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Radial growth of trees is closely related to canopy activity. Revealing the relationship between radial growth and canopy activity is of great significance for forest protection under climate change. In this study, we built tree-ring chronologies for two tree species, spruce (Picea aspruceerata) and Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis), from the Helan Mountains in the arid region of northwest China. Correlation coefficients were then calculated to reveal the relationships among tree rings, two kinds of gross primary productivity (GPP) indices, and climate data. The results demonstrated that the radial growth of both spruce and Chinese pine was positively correlated with GPP from late February to early March, and moisture conditions may be the driving factor of tree growth. However, radial growth of Chinese pine was also correlated with GPP from the end of March to the end of August. This study aimed to further supplement the relationship between trunk radial growth and canopy dynamics in the arid zone of northwest China and to provide theoretical guidance for vegetation restoration and forest conservation in the arid zone of northwest China under climate change.

Berberis koreana Palibin is an endemic plant native to Korea. In this study, we aimed to study the seed germination of this species using a water imbibition experiment, gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment (0, 10, 100, or 1000 mg·L−1), cold stratification (0, 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks at 4 °C), move-along experiment, and phenology studies. In the water imbibition experiment, the weight of the seeds increased by more than 120% in 24 h. An analysis of the internal and external morphological characteristics of the seed revealed that the embryo was already fully grown from the fruit and did not grow thereafter. The final germination percentages for the cold stratification at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks at 4 °C were 12 ± 3.65, 32 ± 9.09, 59 ± 1.00, 59 ± 9.59, and 71 ± 1.91%, respectively. In the move-along experiment and phenology studies, a longer low-temperature treatment period resulted in a higher germination percentage. However, the GA3 treatment had little effect on the seed germination. Our results indicate that B. koreana exhibits an intermediate physiological seed dormancy.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the regulation function of acupuncture on airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) of asthmatic rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were challenged using inhalational Ovalbumin (OVA) to establish an asthma model. The acupuncture points (GV14 for Dazhui, bilateral BL12 for Fengmen, and bilateral BL13 for Feishu) were stimulated for asthma relief. The ASMCs isolated from asthmatic rats were incubated in medium containing the serum obtained from asthmatic rats treated with acupuncture. The expression levels of p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK were determined by immunocytochemical and western blot. Results: ASMCs were successfully isolated and cultured. The 20% acupuncture treatment of asthmatic rat serum had the least effect on the proliferation ability of asthmatic ASMCs. The serum from asthmatic rats treated with acupuncture could decrease the expression of p-p38 MAPK in asthmatic rat ASMCs. Conclusions: The serum from acupuncture-treated asthmatic rats has an effect on treating asthma in rats, and the mechanism of action may be by regulating the p38 pathway.

Received June 8, 2022; accepted October 11, 2022 Background Recent advances in omics techniques have allowed detailed genetic characterization of cortisol-producing adrenal adenoma (CPA). In contrast, the pathophysiology of CPAs has not been elucidated in detail on the level of tumor metabolic alterations. Methods The current study conducted a comprehensive mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) map of CPAs in relation to clinical phenotypes and immunohistochemical profiles of steroidogenic enzymes. The study cohort comprised 46 patients with adrenal tumors including CPAs (n 35) and nonfunctional adenomas (n 11). Results Severity of cortisol hypersecretion was significantly correlated with 29 metabolites (adjusted P 0.05). Adrenal androgens derived from the classic androgen pathway were inversely correlated with both cortisol secretion (rs 0.41, adjusted P 0.035) and CYP11B1 expression (rs 0.77, adjusted P 2.00E-08). The extent of cortisol excess and tumor CYP11B1 expression further correlated with serotonin (rs 0.48 and 0.62, adjusted P 0.008 and 2.41E-05). Tumor size was found to be correlated with abundance of 13 fatty acids (adjusted P 0.05) and negatively associated with 9 polyunsaturated fatty acids including phosphatidic acid 38:8 (rs 0.56, adjusted P 0.009). Conclusions MSI reveals novel metabolic links between endocrine function and tumorigenesis, which will further support the understanding of CPA pathophysiology.

The available treatment options include corneal transplantation for significant corneal defects and opacity. However, shortage of donor corneas and safety issues in performing corneal transplantation are the main limitations. Accordingly, we adopted the injectable in situ-forming hydrogels of collagen type I crosslinked via multifunctional polyethylene glycol (PEG)-N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) for treatment and evaluated in vivo biocompatibility. The New Zealand White rabbits (N = 20) were randomly grouped into the keratectomy-only and keratectomy with PEG-collagen hydrogel-treated groups. Samples were processed for immunohistochemical evaluation. In both clinical and histologic observations, epithelial cells were able to migrate and form multilayers over the PEG-collagen hydrogels at the site of the corneal stromal defect. There was no evidence of inflammatory or immunological reactions or increased IOP for PEG-collagen hydrogel-treated corneas during the four weeks of observation. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the superior corneal stroma of the keratectomy-only group (indicative of fibrotic healing), whereas low stromal α-SMA expression was detected in the keratectomy with PEG-collagen hydrogel-treated group. Taken together, we suggest that PEG-collagen may be used as a safe and effective alternative in treating corneal defect in clinical setting.

In recent years, the rapid development of genetically modified (GM) technology has raised concerns about the safety of GM crops and foods for human health and the ecological environment. Gene flow from GM crops to other crops, especially in the Brassicaceae family, might pose a threat to the environment due to their weediness. Hence, finding reliable, quick, and low-cost methods to detect and monitor the presence of GM crops and crop products is important. In this study, we used visible near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy for the effective discrimination of GM and non-GM Brassica napus, B. rapa, and F1 hybrids (B. rapa X GM B. napus). Initially, Vis-NIR spectra were collected from the plants, and the spectra were preprocessed. A combination of different preprocessing methods (four methods) and various modeling approaches (eight methods) was used for effective discrimination. Among the different combinations, the Savitzky-Golay and Support Vector Machine combination was found to be an optimal model in the discrimination of GM, non-GM, and hybrid plants with the highest accuracy rate (100%). The use of a Convolutional Neural Network with Normalization resulted in 98.9%. The same higher accuracy was found in the use of Gradient Boosted Trees and Fast Large Margin approaches. Later, phenolic acid concentration among the different plants was assessed using GC-MS analysis. Partial least squares regression analysis of Vis-NIR spectra and biochemical characteristics showed significant correlations in their respective changes. The results showed that handheld Vis-NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric analyses could be used for the effective discrimination of GM and non-GM B. napus, B. rapa, and F1 hybrids. Biochemical composition analysis can also be combined with the Vis-NIR spectra for efficient discrimination.

This study was conducted to elucidate the germination characteristics and dormancy types in Maianthemum dilatatum (A. W. Wood) A. Nelson and J. F. Macbr. M. dilatatum seeds were collected from the Nari Basin on Ulleungdo Island, South Korea and used in a water imbibition test; the seed weight increased by approximately 20% within 48 h. The embryo-to-seed ratio at the time of seed dispersal was 0.57 ± 0.03. When the seeds were incubated under light and dark conditions, they germinated under dark conditions, and the germination rate was higher at 25 °C than at 20 °C. However, the final germination rates under dark conditions were 27.4 ± 3.6 and 47.1 ± 7.6%, respectively. Under 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of cold stratification treatment, the highest germination rate of 83.6 ± 3.6% was observed at 25 °C at 12 weeks of cold stratification treatment, the germination start date was decreased by more than 10 d, and the mean germination time (MGT) was shortened from 50 d to 39 d. However, the germination rate, germination start date, and MGT did not differ significantly among the gibberellic acid hormone treatments. Therefore, it was evident that M. dilatatum demonstrated physiological dormancy (PD) that can broken by cold stratification treatment and dark conditions.

Vaccinium oldhamii Miq. is an edible berry; however, little is known about its seed dormancy-break and germination. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the seed-dormancy break and germination characteristics of V. oldhamii. The results showed that the length and width of the seeds of V. oldhamii were 2.4588 ± 0.0273 mm and 1.7028 ± 0.0248 mm, respectively, the filled percentage was 49.0 ± 3.0%, and the 1000-seed weight was 0.9453 g. Additionally, water imbibition test showed that the seed weight of V. oldhamii increased by more than 70% after 24 h, indicating the absence of physical dormancy. Embryo length measured at dispersal and just before germination did not differ significantly. There was no significant difference in E:S (Embryo:Seed) ratio in length at the time of seed dispersal (0.6780 ± 0.0258) and before germination (0.7370 ± 0.0469), indicating the absence of morphological dominance. Temperature treatments showed that the germination of the seed was 0, 6.0, 6.0, 20.0, and 0% under 15, 20, 25, 25/15, and 15/6 °C, respectively. However, treatment with 250 ppm of GA3 increased the germination of the seeds to 22.0, 36.0, 32.0, 40.0, and 1.0%, respectively. Additionally, treatment with 500 ppm of GA3 increased the germination to 34.6, 40.0, 40.0, 46.0 %, respectively. These results indicated that the seeds of V. oldhamii exhibited Nondeep physiological dormancy (Nondeep PD). Overall, the findings of this study showed that treatment with 500 ppm of GA3 at 25/15 °C can effectively break the dormancy of V. oldhamii seeds, which could facilitate further research on the species.

Purpose To determine whether the cornea remodeling-related genes aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 (ALDH3A1), lysyl oxidase (LOX), and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) were potential susceptibility candidate genes for keratoconus in Korean patients, we investigated the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these three genes in Korean patients with keratoconus. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of unrelated patients with keratoconus and healthy control individuals. For screening of genetic variations, all exons from the entire coding regions of the ALDH3A1, LOX, and SPARC genes were directly sequenced to determine the presence of mutations. Control individuals were selected from the general population without keratoconus. Results In this study, we detected nine SNPs in ALDH3A1, four SNPs in LOX, and 18 SNPs in SPARC. rs116992290, IVS3-62c>t, rs116962241, and rs2228100 in ALDH3A1 and rs2956540 and rs1800449 in LOX were significantly different between patient and control groups. In the SPARC gene, the distribution of the *G allele of EX10+225 T>G (p = 0.018; odds ratio, 1.869) was strongly associated with the risk of keratoconus in the Korean population. In haplotype analysis, C-G of rs2956540-rs2288393 in LOX (p = 0.046) and C-C-G and G-G-G of rs60610024-rs2228100-rs57555435 (p = 0.021 and p < 0.001), G-A of IVS3-62 a>g - rs116962241 in ALDH3A1 (p = 0.048) predisposed significantly to keratoconus. After cross-validation consistency and permutation tests, two locus model was the best SNP variations interaction pattern. Conclusions Our results suggested that genetic variations in ALDH3A1, LOX, and SPARC genes were associated with a predisposition for keratoconus in Korean individuals. Moreover, variations in ALDH3A1and LOX may serve as strong biomarkers for keratoconus.

Visually significant corneal injuries and subsequent scarring collectively represent a major global human health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, less than 2% of patients who could benefit from a sight-restoring corneal transplant have access to cadaveric donor corneal tissue. Thus, there is a critical need for new ways to repair corneal defects that drive proper epithelialization and stromal remodeling of the wounded area without the need for cadeveric donor corneas. Emerging therapies to replace the need for donor corneas include pre-formed biosynthetic buttons and in situ-forming matrices that strive to achieve the transparency, biocompatibility, patient comfort, and biointegration that is possible with native tissue. Herein, we report on the development of an in situ-forming hydrogel of collagen type I crosslinked via multi-functional polyethylene glycol (PEG)-N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and characterize its biophysical properties and regenerative capacity both in vitro and in vivo. The hydrogels form under ambient conditions within minutes upon mixing without the need for an external catalyst or trigger such as light or heat, and their transparency, degradability, and stiffness are modulated as a function of number of PEG arms and concentration of PEG. In addition, in situ-forming PEG-collagen hydrogels support the migration and proliferation of corneal epithelial and stromal cells on their surface. In vivo studies in which the hydrogels were formed in situ over stromal keratectomy wounds without sutures showed that they supported multi-layered surface epithelialization. Overall, the in situ forming PEG-collagen hydrogels exhibited physical and biological properties desirable for a corneal stromal defect wound repair matrix that could be applied without the need for sutures or an external trigger such as a catalyst or light energy.

Recent studies suggested that an association exists between vision loss and cognitive impairment, although it is still vague whether there are causal relationships or direct association between low vision and dementia. We were to investigate the association between low vision and dementia in the Korean population using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. We analyzed the data of 6,029,657 subjects aged ≥40 years, drawn from Korea National Health Insurance Service. The hazard ratio (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Vascular dementia (VD) were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Statistical analysis showed that subjects with more severe visual impairments have a higher risk of dementia, AD, and VD after adjusting for compounding variables. The HRs of dementia increased significantly as visual acuity worsened (HRs 1.444 [95% CIs 1.415–1.473] for visual acuity (VA)

The rapid advancement of genetically modified (GM) technology over the years has raised concerns about the safety of GM crops and foods for human health and the environment. Gene flow from GM crops may be a threat to the environment. Therefore, it is critical to develop reliable, rapid, and low-cost technologies for detecting and monitoring the presence of GM crops and crop products. Here, we used visible near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy to distinguish between GM and non-GM Brassica napus, B. juncea, and F1 hybrids (B. juncea X GM B. napus). The Vis-NIR spectra were preprocessed with different preprocessing methods, namely normalization, standard normal variate, and Savitzky–Golay. Both raw and preprocessed spectra were used in combination with eight different chemometric methods for the effective discrimination of GM and non-GM plants. The standard normal variate and support vector machine combination was determined to be the most accurate model in the discrimination of GM, non-GM, and hybrid plants among the many combinations (99.4%). The use of deep learning in combination with Savitzky–Golay resulted in 99.1% classification accuracy. According to the findings, it is concluded that handheld Vis-NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric analyses could be used to distinguish between GM and non-GM B. napus, B. juncea, and F1 hybrids.

Na Sun,1 Xue Wen,2 Song Zhang1 1Department of Nuclear Medicine, XinQiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Electronics, Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Song ZhangDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, XinQiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 23-68755639Fax +86 23-68755012Email xqhyxzs@163.comAbstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive therapy for cancer and bacterial infection. Metal-free semiconducting conjugated polymers (SCPS) with good stability and optical and electrical properties are promising photosensitizers (PSs) for PDT compared with traditional small-molecule PSs. This review analyzes the latest progress of strategies to improve PDT effect of linear, planar, and three-dimensional SCPS, including improving solubility, adjusting conjugated structure, enhancing PS-doped SCPs, and combining therapies. Moreover, the current issues, such as hypoxia, low penetration, targeting and biosafety of SCPS, and corresponding strategies, are discussed. Furthermore, the challenges and potential opportunities on further improvement of PDT for SCPs are presented.Keywords: semiconducting conjugated polymers, photosensitizer, photodynamic therapy, enhancing phototherapy strategies

In this study, we determined the germination response in the seeds of the rare plant Pseudolysimachion pusanensis (Y. N. Lee) Y. N. Lee to different temperatures. P. pusanensis seeds were collected from the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, South Korea, in November 2019, and dried. Dry seeds were placed at constant and alternating temperatures (5 °C, 10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C) to determine their germination percentage (GP). The seeds were exposed to 59 temperature combinations ranging from 5 °C to 43 °C using a thermal gradient plate. The photoperiod was set at 12:12 h (light:dark) and germination assays were performed five times a week. Subsequently, the seed GP and the number of days required to reach 50% of the germination (T50) were determined. The highest final GP was 94.38%, with a T50 value of 9.26 d at 15 °C. However, the mean germination time was 12.5 d at 15 °C, and linear regression using 1/T50 revealed that the base temperature ranged from 2.69 °C to 4.68 °C. These results for P. pusanensis seeds stored in a seed bank provide useful data for the native plants horticulture industry and can also be utilized for storage management.

This study aimed to determine the type of seed dormancy and to identify a suitable method of dormancy-breaking for an efficient seed viability test of Lysimachia coreana Nakai. To confirm the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) on seed germination at different temperatures, germination tests were conducted at 5, 15, 20, 25, 20/10, and 25/15 °C (12/12 h, light/dark), using 1% agar with 100, 250, and 500 mg·L−1 GA3. Seeds were also stratified at 5 and 25/15 °C for 6 and 9 weeks, respectively, and then germinated at the same temperature. Seeds treated with GA3 demonstrated an increased germination rate (GR) at all temperatures except 5 °C. The highest GR was 82.0% at 25/15 °C and 250 mg·L−1 GA3 (4.8 times higher than the control (14.0%)). Additionally, GR increased after cold stratification, whereas seeds did not germinate after warm stratification at all temperatures. After cold stratification, the highest GR was 56.0% at 25/15 °C, which was lower than the GR observed after GA3 treatment. We hypothesized that L. coreana seeds have a non-deep physiological dormancy and concluded that 250 mg·L−1 GA3 treatment is more effective than cold stratification (9 weeks) for L. coreana seed-dormancy-breaking.

Platycosides, saponins contained in balloon flower, which have been used as food health supplements for respiratory diseases, have diverse pharmacological effects. Platycosides exhibit better pharmacological activity by hydrolyzing their own sugars. However, to date, there have been no studies on the production of deglucosylated platycodin D suitable for food applications. In this study, Pluszyme 2000P, which was derived from Aspergillus niger, a food-grade microorganism, was used to completely convert platycoside E into deglucosylated platycodin D. For an efficient and economical production of deglucosylated platycodin D, the productivity was improved approximately 2.4 times by application of high hydrostatic pressure and the discarded balloon flower leaf was used as a substrate. As a result, deglucosylated platycodin D was produced with the highest concentration (3.49 mg/mL) and productivity (581.7 mg/L/h) reported so far. Our results contribute to functional saponin production and the related food industries., Platycoside; Pluszyme 2000P; Food additive; Aspergillus niger; Balloon flower; Medicinal herb.

This study investigated the kind of seed dormancy and seed germination of Gentiana&nbsp, triflora var. japonica (Kusn.) H. Hara for developing a seed propagation method. The seeds were collected in October 2020 from plants at Mt. Sobaeksan, Korea. In a water imbibition experiment, seed weights increased by &gt, 101.9% of their initial masses over 12 h. Effects of incubation temperature (5, 15, 20, 25, 15/6, or 25/15 °C), cold stratification period (5 °C, 0, 4, 8, or 12 weeks), and gibberellic acid (GA3, 0, 10, 100, or 1000 mg∙L−1) and potassium nitrate treatment (KNO3, 0, 1000, 2000, or 4000 mg∙L−1) on seed germination were investigated to characterize seed dormancy. These seeds exhibited underdeveloped embryos during seed dispersal. The seeds failed to reach the final germination of 15.0% after treatment at 5, 15, 20, 25, 15/6, or 25/15 °C. After cold stratification for 8 weeks, the germination increased dramatically by &gt, 90.0% compared to that at 0 weeks. After the GA3 treatment, the germination reached &gt, 80.0% within 5 days. The final germination was 90.0% in the 100 mg∙L−1 GA3 treatment group. However, the KNO3 treatment had no effect on seed germination. Therefore, the G. triflora var. japonica seeds exhibited non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy.

Solid–liquid separation of similarly sized organic molecules utilizing sorbents offers the potential for new energy-efficient approaches to a number of important industrial separations such as xylenes (C8) separations., Solid–liquid separation of similarly sized organic molecules utilizing sorbents offers the potential for new energy-efficient approaches to a number of important industrial separations such as xylenes (C8) separations. Research on selective C8 sorption has tended to focus upon rigid porous materials such as zeolites and MOFs but has revealed generally weak selectivity that is inconsistent across the range of C8 molecules. Nevertheless, there are a few recent examples of non-porous molecular materials that exhibit relatively high selectivity for p-xylene (pX) from pX/oX, approaching that of the current benchmark pX sorbent, the zeolite H/ZSM-5. Herein, we report that a L-shaped Ag(i) complex, AgLClO4 (M), which crystallizes as a non-porous molecular solid material, offering exceptional performance for pX selectivity across the range of C8 isomers with liquid extraction selectivity values of 24.0, 10.4 and 6.2 vs. oX, eB and mX, respectively. The pX selectivities over oX and eB are among the highest yet reported. Moreover, M also exhibits strong vapor extraction selectivity and can be regenerated by exposure to vacuum drying.

Na Sun,1,* Lingzhou Zhao,1,* Jingyi Zhu,2,* Yujie Li,1 Ningning Song,1 Yan Xing,1 Wenli Qiao,1 He Huang,2 Jinhua Zhao11Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, People’s Republic of China; 2State Key Laboratory of Material-Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this work Purpose: Polyethylenimine (PEI) has been widely used as a versatile template to develop multifunctional nanosystems for disease diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we manufactured iodine-131 (131I)-labeled PEI-entrapped gold nanoparticles (Au PENPs) as a novel nanoprobe for single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging and radionuclide therapy.Materials and methods: PEI was PEGylated and sequentially conjugated with Buthus martensii Karsch chlorotoxin (BmK CT, a tumor-specific ligand which can selectively bind to MMP2), 3-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid-OSu (HPAO), and fluorescein isothiocyanate to form the multifunctional PEI template for entrapment of Au NPs. Then, the PEI surface was radiolabeled with 131I via HPAO to produce the novel nanoprobe (BmK CT-Au PENPs-131I).Results: The synthesized multifunctional Au PENPs before and after 131I radiolabeling were well-characterized as follows: structure, X-ray attenuation coefficient, colloid stability, cytocompatibility, and radiochemical stability in vitro. Furthermore, BmK CT-Au PENPs-131I were suitable for targeted SPECT/CT imaging and radionuclide therapy of tumor cells in vitro and in a xenograft tumor model in vivo.Conclusion: The developed multifunctional Au PENPs are a promising theranostic platform for targeted imaging and treatment of different MMP2-overexpressing tumors.Keywords: polyethylenimine, BmK CT, gold nanoparticles, SPECT/CT imaging, radionuclide therapy

The quantification of blood flow velocity in the human conjunctiva is clinically essential for assessing microvascular hemodynamics. Since the conjunctival microvessel is imaged in several seconds, eye motion during image acquisition causes motion artifacts limiting the accuracy of image segmentation performance and measurement of the blood flow velocity. In this paper, we introduce a novel customized optical imaging system for human conjunctiva with deep learning-based segmentation and motion correction. The image segmentation process is performed by the Attention-UNet structure to achieve high-performance segmentation results in conjunctiva images with motion blur. Motion correction processes with two steps—registration and template matching—are used to correct for large displacements and fine movements. The image displacement values decrease to 4–7 μm during registration (first step) and less than 1 μm during template matching (second step). With the corrected images, the blood flow velocity is calculated for selected vessels considering temporal signal variances and vessel lengths. These methods for resolving motion artifacts contribute insights into studies quantifying the hemodynamics of the conjunctiva, as well as other tissues.

Radiotherapy is an essential component of multi-modality treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). However, treatment failure and recurrence are frequent and give rise to the dismal prognosis of this aggressive type of primary brain tumor. A high level of inherent treatment resistance is considered to be the major underlying reason, stemming from constantly activated DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms as a consequence of oncogene overexpression, persistent replicative stress, and other so far unknown reasons. The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of treatment resistance, since it crucially assists the folding and stabilization of various DDR regulators. Accordingly, inhibition of HSP90 represents a multi-target strategy to interfere with DDR function and to sensitize cancer cells to radiotherapy. Using NW457, a pochoxime-based HSP90 inhibitor with favorable brain pharmacokinetic profile, we show here that HSP90 inhibition at low concentrations with per se limited cytotoxicity leads to downregulation of various DNA damage response factors on the protein level, distinct transcriptomic alterations, impaired DNA damage repair, and reduced clonogenic survival in response to ionizing irradiation in glioblastoma cells in vitro. In vivo, HSP90 inhibition by NW457 improved the therapeutic outcome of fractionated CBCT-based irradiation in an orthotopic, syngeneic GBM mouse model, both in terms of tumor progression and survival. Nevertheless, in view of the promising in vitro results the in vivo efficacy was not as strong as expected, although apart from the radiosensitizing effects HSP90 inhibition also reduced irradiation-induced GBM cell migration and tumor invasiveness. Hence, our findings identify the combination of HSP90 inhibition and radiotherapy in principle as a promising strategy for GBM treatment whose performance needs to be further optimized by improved inhibitor substances, better formulations and/or administration routes, and fine-tuned treatment sequences.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is defined as the total combined damage that occurs during a period of ischemia and following the recovery of blood flow. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and an inflammatory response are factors contributing to IRI-related damage that can each result in cell death. Irisin is a polypeptide that is proteolytically cleaved from the extracellular domain of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5). Irisin acts as a myokine that potentially mediates beneficial effects of exercise by reducing oxidative stress, improving mitochondrial fitness, and suppressing inflammation. The existing literature also suggests a possible link between irisin and IRI, involving mechanisms similar to those associated with exercise. This article will review the pathogenesis of IRI and the potential benefits and current limitations of irisin as a therapeutic strategy for IRI, while highlighting the mechanistic correlations between irisin and IRI.

Background To show how the world appear to patients with multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) using a novel mobile model eye. Methods The mobile model eye was composed of an artificial cornea, IOL, IOL chamber, and a camera. A monofocal IOL (Tecnis monofocal IOL) and two diffractive multifocal IOL (ReSTOR, Tecnis multifocal IOL) were used in the study. We went outside to take a picture of the scenery. At night, we stood on a road and took pictures to see how the traffic lights and headlights of cars looked. For an indoor analysis, we approached the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart to the model eye from a distance of 95 cm to check the multifocal function of the lenses. In the car, we took pictures of the street and a cell phone in turn to check the multifocal function of the lenses. Results Two multifocal IOLs showed definite multifocal function. Far objects appeared either similarly clear or slightly hazier (depending on the IOL model) than those with the monofocal IOL. In the night vision, there was a mild or severe halo around light sources compared to those with the monofocal IOL. Conclusion We believe that this mobile model eye can be used to evaluate how the real world appear to a patient with a multifocal IOL, to explain multifocal function of the IOLs, and possible complications in the patients, before performing a surgery.

At high O2 tensions, as encountered prehistorically, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii elevated levels of NPQ-related proteins and LHCSR3 had an important function in protecting PSI., Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) helps dissipate surplus light energy, preventing formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the thylakoid membrane protein LHCSR3 is involved in pH-dependent (qE-type) NPQ, lacking in the npq4 mutant. Preventing PSII repair revealed that npq4 lost PSII activity faster than the wild type (WT) in elevated O2, while no difference between strains was observed in O2-depleted conditions. Low Fv/Fm values remained 1.5 h after moving cells out of high light, and this qH-type quenching was independent of LHCSR3 and not accompanied by losses of maximum PSII activity. Culturing cells in historic O2 atmospheres (30–35%) increased the qE of cells, due to increased LHCSR1 and PsbS levels, and LHCSR3 in the WT, showing that atmospheric O2 tensions regulate qE capacity. Colony growth of npq4 was severely restricted at elevated O2, and npq4 accumulated more reactive electrophile species (RES) than the WT, which could damage PSI. Levels of PsaA (PSI) were lower in npq4 grown at 35% O2, while PsbA (PSII) levels remained stable. We conclude that even at high O2 concentrations, the PSII repair cycle is sufficient to maintain net levels of PSII. However, LHCSR3 has an important function in protecting PSI against O2-mediated damage, such as via RES.

Seedlings of Pterocarpus indicus were grown in both well-watered and drought stress conditions in phytotron. Seedlings grown under well-watered and drought stress conditions were exposed to either combined or without ozone of 200 ppb for one month. First, the physiological responses to elevated ozone levels indicated a decreased biomass. The seedlings grown in arid soil and exposed to ozone showed less biomass than those grown in arid soil but not exposed to ozone. Moreover, all the seedlings except the well-watered and unexposed ones showed a significantly lower photosynthetic rate (PN) over time. However, with the accumulation of ozone injuries, the antioxidant enzyme activities increased overall. In the study results, when exposed to ozone, the well-watered seedlings exhibited more antioxidative enzyme activity than did the seedlings grown in arid soil. Generally, P. indicus in arid soil suffered less damage from elevated ozone than did the well-watered plants.

The present study was conducted to examine the response of Pterocarpus indicus to elevated ozone by comparing the effects between well-watered and soil drought treatments. The ozone concentration was 200 ppb and the exposure was conducted for a month with well-watered and soil drought treatments in chamber environmental conditions. Elevated ozone-induced visible injuries to P. indicus varied among the well-watered environmental conditions, with the appearance of light green chlorosis in the SWO seedlings over time. However, in the SDO seedlings, no difference was visible between drought and drought with ozone treatment. Shriveled leaves were evident because of the water deficiency. Moreover, elevated ozone induced leaf stomata injury and a harsh abaxial surface, whereas drought stress induced less injured stomata because of stomata closing. In addition, the palisade tissues exhibited smaller chloroplasts, damaged thylakoid, increased plastoglobuli, decreased starch grain and thinner cell walls on the upper leaf surface. Thus, the SDO seedlings were less influenced by elevated ozone stress than SWO seedlings due to the reduced ozone absorption which caused by stomata closing to prevent water loss.

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and neuroprotective activities in the aerial parts of seven Eragrostis species (Poaceae) and to find antioxidant or neuroprotective compounds from the most active species. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH RSA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and neuroprotective activity against amyloid beta peptide induced toxicity in PC12 cells were measured in the methanol extracts of the aerial parts of E. ferruginea, E. cilianensis, E. minor, E. multicaulis, E. pilosa, E. japonica, and E. curvula collected from June to August 2013. All species showed antioxidant or neuroprotective activities and, among them, E. japonica was the most active species to isolate antioxidant or neuroprotective compounds, because it was found to show both the highest TPC (10.63 ± 0.31 mg/g) and TFC (2.83 ± 0.06 mg/g) values, as well as TAC (11.34 ± 0.80 mg/g) and DPPH RSA (47.07 ± 2.81 µg/mL), with the second-highest neuroprotective value (23.0 µg/mL). Three known compounds were isolated from E. japonica by the bioassay guided approach and these were identified as isoorientin, isovitexin, and caffeic acid that have antioxidant and neuroprotective activities.

The subcommittee reviewed the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, natural history, morbidity and questionnaires reported in epidemiological studies of dry eye disease (DED). A meta-analysis of published prevalence data estimated the impact of age and sex. Global mapping of prevalence was undertaken. The prevalence of DED ranged from 5 to 50%. The prevalence of signs was higher and more variable than symptoms. There were limited prevalence studies in youth and in populations south of the equator. The meta-analysis confirmed that prevalence increases with age, however signs showed a greater increase per decade than symptoms. Women have a higher prevalence of DED than men, although differences become significant only with age. Risk factors were categorized as modifiable/non-modifiable, and as consistent, probable or inconclusive. Asian ethnicity was a mostly consistent risk factor. The economic burden and impact of DED on vision, quality of life, work productivity, psychological and physical impact of pain, are considerable, particularly costs due to reduced work productivity. Questionnaires used to evaluate DED vary in their utility. Future research should establish the prevalence of disease of varying severity, the incidence in different populations and potential risk factors such as youth and digital device usage. Geospatial mapping might elucidate the impact of climate, environment and socioeconomic factors. Given the limited study of the natural history of treated and untreated DED, this remains an important area for future research.

PURPOSE To investigate the relationships between tear osmolarity and other ocular surface parameters and to determine the diagnostic value of tear osmolarity in primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) using tear film break-up time, Schirmer I test, and cornea/conjunctiva staining. METHODS We included 310 eyes of 155 patients diagnosed with dry eye disease (39 primary SS and 116 non-Sjogren dry eye disease) at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital from August 2010 to January 2015. All subjects completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and underwent ocular examinations including tear osmolarity (TearLab Osmolarity System), Schirmer I test, slit lamp examination for tear film break-up time, and corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining. We used the mean value of both eyes for all parameters. Fluorescein staining was assessed using the Sjogren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance ocular staining score (OSS). RESULTS In primary SS patients (n = 39), the mean subject age was 52.5 ± 11.9 years, and 94.9% of the subjects were women. Mean tear osmolarity in SS was 311.1 ± 16.4 mOsm/L, with 16 (41.0%) subjects having values ≥316 mOsm/L. In SS, there was a positive correlation between mean tear osmolarity and OSDI score (ρ = 0.405, p = 0.011) and OSS (ρ = 0.592, p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between mean tear osmolarity and the Schirmer I test (ρ = -0.625, p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between mean tear osmolarity and tear film break-up time in SS (ρ = 0.110, p = 0.505). CONCLUSIONS Tear osmolarity measurements using the TearLab Osmolarity System can reflect both symptom severity (OSDI) and objective signs (Schirmer test and OSS) in SS.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of suturing 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomies on ocular discomfort and tear film dynamics. Methods: This retrospective chart review involved data from 50 procedures in 50 patients who underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy from January to November 2016. We divided the eyes into two groups according to the presence or absence of sutures; 35 eyes underwent sutureless vitrectomies (Group 1), and 15 eyes underwent vitrectomy with at least one sclerotomy suture site (Group 2). In each group, we assessed objective variables including tear film break-up time, Schirmer test I, corneal surface grading with Oxford system, and a quantitative method evaluating subjective dry eye symptoms using ocular surface disease index questionnaires preoperatively 1 week, and 1 and 3 months after surgery. Results: The tear film break-up time showed a significant difference at the 3-months follow-up (p=0.026). The Schirmer test I and corneal surface staining score showed no statistically significant differences between two groups at any time after the operations. The ocular surface disease index score was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 at 1 week (p=0.032), 1 month (p=0.026), and 3 months (p=0.041) after the operation. Conclusion: Sclerotomy suturing caused ocular discomfort and had a negative effect on tear film dynamics during the late postoperative period. Sclerotomies without suturing seem to reduce the ocular surface changes. RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da sutura da vitrectomia via pars plana de 23-gauge sobre o desconforto ocular e a dinâmica do filme lacrimal. Métodos: Esta revisão retrospectiva de prontuários envolveu dados de 50 casos em 50 pacientes submetidos à vitrectomia via pars plana de 23-gauge, de janeiro a novembro de 2016. Dividimos os olhos em dois grupos de acordo com a presença ou ausência de suturas; 35 olhos foram submetidos à vitrectomia sem sutura (Grupo 1) e 15 olhos foram submetidos à vitrectomia com pelo menos um ponto de sutura no local da esclerotomia (Grupo 2). Em cada grupo, avaliamos variáveis objetivas incluindo tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal, teste de Schirmer I, gradação da superfície corneana com o sistema Oxford e um método quantitativo avaliando sintomas subjetivos de olho seco usando questionários de índice de doença da superfície ocular nos períodos: 1 semana do pré-operatório, 1 mês e 3 meses após a cirurgia. Resultados: O tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal apresentou diferença significativa no seguimento de 3 meses (p=0,026). O teste de Schirmer I e o escore da coloração da superfície da córnea não mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os dois grupos em nenhum momento após as operações. O escore do índice de doença da superfície ocular foi significativamente menor no Grupo 1 em relação ao Grupo 2 no período de 1 semana (p=0,032), 1 mês (p=0,026) e 3 meses (p=0,041) após a cirurgia. Conclusão: A sutura da esclerotomia causou desconforto ocular e teve um efeito negativo na dinâmica do filme lacrimal durante o período pós-operatório. Esclerotomias sem sutura parecem reduzir as alterações da superfície ocular.

Purpose Chest radiography is often performed on patients hospitalized with typical clinical manifestations of bronchiolitis. We aimed to determine the proportion of subjects with pathologic chest radiographic findings and the clinical predictors associated with pathologic chest radiographic findings in young children admitted with the typical presentation of bronchiolitis. Methods We obtained the following data at admission: sex, age, neonatal history, past history of hospitalization for respiratory illnesses, heart rate, respiratory rate, the presence of fever, total duration of fever, oxygen saturation, laboratory parameters (i.e., complete blood cell count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], etc.), and chest radiography. Results The study comprised 279 young children. Of these, 26 had a chest radiograph revealing opacity (n=24) or atelectasis (n=2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for confounding factors, the clinical predictors associated with pathologic chest radiographic findings in young children admitted with bronchiolitis were elevated hs-CRP level (>0.3 mg/dL) and past history of hospitalization for respiratory illnesses (all P

Power transformer is an essential component in the power systems. The concentration of fault characteristic gases dissolved transformer oil is essential to the insulation fault diagnosis. The concentration prediction of the gases is an important supplement for periodical testing. A NMGM(1, 5)model using Nou-equidistance Multivariable grey theory for the five characteristic gases dissolved in transformer oil, i.e. hydrogen, methane, ethane, ethylene, acetylene, was constructed. In the built model, the interaction among these gases was comprehensively considered and the disadvantage that only one index extracted from the signal or each index that was dealt with separately was made up, meanwhile, the scope of application is enlarged. Two actual prediction cases were analyzed and the results were compared with those obtained by Non-equidistant GM(1, l)model. The comparison result indicates the validity and efficiency of the proposed model.

Photosynthetic organisms have to tolerate rapid changes in light intensity, which is facilitated by non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and involves modification of energy transfer from light-harvesting complexes (LHC) to the photosystem reaction centres. NPQ includes dissipating excess light energy to heat (qE) and the reversible coupling of LHCII to photosystems (state transitions/qT), which are considered separate NPQ mechanisms. In the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii the LHCSR3 protein has a well characterised role in qE. Here, it is shown in the npq4 mutant, deficient in LHCSR3, that energy coupling to photosystem II (PSII) more akin to qT is also disrupted, but no major differences in LHC phosphorylation or LHC compositions were found in comparison to wild-type cells. The qT of wild-type cells possessed two kinetically distinguishable phases, with LHCSR3 participating in the more rapid (2O2, which accelerated qE induction, revealing a way that may help C. reinhardtii tolerate a sudden increase in light intensity. Overall, a clear mechanistic overlap between qE and qT is shown.

The research aimed to develop and validate an ion chromatography method for the simultaneous analysis of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) from pumpkin. A new analytical method based on ion chromatography techniques was developed by the Cr(III) pre-column derivatization and Cr(VI) post-column derivatization. The ion chromatography condition was optimized and the detection sensitivity was improved. Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were determined by 365 and 530 nm, respectively. The temperature of water bath, the heating time for pre-column derivatization, and the flow rate of post-column derivative liquid were screened on the basis of single factor experiment, the effects of various factors were determined by the method of L16(43) orthogonal experiment design. Considering the results of orthogonal experiments and the variation tendency of peak area under different factors, the optimum derivatization conditions were chose as follows: the flow rate of post-column derivative liquid is 0.5 mL/min, the temperature of water bath for pre-column derivatization is 100 ℃ and the heating time is 5 min. The conditions were optimized by means of orthogonal experiments under the pH of leacheate ranged from 6.5 to 6.8 and the I– concentration of 5 mmol/L. Under optimized derivatization conditions, the detection limits for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were 0.17 and 0.019 mg, respectively. And the average recoveries of Cr(III) in pumpkin were in the range of 82%-85%. Results indicated that pumpkin does not contain Cr(VI) according to this ion chromatography method of simultaneously determination for Cr(III) and Cr(VI).

