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
Abstract Purpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is using the currently available clinical and epidemiological data, to identify key aspects to improve both the clinical management and public health response with regard 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 coinfection prevented to have a clear picture of the synergies between them, currently available data strongly supports the importance of common structural factors on both the acquisition and cl...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - December 10, 2021 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 - December 8, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Validity of Digital Assessments in Screening for HIV-Related Cognitive Impairment: a Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWhile traditional neuropsychological tests are the gold standard in screening for HIV-related cognitive impairment, computerized neuropsychological assessment devices (CNADs) offer an alternative to these time- and resource-intensive batteries and may prove to be particularly useful for remote assessments or longitudinal monitoring. This review seeks to describe the benefits, limitations, and validity of CNADs in the evaluation of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND).Recent FindingsWe identified eight CNADs that have undergone validity testing for cognitive impairment in the setting of HIV...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - December 1, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Central Nervous System Effects of COVID-19 in People with HIV Infection
AbstractThe convergence of the HIV and SARS-CoV-2 pandemics is an emerging field of interest. In this review, we outline the central nervous system (CNS) effects of COVID-19 in the general population and how these effects may manifest in people with HIV (PWH). We discuss the hypothetical mechanisms through which SARS-CoV-2 could impact the CNS during both the acute and recovery phases of infection and the potential selective vulnerability of PWH to these effects as a result of epidemiologic, clinical, and biologic factors. Finally, we define key research questions and considerations for the investigation of CNS sequelae of...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - November 29, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Impact of Chronic HIV Infection on SARS-CoV-2 Infection, COVID-19 Disease and Vaccines
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has developed into a global pandemic that affect the health of hundreds of millions worldwide. In particular, SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with chronic human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection is of concern, due to their already immunocompromised status. Yet, whether and how the immunological changes brought about by HIV will affect the immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 acute infection and impact the effectiveness of vaccines remain unclear. We discuss the intersection of COVID-19 in HIV-infected individuals.Recent FindingsPe...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - November 29, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Social and Behavioral Impacts of COVID-19 on People Living with HIV: Review of the First Year of Research
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThe SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic brought unprecedented social change with the most severe impacts on the most vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV (PLWH). This review examined findings from empirical studies of social and behavioral impacts of COVID-19 on PLWH in the first year of the pandemic.Recent FindingsImpacts of COVID-19 on PLWH fit within an HIV syndemics framework, with overlapping COVID-19 and HIV comorbid conditions concerning mental health and structural inequality. Early impacts of COVID-19 on social isolation, emotional distress, stigma, and substance use var...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - November 26, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Adventures in COVID-19 Policy Modeling: Education Edition
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo introduce readers to policy modeling, a multidisciplinary field of quantitative analysis, primarily used to help guide decision-making. This review focuses on the choices facing educational administrators, from K-12 to universities in the USA, as they confronted the COVID-19 pandemic. We survey three key model-based approaches to mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 spread in schools and on university campuses.Recent FindingsFrequent testing, coupled with strict attention to behavioral interventions to prevent further transmission can avoid large outbreaks on college campuses. K-12 administrators can greatl...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - November 26, 2021 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 - November 25, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Emerging Single-cell Approaches to Understand HIV in the Central Nervous System
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review highlights emerging single-cell sequencing methods relevant to translational studies of HIV in the central nervous system (CNS), summarizes limited single-cell studies of HIV in the CNS, and discusses opportunities for future HIV translational CNS studies.Recent FindingsInnovative methods utilizing single-cell technologies have advanced the study of genomes, proteomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes at an enhanced resolution and depth. Single-cell analyses of central nervous system tissue, including autopsy brain and CSF cells, may shed light on CNS perturbations in people living with H...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - November 25, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Validity of Digital Assessments in Screening for HIV-Related Cognitive Impairment: a Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWhile traditional neuropsychological tests are the gold standard in screening for HIV-related cognitive impairment, computerized neuropsychological assessment devices (CNADs) offer an alternative to these time- and resource-intensive batteries and may prove to be particularly useful for remote assessments or longitudinal monitoring. This review seeks to describe the benefits, limitations, and validity of CNADs in the evaluation of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND).Recent FindingsWe identified eight CNADs that have undergone validity testing for cognitive impairment in the setting of HIV...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - November 25, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Global Systematic Review of Common Mental Health Disorders in Adults Living with HIV
ConclusionDespite the significant challenges that CMHDs present to successful HIV treatment, there are many mental health treatments and interventions which can improve outcomes in PLWH and opportunities to task-shift and integrate mental health care with HIV care. (Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports)
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - November 18, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Soluble Biomarkers of Cognition and Depression in Adults with HIV Infection in the Combination Therapy Era
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCognitive impairment and depression continue to be common among people with HIV (PWH) in the combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) era. A better understanding of the biological mechanisms that may underpin these disorders is needed. The purpose of this review is to describe published findings on soluble biomarkers from blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that have been associated with either cognition or depression among PWH in the setting of ART.Recent FindingsSeveral biomarkers, including those that reflect viral persistence, monocyte/macrophage activation, and other processes, are associated ...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - November 15, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
CNS Considerations in ART Simplification Strategies
AbstractPurpose of the reviewThis review summarizes current knowledge on central nervous system (CNS) considerations in ART simplification strategies.Recent findingsAntiretroviral therapies (ART) showing efficacy in plasma will usually show efficacy in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). ART simplification may virologically fail if the new regimen has less than two active drugs, the genetic barrier of drugs is not high, and the patient may harbour archived resistance. Dual therapies including a boosted protease inhibitor (PI) or dolutegravir (DTG) are generally effective from the CNS perspective. In cases of related neurotoxici...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - November 5, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Microbiome Studies in Non-human Primates
AbstractPurpose of ReviewObservations of differing bacterial, intestinal microbiomes in people living with HIV have propelled interest in contributions of the microbiome to HIV disease. Non-human primate (NHP) models of HIV infection provide a controlled setting for assessing contributions of the microbiome by standardizing environmental confounders. We provide an overview of the findings of microbiome contributions to aspects of HIV disease derived from these animal models.Recent FindingsObservations of differing bacterial, intestinal microbiomes are inconsistently observed in the NHP model following SIV infection. Differ...
Source: Current HIV/AIDS Reports - November 4, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
