Trauma-Informed HIV Care Interventions: Towards a Holistic Approach
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe prevalence of trauma is higher among people living with HIV compared to the general population and people living without HIV. Trauma may be a major barrier in attaining HIV treatment outcomes, such as linkage to HIV care, engagement in HIV care, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and viral suppression. The purpose of this review was to highlight trauma-informed interventions that are geared towards improving treatment outcomes among people living with HIV.Recent FindingsRecent studies suggest that a trauma-informed approach to developing interventions may help to improve treatment outco...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - March 30, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Metabolic Consequences of Antiretroviral Therapy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review reports on published studies describing metabolic changes associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) to treat HIV disease including a historical perspective of earlier ART agents, but with the main focus on newer ART agents currently in use.Recent FindingsStudies from different countries around the world have shown that integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimens as well as tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) are associated with weight gain, with women and people of black race at especially high risk. Some studies preliminarily suggest worsened metabolic outcomes associated with this weight ga...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - March 17, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Intersecting Pandemics of HIV and SARS-CoV-2: Commentary on the Special Issue
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis editorial introduces this special Global Health Section on the interface of the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics.Recent FindingsAuthors of articles in this special issue take on a variety of topics that capture how the acute COVID-19 pandemic affected global efforts towards HIV control, and how co-infection, stigma, and social determinants of disease have affected populations on multiple continents.SummaryTwo historic pandemics -- HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 -- have affected the world in our lifetimes at a level reminiscent of the 1918-1919 H1N1 influenza pandemic. We have much to learn from bot...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - February 22, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Risk-Based Screening Tools to Optimise HIV Testing Services: a Systematic Review
AbstractPurpose of reviewEffective ways to diagnose the remaining people living with HIV who do not know their status are a global priority. We reviewed the use of risk-based tools, a set of criteria to identify individuals who would not otherwise be tested (screen in) or excluded people from testing (screen out).Recent findingsRecent studies suggest that there may be value in risk-based tools to improve testing efficiency (i.e. identifying those who need to be tested). However, there has not been any systematic reviews to synthesize these studies.SummaryWe identified 18,238 citations, and 71 were included. The risk-based ...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - February 11, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
HIV and SARS-CoV-2 Co-infection: Epidemiological, Clinical Features, and Future Implications for Clinical Care and Public Health for People Living with HIV (PLWH) and HIV Most-at-Risk Groups
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to use the currently available clinical and epidemiological data, to identify key aspects to improve both the clinical management and public health response to SARS-CoV-2/HIV co-infection among HIV vulnerable populations and people living with HIV (PLWH).Recent FindingsWhile at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of robust information on SARS-CoV-2/HIV co-infection, prevented a clear picture of the synergies between them, currently available data strongly support the importance of common structural factors on both the acquisition and clinical impact of the...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - February 3, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Central Nervous System Impact of Perinatally Acquired HIV in Adolescents and Adults: an Update
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPerinatally acquired HIV infection (PHIV) can confer neurodevelopmental risk. As children with PHIV increasingly survive through adolescence and into adulthood, understanding its long-term central nervous system (CNS) impacts is critical for maximizing adult outcomes and quality of life.Recent FindingsRecently published neurocognitive and neuroimaging findings show impacts on the CNS associated with early HIV disease progression that endure into adolescence and young adulthood. Although developmental trajectories in adolescence largely appear stable, further research on maturational processes is in...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - February 2, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Social Determinants of Disease: HIV and COVID-19 Experiences
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe differential impact of the COVID-19 and HIV pandemics on marginalized communities has renewed calls for more robust and deeper investigation into structural and social causes of health inequities contributing to these infections, including underlying factors related to systematic racism. Using the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework, we analyzed parallel and divergent factors associated with COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS and the prevalence of disparate disease in diverse communities. We utilized PRISMA guidelines to identify relevant literature (N = 210 articles) that resulted in a review of...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - February 2, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
The Reproductive Transition: Effects on Viral Replication, Immune Activation, and Metabolism in Women with HIV infection
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo describe research advances in the menopausal transition (MT) and its effects on HIV replication, immune activation, and metabolic parameters in women living with HIV (WLWH).Recent Findings.Physiologic changes due to declines in ovarian reserve characterize the MT. Evidence suggests that estrogen depletion influences HIV replication and the latent reservoir. Changes in markers of immune activation, waist circumference, and neurocognition, independent of chronologic age, occur before the final menstrual period (FMP). HIV effects on gut microbial translocation and adipose tissue, as well as health ...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - February 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
PEPFAR ’s Role in Protecting and Leveraging HIV Services in the COVID-19 Response in Africa
We describe the impact of COVID-19 on PEPFAR programs in Africa and how PEPFAR adapted and leveraged its interventions to the changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic.Recent FindingsTo mitigate the potential impact of COVID-19 on the HIV response and protect the gains, continuity of treatment was the guiding principle regarding the provision of services in PEPFAR-supported countries. As the COVID-19 pandemic matured, PEPFAR ’s approach evolved from a strictly “protect and salvage” approach to a “restore and accelerate” approach that embraced innovative adaptations in service and “person-centered” care.Summ...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - February 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
HIV and SARS-CoV-2 Co-infection: Epidemiological, Clinical Features, and Future Implications for Clinical Care and Public Health for People Living with HIV (PLWH) and HIV Most-at-Risk Groups
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to use the currently available clinical and epidemiological data, to identify key aspects to improve both the clinical management and public health response to SARS-CoV-2/HIV co-infection among HIV vulnerable populations and people living with HIV (PLWH).Recent FindingsWhile at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of robust information on SARS-CoV-2/HIV co-infection, prevented a clear picture of the synergies between them, currently available data strongly support the importance of common structural factors on both the acquisition and clinical impact of the...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - February 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Socioeconomic Burdens of the COVID-19 Pandemic on LMIC Populations with Increased HIV Vulnerabilities
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its public health response on key populations at risk of HIV infection, with a focus on sex workers.Recent FindingsSince last year several groups have documented how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the livelihoods and health of sex workers. We focus on case studies from Kenya, Ukraine, and India and place these in the broader global context of sex worker communities, drawing on common themes that span geographies.SummaryCOVID-19-associated lockdowns have significantly disrupted sex work, leading to economic and health challenges for sex workers, ...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - February 1, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