Scientific advances over the 35 years since AIDS was first recognized as a new disease, have put us on a clear path towards ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Scaling-up access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV prevention strategies, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, could dramatically decrease HIV-related deaths and the rate of new HIV infections. Current and future scientific advances, notably in HIV vaccine and cure research, will accelerate this process. Two major directions in HIV vaccine development will be discussed: building on the results from RV 144, the clinical trial in Thailand that resulted in the first modest signal of efficacy for a HIV vaccine; and structure-based immunogen design to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies. Cure research has accelerated greatly over the past few years in two areas. The first is the prospect of eradicating the HIV reservoir altogether (i.e. a classic cure), which might involve novel latency-reversing and immunotoxic regimens and gene editing techniques to create a host cellular environment that does not allow HIV replication. The second approach involves controlling viral rebound following discontinuation of ART to achieve sustained virological remission employing strategies, such as passive transfer of broadly neutralizing antibodies and therapeutic vaccination. In 2016, the arsenal of scientifically proven interventions available, as well as the hope of others to come, offer unprecedented opportunities to make major gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS. With a major global commitment to implement these scientific advances, the end of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is now achievable., Across Europe, high drug prices can limit access to treatment for hepatitis C, cancer and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Fifteen years ago, it was shown that antiretrovirals for HIV/AIDS could be mass produced at very low costs. This led to treatment programmes which now supply drugs to more than 17 million people with HIV worldwide. Similar analyses of drug production show that viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and certain cancers could also be treated at very low costs. Several key drugs will become generic in Europe within the next 5 years. There is a potential to expand treatment coverage for key diseases, while lowering overall costs of treatment. For mass treatment with low-cost generic drugs to be successful, five key conditions need to be met: 1. When any drug becomes generic, it should become available to publicly run health services at prices close to the cost of production, with an acceptable profit margin. These prices are freely available from India. 2. Pharmaceutical companies should not be able to inflate the prices of drugs after initial approval. 3. When a drug becomes generic and a low price is established, the effects of this lower price on the value of other drugs should be evaluated. Higher prices for newer drugs may no longer be justified. 4. Any secondary patent on a drug should be carefully evaluated for validity. 5. Pharmaceutical companies involved in bribery, false advertising or suppression of clinical trial results should pay significant fines, which are then used to sponsor national treatment access schemes., After 2000, we saw a remarkable era of HIV treatment roll out with consequent notable public health gains. This will be remembered as a treatment revolution. Most recently, with a number of important human trials marking at least partial efficacy with male circumcision, topical and systemic antiretroviral-based prophylaxis, HIV vaccines and other promising primary prevention modalities in the pipeline, this next decade could well be thought of as the prevention revolution. How the prevention revolution plays out in resource-constrained settings will depend on political will, resources and the competing need to reach the other half of the treatment pool effectively., Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced progression to AIDS and premature death among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Furthermore, ART is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. We refer to this combined effect of ART as treatment as prevention (TasP). HIV TasP has proven cost-effective, because beyond its impact on morbidity and mortality, TasP decreases HIV incidence, which acts as a multiplier on the return-on-investment. In 2014, under the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS leadership, we developed the 90–90–90 target, a new TasP-inspired ambitious goal for global HIV treatment to “End the AIDS Pandemic” as a public health threat by 2030. The 90–90–90 target, proposes by 2020, ≥90% of all PLHIV will know their HIV status; ≥90% of them will have access to ART; and ≥90% of them will achieve sustained HIV viral suppression. The success of HIV-TasP has fuelled enthusiasm that this approach could be successfully exported and adapted to other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis C infection. Similarly, there is growing interest regarding a possible role TasP may play dealing with conditions where there is “social contagion” (i.e. any condition where increased prevalence is associated with increased incidence through behavioural contagion; including smoking, addiction or obesity-related diseases). We believe that TasP offers a unique means to optimize the management of selected high burden conditions, with a view to reduce morbidity and mortality, as well as prevalence and incidence within a highly cost-effective framework, and as such, to promote healthcare sustainability., The strategic question on when to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) was finally resolved in 2015: since all HIV-positive persons stand to benefit from ART, this treatment should be offered to all. The START study provided key evidence by demonstrating a substantial reduction in risk of disease progression by early versus deferred initiation of ART in early HIV infection (i.e. before the CD4 cell count had decreased below 500 cells/µL). A series of sub studies and secondary analysis from START has subsequently been reported. The key findings from this portfolio of research will be reviewed and will include the identification of key subgroups with varying absolute risk reduction from the early use of ART, immunological correlates of ART-induced clinical protection, ART-induced depletion of bone mineral density, the lack of benefit on arterial elasticity, pulmonary and neurocognitive function, beneficial effects from ART on opportunistic disease, invasive bacterial infections, cancer, and kidney and bone marrow function. Overall, the data demonstrate that the balance of benefits versus risks from early ART favours the benefit across a wide spectrum of pathophysiological processes. In conclusion, global consensus on evidence for universal access to ART now exists; implementation research is key, as only half of the infected population is currently receiving ART., The presentation is given by a Spanish paediatrician, who will be directing his presentation mainly to European adult HIV physicians. This presentation will refer to the situation of HIV-infected adolescents and young adults, mainly perinatally infected, being transferred from paediatric HIV clinics to adult HIV clinics in Europe. The presentation will focus specifically on three issues: 1) the special pattern of adolescence and young adulthood in relation to neurocognitive development, behaviour and chronic illness; 2) to review what are the main clinical, immunovirological, psychological and social characteristics of the adolescents and young adults who are being transferred currently and in the near future to the adult HIV clinics. Special attention will be on the differences between the children born before and after combined antiretroviral treatment, which was available in the paediatric population; and 3) the system where they come from: the insights of a paediatric HIV clinic in Europe., Introduction: Direct comparisons between countries in core HIV care parameters are often hampered by different data collection. We compared temporal changes in country-specific rates of the UNAIDS/WHO targets of >90% ART coverage and >90% ART-induced HIV RNA suppression for a given population. Materials and methods: EuroSIDA participants under follow-up between the periods 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2005 and 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2015 were followed from first visit until latest of CD4, HIV RNA or follow-up visit. Based on the included EuroSIDA centres, country-specific proportions of persons on ART (≥3 antiretrovirals) and HIV RNA suppression (90% ART coverage and >90% ART-induced HIV RNA suppression [0/7 (0%) EE, 1/8 (13%) EC, 1/6 (17%) WE, 4/8 (50%) NE and 0/6 (0%) SE countries]. However, the pattern differed significantly between participating clinics across countries, with country-specific proportions of ART coverage ranging from 63 to 98%, and viral suppression from 31 to 100% of those on ART (Figure 1). Conclusions: Despite marked improvements over the last decade, we observed persistent large variation among countries in our cohort in meeting the UNAIDS/WHO targets for treatment coverage and virological suppression. The representativeness of clinics and patients, as well as underlying factors differentiating individual countries’ ability to meet the targets, are under investigation., Objectives: To explore 96-week non-inferior efficacy of treatment simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir+lamivudine versus continuing atazanavir/ritonavir +2NRTI. Materials and methods: ATLAS-M is a 96-week, multicentre, open-label, randomized study. Subjects on atazanavir/ritonavir+2NRTIs, without previous virologic failures, with HIV RNA 3 months and CD4 >200 cells/mm3 for >6 months were eligible. At baseline, ' atazanavir/ritonavir+lamivudine (dual therapy, DT) or to continue the baseline regimen (triple therapy, TT). At 48 weeks, DT showed a higher proportion of patients free of treatment failure (primary study endpoint) when compared to TT, demonstrating superiority of DT strategy. Here we analyze the treatment failure, including virologic failure (two consecutive HIV RNA >50 copies/mL or a single value >1000 copies/mL), and other outcomes at 96 weeks. Results: A total of 266 patients (78% males, median age 44 years, median CD4 603 cells/µL, 79% treated with tenofovir) were enrolled. Ninety-six-week data were available for 254 (126 in DT and 128 in TT). At baseline, subjects in the two arms did not differ for the main characteristics (Table 1). At 96 weeks, the proportion of patients free of TF were 77.8% (95% CI 70.5–85.1) in the DT and 65.6% (95% CI 57.4–73.8) in the TT arm (difference +12.2%, 95% CI +1.2, +23.2). VF was observed in two (1.6%) patients randomized to DT and eight (6.3%) to TT (p=0.056). Clinical adverse events occurred at similar rates in the two arms, mostly transient and not leading to treatment discontinuation. More frequent in the DT arm were new-onset grade 3 to 4 hypertriglyceridemia (7.6% vs. 1.6%, p=0.027) and hyperbilirubinemia (59.6% vs. 35.8%, p=0.001). No significant differences in CD4 changes from baseline at week 96 were observed between the two arms (mean +83 cells/µL in DT vs. +49 in TT, p=0.233). A greater increase in total cholesterol (+15 vs. +0 mg/dL, p=0.005) and HDL (+5 vs. +0 mg/dL, p=0.002) was observed in the DT arm without differences of other lipid parameters. Change from baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly better in the DT arm as compared to the TT arm (+5 vs. −3 mL/min/1.73 m2, p, Introduction: Second-line ART regimens with ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r) plus nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) have shown good efficacy in resource-limited settings [1–3]. But issues of costs, toxicity and future options make a simplified maintenance treatment a strategy of interest. We aimed to compare two maintenance treatments with PI/r in mono- or dual therapy [plus lamivudine (3TC)] in a group of virally suppressed patients on second-line ART. Material and methods: A randomized, open-label, multicentre clinical trial was conducted in Cameroon, Senegal and Burkina Faso. HIV-1 positive patients followed in the ANRS 12186 2LADY trial (3) on stable PI plus NRTIs second-line ART with HIV-1 RNA [viral load (VL)] below 200 copies/mL, CD4 above 100 cells/mm3 and adherence ≥90%, were included in a two arms trial comparing monotherapy with the ongoing PI/r: darunavir (DRV/r) or lopinavir (LPV/r) – mono arm – with the same PI/r associated with 3TC 300 mg – dual arm. The primary outcome was failure rate at 96 weeks. Treatment failure was defined as 1) a confirmed VL above 500 copies/mL, 2) reintroduction of the NRTI backbone or 3) the interruption of PI. Results: From March 2014 to January 2015, 265 patients were randomized (133 in mono arm and 132 in dual arm). Included patients were mainly women (73%), with a median age of 42 years [interquartile range (IQR) 36–50]; median CD4 was 475 cells/mm3 (IQR 379–652) and median time on second line was 37 months (IQR 30–47). At the failure of first line, 96% had the M184V mutation. For the Data Safety Board meeting in March 2016, week 48 data were analyzed. The Board advised for the interruption of the mono arm. In the ITT analysis, 3.0% (95% CI 0.8–7.6) and 22.6% (95% CI 15.8–30.6) of patients failed in the dual and mono arm respectively (p, Introduction: In study GS-US-292-0119, virologically suppressed, treatment-experienced patients on complex multi-tablet regimens (1) were switched to a simpler, more convenient antiretroviral regimen. After 48 weeks, viral suppression was maintained in 94.4% of patients who switched to E/C/F/TAF+DRV compared to 76.1% in the DRV-containing “Stay on Baseline Regimen” arm. All patients had documented resistance to >2 classes of antiretroviral (ARV) agents at baseline. Detailed ARV regimens and the resistance profile of the study population are described. Methods: Historical genotypic reports were analyzed for resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) to ARVs. The Stanford HIVdb algorithm version 8.01 was used to calculate genotypic susceptibility scores (GSS). For each drug, a 5-point scale was used: susceptible, potential low-level resistance, low-level resistance, intermediate-level resistance and high-level resistance were scored as 1, 0.75, 0.5, 0.25 and 0, respectively. The total GSS for a given regimen was calculated as the sum of the scores for each individual drug. Results: A total of 94.8% had documented resistance to >2 classes of ARVs, including protease inhibitors (PIs; 34.8%), non-nucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs; 88.1%) and NRTIs (94.8%). The most common PI-RAMs were L90M (15.6%) and V82A/F/L/S/T (14.8%), the most common NNRTI-RAMs were K103N/S (63%) and Y181C/I/V (19.3%) and the most common NRTI-RAMs were M184V/I (83%) and K65R (23.7%). Thymidine analog mutations (TAMs) were present in 42.2% of patients (59.6% with one or two TAMs and 40.4% with three TAMs). The distribution of GSS at study entry was similar across treatment groups. Patients in the E/C/F/TAF+DRV arm maintained virologic suppression similarly, regardless of the DRV dosage received before switching (33/33 and 51/56 with treatment success in the 600 mg BID and 800 mg QD groups, respectively). In the E/C/F/TAF+DRV arm, 11/89 patients (12.4%) had GSS, Introduction: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is a novel tenofovir (TFV) prodrug that achieves 91% lower plasma TFV levels than seen with TDF, reducing the risks of renal and bone toxicities. The impact of switching from TDF (300 mg) to TAF (25 mg), as a fixed-dose combination with RPV (25 mg) and FTC (200 mg), was evaluated in this first phase 3 clinical trial of RPV/FTC/TAF. Primary endpoint (week 48) results are presented. Materials and methods: A randomized (1:1), double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3 study was conducted in virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA 50 mL/min taking RPV/FTC/TDF for at least 6 months. Eligible study participants were randomized to switch to RPV/FTC/TAF or to continue RPV/FTC/TDF. Primary endpoint was virologic suppression (HIV-1 RNA, Introduction: Recent HIV treatment guidelines have either replaced TDF with TAF or included both as part of recommended initial regimens. This study assesses long-term efficacy, safety and tolerability of switching emtricitabine FTC/TDF to FTC/TAF, each with various third agents, through Week (W) 96. Methods: In this double-blind, active-controlled study, virologically suppressed HIV-infected participants receiving FTC/TDF-containing regimens were randomized (1:1) to switch to FTC/TAF versus continue FTC/TDF while remaining on the same third agent. Virologic suppression (HIV-1 RNA, The global scale-up of HIV testing services (HTS) has been tremendous; however, many of these tests never reach those with undiagnosed HIV and at high ongoing risk, for example, key populations, men and adolescents. Approximately 40% of people with HIV remain undiagnosed, and thus unable to receive life-saving treatment or effective prevention to stop onward transmission. To achieve the United Nation's 90–90–90 goals, greater efforts and innovations are needed, starting with the first 90 goal, which calls for the diagnosis of 90% of all people with HIV by 2020. Globally, 35% of new HIV infections are among key populations and their partners. Yet, HTS coverage and uptake among key populations remains poor and irregular worldwide. Men also remain unreached and untested, and evidence shows men present late in disease stage and have higher HIV-related mortality compared with women. Young people in high incidence settings, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, also remain untested and unlinked to prevention and treatment. It is well documented that among these populations, unfriendly services, fear of stigma and discrimination, and lack of privacy and confidentiality are barriers to HTS uptake. In many environments, this is further exacerbated by restrictive policies, such as age of consent laws and policies which criminalise key populations for their behaviour; deterring HTS uptake among those with greatest need. HTS approaches must evolve and utilize innovative methods that are effective, acceptable and meet the patient's need for confidentiality, such as HIV self-testing, anonymous and assisted HIV partner notification, and community- and facility-based models which take place in discreet locations, offer night-time hours, use trusted peers and lay providers, and are designed to be friendly and attractive to key populations, men and adolescents. Placing people at the highest risk of HIV at the centre of HIV testing programmes is essential, and this is the only way to reach and go beyond the first 90 goal., Mathematical modelling suggests that reducing HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) will require achieving high coverage of multiple HIV prevention interventions [e.g. HIV testing, sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing, condom promotion and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)]. For reasons of convenience and to minimise the burden on healthcare providers, we have developed systems to offer self-service options for HIV self-testing with telemedicine counselling, if requested; home specimen collection with mail-in processing of tests for HIV, urethral and rectal STIs; and at-home self-monitoring of behaviours and laboratory screens for MSM on PrEP. Acceptability has been high among MSM and their healthcare providers for these programmes. However, some challenges remain in the evaluation of programmes and in bringing programmes to a broader scale in the United States. Mail-out kits for STI testing and for PrEP monitoring offer important options to reach the highest risk MSM with a higher frequency of STI testing, and to lower the burden of follow-up PrEP care., Despite great advances in HIV medicine, people living with HIV (PLHIV) in many European settings are not attaining optimal health outcomes. This situation raises important questions about how well national and local health systems are meeting the full spectrum of PLHIV health needs. The public health community's increasing interest in health system performance in recent years presents important opportunities for researchers, policy-makers, community stakeholders and others to explore how PLHIV healthcare can be advanced in tandem with efforts to improve overall health system functioning. A key issue in this realm is the goal of making health systems more people-centred. As health system experts continue to explore what constitutes a “people-centred health system” in theory and in practice, the HIV field stands poised to make unique contributions to this emerging body of knowledge, which is greatly needed by policy-makers who seek to make health systems more cost-efficient and more equitable. Providing integrated “one-stop” medical care is one important aspect of people-centred health systems, but how can critical practices stemming from integrated care be transferred to HIV care and applied effectively in markedly different settings within and across countries? This presentation draws on the paradigm of people-centred health systems to provide strategic thinking into how to utilize local and national healthcare contexts to drive forward this next step in HIV care, which includes how to improve the quality of life of PLHIV., Differentiated care is a patient-centred approach that simplifies and adapts HIV services across the cascade to reflect the preferences and expectations of various groups of people living with HIV, while reducing unnecessary burdens on the health system. By providing differentiated care, the health system can refocus resources to those most in need. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) delivery may be differentiated according to the medical needs of the patient, subpopulation and contextual factors. Using the “building blocks” of differentiated care, a model may be built to determine where, how often and to whom ART is provided to. Differentiated ART delivery for stable patients has demonstrated positive outcomes for both health systems and patients. In South Africa, HIV Adherence Clubs, where groups of 20 to 30 patients meet at either a facility or community location to receive their ART, have demonstrated higher rates of both retention (97% vs. 85%), virological uptake and suppression than those in conventional care. Community ART groups in Tete, Mozambique, where self-formed groups of patients on ART collect medication for each other, demonstrated retention within the model of 98%, 96%, 93% and 91% at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months, respectively. Such group models of ART delivery have also demonstrated an impact on reducing clinical visits, along with enhancing peer and community support. Moving forward, differentiated ART delivery must be adapted beyond stable patients and the principles applied across the HIV cascade. By adopting such patient-centred approaches, differentiated care will be a part of the solution to reach the United Nation's 90–90–90 target in the era of start all., Between 20 and 30% of the population and about 90% of inpatients hospitalized in General Internal Medicine have multiple concurrent acute or chronic diseases, that is, multi-morbidity (MM). Complexity increases proportionally with the number of concurrent diseases, probably partially due to disease–disease interactions (DDIs). Risk factors for HIV, such as intravenous (IV) drug use and successful near-normalization of life expectancy in HIV, have increased the likelihood of other concurrent diseases to occur and to determine life expectancy. In one study, people living with HIV/AIDS had a prevalence of one or more co-morbidity of 29%, a rate similar to the population at large. Concurrent diseases associated with IV drug use include hepatitis and sometimes severe mental disorders. However, in ageing HIV patients especially, diseases constitute very typical MM clusters that include vascular risk factors and disease, heart and pulmonary disease, major mental disorders and a broad array of various other medical diseases and conditions. These occur sometimes in characteristic dyadic or triadic, or higher combinations (painful syndromes and depression; non-adherence and depression, and hypertension and HIV; pain treatment for arthritis and hypertension; non-adherence and mental disorders, etc.). Some of these conditions and combinations of interactions interact with HIV to worsen the prognosis. There are limited evidence-based guidelines for MM, be it without or with HIV, even for more prevalent forms of MM and frequent interacting combinations (mentioned earlier). This leaves MM care heavily reliant upon clinical guidelines intended for the treatment of single diseases. However, these guidelines do not adequately address the combined risk to multi-morbid patients and tend to ignore adverse DDI's (disease–disease, drug–disease and drug–drug interactions, due to multiple drug regimens, i.e. polypharmacy), especially if a condition is outside the usual realm of those specialists from the same field of expertise that wrote the guidelines. Decision-making concerning therapeutic conflicts due to adversely interacting treatments usually remains to be resolved at the discretion of involved clinicians. These conflicts typically demand prioritizing and reconciling adverse DDIs with the most suitable, best acceptable and sometimes surprising therapeutic strategy. They also require medical doctors to communicate these dilemmas and the corresponding lack of evidence-based security to patients in order to allow for shared decision-making, if possible and if wished. Furthermore, decision-making in dilemma situations can induce psychological stress upon patients, especially on conscientious medical doctors that they need to consciously deal with., Introduction: Nowadays, people living with HIV (PLHIV) live longer, due to highly effective ART. Also, due to age, risk factors exposure, ART and HIV-related factors, they are more likely to develop comorbidities, potentially requiring different, long-term healthcare management. This study aimed to describe the PLHIV characteristics, HIV markers, comorbidities and their risk factors and scores, in the same patients 10 years apart. Materials and methods: The ANRS CO3 Aquitaine cohort prospectively collects epidemiological, clinical, biological and therapeutic data on PLHIV in the French Aquitaine region. Inclusion criterion for this analysis was ≥1 visit in both calendar years. Two cross-sectional analysis were performed (2004 and 2014), regarding patient characteristics, HIV markers, the prevalence of comorbidities [chronic kidney disease (CKD), fractures, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, dyslipidaemia and hypertension, defined via ICD-10 diagnosis code, treatments or values for these comorbidities] and treatment (ART and comedication). Results: A total of 3289 PLHIV had at least a visit registered in the cohort in 2004 and 3880 in 2014, out of which 2138 had a visit in both years. Seventy-one percent of those were male, and in 2014 the median age was 52.2 (IQR 47.6–58.1). When compared to 2004, in 2014 there were more patients virologically suppressed (91.5% in 2014 vs. 50.9%; p, Introduction: Lipodystrophy is considered to accelerate the process of aging in HIV-infected persons, but long-term data showing an impact on morbidity and mortality are lacking. We hypothesized that lipodystrophy would increase the risk of comorbidities and death. Methods: Within a previously well-defined cohort 1, including all consecutive antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected adults who began two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus at least one protease inhibitor from October 1996 to September 1999, moderate or severe body fat changes were clinically assessed and categorized as lipoatrophy (LA), lipohypertrophy (LH) or both lipodystrophy (LD). Clinical and laboratory data were periodically registered into a specific database. Patients were followed until December 2015, death or lost-to-follow-up, whichever came first. A person-years analysis was used to calculate the incidence of specific non-AIDS comorbidities (first diagnosis), AIDS events (new events) or death. Incidences were compared with Poisson or negative binomial regression models. Results: Of 494 patients included, 118 (24%) developed LA only, 20 (4%) LH only, and 89 (18%) both; 71 (14%) patients died and 106 (21%) were lost to follow-up. Increasing age, HIV acquisition through injecting drug use and lack of hepatitis C co-infection were factors significantly associated with any LA (n=207, 42%), any LH (n=109, 22%) or any LD (n=227, 46%). Both patients with any LA or any LH had significantly higher total cholesterol and triglycerides at the end of follow-up relative to patients without any LA or any LH, respectively. Patients with any LA (but no patients with LH) also had significantly higher CD4 cell counts (572 vs 492 per mm3, p=0.0025), higher proportion of viral suppression in plasma (87% vs. 69%, p, Introduction: Dolutegravir (DTG), a second-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), is now among the most frequently used antiretroviral agents. However, recent reports have raised concerns about potential neurotoxicity. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a cohort of HIV-infected patients who had initiated an INSTI in two large German outpatient clinics between 2007 and 2016. We compared discontinuation rates due to adverse events within 2 years of starting between DTG, raltegravir (RAL) or elvitegravir (EVG)/cobicistat. We also evaluated factors associated with DTG discontinuation. Results: A total of 1950 INSTI-based therapies were initiated amongst 1704 patients eligible for analysis within the observation period. The estimated rates of any adverse event (AE) and of neuropsychiatric AEs leading to discontinuation within 12 months were 7.6% and 5.6% respectively for DTG (n=985), 7.6% and 0.7% for EVG (n=287) and 3.3% and 1.9% for RAL (n=678). Neuropsychiatric AEs leading to DTG discontinuation were observed more frequently in women (hazard ratio [HR] 2.64; 95% CI 1.23–5.65, p=0.012), in patients older than 60 years (HR 2.86; 95% CI 1.42–5.77, p=0.003) and in HLA-B*57:01-negative patients who initiated abacavir at the same time (HR 2.42; 95% CI 1.38–4.24, p=0.002). Conclusion: In this large cohort, the discontinuation rate of DTG due to neuropsychiatric AEs was significantly higher than with the other INSTIs at almost 6% within 12 months. Almost three-fold higher discontinuation rates observed amongst women and older patients underscore the need for further investigation, especially in patient populations usually under-represented in clinical trials., Introduction: Cognitive disorders and depression remain prevalent in people living with HIV (PLWH) [1, 2]; however, few studies have investigated the interaction between these comorbidities. We describe overall cognitive function in a large cohort of PLWH compared to an appropriate control population and explore factors associated with cognitive performance, including depression and lifestyle factors. Methods: One thousand two hundred and sixty-six individuals (643 PLWH aged ≥50 years, 343 PLWH, Novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies have revolutionized the management of hepatitis C in only half a decade. The new direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) inhibit the HCV protease, the NS5A protein or the NS5B polymerase, and hereby block viral replication, assembly and release. These drugs have greatly improved treatment tolerability and efficacy compared with the previous interferon-based therapies. Fortunately, the promising results of clinical trials hold true in real-life settings. Even previously difficult-to-treat populations, including cirrhosis, can now be treated with safe and extremely effective regimens. However, despite the unprecedented success of novel HCV treatments, challenges remain: the most urgent priority is to greatly increase treatment uptake, which is only possible if DAA costs are lowered substantially. The remarkable success in scaling-up HCV treatments in Egypt exemplifies how coordinated efforts involving patients, physicians and public health authorities can impact the global burden of HCV infection. Another challenge is the emergence of HCV epidemics among HIV-infected men who have sex with men, and the surge in HCV infections among people who inject drugs in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. These epidemics can only be controlled if advances in treatment uptake and efficacy are accompanied by reductions in high-risk behaviour. Finally, it is important to note that cure of HCV infection substantially reduces the risk of liver-related complications, but does not eliminate it, particularly in those with multiple liver-related risk factors. Despite remaining challenges, the future of HCV therapy is bright with the potential to eliminate one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide., Oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPV) are responsible for the development of cancer and pre-cancerous lesions in the anogenital area (namely in the cervix, vulva and vagina, penis and anus) and in the oropharyngeal cavity. These lesions are more frequent and more difficult to treat in HIV-positive patients. In Europe, less than 30% of HIV-positive men and less than 70% of HIV-positive women have access to anal and cervical cancer screening, respectively. We will discuss the different strategies of screening for these cancers, which have been recently developed or are currently under investigation in randomized controlled studies and how to implement them. Preventive vaccines against HPV have been available for almost a decade, and their use in primary and secondary prophylaxis should be proposed to HIV-positive patients. Issues on vaccines schedules, costs and HPV genotypes coverage will be raised. Non-invasive therapy of HPV-related lesions, such as local administration of antiviral drugs or the use of therapeutic vaccines, will be presented., Since the emergence of the HIV pandemic, several viral-induced cancers were frequently diagnosed: Kaposi's sarcoma associated with human herpesvirus 8, non-Hodgkin lymphoma mostly associated with Epstein–Barr virus and cervical cancer associated with oncogenic human papillomavirus types. However, in the late 1990s, several population-based cohort studies, comparing the incidence of cancers in the HIV population and in the general population, found higher rates of other cancers (defined as non-AIDS-related malignancies) in people living with HIV (PLWHIV), such as anal cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), skin cancers, lip cancer, liver cancer and lung cancer. In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, additional registry studies and meta-analyses have also shown an increased rate of cancers in PLWHIV compared with the general population. Nowadays, the most frequent are HL, cancers of the lung, anus and liver. Factors implicated in this increased incidence, such as higher rates of smoking, chronic immunodeficiency and oncogenic virus, are among the main ones. Strategies to increase cancer survival in PLWHIV are needed. Beyond the recommendations in terms of therapeutic strategies likely used in the general population, screening programme and prevention actions can provide a positive impact on survival, such as in the general population. For instance, for lung cancer screening with low-dose chest computed tomography has shown to be efficient in the general population at risk, so why not in PLWHIV? The objective of this presentation is to discuss the main screening for malignancies in PLWHIV and to present some guidelines, already approved for some cancer types., Introduction: Non-Hodgkin (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphomas (HL) are common in HIV+ people. Since the introduction of cART, a decline in NHL but not HL incidence has been observed. Factors affecting risk of NHL and HL appear to differ in HIV+ persons. Materials and methods: D:A:D participants were followed from the earliest of study entry or January 1, 2004 until first NHL or HL diagnosis, last visit plus 6 months, death, or February 1, 2015. Crude incidence rates (IR) of NHL and HL were calculated. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) were calculated using Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations. Both current and historical measures of HIV viral load (VL) (current level, area under the curve [AUC] during follow-up) and CD4 (current and nadir level, AUC) were considered. Other risk factors investigated are listed in the footnote to Figure 1. Results: About 41,583 persons were included contributing 337,020 person-years of follow-up (PYFU) [median of 9 (IQR 6–11) years per person]. Of which, 392 developed NHL (IR 1.2/1000 PYFU, 95% CI 1.1–1.3) and 149 developed HL (IR 0.4/1000 PYFU, 95% CI 0.4–0.5). In age-adjusted analyses, NHL incidence declined by 15% (95% CI 12–17)/year from 2004–2015, whereas IR of HL was stable (change/year: −3% (95% CI −8–2%). At diagnosis, persons who developed HL versus NHL were of similar age (46.2 vs. 46.9 years, p=0.25), with a higher current CD4 (400 vs. 325 cells/mm3, p0.05). The declining trend over time in NHL IR attenuated, but remained after adjustment (−8% (95% CI −4%–11%)/year). HL IR was also associated with lower current CD4, but not with other markers of VL or CD4 in addition to current CD4. HL IR remained stable over time (aIRR 1.01; 95% CI 0.95–1.07). Conclusion: NHL incidence was associated with lower current CD4 and both current and historical exposure to viral replication, suggesting historical exposure to uncontrolled viral replication may play a part in NHL development in addition to current immunodeficiency. Conversely, HL incidence was elevated in those with current immunodeficiency, but current and historical exposure to uncontrolled HIV replication were not associated when adjusting for current CD4., Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) has the largest hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic in the World Health Organization European region. The epidemic in EECA has been closely linked to economic, social and public health dislocations in the 1990s that created an environment supportive of the rapid spread of HCV. It is estimated that 6 million people are living with chronic hepatitis C infection in the region, including up to 2.5 million people who inject drugs (PWID). While EECA is home to a large drug epidemic, the coverage with prevention interventions, such as needle exchange and opioid substitution therapy, is very low, and this contributes to sustainment and further growth of the HCV epidemic. There is a significant burden of HCV among people living with HIV in EECA, with prevalence exceeding 80% among HIV-positive PWID. There are differences in the HCV prevalence between countries, with Georgia having the highest adult viraemic prevalence. Access to HCV therapy in the region is limited and only a small proportion of patients receive appropriate treatment. Georgia is an exception to this situation, where the national HCV elimination programme was launched in April 2015 as a result of support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and commitment from Gilead Sciences to donate direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). The goal of the programme is to eliminate HCV primarily through the test and treat approach, strengthened by prevention interventions, such as harm reduction and infection control. While accessibility and affordability of DAAs in the EECA region is a key issue, effective response to the HCV epidemic will also require expansion of prevention programmes, particularly among PWID., Nine randomized controlled clinical trials have demonstrated a reduction in HIV incidence when antiretrovirals are offered to HIV-negative individuals as tenofovir-based oral regimens, tenofovir vaginal gel or dapivirine released from a vaginal ring. Three trials failed to show benefit; all three were placebo-controlled, and all three were conducted in women in low-income settings in sub-Saharan Africa. The diversity of populations studied in the nine trials, with a positive result, underscores the breadth of impact that adding antiretrovirals to the toolkit for HIV-negative individuals could have. The impact is apparent in some cities in the United States but yet to be realized elsewhere as other countries have been slow to accept the evidence and implement models of delivery. The commonest reason for this delay is the cost of the drug as demand for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is uncertain, although countries that do not currently fund sexual health services or HIV prevention services tailored to key populations are also struggling to work out the feasibility and cost of delivering PrEP. Feasibility and cost of delivery are not reasons for delay in the UK as a well-established, professionally linked network of sexual health clinics already exists, albeit with ever-diminishing funding. As well as the cost of the drug, policy makers cite concerns about an increase in sexually transmitted infections as a result of PrEP. The evidence from pre-PrEP Europe demonstrates that syphilis and gonorrhoea have been increasing for a decade in men who have sex with men, and this mirrors an increase in new HIV infections. PrEP may contribute further to the increase in STIs but at least HIV will be curtailed. Whilst policy makers deliberate, key populations are purchasing PrEP for themselves and services have already changed practice to support them., HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) remains high despite the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and high rates of virological suppression. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to be highly effective in preventing infections in MSM. Healthcare systems are facing the decision of whether to introduce it. The overall goal of the cost-effective analyses is to maximize the health of the population with the available budget. Previous modelling studies based around MSM in North America and Australia found PrEP to be generally not cost-effective. However, there are issues to consider over appropriate costs, time horizon considered and groups targeted. We present results from two cost-effective evaluations of introducing PrEP among MSM in the UK (which I led) and in The Netherlands (led by Brooke Nichols). The two evaluations take into account a time horizon long enough to evaluate the full benefit of PrEP, target similar groups to those in the PROUD and IPERGAY studies, and consider a realistic uptake. While the UK and Dutch models differ greatly in structure, the primary conclusions are the same – PrEP can generally be considered cost-effective (or even cost-saving) for use among MSM in Europe, when appropriately considering a long time scale, given that each infection averted is saving the health service ART costs for many decades to come. However, if the time horizon under consideration is – we would argue inappropriately – restricted to the short-medium term, significant reductions in drug prices are required for PrEP to be considered cost-effective., In the wake of the striking efficacy results of the PROUD and IPERGAY trials, France has approved the use of TDF/FTC for PrEP to reduce the risk of sexual acquisition of HIV among adults in January 2016. In July 2016, more than 1000 patients have been registered on the Gilead website put in place at the request of the French Drug Agency to collect information on patients’ characteristics, PrEP efficacy and safety. PrEP is fully covered by the National Health System. Visits to doctors and tests for PrEP monitoring are partly reimbursed. PrEP can only be prescribed in hospitals and Sexual Health Clinics. More than 90 clinics are currently offering PrEP throughout France. The vast majority of people requesting PrEP self-select and are MSM (96.4%), although PrEP is also recommended in other high-risk individuals but prevention campaigns on the use of PrEP have not yet started. Interestingly, more than 60% of people receive PrEP on demand according to the dosing regimen used in the IPERGAY trial, and so far only two seroconversions have been reported in patients most likely infected at the time they started PrEP. Also 30% of patients had experienced STIs before starting PrEP, and the implementation of PrEP is a clear opportunity for a better prevention, diagnosis and treatment of STIs. Finally, the implementation of PrEP programmes represents a challenge for hospitals and STI clinics since no additional resources have been provided, suggesting more research is needed in defining the best models of care delivery and monitoring., Introduction: The availability of FTC/TDF for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in combination with other strategies to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 in adults at high-risk has altered the HIV prevention landscape in the United States. While previous analyses have shown gender differences among individuals started on FTC/TDF for PrEP, this is the first study to explore the characteristics and differences in utilization trends by gender and race. Materials and methods: National electronic patient-level data were collected from 82% of all US retail pharmacies that dispensed FTC/TDF between January 1, 2013 and March 31, 2016. A previously described algorithm identified use of FTC/TDF for PrEP. De-identified prescription refill data, medical claims and patient demographics were analyzed through categorical methods. Data were projected to all retail pharmacies in the United States. Results: During this time period, a total 67,403 unique individuals started FTC/TDF for PrEP in the United States. Overall, women accounted for 9685 (14.4%) of total FTC/TDF for PrEP users. Age distribution revealed that 9.8% of men and 24.1% of women were, Introduction: The UK National Health Service (NHS) does not provide TDF/FTC for PrEP in the UK. This forces people to purchase generic versions on the internet (e.g. www.iwantprepnow.co.uk [1], which is legal under UK import laws. However, there are concerns about the authenticity of medicines purchased online. In February 2016, we established an innovative service offering plasma tenofovir (TFV) and FTC therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for people buying generic PrEP online, to ensure that drug concentrations were consistent with previously published data. Materials and methods: HIV-negative individuals who attended the GUM clinic (from February to June 2016) who reported purchasing PrEP on the internet were offered TDM. TFV and FTC plasma concentrations were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV detection, with a linear range of 25 to 10,000 ng/mL. Evaluation of renal function and testing for HIV and STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis) were also performed, at baseline and every 3 months, with risk reduction advice provided. Results: About 161 individuals presented after purchasing PrEP on the internet: 74% were White, 94% were taking daily PrEP and 6% event-driven. The majority of patients received generic TDF/FTC from Cipla Ltd. There were 118 patients with TDM results: median (range) TFV concentration was 104 ng/mL (23–1400 ng/mL); median (range) FTC concentration was 157 ng/mL (27–1876 ng/mL). All TFV and FTC concentrations were above our established median plasma TFV and FTC cut-offs of 19 ng/mL and 22 ng/mL, respectively, at 24 hours post-dose, based on previously published data [2, 3]. Seven samples were repeated; six were confirmed to be above cut-off. Baseline eGFR was normal in all evaluable individuals. Thirty-nine (26%) had an STI at baseline or within 3 months of starting PrEP and 13 had an STI at a follow-up visit. No new cases of HIV, hepatitis B/C were seen in this cohort. Conclusions: In a population at high-risk of STI who cannot yet access PrEP from the UK NHS, concentrations of TFV and FTC in generic formulations purchased over the internet were similar to those on the original formulation from Gilead, which have demonstrated high levels of protection against HIV infection in previous clinical trials. References 1. I Want PrEP Now. I Want PrEP Now. [cited 2016 July 30] Available from: http://www.iwantprepnow.co.uk 2. Dickinson L, Yapa HM, Jackson A, Moyle G, Else L, Amara A, et al. Plasma tenofovir, emtricitabine and rilpivirine and intracellular tenofovir diphosphate and emtricitabine triphosphate pharmacokinetics following drug intake cessation. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2015;59(10):6080–6. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AAC.01441-15 3. Donnell D, Baeten J, Bumpus NN, Brantley J, Bangsberg DR, Haberer JE, et al. HIV Protective efficacy and correlates of tenofovir blood concentrations in a clinical trial of PrEP for HIV prevention. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2014;66(3):340–8. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000000172, The epidemiological trends of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Europe will be discussed in this presentation. The speaker, Teymur Noori, who works at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and is responsible for monitoring the HIV response in Europe and Central Asia through the Dublin Declaration monitoring process, will make the case that additional tools for HIV prevention among MSM are needed in order to reduce HIV infections. The latest data on the status of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation in Europe will also be discussed. In addition, results from a PrEP survey conducted in collaboration with the Hornet Gay Social Network on the informal use of PrEP among Hornet network users in Europe will be shown., In France, over the last decade, AIDES has been strongly involved in research to support early community access to biomedical prevention tools. As a community-based organization founded in 1984 and engaged in advocacy as well as in the provision of services to people living with HIV and most at-risk groups, AIDES has extensively contributed to major shifts in the French HIV Public Health policy. Among its achievements are the implementation or rapid HIV and HCV tests, a drug users’ peer education programme on safe injecting practices and, more recently, access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). From a community perspective, implementing PrEP in real life is far more complex than in research. Despite scientific evidence and a wide consensus among researchers, clinicians and the community, months of constant advocacy work were necessary to reach a legal frame around access to PrEP. Scaling-up PrEP was impeded by existing regional inequalities in access to care, along challenges at the level of care centres. Also, the implementation of PrEP requires an increase of human resources and dedicated funding, which creates new challenges for community-based organizations: how can we implement a new programme without limiting other pre-existing ones - in a context of ongoing budget cuts? Finally, it is essential to overcome hesitations and reluctance among community leaders and healthcare workers; and to adequately inform those people who would benefit the most from PrEP, and encourage them to use PrEP., Given the challenge of delivering complex, expensive and potentially harmful antiretroviral therapy on a global level, there is intense interest in the development of short-term, well-tolerated regimens that allow individuals to interrupt therapy indefinitely without experiencing a rebound in viraemia. Recent heroic interventions, such as haematopoietic stem cell transplant, suggest that dramatic reductions in the reservoir size can be achieved, but that complete eradication will be challenging, if not impossible. Experience with ‘elite’ and post-treatment controllers suggest that disease remission may be achievable even if replication-competent HIV persists. Achieving a sustained remission will likely require a low reservoir size and a potent and durable HIV-specific immune response. Cancer and HIV persistence share a number of similarities. In each case, a rare population of cells with the capacity to cause harm becomes established in difficult to reach tissues. The local environment in each case is reshaped to prevent immune mechanisms from clearing the diseased cell. Specifically, a chronic inflammatory environment stimulates an immunosuppressive response, and therapies that target these immune pathways have either been very successful (in cancer) or are now entering the clinic (in HIV disease). These interventions have the potential to enable successful repurposing of preventative vaccines into the HIV cure arena, and will be reviewed. It is hoped that advances in cancer therapy will be translated into the HIV arena, accelerating our discovery of a potential HIV cure., Currently, there are 29 antiretroviral (ARV) drugs approved for the treatment of HIV infection in six mechanistic classes. ARV therapy (ART) guidelines worldwide recommend an initial treatment regimen consisting of a combination of two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and a third drug, either a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), a boosted protease inhibitor (PI) or an integrase inhibitor (II). Current ART regimens are highly potent, safe, tolerable and convenient. Current virological suppression rates can exceed 90% in clinical trials and cohort studies, and one pill, once-daily regimens are widely available. Newer strategies, formulations and investigational ARV agents continue to move ARVs forward. Although a three-drug ART regimen is standard, potent two-drug regimens are under investigation. Long-acting compounds are under study, including an injectable investigational formulation of the approved NNRTI, rilpivirine, and an investigational II, cabotegravir, that can be dosed together every 1 to 2 months. Other investigational formulations include implantable devices that provide sustained release of ARVs, and other newer technologies. The investigational ARV pipeline contains new agents in existing classes (NRTI, NNRTI, PI, II) and some of these are associated with either less toxicity [e.g. NRTI, tenofovir pro-drug TAF (tenofovir alafenamide fumarate); NNRTI, doravirine] or different resistance profiles (II, bictegravir) than current drugs. Two new mechanistic ARV classes under investigation are the CD4 attachment inhibitors and the HIV maturation inhibitors, and candidate drugs in each class are in clinical development. Currently, we can control HIV infection long-term with potent, safe and convenient ART that leads to prolonged healthy survival in our patients., Introduction: DT with DRV/r plus 3TC may be as effective, better tolerated and substantially less costly than TT with DRV/r plus TDF/FTC or ABC/3TC for maintenance of viral suppression. Methods: DUAL is a 48-week multicentre, randomized, open-label, non-inferiority (margin – 12%) clinical trial. HIV-1 infected patients with, Introduction: Integrase inhibitors (INIs) are now one of the most important drug classes in clinical practice. With potential for INI cross-resistance, there is a need to get more resistance related data in patients failing an INI-containing regimen in a context of routine hospital care. Doing so with more cases than observed in clinical trials to date would provide a more precise description about the robustness to resistance selection of the three INIs used in clinical practice. Materials and methods: This national survey of resistance to INIs was conducted through the ANRS AC11 virology network: patients who failed to any INI-containing regimens were included to search for selection of resistance to INI and associated factors. Virological failure was defined as two consecutive plasma viral load >50 copies/mL. All the genotypic resistance tests were performed on the second plasma sample with detectable viral load and interpreted following the ANRS V25 algorithm. Patients who failed to RAL and EVG did not fail to any INI before. However, DTG was used either as the first INI or in patients who failed before to RAL or EVG. Results: About 489 patients failing to INI (270 to RAL, 111 to EVG and 96 to DTG)-containing regimen were analyzed (median age 48 years, CD4 398/mm3, viral load 3.13 log copies/mL at time of failure). In combination with one INI, 250 (51%) patients received two NRTIs, 34 (7%) one NNRTI, 47 (9%) one PI, 76 (16%) one NRTI + one PI, 19 (4%) one NRTI + one NNRTI, 22 (4%) one NNRTI + one PI and 41 other regimens. Among patients failing to RAL, 32% harboured a virus resistant to RAL and among patients failing to EVG, 40% harboured a virus resistant to EVG. Among patients failing to DTG (used as the first INI or used in patients previously exposed to RAL- or EVG-containing regimen) 19% harboured a virus resistant to DTG. Among the 96 patients failing to DTG, 49 received DTG as the first INI, neither INI resistance mutations among the major pathways (92, 118, 121, 140, 143, 148, 155) nor the R263K mutation were present at failure. Conclusions: In this national survey, RAL and EVG are associated with 32 to 40% resistance at failure. However, in INI-nave patients, failing to DTG when used as the first INI, no resistance to INI was detected whatever the antiretroviral associated to DTG., Introduction: DTG-containing cART showed equal or superior viral suppression when compared with raltegravir-, efavirenz- or darunavir-containing cART and is one of the preferred regimens in current treatment guidelines. As short- and long-term side effects of cART remain a concern, maintenance HIV therapy with fewer drugs is an attractive goal. Given the high genetic barrier to resistance, DTG is a potential candidate for maintenance monotherapy. Materials/methods: In a randomized, open-label, multicentre study, we compared DTG maintenance monotherapy (50 mg QD=DOLUMONO) with continued cART (con-cART). After 24 weeks, the con-cART patients switched to DOLUMONO as well (‘delayed switch’). Eligible patients were on cART and suppressed (6 months, had a CD4 nadir >200 cells/µL, HIV RNA zenith, Introduction: In HIV-1-infected treatment-naïve subjects receiving tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC), reformulated RAL 1200 mg (two 600-mg tablets) given once daily (QD) demonstrated potent and non-inferior efficacy at week 48 compared to RAL 400 mg given twice daily (BID). Methods: ONCEMRK is a phase 3, multicentre, double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing reformulated RAL 1200 mg QD to RAL 400 mg BID, both given with TDF/FTC, for up to 96 weeks in treatment-naive HIV-1-infected subjects. Randomization was stratified by screening HIV-1 RNA (vRNA) and chronic hepatitis B/C status. Results for the primary endpoint (% achieving vRNA 100,000 copies/mL, 3% had hepatitis B and/or C co-infection and 34% had non-B subtype HIV infection. Results for the primary efficacy endpoint across selected baseline demographic and prognostic factors are shown below (Table 1). The change in CD4 counts was also similar across subgroups (results not shown). Conclusions: Reformulated RAL 1200 mg QD demonstrated potent and consistent virologic and immunologic efficacy across demographic and baseline prognostic factors, including baseline plasma vRNA level >100,000 copies/mL, baseline CD4 count =200 cells/mm3, hepatitis co-infection, gender, viral subtype and geographic region., Introduction: BMS-663068 is a prodrug of BMS-626529, an attachment inhibitor that binds directly to HIV-1 gp120, preventing initial viral attachment and entry into the host CD4+ T-cell. AI438011 is an ongoing, phase IIb, randomized, active-controlled trial investigating the safety, efficacy and dose-response of BMS-663068 versus atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) in treatment-experienced, HIV-1-positive subjects. Through week 96, BMS-663068 showed generally similar efficacy to ATV/r. We report a subgroup analysis of viral efficacy and immunologic response through week 96. Materials and methods: Treatment-experienced subjects (exposure to ≥1 antiretroviral for ≥1 week) with susceptibility to all study drugs and BMS-626529 IC50 100,000 copies/mL) and median CD4+ T-cell count 230 cells/mm3 (38%, Introduction: BMS-663068 is a prodrug of BMS-626529, an attachment inhibitor that binds directly to HIV-1 gp120, preventing initial viral attachment and entry into host CD4+ T-cells. AI438011 is an ongoing, phase IIb, randomized, active-controlled trial investigating the safety, efficacy and dose-response of BMS-663068 versus atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) in treatment-experienced, HIV-1-positive subjects. Through week 96, BMS-663068 showed generally similar efficacy to ATV/r. We report the complete safety profile through week 96. Materials and methods: Treatment-experienced subjects (exposure to ≥1 antiretroviral for ≥1 week) with susceptibility to all study drugs and BMS-626529 IC50, Introduction: Albuvirtide is a once-weekly injectable HIV-1 fusion inhibitor. We present interim data of the TALENT study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02369965), that assessed the safety and efficacy of albuvirtide plus lopinavir-ritonavir in antiretroviral-experienced adults with HIV-1. Materials and methods: We carried out the 48-week, phase 3, randomized, controlled, open-label non-inferiority trial at 12 sites in China. Adults on WHO-recommended first-line treatment for >6 months with plasma viral load >1000 copies/mL were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive albuvirtide (once weekly) plus ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (albuvirtide) or WHO-recommended second-line treatment (control). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with plasma viral load, Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is more prevalent in HIV-infected compared to HIV-negative women. Limited data on pregnancy outcomes in HIV/HCV co-infected women are available. This study aimed to investigate prevalence, immunological parameters and pregnancy outcomes associated with HCV-HIV co-infected pregnant women. Methods: Prospectively collected data of the Swiss Mother and Child HIV Cohort Study including pregnancies and deliveries documented between 2000 and 2015 were analysed. Hepatitis C co-infection was defined as HCV antibody positivity. Multiple pregnancies were excluded. Results: Of 548 women, 75 (13.7%) were HCV seropositive. Compared with HCV seronegative women those with HIV/HCV co-infection reported more often a history of injecting drug use (IDU) (65.3% vs. 1.5%, p31 years: 74.7% vs. 56.9%, p, Introduction: Heterosexual HIV-1 transmission has been described as a severe genetic bottleneck, with a stringent selection bias favouring the transmission of a high fitness viral variant [1]. Recent work has also suggested that the selection bottleneck present during transmission in men who have sex with men (MSM) has notable differences [2]. There is poorer understanding of the mechanisms underlying successful mother-to-child transmission, where rates of transmission are much higher. