ratio: 0.062; CI: 0.054–0.071), respectively] even after adjusting the effect of other socio-demographic, economic and health related confounders.ConclusionStudy confirms that while residing in rural areas and presence of co-infection significantly increases the mortality risk among PLHIV, adherence to ART and improvement in CD4 counts led to significant reduction in their mortality risk. Longer exposure to the intervention contributed significantly to reduce mortality among PLHIV.

High prevalence of being Overweight and Obese HIV-infected persons, before and after 24months on early ART in the ANRS 12136 Temprano Trial.

BackgroundHIV is usually associated with weight loss. World health Organization (WHO) recommends early antiretroviral (ART) initiation, but data on the progression of body mass index (BMI) in participants initiating early ART in Africa are scarce.MethodsThe Temprano randomized trial was conducted in Abidjan to assess the effectiveness of early ART and Isoniazid (INH) prophylaxis for tuberculosis in HIV-infected persons with high CD4 counts below 800 cells/mm3 without any indication for starting ART. Patients initiating early ART before December 2010 were included in this sub-study. BMI was categorized as: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2). At baseline and after 24 months of ART, prevalence of being overweight or obese and factors associated with being overweight or obese were estimated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAt baseline, 755 participants (78 % women; median CD4 count 442/mm3, median baseline BMI 22 kg/m2) initiated ART. Among them, 19.7 % were overweight, and 7.2 % were obese at baseline. Factors associated with being overweight or obese were: female sex aOR 2.3 (95 % CI 1.4–3.7), age, aOR for 5 years 1.01 (95 % CI 1.0–1.2), high living conditions aOR 2.6 (95 % CI 1.5–4.4), High blood pressure aOR 4.3 (95 % CI 2.0–9.2), WHO stage 2vs1 aOR 0.7 (95 % CI 0.4–1.0) and Hemoglobin ≥95 g/dl aOR 3.0 (95 % CI 1.6–5.8). Among the 597 patients who attended the M24 visit, being overweight or obese increased from 20.4 to 24.8 % (p = 0.01) and 7.2 to 9.2 % (p = 0.03) respectively and factor associated with being overweight or obese was immunological response measured as an increase of CD4 cell count between M0–M24 (for +50 cells/mm3: aOR 1.01; 95 % CI 1.05–1.13, p = 0.01).ConclusionThe weight categories overweight and obese are highly prevalent in HIV-infected persons with high CD4 cell counts at baseline, and increased over 24 months on ART in this Sub-Saharan African population.

Predictors of Antiretroviral Treatment Initiation Among Foreign‐Born HIV Patients in Ontario: Perspectives from the OHTN Cohort Study

Inequalities in the provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART), used in the treatment of HIV, to infected foreign‐born patients have been documented in the developed world. However, there has been no systematic survey of this phenomenon for Ontario. This study aims to explore whether treatment inequalities exist between Canadian‐born and foreign‐born HIV‐infected persons living in Ontario by assessing immunologic status at initiation of ART. We conducted a retrospective analysis of HIV‐infected patients registered in the Ontario Cohort Study. Patients were stratified according to region of birth. Median CD4 cell count at ART initiation was compared for Canadian‐born and foreign‐born patients. Bivariate analysis of sex, age at diagnosis, age at ART initiation, most recent CD4 cell count, time from diagnosis to ART initiation and proportion of patients initiating ART at CD4 cell count &lt;200 cells/μl was also undertaken. 2717 patients were included in the analysis. 1969 were Canadian‐born and 747 were foreign‐born. Canadian‐born patients also had a greater proportion of males, greater time from diagnosis to ART initiation and earlier age of diagnosis. Foreign‐born patients are more likely to initiate ART at CD4 cell count &lt;200 cells/μl. Immunologic response to ART showed similar increases in CD4 cell count from baseline for all world region of birth groups. The findings indicate shifting trends in the population of persons afflicted by HIV. Differences were noted between the Canadian‐born and foreign‐born demographic with respect to immunologic, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics underscoring the need for new socio‐cultural paradigms in HIV treatment stratagems.

Dampak Perpaduan Obat ARV pada Pasien HIV/AIDS ditinjau dari Kenaikan Jumlah Limfosit CD4+ di RSUD Dok II Kota Jayapura

The purpose of ARV is reducing the rate of transmission, reducing morbidity and mortalityassociated with HIV, restoring and maintaining the immune system and suppressing the viralreplication maximal. Dok II Hospital is one of the hospitals that provide care and ARV therapy forpatients HIV. The number of patients increasing each year, it is necessary to evaluate the success ofARV drugs on a regular basis in order to achieve optimal outcomes. One way of monitoring is tolook at the efficacy of a combination of ARV drugs on the immune response of the increase is theincrease in Lymphocyte CD4+ cell count. To determine the efficacy of ARV combination based onthe increase in CD4 cell counts of patients after 6-12 months of ARV treatment in Dok II Hospital in2011-2012. The study was an observational. Data were collected retrospectively on secondary datafrom medical records of patients who met the inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Sixobtained the drug combination gave good efficacy based on a significant increase in LymphocyteCD4+ cell counts in patients with HIV/AIDS who receive ARV drugs in combination II and V (pvalue = 0.002) and the combination of III and V (p value = 0.033) while for other combinationsbetween no significant difference. The sixth best combination ARV efficacy there are 2 that thecombination II and V combination.

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in a HIV-1 positive patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome

We report the case of an HIV-1 positive patient with primary demyelinating neuropathy (Guillain-Barré syndrome); after intravenous immunoglobulin treatment (IVIG), he presented with an increase in CD4 and CD8 cell counts and a decrease in plasma viral load. Currently, there is little reported research regarding IVIG treatment in adults with HIV-1. The present report brings further evidence regarding the possible benefit of IVIG in HIV-1 infected patients, providing a novel perspective on treatment.

Shamba Maisha: randomized controlled trial of an agricultural and finance intervention to improve HIV health outcomes.

Food insecurity and HIV/AIDS outcomes are inextricably linked in sub-Saharan Africa. We report on health and nutritional outcomes of a multisectoral agricultural intervention trial among HIV-infected adults in rural Kenya. This is a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial. The intervention included a human-powered water pump, a microfinance loan to purchase farm commodities, and education in sustainable farming practices and financial management. Two health facilities in Nyanza Region, Kenya were randomly assigned as intervention or control. HIV-infected adults 18 to 49 years' old who were on antiretroviral therapy and had access to surface water and land were enrolled beginning in April 2012 and followed quarterly for 1 year. Data were collected on nutritional parameters, CD4 T-lymphocyte counts, and HIV RNA. Differences in fixed-effects regression models were used to test whether patterns in health outcomes differed over time from baseline between the intervention and control arms. We enrolled 72 and 68 participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively. At 12 months follow-up, we found a statistically significant increase in CD4 cell counts (165 cells/μl, P < 0.001) and proportion virologically suppressed in the intervention arm compared with the control arm (comparative improvement in proportion of 0.33 suppressed, odds ratio 7.6, 95% confidence interval: 2.2-26.8). Intervention participants experienced significant improvements in food security (3.6 scale points higher, P < 0.001) and frequency of food consumption (9.4 times per week greater frequency, P = 0.013) compared to controls. Livelihood interventions may be a promising approach to tackle the intersecting problems of food insecurity, poverty and HIV/AIDS morbidity.