HIV/AIDS: Transmission, Prevention and Treatment

A special issue of Infectious Disease Reports (ISSN 2036-7449). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Infections".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 17429

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Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Interests: immunology; antimicrobials; HIV; antimicrobial stewardship; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus which attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex, or through sharing injection drug equipment. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is spread primarily through unprotected sex (including anal and oral sex), contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. Some bodily fluids, such as saliva, sweat and tears, do not transmit the virus.

In 2020, about 37 million people worldwide were living with HIV and 680,000 deaths had occurred in that year. HIV/AIDS has had a large impact on society, both as an illness and as a source of discrimination. 

This Special Issue of Infectious Disease Reports is designed to enable the rapid publication and dissemination of innovative research with the aim of advancing scientific knowledge and highlighting future perspectives on the transmission, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Nunnari
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • HIV
  • HIV/AIDS
  • transmission
  • HIV prevention and control
  • HIV treatment

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 322 KiB  
Article
Factors Associated with Unprotected Anal Sex among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Mexico
by Ramiro Caballero-Hoyos, Joel Monárrez-Espino, María Guadalupe Ramírez-Ortíz and Francisco Martín Cárdenas-Medina
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2022, 14(4), 547-557; https://doi.org/10.3390/idr14040058 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6928
Abstract
The global prevalence of HIV is notably higher in men who have sex with men (MSM) compared with other male populations. Unprotected anal intercourse is the riskiest sexual behavior for HIV acquisition and/or transmission among this minority population. The purpose of the study [...] Read more.
The global prevalence of HIV is notably higher in men who have sex with men (MSM) compared with other male populations. Unprotected anal intercourse is the riskiest sexual behavior for HIV acquisition and/or transmission among this minority population. The purpose of the study was to identify if the syndemic of psychosocial stressors and experienced stigma are predictors of unprotected anal sex in Mexican MSM. A cross-sectional analytic study was carried out. It included adults residing in Manzanillo, Mexico, with oral/anal sex practices within the last year. Informed consent was given by 142 participants selected using snowball sampling. Collected data included sociodemographic characteristics, psychosocial stressors, experienced stigma, HIV knowledge, knowing a friend/acquaintance living with HIV/AIDS, and sexual risk behaviors. Adjusted logistic regression was used to identify predictors of unprotected anal sex within the last six months. Presence of syndemic of psychosocial stressors, drug use during sex, having friends/acquaintances with HIV/AIDS, and experiencing high stigma were positively associated; high level of HIV knowledge was negatively linked. Reducing psychosocial stressors and integrating stigma-mitigation strategies are key elements to reduce HIV transmission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV/AIDS: Transmission, Prevention and Treatment)
4 pages, 705 KiB  
Communication
Emergence of the G118R Pan-Integrase Resistance Mutation as a Result of Low Compliance to a Dolutegravir-Based cART
by Helene Mens, Lasse Fjordside, Jannik Fonager and Jan Gerstoft
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2022, 14(4), 501-504; https://doi.org/10.3390/idr14040053 - 22 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1794
Abstract
HIV-1 resistance towards integrase inhibitors is a potential threat of the success of HIV-1 combination treatment. G118R is a rare drug resistance mutation conferring pan-integrase resistance. Here, we describe the occurrence of G118R in a HIV-1 subtype-B-positive individual with major compliance problems, detected [...] Read more.
HIV-1 resistance towards integrase inhibitors is a potential threat of the success of HIV-1 combination treatment. G118R is a rare drug resistance mutation conferring pan-integrase resistance. Here, we describe the occurrence of G118R in a HIV-1 subtype-B-positive individual with major compliance problems, detected while the patient was on dolutegravir-based cART. We speculate the pre-selection of M184I/V aided the occurrence of G118R in this case, and discuss the robustness of dolutegravir-based therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV/AIDS: Transmission, Prevention and Treatment)
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Review