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a similar bottleneck is seen in mother-to-child transmission, and that a viral variant with high viral replicative capacity (VRC) is responsible for establishing infection in the child. Materials and methods: Thirty-eight mother-child HIV transmission pairs were included in the study (26 children were infected by intra-uterine [IU] transmission and 12 by intra-partum [IP] transmission). These pairs were taken from a previously described, treatment-naïve cohort recruited in Durban, South Africa, between 2003 and 2005 [3]. Samples were taken from the mothers antenatally, within 4 months of delivery, and from the child up to 14 weeks after birth. Authenticity of the mother-child transmission pairs was validated by phylogenetic analysis of the viral sequences. Gag-protease chimeric viruses were generated from mother and child plasma samples and used in a VRC assay as previously described [4]. Results: The VRC of chimeric viruses derived from the children was compared with those of their respective mothers. In an unexpected finding, we show that, overall, the VRC in the children was lower than in the mothers (mean VRC 0.70. vs 0.80; p, Introduction: Antiretroviral therapy reduced perinatal transmission for less than 1% in several countries, but mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) was not eliminated [1]. Raltegravir (RAL) has demonstrated good tolerability during pregnancy in previous studies [2] and could be beneficial to HIV mothers detected in late pregnancy without prenatal care and demanding rapid viral load control, in association regimens for HIV mothers failing therapy during pregnancy or resistant virus [3]. In developing countries, where HIV late detection in pregnancy is still a serious problem, associate RAL in third trimester could be a valid prevention approach to MTCT. Materials and methods: Seven women were followed in Hospital Geral de Fortaleza between 2014 and 2016. They received RAL 400 mg twice daily. Four were HIV late detected in third trimester; two had previous diagnosis with antiretroviral exposes and viral load higher than 1000 copies; and one presented viral resistance. Mothers were followed during pregnancy and children after birth for 6 months. Results: Mean age was 26.3 years (var 20–36). Previous therapy exposure: naïve (four), TDF/3TC/EFZ (one), TDF/3TC/NVP (one) and ZDV/3TC/ATV 300 mg/r 100 mg (one). Mean weeks of pregnancy at RAL initiation 32.3 (var 21–37). Associated medications in regimens with RAL: ZDV/3TC/LPVr (four), TDF/3TC/LPVr (two) and TDF/3TC/NVP (one). Mean CD4 before RAL 486 cells/mm3, and at birth time 616 cells/mm3. Mean CD8 before RAL 884 cells/mm3, and at birth time 1015 cells/mm3. Five patients had undetectable viral load at birth, one had 45 copies/mL and one had 2662 copies/mL. Mean falling viral load was 3.56 log. One patient documented viral load falls of 3.8 log in 21 days, another 3.08 log in 7 days and one with 2.2 log in 23 days. Mothers tolerated regimen with RAL without adverse effects. Six children were not infected, and all seven did not present malformation. One child was infected, her mother initiated ZDV/3TC/LPVr/RAL just 5 days prior to birth (viral load 2662). Child presented viral load after birth of 308,718 (2 months) and 386,152 (3 months), and genotypic test HIV subtype B, 211K mutation in reverse transcriptase and 41K, 63P, 71V, 77I, 93L in protease. These results suggest intrauterine transmission and transmitted resistance mutations in HIV. Conclusions: We detected rapid viral load falls during pregnancy with RAL in standard doses, good tolerability in women and safety in children. Alert for previous transmitted resistance in mother-to-child prophylaxis, suggesting importance of genotypic test in pregnancy and early HIV diagnosis., Introduction: In the North-Eastern region of Romania most of the female HIV-positive population is sexually active and at child-bearing age. In Romania, there is a strict protocol regarding HIV vertical transmission [1]. We aim to evaluate the efficiency of this protocol and the degree of appliance, reflected in the HIV status of new-born infants from HIV-positive mothers for a period of 3 years. Materials and methods: Of the 1424 patients actively monitored in the HIV/AIDS Regional Center in Iasi, Romania, 46.5% (663) are female. We evaluated retrospectively the files of all new-born infants from HIV-positive mothers for a period of 4 years (January 2012–December 2015). Results: In the period mentioned above, 127 children were born (36 in 2012, 38 in 2013, 26 in 2014, 27 in 2015); one death occurred 10 days after birth, due to multiple organ malformations; the lowest weight at birth was 750 g; three of the children (3%) had a detectable viral load at birth; in two cases we could not evaluate the viral load; 125 children (98%) were born through caesarean section; two were born through natural labour (2%), one of which at home. Mothers received treatment with lopinavir/ritonavir + zidovudine/lamivudine through the whole pregnancy in 81 cases, other antiretroviral regimens in 27 cases, and in nine cases the mothers did not receive any treatment, being tested for HIV at birth. For all new-borns prophylaxis was made with zidovudine+lamivudine for 6 weeks. Three children remained positive at 18 months, and therapy for them consisted of zidovudine+lamivudine+nevirapine. Conclusions: Evaluation of pregnant HIV-positive women and prophylaxis for new-born infants in the evaluated period was conducted according to protocols, which resulted in a small percentage of HIV-positive children (2.3%) [2,3]., Introduction: Ethiopia is one of the sub-Saharan African countries hard-hit by HIV/AIDS and unfortunately, one of every three children born to those women gets infected with HIV in the country. Monitoring and evaluation of the rate and its risk factors for HIV infection among infants born to HIV-positive mothers are among the major indicators of the performance of a national HIV control program. However, this is not well documented in Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia which is the first largest, most populous and one of the hardest HIV/AIDS-hit regions in the country. Hence, this institutional-based retrospective study was conducted in 43 health facilities from November 2014 to January 2015 in selected administrative zones of western Oromia, Ethiopia. The study participants were HIV-exposed infants enrolled between June 2012 and October 2014 in the institution. Method: Medical records of HIV-exposed infants and their mothers enrolled into the program were reviewed to collect the data. Results: A total of 492 HIV-exposed infants having HIV DNA/PCR test result were included in the study. The overall prevalence of HIV among HIV-exposed infants was 7.70%. Conclusion: Failure to receive either antiretroviral therapy or prophylaxis for more than 4 months (AOR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4–12.6), not receiving co-trimoxazole preventive therapy (AOR 7.8, 95% CI 2.6–23.7), failure to receive prophylaxis at birth (AOR 18.1, 95% CI 5.2–63.4) and mixed feeding (AOR 2.302, 95% CI 1.167–4.539) were the factors that increase the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In conclusion, the risk of HIV infection among infants born to HIV-infected mothers is high in the study area. Therefore, education and promotion for seeking obstetric care and HIV services during their course of pregnancy, focusing on exclusive breast feeding counselling and promotion, and early initiation of antiretroviral treatment to HIV-infected pregnant women are recommended to curb the devastating consequences of HIV on pregnant women and their newborns., Introduction: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV has declined to less than 2% in the UK [1,2]. This decline was a result of the development in perinatal care and preventive measures offered to HIV-positive pregnant women [3,4]. In the UK, management of HIV-infected pregnant women is according to the British HIV Association (BHIVA) pregnancy guidelines, recently reviewed in 2014. The aim of the audit was to measure the extent of adherence to the BHIVA pregnancy guidelines. Methods: A total of 117 women were identified as HIV-positive pregnant women registered to deliver at the hospital, between May 2012 and December 2015. A total of seven maternal and neonatal factors were evaluated to measure extent of adherence to the guidelines. Data were collected retrospectively from the hospital database and medical notes of these women and their neonates. Eleven women had miscarriages, ten delivered in other different hospitals and one infant died at birth. These were excluded from analysis, leaving a total of 95 patients. Data were compiled onto a spreadsheet and analyzed. Results: Adherence to the guidelines varied in all the aspects examined. Areas where less optimal adherence were observed included viral load testing at delivery for women taking HAART and HIV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for neonates at 12 weeks. Majority of women were undetectable at 36-week gestation (80%), but only 60% delivered vaginally, even though appropriate mode of delivery was planned for the patients at 36 weeks. For neonatal antiretroviral, 55% were documented to have received zidovudine monotherapy or triple therapy, as appropriate, within 4 hours. Conclusion: There are variations in adherence of the care provided at the hospital, to the BHIVA guidelines. Areas for development include improvement in documentation, maternal viral load testing at delivery and neonatal HIV PCR testing at 12 weeks., Introduction: Pregnant HIV patients are often concerned with foetal development and IU transmission of HIV. Therefore, they frequently opt for an abortion. Antiretroviral therapy brought new options to these women due to reduced risk of mother-foetal transmission [1,2]. We estimated the incidence of abortion in HIV-infected pregnant women in our clinic, for the last 15 years. Material and methods: Data were retrospectively collected. The incidence of abortions in women with a known diagnosis of HIV between 2000 and 2015 was compared with the incidence of abortions in women who were newly diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy. Statistical analysis with linear regression was done with SPSS version 23. Results: Seventy-six women were included, with an average age at HIV diagnosis of 26.6 (standard deviation 5.5) years. Of 110 pregnancies, 27 (24.5%) ended in a planned abortion (Table 1). There was a significant relationship between the number of women with known HIV infection prior to pregnancy and the choice for abortion (R=0.276, p=0.004). There was no association between the prevalence of abortion and the maternal age at the time of HIV diagnostics. Conclusion: This study shows that, in our sample, women already infected with HIV choose to terminate pregnancy more often than those who are already pregnant at the time of first diagnosis. Although the use of HAART reduces HIV transmission to the foetus, the presence of an HIV infection seems to play a role in deciding to terminate pregnancy. It is necessary to develop more studies about this and thoroughly inform these patients and help them to make informed decisions about termination of pregnancy., Introduction: The prevalence of HIV among Ukrainian women is estimated to be more than 1%. Increased preterm delivery has been reported among HIV-infected women in several industrialized countries. Recent studies have identified HIV as a leading contributor to preterm delivery. Premature babies born to HIV-positive mothers are at an increased risk of vertical transmission. The aim of the study was to evaluate the rate and the risk factors for the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in women who had preterm delivery (PTB; 12 hours was in 69.3% cases. In the Group I viral loads >10,000 copies/mL were in 23.1%, 12 hours (RR 1.43; 95% CI 1.10–1.86), a high viral load >10,000 copies/mL (RR 1.62; 95% CI 1.25–2.23) and who were untreated with HAART (p, Introduction: In the North-Eastern region of Romania most of the female HIV-positive population is sexually active and at child-bearing age [1]. In Romania, there is a strict protocol regarding HIV vertical transmission [2]. We aim to evaluate the efficiency of this protocol and the degree of appliance, reflected in the HIV status of new-born infants from HIV-positive mothers for a period of 3 years. Material and methods: Of the 1424 patients actively monitored in the HIV/AIDS Regional Center in Iasi, Romania, 46.5% (663) are female. We evaluated retrospectively the files of all new-born infants from HIV-positive mothers for a period of 3 years (January 2012–December 2014). Results: In the period mentioned above, 100 children were born (36 in 2012, 38 in 2013, 26 in 2014); one death occurred 10 days after birth, due to multiple organ malformations; the lowest weight at birth was 750 g; three of the children (3%) had a detectable viral load at birth; in one case we could not evaluate the viral load; 98 children (98%) were born through caesarean section; two were born through natural labour (2%), one of which at home. Mothers received treatment with lopinavir/ritonavir+zidovudine/lamivudine through the whole pregnancy in 81 cases; in eight cases the mothers did not receive any treatment, being tested for HIV at birth. For all new-borns prophylaxis was made with zidovudine+lamivudine for 6 weeks. Three children remained positive at 18 months, and therapy for them consisted of zidovudine+lamivudine+nevirapine. Conclusions: Evaluation of pregnant HIV-positive women and prophylaxis for new-born infants in the evaluated period was conducted according to protocols, which resulted in a small percentage of HIV-positive children (3%). This is one of the aspects that make the Romanian HIV-positive population different from that of other countries [3]., Introduction: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended in most cases of sexual assaults. Due to many reasons, compliance is poor in this situation. A single-tablet regimen for PEP showed good results in terms of adherence and completion [1]. Following a previous study in our institution indicating a low compliance (40%) to PEP for sexual assault victims [2], drug regimen has been changed on 1 January 2015 from LPV/r /d4T/3TC to single tablet EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF aiming to improve compliance. In this study, we evaluate the impact of this change on compliance. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective sequential period analysis between January 2011 and December 2015 of persons consulting at our institution for PEP following sexual assault. Data were extracted from a prospective PEP registry. Patients receiving 28 days of treatment were considered compliant. Compliance was extracted from medical records and calculated from pharmacy records. Results: A total of 368 cases were included, 283 received PEP. Ninety-six percent were female with a mean age of 27 years, 50% were migrant. Exposure was vaginal receptive in 82% of cases, anal receptive in 21% and oral receptive in 27%. Seventy-one patients received a single tablet EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF and 212 received a multi-tablet regimen LPV/r /d4T/3TC twice daily. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were not statistically significantly different. Compliance was higher in EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF compared with LPV/r /d4T/3TC (52% vs. 42% respectively, p=0.158), but this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Switching to a well-tolerated single-pill regimen (EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF) modestly improves compliance suggesting that in sexual assault victims other drug regimens and other interventions should be implemented., Introduction: Increasing use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using Truvada following clinical trials that have shown nearly 100% efficacy for high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) raises concerns that resulting decreased condom use could increase sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Clinique l'Actuel (CA) is a sexual health clinic in Montréal, Québec, Canada and the largest provider of health care for MSM and people living with HIV in the city; in 2015, CA treated 60% of N. gonorrhoea (NG) cases in Québec province; a marked increase in NG treatments has been noted at CA since January 2016. Since August 2015 PrEP has been offered to MSM coming for STI screening and assessed as high risk by physicians; as of July 2016, 1059 MSM are receiving PrEP (85% continuous regimen, 15% intermittent regimen) at CA. PrEP may lead to a shift away from condoms as a prevention strategy, or alternatively offers a new prevention strategy for those who already engage in condom-less sex. Methods: To assess whether PrEP increases condom-preventable STIs, we enrolled patients with >1 year of follow-up before and after PrEP prescription. Hundred and thirty-three patients were included. Patients were seen every 3 months for a physician evaluation, behavioural questionnaire and full STI screen that included PCR swabs for anal, oral or urethral NG and C. trachomatis (CT). Cases were ascertained by electronic results with a manual chart review to confirm positives. The proportion of individuals infected with CT and NG were compared before and after exposure to PrEP using two-sided chi squared (χ2) test. Results: The proportion of individuals infected with anal, oral or urethral CT in the year prior to PrEP were 10%, 2%, 3%, respectively and in the year post-PrEP were 20%, 2%, 11% in the exposure period (p-value 0.00, 1.00, 0.01, respectively). The percentage of individuals infected with CT at any site pre- and post-PrEP were 13% and 26% (p=0.01). The proportion of individuals infected with anal, oral or urethral NG in the year prior to PrEP were 9%, 8% and 8%, respectively, and in the year after PrEP were 14%, 11%, 6% (p-value 0.24, 0.29, 0.62, respectively). The percentage of individuals infected with NG pre- and post-PrEP were 17% and 26% (p=0.07), respectively. Conclusion: Increased rates of CT post-PrEP suggest a shift away from condom use. Increased rates of asymptomatic STIs such as CT but not NG post-PrEP warrant further study., Introduction: There are concerns that those taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may increase their frequency of condomless sexual intercourse and hence increase their risk of acquiring STIs other than HIV. We wished to survey the perception of these concerns for those on PrEP in the UK. Materials and methods: Between 6 February and 7 June 2016, we surveyed MSM attending a central London sexual health clinic for PrEP monitoring. The survey was a self-reported anonymous paper questionnaire asking about respondents’ PrEP regimen, length of time on PrEP and how respondents’ sexual activity and partner selection had changed and how they felt about the risk of acquiring STIs and HIV since starting PrEP. P-values were computed using Fisher's exact test. Results: Hundred questionnaires were completed: all respondents were MSM. The majority (77%) were taking daily PrEP, 19% event-driven and four not-specified. The median time on PrEP was 3 months. Since starting PrEP most respondents indicated they were more relaxed about their risk of acquiring HIV (83%). With regard to risk of acquiring other STIs, 20% were less relaxed and most “felt the same” (78%). Most (63%) indicated that the number of times they had had condomless sex had not changed since starting PrEP; 30% indicated it had increased. There was a reported increase in condomless intercourse in those taking PrEP for longer than 4 months compared with those more recently starting (p=0.049) (Table 1). Conclusions: Our survey suggests that MSM taking PrEP in London, UK are more relaxed about acquiring HIV but less so about other STIs. There appears to be an association between length of time on PrEP and increase of condomless sexual activity. It is important that PrEP guidelines incorporate regular STI screening and risk reduction interventions., Introduction: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC) against HIV infection have been shown to be efficacious in clinical trials. Successful implementation of PrEP in the field settings requires understanding of the knowledge and opinions of PrEP among the individuals who will benefit most from the intervention. This survey aimed to understand the attitudes towards PrEP among individuals in Taiwan who sought voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV at a university hospital, where the HIV incidence rates among men who have sex with men (MSM) was estimated 5.5 per 100 person-years of follow-up between 2007 and 2015. Materials and methods: Between April and June, 2016, a survey was conducted among VCT clients who completed an anonymous questionnaire interview with the assistance of a trained counsellor to inquire about the risks for HIV infection or other sexually transmitted infections and the knowledge of PrEP against HIV infection. We collected information on demographics, educational achievement, occupation, income and risk exposures that prompted the VCT visits. Tests for anti-HIV antibody and syphilis were performed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the associated factors with consideration to initiate PrEP. All of the variables with p, Introduction: In Bangkok, one in three Thai men who have sex with men (MSM) are HIV positive [1] and prevalence among transgender (TG) women ranges from 10 to 17% [2]. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a safe and effective HIV prevention method [3]. Thai MSM and TG have shown high interest in PrEP uptake, but data on PrEP adherence and retention remain suboptimal. We sought to understand how self-perceived adherence related to actual adherence, to inform the development of future PrEP adherence interventions. Methods: Between January 10 and 11 April 2016, the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre (TRCARC)'s Adam's Love (www.adamslove.org) enrolled MSM and TG into free PrEP services using its real-time PrEP eCounselling and novel Online-to-Offline (O2O) model at four sites in Bangkok including TRCARC Anonymous Clinic, Adam's Love private clinic and two community-based drop-in centres. Data were gathered on their self-perceived adherence at PrEP initiation and compared with self-reported adherence 1 month post PrEP use. Logistic regression was used to calculate the OR for demographic and behavioural characteristics associated with 100% self-reported adherence. Factors significant in univariate analysis at p, Introduction: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention is rarely implemented in Polish setting. It remains controversial among infectious diseases specialists, yet no research was undertaken to identify the concerns. Providing deeper understanding of the exact nature of physicians’ attitudes about PrEP should help direct further efforts into resolving the controversies. Materials and methods: Anonymous questionnaires (150) were distributed among Polish infectious diseases specialists with questions addressing their attitudes, beliefs, expectations and experiences related to PrEP. Data were collected in regard to sex, age, years of practice, city of practice and whether they were members of academic faculty. Results: Overall, 62 physicians (41.3%) returned the questionnaires (mean age 42.5, SD 10.5; 69.4% women). Only nine doctors (14.7%) had ever prescribed PrEP to patients. Majority considered there were indications for use of PrEP in seronegative women (70.5%) and seronegative men (65.6%) planning pregnancy with a serodiscordant partner and consequently believed PrEP should be funded by the state in these circumstances (63.94% and 60.7%, respectively). No other presented situation (such as: men who have sex with men with a history of unprotected anal intercourse, serodiscordant couples and intravenous drug users) was considered an indication for PrEP or a justification for state funding. In the sample, 63.9% of doctors agreed or strongly agreed with a statement that PrEP was a well-known issue to them compared to 8.2% who disagreed or strongly disagreed. Majority (67.7% vs. 11.3%) believed PrEP was efficacious in preventing new infections and 56.5% (vs. 21%) shared the view it was a major accomplishment in HIV prevention. Common concerns included: PrEP leading to abandonment of safer sex practices (64.5% vs. 16.1%) or serving as an encouragement to risky sexual behaviours (58.1% vs. 24.2%) and potential drug-resistance emergence (54.1% vs. 24.6%). Vast majority (77.4% vs. 11.3%) believed that patients should radically alter their behaviours instead of relying on pharmacologic interventions. Conclusions: Polish physicians involved in HIV treatment hold generally favourable views of PrEP and majority consider themselves sufficiently educated in this regard. Concerns are raised, however, in terms of encouragement to risky sexual behaviours, which should be addressed in research in Central and Eastern European population of potential PrEP users., Introduction: Biomedical prevention strategies are an important aspect of combination prevention interventions for HIV infection. Programmes targeting populations at highest HIV risk are likely to be cost-effective. Individuals who require post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have been shown to be at high risk for subsequent HIV seroconversion, yet their knowledge of alternate prevention strategies is unclear. We undertook to assess overall awareness of PrEP amongst individuals accessing an NPEP program in Vancouver, Canada. Methods: Individuals accessing an NPEP pilot program offered at five sites (four community-based and via an emergency department of a tertiary care hospital) were sequentially recruited to complete a self-administered HIV knowledge questionnaire between July 2012 and March 2014. Awareness of PrEP was initially dichotomized as a yes/no response, and for individuals reporting PrEP awareness, level of self-reported knowledge was further categorized using a four-point Likert scale. Factors associated with PrEP awareness were determined using Fisher's exact test for categorical values and Wilcoxon rank sum for continuous variables (p, Introduction: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) has shown to be effective in preventing HIV among high-risk HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM). These overwhelming results of the trials put pressure on countries to make PrEP available. Few are already dispensing TDF/FTC as PrEP, Portugal is not one of those, although we remain one of the most affected populations in Western Europe. However, some individuals report the use of PrEP. We aimed to assess the frequency of PrEP use and the characteristics of users in an HIV-negative MSM cohort [1]. Materials and methods: Using data from the Lisbon Cohort of MSM, an open prospective cohort of 4243 adult HIV-negative MSM, we performed a case-cohort analysis; 28 (0.7%) reported to have used PrEP, and we randomly selected 112 controls. Proportions were compared using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test and medians using the Mann-Whitney. Results: PrEP users had a significantly higher median number of visits in the cohort (3 vs. 1, p, Introduction: UNAIDS has set the goal that 90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) are diagnosed, that 90% of all people diagnosed receive ART and 90% of all people receiving ART have viral suppression. Apart from being a challenging goal, there is controversy whether the 90–90–90 UNAIDS targets suffice to curb the HIV epidemic. Methods: Patients from the University Hospital Innsbruck (UHI; covers ≥99% patients with ART) who had their last residency in the Austrian Tyrol. PLHIV estimates were obtained using back-calculation models [1] to estimate HIV incidence and the undiagnosed fraction from the patients referred to UHI. The proportion ever diagnosed and still living in Tyrol who ever initiated ART and the proportion of them who were virally suppressed (≤200 copies/mL) were assessed for the years 2001 to 2015. Missing HIV RNA was considered as unsuppressed. Results: PLHIV were estimated to be 271 in 2001 and 501 in 2015. The fraction undiagnosed decreased from 18% (95% CI 12–24%) in 2011 to 11% (95% CI 7–27%) in 2015. The proportion of diagnosed patients who have ever started ART increased from 64% in 2001 to 91% in 2015 (Figure 1). Among those who started ART, the proportion of individuals virally suppressed improved from 79 to 97% between 2001 and 2015 (Figure 1). The fraction of the virally suppressed among PLHIV increased from 39% in 2001 to 79% in 2015, which is well above the 90–90–90 target of 73%. Estimates of the number of new HIV infections decreased from 26 (95% CI 18–34) in 2009 to eight (95% CI 0–76) in 2015 (Figure 2). Conclusions: Although the relationship between the fraction of virally suppressed and HIV infections does not demonstrate causality it provides strong supportive evidence that treatment as prevention can reduce the epidemic. In addition, our data support that in this setting the 90–90–90 targets may indeed curb the epidemic., Introduction: The risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) by people living with HIV (PLHIV) could be drastically reduced through provision of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT). In Nigeria, there is paucity of data on the routine implementation of this intervention and its effectiveness in low-resource settings. The MSH model provides 6 months of IPT at 2-month intervals for eligible PLHIV. This study assessed pattern of IPT provision and impact among PLHIV in six USAID-funded hospitals in Kebbi state, Nigeria. Methodology: Data were collected in November 2015 by reviewing a total of 1653 folders of adult and paediatric PLHIV placed on IPT across six health facilities between January 2013 and October 2015. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze findings. Results: Of the 1653 folders reviewed, 1134 have completed IPT while 519 were still on IPT. Only 13 (1.1%) of those who completed IPT developed TB after average period of 11 months. Only one (0.1%) developed TB while on IPT. Individuals who completed IPT without developing TB have the same IPT default rate (31%) as those who developed TB after IPT completion. Those who completed IPT without developing TB were found to have lower rate (10%) of ART default compared with higher rate (60%) in those who developed TB after IPT completion. IPT default was highest in the first few weeks of ART initiation. Conclusion: ART and IPT have combined effect of reducing TB incidence among PLHIV. Adherence to ART as measured by default rate has greater impact compared with adherence to IPT in the reduction of the incidence of TB among PLHIV. Coupled with enhanced adherence services, pre-packaging IPT and ART as single prescription will help to overcome integration challenges and reduce TB burden among PLHIV., Introduction: Early cART remains the most effective HIV prevention strategy, yet poor linkage to care after HIV diagnosis may compromise this benefit [1]. It is important to better understand patient characteristics and risk for HIV acquisition and association with response to cART. Method: The TAK project collects all information on patients diagnosed with HIV in community-based testing facilities (CBVCTs) in central Poland, follows their linkage to care and ongoing routine clinical care [2]. Data collected for persons diagnosed from 2010 to 2013 in CBVCTs were linked with HIV clinic records. Individuals linked to care were followed from first CBVCTs visit until last visit in the HIV clinic or 5 December 2015. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify factors associated with viral suppression (VS) (first VS: HIV RNA, Introduction: Although several randomized studies have shown that PI/r-including first-line regimens have lower efficacy as compared to those including integrase inhibitors, they are still used in a number of conditions, mainly due to their high genetic barrier. We aimed to reproduce in a real-life setting results of the ACTG 5257 trial, comparing virologic response, durability and tolerability of first line raltegravir (RAL)-including regimens to regimens including either darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) or atazanavir/r (ATV/r). Materials and methods: Patients from the Icona cohort initiating their first ART regimen from January 2008 (date of availability of RAL in Italy) with TDF/FTC or ABC/3TC plus ATV/r or DRV/r or RAL with at least one visit and one CD4 and VL determination in follow-up were included in the analyses. Primary endpoint: treatment failure (TF): virologic failure (VF) (HIV RNA >200 copies/mL ≥6 months of therapy) or discontinuation of RAL, ATV/r or DRV/r whatever first occurs. Secondary endpoints: VF50 (HIV RNA >50 copies/mL ≥6 months of therapy); discontinuation (TD) of RAL, ATV/r or DRV/r due to all causes and discontinuation due to toxicity/tolerability (TDT). Discontinuation of backbone does not count as endpoint. Survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression model. Results: A total of 2072 patients were analyzed: 939 (45.3%) started ATV/r-including regimens, 932 DRV/r (45.0%) and 202 (9.7%) RAL. Several differences in demographic and clinical characteristics according to the regimen used were identified (see Table 1). In a median follow-up of 1.4 years (IQR 0.6–2.7), TF occurred in 1028 patients, 28.2/100 PYFU (95% CI 25.6–30), VF50 in 372, 7.9/100 PYFU (95% CI 7.2–8.8), TD in 978 26.3/100 PYFU (95% CI 24.7–28), and TDT in 326 patients, 8.8/100 PYFU (95% CI 7.8–9.8). In the multivariable analysis, no differences in TF according to regimens was found. RAL-including regimens resulted in 46% lower risk of VF50 compared to ATV/r. Both DRV/r-including and RAL-including regimens resulted in significantly lower risk of TDT compared to ATV/r-including regimens (Table 2). Conclusions: Concerning the risk of discontinuation for toxicity our results are consistent with those observed in A5257. When considering virologic failure, only with the threshold of 50 copies/mL results were somewhat different from those observed in the randomized comparison, suggesting lower rate of virologic failure for RAL than ATV/r, although the difference was small and likely due to methodology discrepancy and residual confounding cannot be ruled out., Introduction: Long-acting antiretrovirals could provide a useful alternative to daily oral therapy for HIV-1 infected individuals. However, the need for combination therapy and the potential for multiple IV/IM injections or tolerability issues may create roadblocks to this type of therapy. Adnectins are small proteins derived from the 10th type III domain of the human fibronectin protein that possess modifiable binding loops akin to the complementarity determining region of an antibody. Using Adnectins, we have developed the Combinectin inhibitor GSK3732394 (BMS-986197), a long-acting biologic with three independent and synergistic modes of HIV entry inhibition that potentially could be self-administered as a long-acting subcutaneous injection. Methods: Adnectins targeting CD4 and a region of gp41 were isolated and optimized for antiviral potency and biophysical characteristics. The anti-gp41 Adnectin was joined at its amino terminus to the anti-CD4 Adnectin via a peptide linker. A third inhibitor, an alpha-helical peptide fusion inhibitor, was linked to the carboxyl end of the anti-gp41 Adnectin via another linker. Finally, a human serum albumin (HSA) molecule was attached to amino terminus of the anti-CD4 Adnectin to optimize in vivo PK. Results: The EC50s of the isolated anti-CD4 Adnectin, anti-gp41 Adnectin and fusion inhibitor peptide were 8.5, 5.4 and 0.4 nM, respectively. Various synergies were obtained through linking all three inhibitors into a single molecule. Optimally combining the two Adnectins increased potency over 100-fold to ~30 pM. Addition of the fusion inhibitor peptide resulted in an increased resistance barrier compared to the separate components, as virus resistant to any one of the three components did not affect the potency of GSK3732394. Addition of HSA to the amino terminus decreased potency to 0.27 nM, but improved PK, leading to a projected weekly human dose. GSK3732394 exhibited broad spectrum activity and was efficacious in a mouse model of HIV-1 infection. Conclusions: GSK3732394 is a novel recombinant biologic molecule containing three independent HIV inhibitors that has been developed as a potential single long-acting regimen for HIV-1. This molecule has the biophysical characteristics amenable for a self-administered subcutaneous weekly injection., Context: Controlling viral replication with fewer drugs. Identifying light suppressive ART strategies – one-drug (1-DR) or two-drug (2-DR) regimen – has become a key issue in the long-term management of HIV-infected patients for various reasons: cumulative toxicity, unnecessary drugs and cost saving. Objectives: To evaluate the ART regimen profile in patients with suppressed HIV viraemia in a single large HIV care and research centre in 2015. Methods: All HIV-infected patients with a suppressed HIV-1 plasma viral load (pVL, Introduction: In treatment-naïve patients, Elpida 20 and 40 mg QD (with TDF/FTC) at week 12 demonstrated potent antiviral activity, comparable to EFV, and favourable safety/tolerability profile. Elpida 20 mg QD was selected for study. Objective: To evaluate safety and antiviral effect for treatment regimens with Elpida+TDF/FTC in comparison with EFV+TDF/FTC in treatment-naïve HIV-1 infected patients. Methodology: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in patients with HIV infection who are antiretroviral therapy-naïve with median of HIV-1 RNA 4.7–4.8 log10 copies/mL and CD4-lymphocytes – 349 to 379 cells/mm3. A total of 120 patients were randomized to Elpida (20 mg, group 1) or EFV (600 mg, group 2) with 1:1 ratio. All patients received TDF/FTC. Hundred percent of patients completed 24 weeks of treatment and 50% of patients completed 48 weeks of treatment. Results: After 24 weeks of treatment, the fraction of patients with, Introduction: The HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) bictegravir (formerly GS-9883) has a high barrier to resistance selection in vitro [1]. Bictegravir has an improved in vitro resistance profile for most HIV isolates with resistance to the other INSTIs raltegravir, elvitegravir and dolutegravir [1,2]. The apparent dissociation rate constant of dolutegravir from integrase/DNA complexes was previously shown to be longer than raltegravir and elvitegravir and was predicted to correlate with potent antiretroviral activity and a higher genetic barrier to resistance [3]. Here, the dissociation kinetics of bictegravir was evaluated. Methods: The apparent association and dissociation kinetics of 3H-labelled INSTIs raltegravir, elvitegravir, dolutegravir and bictegravir were measured using wild-type HIV integrase/DNA complexes and a scintillation proximity assay as previously described [3]. Single exponential decay functions were used to analyze both the binding and competition binding phases yielding apparent association doubling times (td) and dissociation half-lives (t1/2). However, the competition binding phases deviated significantly from the single exponential decay function due to the gradual sedimentation of the SPA beads, necessitating modelling of the equilibrium binding with on- and off-rate constants as decreasing functions of time with kon and koff as initial values of each function, respectively. Results: The INSTIs bictegravir, dolutegravir, elvitegravir and raltegravir showed rapid association with integrase/DNA complexes with apparent association doubling times (td) ranging from 14 to 34 minutes: elvitegravir (14±4 minutes), raltegravir (22±11 minutes), bictegravir (31±4 minutes) and dolutegravir (34±1 minutes). The apparent dissociation half-lives (t1/2) of INSTIs from integrase/DNA complexes ranged from 3.6 to 122 hours: elvitegravir (3.6±0.9 hours), raltegravir (15±2 hours), dolutegravir (71±13 hours) and bictegravir (122±14 hours); p=0.0018 for bictegravir versus dolutegravir. The initial values of the dissociation rate constants (koff) were determined using the model and converted to a t1/2 which may be more representative of the actual t1/2: elvitegravir (1.6±0.2 hours), raltegravir (5.4±0.4 hours), dolutegravir (11±2 hours), and bictegravir (35±19 hours); p=0.046 for bictegravir versus dolutegravir. Conclusions: The (t1/2) of bictegravir is the longest reported for any INSTI that is approved or in development. Long residence times of INSTIs on the integrase/DNA complex have been correlated with potent antiretroviral activity against wild-type HIV-1 integrase and a high barrier to resistance in vitro [3]. The barrier to clinical resistance for bictegravir is being assessed in ongoing phase 3 studies with the once-daily, unboosted bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide single-tablet regimen., Introduction: Literature on ARV regimen durability (persistency) in real-world settings is outdated owing to the introduction of new drug classes and combinations in recent years. We evaluated the composition and durability of contemporary ARV regimens prescribed for treatment-naïve patients in a clinical setting. Methods: Treatment-naïve HIV-infected patients who initiated ART between January 2007 and January 2016 at the HIV clinic affiliated with the University of Alabama, Birmingham, were included. Data on all initial ARV compositions and durations were extracted from the electronic medical record with administrative censoring on 8 June 2016. Manual abstraction was performed to confirm ARV regimen start and stop dates. ARV regimen durability (time to discontinuation) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves that incorporate censoring and its association with various characteristics by Cox proportional hazard analyses. Results: Among 589 patients (mean age, 37 years; 79% male; 65% African American), efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir (193, 33%) was the most commonly prescribed initial ARV regimen (Table 1). Median durability of all initial ARV regimens was 45 months (95% CI 41–51). The regimen was discontinued in 332 (56%) patients and a majority of them (203, 61%) had an undetectable viral load at the time of discontinuation. A decrease in durability of ARV regimens was found in more recent years (Table 1, p=0.046). After adjusting for various covariates in multivariable analysis, patients initiating ART from 2010 to 2012 (aHR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.8; p=0.02) and 2013 to 2015 (aHR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1; p=0.01) were more likely to discontinue ART than those initiating from 2007 to 2009. Conclusions: Overall durability of most ARV regimens in our cohort was almost 4 years. Two multi-tablet regimens and two regimens recently removed from US first-line treatment guidelines were quite durable. Decreased durability of ARV regimens occurring in more recent years appears to be due to patient and provider preferences for newer regimens and not due to virologic failure., Introduction: Current treatment guidelines favour the use of integrase inhibitor (II)-based regimens in the majority of settings where ART is required, based on the results of clinical trials demonstrating the superiority of such approaches. Vulnerable inner-city populations have often been excluded from clinical trials of these agents. There is a need to generate data to better inform the applicability of treatment guidelines in these populations. Methods: We have conducted a retrospective analysis of the database of a large clinic catering to HIV-infected patients with a high prevalence of people who inject drugs (PWID). We have abstracted records of subjects receiving II-based therapy and evaluated response to therapy. Demographic and clinical correlates of success were evaluated, with a view to comparing the relative efficacy of raltegravir (RAL), elvitegravir (ELV) and dolutegravir (DOL)-based regimens. Results: A total of 247 patients received IIs (141 RAL, 68 ELV, 38 DOL). Baseline characteristics include: 85.8% male, 38.5% intravenous drug users, 5.3% previously treatment naïve, 45.2% HCV co-infected, and 13.6% on opiate substitution therapy. Median baseline CD4 count and plasma viral load were 410 (range 30–1380) cells/mm3 and 43 (range, Introduction: HIV-1 remains a major threat to public health [1]. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the overlap of this infection with other major pandemics that plague the region has become a major challenge in the treatment of the infection. These include tuberculosis and malaria [2]. Although HAART has been successful in the treatment of the virus, these drugs are associated with a number of adverse effects often resulting in non-compliance by the patients and increasing an individual's susceptibility to these opportunistic infections that are prevalent in the region [3]. It is therefore crucial to develop novel treatments that are not only effective against HIV, but opportunistic infections as well. Indeed, multi-target drugs are becoming increasingly popular with the rise in syndemic diseases in most parts of the world. Finding novel drugs that are effective against two or more different infections or diseases, targeting various pathways within the microorganism / pathology is where research is heading, and in this study metal modified chloroquine (Complex 1) was investigated in a type of repurposing approach for this known malaria drug [4]. Materials and methods: Complex 1 was synthesized and purified in good yield [5]. The complex was screened for inhibition of the enzyme HIV-1 protease using a recombinant enzyme (Bachem, Switzerland) and a fluorescent substrate (Sigma Aldrich, USA). The complex was also evaluated against the drug-susceptible strain of M. tuberculosis, H37Rv (ATCC27264) and the 3D7 strain of P. falciparum. Its effects on cell viability were assessed on TZM-bl cells using a tetrazolium dye and confirmed by real-time cell analysis (RTCA). Results: Complex 1 showed HIV-1 protease inhibition values of above 50% at 25 µg/mL. The complex showed remarkable inhibition of M. tuberculosis with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 5 µM after 14 days of incubation with the bacterium. The IC50 of 1 on P. falciparum was 0.593 µM, and the CC50 of the complex on TZM-bl cells was 24.34±0.68 µg/mL. RTCA showed non-toxicity of the complex at all tested concentrations, with treatment profiles similar to those produced by untreated cells. Conclusion: A complex with inhibitory abilities against HIV-1 replication, M. tuberculosis and P. falciparum is presented here. Tuberculosis and malaria play a major role in the mortality of HIV-infected patients, and the development of drugs with dual activities that can control both the viral and opportunistic infections could contribute to the alleviation of the fatal HIV prognosis., Introduction: Since the emergence of new direct-acting agents, hepatitis C (HCV) treatment has undergone a rapid evolution, bringing about a radical change in the clinical paradigm. Oral treatment regimens with high virologic efficacy, great tolerability, favourable safety profiles, high genetic barriers, and an easy posology are now available. Despite this, challenges remain to patients who fail the treatment. This study aims to characterize this group of patients in an infectious diseases clinic in Lisbon. Methods: Retrospective observational study of a cohort of HCV chronically infected patients with or without HIV infection, given new direct-acting agents (DAAs), from 1 January 2015 to 30 April 2016. Demographic, epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Office® Excel 2012. Results: During the analysis period, 426 patients were eligible to start HCV treatment with DAA regimens (138 HCV mono-infected and 288 HIV co-infected). Two hundred and nineteen patients have concluded it (56 HCV mono-infected and 163 HIV co-infected), of whom 134 patients had their viral load evaluated 12 weeks after treatment ended: sustained viral response in 126 patients (94%) and detectable viral load in eight patients (6%). In the latter, all patients were male with a mean age of 51 years. Mean time of HCV diagnosis was 12 years. Patients mainly acquired the infection through parenteric drug use (75%). Seven were HIV co-infected. Regarding genotype characterization, the most common was genotype 1a (50%). Evaluation of IL28B polymorphism revealed CC predominance (50%). At baseline, mean HCV RNA was 7,103,018 IU/mL. Real-time elastography data, using METAVIR score, revealed a fibrosis F2 in one patient, F2/F3 in three patients and F3 in four patients. Concerning previous treatment for HCV, six were treatment experienced, of whom five were null responders. The most requested treatment was sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (63%). Five patients were proposed for 12 weeks and three for 24 weeks of treatment, for which all had a good adherence. One patient died at the end of treatment. The others are waiting for retreatment options. Conclusions: In this preliminary analysis, the eight patients with non-SVR12 were male and had HIV infection. These factors may be associated with response and outcome with the new direct-acting agents. Regarding the efficacy of these drugs, uncertainties and challenges remain, in addition to continued necessity of identifying response predictive factors and individual strategies for special patient groups., Introduction: Approximately 2.6 million children live with HIV globally, and efavirenz (EFV) is one of the most widely used antiretroviral agents for HIV treatment in children and adults. There are concerns about the appropriateness of current EFV dosing, and it has been discussed whether EFV dosing should be adapted according to genotype in children as suggested for adults. The aim of the study was to investigate if paediatric EFV dosing should be guided by genetic variation in drug-metabolizing enzymes rather than by body weight only. Materials and methods: EFV plasma concentrations measured for clinical purposes from all children (, Introduction: The NNRTI RPV is approved in several countries as a 25 mg once-daily tablet in combination with other antiretrovirals for treating HIV-1-infected, treatment-naïve patients aged ≥12 years with a viral load ≤100,000 copies/mL. Further evaluation of the paediatric use of RPV, including a dose evaluation, is ongoing in children aged ≥6 to, Introduction: Knowledge of factors associated with viral suppression (VS) among HIV-infected children and adolescents is central to reduce transmission and improved health outcomes. Materials and methods: We included individuals attending the UT Health Paediatric HIV Clinic who were ART naïve and subsequently started on cART, followed for ≥1 year from the start of cART and maintained on the same cART regimen during this interval. VS was defined as maintenance of HIV RNA, Introduction: HIV-positive children comprise a larger percentage of the children eligible for international adoption [1]. Little is known about the clinical, immunologic and viral outcomes of these children. Materials and methods: Twenty-five medical centres agreed to participate. Children living in France and internationally adopted between 1 January 2005 and 1 January 2016 were included after informed consent. Socio-demographic, medical and biologic variables were collected during the first medical evaluation in France and 6 months later. The yearly percentage of HIV-positive adoptees was calculated among new adoptees or new HIV-positive children diagnosed. Results: Of the 25 medical centres that agreed to participate, 14 gave care to at least one HIV-positive adoptee. Forty-one HIV-positive adoptees were included (female: 56%; median age at arrival: 3.91 years). The majority came from East Asia. HIV-positive adoptees represented about half of newly diagnosed HIV-positive children in 2014 versus less than 20% the preceding years. They represented also about 5% of new adoptees in 2014 versus about 1% the previous years. For three children, a new diagnosis of latent chronic hepatitis B, cured hepatitis B and chronic active hepatitis C was made at arrival in France. Other clinical diagnoses made at the first consult were benign diseases, mainly skin diseases. The mean CD4 percentage was 32.8±9% (range 13–49%). Only one child had a CD4 percentage below 15%. Forty percent had a detectable viral load (VL) >20 copies/mL at arrival. Among those, resistance to NRTIs was documented in 10%, resistance to NNRTIs in 12.5% and resistance to PIs in 2.4%. Thirty-four children received ART in their country of origin. Among those, 24 continued on the same ARV in France. At 6 months, the mean CD4 percentage was 35.6±8%, and the VL was still detectable in 29% children. Of them, one acquired resistance to NRTI and NNRTI during the 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions: An increasing number of HIV-infected children have been internationally adopted in France since 2005. The immune status was good but detectable VL was frequent at arrival and at 6 months. It can be suspected that adoptive parents will face difficulties to maintain enough adherence to ART in the long term, especially during adolescence [2]. Prolonged support from healthcare providers is needed to face this difficult challenge that combines the management of adoption and HIV disease [3]., Introduction: Built around an unboosted integrase-strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), the FDC of DTG/ABC/3TC offers a complete regimen for treatment of HIV-1 infection, with good tolerability and a high barrier to resistance. To gain additional data for women on this regimen, we conducted ARIA, an international, randomized, open-label study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DTG/ABC/3TC versus ATV/r+FTC/TDF (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01910402). Materials and methods: Treatment-naïve adult women, with HIV-1 RNA ≥500 copies/mL, were randomized 1:1 to 48 weeks of treatment with DTG/ABC/3TC or ATV/r+FTC/TDF once daily. The primary endpoint was the proportion of women achieving an HIV-1 RNA, Introduction: Rilpivirine is a second-generation once-daily non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), which has shown high overall response rates in treatment-naïve patients without sex- and gender-specific differences in clinical trials [1–3]. Sex- and gender-specific data in treatment-experienced patients receiving a rilpivirine-based regimen are still limited. We conducted a 48-week efficacy and safety analysis in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced men and women using retrospective data from the University Hospital Frankfurt HIV Center. Materials and methods: Between March 2011 and December2015, all patients from the HIV Center of the University Hospital Frankfurt receiving a rilpivirine-based regimen were analyzed in this retrospective observational study. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with any discontinuation of a rilpivirine-based therapy at week 48. Furthermore, virologic response rates (FDA snapshot analysis; HIV-1 RNA, Introduction: We characterized HIV-infected women in Germany, evaluated ART use and comorbidities, and compared results to 2007/2008 as well as to a male population in order to further identify special requirements of women living with HIV. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional multicentre evaluation of HIV-positive women and men receiving medical care was performed in Germany between October 2014 and June 2016. All HIV-specialty practices and ambulatory care centres in Germany were invited to participate. Data acquisition was performed using an online questionnaire. Results were compared to a similar analysis performed in 2007/2008 (n=1557). Results: Seven hundred and eighty-one HIV-positive women (f) (n=447 from 10 centres, n=334 from anonymous centres) and 200 HIV-positive men (m) (five centres) were included. Mean age was 45 (f)/44 (m) years, 30.5% (f)/47.7% (m) smoked (p, Introduction: Despite individually tailored ART in high-income countries, some patients still discontinue first-line regimens within the first year. This study aimed to characterize treatment discontinuations as well as factors that might be associated with changes in first-line ART. Methods: Patients who initiated first-line ART between January 2009 and December 2013 at the HIVcenter Frankfurt were enrolled in this study and analyzed for treatment discontinuations and changes in ART during the first 60 weeks of therapy. Statistical comparisons were done with non-parametric tests using a significance level of alpha=5%. Results: Overall 557 patients, 420 (75.4%) men and 137 (24.6%) women, were included in this retrospective analysis. Table 1 shows the baseline characteristics of the study population. One hundred and thirty-eight (24.8%) patients discontinued ART within the first 60 weeks, 43 (31.4%) out of 137 women and 95 (22.6%) out of 420 men. ART was interrupted after a mean of 142 days (+/−124). 81.4% of women who experienced a discontinuation were migrants, mostly from African countries. African origin was significantly associated with discontinuation of first-line ART in men and women (p= 0.007). Overall, patients with therapy interruptions had lower CD4 cell counts at baseline and were more likely to be CDC stage C compared to patients with continuing ART. Most common reasons for ART discontinuation were adverse events (56.4%), comorbidities (21%), virological failure (13.5%), adherence issues (12%) and pregnancies (12%). Conclusions: Even the potential of individualized ART cannot prevent treatment changes. In 557 patients starting their first-line ART between 2009 and 2013, we identified 24.8% treatment discontinuations. Patients with female sex and African origin showed the highest rate of discontinuations, and despite guideline recommendations, pregnancy still seems to be an issue for ART modification., Introduction: Late presentation (LP) is a major public health concern for HIV disease. Higher rate of disease progression and disease burden are the main reasons for aiming to reduce late presentation. Although there is an ongoing high interest, the exact parameters for LP have yet to be fully described. This study aims to identify risk factors for HIV-infected patients presenting late at an academic tertiary care centre in Athens, Greece, over the last 6 years in order to define methods for better controlling the epidemic. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study using socio-demographic, behavioural and medical data from patients’ files that were cross-examined by two medical observers. We recorded all new HIV diagnoses presenting between the years 2009 and 2015 at our clinic. Patients enrolled were grouped based on their CD4 cell count that was defined as 350 cells/mm3 for non-LPs. Acute and recent infections with CD4, Introduction: Currently across Europe, Portugal included, one-third of patients newly diagnosed with HIV infection are late presenters. In spite of multiple ART options, there are still no clear differences in immunogenicity between them, more so in severe immunodeficiency. Materials and methods: Retrospective study of HIV-infected patients of the Infectious Diseases Unit of Hospital Pedro Hispano, starting treatment between January 2010 and January 2016, with European guidelines advised ART, naïve or more than 6 months since ART interruption. Exclusion criteria, Introduction: Cryptosporidiosis’ main symptom is watery diarrhoea. It is caused by a parasite called cryptosporidium. In persons with AIDS and in other immunocompromised patients, cryptosporidiosis can be serious, long lasting and sometimes fatal. If CD4+ cell count is below 200/mm3, cryptosporidiosis is more likely to cause severe symptoms and complications, including prolonged diarrhoea, dehydration and possibly death. The incidence of cryptosporidiosis in patients with HIV has decreased since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) [1]. Enfurvitide (T20) is a fusion inhibitor indicated for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with HIV-1 as part of a salvage regimen. Because of its subcutaneous administration, in severe cases with cryptosporidiosis where the absorption of oral therapeutic is doubtful, enfurvitide may be a therapeutic option. Materials and methods: We extracted details of three individuals with a laboratory confirmed IC and HIV diagnosis between January 2013 and December 2014. The diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis was made by stool sample examination. Results: A.M., 36-year-old female, L.G., 30-year-old male and A.L., 59-year-old male were all admitted to the emergency room because of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and watery diarrhoea. The symptoms had been present for more than 2 months in all cases. On laboratory examination, all patients were low immunity HIV positive: A.M. with 86 cells/µL CD4 (17%) and viral load (VL) 2,010,000 copies/mL; L.G. with 3 cells/µL CD4 (0.3%) and VL of 318,000 copies/mL; and A.L. with 4 cells/uL CD4 and VL 217,000 copies/mL. They started antiretroviral therapy with emtricitabine and tenofovir/raltegravir but remained symptomatic. This was attributed to the impaired enteric absorption of these drugs. We then decided to add subcutaneous enfuvirtide in order to allow for better bioavailability. After this, all three patients improved their symptoms and immunologic status (CD4: A.M. 741 cells/µL; L.G. 327 cells/µL; A.L. 231 cells/µL) (Figure 1). Treatment with subcutaneous enfuvirtide was stopped after 8 to 12 weeks, after clinical improvement and undetectable viremia (Figure 2). Conclusions: The importance of an immunologic recovery is well established for the cryptosporidium infection in HIV-positive patients. We document with this case series the usefulness of alternative therapies with different routes of administration in order to improve outcomes, when gastrointestinal absorption is impaired., Introduction: Across 14 phase 2 or 3 clinical studies, analyses of virologic suppression (HIV-1 RNA 0.01). Conclusions: Pre-existing genotypic INSTI resistance is extremely rare in treatment-naïve patients, confined only to a select few minor secondary INSTI RAMs that generally do not confer reduced EVG susceptibility. Natural IN variability, observed more often in non-B subtypes, does not influence virologic suppression rates to EVG-containing fixed-dose combinations. IN genotyping before consideration of EVG-based therapy is currently not warranted unless transmitted drug resistance with primary EVG RAMs is suspected., Introduction: African migrants, originating mostly from West Africa, represented up to 39% of new HIV diagnosis in France in 2014. We wished to assess whether timing of ART initiation in naïve patients, the choice of ART and the response to a first-line ART differed in African migrants versus European natives. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in the COREVIH Ile de France Est, a large network of 26 hospitals using the same electronic database (Nadis®). All naïve patients seen from 1 January to 31 December, 2014, and who did not participate in clinical trials were enrolled in this study. We compared baseline characteristics (age, sex, mode of HIV transmission, ethnic origin, centre, CDC stage, CD4 cell counts, plasma HIV RNA level, HBV/HCV co-infection) among patients starting or deferring ART in 2014, among those receiving PI- or non-PI-based ART, and among those experiencing virologic failure over 48 weeks of follow-up. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Nine hundred and twelve naïve patients were enrolled in this study, 446 of whom (49%) were African migrants. Five hundred and eighty-four patients (64%) initiated ART during the study period, and ART initiation was significantly and independently associated with centre, higher baseline viral load, lower baseline CD4+ cell count and ethnic origin. African migrants had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.85 (95% CI 1.22–2.85, p=0.004) to remain ART naïve as compared to European natives. Among the 584 patients who started ART during the study period, the majority (45%) received a PI-based ART and the choice of a PI-based ART was associated significantly and independently with centre, higher baseline viral load, lower baseline CD4+ cell count and ethnic origin. African migrants had an OR of 0.44 (95% CI 0.29–0.66, p, Introduction: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is non-inferior in efficacy to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and has an improved renal and bone safety profile. In this sub-analysis, we describe the efficacy and safety of TAF compared to TDF in treatment-naïve Asian adults. Materials and methods: This analysis consisted of pooled data from two phase 3, randomized, double blind studies (GS-US-292-0104 and GS-US-292-0111) of HIV-infected, treatment-naïve adults who initiated a single-tablet regimen (STR) of elvitegravir, cobicistat and emtricitabine coformulated with tenofovir alafenamide (E/C/F/TAF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (E/C/F/TDF). Efficacy and safety endpoints through week 96 by self-identified Asian versus non-Asian race within and between treatment groups were examined. Results: One thousand seven hundred and thirty-three adults were randomized and treated: 10% Asians (91 TAF vs. 89 TDF): ex-US (89% vs. 83%), median age (30 vs. 31 years), female (45% vs. 36%), median BMI (22 vs. 22), HIV-1 RNA ≥100,000 copies/mL (26% vs. 33%), CD4 count, Introduction: With the approval of new ARV agents, innovative ations are possible in combination with protease inhibitors. PROTEKT, a non-interventional cohort study initiated in 2008, recruited HIV-1-infected patients receiving cART consisting of lopinavir (LPV)/r plus a “novel” agent other than NRTI, namely raltegravir (RAL), maraviroc (MVC) or etravirine (ETR), without restrictions concerning the use of additional antiretrovirals. Individual choice of cART was at the treating physician's discretion. Ethics approval had been obtained. Observation time was 144 weeks or until discontinuation of cART. Methods: Evaluation of 3-year outcomes in the subgroup of ART-naïve patients of the PROTEKT cohort initiated on cART including LPV/r plus INI, ETR or MVC. Outcomes of interest were time on cART (persistence) using Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis, time to discontinuation due to virologic failure (VF; censoring discontinuations not related to VF), HIV RNA 100,000 copies/mL, 32% with 2 years in the PROTEKT cohort suggests that non-NRTI-based regimens offer an alternative approach for treatment initiation in specific situations., Introduction: To curb the increasing medical cost for HIV care, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) implemented regulations on cART according to the monthly cost for each regimen on 1 June 2012. By following the regulations, many individuals commence thymidine analogue (TA)-based regimens. Prior authorization is needed for the regimens containing protease inhibitors (PIs), integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) or rilpivirine (RPV) plus non-TA backbones (abacavir/lamivudine; tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine; or TDF plus lamivudine). We aimed to describe the outcome of the regimens prescribed by following the regulations in Taiwan. Materials and methods: Between June 2012 and June 2016, antiretroviral-naïve HIV-positive patients who initiated cART were included. We retrospectively collected information on clinical characteristics, regimens, treatment responses, causes for switch and genotypic resistance at baseline and follow-up. We investigated the predictors of treatment modification with Cox proportional hazards model. Results: During the 48-month study period, 1390 patients with baseline median CD4 count of 282 cells/µL and plasma HIV RNA load (PVL) 4.85 log10 copies/mL initiated cART: 31.1% TA backbones plus nevirapine, efavirenz or RPV (first category); 59.1% non-TA backbones plus nevirapine or efavirenz (second category); 6.3% TA plus PIs, INSTI or RPV (third category); and 3.7% non-TA plus boosted PI, II or RPV (fourth category). Overall, 65.6% (n=912) had to change the initial regimens at a median interval of 41 days (range 1–1140) because of regimen simplification (33.6%), rash (20.5%), neuropsychiatric adverse effect (14.0%), genotypic resistance/virologic failure (10.8%), gastrointestinal intolerance (9.3%), anaemia (9.2%) or hepatitis (4.9%). The rates of regimens modification for drug-related adverse reactions were 61.4%, 34.1%, 53.6% and 29.4% in patients in the first, second, third and fourth category of regimens, respectively. Except for regimen simplification, 6-month modification-free survival rates were 67.6% (range 64.2–70.1%) in the patients on regimens containing non-TA backbones and 48.9% (44.4–53.1%) in the patients on regimens containing TA backbone (hazard ratio (HR) 1.82 (95% CI 1.55–2.14)) (Figure 1). In multivariate analysis, use of regimens containing TA backbone (HR 1.84; 95% CI 1.57–2.16) and higher PVL (HR, per 1-log10 copies/mL increase, 1.15; 95% CI 1.03–1.29) were independent predictors of cART switch. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients on cART regimens, especially the regimens containing TA backbone that were prescribed by following the regulations of Taiwan CDC, had to be changed due to toxicities, transmitted drug resistance or unsatisfactory virologic response., Introduction: Dolutegravir (DTG), an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), is currently recommended for treatment initiation in antiretroviral-naïve by most of clinical guidelines. Data from randomized trials demonstrated superiority of DTG over NNRTI and PI/r, supporting its clinical use especially in first-line regimens with high viral load, regardless of which NRTI pair (TDF/FTC or ABC/3TC) was initiated. Aim of this analysis was to describe DTG use in a representative unselected naïve population in Italy and identify its determinants and patterns of prescription. Methods: All patients enrolled in ICONA Foundation cohort starting a DTG-based regimen from ART-naïve, and those concomitantly starting other third drugs (control group) after 1 January 2014 all using as NRTI pair TDF/FTC or ABC/3TC were selected. Cross-sectional analysis was performed, and characteristics at the time of starting cART compared using chi-square test and univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results: A total of 1944 ARV-naïve individuals starting cART were included (DTG=195; NNRTI=715; PI/r=576; other INSTI=458). The crude prevalence of DTG use was 10%. Median HIV-1 RNA was 4.7 log10/mL in DTG and 4.6 log10/mL in controls (p=0.13); median CD4 counts were 386 cells/mm3 and 376 cells/mm3, respectively (p=0.78). Proportion of patients with HIV-1 RNA values >100,000 was 36.6% among DTG and 29.3% among controls (p=0.06). Fitting a logistic regression, a significantly increased probability of starting DTG was found with more recent calendar years and higher baseline HDL cholesterol values, and a decreased probability in sites located in central Italy, with a trend towards more frequent use with a pVL >100,000 (Table 1). NRTI pair was TDF/FTC in 65% of DTG and 90% of controls, and ABC/3TC in 35% of DTG and 10% of controls, with a significantly higher probability of starting ABC/3TC in the DTG group (Table 1). Proportion of ABC/3TC combination with DTG was 44% in pVL ≤100,000, but only 24% in pVL >100,000 stratum (interaction p=0.37). Conclusions: During the first 2 years after its introduction in Italy, DTG prescriptions in ART-naïves showed an increase over time, although patterns were not different from those observed for control regimens, except for a trend for starting DTG at high VL. ABC/3TC was more frequently prescribed with DTG than in controls, even though TDF/FTC remains the most prescribed NRTI option combined with DTG in people with high viral load. Concerns on ABC/3TC potency, toxicity and lack of rapid HLA results might have affected clinicians’ choices., Introduction: The RESINA study started in 2001 and was originally focused on the evaluation of primary resistance in patients at the time point of first therapy. Additionally, we could follow up these patients (RESINA cohort) since cART start by collecting the clinical, virologic and immunologic data. Materials and methods: The clinical, virologic and immunologic data were collected from 38 centres since 2001. Genotypic analysis of resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) was performed from viral RNA exclusively until 2012, since then additionally from proviral DNA and/or total NA. Resistance-associated mutations were detected by Sanger sequencing and recently by next-generation sequencing by the Illumina MiSeq technology. Additionally, we collect data from any therapy-experienced patient within the AREVIR project. Results: Meanwhile the RESINA cohort consists of more than 3800 patients from almost 40 HIV centres in North-Rhine-Westphalia. Furthermore, we performed a total number of more than 13,000 resistance tests from therapy-naïve and therapy-experienced patients (RESINA and AREVIR data). During this time, we could observe a decline in prevalence of resistance-associated mutations in treatment-experienced patients as documented in the AREVIR database. In contrast to the decline of RAMs in therapy-experienced patients, the frequency of primary resistance-associated mutations at the beginning of cART remains relatively stable. The majority of the primary RAMs were NRTI resistance mutations throughout the whole time of observation. NNRTI resistance-associated mutations did not increase over time although the use of NNRTI increased in our cohort since 2001. We did not observe an increase in primary PI resistance-associated mutations and almost no primary INI resistance mutations. Conclusions: Despite the declining frequency of resistance-associated mutations in therapy-experienced patients the frequency of primary resistance mutations is still high and justifies routine primary resistance testing. We can further conclude from our data that the individualized therapies according to the DAIG therapy guidelines for therapy-naïve patients translate in a low number of NNRTI and PI resistance-associated mutations in therapy-naïve and therapy-experienced patients., Introduction: The epidemiology and clinical management of primary/recent HIV infection (PHI) has undergone significant changes over the last 20 years. The epidemiological profile of PHI patients has probably also varied, although published evidence is scarce. Methods: Since 1997, data have been collected from every patient with an acute/recent HIV infection (less than 180 days) visiting our hospital. The inclusion criteria were a negative antibody assay with a detectable viral load or a positive p24 antigen, a positive antibody assay with a negative, indeterminate or incomplete western blot, or a documented negative test in the preceding 6 months. Patients were stratified into four time periods (1997–2001, 2002–2006, 2007–2011, 2012–2015). Results: In the last 19 years, 337 patients were included with a median follow-up of 81 months. The main risk factor was men having sex with men (MSM) with an increasing trend in the most recent periods (p, Introduction: Neurological involvement during primary HIV-1 infection (PHI) has been poorly studied. Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) has shown to improve symptoms, to promote a better immunological recovery and to reduce the size of viral reservoir [1]. Little is known, however, about ART in the context of neurological involvement during PHI [2,3]. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients presenting neurological symptoms during PHI and to compare them with a control group without neurological involvement. Materials and methods: We described the 14 patients (3.02% of the whole PHI cohort) with neurological symptoms that were enrolled in the acute/recent hospital clinic PHI cohort (documented infection, Introduction: Treatment of early HIV infection (EHI) (within the 6-month period after the transmission event) has been recommended, based on pathophysiologic considerations and on surrogate-marker outcomes. The rationale supporting this recommendation (the accelerated pace of pathophysiologic events in this early phase of the infection) argues also for an immediate initiation of treatment. Stribild®, the single-tablet regimen (STR) including elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir, seems particularly well suited for this indication, due to its not needing additional laboratory data and the convenience of the STR formulation. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of those patients attending the participating clinics with a diagnosis of EHI who started treatment with Stribild®. We classified them as 1) definite EHI if a) they had a negative serologic test within the 6 months prior to the diagnosis and any positive test at presentation or b) they had a simultaneous negative serologic test and a positive HIV RNA test or p24 antigen; or 2) probable EHI if they had not a negative serologic test within the previous 6 months, but they had an epidemiologic and clinical syndrome suggestive of acute HIV infection plus an HIV RNA plasma concentration (VL) higher than 100,000 copies/mL. Results: Stribild® has been available in Spain since January 2014. In this period, 21 patients attending the participating clinics were diagnosed with EHI and started treatment with Stribild®, of whom 17 were definite and 4 were probable diagnoses. Nineteen (90.5%) were male. The median age (95% interquartile range (IQR)) was 34 (30–42). HIV infection had been transmitted through sexual contact in all cases: in two women (100%), in 17 men who had sex with men (89.5%) and in two men (10.5%) who did not report sex with men. The median CD4 cell count and VL at the time of diagnosis were 450 (IQR 290–567) and 520,000 (153,000–1,900,000), respectively. We have data from 19 patients after 3 months of treatment, and from 12 patients after 1 year. At 3 months, the median VL was 46 copies/mL (IQR, Introduction: Optimal therapy for PHI is unknown. Although INI as fourth drug has often been used, RCT failed to demonstrate virological benefit in respect to conventional cART. Aim was to compare virological efficacy of (TDF+FTC) with darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg+raltegravir 400 mg BID (DRV/r+RAL) BID or dolutegravir 50 mg QD (DTG) for PHI therapy. Methods: SIREA is a monocentre, prospective, observational study. PHI patients were treated consecutively with TDF/FTC associated with DRV/r+RAL (July 2013 to May 2015) or DTG (May 2015 to April 2016). Follow-up was until first virological response (VR) defined as HIV RNA 40 copies/mL or death, last observation, whichever came first. Factors associated with HIV RNA 40 copies/mL during the first year were evaluated from fitting Cox proportional hazard regression model retaining significant variables at univariable analysis (p500/mm3 (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.22–0.74; p=0.003) were associated with reduced risk of VR. On the contrary, BL CD4/CD8 >1 versus, Introduction: DTG/RPV is a two-pill nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and protease inhibitor (PI)-sparing regimen with very good tolerance. It is currently in phase 3 clinical trials being developed as two-drug “maintenance therapy”. The aim of this study is to analyze the efficacy and safety of this regimen in HIV-infected patients who switched from any other ART combination. Methods: Open-label, multicentre, non-controlled study in seven hospitals from Andalusia, southern Spain. Patients who switched from any regimen to DTG/RPV from February 2015 to February 2016 were included. Epidemiological, clinical and antiretroviral data in addition to immediate reasons for switching were collected. Lipids, liver and renal tests were measured at baseline and at 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with plasma HIV RNA, Introduction: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), a novel prodrug of TFV with equal virologic potency of TDF and 91% lower circulating levels of plasma TFV and fewer off-target effects on renal and bone, was approved based on large controlled clinical trials of antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve and experienced subjects. As no data are available in patients in routine clinical practice, TAFNES was developed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TAF-based regimens, starting with Genvoya® (EVG/COBI/FTC/TAF), the first approved combination including TAF, in treatment-experienced (TE) and treatment-naïve (TN) HIV-infected patients. Methods: TAFNES is an ongoing prospective, observational cohort study, which planned to enrol approximately 150 TN and 150 TE adult subjects initiated or switched to Genvoya® (EVG/COBI/FTC/TAF) in routine clinical practice in accordance with the summary of product characteristics (SmPC). Of clinical outcome variables, only data assessed during the usual management of patients were captured in the electronic case report form (eCRF). Self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was evaluated using the SF-36, HIV symptom index (SI) and HIV treatment satisfaction (TS) questionnaires. Here we present preliminary results in TE patients with 3-month follow-up at time of data analysis. Results: The analysis population consists of 115 TE patients without documented baseline resistance to any component of EVG/COBI/FTC/TAF and with available follow-up data at month 3. The corresponding baseline characteristics, including reasons for treatment switch, are shown in Table 1. The majority of patients (90%) were switched from TDF-containing ART (55% from EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF) with 67% exposed to TDF for ≥1 year; 64%, 15% and 15% had been on INI-, NNRTI- or PI-based ART (3% NRTI-sparing, 4% other); 91% of patients (104/114) were switched from suppressed ART (HIV RNA, Introduction: Biologic ageing is a stochastic process that can be characterized by the number of health deficits individuals accumulate. Probabilities of health transitions with age can be summarized using a transition model based on the frailty index (FI). Though health generally worsens with age, the relationship between ageing and health is dynamic, and periodic improvement and stability in health are common. Useful models of biologic ageing allow for changes in health that include improvement, maintenance and deterioration. The objective of this analysis was to describe frailty index change in HIV patients, below and above the age of 50 years, undergoing effective atazanavir (ATV)-based regimens. Materials and methods: Design: Secondary analysis of prospective cohort data. We analyzed baseline and 4-year follow-up data from participants in the Modena HIV Metabolic Clinic cohort study, undergoing boosted or unboosted ATV-based regimens and experiencing HIV viral load below 40 copies/mL. Patients were stratified according to the duration of HIV infection (>20, 10–20 and, Introduction: Access to cART has significantly improved in the developing world, with significant reduction in morbidity and mortality. However, the sustainability of cART may be compromised by development of drug resistance as evidenced by unsuppressed viral load. The current study examined drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in individuals under first-line cART with suspected unsuppressed viral load. Materials and methods: Sixty patients on first-line cART were recruited between March 2014 and September 2015, from two rural treatment sites in Limpopo Province, South Africa if they met either of the following criteria: 1) two consecutive viral loads measurements greater than 1000 copies/mL after a previous suppression or 2) one viral load greater than 1000 copies/mL after 180 days. Nested PCR gene products from viral RNA (plasma) and proviral DNA (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)) were directly sequenced to determine subtype and examined for protease and reverse transcriptase inhibitors resistance mutations according to the Standard HIV Drug Resistance Interpretation Algorithm. Results: Sequences obtained from 57 patients were examined for subtype and DRMs. Fifty-two (91.2%) of the 57 were HIV-1 subtype C in the polymerase gene with one each (1.8%) of subtype B, K/C, C/B recombinants and unclassified. These 52 (91.2%) patients harboured at least one major DRM which were distributed as follows: NRTI (n=13; 25.0%), NNRTI (n=17; 32.7%) and PI (n=3; 5.7%). The most common mutations were M184V (56%), K103N (50%), V106M (17.3%), K65R (11.5%), D67N (9.6%). Mutation scores suggest that the viruses were mostly resistant to 3TC, FTC and NVP, and most susceptible to d4T, TDF and AZT. Two subjects with viral load of 1000 copies/mL carried DRM in PBMC but not in plasma. Conclusion: A very high prevalence of drug resistance-associated mutations was recorded in patients still on first-line cART. The differences in circulating DRM in plasma and PBMCs in some subjects suggest the presence of archived drug resistant variants. PBMC is therefore an interesting compartment for analyzing the dynamics of drug resistance in a given patient., Introduction: PI-based dual antiretroviral therapy (PIDAT) strategies in suppressed patients have shown variable virological efficacy, depending partly on accompanying drug class choice. We reviewed outcomes of PIDAT switches within two metropolitan HIV centres. Materials and methods: Retrospective evaluation of all patients switching to a boosted protease inhibitor (bPI) with a drug from another ARV class from 1 January 2009 till 1 July 2014 with subsequent follow-up until 1 June 2016. Baseline demographics and treatment history were identified, with follow-up data at 48 and 96 weeks. Primary analysis included percentage remaining on any PIDAT strategy (i.e. switch within paradigm allowed), with secondary analysis considering any change of ART in the PIDAT regimen as a switch. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Results: Of 255 patients identified, 239 (94%) and 226 (89%) remained under follow-up at 48 and 96 weeks, respectively. Hundred and ninety-nine (78%) were male, 171 (67%) white ethnicity, 167 (65%) MSM, with median age and time on ART of 47 and 12.1 years, respectively. Seventy-seven percent (196) had VL 50 copies/mL and 2/226 with available genotypes demonstrating emergent resistance by 96 weeks (Y181C on DRV/r/ETR at week 39, and K103N, V106A on LPV/r/NVP at week 20). Conclusions: Real-life outcomes of PI-based dual ARV therapy appear broadly favourable in clinical practice. The ongoing utility of this paradigm in the advent of TAF and PI-sparing regimens is unclear., Introduction: Whilst access to ART is successfully expanding in Africa, long-term outcomes remain poorly investigated. This study addressed the outcomes of introducing tenofovir (TDF) in place of zidovudine (ZDV) or stavudine (d4T) among Ghanaian adults receiving HIV care in the absence of routine virological monitoring and determined the associated clinical and psychosocial dimensions. Methods: The Hepatitis B Infection in Kumasi (HEPIK) study has prospectively followed HIV/HBV co-infected adults since 2010. This cross-sectional analysis comprised subjects that had previously started ZDV or d4T plus lamivudine and efavirenz or nevirapine, and at the time of HBV diagnosis (T0), replaced ZDV or d4T with TDF in the absence of virological monitoring. A median of 7.9 (IQR 6.0–9.2) years after starting ART and 4.0 (3.8–4.1) years after introducing TDF (T1, November 2015), patients were invited to attend for assessment, including HIV-1 RNA load, and offered a researcher-administered questionnaire about adherence (visual analogue scale and targeted questions); socio-economic, social support and disclosure status; and physical and mental health. Plasma viral load at T0 was determined retrospectively using stored (−80°C) samples. Results: A total of 101/180 (56%) invited participants (66% females) attended the T1 assessment. Of the remaining, 47 (26%) were no longer contactable (≥3 attempts), 17 (9%) declined to attend and 15 (8%) had died. At T1, mean age was 45 (±9) years; 90% were still receiving efavirenz (n=87) or nevirapine (n=4); 10% were on lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r). CD4 counts were median 572 (383–716) cells/mm3. Suboptimal adherence was reported by 42% of participants; in univariable analysis, it was more prevalent among men (p40 copies/mL) in 21%, and >1000 copies/mL in 14%, with median levels of 4.2 (2.1–5.1) log10 copies/mL. In univariable analysis, predictors of lack of virological suppression comprised the CD4 cell count at diagnosis (p=0.03), T0 viral load (p=0.05), suboptimal adherence (p, Introduction: Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) in HIV patients plays a crucial role for treatment success. Our study aimed to identify reasons for non-adherence in a large HIV cohort, including known subjects with difficulties in ART adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional, non-interventional, multicentre adherence study in treated HIV-infected patients from September 2014 to April 2015 in Germany was performed after ethic committee's approval. Study physicians were asked to recruit patients from all adherence levels and perform an adherence assessment for each subject (good, unstable or poor adherence). Questionnaires based on the SMAQ-MASRI-Hybrid [1] were given to the patient and treating physician to evaluate factors associated with poor adherence. Covariables of interest were age, sex, time since HIV diagnosis, time on ART, current ART regimen, transmission route, comorbidity, HIV-1 RNA viral loads (VLs) and CD4 cell count. Furthermore, specific reasons for non-adherence were assessed. For statistical analysis, extended Fisher's exact test and Kruskal–Wallis test were used. Results: A total of 215 patients were included: 80% male, median age 47 years (IQR 37–54), median time since HIV diagnosis 9 years (IQR 4–18) and median CD4 cell count 607 c/L (IQR 410–850). HIV transmission risk was as follows: 50% men having sex with men, 14% origin of high prevalence countries (HPC), 7% intravenous drug use (IVDU), 13% other and 19% unknown. Subjects were grouped by physicians’ adherence assessment: A, “good adherence” n=162; B, “unstable adherence” n=36; C, “poor adherence” n=17. Physicians’ assessment of poor adherence correlated in univariate analyses with lower median age (A: 48 years vs. B: 42 vs. C: 46, p=0.020), origin of HPC (A: 11% vs. B: 19% vs. C: 29%, p, Introduction: The introduction of new ART has considerably increased the efficacy of HIV regimens and decreased mortality rates associated with the infection [1,2]. However, adherence to even the simplest and most effective regimens remains challenging in people who inject drugs (PWID) [2], and this often limits their access to treatment as compared to “lower risk” populations [3]. Provision of care in a dedicated multidisciplinary setting may help increase success of HIV treatment in this population. Methods: An observational, retrospective study was conducted among HIV-infected patients seen at the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre (VIDC), including all PWID who received HIV therapy. All individuals had access to multidisciplinary care to address medical, psychiatric, addiction-related and social needs with maintenance in long-term follow-up at our centre. Virological failure was defined as initial suppression of HIV viral load, followed by a confirmed measure >200 copies/mL, comparing PWID and non-PWID in this analysis. Results: Since 2013, 521 HIV+ patients have initiated treatment at VIDC, with a mean age of 51.6 years, 11% female. Overall, 179 (32%) are active PWID or have a history of recent injection drug use, with HIV/HCV co-infection prevalence of 94% in this subgroup. Within the PWID population, 63% used heroin, 59% used cocaine, 70% used other stimulants and 49% were on opiate substitution therapy. In total, rates of virological suppression were 77% and 84% in PWID and non-PWID subgroups (p, Introduction: The current state of the HIV epidemic process in Ukraine is characterized by the prevalence of HIV among different contingents of the population, especially among people who belong to the high-risk groups and by change in the dominant routes of HIV transmission. Although the most common way of HIV transmission is the sexual one, injecting is still the most important in its impact on the epidemic. The study evaluated the impact of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) on efficiency of ART in HIV-infected injecting drug users (IDUs). Materials and methods: The study included 65 HIV IDUs who were divided into two groups. First group included 33 HIV IDUs who were on MMT. The average time of MMT was 23.7 months (1–60). The second group included 32 HIV IDUs who did not receive MMT. The average age of patients was 37 years (24–52). There were 16 (25%) women and 49 (75%) men. The average level of viral load in the studied groups of patients was not statistically different, and in the first group it was 4.89 (4.1–5.2) log copies/mL, in the second 5.0 (4.2–5.6) log copies/mL. After the enrollment in the study, the ART has been prescribed to all patients in accordance with the Ukraine clinical protocol. Results: After 6 months of ART, the proportion of patients with complete suppression of HIV (HIV RNA1, Introduction: There is currently an outbreak of HIV in people who inject drugs (PWID) in Glasgow, UK. Improved access to care/ART is essential for individuals, and for reduction of onward transmission. Traditionally, ARV medication is prescribed and dispensed via a hospital-based service. Patients are required to attend a single hospital in the city for HIV care. Addiction services including opiate replacement therapy (ORT) are well developed in Glasgow inclusive of homelessness. We developed a method of delivering ART alongside opiates using community pharmacies. We describe the development process and will present the first 6 months of this project. Materials and methods: One strategy to manage this outbreak was to improve access to clinical care and ART. Our hospital HIV pharmacist led a group to develop pathways for ARV dispensing via community pharmacies. This was done in consultation with community and hospital pharmacies, drug companies, hospital and addiction healthcare workers. A funding model was agreed. An HIV liaison nurse from the hospital but working in the community facilitates patient engagement. An HIV nurse-led clinic has been set up in the homeless health centre to support monitoring. Prescriptions are generated from the hospital physician and the patient receives the medication from the pharmacy. There is no restriction on ARV choice. ART is dispensed daily with patients receiving supervised consumption if required. Patients requiring a twice-daily regimen are provided with the second dose to take at home. The patient does not have to attend the hospital. Checks are in place to inform prescribers of poor adherence/disengagement in care. Results: A total of 79 patients' records have been reviewed to see if they would potentially benefit from community prescribing. Most report a history of homelessness and have links with addiction services. We will present: (1) a description of the model of care including monitoring and safety checks, (2) evaluation of the first 6 months of patient data from April 2016. Conclusions: ART has individual and public health benefits. For PWID, traditional models of hospital-based care can be challenging. Homelessness limits engagement in care. Addiction services and involvement of the community pharmacy network with this patient group are well established in Glasgow. Adapting our ARV prescribing to fit in with existing community ORT models may improve access to ART and HIV care., Introduction: In Glasgow, there is an ongoing outbreak of HIV amongst people who inject drugs (PWIDs). It is well recognized that the prison population has high numbers of PWIDs. In Scotland, there is a national plan for identifying and treating prisoners with HCV [1,2]. As part of increased testing for HCV, an opt-out Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) testing service (including HIV testing) was developed. Barlinnie HMP is the largest prison in Scotland and centrally located in Glasgow. It has >1200 inmates at any one time. We have evaluated our first year figures of opt-out testing in relation to HIV. Materials and methods: All prisoners have a medical within 24 hours of incarceration. From April 2015, a prison nurse and healthcare assistant saw prisoners at the same time as their medical to offer BBV testing to them. We record the uptake of this testing monthly. We reviewed the HIV outbreak data base to identify the number of new HIV diagnoses from the prison sector. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic case record for data on attendance and ARV prescribing. Results: From April 2015 to March 2016, 1492 were BBV tested. Just over 100 refused (data not collected for 3 months). If prisoners had been tested within the last 6 months, a second test was not offered unless at particular risk. In total, 11 cases of HIV were identified. Of that, 10 patients with HIV were seen by the BBV consultant during their incarceration. All were HCV co-infected with only one being PCR negative. Seven were on prescribed opiates. Six were started on ARV therapy within the prison. Four failed to attend any OP clinics after liberation. Only two prisoners have attended all their appointments so far. Conclusions: BBV testing in the prison setting including HIV testing is a feasible way to identify infected PWIDs. This may be the first sign of an HIV outbreak emerging in this population. HIV-positive prisoners are usually HCV co-infected. Good links to specialist care and therapy within the prison may encourage prisoners to test. ARV therapy can be started early and safely. A comprehensive approach to “throughcare” for this population is required to address clinical engagement after liberation. It is hoped that ARV therapy in this group may stem the current outbreak. Further review of retention in care is required., Introduction: We wanted to determine which variables and characteristics were associated with HIV virological non-suppression at a tertiary clinic located in Downtown Vancouver. Materials and methods: The multidisciplinary programme developed at the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre (VIDC) provides ongoing, long-term access to specialty medical care and support services in order to target the clinical and social factors associated with HIV suppression and maintenance. A retrospective analysis of HIV treatment responses was conducted to study the factors associated with virological non-suppression. Results: We divided the population into four separate cohorts. Group 1 (n=241) included individuals who showed HIV RNA suppression and an increase/no change in CD4 count from baseline. Within this cohort, there were 222 males with a mean age of 50.9 years (range 24–74) and 21 females with a mean age of 51.7 years (range 33–63). Group 2 (n=88) included individuals who showed HIV RNA suppression and a decrease in CD4 count from baseline. Within this cohort, there were 73 males with a mean age of 54.5 years (range 22–82) and 15 females with a mean age of 50.1 years (range 31–64). Group 3 (n=9) included individuals who showed HIV RNA non-suppression and a decrease in CD4 count from baseline. Within this cohort, there were seven males with a mean age of 51.4 years (range 36–71) and two females with a mean age of 46 years (range 44–48). Group 4 (n=7) included individuals who showed HIV RNA non-suppression and an increase/no change in CD4 count from baseline. Within this cohort, there were seven males with a mean age of 57.3 years (range 34–73). Relevant demographic characteristics are shown in Table 1. Conclusions: Virological non-suppression was uncommon, but individuals in these groups showed higher rates of injection drug use, homelessness and unemployment. CD4 cell count trajectories were not associated with any clinical or demographic characteristics measured in this cohort. Acting on characteristics such as drug use and homelessness may help reduce the rate of non-response to antiretroviral therapy in our cohort., Introduction: High adherence to cART is essential for long-term viral load suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV). While a variety of socio-economic, demographic and clinical characteristics have been associated with suboptimal adherence to cART, we have focussed on the previously unexplored association between relationship status and housing stability on adherence among people who use illicit drugs. Methods: Sociodemographic survey data collected between July 2007 and January 2010 as part of the Longitudinal Investigation into Supportive and Ancillary health services (LISA) cohort and clinical data collected through the provincial Drug Treatment Program (DTP) were used in this study. Study participants were PLHIV ≥19 years of age who used illicit drugs (heroin, crack, cocaine and/or methamphetamine) within 3 months prior to the interview, and currently accessing cART, with pharmacy refill compliance data in the 6-month period prior to the interview. Optimal adherence (≥95%) was the main outcome of interest. The main explanatory variables included housing status (stable vs. unstable housing) and relationship status (single/separated/divorced/widowed (SSDW) or legally married/common law/regular partner/non-regular partner (LCRN)). Separate logistic regression confounder models were used to determine the effect of relationship status and housing stability on the association between illicit drug use and adherence to cART. The combined current crack use and relationship status variable was the main interest in the first model, while the combined current crack use and housing status variable was the main interest in the second model. Confounders were controlled for in both models. Results: This study included 405 individuals, of whom 115 (28%) were women and 5 (1%) were transgender. A total of 261 (65%) of participants achieved optimal adherence, 317 (78%) were currently using crack, 208 (51%) were unstably housed and 122 (30%) were LCRN. The first confounder model showed relationship status (LCRN and SSDW) combined with current crack use, were significantly associated with suboptimal adherence (aOR 2.88, 95% CI 1.22–6.79; and aOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.08–5.42, respectively), as were current crack use and unstable housing in the second confounder model (aOR 2.83; 95% CI 1.332–6.025). Conclusion: Relationship status and housing status did not predict optimal cART adherence independently; however, when combined with current crack use, they were significantly associated with suboptimal adherence to cART. Interventions, particularly those focussed on housing and addictions support services, need to be targeted towards current crack users in order to remove barriers to cART adherence., Introduction: Among the 18,000 residents living on the Downtown East Side (DTES) of Vancouver, over 20% are infected with HIV. An innovative approach is needed to engage these individuals in care to fulfill the goals of the “90–90–90” program endorsed by the World Health Organization to address the global HIV pandemic. Materials and methods: In 2013, structured HIV support groups were designed as an innovative strategy to engage this vulnerable population in a multidisciplinary program of care. The group is held once a week for 4 hours, led by medical doctors, nurses and other community-based workers. Individuals attending the group are given a presentation on a topic related to HIV/AIDS, such as HIV transmission, therapy or substance abuse. They are also able to ask medical questions and voice their health-related concerns in an open and safe environment. Two meals are provided as well as services to address medical, psychological, social and addiction-related needs. A retrospective analysis to assess characteristics of individuals attending the group regularly (at least once per month) was performed, and commitment to HIV treatment was evaluated. Results: A total of 74 HIV-infected patients (mean age 52 years, 12% females, 14% First Nations) regularly attended the group. Among these HIV-positive individuals attending the group, 55 (74.3%) were people who actively inject drugs (PWID), 36 (48.6%) self-identified as being homeless and 25 (33.8%) had an underlying psychiatric disease. The majority (73/74, 98.6%) were receiving antiretroviral therapy and 58/73 (79.4%) of these individuals had a suppressed HIV plasma viral load (, Introduction: To monitor the use of cART is relevant to evaluate outcomes, adherence to prescriptions and therapeutic strategies. Materials and methods: We analyzed the full cohort of a large reference hospital in Northern Italy. Data on drug use were derived from pharmacy records and were cross-linked with clinical data from the outpatient clinic database. The period from 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2014 was considered for a mean individual follow-up of 1.18 years and a total follow-up of 2676 person-years. Adherence was calculated on the basis of pharmacy refill. We defined virologic response by categories: always 3 but always 3) and sometimes >50 copies/mL (V>50). Results: Over the considered 2 years, 2589 HIV+ subjects were prescribed ARV drugs. According to univariate analysis, adherence correlated with several baseline variables: hepatitis co-infection (p=0.002), nationality, risk factor for HIV infection, third drug included into the regimen, line of therapy, time on cART and age (p3 and V>50 groups (p3 patients (26.3% of them), while sporadic drug holidays were typically observed in V>50 patients (17.9%; p, Introduction: Today, while many potent antiretroviral treatments (ART) and strategies are available, their clinical efficacy depends on patients adhering to them as prescribed. However, obstacles to adherence are common, multiple, recurrent and can be inadequately dealt with in clinical care. Tools are needed to address this apparent gap in HIV care. The use of a new PRO in HIV clinical care, based on patients’ perceived barriers to ART adherence, could prove helpful. In creating this PRO (I-Score Study/CTN 283), it is essential to take the needs of clinicians into consideration from the outset, given the crucial role these stakeholders play in their successful use in practise. Objective: To identify HIV-specialized clinicians’ needs in regards to the clinical use of a new PRO which would be based on patients’ self-identified barriers to taking their ART. Materials and methods: Five focus groups were conducted including 32 clinicians from across France. The focus groups were transcribed verbatim, coded vertically with Atlas.ti and, as the method was deemed appropriate, submitted to a typological analysis producing ideal types. Results: The typological analysis identified seven patient profiles (ideal types), each tied to different barriers to adherence and indicating distinct needs for the PRO's content and data collection strategies. For the patient who: (1) is passive, the PRO must collect information on ART knowledge with closed questions and visual scales; (2) never forgets a dose, adherence must be verified with indirect questions; (3) tolerates the intolerable, questions must target problems experienced by patients with their ART; (4) doesn't care, as long as they live life to the fullest, interactive questions must be integrated on lifestyle and risk taking; (5) is obsessive, quality of life and life events must be assessed and space provided for textual responses for qualifying answers; (6) must prioritize, family/domestic life should be evaluated with Likert scales; (7) lives precariously, simple questions constructed with basic vocabulary and emoticons should be used to capture life circumstances and socio-economic context. Conclusions: The clinicians’ needs for the new PRO were articulated in relation to different patient profiles, with multiple implications for the tool's content. The challenge will be to respond to both these needs and those that will be identified by patients in another component of the I-Score Study., Introduction: Lack of adherence to ART increases therapeutic failure, resistance selection and health system expenditures through more expensive regimens. It is a public health problem, since uncontrolled viremia boosts transmission of both the infection and resistance. The study aim is to evaluate acceptance of a smartphone app, linked to a web, managed by the healthcare team (Figure 1). Materials and methods: expertSalud® is a validated free app including all Spanish registered drugs with predefined and free clinical controls and intake timetables. Patients confirm drug intakes on their smartphones. App links to a website where patients and healthcare practitioners track in real time their compliance without waiting for the next visit to detect adherence failures. The device maintains protection of confidential data. Patients were asked to report about all benefits and difficulties encountered. System usability was tested through two satisfaction surveys about combined app and web done at first and third months, using two different 18-question (scored 0–10) surveys. Results: It is the first trial of a web-linked app used in real time by patients and their clinical team. From August 2015 to January 2016, hospital pharmacists recruited 81 smartphone users among subjects who started or changed ART, asking them to download and evaluate app. A total of 50 (62%) patients downloaded expertSalud®. Poor mobile phone coverage and troublesome registration hindered downloading. Before leaving the study, some patients noticed app dysfunctions. In total, 40 subjects answered at least one of the surveys and 21 both of them. The mean satisfaction score with the app in the first survey was 8.05/10, and 7.7/10 in the second one. For the web, the mean scores were 7.37 and 5.73, respectively (Figure 2). In both surveys, the app received the highest scores for allowing to include all their treatments (8.45–8.68) and selecting pill image and colour avoiding treatment confusion (8.30–8.33). Patients appreciated record easiness (8.06–7.89) and checking visualization (7.77–8.06), and they considered the app could be useful to improve their adherence (NA–7.90). Conclusions: In this pilot study, patient's acceptance of an app to monitor ART intakes and adherence by the healthcare team was high. However, only half of the app users completed all the evaluation forms. App-linked web could be useful in detecting early treatment non-compliance and driving the implementation of targeted strategies. Suggestions received will improve system friendliness in the app development in new fully powered studies., Introduction: Prior research has recognized neurocognitive impairment (NCI) and treatment engagement as important predictors of ART adherence [1–4]. No studies to date, however, have explored the possible ways and the extent to which a similar outcome can occur when these factors operate together, particularly among people who use drugs (PWUDs). This study sought to answer whether treatment engagement moderates the relationship between NCI and ART adherence. Methods: A total of 116 HIV-positive opioid-dependent individuals enrolled in a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and reporting drug- and/or sex-related HIV risk behaviours were recruited from MMT clinic in New Haven, Connecticut. Participants completed an audio-computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) that measured NCI (Brief Inventory of Neurocognitive Impairment), ART adherence (Visual Analogue Scale) and treatment engagement. An ordinary least squares regression-based path analytic framework was used to test whether treatment engagement (moderator) moderates the relationship between NCI (predictor) and ART adherence (outcome). Results: Results showed that NCI (B=−0.745, p=0.004) was negatively associated with ART adherence. The interactive effect between NCI and treatment engagement was significantly associated with ART adherence (B=0.086, p=0.023), which supports the moderation effect. Post hoc analyses revealed that at low levels of treatment engagement, NCI was significantly negatively associated with ART adherence, while at high levels of treatment engagement, the relationship was non-significant. Conclusions: The findings make an important contribution to our understanding of the applicability of a moderated model, such that NCI had an increased negative influence on ART adherence for individuals with lower treatment engagement. This highlights the need for future interventions to accommodate individuals’ NCI and improve treatment engagement in order to improve adherence to ART and thus health-related quality of life among opioid-dependent individuals living with HIV., Introduction: Advances in ART for HIV treatment have reduced patient morbidity and mortality [1]. Once-daily single-tablet regimens (STRs) may improve adherence and persistence by reducing pill burden compared to multi-tablet regimens (MTRs) [1,2. Persistence and adherence have been correlated with improved patient outcomes [3]. This retrospective study evaluated real-world persistence among HIV-1 infected patents comparing STRs versus MTRs using the Truven MarketScan® database. Materials and methods: Adults (≥18 years), diagnosed with HIV-1, with ≥1 prescription for ART during the index period (1 January 2011 through 31 December 2015) were identified. Patients were required to have continuous enrollment for 6-month baseline and follow-up periods until the end of enrollment or end of the study period, whichever came first. Primary outcome was index regimen persistence, defined as time from index regimen start date to end of first 90-day gap between fills for any ART in the index regimen, or to the start date of an ART not in index regimen. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard models evaluated persistence and risk of discontinuation or switch across treatments controlling for age, gender, health-plan type, US region, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and baseline comorbidities. Results: Index regimens are listed in Table 1. STRs were the index regimen for two-thirds of patients. A majority of patients were male (83%). Patients prescribed MTRs were older (mean age: 43.2 vs. 39.8 years, p, Introduction: While the majority of the published literature has focussed on the role of patients’ attitude regarding adherence, the healthcare provider (HCP) has a significant role in patient adherence with ART. This is a great concern to HCPs as a great level of adherence is needed for most patients to achieve full and sustained viral suppression. This study was designed to better understand the factors that impact clinicians’ prescribing patterns for ART that will optimize patient adherence to HIV therapy in the US. Methods: In mid-2014, two cross-sectional internet-based surveys were conducted in the US with 400 patients prescribed with an ARV and with 200 physicians who treat HIV. The 30-minute online surveys were pretested with a small group of respondents (n=5 patients and n=5 physicians). The patient survey included HIV treatment experience, medication side effects, adherence behaviours, treatment satisfaction and interaction with HCPs. The physician survey addressed similar topics to allow for direct comparisons between HIV patients and physicians. Results: The patient sample were primarily males (79.3%) with an average age of 41.1 (SD 13.2) years with 61% homosexual, 28.1% heterosexual and 11.1% bisexual. A total of 59% of patients were diagnosed with comorbidities, the most common being depression, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. The physician sample included 119 primary care physicians (PCPs) and 81 infectious disease (ID) specialists. The factors most important for IDs and PCPs in ARV prescribing, were virologic control, followed by adherence and side effects. PCPs were more concerned with affordability/insurance coverage than IDs. Moreover, there were significant differences between the choices of ARV for patients with comorbidities, for IDs compared to PCPs. These included kidney and liver diseases; hyperlipidemia and diabetes most affected HCPs’ treatment decisions (Figure 1). Conclusion: Adherence challenges persist for both IDs and PCPs in prescribing ARVs. Understanding the optimal prescribing patterns for ARVs and ensuring that HCPs consider both the polypharmacy related to both HIV as well as comorbid conditions is important, especially as HIV is being treated as a chronic disease., Introduction: Strict adherence to ART is essential for HIV suppression – to reduce the risk of treatment resistance, improve health and quality of life of those infected, reduce mortality and minimize risk of transmission. By contrast, poor adherence to therapy is a major cause of treatment failure. It is essential to identify factors for poor adherence in order to a customized action. The aim of this study is to determine adherence differences to HIV therapy between the migrant and the Portuguese population on follow-up in our HIV outpatient clinic. Material and methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study including 719 patients followed in a Portuguese HIV outpatient clinic since the year 2000. Of these, 651 patients met the inclusion criteria (over 18 years old, on follow-up since 2000, with one or more appointments in 2015); 428 Portuguese patients and 223 migrants – 143 from Africa (mostly Angola, Cap Verde and Guinea), 58 from South America (almost all from Brazil), 13 from Europe and 2 from Asia. Adherence was defined by undetectable viral load in the last two evaluations. Results between the two groups were compared using Chi-squared test. Results: Total of 651 patients, mean age of 44.8 years (Portuguese 45.6 vs. migrants 43.2), 450 males and 201 females (Portuguese 315 males/113 females vs. migrants 135 males/88 females). Non-adherence in the Portuguese group was present in 28 patients (6.5%; n=428) and in the migrants group in 13 patients (5.8%; n=223). The reasons for non-adherence in the Portuguese group were mostly alcohol and drug abuse or depression and other mental disorders; while in the migrant group were low level of health education and low social support. We saw that usually the regime prescribed did not influence adherence – number of doses/tablets, adverse effects or relation with/without meal. Conclusions: Even though the adherence in the Portuguese group was lower in percentage than in the migrant group, the reasons for this suboptimal adherence might improve with interventions in our outpatient clinic, such as better social support and reinforcement of health education with enhanced risk perception and better knowledge of this disease., Introduction: Retention to care is vital in order to improve HIV outcomes. Data regarding retention to care of HIV-positive individuals in Greece are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess retention to care and identify factors associated with incomplete retention in a longitudinal cohort of HIV-infected patients in Northern Greece. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece of 1450 newly diagnosed HIV patients >18 years old who entered care from 1990 to 2015 and followed until present. Retention to care was defined as having at least one visit each year of care throughout the entire follow-up period. Also, we studied predictors of gaps in care and the analysis was divided into three distinct time periods. A secondary analysis was done to determine the relationship between demographic and clinical variables and the number of years out of care. Results: Of the 1450 patients included, 38.41% had at least one gap in care during the study period. Patients with complete retention to care were older (37.10±10.71 vs. 35.85±11.00), fully insured (71.8% vs. 53.1%, p, The Berlin patient is presumed to be the only person cured from HIV infection by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a homozygous CCR5-d32 donor. Attempts to reproduce cure by HSCT have failed because of either viral rebound or death due to the underlying malignancy. We here report a patient alive, well and negative for proviral DNA 900 days after HSCT. A 41-year-old HIV-infected male patient was diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML, inv16, CBF-MYH11) in January 2011. Since the diagnosis of HIV infection in October 2010, he had been treated with TDF/FTC+DRV (January 2011 VL 44 copies/mL; CD4+ 474 cells/µL). To avoid interactions with chemotherapy DRV was switched to RAL in March 2011. He achieved CR of the AML after one induction course (ICE) and received a second induction and three consolidation courses according to AML-SG 07/04. In September 2012, AML relapsed and he was treated with A-HAM and a second cycle high-dose cytarabine. While in second CR, he received unmodified peripheral blood stem cells from a female 10/10 CCR5-d32 DKMS donor after conditioning with fludarabine/treosulfan in February 2013. Before transplant, HIV resistance analysis was performed and viral tropism was determined. There were no significant resistance mutations, and the coreceptor usage was predicted as R5-tropic (Sanger sequencing: FPR 44.5%; NGS: 0.14% X4 at 3.5% FPR; geno2pheno). The proviral DNA load was 1.45 log10 copies/106 PBMCs, and in the western blot, all anticipated bands could be detected. During transplant and until today, the patient remained on ART (since June 2014 ABC/3TC/DTG), and the viral load remained undetectable in plasma and liquor. He had a second relapse of AML in June 2013 but re-entered molecular remission after a total of eight courses of 5-azacytidine and four donor lymphocyte infusions. Concerning HIV, all collected samples were negative for proviral DNA by conventional and digital droplet PCR in two different labs, namely PBMCs (2014–2016), rectal biopsy (April 2015) and bone marrow (August 2015). Western blots from 2014, 2015 and 2016 showed incomplete patterns with fading bands. Viral outgrowth assays are in progress. Like in the Berlin patient, all tests from the Duesseldorf patient so far suggest that HIV may have been eradicated and that he may be the second individual cured from HIV by allogeneic CCR5-d32 HSCT. Further investigations will be performed before considering the discontinuation of ART., Introduction: We developed a first-in-class small molecule (ABX464) with a novel mechanism of anti-HIV involving modulation of viral RNA splicing [1]. ABX464 was demonstrated to be effective in inhibiting HIV replication in vitro, in vivo and in HIV patients [2]. Studies in humanized mice infected with HIV demonstrated that ABX464 monotherapy had an antiviral effect, which was sustained after treatment interruption. Therefore, ABX464 may have an effect on virus reservoirs. In humans, ABX464 is metabolized to one main metabolite, ABX464-NGlc. We investigated the differential effects of parent compound and metabolite on virus replication in vitro in both stimulated PBMCs and macrophages to investigate potential antiviral effects in macrophages, the cell population considered to be the key virus reservoir. Materials and methods: Human PBMCs and monocytes were isolated from healthy donors. Cultured cells were treated with ABX464 or ABX464-NGlc and then infected with virus. Following 6–12 days of incubation, HIV p24 titration was performed on supernatants by ELISA with Ingen Innotest kit. Results: Dose-dependent inhibition of HIV-1 replication by ABX464 was demonstrated in stimulated PBMCs with an IC50 ranging between 0.1 and 0.5 µM, while the metabolite did not show any efficacy in inhibiting virus replication in human PBMC in vitro. By contrast, although the metabolite demonstrated no antiviral effect on PBMCs, it blocked virus replication in primary macrophages reaching inhibition levels of up to 90% at 0.1 µM. Conclusions: These findings have substantial implications for targeting the HIV reservoir with ABX464. Studies in healthy subjects demonstrated ABX464-NGlc's Cmax was about 160-fold higher than those of ABX464 and had a much longer t1/2 (90–110 hours) than the parent compound (2–3 hours), resulting in a >1000-fold difference in AUC between the two compounds [3]. The markedly higher plasma concentrations of ABX464-NGlc, and its ability to inhibit viral replication in infected macrophage cultures with the same IC50 as the parent drug, may allow effective targeting of the reservoir in patients whose viral load is fully controlled by existing ARTs. In this case, the primary aim of the therapeutic intervention with ABX464 is to delay/prevent the viral rebound typically originating from the reservoir. This concept is being explored in an ongoing clinical trial, in which patients receive ABX464 for 4 weeks in combination with standard ART, with subsequent cessation of all treatments and intense viral load monitoring until viral rebound., Introduction: Latent reservoir of HIV-1 infection has a relevant impact in the management of the treatment and in the evaluation of the eradication strategies approaches. We have developed in vitro models by using HDAC inhibitors and PKC agonists to reactivate the transcription of proviral HIV DNA in cell culture using lymphocytes collected from HIV-1 infected patients under suppressive ART. The aims of our study were to evaluate (1) the size of the viral particles produced by lymphocytes by using a specific qPCR method and (2) the comparison of the sequences of viral regions involved in drug resistance obtained from both newly produced viral populations and proviral DNA. Materials and methods: Lymphocytes from HIV-1 infected patients under successful antiretroviral treatment were harvested from whole blood and both stored as the baseline sample and resuspended in the appropriate growth medium for the evaluation of HIV RNA production by using reactivating agents PHA or PMA alone or in combination with vorinostat (VOR). We calculated the amount of genomic viral RNA in the cell culture supernatants by a specific qRT-PCR system targeting the 3' poly-adenylated tail of HIV RNA genome. We compared the sequences of the regions involved in drug resistance by the partial amplification of POL and ENV gene from both baseline HIV DNA and from supernatant viral RNA of successfully induced lymphocytes. Results: We have showed that PKC agonists such as PMA or PHA, when combined with HDAC inhibitors such as VOR, effectively induced viral transcription in lymphocytes from patients on successful ART at higher levels than those obtained stimulating lymphocytes with PHA or PMA alone. From the data observed in the comparison of POL sequences between baseline HIV DNA and supernatant viral RNA, we found that 7/13 patients showed similar genotypes, among which 6 had no mutation and 1 case showed the same resistance mutations in both DNA and RNA. Interestingly, 4/13 patients had mutations detected in reactivated viral RNA but not found in the baseline proviral HIV DNA. Similarly, the comparison of the sequences of the V3 domain of the ENV showed that 2/6 patients had a different predicted coreceptor usage between proviral HIV DNA and reactivated viral RNA. Conclusions: Latent HIV-1 infection of lymphocytes remains the major barrier to HIV-1 eradication and our data confirmed that could have a relevant impact in the management of HIV infection treatment as well., Introduction: Dolutegravir (DTG) is an HIV integrase inhibitor with a potent antiviral activity and high genetic barrier. However, few viral rebounds with emergence of integrase resistance mutations during DTG monotherapy maintenance were observed [1]. M184I/V mutations against lamivudine (3TC) could prevent the emergence of resistance mutations against DTG [2]. Methods: DOLULAM is a prospective cohort study. Patients on a stable antiretroviral regimen with HIV RNA 12 months, with problems of tolerability and without resistance to integrase inhibitors, were given the opportunity to switch to dolutegravir 50 mg plus lamivudine 300 mg once daily. Visits and laboratory tests including plasma HIV-1 RNA levels (VL)(Roche Cobas Ampliprep/Taqman HIV-1 version 2.0; limit of detection, 20 copies/mL) were scheduled at baseline (BL), 6, 12, 24 (36 optional) and 48 weeks. Results: We enrolled 27 patients from October 2014 to April 2015 (20 men, 7 women; median age: 59 years; plasma HIV-1 RNA zenith >100,000 copies/mL: 56%; median nadir CD4: 167/mm3; median baseline CD4: 601/mm3). Before switching to dual therapy, patients had been taking antiretroviral therapy for a median of 215 (range 22–329) months and the last HAART (TDF: 48%; PI/r: 81%; RAL: 26%) for a median of 51 (13–108) months. Ten (37%) patients had a history of genotypic test prior switch with M184V mutation. During the first 48 weeks of follow-up, no patient experienced virologic failure (defined as confirmed VL >50 copies/mL) or severe clinical or laboratory adverse event, or was lost to follow-up. Three patients experienced one blip (52, 31 and 66 copies/mL at week 12, 24 and 36). Three patients wanted to discontinue DTG+3TC combination (two at week 16 and week 24 for fatigue, one at week 18 after blip at week 12 visit). There was a small decrease from baseline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at first on-treatment assessment (median week 6 evolution: −9 mL/min/1.73 m2) but remained stable over the 48-week follow-up (−7). Conclusions: These results suggest that, in this population of heavily treatment-experienced patients without or with history of M184I/V mutation, dolutegravir plus lamivudine dual therapy is an attractive strategy of maintenance., Introduction: In the absence of virologic eradication despite combination of antiretroviral therapy, patients infected by HIV have to take the treatment throughout their life. Intermittent regimen could be an alternative for those as evocated in previous studies (FOTO, BREATHER). Material and methods: An open-label, multicentre, single-arm prospective study had been conducted to evaluate the capacity of a weekly strategy of 4 consecutive days treatment (“period on") followed by 3 days without treatment (“period off"), in HIV-1 patients with undetectable viral load for at least 12 months. Patients had no treatment modification in the past 6 months, and were on two nucleosides analogues and either boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r) or a NNRTI. Plasma antiretroviral residual concentrations on “period on" collected at day 0, week 16, week 40 and on “period off" collected at week 4, week 8, week 12, week 32 and week 48 were measured using a validated turbulent flow chromatography method coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry detection with electrospray ionization interface. The laps between the last medication intake and the sample collecting time over 48 hours were considered as off period samples. Results: Among the 100 patients included, 12 drug combinations were used: TDF+FTC (n=89), ABC+3TC (10), ABC+TDF (1) combined with a PI/r for 29 (DRV/r: 15; ATV/r: 13; LPV/r: 1) or a NNRTI for 71 (EFV: 40; RPV: 26; ETV: 5). After 48 weeks, 96% (95% CI 90-98, Kaplan-Meier estimate) were still under intermittent 4/7 days regimen without failure. In total, 877 samples were analyzed (292 “on” and 585 “off”). A total of 94.4% of plasma samples are consistent with the timing. Significant differences had been observed between “on” concentrations and “off” concentrations for DRV (2587±1393 ng/mL vs. 17±18 ng/mL, p, Introduction: The main objective of this simplification therapy is the reduction of potential toxicity of long-term antiretroviral treatment. In this regard, the withdrawal of ritonavir has demonstrated advantages in terms of tolerance and metabolic toxicity. There are previous studies that establish that non-boosted ATV400 has similar efficacy and a better toxicity profile than ritonavir-boosted ATV (ATV/r). But we have scarce information on the efficacy and safety of the dual regimen with lamivudine (3TC)+ATV400. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-centre, observational study in which we analyzed the evolution of our virologically stable patients who received a triple therapy or a dual therapy with 3TC+ATV/r and switched to a dual therapy with 3TC+ATV400 as a simplification strategy. Results: A total of 46 patients received the non-boosted ATV400 plus 3TC combination. They had previously taken antiretroviral treatment for an average of 12.1 years and four previous treatment combinations, a mean CD4 nadir of 229 cells/mm3 and a baseline viral load of 95,004 copies/mL. A total of 17.4% of patients were co-infected with HCV. In all patients, the viral load had been suppressed for over 6 months and they had tolerated their previous treatment well, which in 35/46 cases was a dual therapy with ritonavir. After an observation period of 44.6 patient-years, only one patient discontinued the study combination, due to virologic failure. During the study, there were no adverse events and 157 viral loads were determined. Of these, 94.9% were 50 copies/mL and five of them were blips. Only one patient had virologic failure (2.2%), with two consecutive detectable viral loads (1132 and 3558 copies/mL), associated with resistance to ATV (protease mutations: 10F, 20T and 50L). This virologic failure was associated with confirmed poor treatment adherence. Conclusions: Our data, and those of other studies, suggest that the 3TC+ATV400 dual combination, as a simplification strategy in stable patients, suppresses HIV replication and is non-inferior to triple therapy. We believe this attractive strategy can be explored safely and should be confirmed with further studies., Introduction: cART is generally based on a backbone consisting of two NRTIs and on a third agent of a different class. The availability of new potent drugs raises the opportunity to change the classical NRTI-backbone paradigm and to explore less-drug regimens able to overcome adverse events due to commonly used NRTIs. Materials and methods: This is a prospective, multi-centre, proof-of-concept, cohort study in patients on stable cART, with a confirmed (>6 months) viremia, Introduction: Various studies have demonstrated the bioequivalence of darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) and darunavir/cobicistat (DRV/c). However, there are doubts about how the lower plasma trough concentrations achieved with DRV/c may affect therapeutic efficacy. Triple therapy is not a good model to test the equivalence of only one component of the treatment, but monotherapy is. It is for this reason that the objective for this study was to analyze the virologic efficacy achieved with DRV/c when used in monotherapy. Materials and methods: This is an observational, retrospective, single-centre analysis of all patients in our hospital who received DRV/c in monotherapy. We analyzed the evolution of HIV viremia, and we have compared these results with those achieved previously with DRV/r and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in our historic controls. In addition, we compared these results to those obtained in a recent three-way comparison (monotherapy vs. bitherapy vs. triple therapy) of contemporary patients in our centre. Results: Since July 2015 to May 2016, 181 patients have received DRV/c in monotherapy (94.5% from monotherapy with DRV/r (93.6%) or LPV/r (6.4%)). Only four patients discontinued DRV/c: one due to virologic failure and three due to mild intolerance. The global exposition time for this cohort was 58.9 patient-years. During this time, 196 plasma viral loads (VL) have been determined: 91.9% (180/196) were 200 copies/mL. In a previous analysis of our patients (n=185) who were receiving monotherapy with DRV/r or LPV/r (2005–2013), 1003 VL have been determined: 84.1% were 200 copies/mL. Moreover, in another comparative study of parallel viral loads recorded during the same period of time (from March 2014 to April 2015) between the different strategies (monotherapy vs. bitherapy vs. triple therapy, for >6 months), our patients on monotherapy (n=49, with DRV/r or LPV/r) presented a VL, Antiretroviral treatment with darunavir/ritonavir monotherapy has been extensively used as simplification NRTI-sparing strategy in the last years. Recently, co-formulated darunavir/cobicistat has become available. In comparison with ritonavir, cobicistat has no intrinsic antiretroviral activity, it is more selective than ritonavir in terms of inhibition of different isoenzymes of the cytochrome P450 system, and it does not induce CYP isoenzymes or glucuronidation. In a clinical trial, exposure to darunavir following darunavir/ritonavir and darunavir/cobicistat administration was not significantly different, although darunavir trough concentrations were 30% lower with cobicistat than with ritonavir [1]. This difference seems not to be clinically relevant in patients on triple therapy and without resistance mutations associated to darunavir. However, there are not clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness and safety of darunavir/cobicistat as monotherapy simplification strategy. We retrospectively studied all HIV-1-infected subjects treated with darunavir/ritonavir or lopinavir/ritonavir monotherapy who were switched to darunavir/cobicistat monotherapy while having plasma VL 50 copies/mL in two consecutive determinations or as any change in the monotherapy regimen after a single determination with a pVL >50 copies/mL. We also evaluated other reasons for treatment discontinuation. Analyses were performed considering all regimens (full data set analysis) as “treatment switch equals failure.” A total of 124 subjects on stable PI monotherapy during a median time of 380 (IQR 345–425) weeks were switched to darunavir/cobicistat, 121 (97.6%) with darunavir/ritonavir and three (2.4%) with lopinavir/ritonavir. The median time of follow-up on darunavir/cobicistat was of 20 (IQR 12–21) weeks. Two patients discontinued darunavir/cobicistat and 122/124 (98.4%) subjects maintained virologic suppression. One subject experienced virologic failure after 23 weeks on darunavir/cobicistat. One additional patient discontinued because of diarrhoea which was solved switching again to darunavir/ritonavir. Switching to monotherapy strategy with darunavir/cobicistat seems to be effective and safe in the short term in subjects from clinical setting with suppressive and long-term PI monotherapy. Data from long-term effectiveness and clinical trials are needed., Objectives: To compare safety, efficacy and durability of simplification to different STR (efavirenz (EFV)/emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir (TDF) vs. rilpivirine (RPV)/FTC/TDF) in virologically suppressed patients. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed HIV+ patients with HIV RNA 50 copies/mL in two consecutive determinations or >1000 copies/mL in one) and their predictors were investigated. Results: A total of 1461 patients were enrolled of which 998 (68%) switching to EFV/FTC/TDF and 463 (32%) to RPV/FTC/TDF (characteristics in Table 1). TD occurred in 223 (22%) patients with an incidence of 8.7 per 100 PYFU in EFV/FTC/TDF and in 50 (11%) patients with an incidence of 5.3 per 100 PYFU in RPV/FTC/TDF. VF occurred in 34 (3.4%) patients with an incidence of 1.3 per 100 PYFU in EFV/FTC/TDF and in 24 (5.2%) patients with an incidence of 2.6 per 100 PYFU in RPV/FTC/TDF. At survival analysis, the estimated 3-year probability of remaining free from TD was 77.7% in EFV/FTC/TDF versus 89.2% in RPV/FTC/TDF (p=0.001); after excluding patients switching to EFV/FTC/TDF from EFV+TDF/FTC (sub-population 1, n=806), TD was 71.7% versus 89.2% (p, Introduction: DRV/r monotherapy is an effective maintenance strategy endorsed by clinical practise guidelines for selected patients. Cobicistat (COBI) is a booster that is as an alternative to ritonavir. DRV/COBI has got equivalent efficacy and safety profile as DRV/r. Coformulated DRV/COBI 800/150 mg has been recently approved for commercialization, which can simplify treatment regimens. Primary endpoint of this study was a combined efficacy endpoint of coformulated DRV/COBI 800/150 mg monotherapy as a simplification strategy in patients receiving DRV/r. Efficacy was defined as RNA HIV 50 copies/mL in a unique determination, according to the snapshot algorithm or treatment switch or discontinuation. For safety evaluation, clinical events and laboratory data were reviewed. Adverse events were graded according to the Division of AIDS classification system. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics V22.0. Results: After 9.85 weeks of median follow-up, the combined efficacy was 96.6%. There were two cases of virologic failure. Both patients presented a CD4 nadir count below 200×106 cells/L, no previous history of virologic failure or resistance mutations, and RNA HIV, Introduction: Long-term care and prevention of cumulative toxicity related to antiretroviral therapy (ART) have become main objectives of HIV patient management. Nuke-sparing regimens offer an alternative to conventional therapy, with similar efficacy and less potential toxicity. Dual therapy with rilpivirine and boosted darunavir (RPV+DRVb) is an attractive combination, currently used in clinical practise but with little data from clinical trials. For this reason, we have retrospectively analyzed why this combination is being used as well as its efficacy and safety in real-life patients. Methods: Here we present preliminary data of an observational, multi-centre, retrospective study in HIV patients that have received RPV+DRVb for at least 24 weeks to optimize and/or simplify their previous ART. Results: Data from 140 patients of 15 hospitals were collected with a median (m) age of 47 years, 25.7% had previous AIDS stage and CD4+ lymphocyte nadir of 163 cells/µL (m) (IQR 61–283). They had been diagnosed with HIV for 239 months (m) and had received 124 months (m) of ART, with five previous treatment combinations (m). The reason for switch was simplification/optimization (47.9%), toxicity or intolerance (20%), and insufficient efficacy (with VL, Introduction: A retrospective analysis was undertaken to assess viro-immunological and clinical outcomes of ritonavir (Rt)-boosted protease inhibitor (PI)-based and integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimens versus NRTI-NNRTI-based less drugs regimens (LDR) in adult patients with a previous history of continuous three-drugs PI- or NNRTI-based ART, who started dual ART, once both plasma viral load (PVL) 200 cells/µL were achieved for at least 48 months. Materials and methods: This was a monocentric, retrospective study in a large tertiary care centre in Italy. HIV-infected patients receiving Rt-boosted PI- and INSTI-based dual therapy (ATV/Rt+LMV, ATV/Rt+LMV, LPV/Rt+LMV, RAL+NVP, 3TC+RAL) versus NRTI-NNRTI-based (3TC+NVP, 3TC+EFV) LDRs were systematically identified. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who maintained virological suppression at week 12, 24 and 48. Other primary outcomes included immunological response, treatment failure and development of drug resistance. The secondary endpoint was safety (serious adverse effects, AIDS-related events and death). Follow-up consisted of clinical assessments and routine laboratory monitoring, and neurocognitive status at baseline and regularly at weeks 4, 8, 12 and every 12 weeks. Results: Using our electronic medical database (Log80 software), we exhaustively identified 130 patients that met our inclusion criteria out of 790 HIV+ patients followed at the Infectious Diseases Unit of Forlì and Cesena Hospitals, searching up to 30 June 2016. Patient median age was 54 years; 56% were men. All of the patients were treatment experienced. Median baseline CD4+ cell count was 803,065/µL and viral load was, Introduction: There are increasing concerns about long-term toxicity of antiretroviral treatment. NRTIs have the potential for long-term toxicities and ritonavir has negative metabolic consequences and drug-drug interactions. The combination of dolutegravir (DTG) with unboosted atazanavir (uATV) is an intriguing new NRTI- and booster-free regimen. We report a real-life experience of the simplification of different antiretroviral regimens to DTG+uATV. Methods: A total of 61 patients were enrolled in our observational study; 58 subjects with at least one follow-up visit. We evaluated several laboratory parameters including CD4 T cell, HIV RNA and metabolic values. We measured ATV and DTG trough concentrations after a minimal 2-week interval from the start of the new regimen. Results: Patients enrolled in the study were predominantly males (63%), CDC stage C was 22%, HCV-Ab positivity was 28% and the previous regimen included more frequently =3 drugs, mainly PIs (90%). Patients had a median time since first HIV-positive test of 16.1 years (10.2–23.6) and a median time of ART exposure of 14.3 years (9.0–19.0). The reasons for switching to uATV + DTG were several: mainly toxicities, comorbidities and simplification (Table 1). As far as uATV: 55 patients were administered 400 mg QD, two patients 300 mg QD and one patient 200 mg BID; DTG was dosed 50 mg QD, but one patient received 50 mg BID. Patients had a median follow-up of 4.9 months (IQR 2.3–7.8). At last visit, all patients on treatment had undetectable HIV RNA. Two patients presented a viral blip during follow-up (91 and 98 copies/mL), subsequently HIV RNA returned negative without treatment modification. There were three treatment discontinuations: one severe hyperbilirubinemia (grade 3), one G-I intolerance and one patient was lost to follow-up. No differences were found in laboratory parameters between baseline and the last follow-up including immuno-virologic variables, except for a significant decrease in tryglicerides (Table 2). ATV and DTG mean concentrations were 310 ng/mL (95% CI 116–504) and 3216 ng/mL (95% CI 2436–3996) respectively. ATV concentration was below 150 ng/mL in 11 out of 28 patients. Conclusions: ART switch towards this dual-drug regimen NRTI and booster-sparing, although in a short follow-up, appears to be well tolerated and safe. Virologic suppression was maintained in all patients despite long-lasting HIV infection and ART treatment. DTG concentrations are high in the majority of the patients as expected from previous pharmacokinetics study. Despite low ATV concentrations in several patients, no virologic failures were observed. This NRTI- and RTV-sparing regimen appears an attractive new strategy in patients with metabolic disorders and NRTI-related toxicities., Introduction: Some adverse effects of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors including renal injury, myocardial injury and osteoporosis could limit the prescription of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive patients, especially the aging patients with non-communicable diseases. The GARDEL and OLE study of lamivudine plus lopinavir/ritonavir demonstrated effectiveness and safety of dual therapy [1]. However, the information of dual therapy in real world remains limited, so we launch an observational study to monitor effectiveness and safety of dual therapy of lamivudine plus boosted protease inhibitors. Materials and methods: This prospective study was launched to evaluate the effectiveness of virologic response and safety of dual therapy of lamivudine (300 mg) plus lopinavir/ritonavir and darunavir/ritonavir, and naïve and treatment-experienced HIV-positive patients were enrolled since May 2015. Patients with positive hepatitis B antigen were excluded. In weeks 12, 24 and 48, CD4 lymphocyte cell counts and plasma HIV RNA were measured, and these data are compared with those at baseline before enrolment. All adverse effects are documented during the study. Results: Since May 2015 to May 2016, 116 naïve patients (group 1), 39 (group 2) treatment-experienced patients without suppressed HIV RNA (>50 copies/mL) and 82 (group 3) treatment-experienced patients with suppressed HIV RNA (200 copies/mL) was 10.3% (10/97) and 1.3% (1/76) (p=0.016, ORs 8.62, 95% CI 1.08–68.91) for group 1 & 2 and group 3 in week 24. Treatment failure was 20% versus 7.3% (p=0.01, ORs 3.23, 95% CI 1.10–9.49), respectively. Thirty-seven patients discontinued dual therapy, 20% patients (29/145) taking lopinavir/ritonavir had severe GI tract upset or diarrhoea and 7.3% patients (8/110) taking darunavir/ritonavir had grade 3 urticaria or diarrhoea (p=0.004, ORs 3.19, 95% CI 1.40–7.29) (Figure 1). Conclusions: Lamivudine plus lopinavir/ritonavir or darunavir/ritonavir demonstrated comparable effectiveness for patients with suppressed HIV RNA in our cohort. However, adverse effects of GI tract upset and diarrhoea could impede application of dual therapy for naïve patients in real world., Introduction: Simplification to a dual therapy improves adherence by reducing pill burden, short- and long-term toxicities and lowers additional costs for clinical management. ATV/r+3TC dual therapy has recently been approved by Italian and European guidelines as switching strategies from standard cART in virologically suppressed patients. The aim of this 48-month observational study in a real-life setting was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and impact on cardiovascular event of ATV/r+3TC dual therapy. Methods: We enrolled 55 HIV-positive patients on stable HIV VL suppression in the last 6 months, without resistance to PI and in absence of chronic HBV co-infection. Cardiovascular risk was evaluated using the Framingham risk score (FRS). Carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) was assessed by colour Doppler ultrasonography and a c-IMT >0.9 mm was considered to be pathological. Results: Thirty-five patients were males (64.2%), and median age was 49 years (range 28–74 years) (Table 1). Thirteen subjects (24.5%) had AIDS and 15 (27.3%) were HCV co-infected. A total of 32 patients (58.2%) were smokers. Length of HIV diagnosis was 12.5 years (1–33 years). Cumulative exposure to HAART was 9 years (1–20 years). Median baseline CD4 count was 674 cells/mm3. In previous regimen, ARV backbone was TDF/FTC (81.8%) and ABC/3TC (18.2%). Reasons for switching were: 43 simplification (78.2%); 12 TDF-related toxicities (21.8%) distributed as follows: seven (58.3%) renal toxicity and five (41.7%) osteoporosis. After 48 weeks of dual therapy all participants maintained virological suppression and no severe adverse events or treatment interruptions were registered; mean CD4 count gain was +58 cells/mm3. A significant increase in mean lipid concentration was reported for HDL cholesterol (+7.9 mg/dL, p, Introduction: The efficacy and safety of TAF has been mostly evaluated in the context of the coformulation of elvitegravir (E), cobicistat (C), FTC (F) and TAF (E/C/F/TAF). Multiple clinical trials of E/C/F/TAF have consistently demonstrated the advantages of TAF over TDF for markers of renal and bone safety. However, it has not been shown whether these safety advantages of TAF are seen when combined with other third agents. Materials and methods: We conducted a subgroup analysis by the class of co-administered third agent (boosted protease inhibitors (PIs) vs. unboosted third agent) for efficacy (prespecified) and safety (ad hoc) from a 48-week randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study in virologically suppressed, HIV-positive participants who switched to FTC/TAF from FTC/TDF versus continuing FTC/TDF while remaining on their original third agent. The prespecified non-inferiority margin for the overall study was 10%. Results: Among 663 treated (FTC/TAF n=333, FTC/TDF n=330), 47% and 46%, respectively, received boosted PIs. Median age (49 years), median CD4 count (646 cells/mL), renal laboratory parameters and bone mineral density (BMD) were similar between the subgroups. Overall, median duration of FTC/TDF use prior to dosing was 5.1 years. At week 48, significant differences in changes of renal biomarkers and BMD were observed favouring FTC/TAF over FTC/TDF (p, Introduction: The integrase inhibitor DTG is a preferred antiretroviral in many treatment guidelines. Efavirenz (EFV) induces DTG UGT1A1 and CYP3A4-dependent metabolism but dose adjustments are not recommended following treatment switch with steady-state DTG reached week 4 post-switch [1,2]. Population PK analysis was performed to describe DTG PK and investigate changes in DTG after switching from an EFV-based regimen. Materials and methods: Model development (NONMEM version 7.3) combined DTG concentration-time data (50 mg once daily) from two studies. Study 1 was in healthy volunteers administered DTG for 10 days with serial blood sampling performed for 216 hours following the final dose [3]. Study 2 was in HIV-infected, virologically suppressed patients switched from EFV to DTG with random single samples drawn at week 1, 2, 3 and 4 post-switch (samples between 1 and 25.75 hours post-dose). The impact of residual EFV on DTG apparent oral clearance (CL/F) after switching compared with DTG alone was determined. Covariates including weight, age, BMI, sex, ethnicity, HIV status and food consumption within 3 hours of drug intake were also assessed and the model evaluated by simulation and visual predictive check. Results: Fifty-six individuals were included (n=14 female, n=35 Caucasian; n=17 healthy, n=39 HIV). DTG up to 216 hours was described by a two-compartment model parameterized by CL/F (estimate (RSE%): 0.85 L/h (5%)), central volume of distribution (Vc/F: 17 L (7%)), intercompartmental clearance (Q/F: 0.0082 L/h (20%)) and peripheral volume of distribution (Vp/F: 0.73 L (8%)) with absorption rate constant fixed to 2.24 hours−1 [4]. Interindividual variability was 17% (41%) and 16% (39%) for CL/F and Vc/F, respectively. Following multivariate analysis weight was the only significant covariate to remain in the model. DTG CL/F was increased by 34%, 60%, 13% and 11% at week 1, 2, 3 and 4 following switch, respectively compared with DTG alone. Based on 100 simulations DTG AUC0–24, Cmax and trough (C24) at week 1, 2, 3, 4 post-switch were significantly lower than DTG alone (Table 1); however, all simulated C24 were above the protein-adjusted IC90 of 0.064 mg/L post-switch (median (range) 0.81 mg/L (0.25–1.75)). Conclusions: Population PK parameters were comparable with previous reports [4] with between-study differences attributable to EFV. Simulated DTG PK parameters were reduced following switch even at week 3/week 4 (~20% for C24), potentially highlighting important PK differences between healthy and HIV-infected individuals. However, consistent with recent data [1] concentrations remained above the protein-adjusted IC90 post-switch, supporting findings that dose adjustments may not be required in the described patient population., Introduction: To assess, in a clinical cohort of virologically suppressed patients, the virologic response after switching ARV treatment to a dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimen based on the genotypic susceptibility score. Materials and methods: A prospective, observational, single-centre cohort enrolling all patients with a plasma viral load (pVL) 50 copies/mL (median 102 copies/mL, IQR 61–417), nine experienced a viral blip, one a virologic failure (VF) and in the two remaining patients no further control sample was available. The only one patient (1%) experiencing VF was highly pre-treated including a previous VF under a RAL-based regimen with no selection of integrase resistance mutations and with a GSS=3. Conclusions: In this observational cohort, patients’ characteristics at time of switching to a DTG-based regimen were different depending on the GSS strata. However, short-term follow-up showed a high level of the maintenance of virologic suppression, regardless of the baseline GSS. These data suggest that DTG remains potentially able to maintain viral suppression when combined with fully or incompletely active drugs in these long-term virologically suppressed patients., Introduction: Single-tablet regimens (STR) of ART are now widely available. The combination of fixed-dose antiretrovirals in just one tablet has been shown to improve long-term adherence and patients’ satisfaction. Also, STR eliminates the possibility of selective non-adherence. Due to the global economic crisis since 2009 and subsequent financial restraints observed in health systems worldwide, the board of Cascais Hospital decided in April 2014 to split the STR Atripla® for its two constituents, FTC/TDF (Truvada®) and efavirenz. The switch from STR to a dual-tablet regimen (DTR) was done by each patient's doctor, after full explanation and patient consent. The purpose of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the impact of splitting a STR into its two separate components on virologic effectiveness at 24 weeks. We also looked at the direct economic benefits obtained with this global switch. Material and methods: The switch from STR to DTR was made between April 1 and June 30, 2014, at the time of clinic appointment or pharmacy refill, where patients were referred to the clinic. We reviewed clinical files and present data on demographic characterization by age, sex and route of HIV transmission. Data were collected on CD4 count and HIV viral load (VL) at the time of switch and at 24 weeks thereafter. Results: On 31 March 2014 a total of 1036 patients at our clinic were on ART; 230 patients were on Atripla® (22.2%). A total of eight patients did not do the split (three lost to follow-up, three had virologic failure, one for lactose intolerance and one for lack of consent). A total of 222 patients were switched from STR to a DTR. At week 24, 31 (13.9%) patients were no longer taking the efavirenz+Truvada® regimen, mainly due to perceived adverse effects of either of the two components of the regimen. Of the 190 patients still taking efavirenz+Truvada® 24 weeks after the split of Atripla®, 179 (94%) had VL 20 but, Introduction: In patients switching from complex salvage regimens for simplification or failure, the association of dolutegravir and darunavir provides high genetic barrier to HIV-1 resistance. Methods: All HIV-1 infected subjects treated with dolutegravir plus boosted darunavir between March 2014 and September 2015 were included in an observational cohort. After ethics committees’ approval, no further enrolment was allowed. Only clinical events, demographic data, CD4 cell counts, HIV-1 RNA, serum creatinine and urinary proteins were deemed relevant for this study. Results: Hundred and fourteen subjects were enrolled. The mean age was 51, females were 26.5% and non-Caucasians 9.7%. The main risk factor was being male homosexual (46%), followed by drug abuse (28.3%) and heterosexual intercourse (23.9%). The main reason for switching was simplification (46%), followed by viral failure (27.4%), toxicity (14.9%), persistent low-level viremia (5.3%), lack of adherence (3.5%) and immunologic failure/disease progression (2.6%). RT mutations were present in 83.2%, 80.5% had protease mutations and 10.5% had INSTI mutations. Between week 24 and 48 one subject was lost to follow-up, one died of drug abuse and one of cancer-related sepsis, one dropped out for elevation of liver enzymes, one for dyslipidaemia and one stopped all drugs for personal decision. The proportion of viremic subjects at baseline declined steadily by week 4 from 40.7% to 14.1%, with a >1 log10 decay in all but one, that had stopped the therapy for 3 weeks, and further by week 24 to 6.2% (range 53–805 copies/mL). Measurable viremia 50 copies HIV-1 RNA/mL (range 51–99), 16 have viral load, Introduction: The prevalence of an isolated NRTI M184V/I resistance mutation in reverse transcriptase (RT) region in HIV-1 infected patients is as high as 60% [1–4] with limited switch options in patients harbouring this mutation, and it is recommended that these patients be switched to protease inhibitor-containing regimens. The aim of this retrospective pilot study is to validate the ability of elvitegravir/ cobicistat/ emtricitabine/ tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Stribild) fixed-dose combination (FDC) to maintain virological suppression in patients harbouring M184V and/or M184I mutations to NRTIs over a one-year period. Methods: Using data collected from a single site HIV clinic, we examined the ability of Stribild to maintain virological suppression in 30 patients harbouring M184V and/or M184I mutations compared with 29 patients in the M184V/I negative cohort. Eligible patients had documented VL, Introduction: Little is known on the efficacy and safety of the dual combination of rilpivirine and dolutegravir and randomized trials are ongoing. Our purpose is to describe an experience with this regimen in clinical practice. Methods: All HIV-1 infected subjects treated with dolutegravir plus rilpivirine between October 2014 and September 2015 were included in an observational cohort. After ethics committees’ approval, no further enrolment was allowed. Only clinical events, demographic data, CD4 cell counts, HIV-1 RNA, serum creatinine and urinary proteins were deemed relevant for this study. Results: We enrolled 135 subjects, mean age 52, 31.5% females and 10% non-Caucasians. Risk factors were balanced (32.4% drug abuse, 33.3% heterosexual and 34.2% male homosexual intercourse). Fifty-six (50.5%) had failed at least one regimen. The main reason for switch was simplification (50.5%), followed by toxicity (33.3%), need for anti-HCV therapy (n=6), persistent low-level viremia (n=4), non-adherence (n=3) and viral failure (n=1). Between week 24 and 48 one subject discontinued study drug for headache, two for drug interactions and two died, one of sepsis and one of illicit drug abuse. Sixty-two had reverse transcriptase mutations, 69 had protease mutations and one had full INSTI resistance. Seventeen had baseline viral replication (median 1932 copies/mL, range 55–971,654), 28 had, Introduction: EVG/c/FTC/TDF (Stribild) is non-inferior to PI/r-based regimens in cART switching patients. However, the effects of EVG/c/FTC/TDF on immune system and HIV reservoirs have not been fully investigated. We investigated the impact of 24 weeks EVG/c/FTC/TDF on T-cell compartment and HIV reservoirs in HIV-infected patients, switching from a suppressive PI-based regimen. Methods: Thirty HIV+ patients on effective PI-based regimens (HIV RNA, Introduction: Reducing antiretroviral toxicity and improving adherence involves different switching strategies as reducing pill burden by single-tablet regimen (STR) or drug burden by regimens with two or one drug (less drug regimen, LDR). We aimed to compare the two approaches in patients who switched with suppressed viremia. Materials and methods: From the Italian ICONA cohort, patients with undetectable HIV RNA switching to STR or LDR from any triple regimen were selected. Drug discontinuation by any cause (DAC) was the end-point of the analysis assessed by incidence rates and Poisson regression. Results: Overall, 842 patients (525 STR, 317 LDR) were analyzed. STR included TDF/FTC/EFV (36.8%), TDF/FTC/RPV (48.4%) and EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF (14.9%). LDR included dual regimens: LPV/r, ATV/r, DRV/r plus 3TC (29.7%) or any MVC, RAL, ETV (15.7%) and PI/r monotherapy (54.6%). Patients switching to STR were more frequently receiving NNRTI, changed from first line of therapy and from NNRTI or INSTI, changed without failure or toxicity, had higher haemoglobin and transaminase. In contrast, patients switching to LDR were more often on PI/r, changed for toxicity, were older, had longer history of HIV infection and regimens, higher triglycerides and creatinine (Table 1). Overall, 240 patients (107/525 STR, 133/317 LDR) discontinued therapy in 1525 patient-years of follow-up (PYFU). The crude IR of DAC was 15.7/100 PYFU (95% CI 13.9–17.9): 10.8/100 PYFU (95% CI 8.9–13.0) in STR and 24.9 (95% CI 21.0–29.6) in LDR (p, Introduction: DRV boosted with ritonavir (r) is part of preferred antiretroviral therapies. Boosting DRV with cobicistat (cobi), a new selective inhibitor of cytochrome P450, allows coformulation in a single tablet, recently approved based on favourable bioequivalence data [1]. Cobicistat inhibits the tubular secretion of creatinine, leading to mild increase of serum creatinine levels, with no effect on actual glomerular filtration rate [2]. However, safety and efficacy data about DRV/r in clinical practice are still scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of switching to DRV/cobi in HIV-infected patients who are virologically suppressed on a stable regimen containing ritonavir-boosted DRV. Materials and methods: Retrospective study of patients following the switch from DRV/r to DRV/cobi. Other components of the regimen remained unchanged. Eligibility criteria included HIV-1 RNA below 100 copies/mL at time of treatment switch. Patients with detectable viraemia on ART, naïve patients and patients who started treatment with DRV/cobi from treatment schemes not containing DRV/r were excluded. The primary endpoint was to determine percentage of patients who remained virologically suppressed after switch. Secondary outcomes included changes in renal function and lipid profile. Clinical data were collected from patients’ medical records. Results: We analyzed 150 virologically suppressed patients switching from DRV/r to DRV/cobi from July 2015 to May 2016. Baseline features are shown in Table 1. Out of 150 patients, 15 (10%) did not continue on care, so data from 135 patients were analyzed. Mean time to control analysis was 4.16 months (0.2–6.5). Most patients remained suppressed after changing treatment. There were four (3%) patients with virological failure; three of them due to poor treatment compliance, and one in the setting of chemotherapy treatment for lymphoma. Creatinine levels were slightly higher after switching to DRV/cobi, with no statistically significant differences neither in patients with or without concomitant treatment with tenofovir (Table 2 and Figure 1). Total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol remained unchanged, while a statistically significant decrease of 14 mg/dL was observed in the triglyceride level (Figure 2). Conclusions: In HIV-1-infected patients, who are virologically suppressed, switching from RTV to cobicistat, cobi-boosting DRV was effective maintaining virological suppression and well tolerated. Mild and non-progressive increase in serum creatinine was confirmed. Cobicistat does not have clinically relevant effect on lipid profile., Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and additional benefits of a dual regimen with lamivudine (3TC) + protease inhibitor (PI) boosted with ritonavir in the clinical setting. Materials and methods: Prospective study of 99 HIV-infected patients, HBV negative, without resistance to lamivudine or PI, who switched to this dual therapy because toxicity or intolerance. Routine laboratory tests, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR CKD-EPI equation), lipid parameters, immunovirological evaluation and a complete urinary determination were performed at inclusion and during follow-up. Results: The mean age was 49.8 years (35–74), and 66% were male. The median time of HIV infection was 20.6 years (15.8–24.4), nadir CD4+ count was 193 cells/mm3 (IQR 90–306) and 42% had a previous AIDS diagnosis. Overall, patients were pre-treated with a mean of 6 regimens (1–10) for a median of 40.5 months. At the time of switch, 92% had an HIV RNA level, Introduction: ART changes over the time and yields benefits in terms of virological suppression, tolerability and regimen simplification also in the contexts of ageing and polypharmacy. Compared with other countries all ART regimens are assumed by German health insurance coverage because German guidelines recommend personalized ART. We analyze the non-restrictive treatment choices and reasons for switches of the German clinicians in the HIV-HEART cohort. Methods: The HIV-HEART study is an ongoing, prospective and observational cohort study in the German Ruhr area to assess the frequency and clinical course of cardiac disorders in 1538 HIV-positive individuals (HIV+). From the first diagnosis of HIV infection until 31 December 2015 ART, medical history and reasons for switches of ART were collected based on the health records, medication plans and the anamnesis. ART history was divided into five chronologic 5-year time periods (–1995, 1996–2000, 2001–2005, 2005–2010, 2011–2015), which were compared with each other Results: One thousand five hundred and thirty-eight HIV+ (mean age: 49.9±11.0 years; male: 84.4%; Caucasian: 88.3%; MSM: 52.2%) were included at their last study visit. Sixteen thousand eight hundred and eighty patient-years since the first HIV diagnosis of the HIV+ were reviewed. According to the CDC classification of the HIV infection, HIV+ were distributed over the clinical categories (A: 32.3%; B: 29.2%; C: 30.5%; n.k.: 6.2%) while almost the half had an advanced immunodeficiency (I: 7.8%; II: 39.2%; III: 46.6%; n.k.: 6.2%). HIV+ were treated with ART on average for 10.2±5.8 years with mean 3.8±3.2 different regimens over the time. 90.9% of the living HIV+ had an HIV RNA below the level of detection at their last visit. Since the beginning of the HAART era the number of switches including the initiation of the ART in naïve HIV+ per 5-year time period decreased from 2.7 to 1.4. The catched main reasons (n>20) for ART switch changed: 1996 to 2001: adverse events 44.1%, virological failure 24.9% and compliance 21.1%; 2011 to 2015: adverse events 55.6%, patients request 19.3%, virological failure 9.1% and drug interactions 7.6%. In 1995, 87% of HIV+ were treated only with NRTIs; in 2001, 53% with a PI-containing regimen; in 2010, 36% with an NNRTI regimen; and in 2015, 36% take an INSTI-containing regimen. Conclusions: Using new treatment options clinicians try to optimize the ART regimens over the time. More than 90% of the HIV+ achieved a viral load below the level of detection. Tolerability was still the most important reason for ART switches. Currently INSTI-containing regimens were preferred., Introduction: The randomized GUSTA trial, comparing switch to maraviroc (MVC) 300 mg + darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/RTV) 800/100 mg OAD (switch arm, S) versus continuation of the previous three-drug, virologically suppressive regimen (continuation arm, C) in patients carrying R5 virus was prematurely discontinued due to an excess of virologic failures (VF) in arm S. Aims of the sub-studies were to analyze drug levels in arm S, compare adherence, patient-reported symptoms and health-related quality of life (QoL) between arms and analyze the correlation between these parameters and treatment outcome. Materials and methods: Plasma drug concentrations were measured between week 4 and 96 by a validated UPLC-MS/MS and Ctrough was calculated. In both arms, self-reported adherence (VAS 0–100% weeks 0, 4, 24 and 48), patient-reported symptoms and physical/mental QoL scores (VAS 0–100% weeks 0 and 48) were collected using validated questionnaires. Results: Hundred and fourteen patients were analyzed (62 S, 52 C): 23% females, 40% heterosexuals, median age 49 years, baseline CD4 711 cells/µL, on ART since 10 years. Median Ctrough for DRV (n=292 samples) was 1333 ng/mL (IQR 777–1686), MVC (n=257) 55 ng/mL (41–106), RTV (n=285) 37 ng/mL (21–56). In nine patients with VF drug Ctrough at VF were significantly lower as compared with those during treatment success: DRV 1251 ng/mL (0–1864) versus 1328 ng/mL (787–1678), p=0.004, MVC 39 ng/mL (5–207) versus 55 ng/mL (45–104), p=0.001, and RTV 4 ng/mL (0–143) versus 42 ng/mL (21–56), p, Introduction: In cART, dolutegravir and elvitegravir are recommended first-line drugs for naïve, HIV-infected patients. Concerning their use in treatment-experienced, virologically controlled patients, a comparison of the efficacy and safety of dolutegravir- and elvitegravir-based cART is lacking. Materials and methods: The primary study endpoint was to evaluate rates of virologic failure (VF, one HIV RNA >1000 copies/mL or two consecutive HIV RNA >50 copies/mL) and treatment failure (TF, discontinuation of elvitegravir or dolutegravir for any cause) in a multi-centre cohort of virologically controlled, HIV-infected patients switching to dolutegravir (plus either tenofovir/emtricitabine or abacavir/lamivudine) or to tenofovir/emtricitabine/elvitegravir/cobicistat. Predictors of TF were analyzed by Cox regression. Changes in metabolic, liver and renal functions at week 24 and 48 in each group were also evaluated. Results: Two hundred and forty patients were eligible: 67 and 173 started elvitegravir and dolutegravir, respectively. Study arms did not differ for baseline characteristics except for nadir CD4 count, previous AIDS events, reasons for switching to the new regimen (see Table 1). In the tenofovir/emtricitabine/elvitegravir/cobicistat arm, VF was detected in one case over 54.5 patient-years follow-up (PYFU), whereas in the dolutegravir study arm no VF was documented over 90.8 PYFU. Conversely, 16 TF (17.6 per 100 PYFU) occurred in the dolutegravir arm, whereas four TF (7.3 per 100 PYFU) occurred with elvitegravir. Survival analysis revealed a 81.0% and a 96.4% probability of remaining with dolutegravir and elvitegravir at week 48, respectively (log-rank: 0.014). Causes of TF in the tenofovir/emtricitabine/elvitegravir/cobicistat arm were: neurologic events (two), renal toxicity (one) and unspecified reason (one). Causes of TF in the dolutegravir arm were: hypersensitivity reactions (two), gastro-intestinal (one), liver (three), renal (one) and neurologic (six) toxicities, drug interaction (one) and unspecified reasons (two). In a multivariate model, anti-HCV positive serostatus was predictive of TF (aHR 2.76, 95% CI 1.06–7.19; p=0.038), after adjusting for cART (aHR dolutegravir vs. elvitegravir 4.37, 95% CI 0.97–19.66; p=0.055), male sex (aHR vs. female 0.40, 0.16–1.01; p=0.052) and years of antiretroviral therapy (p=ns). A change in total cholesterol levels (−22 mg/dL; p=0.023) was evident in the dolutegravir but not in the elvitegravir arm (+19 mg/dL; p=0.069) at week 48. Triglycerides decreased significantly in both study arms at week 48. As expected, a decrease in eGFR was seen with tenofovir/emtricitabine/elvitegravir/cobicistat (−15 mL/min; p, Introduction: Boosted protease inhibitors (PI/r) have been the cornerstone of antiretroviral therapy for many years. Patients and physicians are increasingly worried about long-term safety of anti-HIV drugs. With this aim, we analyzed our cohort of drug-experienced patients previously treated with a PI/r who were switched to an integrase inhibitor (INI). Methods: Hundred and thirty-one patients were studied over time. We evaluated several parameters involved in the persistence of treatment, such as CD4+ lymphocytes, HIV RNA, previous PI/r exposure glucose, creatinine, AST, ALT, amylase, triglycerides, total and HDL cholesterol and HCV/HBV status. The probability of remaining on an INI-containing regimen was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves, paired samples were examined with Friedman test or Cochran Q test, if the variables were quantitative or dichotomous, respectively. Baseline clinical predictors of the INI-containing regimen survival were assessed by a multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model. We also evaluated dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) during INI treatment. Results: Reasons for interrupting PI/r were: drug interactions 8.4%, immuno-virological failure 13.7%, side effects 26.7% and simplification 51.1%. The median observation time of the cohort was 17.8 months (IQR 5.2–40.1). Among the 131 patients, 26 interrupted the INI-containing regimen and 105 continued at the last observation. The probability of maintaining an INI-containing regimen was 0.91 (95% CI 0.86–0.96) at 6 months, 0.86 (0.80–0.93) at 12 months and 0.82 (0.74–0.89) at 18 months. The treatment survival differed at the last observation according to the PI/r included in the previous regimen, with a significant difference among atazanavir (ATV)/r, lopinavir (LPV)/r, fosamprenavir (FPV)/r and darunavir (DRV)/r (pLPV/r>ATV/r>DRV/r). Among the parameters that we followed over time, HIV RNA, Objectives: Dolutegravir (DTG) has shown a potent antiviral effect and favourable safety profile. This study compares retrospectively efficacy and safety between patients who had responded to an ARV regimen which was continued and prospectively those who were switched to DTG. Results at 48 weeks are presented. Methods: This cohort study was performed on all patients followed in Tel Aviv who had responded to a non-DTG first-line ARV regimen (HIV-1 viral load 200 copies/mL was detected in one patient from group B. Median CD4 cell count in group A at baseline was 660 and 661 in group B (p=0.338). At 48 weeks, median CD4 count in group A was 707 and 734 in group B (p=0.275). Changes from baseline creatinine were higher in group B (p=0.015) but this difference was not clinically relevant. Glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and ALT levels were similar in both groups. Also, there was no difference in complete blood count parameters (WBC, HGB, PLT) or CD4/CD8 ratio between the groups. In group A adverse clinical events were noted in 19% of patients. DTG was stopped in two patients (2.7%) due to adverse effects. In group B adverse effects were noted in 31% of patients. Fifty percent of patients on NNRTI treatment experienced side effects, 38% of patients in PI group and 6% in the raltegravir group. Conclusions: Switching treatment-responding patients to DTG was effective and safe at 48 weeks., Introduction: Antiretroviral treatment has had a dramatic impact on HIV infection control, but continued changes in recommended treatments have occurred throughout the history of the disease. In this study, we aim to achieve knowledge on changes that have taken place over the last 20 years on antiretroviral therapy prescription. Materials and methods: This study is based on the Spanish VACH cohort of HIV-infected patients. The cohort was established in 2000, and is participated by 23 hospitals, belonging to most regions of the country. Data from all patients are included in a common software, Advanced HIV, specifically developed for the follow-up of HIV-infected patients. For this study we obtain from that application sociodemographic and clinical data from all patients, and analyze treatment that patients have taken in four separate time periods. We use descriptive and basic bivariate statistics. Results: On 31 January 2016 the VACH cohort was formed by a total of 33,729 patients; 25,986 (77.04%) are men. According to data from the last registered visit, mean and standard deviation of age of all patients is 45.29±12.53 years; 80.10% of patients are receiving antiretroviral treatment; mean and standard deviation of CD4 lymphocyte count is 541±348 cells/mm3 and 75% have HIV RNA below 200 copies/mL. Table 1 and Figure 1 show the number of patients that are taking each modality of antiretroviral treatment at each one of four time periods, according to data from the last registered visit from every patient. There is a strong association between taking treatment and survival in all four time periods (p, Introduction: Raltegravir (RAL) is considered one of the better-tolerated antiretroviral medications, due to limited side effects and few long-term safety concerns. Furthermore RAL displays minimal drug–drug interactions, making it a good option for ageing patients on multiple medications but the use of bid regimens in the elderly is sometime avoided due to poor adherence concerns. Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 20 HIV+, over 60-years-old, experienced patients, who had switched from any antiretroviral drug to raltegravir-based nuc-sparing/protease inhibitors(PI)-containing regimens (n=10) or standard nucleoside-backbone regimens (n=10) because of toxicity, convenience or other reasons. Data were collected from medical records. The time horizon for patient follow-up was at least 12 months. The following information was extracted from the database of the department: age, sex, race, smoking, risk factors, AIDS history, hepatitis, comorbidities, BMI, blood count, HIV RNA, CD4+, CD8+, previous ART regimens, creatinine, cholesterol and triglycerides, and cholestasis index. SPSS software was used. Results: The median age of the patients was 64.5 years (15 males, 5 females) with a median of HIV diagnosis years of 13. HIV RNA at baseline was undetectable in most of the patients except two. Median CD4+ count was 450.5 cells/mm3 (IQR 353–717). Twelve patients had AIDS history. Reasons to switch were renal insufficiency, dyslipidaemia, HIV drug resistance and drug–drug interactions. No adverse effect related to the use of raltegravir was reported. Only one patient presented virologic failure, whereas viremic blips were observed in four patients. After switching to RAL-containing regimens triglycerides values showed a statistically significant reduction from a median value of 165 mg/dL to 111.5 mg/dL (p=0.016). Comparing patients who switched to a standard nucleoside-backbone containing regimen (NRTI-R) versus those who switched to PI-based nuc-sparing regimens (PI-R) we found that only NRTI-R patients presented a statistically significant reduction of triglycerides (155 mg/dL at T0 vs. 95 mg/dL at T2, median values, p=0.047). Furthermore, the NRTI-R patients compared with PI-R patients presented reduced values of creatinine (0.9 mg/dL vs. 1.1 mg/dL, p=0.043), reduced values of alkaline phosphatase (47 UI/L vs. 85 UI/L, p=0.046) and higher levels of CD4+ count (635 cells/mm3 vs. 453 cells/mm3, p=0.035). Conclusions: RAL-containing regimens are safe and highly effective in the older population. Reduction of trigliceryde levels is more pronounced when RAL is used with nucleoside-backbone than in PI-containing regimens. When using RAL, switching to a standard nucleoside-backbone regimen appears to be less toxic than nuc-sparing/PI-containing regimens in older patients., Introduction: Coformulated ARV in a single pill, as DRV/c could improve adherence and satisfaction to ARVs. No studies had explored this outcome with new boosted PI, DRV/c [1,2]. A satisfaction questionnaire was conducted to know how patients feel with the new treatment. Methods: From July 2015 to January 2016, we retrospectively reviewed all patients switching to a DRV/c regimen. After switching to DRV/c a short satisfaction questionnaire was filled out by participants. All questions referred to the changes with respect to the prior regimen. Overall satisfaction and convenience were categorized as: better, equal or worse. All symptoms were evaluated and could be categorized as getting better or worse and scored 1–10. Results: Hundred and sixty-nine patients started a DRV/c regimen: 76.9% men, with a median age of 52.3 years, 59.5% IDU as route of HIV transmission, AIDS stage 50.6%, HCV co-infection 56.6%, baseline CD4 count 694 and a median exposure to ART of 17 (1–27) years. Main reasons for switching were simplification 80% and toxicity 9%. Previous treatment was PI monotherapy (31%), PI+2 NRTIs and PI+3TC (15.6%). Mean reduction in the number of tablets was significant (3 to 1.8; p, Introduction: Coformulated tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC) has become the recommended backbone antiretrovirals in combination with other non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (non-NRTIs), protease inhibitors or integrase strand transfer inhibitors. Access to this coformulation is limited, however, in many countries in Asia-Pacific regions. We aimed to assess the safety and tolerability of switch of two NRTIs backbone to TDF/FTC in treatment of HIV infection in Taiwan, where access to TDF/FTC was not available until May 2015. Materials and methods: All HIV-positive patients with a mean age of 40.5 years and 88.5% being homosexual males whose backbone antiretrovirals were switched to TDF/FTC between May 2015 and May 2016 were included in this analysis. We collected information on the demographic and clinical characteristics before switch and CD4, plasma HIV RNA load (PVL), lipids, serum creatinine, glycosuria, proteinuria and beta-2 microglobulin at baseline and during follow-up. Adverse effects and causes of discontinuation were also recorded. Results: During the 12-month observation period, 1164 patients switched from TDF and lamivudine (n=818), coformulated abacavir/lamivudine (n=229) and coformulated zidovudine/lamivudine (n=117) to TDF/FTC, without changes made to the third agents, after a mean exposure duration of 60 (SD, 47), 91 (SD, 32) and 40 (SD, 40) weeks, respectively. CD4 and PVL before switch were 613 cells/mm3 (SD, 284) and 1.50 log10 copies/mL (SD, 0.70). After an interval of 240 days (SD, 68), the mean CD4 and PVL remained stable (610 cells/mm3 and 1.38 log10 copies/mL, respectively), so was mean serum creatinine for TDF and lamivudine group (0.93 vs. 0.92 mg/dL) and zidovudine/lamivudine group (0.94 vs. 0.96 mg/dL), but it increased from 0.94 to 1.12 mg/dL for abacavir/lamivudine group. Mean total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol decreased from 178.0 to 167.2, 178.1 to 134.9, and 105.0 to 99.4 mg/dL for abacavir/lamivudine group, respectively, and 161.4 to 152.3, 150 to 135.1 and 97.1 to 94.3 mg/dL for zidovudine/lamivudine group, respectively. Urine beta-2 microglubulin increased from 1.24 to 1.44, 0.68 to 1.62 and 1.37 to 2.9 mg/L, for TDF and lamivudine, abacavir/lamivudine, and zidovudine/lamivudine group, respectively. TDF/FTC was discontinued in 46 patients (4.0%), due to diarrhoea (n=5), nausea (n=6), allergy (n=5), paresthesias (n=5), increased serum creatinine (n=5), increased PVL and emergence of resistance (n=6) and other miscellaneous causes (n=16). Conclusions: Coformulated TDF/FTC was generally well tolerated and safe in HIV-positive Taiwanese, with additional lipid-lowering effects in those who had been on abacavir/lamivudine- or zidovudine/lamivudine-containing regimens. Periodic renal monitoring for renal tubular dysfunction is warranted., Introduction: PLHIVs on antiretroviral (ARV) regimen with plasma viral load above 1000 copies/mL based on two consecutive viral load measurements after 3 months, with adherence support, are said to be in virology failure. Virology failure leads to easy HIV transmission, evitable morbidity and mortality especially if antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs are switched without initial VL testing. Unfortunately, VL testing is so costly. The few available PCR laboratories and point-of-care (POC) VL machines that are used for the testing are not evenly distributed in the country. Currently over 70% of PLHIVs have not done any VL test in the last one year since enrolled into care. In 2014, MSH ProACT, a USAID-funded programme in Nigeria, launched a PCR laboratory in Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto to provide free VL testing. This is in alignment with PEPFAR and UNAID 90:90:90 strategies. This study was to find out the impact of the PCR laboratory on PLHIVs’ quality of care. Methods: Retrospective study was done one year after the PCR launch. Clinical audit of the VL register and chart review of 268 folders of clients with detectable VL results >20 VL copies were conducted. Analysis of client retention data was also done. Update training was conducted for clinicians and other healthcare workers (HCWs) working in the ART clinic to optimize VL testing. Results: The analysis of the VL register showed that 268 out of 583 recorded results (46%) had detectable VL of which 141 (53%) are >1000 copies/mL. Chart review of the 268 folders revealed that 162 were not switched and 106 were switched: 22 (21%) were rightly switched and 84 (79%) were wrongly switched (considering the retrogressive outcome documented). 66 (78%) of these wrong ART switches had >1000 copies of which 28 (42%) were in World Health Organization stages 3 and 4. These wrong switches were made prior to the launch of the PCR laboratory. Discussion: After the launch, seven (100%) of the subsequent switches were done well. Currently most clients do better without requiring switching post VL testing and adherence counselling. Within a year, client retention improved to 77% as compared with 59% in the previous year. Quality of care and clients’ adherence improved. Conclusions: VL testing improves quality of care for all PLHIVs. If PCR laboratories or POC VL machines are suitably deployed, health system will be strengthened, there will be reduction in wrong switches and, subsequently, reduction in mortality and morbidity among PLHIVs., Introduction: In Portugal, data from the continuous of care show that in 2014 approximately 34,000 persons living with HIV (PLHIV) were in care, 82.8% of which on antiretroviral treatment and 78.4% virologically suppressed. However, updated estimates for HIV prevalence, incidence and PLHIV diagnosed are still missing, making difficult defining appropriate diagnosis and treatment strategies to reach the 90–90–90 goals. Material and methods: Annual estimates (1983–2014) for the number of PLHIV, undiagnosed fraction, new infections and time to diagnosis were produced using the new software application “ECDC HIV modelling tool,” and the data from the national HIV surveillance system. The model was constructed based on the “Incidence Method” [1]. Several cut points were considered to fit the model to the Portuguese HIV epidemic. Results: Estimates were produced for total HIV-infected population and for main transmission categories: heterosexual, men who have sex with men (MSM), intravenous drug users (IVDU) (Table 1). At the end of 2014, an estimated number of 44,176 individuals were living with HIV in Portugal (prevalence: 0.43%). Of those, 4298 (9.7%) were not aware of their infection. Conclusions: Current estimates indicate a lower prevalence than previous assessments. Estimated undiagnosed fraction and time to diagnosis vary for different transmission modes reflecting past interventions and current trends of the epidemic. Portugal has now updated data that will allow building the “treatment cascade.” According to these results, Portugal has reached the cascade first goal (90% of the PLHIV already diagnosed) with time to diagnosis becoming progressively shorter. In order to reach all 90–90–90 goals, we must now address our efforts to define and apply new and stronger strategies related to linkage/retention in care and to treatment., Introduction: As HIV infection requires lifelong treatment, studying drug retention times and factors influencing treatment durability is essential. The Swedish database InfCareHIV includes high-quality data from more than 99% of all patients diagnosed with HIV infection in Sweden and provides a unique opportunity to examine outcomes in a nationwide real-world cohort. Methods: Adult patients who started a new therapy defined as a new third agent (all ARVs that are not NRTIs) 2009 to 2014 with more than 100 observations in treatment-naïve or treatment-experienced patients were included. Dolutegravir was excluded due to short follow-up period. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios for treatment discontinuation. Results: Two thousand five hundred and forty-one treatment-naïve patients started 2583 episodes of treatments with a third agent. Efavirenz was most commonly used (n=1096) followed by darunavir (n=504), atazanavir (n=386), lopinavir (n=292), rilpivirine (n=156) and raltegravir (n=149). In comparison with efavirenz, patients on rilpivirine were least likely to discontinue treatment (adjusted HR 0.33; 95% CI 0.20–0.54, p, Introduction: Real-life data have shown a higher rate of side effects with dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens than previously described in clinical trials. In order to confirm these observations, we have reviewed our experience in patients who discontinued DTG for any reason. Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients who discontinued DTG in our hospital cohort. Pre-treated and treatment-naïve patients were included. Baseline characteristics at the time of DTG initiation and antiretroviral therapy before and after DTG were recorded. We describe any reason for dolutegravir discontinuation. Results: Among 2470 HIV-infected patients, 827 (33.5%) patients received DTG (69.4% STR of ABC/3TC/DTG) from September 2014 to May 2016 for a median period of 156.8 days (4–1199). A total of 104 (12.6%) patients discontinued DTG for any reason and were switched to other ARV regimens. Of these 104 patients (60.6% STR of ABC/3TC/DTG), mean age was 49.6±10.5 years, 74 (71.2%) were men, baseline CD4 count was 574±324 cells/mm3, viral load was detectable before starting DTG in 17 (16.3%) and 30 (29%) had previous AIDS. Only seven (6.7%) patients were naïve. There were 41 patients (39.4%) who were lost to follow-up. Main reasons for stopping DTG-based regimen were toxicity in 36 patients (4.3% of all patients who initiated DTG, 33.9% of all discontinuations), and physician's decision in 11 patients (1.3% and 10.6%, respectively). Most frequent toxicities leading to drug interruption included headache (nine patients), high cholesterol (eight patients), insomnia (seven patients) and dizziness (six patients). One patient developed serious mood disorders with early recovery after discontinuation. Conclusions: In our real-life cohort, we did find a high proportion of DTG discontinuation attributable not only to toxicity. CNS adverse events are the most frequent cause of discontinuation. Ongoing pharmacovigilance is important to identify events that might be associated with the drug., Introduction: Long-term antiretroviral treatment (ART) with (potential) toxicity in HIV-infected patients requires ongoing investigation of novel strategies. Besides “nuke-free”‘ concepts and protease inhibitor monotherapy, integrase inhibitor (INSTI) monotherapy may offer a favourable safety profile. The high resistance barrier of dolutegravir (DTG) might be crucial for successful maintenance of virological control, but published data are sparse. Methods: Retrospective, mono-centric cohort study. Patients on suppressive ART switched to DTG monotherapy in clinical routine practice fulfilling inclusion criteria (HIV RNA level, Introduction: HCV co-infection is prevalent in the HIV-1 population, and acute HCV infection has been reported. CAB is a long-acting (LA) intramuscular integrase inhibitor (INI) in clinical development for the treatment of HIV in combination with LA rilpivirine. Acute reversible transaminitis has been reported with INI treatment. This report describes the safety and efficacy outcomes of CAB treatment for HIV-1 infected ART-naïve subjects with acute and chronic HCV co-infection during two ongoing phase IIb studies (LATTE and LATTE-2). Materials and methods: Subjects with HCV co-infection were identified using HCV antibody results at baseline. Subjects with acute HCV infection were identified using polymerase chain reaction assay, once subjects had met prespecified criteria for liver aminotransaminase elevations (ATE). The following were assessed: protocol defined HIV virological failure (PDVF), withdrawals, emergent grade 2 or higher ATE on CAB, meeting predefined liver stopping criteria (LSC). Results: In the intent-to-treat-exposed (ITT-E) population receiving CAB treatment, 22 of 490 (4.5%) subjects were HCV antibody reactive at baseline (Table 1). Of these 22 co-infected subjects, one subject developed PDVF through week 144 (LATTE, n=9), and no subject developed PDVF through week 48 (LATTE-2, n=13). Two co-infected subjects were withdrawn due to drug-related adverse events: suspected drug-induced liver injury (DILI) meeting LSC (n=1) and nausea (n=1). Three co-infected subjects had emergent grade 2 or higher ATE, two of which were withdrawn: DILI (n=1), withdrawal of consent-subject homeless with difficulty travelling (n=1). Ten of 490 (2%) subjects on LATTE and LATTE-2 developed acute HCV infections while on CAB, characterized by ATE. Five subjects were withdrawn after meeting LSC and transitioned to alternative ART. Five remaining subjects on LATTE-2 who met LSC had transaminase decline indicating stable disease or spontaneous clearance of HCV and were permitted per protocol to continue on CAB LA. All five acute HCV subjects continuing on CAB LA maintained HIV-1 viral suppression (, Introduction: Recommended initial treatment regimens for HIV-infected individuals include a “backbone” of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in combination with a “third agent” from another class such as integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), protease inhibitor (PI) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Recent treatment guidelines have moved from recommending PI- and NNRTI-based regimens to more INSTI-based regimens. In treatment-experienced patients who fail therapy, it is recommended that the new regimen should include at least two fully active agents. This study describes the changes in third agents in the real-world setting over time. Methods: This is descriptive analysis using a US insurance claims database. Patients with HIV and newly initiating a different third agent class (INSTI, PI or NNRTI) were identified from 1 July 2011 to 30 September 2015. Patients were excluded if they were not continuously enrolled in the health plan for a year. Results: In total, 9525 patients with HIV started a new third agent regimen. A majority of patients were new initiators of third agents (77.0%) with the remainder of patients adding on or switching to a new third agent. Most were male (82.3%), had commercial type insurance (89.3%) and had a mean age of 45.2 (SD±11.9). In patients who newly initiated a third agent, 31.9% started on an INSTI, 24.8% on a PI and 43.3% on a NNRTI. However, the proportion of patients starting INSTI increased from 19.3% in 2012 to 50.3% in 2015, while the proportions of patients starting other third agents decreased over time (Figure 1). In third agent-experienced patients, 10.8% were on an INSTI, 59.3% on a PI and 37.5% on a NNRTI at baseline. Less than 2% of patients were on a fusion inhibitor or entry inhibitor, and 7.5% of patients were on multiple third agents at baseline. Among patients already on a third agent, 66.3% of patients added or switched to an INSTI, 10.6% to a PI and 23.1% to a NNRTI. The proportion of patients who added or switched to an INSTI increased from 49.4% in 2012 to 80.6% in 2015, while proportions of patients starting other third agents decreased over time. Conclusion: There is an increase in new initiators and treatment-experienced patients starting INSTI compared to other third agents. Future studies are needed to examine the tolerability and outcomes related to these changes in third agents., Introduction: Modern antiretroviral therapies allow to effectively suppress HIV-1 viral load in majority of treated cases; however, due to differences in clinical practice, virological success rates may vary significantly across the treatment centres. The aim of this study was to analyze treatment efficacy in real-life Polish cohorts and identify variables associated with undetectable HIV-1 viral load. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional data on the antiretroviral treatment efficacy were collected for the 2249 (25.3% of total countrywide treated cases) patients followed up in 9/17 Polish HIV treatment centres. Data of patients on stable cART treated >6 months with at least one follow-up visit and HIV RNA measurement in 2016 were analyzed. Treatment options included nucleos(t)ide backbone (NRTI) plus protease inhibitor (PI) in 942 cases (37.7%), NRTI plus non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) in 768 (30.73%), NRTI plus integrase inhibitor (INI) in 632 (25.29%), NRTI-sparing regimen of PI+INI in 68 (2.72%) and other combinations in 89 (3.56%) individuals. Virological success was defined as HIV RNA, Introduction: Adverse effects and to a lesser degree viral failure of combination ART commonly result in treatment modification. Patients and methods: Patients were analyzed for factors associated with treatment modification, defined as stop or as change of drugs. Dolutegravir (DGV), elvitegravir (EVG), raltegravir (RAL), darunavir (DRV) and rilpivirine (RPV) were separately analyzed. RPV and EVG were included only when taken as single-tablet regimen, and DRV only as 800 mg daily dose. All patients were limited to standard regimen, and the pre-treated patients were only included if they received the particular drug for the first time (first-use regimens). Observation period lasted from 1 July 2013 to 1 January 2016. Cox regression models were performed to identify predictors of modification and Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to calculate probabilities of modification. Results: We analyzed 787 naïve patients and 1790 first-use regimens among 1590 pre-treated patients. Overall, ART was modified among 181 (23.0%) naïve patients and 330 (18.4%) individuals with first-use regimens, most of them in the first year. The overall probability of modification among the naïve patients rose from 20.0% at 1 and 30.8% at 2 years and from 17.8 to 30.2% among the pre-treated patients, respectively. Modifications of individual drugs are given in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Among the naïve patients taking RAL, DRV or other drugs showed a higher risk for modification compared to RPV, whereas in pre-treated patients, DGV showed a lower risk of modification (Table 1). Demographic and HIV-related factors were not associated with treatment modification with the exception of drug users, who had a higher risk of modification among pre-treated patients. Availability of more convenient treatment (37.0%) was the main reason for discontinuation within the naïve patients and, patients wish (19.4%) was the most cited reason for the pre-treated ones. Conclusion: Much less treatment modification in individuals initiating ART with recently approved drugs which support a better tolerability and a more convenient profile also in a non-trial setting. However, there seems to be a difference between recently approved drugs in pre-treated patients, since we observed the lowest rate of modification in patients who received DGV. The low rate found for RPV may be attributed to strict selection of patients according to guidelines in regard to viral load., Introduction: Few data are available on integrase strand transfer inhibitors (ISTI)-based regimens response among HIV-2 infected patients. Materials and methods: Retrospective longitudinal study. Data on patients' demographic characteristics and ISTI response (clinical, immunological or virological) among HIV-2 infected patients were collected. Results: Thirty-nine patients with HIV-2 infection were on ISTI-based regimens. Sixty-two percent were female. Seventeen patients were from Portugal, 15 from Guinea-Bissau, five from Cape Verde, one from Sao Tome and one from Spain. The median age at diagnosis was 46.5 years. The time between diagnosis of HIV-2 infection and ART initiation ranged from 1 week to 23 years (median of 5 years). The median CD4 count at diagnosis was 362.8 cells/mm3 (22.1%), and at ISTI initiation was 315.9 cells/mm3 (21.9%). The median follow-up after ISTI initiation was 2.7 years (min: 12 weeks, max: 8 years). Fourteen patients were naïve and 28 patients switched to ISTI. The reasons for switch were immune failure (n=13), cardiovascular risk (n=6), osteoporosis (n=2), nephropathy (n=4), intolerance (n=2) and HIV-1/2 infection (n=1). Thirty-one patients received RAL, and eight received DTG. Optimized background ARV regimens included DRV/r (n=10), LPV/r (n=8), SQV/r (n=5) and ATV/r (n=2) associated with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI). At week 12, 24 and 36 plasma HIV-2 RNA was undetectable in 92.3%, 97.2% and 94.8%, respectively, and median CD4 cell count was 362/mm3 (77–733), 506/mm3 (132–992) and 516/mm3 (25–989). One patient had to stop ISTI at week 36 because of immune failure due to ISTI resistance and died after 3 years. Conclusions: Our series confirm the clinical effectiveness of ISTI in treatment-experienced and -naïve patients with HIV-2 infection when given with other ARVs to which the virus is susceptible. ISTI appears to perform well in treatment of HIV-2 patients as first regimen or after switch as therapy for a large proportion of patients when the first-line regimens may not have been sufficiently potent., Introduction: Microbial translocation in HIV-infected individuals has been associated with increased risk of non-AIDS comorbidity including cardiovascular complications. Initiation of cART often results in immune reconstruction in peripheral blood but does not lead to normalization of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on microbial translocation both on local inflammation in the gut and on systemic inflammation. Methods: The study was a prospective, clinical intervention trial and included 15 cART-naïve, and 30 cART-treated HIV-infected participants. All participants ingested probiotics (Dicoflor60®, Pharmaforce ApS, Denmark) in dose of 6 × 109 colony-forming units twice a day for a period of 8 weeks. Local inflammation was measured using fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (FDG PET/MR) scans. Local inflammation in the bowel was assessed in five regions: terminal ileum, ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid colon and rectum. Furthermore, fasting blood samples were obtained both at baseline and after 8 weeks of probiotics. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), soluble inflammation markers of inflammation IL-6, IL-2, TNF-alfa and hsCRP as well as the CD4+ T-cell count were determined. Results: Forty-five participants completed the study, 15 cART-naïve and 30 cART-treated participants, of which 15 participants were scanned using PET/MR before and after probiotics. On PET/MR, two out of five cART-naïve participants and 4 out of 10 cART-treated participants had evidence of decreasing inflammation on a global score. In terminal ileum, 4 out of 5 cART-naïve and 4 out of 10 cART-treated participants had decreasing inflammation (p=0.07). Among the cART-treated participants, concentration of LPS was found to increase (0.45–0.49 EU/mL, p=0.033). In contrast, no effect of LGG on markers of systemic inflammation in either cART-treated or cART-naïve HIV-infected participants was found. Finally, an increase in CD4+ T-cell count was found in the cART-treated group (659–697 cells/mL, p=0.029). Conclusion: Using PET/MR to evaluate gut inflammation is feasible. The probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG did not have any beneficial effect on microbial translocation or systemic inflammation in HIV-infected individuals. However, PET/MR scans indicated a possible reduction of local inflammation. Future studies evaluating PET/MR scans as a method to assess the gut inflammation in HIV-infected individuals are warranted., Introduction: Croatia has a centralized system of care and all HIV-infected persons are treated at the University Hospital of Infectious Diseases (UHID) in Zagreb. All patients collect antiretroviral drugs from the hospital pharmacy at UHID. The centre at UHID is also the only centre in Croatia that provides psychosocial and adherence support to people living with HIV. Data on ART initiation at first clinic visit are limited [1,2]. We describe the characteristics of patients who start ART immediately and early after inclusion into care at UHID, and examine whether starting ART on the first visit (same-day starters) is equally successful as starting ART within the next 30 days (early starters). Materials and methods: We included ART-naïve individuals aged 18 years or older, who entered care between January 2005 and December 2014 and started ART within 30 days of inclusion into care. Excluded were pregnant women and persons who were in HIV care elsewhere before entering care at UHID. We abstracted data from the electronic database. When ART was prescribed at the physician-patient visit the exact date of when ART was taken was recorded on the first follow-up visit. The primary outcome of the study was time to HIV1 RNA viral load, Introduction: Given recent developments in HIV treatment it is important that, in addition to health status and symptoms, a more holistic view of the impact of HIV on quality of life (QoL) is obtained. The HIV Dependent Quality of Life (HIVDQoL) questionnaire is an individualized condition-specific QoL questionnaire based on a template developed by CB for the ADDQoL [1] (Audit of Diabetes-Dependent QoL) and DQoL measures for other conditions [2]. Qualitative work to design the item content of the HIVDQoL is reported elsewhere [3]. This abstract reports the psychometric evaluation of the HIVDQoL. Methods: The study employed a survey design with participants (N=255) recruited from the UK (N=128) and the US (N=127), via the internet, by Opinion Health. Mean age of participants was 49 years (SD 10.64), mean time since diagnosis was 15 years (SD 9.43), 203 participants were male and 49 were female. Participants chose to complete and return the questionnaire individually (via post) or with a researcher (via phone). The HIVDQoL included two overview items which measure generic “present QoL” and “HIV-specific QoL” and 26 items that measure the impact of having HIV on specific aspects of life (e.g. family, physical appearance) and measures the importance of these aspects of life for QoL. “Not applicable” options are provided for items that do not apply to everyone (e.g. work). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to examine scale structure and reliability using Cronbach's alpha coefficient of internal consistency. Results: EFA was conducted in two stages. Principal components analysis, eigenvalues >1, scree plot and parallel analysis guided the number of factors to extract, and principal axis factoring was used to determine the underlying structure. The analysis revealed a one-factor structure which included 24 of the 26 items. Two items were dropped (religious/spiritual life; having children) due to low communality and low loadings. The 24 items explained 40% of the variance. The factor matrix revealed the lowest loading item loaded at 0.442 and included seven excellent items (loading >0.71), five very good items (>0.63), six good items (>0.55) and five fair items (>0.45). Reliability was strong: alpha=0.939 for the 24 items. Conclusions: The HIVDQoL is here shown to have sound psychometric properties including excellent reliability. It is suitable for use in clinical trials, other research and in routine clinical practice to evaluate the impact of HIV and its treatment on QoL with a view to identifying treatments that optimize QoL., Introduction: NRTI-sparing regimens have been proposed as a strategy to avoid toxicities associated with these drugs. These therapies may have an additional financial benefit. Some clinical trials have explored these NRTI-sparing mono- and dual therapies, and there is growing evidence from real-world practice in this issue. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the HIV+ patients treated with a mono- or dual therapy in our hospital. Treatment changes and simplifications were made by the responsible clinician according to patients' clinical characteristics, antiretroviral therapy (ART) history and toxicities. Clinical, virologic and immunologic data were collected, as well as lipid profile and renal function. Additionally the cost of each regimen and the saving associated with the new therapy were calculated. Results: Twenty-nine patients (51.7% women) were analyzed (14% of all patients with ART in our hospital). The median age was 48 years (IQR 27–72). The median duration of infection was 17 years (IQR 5–25.5), with a median duration from the start of their first ART of 9 years (IQR 3.7–16.6). The median time of undetectability was 8.2 years (IQR 3.4–16.2). All patients were undetectable at the time of initial analysis. 27.6% had clinical category C. Initially 19 (65.5%) patients were receiving as NRTI backbone TDF+FTC, 6 (20.7%) ABC+3TC, 1 patient TDF and 4 patients had a previous NRTI-sparing regimen. The therapy was changed in 25 patients: eight (27.2%) received ritonavir- or cobicistat-boosted DRV with 3TC, 10 (34.4%) patients received ATV/r with 3TC and four patients were treated with a DRV/r monotherapy. Other therapies were DLG+3TC (one), ETR+DRV (three), RAL+DRV (one) and RAL+ETR (two). At 6 months of follow-up, there were no virologic failures. The reason for the change was renal toxicity in 12 patients (41.4%), bone disease in 6 (20.7%) and unknown in 5 cases (17.2%). There were no significant changes in the number of CD4, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, TG and renal function. There was a significant improvement in CD4% (+2% at 6 months, 95% CI 0.02–3.83). An average monthly saving of €200 (29%) per patient was achieved. Conclusions: In a real-world clinical setting, individualized NRTI-sparing antiretroviral regimens, even in patients with a long evolution of HIV infection, maintained virologic efficacy. Additionally, these strategies reduced the cost of treatment., Introduction: Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) are popular HIV treatment options due to simpler dosing regimens and improved patient adherence leading to better health outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests integrase inhibitors (INSTI) such as dolutegravir (DTG) and elvitegravir (EVG) may be able to achieve non-detectable (ND) viral loads (VL) more rapidly than established treatments, and benefit certain patient groups such as pregnant women. The study investigated if Triumeq and Stribild, two FDCs containing DTG and EVG respectively, induce viral suppression more rapidly than other FDCs not containing integrase inhibitors. Materials and methods: The MMUH-ID cohort collects retrospective and prospective follow up information on demographics, diagnostics, HIV acquisition risks, clinical assessments and medications (history, regimens, drug class, dose, frequency, start and stop dates). HIV RNA results are obtained weekly from the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL) and are manually captured into the cohort database. Patients commenced on FDC ART of either Atripla (efavirenz/tenofovir/emtricitabine), Eviplera (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir), Stribild (cobicistat/EVG/emtricitabine/tenofovir) or Triumeq (DTG/abacavir/lamivudine) from July 2008 to April 2016 were reviewed to determine when they reached the primary end-point of ND VL - two consecutive VL, Introduction: Since the advent of new direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV), this has become a priority for many of our patients. The disadvantages are the numerous interactions between DAAs and antiretrovirals used by our co-infected patients that force clinicians to make changes in the ART. Material and methods: The Basque Health System (Osakidetza) has adopted guidelines to treat HCV that prioritize the use of Abbvie drugs (ombitasvir–paritaprevir–ritonavir with or without dasabuvir). Since then, we have performed 219 treatments in co-infected patients. We have analyzed changes in ART in patients during treatment with DAAs. Results: Two hundred and nineteen treatments with DAAs have been started in co-infected patients (123 completed, 96 still ongoing). Seventy-nine of the 219 patients who started HCV treatment have not changed their ART, while 140 required changes to avoid interactions. The most frequent changes according to antiretroviral family have been efavirenz (EFV) to raltegravir (RAL) (37) and rilpivirine (RPV) (20) and lopinavir (LPV) to darunavir (DRV) (17) and RAL (9). Changes between NRTI have been rare (five). After analyzing the 123 episodes that have completed treatment, we have observed that 45 (36.5%) have returned to prior ART, 35 (28.4%) have continued with the modified ART (of which 17 were based on EFV and 15 LPVr), in 10 (8.1%) adjustments have been made to avoid toxicities (seven) or simplify the ART (three) and in 33 cases (26.8%) there has been no need to make any changes. Regarding patients in PI-monotherapy (24) during treatment with DAAs, 17 have been changed (11 to triple therapy and six to other PI). Nineteen patients in PI-monotherapy (14 LPVr and five DRVr) have finished HCV treatment and 17 have returned to their previous regimen. Conclusions: Treatment of co-infected patients with DAAs involves in many cases, changes in ART regimen to avoid interactions (in our case 64%). Most changes occur to new antiretrovirals with better tolerance profile and less interactions (RAL and RPV). Once treatment with DAAs is completed, most of the patients return to their initial ART although a significant percentage (near 30% in our series) prefers the modified ART, and in some patients adjustments in ART are made to improve the profile toxicity or simplify the regimen (8%). Virtually, all patients in PI-monotherapy return to it although many require changes during treatment with DAAs., Introduction: There is conflicting evidence whether blips are associated with virologic failure or rebound, and it has not been determined if some demographic, virologic and treatment factors in patients with blips are associated with these adverse outcomes. The main objective of this study was to determine which factors are associated with virologic failure in patients with blips. Materials and methods: Retrospective, observational cohort study of patients enrolled in the HIV clinic of a hospital in Mexico City who presented with at least one blip episode between 2004 and 2012. Blip was defined as a single detectable viral load above the limit of quantitation but below 1000 copies/mL. Patients with blips were classified in two groups: failure group and suppressed group. We excluded all cases who failed to a treatment regime different from the one used at the time of the blip in the failure group. Relative risks for predictors of virologic failure were calculated, survival curves were generated to compare the rates of virologic failure according to drug history and differences were tested for statistical significance using the generalized Wilcoxon test. Results: Of a total 1876 patients, 414 (22.06%) presented with at least one blip episode. Three hundred and nineteen were randomly selected for this study. Sixty-nine (21.6%) of the 319 met the definition of virologic failure (two consecutive viral loads >50 copies/mL at least 30 days apart). For statistical analysis, we used 51 cases with virologic failure and 229 with no failure (21 excluded due to a follow-up shorter than the mean time to failure in the Failure Group). The three factors associated with virologic failure were being under 20 years of age at the time of HIV diagnosis (RR 2.31 [1.22–4.38], p=0.01), overall use of protease inhibitors (RR 5.84 [2.17–15.72], p, Introduction: TRIUMPH and DOL-ART are two consecutive, prospective and observational German cohort studies in HIV-1 infected patients initiated on integrase inhibitor-based ART with dolutegravir. DOL-ART included patients already receiving Tivicay® (DTG) in combination ART. Recruitment of TRIUMPH started after DOL-ART recruitment was completed and included patients receiving Triumeq®, a one-pill regimen consisting of DTG/ABC/3TC. Methods: In both cohorts, patients are followed in routine clinical care for 3 years with respect to monitoring measures, efficacy and safety parameters. Here, we compare the baseline characteristics of the cohorts in terms of demographics, HIV-related variables, comorbidities and comedication. Results: TRIUMPH included 398 patients (32 centres), DOL-ART included 411 patients (37 centres). Characteristics of the two study populations are shown in Table 1. Patients of the TRIUMPH cohort were less frequently and less intensively pre-treated than patients in DOL-ART. In pre-treated patients, the reasons for switch (multiple responses permitted) to DTG-based ART were as follows (TRIUMPH vs DOL-ART): treatment simplification (57.0% vs. 30.1%), side effects on previous ART (24.3% vs. 31.7%), patient wish (30.6% vs. 24.7%), comorbidities or concomitant medication (11.1% vs. 12.2%) or virologic failure (1.3% vs. 9.6%). In DOL-ART, the majority of patients (84.9%) received standard triple therapy including either Kivexa® or Truvada®. The prevalence of comorbidities was lower in TRIUMPH than in DOL-ART (>2 comorbidities 3.5% vs. 10.5%) with differences seen in both ART-naïve and pre-treated patients. In ART-naïve patients, most common comorbidity (≥10%) was depression (14.7% vs. 16.2%). In pre-treated patients, most common comorbidities (≥10%) were depression (23.4% vs. 33.3%), hypertension (11.5% vs. 18.6%) and cardiovascular diseases (6.4% vs. 11.2%). In TRIUMPH (DOL-ART), 18.4% (24.2%) of ART-naïve patients and 34.5% (36.2%) of pre-treated patients received concomitant medication other than ART. In ART-naïve patients, most common concomitant medication (≥10%) included prophylaxis/treatment of opportunistic infections 3.7% (10.1%). In pre-treated patients, most common concomitant medication included antihypertensives 14.9% (19.2%) and antidepressants 11.1% (11.9%). Conclusion: The TRIUMPH and DOL-ART cohorts showed that standard triple therapy consisting of DTG plus two NRTI as single- or as multi-tablet regimen are used for both ART-naïve and pre-treated patients. “Simplification of ART” and “side effects on previous ART” were the main reasons for switch to Triumeq® or DTG+X, respectively. Based on CDC classification and comorbidities, the burden of disease was somewhat lower in TRIUMPH than in DOL-ART. The majority of patients were switched from suppressive ART demonstrating an obvious need for treatment optimization in clinical practice., Objectives: To describe the use of darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) QD in daily practice in Belgium. Methods: Design: Observational, non-interventional, non-comparative, retrospective, multicentre cohort study. Data were collected from existing databases from eight AIDS reference centres in Belgium. Inclusion: HIV-1 infected adults (treatment-naïve or experienced patients), who received at least one dose of DRV/r 800 mg/100 mg QD in various combinations from 1 January 2010 on, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Primary endpoints: time to treatment discontinuation (using Kaplan-Meier estimates), rate and reasons for discontinuation of DRV/r QD containing regimen. Secondary endpoints: virologic suppression, change from baseline in CD4 count, effect of DRV/r on kidney function. Results: Data from 1701 HIV-infected patients were collected and analyzed. Baseline characteristics: overall, 66.5% were male, mean age of 42.9 years (±11.1), mean CD4 count 441.8 cells/mm3 (±287.1) and mean CD4 nadir 248.9 cells/mm3 (±177.3); 33.1% of patients were treatment naïve (44.2% with baseline viral load (BL VL) ≥100,000 copies/mL) and 66.9% were ART-experienced patients (48.5% with BL VL, Introduction: Rilpivirine is a second-generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), included in Eviplera®. Clinical trials have demonstrated its effectiveness and relatively favourable profile of adverse effects compared to first-generation NNRTIs. Objective: To assess the evolution of different indicators in naïve and experienced patients on ART who were started on FTC/TDF/RPV. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients treated with FTC/TDF/RPV for more than 2 years in four Portuguese hospitals. We evaluated demographic characteristics, reasons for FTC/TDF/RPV use, adverse events and analytical parameters. In patients who switched to this regimen due to adverse effects, resolution of symptoms was evaluated. Results: Two hundred and ninety-eight patients were included. Two hundred and twenty-six (76%) were male with a mean age of 46.6 years. Forty-five patients (15%) were previously ART naïve, 69 patients were under PI-containing regimens (27.2%), 183 patients under NNRTI-containing regimens (72.3%) and one under an INSTI-containing regimen (0.3%). Reasons for switching to FTC/TDF/RPV were dyslipidaemia in 66 patients (26.1%), central nervous system toxicity in 71 (28.1%), other toxicities in 12 (4.7%), therapeutic simplification in 62 (24.5%) and other reasons in 42 (16.6%). At 96 weeks, median CD4+ lymphocyte count increased (525 vs. 633 cells/mm3, p, Introduction: DOL-ART is a prospective, 3-year, German non-interventional study (NIS) initiated 2 months after EMA approval of dolutegravir (DTG, Tivicay®), to understand how the real-world experience with the drug compares with that from clinical trials. Methods: HIV-infected patients enrolled into the study had to be on a DTG-based ART for ≥4 weeks. Primary and secondary objectives of DOL-ART comprise the evaluation of monitoring measures in routine clinical care of these patients, effectiveness and safety of DTG-based ART: frequency and type of monitoring measures (including laboratory tests and referrals to specialists), virologic effectiveness and the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Results: N=411 patients were included in DOL-ART between March and May 2014: 87% males, median age 45 years (IQR 36–52), 23% with history of AIDS; 76% pre-treated. Of ART-naïve patients, 18% had 100,000 HIV RNA copies/mL; of pre-treated patients, 72% had 50 years of age. Urine and microbiology tests accounted for 10.2% and 6.9% of the other measures, respectively; referrals to specialists (7.0%) were documented in 57.2% of patients (53.5% of ART-naïves, 58.3% of pre-treated). Reasons for study discontinuation (multiple responses permitted) were stopping of DTG (7.8%, incl. one virologic failure), patient wish (3.2%), loss to follow-up (2.2%), death (0.2%) and other (2.4%). During the first year, 10.7% of patients experienced ADRs; 4.4% discontinued DTG for this, including 1.2% for depression and 1% for gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion: During a median observation time of 15.8 months, monitoring measures were mainly related to routine quarterly controls of HIV disease, consistent with recommendations of national guidelines. Discontinuation rates due to ADRs and virologic failure were 4.4% and 0.2%, respectively. These preliminary NIS data in a real-world cohort replicate the good effectiveness and tolerability of DTG shown in registration studies., Introduction: Due to careful selection of potential candidates, patients and grafts survival among HIV-infected patients is similar to non-infected patients with solid organ transplantation (SOT). Management of drug interactions is a challenge in HIV-infected patients. Protease inhibitors (PI) interact with tacrolimus, making dosage adjustments more difficult to handle, thus increasing the risk of rejection. Prospective cohorts of HIV-infected kidney and liver recipients are mostly from Europe and the USA. The aim of this study is to describe a Canadian single-centre experience with SOT of HIV-infected patients, including the first Canadian HIV+/HIV+ kidney transplantation. Materials and methods: This is a prospective cohort study conducted at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). The study consists of a chart review of HIV-infected patients evaluated, listed or who received a SOT. Eligibility criteria include CD4 T-cell count above 200 cells/µL, undetectable HIV viral load, stable ART for at least 3 months and no untreatable opportunistic infections (OIs). Data were collected from clinical charts and include demographic characteristics, medical history including detailed HIV, hepatic and renal disease status and both pre- and post-transplant assessment laboratory. Study endpoints are HIV virologic escape post-transplantation, OIs, rejection and mortality during the solid organ transplant process. Results: A total of 11 HIV-infected patients were recruited and five among them received a kidney transplantation and one a liver transplantation (Table 1). Medial follow-up is 6 months (range 2–49). All patients received basiliximab induction, and immunosuppressive agents consisted of tacrolimus (n=6), prednisone (n=6), mycophenolate mofetil (n=2), azathioprine (n=1) and leflunomide (n=1). Most patients were on an integrase inhibitor (II)-based regimen (n=4) while some were on a PI-based regimen (n=2). HIV viral load remained steadily undetectable post-transplantation in all patients and no HIV-associated OI was reported. One kidney recipient on darunavir/ritonavir/etravirine/raltegravir developed post-transplantation chronic rejection. All kidney recipients remain dialysis-free at this time with a post-transplant mean eGFR of 55.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. One patient received a kidney graft from an HIV-infected donor. Both the donor and the recipient were on a similar II-based regimen before, during and after the transplantation. Conclusions: Our preliminary results demonstrate that SOT is a viable option for HIV-infected patients with terminal organ failure. ART free of drug interaction should be promoted when possible to prevent rejection. With careful selection, HIV+/HIV+ kidney transplantation can be performed without loss of virologic control., Introduction: Patients treated with HAART are expected to reach complete viral suppression. Still, in “real life” about 20% of patients do not achieve this goal. The “failing” patients demand a significant part of the HIV clinic efforts and resources. We believe that characterization of these failing patients could help targeting them in a more effective way. Methods: We conducted a retrospective “snap shot” analysis, seeking for failing patients. Data were obtained from charts of HIV patients in a major Israeli HIV/AIDS centre during 2015. We included adults on HIV treatment for at least 1 year. All patients had at least two viral load tests during the year prior to enrolment. Virologically suppressed patients were defined as having two consecutive undetectable viral loads (50 years old), the mean follow-up was 11.8±6.4 years. Risk groups: 65% of patients were from endemic area (Ethiopia), 13% were men who have sex with men (MSM) and 7% intravenous drug users (IVDU). In our analysis, 85 (11%) of the patients did not achieve complete viral suppression. African patients were more prone to fail compared to other risk groups (77% of the failing patients vs. 6% [MSM] and 12% [IVDU]; p, Introduction: TMC114-HIV4042 is a non-interventional study evaluating virologic response and safety of darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) administered with other ARV agents in clinical practice. Here, we show the effects on liver function and safety in all HIV1-infected DRV-naïve patients. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-three DRV-naïve patients, 117 ARV naïve and 116 ARV experienced, received a DRV/r-based regimen in routine practice, together with other active ARVs, and were observed for 12–40 months up to end 2012 or earlier discontinuation. Serum biochemistry including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) and bilirubin was obtained before entry and at about 3-month intervals. Reported hepato-biliary adverse events (AEs) were examined. Time trends were analyzed using repeated-measures mixed models, with values imputed after study end for hepatic AEs. Results: Fifty-two patients (22.3%) had viral hepatitis (26 HCV, 16 HBV, nine both, one unspecified) active at entry (Table 1). Background ARV therapy at entry included a fixed tenofovir-emtricitabine combination in 107 (91.5%) ARV-naïve patients and 66 (56.9%) ARV-experienced patients. Hepatic AEs (non-serious except one fatal) were reported in seven patients (3.0%), four ARV naïve and three ARV experienced: 5/52 (9.6%) in patients co-infected (three HCV, two HBV), 1/23 (4.3%) with past HBV/HCV infection not active, 1/158 (0.6%) not co-infected with HBV/HCV. An HCV co-infected ARV-experienced patient died of liver failure assessed as unrelated with ARVs, one HCV co-infected ARV-naïve withdrew for hypertransaminasemia probably DRV-related, and one HBV co-infected ARV-naïve withdrew for increased GGT possibly DRV-related. In four patients, hepatic AEs unrelated with DRV (raised AST and ALT in two patients; raised AST, ALT and GGT in one patient; cholestasis with raised GGT in one patient) withdrew without changing the DRV-based ARV therapy. Mean AST and ALT levels decreased by about 10 U/L until 6–8 months remaining constant thereafter in ARV-naïve patients and were stable throughout in ARV-experienced patients (Figure 1). Mean GGT levels in both groups decreased until 6–10 months and changed slightly thereafter. Total bilirubin levels quickly reverted to normal in 14 patients with baseline hyperbilirubinemia who switched from atazanavir at entry; mean values in the other patients, although slightly increasing, were always 20 months, liver AEs were few and mostly related to the underlying viral hepatitis, and mean serum liver enzymes and total bilirubin levels did not worsen., Objectives: To describe the use of darunavir/ritonavir monotherapy (DRV/r) in daily practice in Belgium. Methods: Design: Observational, non-interventional, non-comparative, retrospective, multicentre cohort study. Data were collected from existing databases from eight AIDS reference centres in Belgium. A subgroup on darunavir/r QD monotherapy was analyzed. Inclusion: HIV-1 infected adults, on DRV/r 800 mg/100 mg QD monotherapy (received at least one dose of DRV/r from January 1, 2010 on, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months). Primary endpoints: Time to treatment discontinuation (using Kaplan-Meier estimates), rate and reason for discontinuation of DRV/r QD monotherapy. Results: Hundred and eleven patients (9.8%), all treatment experienced, received DRV/r QD monotherapy, out of a group of 1701 patients exposed to DRV/r. Baseline characteristics of the monotherapy subgroup: 65.8% were male, mean age of 49.4 years (±11.0), 65.8% Caucasian, mean CD4 count 648.1 cells/ mm3 (±347.3) and 18% had CD4 counts, Introduction: The widespread adoption of modern ART has changed the landscape of HIV treatment. The most widely used patient reported outcomes (PRO) questionnaires were developed over a decade ago and may not adequately capture the experience of HIV patients today. In addition, best practices in patient symptom measurement have changed substantially, and there is growing interest in using daily symptom diaries, which may capture the patient experience more accurately. The goal of this project was to identify the HIV symptoms experienced by patients as a result of both their disease and treatment and, using that information, develop a web-based symptom diary for patients with HIV to capture the presence and impact of symptoms on a daily basis. Materials and methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted to identify PRO symptom measures in HIV and evaluate their validity in the current environment of HIV treatment. A web-based survey regarding important HIV symptoms was completed by 20 US clinicians specializing in HIV/infectious disease. Results from the literature review and clinician survey were used as the basis for diary development. Patients were recruited from four geographically diverse treatment centres in the US (CA, NM, DC, MA). Concept elicitation interviews and cognitive debriefing on the initial diary were completed with 26 patients who guided diary refinement. Next, 48 patients (inclusive of the 26) used the web-based diary daily for 1 week and completed a cognitive debriefing interview to finalize the content/format of the diary. The diary asks patients to report on symptoms (using checklists/pictures) and symptom impact. Results: Participants (77% male) were White (62%) or Black/African American (34%) and Hispanic (15%). Mean participant age was 52 (range 27–69). Educational level of at least some college was 69%; 63% were employed. HIV transmission mode was primarily MSM (70%); patients reported a variety of HIV treatment regimens. The diary took 5–10 minutes to complete each day, and the majority of the feedback on the diary was positive. Patients accessed the diary by computer (42%), smartphone (33%), tablet (10%) and combination (14%). The diary enabled comprehensive and organized capture of symptoms that patients viewed as relevant, with impact measured at the individual symptom level. Conclusions: This daily HIV symptom diary is brief, easy to complete and well received by patients. It provides patients of diverse background, education and treatments, and the opportunity to voice their symptom experience. Validity studies are ongoing., Introduction: Although it is well established that HIV-related stigma, depression and lack of social support are negatively associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) [1–3], no studies to date have examined how these psychosocial factors interact with each other and affect HRQoL among incarcerated PLHIV. This paper incorporated a moderated mediation model to explore whether depression mediates the effect of HIV-related stigma on HRQoL as a function of the underlying level of social support. Methods: Incarcerated HIV-infected men with opioid dependence (N=301) were recruited from Malaysia's largest prison, located in Greater Kuala Lumpur. Participants were assessed using the Berger HIV Stigma Scale (40–160), the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale (0–60), the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (0–100) and the RAND 36-Item Health Survey (0–100). An ordinary least squares regression-based path analytic framework was used to test the moderated mediation model. Results: Results showed that the effect of HIV-related stigma on HRQoL was mediated via depression (a1: β=0.1463, p, Introduction: HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) are frequently affected by symptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STI). Most of those who are stabilized on treatment benefit from semestrial follow-up visits which may provide an opportunity to screen them for asymptomatic STI (ASTI). The DRIVER study seeks to determine whether this should be done on a systematic basis or oriented by risk factors (RF). Phase 1 explored the ASTI prevalence and evaluated the relevance of a series of RF for STI which could be used eventually to build a decisional score. Material and methods: Patients were prospectively included at 13 hospital-based HIV clinics of the Paris (France) region. During any one of their semestrial follow-up visits, clinical data were recorded, a self-administered sociodemographic and behavioural questionnaire was filled in and patients were screened for syphilis antibodies and PCR for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) (pharynx, anus and first-void urine). Statistical correlation between recorded items and the presence of STI was measured by the chi-square law. Results: Four hundred and eighty-fiveasymptomatic MSM HIV-positive patients (median age 47 years, average time living with HIV 13 years, undetectable viral load in 94%, average CD4+ 679/mm3) were included. More than 80% had at least graduated from high school, and 72% had a stable professional situation. Nearly 63% had a history of STI (genital warts in 39%, syphilis in 45%), within the previous 12 months in 18%. An ongoing ASTI was found in 13.6% (syphilis 5.6%, CT or NG infection 8%). RF significantly associated with recent syphilis were not being engaged in a stable relationship (p=0.013), to have receptive anal sex (p=0.03) and to have a history of previous syphilis (p=0.005). Those associated with CT or NG infection were having a stable professional occupation (p, Introduction: TMC114-HIV4042 is a non-interventional study evaluating the virologic response and safety of darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) administered with other ARV agents in clinical practice. Here, we show the effects on lipid and glucose metabolism in all HIV1-infected DRV-naïve patients. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-three DRV-naïve patients, 117 ARV naïve and 116 ARV experienced, received a DRV/r-based regimen in routine practice, together with other active ARVs, and were observed for 12–40 months up to end 2012 or earlier discontinuation. Serum biochemistry including lipids and glucose was obtained before entry and at about 3-month intervals, or longer when allowed by stable patient conditions. Reported adverse events (AEs) related to lipid and glucose metabolism were examined. Results: Patients were mostly men (99 ARV naïve and 91 ARV experienced); 38 and 41, respectively, were in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical stage C at entry; mean age was 42 and 44 years, respectively. At baseline, eight patients (seven ARV experienced) were reportedly hyperlipidaemic and five (four ARV experienced) diabetic. Background ARV therapy at entry included a fixed tenofovir-emtricitabine combination in 107 (91.5%) ARV-naïve patients and 66 (56.9%) ARV-experienced patients. During the study, hyperlipidaemia was reported as AE in 14 patients (6.0%), eight ARV naïve and six ARV experienced, none serious; nine (3.9%) were assessed by the clinician as at least possibly related to DRV; one caused study discontinuation. Two patients had diabetes reactivation (one with weight increase and hyperlipaemia), one lipodystrophy causing withdrawal and one weight decrease requiring hospitalization (Table 1). Over the first 4 months, levels of triglycerides, total, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in ARV-naïve patients then they were approximately constant; median baseline and final values were 117–147, 147–183, 91–118 and 35–40 mg/dL, respectively. In ARV-experienced patients lipid parameters remained stable; median baseline and final values were 137–134, 176–193, 114–121 and 42–42 mg/dL, respectively. Median serum-glucose levels remained stable in both groups. Conclusions: In HIV-infected patients given a DRV/r-based regimen for a mean duration of >20 months, serum-glucose levels did not change. In ARV-naïve patients, lipid parameters increased during the first months of the study although remaining in the normal range except for triglycerides (+20 mg/dL). Study discontinuations due to lipid dysmetabolism were rare., Introduction: HIV-positive patients co-infected with tuberculosis (TB) have anti-TB drug concentrations lower than reference ranges; however, the relationship between concentrations of anti-TB drugs and treatment response remains controversial. We sought to evaluate if there is an association between low concentrations of first-line anti-TB drugs and delayed sputum conversion in a cohort of HIV/TB co-infected Ugandan adults. Materials and methods: We enrolled HIV-infected Ugandan adults diagnosed with a first episode of pulmonary TB. Patients underwent pharmacokinetic sampling 1, 2 and 4 hours after drug intake to estimate the maximum drug concentrations (eCmax) at 2, 8 and 24 weeks of TB treatment using high-performance liquid chromatography. Low concentrations were defined as an eCmax below the previously described cut-offs for rifampicin, Introduction: Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for at least 6 months is recommended by the WHO for the treatment of latent tuberculosis (TB) in patients infected with HIV. This study aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of IPT versus no treatment for latent TB among HIV-infected patients in an urban outpatient clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: The analysis was conducted from the perspective of the national health system. Using decision analysis, we modelled the impact of IPT versus no IPT on costs and patient outcomes, using a probability of developing TB of 2.5% in the IPT arm and 7.5% in the no-IPT arm, based on published sources [1]. We estimated the median daily price of isoniazid at $0.048 over the course of 6 months, based on international drug price lists. We also included the cost of first- and second-line TB treatment at $12.90 and $110.7, respectively [2]. The TB associated mortality rate (10.5%) and failure/relapse rate (12.4%) associated with TB treatment was obtained from a systematic review of first-line treatment of TB in HIV-infected patients [3]. We used a life expectancy of 35.1 years estimate from a study on patients on combined antiretroviral therapy in Uganda [4]. Study results were expressed in cost per disability-adjusted life years (DALY) averted and compared against WHO cost-effectiveness thresholds. Results: The full course of IPT is associated with a cost of $8.64, but approximately $1.33 of which are offset due to reduced need for first- and second-line TB therapy, yielding a net cost of $7.31. IPT is also associated with a reduction in DALYs by 0.118, yielding a cost/DALY averted of $62, which is well below Ugandan per capita GDP. Conclusion: Use of IPT is highly cost-effective in TB/HIV co-infected patients. National programmes should consider IPT a priority in Uganda and health providers should be encouraged to increase compliance with WHO guidelines on treatment of latent TB., Introduction: Mortality in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) varies from around 20% in HIV-negative patients to more than 50% in HIV-positive patients. A prediction score for unfavourable outcome including altered consciousness, neurologic deficit, hydrocephalus, vasculitis, immunosuppression and diabetes mellitus has been recently published. The aim of our study was to assess if this score is better associated with mortality than neurologic staging in HIV-infected versus HIV-non-infected patients. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients admitted to a tertiary care facility between 2005 and 2015 with TBM. Patients were diagnosed as definite, probable and possible TBM according to a consensus definition [1]. Neurologic stages were classified according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) definitions [2]. Hamsi scoring [3] was calculated for all patients for further distribution of mortality. Results: We identified 115 patients of which 55 (48%) had definite, 33 (29%) probable and 27 (23%) possible TBM. Thirty-two (28%) patients were in MRC stage 1, 58 (50%) were in stage 2 and 25 (22%) in stage 3. Fifty-two (45%) patients were immunosuppressed, of which 41 (36%) patients were HIV infected. Fifteen (37%) HIV-infected patients versus six (8%) non-HIV patients died during hospitalization (p, Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common opportunistic infection affecting HIV patients and remains the most common cause of death in patients with AIDS. HIV increases the risk of disease from TB and leads to more frequent extrapulmonary involvement, atypical manifestations and paucibacillary disease, which can delay diagnosis. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of files pertaining inpatients with TB and concurrent HIV infection admitted between January 2005 and December 2014. Data were analyzed using χ2 or Fisher's exact test (p, Introduction: Co-administration of TB and HIV treatment is now the standard of care. Rifampicin-based therapy is the first-line TB treatment; however, there are significant drug interactions as rifampicin is a potent inducer of cytochrome P450 and UGT. Dolutegravir is substrate of UGT1A1 and CYP34 both are induced by rifampicin therefore co-administration of rifampicin decreases dolutegravir plasma concentrations. It is recommended to use dolutegravir 50 mg twice daily when given together with rifampicin. Our HIV MDT has approved the use of dolutegravir in TB/HIV co-infected patients who had adverse reactions with efavirenz or where efavirenz was contraindicated. We aim to present real-world experience of our HIV/TB co-infected patients who were on rifampicin-based TB therapy in combination with dolutegravir-based regimen. Methods: All HIV/TB co-infected patients who were on dolutegravir-based ART and were receiving rifampicin-based TB therapy were identified. Data were retrospectively collated through electronic patient records and case note review. Descriptive statistics were performed to examine demographics, baseline characteristics, CD4 count and HIV viral load. In this cohort, dolutegravir was used 50 mg BID in combination with rifampicin 600 mg OD in all patients. Results: We identified seven patients (one male) who were on dolutegravir-based regimen in combination with rifampicin. Median age was 41 years (27–48) and all were black African in origin. Five patients were naïve to ART whereas two were ART experienced. There was no baseline integrase resistance mutations identified. At baseline median CD4 count was 90 cells/mL (3–365), five patients had CD4, Introduction: Both NICE and BHIVA guidelines recommend interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) testing for diagnosing latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in people living with HIV with exposure risk for TB [1,2]. However, “indeterminate” IGRA results are more common in HIV-infected subjects and the possibility of false negative results in those patients with very advanced immunocompromise is a concern [3,4]. Methods: As such, a retrospective review was conducted of all patients diagnosed with both TB and HIV in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust during the past 5 years. Records were checked to see if those patients with risk factors for TB exposure had been correctly screened for latent TB with an IGRA test at the time of HIV diagnosis and, if so, how the result had influenced treatment. Demographic data were collected about the patients and their laboratory results, treatment histories and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Of 31 patients, only two had ever had IGRA testing. One had been tested 7 years after being diagnosed with HIV and just 2 weeks before being diagnosed with active TB, with a positive result. The other was tested within 2 weeks of being diagnosed with very advanced HIV and had a false negative result. He was started on treatment for active TB 2 months later and died during treatment. Nine patients were diagnosed with HIV at the same time as TB, but 22 patients were diagnosed with HIV more than a month before being diagnosed with HIV, with an average interval of 4.7 years between diagnoses. Twenty of these 22 patients had exposure risk for TB and should have been screened for latent TB. Two of the patients had MDRTB which would not have been effectively prevented by chemoprophylaxis, even if they had been screened for latent infection. Two deaths occurred, but neither would have been prevented by IGRA testing. Over half of the cohort may have potentially benefited from IGRA testing to screen for latent TB as part of their routine HIV care. However, as the one case who did have an IGRA test at the time of HIV diagnosis demonstrates, IGRA testing can be unreliable in those who present with advanced HIV. Conclusion: From these data, there are missed opportunities to diagnose and treat latent TB, but it is difficult to know how useful IGRA testing would truly have been, if the results had been indeterminate or falsely negative in those who presented with very low CD4 counts., Introduction: Despite the global decline in the cART era, HIV-associated neurologic opportunistic infections (CNS-OIs) remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality especially in resource-limited settings. The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence of CNS-OIs (including brain tumors) and the factors related to survival in HIV-infected patients admitted in a tertiary health care facility. Methods: Retrospective study on HIV-infected patients diagnosed with CNS-OIs at Victor Babes Hospital Bucharest between January 2006 and December 2015. We evaluated demographic, immunologic, virologic variables and treatment characteristics in patients with CNS-OIs. Survival distribution was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Results: A total of 215 patients, 56.2% males, were diagnosed with 220 CNS-OIs (incidence 12.9/1000 PY). The median age at CNS-OIs diagnosis was 29 years (IQR 23–40). The main routes of HIV acquisition were: heterosexual contact (HSX) 52.7%, parenteral in early childhood (PI) 38.5% and injecting drug use (IDU) in 6.8%. The median CD4 cell count and HIV viral load (VL) at CNS-OIs diagnosis were 35/µL (IQR 13–86) and 5.24 log10 copies/mL (IQR 4.1–5.7), respectively. The most common CNS-OIs were: cerebral toxoplasmosis 64 (29.0%), progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) 62 (28.1%), tuberculous meningitis (TBM) 41 (18.6%), cryptococcal meningitis (CM) 37 (16.8%), primary cerebral lymphoma (PCNSL) 10 (4.5%) and CMV encephalitis (CMVE) 6 (2.7%). Ninety patients (41.8%) with therapeutic failure on cART, mainly due to non-adherence, developed CNS-OIs. In 74 (33.6%) cases, HIV and CNS-OIs were diagnosed simultaneously. PI patients were younger at both HIV and CNS-OIs diagnosis compared with HSX and IDUs (11, 22 vs. 35, 38 vs. 31, 31 years), respectively (p5 log10 copies/mL) were associated with shorter median survival time and higher mortality in all cases. Conclusions: The incidence and mortality rate of CNS-OIs in Romanian HIV-infected patients were high. HIV-related mortality and morbidity in patients with CNS-OIs was increased due to late presentation and/or non-adherence to cART., Introduction: HIV-infected patients are at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. HIV care is an opportunity to improve vaccine coverage. EACS [1], BHIVA [2] and French [3] guidelines recommend immunization as in general population (tetanus (T), diphtheria (D), poliomyelitis (P), pertussis, and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)) associated with specific vaccinations (influenza, pneumococcal infections, viral hepatitis B (HBV) and A, human papilloma virus). The aim of our study was to assess the status of immunization of HIV-infected patients for specific and non-specific vaccinations. Materials and methods: Single-centre study, status of immunization was collected in patients’ charts and vaccination booklets. All patients were includable in the study. Results: Five hundred and sixty-nine patients were included, mean age was 49.4±11.5 years, sex ratio was 2.67, 527 (92.6%) patients had an undetectable viral load, median CD4 positive cells count was 660/mm3 (53–2146), 217 (38.1%) patients had at least one significant comorbidity (liver disease in 21.2%, diabetes in 12.9%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 7.3%, renal insufficiency in 5.1%, chronic cardiopathy in 4.6%, neoplasm in 1.4%). Two hundred and sixty-one patients of 425 (61.4%) were correctly immunized against D, T and P, 96/356 (27%) against pertussis, 26/279 (9.3%) against MMR. Only 17 patients of 279 with available information were correctly immunized against D, T, P, pertussis and MMR. Of 474 patients with available information about immunization against HBV, 282 (59.5%) were correctly immunized (after immunization or with natural immunity). Concerning immunization against Streptococcus pneumoniae, 107 patients (26.5%) (of 403 with available data) received a conjugate vaccine before the non-conjugate polysaccharide vaccine. Two hundred and twenty-nine (52.5% of the patients with data) were immunized against influenza during last winter. Patients with comorbidities were more often correctly immunized against Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza than patients without a comorbidity (51/147 vs. 56/256, p=0.005, and 89/151 vs. 140/284, p=0.036, respectively). Conclusion: Our data suggest that vaccine coverage in HIV-infected patients remains low (and comparable to previously published studies, and lower than in the general population), patients with a comorbidity were more likely correctly immunized against Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza than patients without comorbidity. With the improvement of the condition of HIV-infected patients, physicians involved in HIV care may pay more attention to prevention., Introduction: Syphilis causes viral load blips in virologically suppressed patients on antiretroviral therapy, as well as a reduction in the CD4 lymphocyte count [1,2]. The importance of this interaction is that co-infection increases the risk of HIV transmission [3]. The aim of this study was to examine whether syphilis impacts on HIV infection when both infections are diagnosed at the same time in men who have sex with men (MSM). Materials and methods: All cases of HIV-MSM diagnosed at our centre in 2009 to 2015 were reviewed. Patients were excluded from this study if they had a prior diagnosis of syphilis in order to avoid confounding factors in the serological tests. We examined epidemiological, clinical, immunological and virological variables among the patients with and without syphilis at the time of diagnosis of HIV infection. Diagnostic criteria for syphilis are: treponemal and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) both positive, except for patients with primary syphilis, who only require a positive RPR. Results: During the study period, 566 patients were diagnosed with HIV infection (446 MSM); 37 patients were excluded, so the final sample included 409 MSM. Of these, 72 (17.6%) were diagnosed with syphilis at the same time as their diagnosis of HIV infection. Syphilis was asymptomatic in 34 (47.2%) cases. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics were similar in patients with or without syphilis, and no differences were found in basal viral load (4.67 vs. 4.66 log copies/mL; p=0.3) or CD4 cell count (431 vs. 428 cell/µL; p=0.7). Nor were there differences between the patients with symptomatic syphilis and the patients without syphilis. Conclusions: Syphilis does not impact on the clinical presentation nor on the immunovirological parameters when the diagnoses of both syphilis and HIV are coincident. The specific weight that Treponema pallidum infection may have on HIV-infected patients not on antiretroviral therapy is minimum., Introduction: Due to very effective ART available for HIV treatment, people living with HIV (PLHIV) are now older but also suffering from age-related comorbidities, transforming HIV management into chronic care. However, data on excess comorbidity burden in PLHIV are limited. This study characterizes the cost to the health system, of managing comorbidities of HIV patients, compared with a matched, HIV-negative control cohort in Germany. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective health insurance claims database analysis, comparing the healthcare costs of an HIV cohort (HIV+) to a matched cohort from the general population (non-HIV). Inclusion criteria for HIV+ cohort were ≥1 HIV ICD-10-GM code in 2014, age >21 years at index date, and continuous documentation for the previous 3 years. Index date was the last available HIV diagnosis code. A control cohort was selected from general, non-HIV population, and paired (2:1 control-to-case ratio) based on age, gender, residence district, health insurance status and educational level, at index date. Level of significance was α, Introduction: The prevalence of age-related comorbidities is likely to increase as HIV+ patients prolong survival due to availability of effective ART. We aimed to characterize the common comorbidities’ prevalence and their risk and factors, such as renal impairment, bone fractures and cardiovascular (CV) events over time after standardization for age. Materials and methods: Two cross-sectional analyses (2006 and 2014) were conducted in patients within EuroSIDA cohort. Adult patients were selected if they had ≥1 clinical visit in the year of analysis. Analyzed outcomes included prevalence of comorbidities: CV events, renal impairment (chronic kidney disease (CKD); defined as a confirmed (>3 months apart) eGFR 20%) increased from 18.3% to 24.9% and in DAD CVD high- and very high-risk groups (scores 5–10% and >10%, respectively) increased from 9.5% to 15.3%, respectively. The increase in the prevalence of CKD, hypertension and fractures over time was notable amongst those ≥50 years. Conclusions: As persons with HIV age, there is an increasing prevalence of common underlying comorbidities. Careful consideration of modifiable factors, including lifestyle and antiretroviral therapy as well as a multidisciplinary approach to managing HIV+ patients with different comorbidities, may help improve patient outcomes., Introduction: According to a modelling study, in 15 years’ time multimorbidity in HIV patients will be the norm [1]. In this context frailty, geriatric syndromes and disability will be relevant clinical outcomes. We aimed at quantifying the scale of change in frailty and its implications for HIV care in Italy in the year 2030. Materials and methods: An individual-based model of the ageing population of the Modena HIV Metabolic Clinic (MHMC) was constructed using data collected between 2009 and 2015 from 3086 patients. The model follows patients enrolled to the clinic up to 2015 and generates new entries on a yearly basis up to 2030. Number, age and gender of new entries were modelled using trends observed in the period 2009 to 2015. Patients were followed as they age and accumulate deficits, resulting in the Frailty Index (FI, quantified as the proportion of deficits present out of a total of 37). FI at enrolment was generated from a gamma distribution with age- and gender-specific parameters estimated using the MHMC 2009 to 2015 data. Patients were classified as non-frail (FI 0–0.3), frail (0.3–0.4) and most-frail (FI>0.4). Changes in the FI over a 1-year period and death rates were modelled following a validated mathematical model developed in a large Canadian ageing population [2], with parameters adjusted to best represent the changes observed in the MHMC 2009 to 2015 population. Geriatric syndrome was defined as of one or more self-reported falls in the past 12 months. Disability was assessed in eight categories of activities of daily function and defined as impairment in ≥1 categories. The relationship between age, gender, geriatric syndrome and disability, observed in 2014 to 2015 at MHMC, was postulated to constant over time. Results: Our model suggests that the median age of HIV-positive patients on combination antiretroviral therapy will increase from 49 years in 2015 to 59 in 2030, with the proportion of HIV-positive patients aged ≥50 years increasing from 42% in 2015 to 95% in 2030 (Figure 1). In the same period, the proportion of frail and most-frail patients will increase from 26% to 28% and from 24% to 48%, respectively. In 2030, we predict that 30% of HIV-positive patients will have geriatric syndrome and 34% will be disabled (Figure 2). Conclusion: The increasing numbers of older patients with frailty, geriatric syndromes and disability depict a “geriatric HIV” scenario. This model suggests evidence-based screening and monitoring protocols to ensure high-quality care., Introduction: Effective HIV treatment is extending life expectancy of HIV-positive people, putting them at risk of suffering from age-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Health systems must prepare for the changes and forecasts are needed. As HIV epidemics across countries vary in terms of at-risk populations and lifestyle factors, it is important to develop country-specific estimates of future morbidity and disease burden. We developed a model of an ageing HIV-positive population for Italy, to provide the first ever national forecasts. Materials and methods: An individual-based model of the ageing HIV-positive population was adapted to the Italian setting. The model follows patients on HIV treatment as they age, and develop NCDs, including cardiovascular disease (CVD; hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, strokes and myocardial infractions), diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and non-AIDS malignancies. The model also simulates how certain NCDs can increase the risk of developing other NCDs (e.g. how hypertension can increase the risk of CVD). The model was parameterized using data from 2774 HIV-positive patients seen for HIV care between 1997 and 2010 from the ICONA Foundation study, a large cohort encompassing 42 infectious disease centres across Italy. Extensive model validation was carried out on this dataset. National level forecasts were developed by scaling the results to national HIV surveillance and programme data. The model was used to make demographic and epidemiological forecasts from 2015 to 2030. Results: The model estimates that the mean age for HIV-positive patients on treatment in Italy will increase from 45.8 years in 2015 to 48.8 years in 2020 and 54.5 by 2030, with the proportion of HIV-positive patients aged ≥50 increasing from 35% to 41% to 62%, respectively. The model predicts that, by 2030, 47% of HIV-positive patients will suffer from ≥3 NCDs (compared with 27% in 2020 and 16% in 2015) and 92% from ≥1 NCDs. This will be driven by a steep increase in the burden of CVD (Figure 1). The demographic predictions suggest faster ageing and higher predicted NCD burden for 2030 than the Netherlands. Conclusions: The age of HIV-positive patients on treatment in Italy is rising and will be accompanied by a rapid increase in NCD-related multimorbidity, assuming current demographic and epidemiological trends remain constant. These changes will have important and far-reaching consequences for HIV-positive patient care, requiring future HIV care to be able to respond to rising complexity of individualized patient needs., Introduction: Effective HIV treatment is extending life expectancy of HIV-positive people, putting them at risk of suffering from age-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Health systems must prepare for the changes and forecasts are needed. As HIV epidemics across countries vary in terms of at-risk populations and lifestyle factors, it is important to develop country-specific estimates of future morbidity and disease burden. We developed a model of an ageing HIV-positive population for the United States, to provide the first ever national forecasts. Materials and methods: An individual-based model of the ageing HIV-positive population was adapted to the US setting. The model follows patients on HIV treatment as they age, and develop NCDs, including cardiovascular disease (CVD; hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, strokes and myocardial infarctions), diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and non-AIDS malignancies. The model also simulates how certain NCDs can increase the risk of developing other NCDs (e.g. how hypertension can increase the risk of CVD). The model was parameterized using data from 3087 HIV-positive patients between 2005 and 2010 from a retrospective analysis of a cohort of commercially insured HIV-positive patients in the United States drawn from a geographically representative national sample. Extensive model validation was carried out on this dataset. National level forecasts were developed by scaling the results to national HIV surveillance and programme data. The model was used to make demographic and epidemiological forecasts from 2015 to 2030. Results: The model estimates that the mean age for HIV-positive patients on treatment in the United States will increase from 49.0 years in 2015 to 51.6 years in 2020 and 56.3 by 2030, with the proportion of HIV-positive patients aged ≥50 increasing from 42% to 52% to 71%, respectively. The model predicts that, by 2030, 41% of HIV-positive patients will suffer from ≥3 NCDs (compared with 23% in 2020 and 12% in 2015) and 89% from ≥1 NCDs. This will be driven by a steep increase in the burden of CVD (Figure 1). The demographic predictions suggest faster ageing and higher predicted NCD burden for 2030 than the Netherlands. Conclusions: The age of HIV-positive patients on treatment in the United States is rising and will be accompanied by a rapid increase in NCD-related multimorbidity, assuming current demographic and epidemiological trends remain constant. These changes will have important and far-reaching consequences for HIV-positive patient care, requiring future HIV care to be able to respond to rising complexity of individualized patient needs., Introduction: GEPPO is a new Italian HIV geriatric cohort which aims to describe health transition over time in HIV-positive patients above 65 years as compared with HIV-negative subjects. The objective of this analysis was to describe multimorbidity, polypharmacy and antiretrovirals’ use in the subset of people between 65 and 75 and above 75 years of age. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study comparing HIV+ patients and HIV− individuals referred to a cardiovascular screening clinic in a geriatric centre. They were matched for age (±4 years) and sex. Multimorbidity (MM) was classified as the presence of three or more of non-infectious comorbidities, polypharmacy (PP) as the use of five or more medications (excluding ART). Patients were stratified according to the duration of HIV infection (>20, 10–20 and 20 years is a major driver for polypharmacy., Introduction: ART has increased life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLHIV), transforming HIV management into chronic care. In ageing PLHIV the prevalence of comorbidities is increasing. However, data on excess comorbidity burden in PLHIV are inconclusive. This study characterizes the prevalence of comorbidities in an HIV population, compared with a matched, non-HIV control cohort from the general population in Germany. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective health insurance claims database analysis, comparing the prevalence of comorbidities in an HIV cohort (HIV+) to a matched cohort from the general population (non-HIV). Inclusion criteria for HIV+ cohort were ≥1 HIV ICD-10-GM code in 2014, age >21 years at index date and continuous documentation for the previous 3 years. Index date was the last available HIV diagnosis code. A control cohort was selected from a general, non-HIV population, and paired (using a 2:1 control-to-case ratio) based on age, gender, residence district, health insurance status and educational level, at index date. Results: One thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine patients were included in the HIV+ cohort and paired with 3938 individuals of the non-HIV cohort. Mean age was 48 years (SD±12.2) and 83.5% were males. Approximately 21.6% were retired and 49.5% had an educational level equivalent to technician or master craftsman certificate. When looking at specific comorbidities over the previous 12 months, there was a statistically significantly higher prevalence in the HIV+ cohort compared with the non-HIV cohort (12.8% vs. 10.4% respectively; p=0.0056) of cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic renal disease (CKD; 4.3% vs. 2.4%; p, Introduction: HIV-infected persons are living longer. Survival gains have been accompanied by an incipient burden of key geriatric syndromes, such as frailty, which lead to increased hospitalization and premature death. Frailty is not yet well understood in the context of patients undergoing cART, without known comorbidities. We performed a pilot study to tentatively investigate the determinants of frailty in aviraemic, asymptomatic HIV+ patients. Materials and methods: We enrolled 80 patients with >1 year of successful cART. We excluded patients with active organ disease in the previous 2 years, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, 3, cognitive abilities with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Based on frailty phenotype, three groups were constituted: prefrails, frails and robusts. In these groups plus a group of 20 healthy donors (HD) we determined the inflammatory background, detecting plasmatic soluble (s) CD163, sCD14, IL-6 using ELISA tests. HCV, CMV serology and CMV-DNA-PCR in urine were tested. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The study population included 41 males and 39 females, with a median age of 49.5 years, 82.5% Italians, 50% employed, 53.7% smokers, 78.7% heterosexuals. 12.5% presented a frail and 28.8% a prefrail phenotype, 32.5% presented a mood variation and 51.2% a cognitive impairment. The frailty phenotype was associated with male gender (p=0.05), smoker status (p, Introduction: The number of people aged ≥50 living with HIV in the UK is rapidly increasing. Effective treatment means HIV is usually well controlled; however, there has been an increase in individuals experiencing comorbid conditions associated with “normal” ageing. This aim of this study was to find out what models of care are currently in place for the management of patients with comorbidities. Materials and methods: A link to an online questionnaire was sent via the British HIV Association (BHIVA) Audit Committee to one HIV clinician in each HIV unit in England. Results: Forty-four units responded. Only 11 units (25%) provided specialized clinics for the management of comorbidities. These included: 1) Specialist clinics for the management of a non-infectious comorbidity (any age) e.g. a liver or renal clinic (n=10). These clinics utilized in-person appointments (n=3), or a combination of virtual and in-person appointments (n=7). They were managed by an HIV clinician and non-HIV clinician together (n=8), HIV clinician with an interest in the specialist area (n=4) or specialist with an interest in HIV (n=4). 2) Services for HIV patients with multiple comorbidities (any age) (n=2). 