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13 pages, 345 KiB  
Review
Loco-Regional Treatments for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in People Living with HIV
by Cristina Micali, Ylenia Russotto, Grazia Caci, Manuela Ceccarelli, Andrea Marino, Benedetto Maurizio Celesia, Giovanni Francesco Pellicanò, Giuseppe Nunnari and Emmanuele Venanzi Rullo
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2022, 14(1), 43-55; https://doi.org/10.3390/idr14010006 - 07 Jan 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2924
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 75–90% of primary liver cancers and is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In the HIV-positive population, the risk of HCC is approximately four times higher than in the [...] Read more.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 75–90% of primary liver cancers and is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In the HIV-positive population, the risk of HCC is approximately four times higher than in the general population, with higher cancer-specific mortality than in HIV-negative patients. In most cases, HCC diagnosis is made in patients younger than the HIV-negative population and in the intermediate-advanced stage, thus limiting the therapeutic possibilities. Treatment choice in HIV-positive patients with HCC is subject to cancer staging, liver function and health status, as for HIV-negative and non-HIV-negative HCC patients. There are relatively few studies on the efficacy and safety in HIV-positive patients to date in loco-regional treatments for HCC. So far, literature shows that curative treatments such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have no significant differences in overall survival between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients, as opposed to palliative treatments such as TACE, where there is a significant difference in overall survival. Although it can be assumed that the most recently discovered loco-regional therapies are applicable to HIV-positive patients with HCC in the same way as HIV-negative patients, further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis. The purpose of our review is to evaluate these treatments, their efficacy, effectiveness, safety and their applicability to HIV-positive patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV/AIDS: Transmission, Prevention and Treatment)

Other

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8 pages, 566 KiB  
Brief Report
HIV Infection Indicator Disease-Based Active Case Finding in a University Hospital: Results from the SHOT Project
by Andrea De Vito, Agnese Colpani, Maria Sabrina Mameli, Paola Bagella, Vito Fiore, Claudio Fozza, Maria Antonia Montesu, Alessandro Giuseppe Fois, Fabiana Filigheddu, Noemi Manzoni, Carlo Putzu, Sergio Babudieri and Giordano Madeddu
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2023, 15(1), 94-101; https://doi.org/10.3390/idr15010010 - 29 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1916
Abstract
In 2014, UNAIDS launched renewed global targets for HIV control to achieve by 2025, known as “the three 95”: 95% of people living with HIV (PWH) diagnosed, of which 95% are receiving treatment, of which 95% are on sustained virological suppression. In Italy, [...] Read more.
In 2014, UNAIDS launched renewed global targets for HIV control to achieve by 2025, known as “the three 95”: 95% of people living with HIV (PWH) diagnosed, of which 95% are receiving treatment, of which 95% are on sustained virological suppression. In Italy, new HIV diagnoses have been steadily decreasing since 2012. However, in 2020, 41% of new diagnoses presented with less than 200 CD4+ cells/µL and 60% with less than 350 CD4+ cells/µL. Implementing testing and early treatment is a key strategy to prevent AIDS, late presentation, and HIV transmission. We selected non-Infectious Diseases Units based on the European project HIDES and engaged colleagues in a condition-guided HIV screening strategy. We enrolled 300 patients, of which 202 were males (67.3%) and 98 were females (32.7%). Most of the screening was performed in Infectious Diseases (ID) and Hematologic wards. In total, we diagnosed eleven new HIV infections with a hospital prevalence in the study population of 3.7%. Five (45.4%) had a CD4 count <100/mm3, one (9.1%) <200/mm3, and one (9.1%) <300/mm3. Regarding risk factors, 81.8% declared having had unprotected sexual intercourse and 54.5% were heterosexual. All patients promptly started a combination antiretroviral regimen and 10 (90.9%) obtained an undetectable HIV-RNA status. Eight of the eleven (72.7%) patients are currently on follow-up in our outpatient clinic. A proactive indicator disease-guided screening can help avoid missed opportunities to diagnose HIV infection in a hospital setting. Implementing this kind of intervention could favor early diagnosis and access to treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV/AIDS: Transmission, Prevention and Treatment)
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9 pages, 2963 KiB  
Case Report
Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation in the Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related P. jirovecii Pneumonia
by Sara Lacerda Pereira, Elsa Branco, Ana Sofia Faustino, Paulo Figueiredo, António Sarmento and Lurdes Santos
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2021, 13(4), 1009-1017; https://doi.org/10.3390/idr13040092 - 02 Dec 2021
Viewed by 2345
Abstract
Despite the undeniable complexity one may encounter while managing critically ill patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), intensive care unit-related mortality has declined in recent years, not only because of more efficacious antiretroviral therapy (ART) but also due to the advances in [...] Read more.
Despite the undeniable complexity one may encounter while managing critically ill patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), intensive care unit-related mortality has declined in recent years, not only because of more efficacious antiretroviral therapy (ART) but also due to the advances in critical support. However, the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in these patients remains controversial. We report four cases of HIV-infected patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) treated with ECMO support and discuss its indications and possible role in the prevention of barotrauma and ventilator- induced lung injury (VILI). The eventually favorable clinical course of the patients that we present suggests that although immune status is an important aspect in the decision to initiate ECMO support, this technology can provide real benefit in some patients with severe HIV-related refractory ARDS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV/AIDS: Transmission, Prevention and Treatment)
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