3) Dedicated clinics for older people (n=5) with eligibility determined by age (≥50 years) or the presence of a comorbidity. Additionally, two HIV units employed a GP on site and two had set up a locally enhanced service providing enhanced primary care for HIV-positive patients. Six HIV units ran nurse-led clinics for patients with comorbid conditions. Co-ordination of care for patients with comorbid conditions was conducted by an HIV specialist doctor (n=27), the patient's GP (n=18), HIV specialist nurse (n=11) or the patient themselves (n=9). Eleven clinics reported using case management for patients with multiple comorbid conditions. Self-management support (e.g. nurse-led or as part of an expert patient programme) for patients with comorbid conditions was provided at 18 HIV units. Conclusions: Only a quarter of the clinics surveyed had set up clinics for the management of comorbidities in people living with HIV. While a variety of different approaches were used, services were usually focused on the management of one comorbidity, and few provided services for multiple comorbidities. This is an increasing priority in the context of an ageing population., Introduction: ART has improved life expectancy and significantly reduced AIDS-related morbidity/mortality. As people living with HIV (PLHIV) age, prevalence of chronic comorbidities including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) increase. The aim of this study is to describe the demographics and evolution of HIV disease markers and comorbidities prevalence in PLHIV in Greece in 2003 versus 2013. Materials and methods: Data were derived from AMACS (Athens Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study), a population-based cohort, that prospectively collects anonymized epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory and treatment data for PLHIV in Greece. Two cross-sectional analyses (2003 and 2013) were performed focusing on patient demographics, HIV disease markers, ART, comorbidities prevalence, including CKD, CVD, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. CVD risk was estimated by Framingham 10-year Event Risk calculation (FRS); eGFR calculation was based on CKD-EPI formula. Comparisons were based on population average models excluding missing values. Results: Two thousand four hundred and three PLHIV were identified in 2003 and 4910 in 2013 (1730 contributing for both cross-sections). Table 1 details demographics, disease markers and comorbidities for both study years. Individuals in 2013 were on average older, and diagnosed/treated for HIV for longer, compared with those in 2003. In 2013, PLHIV were also more likely to be on ART (particularly on triple regimen), virologically suppressed and with a higher median CD4 count. CKD and dyslipidemia prevalence increased over time. There was an increase in prescription of lipid-lowering treatment (3.5% in 2003 vs. 7.7% in 2013, p20%) increased from 18.2% to 22.2%. Conclusions: The availability of new ART and the increased treatment uptake led to significant improvements, within the 2003 to 2013 decade, in the Greek AMACS cohort patients’ immunologic status and viral suppression rates. PLHIV aged alongside an increase in prevalence of comorbidities during these 10 years. The proportion of PLHIV with high FRS increased over time, but the median CVD risk of the cohort slightly declined, which might be partially attributed to the effective lipid control measures. The shift in HIV epidemic paradigm should be addressed with appropriate monitoring and holistic management of HIV care, in terms of optimal ART selection and long-term management and prevention of comorbidities., Introduction: HIV-infected patients above 65 years of age have higher prevalence of comorbidities and polypharmacy. The aim of the study is to describe ARVs’ use in elderly patients living with HIV. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study analyzing HIV+ patients aged ≥65 years, recruited from 11 HIV outpatients clinics in Italy. Multimorbidity (MM) was classified as the presence of three or more of non-infectious comorbidities in the same individual, including cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Polypharmacy (PP) was defined as the use of five or more medications. Patients were stratified according to the duration of HIV infection (>20, 10–20 and, Introduction: Currently, about 50% of HIV-infected persons in high-income countries are older than 50, with increased risk of developing age-related diseases [1]. CD4/CD8 ratio inversion has been associated with non-communicable diseases and frailty phenotype [2,3]. The study objective was to describe associations between CD4/CD8 ratio and meaningful endpoints of ageing with HIV (multimorbidity, frailty and disability). Material and methods: Cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria: HIV-infected adults, effective antiretroviral treatment (HIV VL 2 comorbidities among: cardiovascular events (CVD), chronic kidney disease, hypertension (HTN), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer and diabetes mellitus (DM). Frailty was defined as frailty index >0.31 [4]. Disability was defined as presence of ≥1 deficit at IADL questionnaire or SPPB score, Introduction: Success of ART has changed the distribution of causes of death among HIV-positive patients and new causes of death have emerged, such as liver-related or non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADM). We describe and compare the mortality rates and excess mortality rates according to age in HIV-positive persons in the Cohort of the Spanish AIDS Research Network (CoRIS) from 2004 till 2014. Methods: CoRIS is a multicentre, open, prospective cohort of HIV-infected patients naïve to ART at entry. We calculated: mortality rates (per 1000 py) for overall and cause-specific death comparing aged, Introduction: In 2012, in Central and Western Europe, it was estimated that 33% of HIV patients were 50 years old or older. This will bring new challenges in the management of HIV population: patients are living longer and chronologically ageing; HIV itself has been associated with accelerated ageing and development of comorbidities; certain antiretrovirals are associated with age-related, organ-specific toxicities. Therefore, it is important to characterize the evolution of the prevalence of risk factors and comorbidities to inform management of HIV care in general, and choice of ART in particular. Methods: The VACH cohort is a multicentre Spanish cohort. To be included in the cohort, a patient is required to have confirmed HIV infection, age over 16, and +1 follow-up visit in the cohort's hospitals. All patients receiving ART with at least one visit in 2010 and at least one visit in 2014 were included in this analysis. Two cross-sectional analyses (2010 and 2014) were conducted on this set of patients. Analyzed outcomes included prevalence of: 1) comorbidities: a) cardiovascular events, b) renal impairment, c) bone fractures (any location); 2) risk factors: a) hypertension, b) dyslipidemia, c) diabetes, d) secondary osteoporosis, e) alcohol abuse (exceeding 3 units/day (42g/day)). Descriptive analysis consisted of number of patients/events and its respective percentage over the available information (missing data were not considered). Results: Nine thousand nine hundred and sixty patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Forty-three percent of patients were at least 50 years old in 2014. 73.3% were male and 39% were ever-intravenous drug users. Among ART-experienced, the proportion of patients virologically suppressed increased by 7% and the proportion with CD4 cells count >500 cells/mm3 increased by 8% from 2010 to 2014. Figure 1 shows the changes in the prevalence of comorbidities and risk factors between 2010 and 2014. Conclusions: The proportion of patients older than 50 in the VACH cohort has increased significantly, as it has happened with the prevalences of age-related comorbidities in recent years., Introduction: In most of Western Europe, HIV is considered a chronic disease associated with reasonable life expectancy. Eleven AIDS reference centers and seven reference laboratories have been established across Belgium to handle HIV diagnosis, care and patient tracking. Although Belgium is at the forefront of HIV care, to date, country-wide analysis of data collected at those centers has not been conducted. The purpose of this analysis is to 1) provide an epidemiologic “snapshot” of the HIV-positive population in Belgium, and 2) determine the prevalence of key non-infectious comorbidities (NICMs) that may affect the quality and length of HIV-positive individuals’ lives. Materials and methods: Data were analyzed from four of the largest reference centres in Belgium (St Pierre University Hospital, University of Liege – Sart Tilman, University of Ghent Hospital and Erasme Hospital). In total, 5787 patients met the inclusion criteria of receiving follow-up care at least once between 1 June 2014 and 1 July 2016. Results: Out of 5787 follow-up cases in these four centers in 2014 to 2016, 95% have initiated treatment. The mean age of patients under follow-up was 46.6. The prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus, viraemic hepatitis C and renal disease were 5.9%, 3.1% and 7.7%, respectively. Cardiovascular disease, defined as the occurrence of myocardial infarction, stroke or an invasive coronary procedure, occurred in 3.3% of the patients. The combined prevalence of non-AIDS-defining cancers (defined as anal cancer, liver cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma and lung cancer) was 0.8% among the cohort population. Specific risk factors were also relatively common among patients: 38% were former or current cigarette smokers and one-third had been diagnosed with hypertension. Conclusions: NICMs in the HIV-positive population such as cardiovascular disease and renal disease are of increasing importance as AIDS-related deaths are delayed through careful patient management. A country-wide analysis of available data, including data on the prevalence of common NICMs, is critical to planning for the healthcare needs of the ageing HIV-positive population in Belgium., Introduction: The proportion of new HIV diagnoses in later life is increasing. Older adults have clinical features that difference them from younger individuals, constituting a vulnerable population. However, data describing the steps of the care continuum for this age group are scarce. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis including all older adults (≥50 years) with a new HIV diagnosis over a 13-year period in a large public hospital in Buenos Aires. We calculated the proportion of patients presenting with advanced stage HIV disease (WHO clinical stage IV or CD4 cell count, Objectives: Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a novel, non-invasive measure of bone microarchitecture that can detect differences in bone quality in individuals with similar bone mineral density (BMD). We have previously shown that lower TBS in HIV-positive subjects is influenced by the high-smoking rates in this population. We now aim to investigate HIV-specific factors associated with TBS. Methods: BMD was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in HIV-positive subjects from the HIV UPBEAT study; TBS was derived from baseline lumbar spine (LS) DXA images using TBS Insight software (version 2.2.1). Significant between-group differences were assessed using Wilcoxon tests. Univariate linear regression explored the impact of HIV-specific factors including: nadir CD4, current CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts, HIV RNA, Introduction: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) is a mainstay backbone in ART for treatment-naïve patients. Although potent and well tolerated, TDF may cause bone toxicity. The magnitude of off-target side effects is proposed to be related to tenofovir (TFV) plasma concentrations, which may be affected by drug–food and drug–drug interactions with concomitant antiretrovirals. We compared bone outcomes (osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures) with efavirenz (EFV)+TDF/FTC versus non-EFV-based TDF/FTC regimens associated with higher TFV plasma concentrations in treatment-naïve HIV-infected veterans. Methods: This historical cohort study used national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) datasets to identify veterans newly initiating ART in 2003 to 2015. We controlled for selection bias and confounding with inverse-probability treatment weighting. Covariates included baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, HIV laboratory measures, bone measures and other key diagnoses/medication exposures. We used weighted regression models to compare rates of bone adverse events between new users of TDF/FTC with EFV compared to TDF/FTC with non-EFV regimens (i.e. rilpivirine (RPV), elvitegravir/cobicistat (EVG/c) and boosted protease inhibitors (PIs)). Results: Of 33,048 HIV+ veterans, 13,366 received an ART regimen of interest, and 7236 were treatment naïve (4178 EFV and 3058 non-EFV). The median age was 51, 96% were male, and 59% and 30% were Black and Caucasian, respectively. Standardized differences between groups were less than 0.1 for all baseline characteristics following weighting, indicating no significant differences between groups. Crude rates of bone outcomes and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for comparisons with at least five events per treatment group are summarized in Table 1 and Table 2. Unadjusted rates of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures were lower in patients who received EFV+TDF/FTC versus each other treatment group. In adjusted analyses, risks were significantly lower for vertebral, upper arm and wrist/forearm fractures for EFV versus all non-EFV regimens combined and versus PIs. For EFV versus EVG/c and RPV, too few events were observed to make stable estimates for the individual outcomes, and no significant differences were observed for the composite bone outcome. Conclusions: EFV+TDF/FTC was associated with a significantly lower risk for bone toxicity and fractures compared to other TDF-containing regimens in the VHA. The third agent in ART regimens can have a significant effect on the risk of bone adverse events associated with TDF., Introduction: Low bone mineral density (BMD) and fragility fractures are common in patients infected with HIV and antiretrovirals use. In low- and middle-income countries, we don't have DEXA scan to evaluate osteopenia or osteoporosis in HIV-infected patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for vertebral fractures in HIV-infected patients in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from August 2014 to February 2015 at the Hospital de Infectología, “La Raza” National Medical Center. Outpatients >40 years who were receiving ART and attending at the clinic were included. Vertebral deformities were detected with lateral spine X-ray using a semi-quantitative morphometric analysis of centrally digitized images: anterior, middle and posterior vertebral heights were measured, and height ratios were calculated. Each vertebral body fractures were defined as mild, moderate and severe on basis of height ratio decreases of 20 to 25%, 26 to 40% and >40%, respectively. The “spine deformity index” (SDI) was calculated by summing the grade of vertebral deformities, according to the semiquantitative method by Genant [1,2]: SDI >1 is indicative of vertebral fracture according to its definition. Results: We included 104 patients, 87% were men. Median age was 49 years old (IQR 42.0–52.75). The most common centers for disease control (CDC) stage was B2 in 40.56 (39%), 47 (45%) had or have had protease inhibitors (PIs) in regimen and 100 (96%) had or were under treatment with nucleosides antiretroviral transcriptase inhibitors. The median years on ART was 6.5 (1.6–9.0). At the moment of the study, 83 (80%) had undetectable HIV-1 RNA viral load, 32 (31%) had a previous fracture, 4 (4%) had hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection, and 57 (55%) had a history of corticosteroids treatment. The prevalence of vertebral fractures was 25% (95% CI 17–34%). Risk factors associated to fractures were: female gender OR 0.50 (95% CI 0.10–2.45), p=0.39; HCV co-infection OR 3.1 (95% CI 0.42–23.7), p=0.23; previous corticosteroids use OR 0.51 (95% CI 0.20–1.25), p=0.13; AIDS OR 0.53 (95% CI 0.21–1.34), p=0.18; HIV-1 RNA viral load >100,000 copies/mL OR 1.64 (95% CI 0.29–9.12), p=0.56; and current or previous PIs OR 0.85 (95% CI 0.34–2.09), p=0.73. Conclusions: The prevalence of vertebral fractures was high among HIV-infected patients. A screening for bone disease should be done in patients at risk of fragility fractures. Spine X-ray may be considered in patients at increased risk, irrespective of BMD; that is, in elderly patients majorly in low- and middle-income countries., Introduction: Guidelines for bone disease in HIV recommend a screening/risk evaluation process guided by age and classical risk factors, followed by implementation of bone mineral density (BMD) and/or FRAX algorithm accordingly [1–3]. Risk-mitigating interventions should take into account country-specific risk thresholds [2]. This study assessed the fracture risk in a cohort of HIV+ individuals and described factors associated with increased fracture risk. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional fracture risk evaluation was performed by BMD (osteoporosis vs. osteopenia/normal values [3]) and by Greece-specific FRAX algorithm for those ≥40 years [4] through three sequential steps: (A) =HIV not added, (B) =HIV added as a “secondary cause” and (C)=(B)+inclusion of femoral neck T-score value. Greece-specific FRAX intervention thresholds were used (major osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture risk ≥10% and ≥2.5%, respectively for those ≥40 and, Introduction: Migrants and refugees from countries with a high incidence of HIV and other co-infections such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or hepatitis B virus represent an emerging challenge for the healthcare system. We used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to detect osteoporosis (OP) in HIV/HCV co-infected and HIV mono-infected groups in order to determine OP prevalence by age, gender and geographic origin. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 211 HIV mono-infected and 81 HIV/HCV co-infected patients attending the AIDS Centre of the Infectious Diseases Department of Palermo University Hospital, Italy, between January 2010 and May 2015. All patients underwent a DEXA scan. Results: HIV mono-infection was prevalent among non-Europen Union (nEU) women. HIV/HCV co-infection was higher in nEU males than females. Comparing the groups split according to age, it turned out that there was a significant difference among them with respect to HIV in nEU and European Union (EU) patients (p, Introduction: Following co-morbid cardiovascular events (CVE) amongst HIV-positive patients is essential. Abacavir's impact on CVE is unclear and challenges clinicians. We characterized CVE at the largest Canadian HIV clinic stratified three-fold: 1) patients being antiretroviral-naïve or -experienced; 2) taking abacavir or tenofovir-disoproxil-fumerate (TDF) or switching between the two and 3) time-era (before and after 2009). Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study using electronic medical records (EMRs) of all HIV-positive patients treated at Maple Leaf Medical Clinic, who started a combination ART (cART) regimen (3 to 7 drugs) with abacavir or TDF (one-switch between the two permitted). Patients were excluded if a pre-cART CVE or a second-switch between abacavir and TDF occurred. Patients were assessed as those starting cART (antiretroviral-naïve) and overall (antiretroviral-naïve and – experienced). The outcome was CVE (cardiovascular (CAE) or cerebralvascular (CEE)). There were four exposures-of-interest: always-abacavir-, always-TDF-, first-abacavir-switched-to-TDF- and first-TDF-switched-to-abacavir cART regimens. The analysis was stratified into being on cART: (1) before or (2) after 1 January 2009. Evaluation started at cART-initiation and ended at: CVE date, second switch between abacavir and TDF or last data-cut date (16 July 2015). Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were done using standard statistical methods. Multivariable Cox regression was carried out with time-to-CVE as the outcome and time-on-abacavir or -TDF as the exposure-of-interest. Confounders corrected for included: Framingham-score and time-on-PI. Results: Of 2851 patients, 1439 were antiretroviral-naïve. Of the total, median age=40 (IQR=34–46), 92% male, 65% Caucasian, median HIV duration=5.2 years (IQR=1.5–10.6), baseline log10VL=4.02 (IQR=1.70–4.91) and CD4-count=330cells/uL (IQR=210–500); 658-on-an-abacavir-regimen, 1186-on-a-TDF-regimen, 736 switched from abacavir-to-TDF and 271-switched-from-TDF-to-abacavir. Seventy-six CVE occurred [15-in antiretroviral-naïve and 61-in antiretroviral-experienced (p, Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in HIV-infected patients. Atazanavir (ATV) has been associated with slower progression of atherosclerosis in several studies, but there is limited information on the relative impact of ATV on the risk of CVD events compared to other regimens. We examined CVD events with ATV-based regimens versus those based on other protease inhibitors (PIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and integrase inhibitors (INSTIs) in treatment-naïve HIV-infected veterans. Methods: This historical cohort study used national United States Veterans Health Administration (VHA) datasets to identify HIV+ veterans newly initiating ART in 2003 to 2015. We controlled for selection bias and confounding by indication with inverse probability of treatment weights. Covariates included baseline demographics, HIV laboratory measures, comorbidities and key concomitant medications. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to calculate hazard ratios for incident CVD events (myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke) associated with new users of ATV compared to each non-ATV regimen. Results: Of 33,048 HIV+ veterans, 21,289 received an ART regimen of interest during the study period, and 10,385 were treatment naïve including 1530 with ATV and 2459, 5785 and 611 with other PIs, NNRTIs and INSTIs, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) age was 50.0 (10.1), 93% were male, and 56% and 30% were Black and Caucasian, respectively. After weighting, standardized mean differences between groups were less than 0.1 for all baseline characteristics, indicating no significant differences between groups. Risks were significantly lower with ATV compared to other PIs for MI and for ATV compared to INSTI-based regimens for the MI/stroke composite outcome (Table 1). Conclusions: In the VHA, ATV-based regimens were generally associated with a lower risk for CVD events compared to other antiretrovirals. Further research to elucidate the mechanism for a potential reduced risk of CVD events with atazanavir is warranted., Introduction: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) continue to be a cornerstone of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and currently recommended regimens include the NRTIs combination of abacavir (ABC)/3TC or tenofovir (TDF)/emtricitabine. Whether the exposure to ABC contributes to cardiovascular risk remains unclear. Results from several cohort studies have identified an increase cardiovascular risk after ABC exposure, but the results of other cohort studies, of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and of meta-analyses of RCTs did not find this association. In this study we have updated the results of a previous meta-analysis [1], focusing on trials with a head-to-head comparison of ABC and TDF. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using Cochrane methodologies. Data extracted included: myocardial infarction (MI), any cardiovascular events and overall mortality. We used a conventional Mantel-Haenszel method, with risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: We obtained data from 11 RCTs conducted from 2006 to 2015, comparing ART with ABC to TDF, both in combination with the same third agent. Risk of bias assessment showed an overall good methodological quality of included studies; however, since overall cardiovascular event and MI were not predefined outcomes in many of the included studies, we judged the quality of the evidence “moderate” for these outcomes. Data on overall cardiovascular events were available from nine RCTs (4847 patients), data on MI from nine RCTs (5130 patients) and data on mortality from six RCTs (3646 patients). Compared to the TDF, ABC use did not increase the occurrence of overall cardiovascular events (RR 1.32; 95% CI 0.67–2.59 (Figure 1)), the occurrence of MI (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.26–2.12) and the overall mortality (RR 1.05; 95% CI 0.38–2.91). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis of RCTs did not show an increase in the occurrence of overall cardiovascular events, MI and overall mortality in ABC compared to TDF recipients., Introduction: In recent years, effective ART resulted in increasing survival of HIV-infected individuals and in the emergence of comorbid non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a global burden. We characterized the prevalence, awareness and management of elevated blood pressure (BP) among individuals engaged in ART programmes in urban Zambia to provide a foundation for future public health strategies. Materials and methods: We analyzed recorded data about cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (elevated BP, overweight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2), smoking, hazardous drinking) from all HIV-infected adults enroled in a prospective cohort in Lusaka, Zambia. We used Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney tests to evaluate associations between individual patient characteristics and elevated BP, defined as one or more values of systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg. In patients with elevated BP, we explored patient awareness and management of elevated BP as well as history of CV events (diabetes, stroke and heart condition) and family history of hypertension using mobile phone follow-ups. Results: Among 895 individuals, 92 (10.3%) individuals had elevated BP and 57 (6.4%) had at least two elevated measurements. Patients with elevated BP were older (median age 37 vs. 34 years, p, Introduction: Pitavastatin is a new statin highly effective in lowering cholesterol, but its effect on the immune system in HIV-infected patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pitavastatin on immune activation in HIV patients receiving antiretroviral treatment. Materials and methods: Clinical trial was carried out to compare in HIV-infected patients with hypercholesterolemia on antiretroviral treatment, diet+pitavastatin versus diet at 24 weeks. Student's t-test for paired data was used to compare changes of the parameters analyzed. Results: Fifty-one patients were included, 30 started with pitavastatin and 21 with diet. Three patients were withdrawn in the pitavastatin group and five in the diet group. There were 21 males, 51±11 years receiving treatment with NNRTIs (14 patients), PI (11 patients) and integrase inhibitors (one patient) in pitavastatin group. There were 14 males, 47±9 years receiving treatment with NNRTIs (seven patients), PI (seven patients) and integrase inhibitors (two patients). After 24 weeks, there was a significant decrease in total cholesterol (237.6±43.24 mg/dL to 191.6±26.7 mg/dL; p, Introduction: Accelerated subclinical arterial damage has been widely identified in HIV-infected individuals and has arterial site-specific predilection [1]. The increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in HIV-infected individuals is mediated [2] and predicted [3] by the presence of subclinical arterial damage. Various CVD risk prediction scores – derived mostly from general populations – are used for CVD prevention in HIV-infected individuals. All scores underestimate the presence of subclinical arterial damage in these populations and exhibit low agreement [4]. No mortality-based comparison studies and no consensus exist regarding the best available CVD risk prediction score for HIV-infected individuals. We performed (i) extensive vascular phenotyping to detect subclinical arterial damage of all types of arterial pathology at different arterial beds and (ii) tested/compared the association of the four most widely applied CVD risk prediction scores with the presence of subclinical arterial pathology. Materials and methods: Consecutive HIV-infected individuals, free of CVD, underwent by the same technician vascular tests for the detection of (i) atheromatosis (common/internal carotid and femoral bed plaque, ankle-brachial index), (ii) arteriosclerosis (common carotid elasticity, aortic pulse wave velocity) and (iii) arterial hypertrophy (common carotid intimal-medial thickness). The European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Framingham (FR), American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) and the Data collection on Adverse effects of Anti-HIV Drugs study (DAD) scores were assessed. Logistic regression and ROC analysis and c-statistics were applied. Results: Out of 134 participants (92.5% males; age 40.8±1.5 years), 76.1% had at least one type of subclinical arterial pathology, 60% arteriosclerosis, 35.3% arterial hypertrophy, 31.6% atheromatosis. The ESC, FR and DAD scores presented statistically significant and consistent association with combined as well as with almost each type of arterial pathology in separate. On the contrary, the AHA/ACC score failed to associate with any type of arterial pathology. The ESC, FR and DAD scores, but not the AHA/ACC score, detected the presence of combined arterial pathology. The FR-10 year-CHD score had higher area under the curve than all other scores (AUC: 0.756, p, Introduction: Initiation of antiretroviral therapy reduces hyperactivity of the immune system; however, the effect on endothelial cell function seems to be contradictory [1]. Design: We performed a 24-week prospective, case-control and comparative pilot study of antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected patients who started a darunavir (DRV)- or rilpivirine (RPV)-based regimen and age/sex-matched non-HIV-infected volunteers to compare changes at week 24 from baseline in levels of circulating endothelial cells (CECs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and circulating angiogenic cells (CACs), as well as changes in immune activation markers and their association with virologic, immunologic and clinical parameters. Results: The study population comprised 48 participants (24 HIV-infected patients and 24 non-infected volunteers). Both HIV groups completely suppressed viremia and had significantly increased CD4 T-cell counts after 24 weeks of treatment. HIV-infected patients had higher levels of activation markers than the control group in CD8 T-cell populations at baseline; these decreased after 24 weeks of treatment but without reaching the levels of the control group. No statistical differences in immune activation were seen between the DRV and RPV groups (Figure 1.). Levels of CECs were higher and levels of EPCs and CACs were lower in HIV-infected patients than in the control group, although all these parameters were similar between the DRV group and the control group but not the RPV group at week 24 (Figure 2). An unfavourable association was observed between RPV, age and increased number of CECs. Conclusions: Restoration of circulating levels of EPCs and CECs in DRV-treated patients was greater than in those treated with RPV, suggesting ongoing endothelial repair mechanisms., Introduction: Patients with HIV have high cardiovascular risk [1]. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause of death amongst people with HIV [2]. We aimed to review contributors to cardiovascular risk in patients with HIV at high risk of CVD and the management of lipids with reference to NICE guidelines 2008 [3]. Materials and methods: Patients with estimated 10-year CVD risk greater than 20% (QRISK2 score) in 2014 were selected from the clinic database. Data recorded included demographic details, CD4 count, viral load, antiretroviral treatment, contributors to QRISK2 score and lipid management. Results: We identified 39 patients with QRISK2 greater than 20%. The viral load was undetectable (140 mmHg or diastolic >90 mmHg, 54.1% had non-HDL cholesterol greater than 3 mmol/L, 32.4% had a BMI >30 kg/m2. NICE guidelines 2008 (CG67) recommended statin be offered if 10-year risk >20% [3]. Only 26 out of 37 patients (70.3%) were on statin prior to risk assessment (included two patients on fenofibrate due to intolerance of statin). A statin was subsequently commenced in 4 of the remaining 11 patients (36.4%). None achieved the recently adopted target of 40% reduction in non-HDL cholesterol after 8 months [4]. Conclusions: Modifiable CVD factors (smoking, hypertension, lipids and weight) contributed to a significant number of patients with high CVD in our cohort. Lifestyle changes should be promoted and supported better in HIV clinics. This would include better communication with the GPs. Our clinic is developing a standard letter for GPs requesting assistance with addressing modifiable risk factors, to be sent when a patient with high cardiovascular risk is identified. Once statin is commenced lipids should be monitored and reviewed to ensure target reduction in non-HDL cholesterol is achieved., Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are emerging as an important concern related to the improvement of life expectancy of HIV-infected patients, to antiretroviral drug toxicity and also to the chronic inflammation associated with persistent viral replication [1]. Few studies have been conducted in low-income countries, particularly in West Africa [2,3]. We are interested in severe morbidity of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of severe CVD in HIV-infected patients followed up in the Tropical and Infectious Diseases Unit (TIDU) and looked for factors associated with them. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the TIDU in Abidjan, from April to July 2015, in patients aged over 18 years, HIV positive and on antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 months. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Clinical assessment, laboratory tests, transthoracic echocardiography and electrocardiogram were performed for all the patients. All the subjects underwent ultrasonography of the carotid and femoral vessels to evaluate intima-media thickness. The primary endpoint was proportion of patients with severe CVD. Analysis of factors associated was conducted by logistic regression. Results: Two hundred and seventy eight patients (mean age 46 years, female 74.5%) were included. The proportion of patients with clinical stage C of the CDC classification was 119 (42.8%) and 229 (82.4%) were with virologic suppression (undetectable viral load). The prevalence of severe CVD was 7.6% [95% CI 4.74–11.32]; the majority was represented by pulmonary arterial hypertension (5%). In multivariate analysis, running time below 30 min, high blood pressure, high ALT rate, high glycaemia rate and low nadir CD4 count were significantly associated with the prevalence of CVD. Conclusion: The prevalence of life-threatening CVD was significant. Therefore, standardized screening and risk reduction interventions should be routinely undertaken among HIV-infected patients on HAART [4] and discussion of the current approach to primary prevention of CVD in HIV-positive patients is crucial., Introduction: Premature atherosclerosis has been linked to HIV infection and/or to antiretroviral treatment [1]. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and pulsatility index (PI) accessed by carotid duplex ultrasonography (CDU) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) may be useful markers [2–4]. Materials and methods: Carotid and cerebral circulation were evaluated by CDU and TCD in 40 HIV-infected Caucasian men (mean age 49.4±5.9 years). CD4+ T-cell current and nadir counts, current and zenith viral load and HIV drug classes with duration of ART were registered; cardiovascular risk scores were also assessed. Multivariate regression analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used. Results: All men received ART and presented mean CD4+ count of 817±369 cells/mm3 (mean nadir 242.8±158.2 cells/mm3) at the time of the study, 95% had non-detectable viral load (mean zenith 381,416±858,881 copies/mL), 35% had history of high blood pressure, 35% dyslipidaemia, 7.5% diabetes and 80% tobacco consumption. Cardiovascular risk by Framingham Risk Score, SCORE and ASCVD score were low at 10 years and lifetime. More than half (67.5%) had increased CIMT (mean 0.92±0.13 mm), but none presented increased PI. No correlation was found between duration of infection, ART classes or cardiovascular risk scores with CDU or TCD data. However, a significantly positive association between a CD4+ nadir count, Introduction: ART has led to improvements in life expectancy but chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), have emerged as a major factor of morbidity and mortality among the HIV infected. Traditional CVD risk prediction tools have questionable accuracy in this population. Only the D:A:D algorithm has been specifically developed for HIV patients. This study aims: a) to describe the prevalence of CVD risk factors in an HIV-infected population using various CVD risk prediction tools; b) to compare the results calculated by standard CVD risk assessment tools with those of the D:A:D risk equation. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Evangelismos General Hospital in Athens, Greece. Patients attending the outpatient HIV clinic during the period of 1 to 31 March 2016 were included. A total of 120 patients were included and their data were analyzed. Electronic medical records were used to collect data. Seven cardiovascular risk assessment tools were used (Framingham CVD, Framingham Hard CHD, SCORE, PROCAM Health Check, CUORE, QRISK2 and D:A:D Risk Score). Agreement among results was assessed using Cohen's weighted kappa coefficient. Results: 81.5% (95% CI 73.6–87.5) of participants were male and 76.3% (95% CI 67.8–83.0) were born in Greece. The mean age was 41.9 (SD 10.47) and transmission mode was sexual in 62.2% (95% CI 53.2–70.4) and intravenous drug use in 30.3% (95% CI 22.7–39) of cases; 67.8% were current smokers. D:A:D risk equation classified 8.9% as of low (L), 83% as of medium (M) and 8% as of high risk (H) for CVD. Respectively, other equations’ estimated results were: Framingham CVD (L:72% – M:20.6% – H:7.5%), Framingham Hard CHD (L:73.7% – M:18.4% – H:7.9%), CUORE (L:61.5% – M:37.4% – H:1.1%), SCORE (L:65.8% – M:30.8% – H:3.4%), PROCAM (L:90.4% – M:6.1% – H:3.5%) and QRISK2 (L:90.4% – M:4.4% – H:5.3%). Calculating weighted Cohen's kappa using three categories, “low-risk,” “medium-risk” and “high-risk,” coefficient values were very low (, Introduction: The effect of immune restoration with ART on HIV-related cardiac inflammation is unknown. We investigated the presence of myocarditis before and after ART initiation in patients with HIV advanced disease. Materials and methods: Myocardial inflammatory changes were studied with MRI, using Lake Louise Consensus Criteria [1] in ART-naïve, HIV-infected adults with CD4+ T cell counts, Introduction: Comorbidities are relevant in the management of HIV infection; however, few studies have considered the choice of ARV regimen based on non-HIV-dependent comorbidities. Materials and methods: In this uncontrolled pilot study, we enroled patients with cardiovascular disease or diabetes. All were on an effective cART (HIV RNA 6 months). Patients were switched to TDF/FTC/RPV STR and all received a 40 mg dose of atorvastatin. According to the American Heart Association indications [1], the reduction of LDL-cholesterol levels at 3 and 6 months were used as primary goal of the study. Results: Twenty patients, half diabetics and half with a previous cardiovascular accident (e.g. stroke, MI, stent positioning), were enroled. Nineteen were males, with a mean age of 55 years (range 40–69). One-third were smokers. They had been on cART for a mean of 11 years (range 2–22) and on current cART for 4.8 years (range 0.6–13). At enrolment, all had HIV RNA, Introduction: The long-standing use of ART in association with dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular events has previously been thoroughly studied. Protease inhibitors (PIs) have been linked to an increased risk of dyslipidaemia when compared with other ART groups such as integrase inhibitors (INIs) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), namely, rilpivirine. Our aim was to describe the lipid profile outcome of three different drugs (darunavir, raltegravir and rilpivirine) in a real-life situation. Materials and methods: We conducted an observational study in our Infectious Diseases Department. Eligible subjects included HIV-1 infected adults, with virologic suppression, under an ART regimen consisting of a backbone of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) plus a third agent: darunavir (group 1), raltegravir (group 2) and rilpivirine (group 3), for at least 1 year (2015). We evaluated the changes in the lipid profile in these groups, comparing the differences in total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), at baseline (without ART, under PIs, NNRTIs or INIs) and at current time. Results: A total of 192 patients were included, 72.4% males with a mean age of 47.2 years. In group 1 (N=101), we observed a medium increase of 4 mg/dL in TC, with a major increase in LDL (17 mg/dL). However, medium TG value decreased 11 mg/dL. In subgroup analysis, 22 patients naïve at baseline had an increase of 34 mg/dL in TC (LDL: 25 mg/dL), with decrease in TG. Sixty-three patients initially under other PIs showed the same pattern. In group 2 (N=37), TC and TG decreased, but LDL increased 2 mg/dL. Six patients were naïve, and showed a TC increase of 25 mg/dL, and TG decrease 1 mg/dL; 21 patients on PIs had TC and LDL decreased (7 mg/dL, 5 mg/dL), with 62 mg/dL decline in TG. However, the 10 patients with NNRTIs at baseline presented with TC increase: 5 mg/dL; HDL decrease: 7 mg/dL, LDL increase: 11 mg/dL; and TG decrease: 5 mg/dL. In group 3 (N=54), all parameters of lipid profile showed a substantial decrease. In patients initially under PIs (N=13) TC decreased: 18 mg/dL; LDL: 11 mg/dL; TG: 28 mg/dL. Seventeen patients under NNRTIs showed 19 mg/dL decline in TC, 12 mg/dL in LDL and 25 mg/dL in TG. Even the naïve subgroup (N=22) showed a TC decrease 2 mg/dL and TG decrease 13 mg/dL. Adversely two patients under INIs showed an increase in all parameters. Conclusions: Rilpivirine showed a better evolution in lipid profile, both in naïve and experienced patients, in comparison to darunavir and raltegravir. As this study considered real-life data, the information could be very useful in clinical practice and future ART decision making., Introduction: Increased rates of non-AIDS mortality, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), emerged as an important issue in HIV-infected patients [1,2]. Thus, we aimed to estimate cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients using four cardiovascular risk scores recommended by different international guidelines: Framingham Risk Score (FRS), Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), American Heart Association Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease risk score (ASCVD) and one designed particularly for HIV-infected patients, Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) model. Furthermore, we also aimed to analyze the agreement of the high D:A:D CVD score with other high CVD scores and to calculate discriminative power for each of used scores in Serbian patient population. Materials and methods: We included 202 patients in cross-sectional study conducted at HIV/AIDS Center at Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Belgrade, Serbia from January 2014 to January 2015. We collected data on risk factors for CVD including age, gender, race, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking status and also HIV-specific parameters such as duration and current use of lopinavir or abacavir, as well as family history. Inclusion criteria were at least 12 months on antiretroviral therapy and age range of 40 to 79 years. We calculated agreement between D:A:D score and three other scores using Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ). We also described discriminative power of each of the scores using receiver operating characteristic (ROC curves). Results: All patients were Caucasians with median age of 49 years, 151 (74.8%) were males. As for traditional risk factors, 100 (49.5%) patients are current smokers, 64 (31%) had hypertension, while hypercholesterolemia was found in 72 (35.4%). Fifty-one (25.2%) persons were overweight (BMI >25), 15 (7.4%) were obese (BMI >30), 45 (22.3%) had metabolic syndrome and seven diabetes (3.5%). The prevalence of high CVD scores were 8%, 13%, 35% and 40% for SCORE, FRS, D:A:D and ASCVD score, respectively. The agreement between high D:A:D score and high ASCVD score was higher (k=0.73) than between the D:A:D score and FRS (k=0.59) or SCORE (k=0.60) algorithms. We also found that D:A:D score and ASCVD score had a highly significant predictive value for outcome in comparison with two other scores (Figure 1). Among four estimated CVD risks, D:A:D score and ASCVD score had a highly significant predictive value for outcome. D:A:D score had the area under the receiver operator, ROC curve, AUC of 0.691 (p=0.004), while the ASCVD had the area under the ROC curve of 0.624 (p=0.05). Conclusion: We found a high number of HIV-infected patients in our population who are in need of CVD risk reduction. We also found substantial agreement of D:A:D and ASCVD risk score in order to estimate CVD risk in Serbian patient population., Introduction: B-cell dysfunction and activation is thought to contribute to lymphoma development in HIV+ people; however, the mechanisms are complex and not well understood. We investigated markers of B-cell dysfunction prior to lymphoma diagnosis. Materials and methods: A nested case control study of 73 HIV+ people with lymphoma (52 non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 21 Hodgkin lymphoma) and 142 matched controls within EuroSIDA was conducted. Cases and controls were matched on date of first and last sample preceding lymphoma, age and CD4 cell count at first sample, gender and region of Europe. Prospectively stored plasma samples before lymphoma (or matched date in controls) were measured for markers of B-cell dysfunction and activation: free light chain [FLC]-kappa, FLC-lambda, immunoglobulin [Ig]G, IgA, IgM and IgD. Conditional logistic regression investigated associations between markers and lymphoma 2 years prior to diagnosis. Results: A total of 215 HIV+ people were included with a median of 2.0 (IQR 0.4–4.3) years between first sample and end of follow-up. Considering cases and controls together, all markers were correlated with lower CD4 level (FLC-lambda: Spearman's ρ=−0.27, p0.05). Elevated FLC-lambda (OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.47–7.7), FLC-kappa (OR 3.40, 95% CI 1.05–14.50) and IgG (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.20–6.28) were associated with higher odds of lymphoma >2 years prior to diagnosis; however, levels were not predictive within 2 years prior to diagnosis (Figure 1). A similar trend was observed for IgM; however, significance was borderline with high uncertainty (>2 years OR 9.10, 95% CI 1.00–433.52; 2 years prior to diagnosis. Conclusions: FLC-lambda, FLC-kappa and IgG were higher than 2 years before lymphoma diagnosis, but the difference diminished nearer diagnosis. B-cell dysfunction, as demonstrated by polyclonal hyperglobulinemia, occurs many years prior to lymphoma development., Introduction: There are limited data on comparison of clinical outcome of lymphoma in HIV-positive (HIV-L) versus HIV-negative individuals (nHIV-L). Objectives of our analysis were to estimate overall survival (OS) after a diagnosis of lymphoma, comparing HIV-L versus nHIV-L and to identify predictors of death. Materials and methods: All HIV-infected patients with a diagnosis of HIV-L (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, NHL; Hodgkin disease, HD) between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2013 in ICONA or in three collaborating hospital databases were included. As controls, patients with nHIV-L seen for care in one of these centres over the same time period were included. Survival estimates by kaplan meier (KM) and predictors of OS by multivariable Cox regression after adjusting for main potential confounders (calendar year, age, gender, international prognostic index (IPI), treatment) were performed. Results: A total of 1355 patients were included: 488 HIV-L (343 NHL and 145 HD) and 867 nHIV-L (589 NHL and 278 HD). Median age 49 years (IQR 38–64), 522 female (38%) and 423 (32%) had HD; of NHL, 765 (84%) were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); among HIV-L, 91 (22%) were intravenous drug user (IVDU), median CD4+ count at lymphoma diagnosis 235 cells/mm3 (IQR 134–428) and 443 (91%) were on cART. HIV-L was more aggressive than nHIV-L (worse IPI score). The 3-year cumulative probability of death was 34% for HIV-L (95% CI 30–38) and 18% (15.5–20.8) for nHIV-L (log rank p=0.001). In univariable analysis, a significantly increased 3-year cumulative probability of death for HIV-L compared to nHIV-L was reported for all NHL (38.9% vs. 22.1%; p2-fold higher for HD, after controlling for unbalanced aggressive presentation and advanced stage at diagnosis. We cannot rule out bias due to other unmeasured confounding., Introduction: Research suggests significant gaps exist in cancer screening practices for women living with HIV (WLWH); however, there is limited research from regions where screening is universally available. Annual Pap tests are considered best practice for WLWH, in response to the higher rates of cervical cancer. Current mammography recommendations suggest once every 24 months for women aged 40 to 74, with no specification for WLWH or immune-suppressed women. Materials and methods: The comparison of outcomes and service utilization trends (COAST) study provides a retrospective, population-based cohort of HIV-positive individuals between 1996 and 2013 in British Columbia, Canada. The primary outcome variables (mammography for breast cancer and pelvic exams and/or Pap tests for cervical cancer screening) were identified by physician billing codes. Screening was identified between HIV diagnosis date and December 2013 as well as within the previous 12 and 24 months for cervical and breast cancer, respectively. Multivariate logistic model identified factors associated with receipt of breast and cervical cancer screening since HIV diagnosis. Results: Of the 1070 WLWH between ages 40 and 74 in our study, 198 (18.5%) received at least one mammogram since being diagnosed with HIV, and only 61 (5.7%) in the previous 24 months. Additionally, among 1683 WLWH between ages 25 and 69, 628 (37.3%) received at least one Pap test since being diagnosed with HIV and only 97 (5.8%) in the previous 12 months. Receipt of Pap test since known HIV diagnosis date was less likely for individuals who have used injection drugs (AOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50–0.77), are of Indigenous ancestry (AOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50–0.87) and urban dwellers (AOR 0.50, 95% CI 0.34–0.74), but more likely for older individuals (AOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05–1.28) and those with higher baseline CD4 cell count (AOR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05–1.16). Receiving a mammogram since HIV diagnosis was less likely for WLWH who were diagnosed with HIV after the year 2000 (compared to 1996 to 2000) (AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43–0.81) and those of Indigenous ancestry (AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.40–0.87), but more likely for older individuals (AOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.70–2.26). Conclusions: An alarmingly small proportion of WLWH in our sample received a mammogram and Pap test since being diagnosed with HIV despite current recommendations. This is notably low, even when accounting for completeness of administrative data such as physician billing codes. Of note, there may be significant barriers to screening for Indigenous WLWH and those with advanced HIV infection., Introduction: The elevated risk of AIDS-defining malignancies (ADM) among people living with HIV has been largely and directly attributed to cell-mediated immune suppression, characterized by low CD4 counts. Since the advent of modern cART, rates of ADM have subsequently declined; however, the potential protective effect of early cART therapy initiation on cancer incidence, particularly non-ADM, remains largely unknown. Materials and methods: The comparison of outcomes and service utilization trends (COAST) study provides a retrospective, population-based cohort of HIV-positive individuals between 1996 and 2013 in British Columbia, Canada. For this study, we included women with a confirmed HIV diagnosis. Incident cancer cases were identified by International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O)codes. We conducted a Poisson regression to determine correlates of all-type cancer, ADM and non-ADM, and an adjusted model to determine incidence rate (per 1000 PY) by baseline CD4 cell count (350 cells/mm3) among women living with HIV (WLWH). We also calculated the attributable fraction (AF) of malignancies associated with CD4 count at cART initiation. Results: Among 1660 WLWH included in this study, 50 WLWH were diagnosed with cancer between 1996 and 2013 (31 ADM and 19 non-ADM). Compared to WLWH without cancer, WLWH with a cancer diagnosis were more likely to have lower baseline CD4 (median 135 (IQR 60–260) cells/mm3 vs. 260 (IQR 140–390) cells/mm3), nadir CD4 (median 45.0 (10–101) cells/mm3 vs. 133 (43–250) cells/mm3) and a higher proportion of AIDS-defining illness at baseline (26.0% vs. 10.3%). Initiating cART with higher baseline CD4 cell count (>350 cells/mm3) is associated with lower all-type cancer diagnosis (RR 0.33 (95% CI 0.16–0.70)) and non-ADM diagnosis (RR 0.15 (95% CI 0.03–0.64)) compared to those to initiate cART with CD4 of 350 cells/mm3 at cART baseline. Conclusions: Early initiation of cART may be protective against all-type cancer and non-ADM diagnosis. In the context of “Treatment as Prevention,” this study suggests there may be significant oncologic health benefits of early treatment initiation for some WLWH., Introduction: Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is one of the most frequent non-AIDS-defining malignancies in HIV-infected MSM [1]. A protocol of early diagnosis of ASCC has been considered cost-effective. Materials and methods: This is a single-centre study conducted between May 2010 and June 2015. The patients were included in a screening, therapeutic and prophylaxis (implement use of condom, and qHPV vaccine (n=64 patients)) programme of HPV and ASCC. Baseline visit (V0) enclosed HPV PCR genotyping (GeneAmp PCR System 9700, Applied Biosystems), cytology and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA). In V0 and each visit, we collected medical history, sexual habits, CD4 and HIV viral load. Patients diagnosed with LSIL were subjected to an annual check-up that included HPV testing and HRA; patients diagnosed with HSIL were sent to the general surgery service where they underwent a mucosectomy; or they received intra-anal imiquimod three times/week for 16 weeks. When ASCC was diagnosed, the patient was sent to the Oncology Service; patients with normal HRA were evaluated every year with anal cytology and HPV PCR, in cases of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions and/or oncogenic HPV, a HRA was carried out. The cytologic and histologic classification was Bethesda's and LASTS Project for HPV-Associated Lesions, respectively. Results: Two hundred and seventy-seven patients were included, with an average age of 36.8 years, and follow-up during 18.1 months/patient (IQR 0–34). In V0, 277 HRA were carried out: 40.8% were normal, 44.4% LSIL, 14.4% HSIL and 0.4% ASCC. IR of HSIL was 78.4×1000 person-years, and IR of ACSS 242×100,000 person-years. 16.1% and 1.6% of patients with normal HRA progressed to HSIL and ASCC, respectively. 19.1% of patients with LSIL progressed to HSIL. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, we observed, as a predictive factor of a new case of HSIL, previous LSIL in HRA, OR 5 (95% CI 1.6–15.9). The rest of variables analyzed (history of AIDS-defining illnesses, median time of HIV duration, antiretroviral therapy, education, employment, smoking, alcohol, STDs, genotypes or number of HPV, viral load, CD4 cells/uL, qHPV vaccine, imiquimod and mucosectomy) were not related. Conclusions: One in every five of patients with LSIL progressed to premalignant lesions in 18 months. The only risk factor associated with the high IR of HSIL was preliminary diagnosis of low squamous intraepithelial lesions., Introduction: The management of HIV-associated multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) was revolutionized by the introduction of rituximab-based immunochemotherapy in 2003. However, relapses may occur following treatment and the clinicopathological features and outcomes after relapse of MCD have not been described. Materials and methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 83 patients treated with rituximab-based therapy at the National Centre for HIV Malignancy. Results: Eighty-four patients (72 male, mean age 42 years) were treated with rituximab-based immunotherapy for MCD (median plasma HHV8 viral load at MCD diagnosis 375,000 copies/mL). Four died from refractory or progressive MCD within the first month of treatment and 80 achieved clinical remission. The median follow-up for these 80 patients is 4.2 years, the 5-year overall survival is 92% (95% CI 84–99%) (Figure 1) and seven patients have died (three from HHV8-related lymphomas, one pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma (KS), two suicides and one MCD (at fourth relapse). Fifteen of 80 who achieved remission have relapsed at least once with biopsy-confirmed relapsed MCD (including three patients with concurrent lymphoma). The median time to first relapse is 22 months (range 8–94). At first relapse all 15 had symptoms of median duration 2 months (compared to 4 months at first diagnosis) and detectable plasma HHV8 viraemia. The median CD19 (B-cell) count at relapse was 474/mL (16%) suggesting that this had recovered following rituximab first-line therapy. The 5-year relapse-free survival for patients achieving remission is 78% (95% CI 67–89%) (Figure 2). The risk of relapse was not influenced by gender (p=0.7), age (p=0.1), time since HIV diagnosis (p=0.3), prior AIDS diagnosis (p=0.2), plasma HIV viraemia (p=0.9), use of antiretroviral therapy (p=0.1), CD4 (p=0.9), CD8 (p=0.1), CD19 (B cell) (p=0.4) and CD16/56 (Natural Killer (NK) cell) (p=0.5) counts. The plasma HHV8 at MCD diagnosis (p=0.4) and the addition of chemotherapy to rituximab for high-risk patients (p=0.2) similarly did not affect the relapse risk. All 12 patients with no lymphoma at relapse were retreated with rituximab-based immunotherapy and all achieved a second clinical remission. Five have had second relapses also successfully treated and three have had third relapses including one patient who died from progressive MCD at fourth relapse 9.4 years after first MCD diagnosis. Conclusions: Relapse following rituximab-based treatment for MCD is not infrequent and may occur after recovery of CD19 (B cell) counts. Clinical, virological and immunological predictors of relapse have not been identified. Relapses are usually sensitive to rechallenging with rituximab-based immunochemotherapy., Introduction: With advent of antiretroviral therapy, non-communicable diseases, including malignancies, are increasingly contributing to morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. Data on incidence of cancer (AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining malignancies) in patients on virologically suppressive ART from resource-limited settings like India are rare. Materials and methods: HIV-infected patients following up at a private HIV clinic from February 2009 to 2016 and on virologically suppressive ART (plasma viral load, Introduction: Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is one of the most frequent non-AIDS-defining malignancies in HIV-infected patients; it is closely related to the infection by oncogenic HPV genotypes (HR-HPV). Currently there are diverse treatments for premalignant lesions with disappointing results. Imiquimod is a drug with anticarcinogenic and antiviral activity, and it is recommended for treatment of genital/perianal condylomas. It is not suggested for the treatment of anal HSIL; nevertheless, the results of two research studies about imiquimod in premalignant anal lesions in HIV-positive patients have been published with a cure rate of 45 to 61% [1,2]. The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the efficacy of 3 consecutive days a week for 4 months of self-administered treatment with imiquimod 5% cream for anal HSIL, and to assess safety, and antiviral activity against HPV, in seropositive patients. Methods: Between May 2013 and May 2016, 20 HIV-positive patients with HSIL were enroled to self-apply imiquimod cream into the anal canal. Baseline visit (V0) and each visit enclosed cytology, HPV PCR genotyping (GeneAmp PCR System 9700, Applied Biosystems) and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) (Zeiss 150 fc©), medical history, sexual habits, CD4 and HIV viral load. Response was assessed by cytology, HRA and biopsy 1 month after therapy, and annually. If HSIL persisted, the treatment with imiquimod was extended 6 weeks more. The cytologic and histologic classification was Bethesda's, and LASTS Project for HPV-Associated Lesions, respectively. Results: The average age was 36.5 years, 95% MSM and 5% WSM, 50% had history of AIDS-defining illnesses, CD4 nadir 295 cells/mL and current CD4 577 cells/mL. Ninety percent antiretroviral therapy, and 94.7% viral load, Introduction: The prevalence of non-AIDS-defining cancers (non-ADCs) is increasing among people living with HIV. Conversely, some non-ADCs are associated with HIV prevalence figures higher than those of the general population. After observing HIV testing rates below 5% in our oncology centre, we performed a study Investigating Barriers In HIV-Testing Oncology Patients (IBITOP I) among oncology physicians and patients at Lausanne University Hospital (LUH) [1]. We found that 18% of cancer patients were offered HIV testing although patient acceptance of testing was high (91%). After this study, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health HIV testing recommendations were updated to include cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in the lists of HIV testing indications. The study presented here, IBITOP II, examined HIV testing practices and physician barriers to testing following these recommendations. Methods: Between 1 January and 31 October 2015, patients of unknown HIV status newly diagnosed with solid-organ non-ADCs referred to LUH Oncology Service, Lausanne, Switzerland, were offered free HIV testing as part of their oncology work-up. The primary endpoints were 1) physician proposition rates for HIV testing and 2) physician reasons for not offering testing. Results: Of 438 patients of unknown HIV status with a new non-ADC diagnosis, 255 (58%) were offered HIV testing, of whom 42 declined (acceptance rate 213/255, 84%). Excluding 37 patients tested prior to their oncology consultation, 146 patients (of 438, 33%) were not offered testing. The most frequent physician reasons for not testing were: forgetting (35 patients, 24%); patient follow-up elsewhere (25 patients, 17%); no planned chemotherapy (25 patients, 17%); excessive burden of information for the patient (23 patients, 16%) and no time (21 patients, 14%). Conclusion: This is the first study exploring physician reasons for not HIV-testing cancer patients despite current national HIV testing recommendations. Given the physician barriers we observe, testing will not be practised universally among cancer patients. Further, it is possible the testing rate of 58% will be lower outside the context of a study on testing. As HIV-positive status impacts on the medical management of cancer patients, knowledge of HIV status is important. We conclude that opt-out testing in this setting, conducted as part of the baseline oncology work-up, would circumvent physician barriers and optimize testing rates., Introduction: HIV-infected patients are at increased risk of developing certain cancers, especially those related to viral infections [1,2]. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 4994 HIV-infected patients that were followed up in our hospital between 1986 and 2016. We evaluated the incidence of types of cancer occurring in this cohort. Results: We detected 416 patients with at least one malignancy. Epidemiological data appears in Table 1 and Table 2. HIV infection and cancer were simultaneously diagnosed in 111 patients (26.6%) and in the other 304 patients after a median of 7 years (IQR 1–15) of follow-up. The malignancy was diagnosed as clinically advanced in 35 patients (8.4%). The most frequent cancers were Kaposi's sarcoma (110, 26.4%; disseminated 40/110, 36.7%), cervix carcinoma (85, 20.4%), lymphoma (78, 18.7%; non-Hodgkin lymphoma 43/78, 55.84%), anal carcinoma (26, 6.25%), hepatocellular carcinoma (20, 4.8%), lung carcinoma (13, 3.1%) and head and neck tumours (11, 2.6%). Hundred and fifteen (27%) cancers were related to human papillomavirus (HPV) and 20 hepatocellular carcinoma (100%) had chronic HBV and/or HCV infection, 19/20 chronic HCV co-infection. After 15 years (IQR 8–21) of follow-up, 73 patients developed a second malignancy (mainly lymphoma and cervix carcinoma) and afterwards, 8 patients developed a third cancer. Non-AIDS-defining cancers (lung carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and head and neck cancers) were significantly more frequent in late ART period (p, Introduction: In recent years in Russia, the number of cases of HIV infection transmitted heterosexually increased. This led to an increase in the number of women of reproductive age among patients with HIV infection. HIV-infected women have a higher risk of papillomavirus infection than HIV-negative women, as well as a higher risk of malignancy and persistence. Objective: To study the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in HIV-infected women. Materials and methods: We examined 561 people (155 (27.6%) HIV-positive patients and 406 (72.4%) HIV-negative women) from January 2014 to March 2016. For all women, HPV PAP test was performed. Results: In the study group, young women up to 40 years (62.4%) were predominant. For 60 (38.7%) patients, HIV infection was diagnosed with HPV. In 92% of these patients, HPV concentration was greater than log & circ;3. In the control group, HPV was found to be 14.8%. HPV concentration in the control group was observed log circ;3 more in 75% of cases. Analyzing the distribution of ASC-US and CIN, we discovered in the group with HIV infection that CIN1 and CIN2 substantially prevailed. The study showed a difference in the frequency of detection of certain genotypes in the study groups (Table 1). In both groups, we found no combination of 16 and 18 genotypes. The most common changes in the results of cytogram PAP test were correlated with genotype 16. The group of HIV-infected women shared the leading position 16, 31 and 18 genotypes. The high oncogenic HPV types were more often detected in HIV-infected women. Conclusions: In the group of HIV-infected women significant abnormalities associated with HPV were observed more than the control group. We must look for ways to solve this problem by advising HIV-positive women and their partners, conducting educational seminars, providing information on the need for screening for HPV among women living with HIV and the general population., Introduction: Millions of HIV-infected Africans are living longer due to long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART), yet little is known about glucose metabolism disorders in this group. We aimed to compare the prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders among HIV-infected adults on long-term ART to ART-naïve adults and HIV-negative controls, hypothesizing that the odds of glucose metabolism disorders would be two-fold greater even after adjusting for possible confounders. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted between October 2012 and April 2013, consecutive adults (>18 years) attending an HIV clinic in Tanzania were enroled in three groups: 153 HIV-negative controls, 151 HIV-infected, ART-naïve and 150 HIV-infected on ART for ≥2 years. The primary outcome was the prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders as determined by oral glucose tolerance testing. We compared glucose metabolism disorder prevalence between each HIV group versus the control group by Fisher's exact test and used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with glucose metabolism disorders. Results: HIV-infected adults on ART had a higher prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders (49/150 (32.7%) vs. 11/153 (7.2%), p, Introduction: The widespread use of combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) has led to a decrease of mortality and morbidity and improvement of survival in HIV-positive patients. However, increasing trends of metabolic complications including type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have threatened the long-term successful management of HIV infection. Our study aimed to evaluate the incidence of DM in ART-naïve HIV-positive Taiwanese adults who initiated ART in 2004 to 2013. Materials and methods: Between 2004 and 2013, 1432 ART-naïve HIV-positive patients without DM initiated cART at the National Taiwan University Hospital. All patients were followed until the date when DM was diagnosed, 31 December 2015, loss to follow-up or death, whichever occurred first. Incident DM was defined as fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL or HbA1C ≥6.5%. The trends of DM were compared between patients initiating cART in 2004 to 2008 (n=564 patients) and those in 2009 to 2013 (n=886). Results: Over a total observation of 7632 person-years of follow-up (PYFU), DM was diagnosed in 28 patients, with an overall incidence rate of 3.7 per 1000 PYFU. While the rate increased with cumulative exposure to cART, from 0 per 1000 PYFU in patients with cumulative exposure to cART of, Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is more common in people living with HIV (PLHIV) than general populations, thought to be driven by HIV-specific and general factors. Early detection of risk is key to limit disease progression. Several clinical risk tools are available but do not account for the consequences of HIV infection. We aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of diabetes risk tools in PLHIV. Materials and methods: A wide range of clinical factors was measured and recorded in a representative HIV-positive patient sample attending three London outpatient clinics. Glycaemic status was classified as: normal, prediabetes or T2D by fasting glucose (, Introduction: Lipodystrophy syndrome (LS) is characterized by abnormal fat distribution with visceral fat accumulation and peripheral lipoatrophy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of cardiovascular risk factors and the progression to metabolic syndrome in patients with previous lipodystrophy according to the severity of fat accumulation. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study of 276 HIV patients previously evaluated for the presence of lipodystrophy and its severity (absence, mild, moderate or severe) through HOPS questionnaire during 2004–2011. Patients were evaluated for fat accumulation by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and the presence of hypertension (HTA), diabetes mellitus (DM), waist circumference, insulin resistance and lipid alterations. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to ATP-III, IDF and AHA criteria. Results: Mean age was 45.1 years (20–80), 80% were males, and prior fat accumulation was classified as absent in 37%, mild in 21%, moderate in 19% and severe in 23%. Mean BMI was 24.2 (16.1–34.5) and 6% had a BMI >30. The median time of HIV infection was 15 years (7–21). All patients with lipodystrophy had a history of prior therapy with thymidine analogues, and at the inclusion, 47% were receiving a PI and 53% an NNRTI. Median time from questionnaire to evaluation was 9.5 years. DXA scan showed a close correlation with severity of lipodystrophy by questionnaire. A systolic blood pressure >140 mmgHG was observed in 30%, serum glucose >110 mg/dL in 13%, insulin resistance in 23%, total cholesterol >200 mg/dL in 30%, LDL cholesterol >130 mg/dL in 31%, HDL cholesterol 200 mg/dL in 22%. Patients having moderate or severe fat accumulation showed increased values of these parameters. Thus, overall, 40% fulfilled the ATP III criteria for metabolic syndrome (ranging from 23% in absence of LD, 32% mild, 46% moderate to 71% in case of previous severe LD), a similar presentation to that observed with the IDF definition (36% of MS; ranging from 20% in absence to 69% in severe) and higher than that of AHA (overall, 19%; ranging from 8%, 5%, 21% to 45%). Conclusions: The presence of fat accumulation and its severity is associated with increased incidence of different cardiovascular risk factors and progressive appearance of “iatrogenic” secondary metabolic syndrome., Introduction: HAART and HIV infection have been implicated in impairing glucose and lipid metabolism in people living with HIV. Increases in body mass index (BMI) following HAART initiation have been well documented in the literature. We aimed to investigate the association between BMI status at HAART initiation and future risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Methods and materials: A wide range of clinical factors were measured and recorded in a representative HIV-positive patient sample attending three London outpatient clinics. BMI was calculated prior to commencing HAART and 1 year after initiating therapy and were classified according to World Health Organization international criteria (underweight ≤18.5 kg/m2, normal 18.5–24.9 and overweight 25.0–29.9, obese ≥30.0). Glycaemic status was classified by fasting glucose as normal or dysglycaemia (, Introduction: HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy have been implicated in mediating metabolic derangement. Hepatic steatosis has been associated with the development of dysglycaemia in HIV-negative cohorts; however, the impact of HIV and concordant factors has been relatively understudied. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatic steatosis in an urban HIV cohort and assess its association with other factors. Methods and materials: As part of the NIHR-funded STOP Diabetes in HIV cross-sectional study, a range of clinical information was collected from a sample structured to statistically represent HIV-positive patients attending large South London clinics. Hepatic steatosis was diagnosed by biopsy or FibroScan. Glycaemic status was classified by fasting glucose as normal or dysglycaemia (, Introduction: Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are important metabolic complications of HIV-infected patients’ therapy, since an increased survival occurred after HAART [1,2]. HIV-infected patients have an increased risk of hyperglycaemia associated with inflammatory activity and medications, and this can implicate directly in survival and life quality [3]. Inflammatory status related to these patients can also be responsible for increases risk of hospitalization and bad prognosis [4]. Materials and methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of a multicentre cohort proposed to evaluate impact and risk factors for insulin resistance in HIV outpatients of Unichristus Center University and Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, including sociodemographic issues, hospitalization data, comorbidities and laboratory data. Results: A total of 218 patients were included, 73.9% male, median age of 37 years, median HIV diagnosis of 24 months and median follow-up period of 21 months. CD4/CD8 rate before ART 0.38±0.29 and final 0.62±0.4, initial CD4 count mean 400 cells/mm3 and final 570 cells/mm3, 97.3% had suppressed viral load in final visit. Only 2.8% of patients had diabetes mellitus before HIV diagnosis. There was a significant increase in glucose levels after HAART initiation (18.5% vs. 36.7%, p=0.0025). Fasting glucose elevation was detected as a risk factor to develop symptoms during follow-up (RR 1.35; 95% CI 1.01–1.80; p=0.002). A higher monocyte/lymphocyte ratio was associated with hospitalization during the follow-up before (p=0.011) and after (p=0.033) introduction of ART. After introduction of HAART, there was an increase in Castelli index for hyperglycaemic patients, but significant difference did not remain during follow-up. Castelli index was 4.5±1.2 before ART, 4.8±1.4 after 12 months, 5.4±1.8 after 24 months and 5.3±1.8 after 36 months. Conclusion: Antiretroviral therapy is an important factor associated with higher glucose levels, and causes insulin resistance associated with uncontrolled lipid levels. Perhaps, HIV treatment is essential to control chronic inflammation and its consequences. Monocyte/lymphocyte ratio can be an easy marker for inflammation activation monitoring and could be associated with higher risk for hospitalization., Introduction: HIV-infected individuals may be at increased risks of age-associated non-communicable comorbidities during use of cART. We conducted a nationwide surveillance for the prevalence of non-communicable comorbidities among HIV-infected patients receiving cART. Materials and methods: Comorbidity data from 2010 to 2013 were obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database while 20,726 HIV-infected patients were identified. Non-communicable comorbidities are defined as type II diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, dyslipidaemia, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and cholelithiasis or nephrolithiasis. Results: Among 20,726 HIV-infected patients in Taiwan, 13,142 of them receiving antiretroviral therapy were included in the analysis. Mean age of the 13,142 patients was 36.6 while 34.1% of them are older than 40 years and most are male (93.6%). The annual number of subjects newly on cART increased from 1819 to 3418 during study period. In the newly on cART population, around 70% were aged between 20 and 39 years and the majority were male (93%). The prevalences of comorbidities in the total study population were type II DM 7.3%, hypertension 33.6%, dyslipidaemia 24.0%, major depressive disorder 21.2%, use of sedative drug 39.5%, ACS 0.5% and cholelithiasis or nephrolithiasis 5.5%. In addition, the prevalence increased sharply after age 40, especially for metabolic comorbidities (type II DM: 15.0% vs. 3.3%; hypertension: 46.7% vs. 26.8%; dyslipidaemia: 34.9% vs. 18.4%; ACS: 1.2% vs. 0.2%; cholelithiasis or nephrolithiasis: 7.3% vs. 4.6%). In the study population, 13.2% of patients had more than two concomitant comorbidities and that prevalence also increased sharply after 40 years old (24.8% vs. 7.2%). Conclusion: According to our nation-wide surveillance between 2010 and 2013, comorbidities among HIV-infected patients receiving cART in Taiwan demonstrated high prevalence in patients aged 40 years or older., Introduction: The pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) toxicities observed in antiretroviral treated (ART) persons living with HIV (PLWH) remains elusive. We investigated the associations between indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO-1) activity, via kynurenine/tryptophan (KYN/TRP) ratios, and measurements of CNS toxicity in PLWH switching from efavirenz (EFV) to dolutegravir (DTG). Materials and Methods: In a prospective, randomised, open-label, multi-centre study, virologically-suppressed PLWH receiving an EFV-containing regimen for >12 weeks with ongoing CNS toxicity were switched to DTG and followed-up for 12 weeks. Plasma neopterin, TRP and KYN concentrations were measured and the KYN/TRP ratio calculated. Rates of CNS toxicities were measured using a questionnaire based on the EFV label and graded according to the ACTG adverse events scale. They included dizziness, depression, insomnia, anxiety, confusion, impaired concentration, headache, somnolence, aggression and abnormal dreams. Scores ranged from 0 (none) to 3 (severe) and were summed, giving a total score ranging from 0 to 30. CNS toxicity measurements also included assessment using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and Hospital Anxiety & Depression (HAD) scales. Univariate (paired-samples t-tests) and linear mixed model analyses were conducted. Results: The majority of subjects were male (95%) and White (95%). Mean age was 47.8 years. The mean plasma concentration of KYN significantly increased from baseline to week 12 (2.12 to 2.49 µmol/L, p=0.002). A non-significant increase was observed for the KYN/TRP ratio (39.7 to 44.8 µmol/mmol, p=0.012). Significant reductions in mean CNS toxicity score (10.1 to 4.5, p, Introduction: Efavirenz (EFV) remains a widely used third agent with increasing numbers of patients switching due to CNS toxicities. Data on improvement of CNS toxicities after switch to dolutegravir (DTG) are scarce. We investigated substitution of EFV for DTG, in combination with two NRTIs, in patients with ongoing EFV-associated CNS side effects. Methods: A randomized open-label multicentre study of virologically suppressed patients receiving an EFV-containing regimen for at least 12 weeks. Randomization was to immediate (IS) versus delayed switch (DS) (after 4 weeks) to DTG, without backbone change. Primary endpoint was rate of CNS toxicity (CNS score) at 4 weeks in the IS versus DS arms, measured by a questionnaire based on EFV SPC and graded according to ACTG adverse event scale. Secondary endpoints were: rate of CNS toxicity at 12 weeks post-switch, change in sleep, quality of life, neurocognitive function, CD4 count, fasting lipids, maintenance of virological suppression post-switch and DTG PK post-switch. Results: Forty patients (38 males), mean age 48 years (range 27–67) were enrolled: 19 IS and 21 DS arms. Median CD4 was 544/601 cells/µ in IS/DS, respectively. Baseline CNS score was similar in both arms (IS 33, DS 40). There was a significant improvement in CNS score at week 4 in the IS arm versus DS arm (p, Introduction: To provide characterization of select psychiatric adverse events (pAEs), including anxiety, depression (including: depression, bipolar, suicidal ideations and hypomania), insomnia and nightmares/abnormal dreams reported in the dolutegravir (DTG) phase 3/3b treatment-naïve clinical trials. Materials and Methods: Safety data of pAEs from phase 3/3b trials in ART-naïve adults were analysed. Data at 96 weeks for SPRING-2, SINGLE, FLAMINGO and at 48 weeks for the all-women study, ARIA, were analysed. Frequencies of pAEs were summarized for DTG and the comparator drug by study. Results: There were 2634 subjects analysed in the four clinical studies including 1315 patients treated with DTG. Safety summaries showed a low number of pAEs across all study treatment arms, with the majority of these being low grade (1–2). The rates of pAEs leading to withdrawals were low across all trials (, Introduction: Neurocognitive impairment remains a major issue in HIV infection. The main objective was to assess the prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) according to the Frascati criteria in asymptomatic HIV-infected adults on stable and long-term cART regimen containing EFV versus a protease inhibitor (PI) regimen. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional comparative study of HIV-infected adults on cART containing EFV or a PI (DRV/r; ATV/r or LPV/r) with undetectable or low (, Introduction: Dolutegravir was first available for use on a compassionate basis in the UK in 2013 for the treatment of HIV and was then licensed in 2014. It is now recommended as one of the preferred third agents in the national British HIV Association guidelines [1]. Despite dolutegravir's perception as a well-tolerated antiretroviral, its SPC describes psychiatric side effects including insomnia, abnormal dreams and depression as common (incidence 1–10%) and headaches as very common (incidence >10%) [2]. This study looked at real-world data of dolutegravir tolerability and switch in our UK tertiary centre that manages over 1500 HIV-positive patients. Materials and methods: A retrospective case review of all patients who received dolutegravir-containing antiretroviral regimens was conducted, both as fixed-dose combination (Triumeq) and dolutegravir single tablet. Data were collected from when dolutegravir was first prescribed in our centre (June 2013) until June 2016. Information regarding patient demographics, previous experience to ART, documented side effects and switch was collected from HIV patient records. Results: Hundred and seventy-eight patients have received dolutegravir-containing regimens in our centre, 126/178 (71%) were treatment-experienced patients and 52/178 (29%) naïve patients. Table 1 shows patient demographics; they are predominantly Caucasian males, with ART-naïve patients being on average 10 years younger than their ART-experienced counterparts. More ART-naïve patients commenced a fixed-dose combination tablet containing dolutegravir (Triumeq) compared to ART-experienced patients, 90% (47/52) compared to 69% (87/126). In total, 59/178 (33%) patients starting a regimen containing dolutegravir experienced adverse events. Of these, 68% (40/59) were experienced patients. Table 2 shows the adverse events experienced. Despite 35 (20%) of all patients suffering severe CNS side effects (anxiety, depression, paranoia and personality change) only one patient suffered severe CNS disturbance with new suicidal ideation and self-harm. Only 10 patients (6%) had to stop their dolutegravir-containing regimen with eight (4%) of these stopping due to side effects. Conclusion: In our cohort, the majority of patients starting dolutegravir-containing regimens were treatment experienced. ART-experienced patients also suffered the most adverse events, with CNS problems being the most common. Whilst up to one-third of patients experienced adverse events from their dolutegravir-containing regimen, very few patients have needed to stop their treatment. From our real-world data the incidence of CNS side effects is significantly greater than in its licensing studies and has an implication on the use of dolutegravir in the clinical setting., Introduction: Biomarkers able to differentiate patients with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are urgently needed for diagnosing and managing HIV-positive patients. Specifically infected astrocytes may be involved in the process since they are key elements in the neurovascular unit and blood brain barrier (BBB). Materials and methods: Naïve and treated patients complaining of cognitive disturbances and undergoing complete cognitive tests (eight areas, diagnosis according to the Frascati criteria) and lumbar puncture (less than 6 months apart) were included; patients with opportunistic infections or neoplasms affecting the central nervous system were excluded. Immunovirological and therapeutic data as well as plasma S100Beta and CSF (tau, ptau, BAmil, neopterin, S100Beta, CSAR) biomarkers were recorded. Variables are described as medians (interquartile ranges) and analysed through non-parametric tests. Results: Seventy-nine patients were included: 58 (73.4%) were male and 38 (48.1%) were on treatment. Median age, plasma and CSF HIV RNA and CD4+ T cell count were 47 years (43–56), 74,912 copies/mL (55–342,216), 1614 copies/mL (68–12,662) and 102 cells/mm3 (48–408). Thirty-six patients (45.5%) were diagnosed with HAND: 25 asymptomatic (31.6%), eight mild neurocognitive impairment (10.1%) and three dementias (3.8%). CSF tau, p-tau, BAmil, neopterin, S100Beta, plasma S100Beta and CSAR were 105 pg/mL (38–251), 33 pg/mL (21–44), 839.8 pg/mL (651–1156), 1.6 ng/mL (1–5.2), 150.5 pg/mL (88.6–275), 34 pg/mL (34–52.5) and 6 (4.1–7.68). CSF tau (234 pg/mL (87.9–357) vs. 62 pg/mL (37.5–206.4), p, Introduction: Incidence of neurosymptomatic CSF HIV escape in patients on suppressive protease inhibitor (PI)-based ART is inadequately studied in resource-limited settings (RLS) like India. Data on emergence of multidrug-resistant HIV in CNS are also rare. Methods: HIV patients enrolled in cohort from February 2009 to 2016 and currently taking PI-based ART (two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) plus boosted PI or raltegravir plus boosted PI) for minimum 6 months with plasma viral load 50 copies/mL while plasma load, Introduction: The major efavirenz metabolite, 8-hydroxy-efavirenz, has been reported as plausibly responsible for efavirenz-induced neurotoxic effects [1–3]. Notably, up to 35% of patients on efavirenz suffer from mood changes [4]. This work aimed to investigate 8-hydroxy-efavirenz as a determinant of mood changes and to evaluate the suitability of 8-hydroxy-efavirenz biomonitoring for the management of these manifestations. Materials and methods: A case control study comparing the plasma concentrations of efavirenz, 8-hydroxy-efavirenz and 8-hydroxy-efavirenz-glucuronide was performed in two age-matched groups of HIV-infected male patients, one without adverse central nervous system complaints (control group, 28 patients) and the other presenting mood changes (study group, 14 patients). The following anthropometric and clinical data were gathered for each patient: age, time on efavirenz, antiretroviral comedication, time between blood sampling and last efavirenz dose intake, viral load, CD4+ cell count, alanine aminotransferase levels and self-reported symptoms of mood changes (anxiety, agitation, euphoria, mental confusion, paranoia, hallucinations and depression). The study protocol received prior approval from the Ethics Committee of Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE (115/2013). Patients gave their written informed consent in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and compliance was controlled by the clinician. Results: There were no differences between the two groups regarding the recorded clinical and anthropometric parameters. The most noticed mood change was anxiety, in 71% of the patients. Non-conjugated 8-hydroxy-efavirenz plasma levels were higher in the study group, when compared to the control group (p=0.020). No differences were found for efavirenz or 8-hydroxy-efavirenz-glucuronide levels among groups. Efavirenz was directly associated with 8-hydroxy-efavirenz-glucuronide (Spearman r=0.414, p4 mg/L), this correlation was lost. Conclusion: The biotransformation of efavirenz into 8-hydroxy-efavirenz has a role in efavirenz-related mood changes. The plasma concentration of this metabolite is a suitable parameter for therapeutic drug monitoring and mood changes management. Moreover, these data suggest that 8-hydroxy-efavirenz crosses the blood-brain barrier and that toxic concentrations of efavirenz might inhibit peripheral detoxification of 8-hydroxy-efavirenz via glucuronidation. Financial support: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal), through research grants UID/QUI/00100/2013, RECI/QEQ-MED/0330/2012, SFRH/BD/80690/2011; SFRH/BD/86791/2012; IF/01091/2013, and the LRI Innovative Science Award., Introduction: The diagnosis of HAND relies on neuropsychological assessment (NPA), often confounded by other conditions affecting cognitive performance. Moreover, these methods do not distinguish static and residual impairment from active and ongoing brain injury. For a more accurate clinical diagnosis, plasma and CSF biomarkers analysis was performed. Materials and methods: Single-centre, cross-sectional analysis of immune activation (neopterin, sCD14) or neuronal injury (neurofilament light-chain protein, NFL) biomarkers by ELISA assay in CSF/plasma paired samples from HIV-positive patients well characterized for neurocognitive impairment (NCI) and HAND classification. All patients underwent lumbar puncture (LP) and received NPA in a period of 6 months before or after LP. A comprehensive tests battery (14 tests/five domains) was used to diagnose NCI. HAND were classified according to Frascati's criteria. Wilcoxon matched-pairs test was used. Results: Fifty-four CSF/plasma pairs from as many patients included: 74% male, median age 47 years (IQR 40–51), heterosexual 31%, MSM 9%, IVDU 33%; 79% CDC C. Neurological signs/symptoms in 76%. Median current and nadir CD4 cells/mm3 was 251 (IQR 105–384) and 68 (IQR 24–118), respectively; 41 patients (76%) were on ARV, median plasma log10 HIV RNA was 2.5 (IQR 1.6–4.5) and CSF 2.2 (IQR 1.6–3.8). Undetectable HIV RNA in 30% of plasma and 32% of CSF sample. According to Frascati's criteria, eight patients (14.8%) resulted unimpaired, 30 patients had NCI (nine ANI 30%; 13 MND 43.3%; eight HAD 26.7%), and 16 patients (29.6%) showed a major confounder and were excluded from the analysis. CSF neopterin concentration increased with NCI worsening (unimpaired 164 ng/mL, ANI 124, MND 191, HAD 350, p for linear trend test=0.002) (Figure 1). Both NFL concentration in CSF (median in unimpaired 677 pg/mL, ANI 762, MND 814, HAD 1164, p at test for linear trend=0.025) and in plasma (unimpaired 1676 pg/mL, ANI 1719, MND 1830, HAD 2795, p for linear trend=0.033) increased by HAND occurrence and severity, and a significant difference was observed both for NFL concentration in CSF (p=0.036) and plasma (p=0.027) in pairwise comparison between unimpaired and HAD (Figure 1). No differences were found in plasma and CSF sCD14 by HAND. Conclusions: NFL concentration both in CSF and in plasma seems to better discriminate patients with active neuronal injury with a good correlation with HAD stage. Instead, CSF neopterin was less sensitive to predict HAND. Mild NCI, remarkably ANI, was not sufficiently characterized by all biomarkers, due to presumably sub-clinical active CNS disease even in cognitively unimpaired individuals., Introduction: Neuro+3 is a pilot open-label study of ARV intensification in virologically controlled patients presenting HAND (HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders): ARV was changed for a new combination with CNS penetration effectiveness (CPE or CHARTER) score improved ≥+3 points and total CPE ≥9. The major endpoint is the evaluation of neurocognitive disorders after 48 and 96 weeks. Materials and methods: Sixty-three patients were screened with BREF ≤15/18 or mHIVDS ≤10/12 in eight investigational centres. Thirty-one patients were included with at least two ability domains altered (>1 SD) for the following tests, after Beck Depression Inventory BDI II: Grooved Pegboard (d and nd), Verbal Fluency, CVLT, Digit span, PASAT, Digit symbol, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (six domains). Raw test scores were converted to obtain a global deficit score (GDS) and each patient was classified into HAND levels (ANI, MND, HAD) using Cognitive Complaint Questionnaire (CCQ) score. Ultrasensitive HIV RNA and ARV drugs concentrations were performed at baseline and follow-up in plasma and CSF. Exclusion criteria were drug or alcohol abuse, positivity for HBsAg or HCV, hypothyroidism, vitamin B deficiency and psychiatric troubles. For CPE score, we considered only drugs without genotypic resistance. Results: Median range characteristics of the 31 enrolled patients were: 26 men, 54 years (33–64), educational level of 11 years (5–17), HIV duration 20 years (2–29), undetectable plasma HIV RNA duration 7 years, baseline plasma HIV RNA 2 copies/mL (2 patients >20:26 and 40 copies/mL), baseline CSF HIV RNA, Introduction: Atazanavir (ATV) and lopinavir (LPV) have been associated with kidney disease progression in HIV-positive individuals, with no data reported for darunavir (DRV). We examined kidney function in patients who switched their protease inhibitor from ATV or LPV to DRV. Materials and methods: The UK CHIC study is an ongoing cohort of HIV-positive individuals accessing HIV care in the UK since 1996. Individuals who switched from either ATV or LPV to DRV with at least 6 months exposure and two estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurements both pre- and post-switch were included in this study. Mixed effects linear regression models were used to compare pre- and post-switch eGFR slopes in all switchers, those with rapid eGFR decline (>5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year) on ATV or LPV, those with eGFR, Introduction: Tenofovir is recommended for the antiretroviral treatment of HIV-positive adults in Sub-Saharan Africa, including individuals co-infected with HBV. Use of TDF is gradually expanding in the region, where evidence indicates a high burden of pre-existing renal disease. This cross-sectional analysis evaluated the renal profile of HIV/HBV co-infected subjects receiving long-term TDF as part of ART in Kumasi, Ghana. Methods: Patients underwent a comprehensive clinical and laboratory assessment, including serum biochemistry with creatinine and eGFR (CKD-EPI), urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (uPCR), albumin-to-protein ratio (uAPR; if uPCR ≤20 mg/mmol), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), urinary schistosoma antigen, full blood count and CD4 cell count, and HIV-1 RNA and HBV DNA load. Tubular proteinuria (TP) was defined as a uPCR >20 mg/mmol in the absence of significance albuminuria (uAPR 40 copies/mL), with median levels of 4.2 (2.1–5.1) log10 copies/mL; 17% had detectable HBV DNA (>15 IU/mL), with median levels of 2.4 (1.7–3.4) log10 IU/mL. Blood pressure was raised in 35% of subjects and 10% had grade 3 elevations; 6% had diabetes (HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol and/or specific treatment); 17% had a positive schistosoma test. Median uPCR was 13 (13–20) mg/mmol; 28% had uPCR ≥20 and 13% >50 mg/mmol. TP was detected in 16% of participants and was independently predicted by female gender (adjOR 10.5; 95% CI 1.3–88; p=0.03) and hypertension (adjOR 2.1 per grade increment; 95% CI 1.3–3.5; p50 mg/mmol had uAPR, Introduction: Intravenous drug use is listed as one of the risk factors for impaired renal function; however, this group is rarely assessed for specific renal-related risks. Here we analyze the group of patients in methadone programme due to opiate and/or mixed addiction. Materials and methods: Patients attending methadone programme from 1994 to 2015 were included in the study. Electronic medical records (available since 1994) included demographic data, laboratory tests, antiretroviral treatment history, methadone dosing and drug abstinence. Methadone was provided in oral solution (0.1% concentration before and 0.5% after 2 January 2014). Patients’ drug abstinence was routinely checked monthly on personnel demand (BioMaxima urine tests) for amphetamine, opiates, benzodiazepines and THC. We have evaluated two study outcomes: (i) having at least one (1eGFR) or (ii) three (3eGFR) eGFR, Introduction: The prevalence of kidney tubular dysfunction (KTD) in Chinese HIV-infected individuals taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and its impact on renal function over time are not known. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in a cohort of Chinese HIV-infected individuals in Hong Kong who had received ≥3 months of TDF. Blood and urine tests were taken to measure creatinine clearance (by Cockcroft Gault equation), and markers of KTD (fractional tubular resorption of phosphate and excretion of uric acid, β2-microglobulin, α1-microglobulin, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and retinol-binding-protein). KTD was defined as the presence of at least three abnormal markers. Serial creatinine clearance from prior to initiation of TDF until up to 96 months post-treatment were collected from patients’ records. Variables associated with KTD were evaluated using binary logistic regression. Association between KTD and serial creatinine clearance was evaluated by generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: Hundred and forty-one HIV-infected individuals were recruited from June 2014 to January 2015: mean (±SD) age 46±10 years, 88% male, median (IQR) duration of HIV diagnosis 84 (40–155) months, 51% with history of AIDS, 8% with diabetes, 15% with hypertension, median duration of TDF 40 (17–61) months, 55% on protease inhibitors (PI). KTD was present in 21% of individuals, and was associated with older age, lower body weight, higher prevalence of diabetes, history of AIDS, lower nadir CD4 count, duration of TDF, use of PI and lower baseline creatinine clearance prior to initiation of TDF (all p, Introduction: With increased options of ARV and the need for long-term intake, tolerance and safety are important characteristics of ARV combinations. In resource-limited settings, economic restrains may guide ARV choices [1]. In Brazil, a frequent combination is the association of TDF/3TC with ATV/r, mostly because its low pill burden compared to other local options. Concerning the nephrotoxicity of these ARVs [2,3], alone or in combination, we design this study to evaluate the eGFR in HIV patients taking ARVs, and compare the effect of different ARV combinations. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cohort to evaluate renal impairment in HIV-infected patients followed at the infectious disease out-clinic in a Brazilian hospital. During the study period, 777 patients were seen at the clinic and withdrawn their ARV at hospital's pharmacy. Patients were analyzed in four groups: group 1: patients taking TDF with any ARV except ATV/r; group 2: patients taking TDF associated with ATV/r; group 3: patients taking ATV/r with any ARV except TDF; group 4: patients taking any ARV but never ATV/r and TDF. All patients had their eGFR by using the CKD-EPI formula, calculated on their 6-month visits, until 4 years [4]. Proteinuria, crystalluria, diabetes, hepatitis B and C and viral load suppression were also evaluated. Results: A total of 639 patients were enrolled. Comparing groups 1, 2 and 3 with group 4, we observed different decline in eGFR. In up to 4 years of follow-up, group 3 presents a reduction of 4.82 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p=0.0003), group 1 reduces in 4.25 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p, Introduction: The introduction of HAART made solid organ transplantation a concrete option for HIV-infected patients with end-stage organ disease, due to a prolonged life expectancy. Data about patients and grafts survival are encouraging, but there are still uncertainties about the prognosis in this category of patients and about PK interactions between HAART and immunosuppressive therapy, often with necessity of HAART modification. The aim of our study was to investigate the outcome of HIV-infected patients after kidney transplantation, focusing on the grafts survival, on the control of HIV disease and on HAART options. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective, single-centre study on kidney transplantation in HIV-positive patients, evaluated between 2005 and February 2016 in the Department of Infectious Diseases of Brescia, Northern Italy. We included HIV-positive patients with end-stage renal disease, sustained virologic suppression (if appropriate) and CD4+ T-cell count >200 cells/mm3. Results: We evaluated 60 patients; 32 (53%) met the eligibility criteria (all in HAART except one patient) and entered the waiting list for kidney transplantation; 24 (40%) patients underwent transplantation, while 22 (37%) were excluded (three died, nine lost to follow-up, three transplanted in other centres, seven for personal reasons). In a median follow-up time of 51 months, we observed a cumulative number of 19 rejections in 15 patients (62.5%) and a general graft survival proportion of 67% (N=16 patients). Three patients (12.5%) experienced AIDS-defining events (one oesophageal candidiasis, two cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma). We observed a mortality of 21% (five patients), for: invasive sinusal mucormycosis (one), sepsis in pancolitis (one), West Nile virus encephalitis (one), acute myocardial infarction (one) and colorectal cancer (one). To avoid PK interactions, we changed the regimen from a PI/NRTI-based to a INI-based regimen in 12 patients (50%). Conclusions: Our study confirms the safety and effectiveness of kidney transplantation in HIV-infected patients. In our experience, we observed a high incidence of acute rejection, as reported by other studies. We expect that the recent implementation of the immunosuppressive protocol at transplant will allow a better immunologic control. The recent introduction of INI allows a better strategy of HAART, with lower incidence of PK interactions with immunosuppressive drugs., Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent among people living with HIV infection (PLHIV). HIV care guidelines stress the importance of preserving renal function [1]. The aim of this study was to describe the parameters that affect renal function status in a cohort of PLHIV and the risk of progression to CKD. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional, single-centre, retrospective study in a random sample of clinically stable PLHIV on routine follow-up during the last quarter of 2015. Creatinine clearance (eGFR) was calculated by Cockroft-Gault equation with the most recent serum creatinine and height/weight available within 6 months (grouped by ≥90, 70–89, 50–69, Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is more prevalent in HIV-infected patients than in general population. EACS [1], IDSA [2] published guidelines for CKD diagnosis with classifications integrating estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary protein to creatinine ratio (uPCR) or urinary albumin creatinine ratio (uACR). These guidelines differ and may have an impact for the estimation of the prevalence of CKD in HIV-infected patients. Materials and methods: We compared in a single centre population of HIV-infected patients the prevalence of CKD using French [3], EACS and IDSA guidelines for CKD diagnosis. GFR was estimated with MDRD (for French guidelines) and CKD-EPI (for EACS and IDSA guidelines). uACR and uPCR were measured in spot urine at the same time of estimates of GFR. EACS and IDSA classifications combined uPCR and/or uACR to eGFR. French classification uses only eGFR (except in patients with eGFR greater than 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, CKD is defined if uPCR >200 mg/g). We also estimated in this population the prevalence of eGFR under 60 and 70 mL/min/1.73 m2. Results: We included 236 participants (mean age 48.9±10 years, sex ratio 4.64/1), 219 (92.4%) received combined antiretroviral therapies, and 201 (91.7%) of them had an undetectable viral load. Median of CD4 positive cells count was 552/mm3 (55–1840). Median uPCR and uACR respectively were 116 mg/g (0–8934) and 11 mg/g (0–5914). uPCR exceeded 150 mg/g in 86 (36.3%) patients and uACR exceeded 30 mg/g in 51 (21.5%) patients. Mean MDRD and CKD-EPI respectively were 93.4±21.2 and 97.7±17.3 mL/min/1.73 m2. EACS, IDSA with uACR, IDSA with uPCR, and French classifications respectively identify 21 (8.9%), 54 (22.9%), 87 (36.9%) and 126 (47.4%) patients at risk for poorer kidney outcomes (p, Introduction: The continuous exposition to antiretrovirals has been pointed out as important risk factor for earlier kidney dysfunction in HIV+ individuals [1]. This nephrotoxic effect is mainly focused at kidney tubular level. Screening for newly selective and non-invasive markers reflecting a pathophysiological mechanism is paramount for early diagnosis in order to prevent kidney disease progression. The mercapturic acid pathway is a metabolic route for processing drugs and toxins. The last step of this pathway is catalysed by N-acetyltransferase enzyme type 8 (NAT8) allowing the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to the cysteine amino group, producing a mercapturic acid, which is excreted in the urine [2]. This proximal tubular enzyme has recently been pointed out as a regulator of kidney function and nephrotoxic response [3]. The aim of the present work was to evaluate N-acetylated cysteine-disulphides conjugates, namely N-acetyl-cysteine (uNAC) and coenzyme A (ucoA) on kidney disease progression. Methods: A 1-year prospective nested case-control analysis was performed in a cohort of HIV patients under cART, with visits at time 0 of study admission (T0), 6 (T6) and 12 (T12) months. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated by CKD-EPI equation, expressed in mL/min/1.73 m2. Patients were stratified according their eGFR evolution: group A – no decline in eGFR; group B – declined eGFR ≥10% at T12. uNAC and ucoA were quantified by HPLC-FD. Data are presented as percentage relative to T0. Results: A total of 23 HIV-infected patients were included (70% men, 30% Black, 53 [IQR 46–63] years old at month 0, 88% with undetectable viral load at month 0; cART scheme: 96% NRTI; 83% NNRTI; 29% PI; 8% II). The percentage of patients on tenofovir and the time of exposure to antiretrovirals between group A (69%, 8±4 years) and group B (70%; 9±6 years) was similar. The eGFR and analytes levels remained unchanged in group A through study time (n=13). Patients of group B (n=10) at month 12 showed decreased eGFR (83±7% of T0 paired t-test, p=0.010), corresponding to significant decreased uNAC (60±40% Wilcoxon signed rank test, p=0.006) and ucoA (44±SD27% paired t-test, p=0.032). Conclusions: Kidney disease progression was associated with a significant decline in both acetylated cysteine-disulphides conjugates and coenzyme A. The present results might suggest the NAT8 role in the pathophysiological mechanism of underlying kidney dysfunction. This functional tool seems to be suitable to study kidney disease progression in HIV patients and to assess the contribution of antiretroviral drugs in this context. Financial support: EXPL/DTP-FTO/1792/2013; PD/BD/105892/2014 (CGD)., Introduction: Nephrotic range proteinuria in patients infected with HIV and a history of intravenous drug abuse may occur in the context of several underlying conditions such as HIV nephropathy, HCV or HBV nephropathy in co-infected cases, heroin-associated nephropathy or AA amyloidosis complicating chronic infections or lymphomas. We describe the case of nephrotic range proteinuria in a patient with HIV infection and active intravenous heroin abuse. Material and methods: A 37-year-old Caucasian male with HIV and HCV co-infection was admitted to our department for epistaxis and anaemia. He had been successfully suppressed with HAART, with a CD4 cell count of 308/L. His medical history was also remarkable for active intravenous heroin abuse, chronic skin and soft tissue infection of the lower extremities and deep venous thrombosis for which he received acenocoumarol. Initial laboratory work-up revealed acute renal failure and significant hypoalbuminemia (creatinine: 3.2 mg/dL, urea: 68.9 mg/dL, ALB: 1.6 g/dL). Urine analysis was positive for excessive protein loss (16.489 g/24h), whereas his ultrasound imaging revealed enlarged kidneys with increased echogenicity. Further diagnostic work-up included renal biopsy, which was positive for AA amyloidosis. Results: Recurrent chronic infections associated with intravenous drug abuse in HIV patients may be complicated with renal AA amyloidosis. Overt proteinuria with normal sized or enlarged kidneys may help diagnostic guidance; however, clinical features between HIVAN and AA amyloidosis are often indistinguishable thus making diagnostic accuracy quite daunting. Unless patients remain abstinent from drug abuse, prognosis is poor with rapid progression to end stage renal disease. Conclusions: Treating physicians should be aware of the association between renal AA amyloidosis and intravenous drug abuse in HIV-infected patients, and its indistinguishable clinical and laboratory findings when compared to HIVAN. High-risk groups with chronic skin and soft tissue infections in the context of intravenous substance abuse should be periodically assessed for proteinuria. In suspicious cases, renal biopsy remains the gold standard for establishing accurate diagnosis and guiding therapeutic approach., Introduction: Integrase inhibitors are preferentially recommended in guidelines because they have shown better tolerability than other drugs in clinical trials. We aimed to compare the rates and reasons for discontinuation of raltegravir (RAL), elvitegravir (EVG) and dolutegravir (DTG) in a large cohort of HIV-infected patients. Methods: Retrospective study of all antiretroviral-naïve and antiretroviral-experienced with undetectable plasma HIV RNA who were prescribed a first regimen containing RAL, EVG or DTG and had at least one follow-up visit. We predefined the following major outcomes: early (≤1 year) discontinuation, and early discontinuation due to toxicity. Specific toxicities were grouped by organs/systems according to the description in the clinical history database. We also planned sensitivity analyses regarding any discontinuation irrespective of follow-up, and discontinuation restricted to the period 2014–2015 (when all three integrase inhibitors were available). Incidence was calculated as the number of episodes per 1000 person-years. Risk factors for discontinuation were assessed by multivariate Cox models. Results: Patients on EVG were younger, more commonly men who had sex with men, and with higher baseline CD4 cell count, and patients on RAL were less frequently males. Incidence of early discontinuation was 271 (n=71, 12.7% of the patients on RAL, n=557), 168 (n=26, 8.1% of the patients on EVG, n=322) and 264 (n=26, 12.3% of the patients on DTG, n=322) per 1000 patient-years (p=0.0821). Early discontinuations due to toxicity were more common with EVG (n=16, 5.0%) (61.5% of EVG discontinuations) than with RAL (n=20, 3.6%) (28.2% of RAL discontinuations) or DTG (n=8, 3.8%) (38.8% of DTG discontinuations) (p=0.0083). Specific reasons for early discontinuations due to toxicity were digestive (n=7, 35%), neuropsychiatric (n=7, 35%), skin/mucoses (n=4, 20%), muscular (n=3, 15%), respiratory (n=1, 5%) and systemic (n=2, 10%) for RAL; muscular (n=6, 38%), digestive (n=4, 25%), neuropsychiatric (n=3, 19%), skin/mucoses (n=2, 13%), and kidney (n=1, 6%) for EVG; and neuropsychiatric (n=7, 88%), muscular (n=3, 38%), and systemic (n=3, 38%) for DTG. Some specific toxicities such as neuropsychiatric (p=0.0046) or systemic (p=0.0224) were more common with dolutegravir. Age (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.07, p=0.0007) was the only independent risk factor for early discontinuation due to toxicity. Planned sensitivity analyses confirmed previous results. Conclusions: EVG tended to be less discontinued in general, but discontinuations due to toxicity were more common with EVG than with RAL or DTG. Neuropsychiatric toxicity leading to drug discontinuation was more frequently associated with DTG than with RAL or EVG., Introduction: Predicting whether adverse events (AEs) will occur in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for patients infected with HIV would be a valuable tool in the choice of cART regimens. A biomarker predicting AEs in other diseases is the enzyme inosine 5’-triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase (ITPase). A decreased ITPase activity is associated with a reduced risk of anaemia in patients treated for hepatitis C, but with an increased risk of AEs in patients treated with thiopurines. The purine analogues abacavir, tenofovir and didanosine that are part of the backbone in most cART regimens are a potential substrate for ITPase. Here, we determined whether ITPase activity may be used as biomarker for occurrence of AEs during tenofovir, abacavir or didanosine use. Materials and methods: In 393 adult HIV-seropositive patients (1464 cART regimens), AEs were defined as events that led to stop or change of cART regimen. Clinical and demographic data were retrieved from the Dutch HIV monitoring foundation and the medical records. ITPase activity in erythrocytes was measured. ITPase activity ≥4 mmol IMP/mmol Hb/hour was considered as normal. Logistic regression analysis with repeated statement and weighted by total duration of cART therapy and cumulative duration of purine analogue therapy was used to determine odds ratios (ORs) for developing AEs. Results: Two hundred and five patients (52.2%) had an ITPase activity, Introduction: In clinical trials dolutegravir (DTG) proved efficacious and safe in naïve and experienced patients. However, a recent study in a real-life setting reported an unexpectedly high rate of discontinuation mainly due to central nervous system (CNS) events. Materials and methods: The SCOLTA project is a prospective, observational, multicentre study created to assess the incidence of adverse events in patients receiving new antiretroviral drugs. We aimed to further investigate the tolerability of DTG in a cohort of HIV-infected patients in clinical practice. Results: A total of 358 HIV-infected patients were included, 266 (74.3%) males and 113 (31.6%) were heterosexuals. CDC stage was A in 156 (43.6%) patients. Mean age at enrolment was 46.9±11.4 years, mean CD4 cell count 520±383 cells/µL and mean HIV RNA 2.0±1.9 log10 copies/mL. Eighty-three (23.2%) patients were HCV Ab+ and 60 (16.7%) were naïve. After a median follow-up of 7 (IQR 6–11) months, 20 (4.5%) therapy interruptions were reported. These were caused by virologic failure in four (1.1%), death in three (0.8%), therapy simplification in two (0.5%), adverse events in eight (2.2%), lost to follow-up and other reason in one case each. Among adverse events-related interruptions two were grade ≥3 reactions, one acute renal failure and one rash, and six grade 1–2, one creatinine increase, one myalgia+rhabdomyolysis, one transaminase increase, two CNS events (one somnolence and one headache) and one gastrointestinal (vomiting). Among patients with available follow-up data at week 24 and 48, we found a significant reduction in eGFR at both follow-up times (−11.7 mL/min/1.73 m2, p, Introduction: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a leading cause of morbidity amongst HIV-infected individuals. An increasing burden is due to non-viral causes, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and potentially hepatotoxic ARVs [1]. Exposure to the antiretroviral didanosine (DDI) can result in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) [2,3]. Our aim was to assess the spectrum of CLD associated with DDI use. Methods: This prospective study (December 2014–April 2016) included HIV-infected individuals exposed to DDI for ≥6 months. Those without liver imaging (ultrasound Scan (USS), computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) within 1 year underwent liver USS. Hepatic fibrosis was determined by assessment of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using FibroScan®. Prior liver biopsy, laboratory and endoscopy results were reviewed and likely aetiology identified. Clinically significant CLD was defined by one or more of the following: portal hypertension (PHT), ≥F2 fibrosis (liver biopsy/FibroScan®), LSM ≥9.5 kPa (in HIV mono-infected without NALFD or alcohol excess), moderate–severe steatohepatitis on liver biopsy. Results: Amongst our cohort of 2300 patients, 271 (11.8%) had ≥6 months DDI exposure. Complete data were available in 162. Individuals were a mean of 55 years old (range 27–83), predominately male (92.6%) and Caucasian (93.8%), HIV infected (mean 267, range 33–381 months) and taking ARVs (mean 237, range 21–544 months) for a prolonged period and most were virologically suppressed (85.2%). Current hepatitis C and B infection was present in 5.5% and 9.3%, respectively. PHT was present in 9.1%, with overall NCPH prevalence 3.1%. All individuals with NCPH had been previously identified by biopsy. Amongst individuals with NCPH, with LSM, 50% were abnormal, median 8.2 kPa (IQR 6.7–13.2). Individuals with NCPH had almost three times the median exposure to DDI (92 months vs. 34 months, p=0.067) and significantly lower current mean CD4 count (421 cells/mm3 vs. 676 cells/mm3, p=0.03), despite no difference in CD4 nadir (187 cells/mm3 vs. 193 cells/mm3, p=0.54) or virological suppression (, Introduction: Neurocognitive impairment (NCI) is an important issue in the HIV setting, even though cART has reduced prevalence in recent years. Treatment with EFV may cause well-recognized neuropsychiatric side effects, but association with NCI remains controversial. Aim was to assess neurocognitive performance and psychological symptoms in patients switching from EFV to RPV. Materials and methods: Single-centre prospective evaluation of patients switching from EFV to RPV in 2015. All patients underwent neuropsychological assessment (NPA), before (T1) and after (T2) the switch. NPA was carried out through a standardized and comprehensive battery of 14 tests (five different domains). Furthermore, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Sleep Disorders Questionnaire were administered. Patients were classified as having NCI if they scored >1 standard deviation (SD) below the normal mean in at least two tests, or >2 SD in one test. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) were classified according to Frascati's criteria. Paired Wilcoxon and McNeamar tests were used for statistical comparisons. Results: Forty-two patients were evaluated: 83.3% male; median age 46 years; 52.4% MSM; median education 13 years; 14% HCV-Ab positive; CD4/mm3 nadir was, Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe ARV treatment patterns in previously naïve US-based HIV patients with and without comorbidities. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted using Truven Health MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters, and Medicare Supplemental and Coordination of Benefits database. Index date was the earliest date of any ARV medications between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2014. HIV patients ≥18 years old on index date, and with continuous health plan enrolment of at least 12 months prior to and 15 days after index date, were included. Patients who received ARV drugs during 12 months prior to index date or had only one class of ARV drugs during observation period were excluded. Comorbidities in 12 months prior to index date were identified using ICD-9 diagnosis codes. ARV regimen was defined based on class of third agent used in combination with two NRTIs. Results: A total of 9960 HIV patients were analyzed. Average age was 40 years (SD 12 years). Majority were men (79%), resided in South (46%) and had PPO/EPO health plan (58%). Lipid disorder (18%) was the most common comorbidity detected followed by hypertension (20%) and depression (12%). Patients with comorbidities were noted to be older except for patients with depression and tuberculosis (no difference in age), and anxiety and bipolar disorder (patients with comorbidity were younger). Presence of comorbidity was observed to be more common in men with exception of osteoporosis. A total of 9319 (94%) patients received ARV regimen containing two NRTIs with a NNRTI (44%), INSTI (27%) or a PI (23%). A total of 641 (6%) received other combinations of ARV drugs. NNRTI-based regimens were observed to be more commonly utilized when compared to INSTI- and PI-based regimens, respectively, among patients with lipid disorder (47% vs. 25% vs. 21%), cardiovascular disease (48% vs. 22% vs. 20%), cerebrovascular disease (36% vs. 24% vs. 31%), renal disease (39% vs. 21% vs. 26%), hepatic impairment (44% vs. 28% vs. 19%), diabetes mellitus/abnormal glucose control (50% vs. 23% vs. 19%), depression (39% vs. 31% vs. 25%), anxiety (40% vs. 35% vs. 21%) and bipolar disorder (37% vs. 36% vs. 23%). Conclusion: DHHS guidelines recommend consideration of individual comorbidities when selecting initial ARV regimen. The study findings suggest the need for clinicians to consider comorbidities when selecting ARV therapy in order to minimize drug–drug interactions, adverse events and thereby optimize treatment outcomes., Introduction: Most studies evaluating safety of EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF described a significant increase of creatinine in the first 2 weeks of treatment and only few changes through 48 weeks and no significant elevation in ALT and AST [1,2]. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of this regimen on patients experienced (E) or naïve (N) to cART on liver and kidney toxicity. Materials and methods: Patients initiating EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF were enrolled in SCOLTA project, a multicentre observational study reporting all adverse events (AEs). Patients were evaluated at T0 (baseline), T1 (6 months) and T2 (12 months). Groups were compared using chi-square for categorical variables and univariate and multivariate analysis of variance for continuous variables. Repeated measures were analyzed as change from baseline. Results: Three hundred and twenty-nine patients were enrolled and 280 (85.1%) had at least one follow-up visit. Patients’ characteristics are depicted in Table 1: 202 (72.1%) were E and 78 (27.9%) were N. ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; BMI, body mass index; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; HDL, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; IQR, interquartile range; IVDU, intravenous drug user; SD, standard deviation. The median observation time was 11 months (IQR 7–15.5). Fifty-four (19.3%) patients withdrew treatment: 11 were virologic failures, six switched for significant drug interactions, nine were lost to follow-up, 11 chose to interrupt. One patient died for hepatic cancer and one for accidental drug overdose. Fifteen patients (4.5%) interrupted their treatment because of AE (nine grade 1–2, six grade 3–4). At T1, we observed a significant decline in eGFR both in E and N patients (mean change from T0: E −7.0±14.1 mL/min, N −14.7±20.2 mL/min, p, Introduction: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable illness and death for all individuals, but it is even more of a concern for people living with HIV, who tend to smoke more than the general population. Well-treated HIV-infected individuals may lose more life years through smoking than through HIV [1]. Objective: We aimed to investigate in HIV patients, prevalence of smoking, the nicotine dependence and the propensity to stop according to the stages of change by a standardized questionnaire. Methods: Multicentre nationwide Italian study, consecutive HIV patients were included. We evaluated the nicotine dependence by Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and the propensity to stop according to the stages of change by a standardized questionnaire. Smokers and not smokers were compared using chi-square for categorical variables and univariate and multivariate analysis of variance for continuous variables. Results: A total of 899 patients (age 48±11, male 71%, Caucasian ethnicity 88%) were included. Prevalence of current smokers was 52.6%, ex-smokers 16.9% and never smokers 30.4%. Among current smokers, the mean pack years was 23.9±19.6. According the stages of change, 65.2% of the smokers were in the precontemplation, 14.8% in contemplation, 15.8% in preparation and 4.2% in the action. The median of FTND was 4 (IQR 2–6). The dependence degree was low (point 0–4), moderate–high (point 5–6), very high (point 7–10) in 55.5%, 22.2% and 22.4%, respectively. The main study population characteristics are reported in Table 1. In multivariable regression model including age, gender, risk factor for HIV acquisition and ethnicity, CD4+ cells count and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases risk prediction were confirmed as associated with current but not former smoking. Similarly, in a logistic multivariate model, current smoking remained associated with psychiatric comorbidity and alcohol use. Conclusion: Prevalence rates for smoking in HIV+ subjects (around 50%) is higher than expected in the Italian general population (approximately 20%) [2], smoking screening and cessation support should be offered at HIV clinics. Our findings underscore the value of smoking cessation strategies targeting HIV+ persons., Introduction: Depression is a well-known predictor of health-related quality of life (HRQL), specifically in HIV and ageing populations. Little is known, however, on how precariousness is related to both depression and HRQL status. A structural equation model relying on partial least squares (SEM-PLS) was used to analyze the relation between anxiety/depression, harm avoidance and quality of life among HIV patients in an online survey. Methods: Data were collected on 517 HIV+ patients (70% males, mean age 48 years) using validated self-reported measures. A structural model was posited a priori to link various domains: HRQL (PROOQL-HIV, three dimensions: physical, cognitive and social health, on a 0–100-points scale), personality traits (TCI-56, two dimensions: harm avoidance and novelty seeking) and anxiety/depression (HADS, two dimensions). Participants were classified into a precarious (52%) and a non-precarious (48%) group based on the French EPICES score. Two-group comparisons were performed using two-tailed Student's t and Pearson chi-squared tests. The links between the various dimensions were assessed using SEM-PLS on the whole sample and on the two subgroups separately. Results: Adherence was high (97%) and few patients reported using drug or having excessive drinking habits. HRQL was higher in men (p, Introduction: HIV-infected men carry an increased risk of HPV-associated infection, and information for appropriate allocation of cancer screening as well as vaccination programmes is needed. Purpose was to describe prevalence of HPV infection at the oral cavity of HIV-positive men, to identify predictors and to assess concordance with anal site. Methods: Paired oral rinse and anal samples were collected from HIV-positive males within a large cross-sectional programme for anal cancer screening. Samples were tested with two sets of primers (MY09/MY11; FAP59/64) and HPV-positive samples typed by CLART2 HPV assay (Genomica) or direct sequencing. Cytologic examination and immunohistochemical analysis by using a monoclonal antibody against p16 (INK4a) were done in HPV-positive cases. Results: Two hundred and forty-two HIV-positive males through homo-/bisexual contact in 85.5% and heterosexual in 10.3%. Median age 44.7 years. At testing, cART was prescribed in 93.9%, HIV RNA, Introduction: Rates of syphilis have been increasing in recent years, particularly in HIV-infected populations [1]. The reciprocal interaction between Treponema pallidum and HIV has been well established, but progression to liver inflammation, termed syphilitic hepatitis (present in up to 38% of cases in some studies [2]), is understudied in this setting. Liver enzyme abnormalities are well documented in HIV patients, often attributed to co-infection with viral hepatitis, alcohol use or direct hepatotoxicity of HAART [3]. However, previous studies have failed to sufficiently examine syphilis as a potential cause of hepatic inflammation. The aim of this analysis is to determine the prevalence of syphilitic hepatitis among HIV-infected individuals diagnosed with acute syphilis. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all HIV-infected individuals regularly attending a tertiary clinic in Vancouver, Canada. We identified cases of acute syphilis resulting in syphilitic hepatitis according to the following criteria: (1) RPR-confirmed T. pallidum infection occurring after HIV infection; (2) elevated liver enzyme laboratory tests, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) that normalized after penicillin treatment; and (3) no clearly identifiable cause of liver inflammation beyond syphilis (such as viral hepatitis or alcohol use). Any patient exhibiting ongoing risk factors for T. pallidum acquisition received routine syphilis screening every 6 months. In addition to laboratory data, demographic and clinical information were collected for each patient. The cases included in this study occurred between April 2011 and December 2015. Results: Among 567 HIV-infected patients, 35 (6.2%) were diagnosed with acute syphilis based on RPR results. According to our definition, 3/35 (8.6%) cases of early syphilis resulted in syphilitic hepatitis. Within the cohort demonstrating syphilitic hepatitis, the age range was 28–63, the median RPR titre was 1:256 and all three self-identified as men who have sex with men (MSM). The common presenting symptoms are listed in Table 1. However, as demonstrated in Table 2, no symptoms demonstrated a statistically significant difference in prevalence between the syphilitic hepatitis and syphilis without hepatitis groups. Conclusions: Syphilitic hepatitis is not uncommon in HIV-infected patients and should be considered as an etiologic agent in this setting. Active case finding and prompt initiation of treatment may contribute to the lower prevalence observed in our cohort as compared to previous reports in the literature., Introduction: Poor retention in care is associated with higher rates of mortality. However, the impact of poor engagement in care (EIC) on life expectancy is not known. Materials and methods: The UK CHIC study is a cohort of HIV-positive individuals who have accessed HIV care in the UK since 1996. Individuals who initiated ART aged ≥20 years between 2000 and 2011 with ≥1 year of follow-up were included. Pregnant women and injecting drug users were excluded. EIC rates at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years on ART were calculated as the proportion of months since ART start that an individual was considered to be in care based on the REACH algorithm [1] and classified as high (≥80%) or low (, Introduction: Total sleep time is usually linked to health status with short sleep 8 hours both associated with inflammation and a higher morbidity risk. In HIV infection, little is known on the association between sleep duration and quality, and disease severity. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were systematically proposed to HIV-infected patients in a single-centre study to assess insomnia (ICSD-3 criteria), poor sleep quality (PSQI >5) and total sleep time. Actigraphy over a 10-day period was also performed in a sub-sample of voluntary patients. SF-12 (38) and PROQOL-HIV (39) evaluated quality of life. Results: Six hundred and forty patients were enrolled, including 97 with actigraphy recordings. PSQI >5 (68%) and insomnia (50%) reached high prevalence. A CD4 count 5 and insomnia were associated with the physical component of PROQOL-HIV (respectively: 64.5 vs. 85.5; p, Introduction: The prevalence of risky alcohol and illicit drug consumption and its associated factors is not well established among HIV patients attended in Spain. Materials and methods: All the participants completed self-administered questionnaires to screen for risky alcohol consumption (AUDIT >8) and drug use (DUDIT >5 in men; DUDIT >1 in women), and emotional distress (HADS >12). Type of illicit drugs used and adherence rates were also reported. We calculated the association between clinical/demographic and consumption variables. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted including risky alcohol intake, risky drug use, use of drugs and polydrug use in the last year as dependent variables. Covariates included those clinical/demographic that showed association (p, Introduction: As earlier and more regular access to HAART increases globally, the proportion of chronically treated, clinically stable HIV patients will increase. The incidence of non-AIDS-defining comorbidities in these patients is not well defined in Peru. The aim of this study is to characterize this population and to describe most commonly found comorbidities to help design future policies of HIV care in the country. Materials and methods: Review of HIV patients’ records selected from five HIV clinics in Lima-Callao attending regular appointments for follow-up visits in January–February 2016. Patients were adults (>21 years), ambulatory, on HIV therapy for >6 months and with no current or recent AIDS-defining condition (>6 months). Records were reviewed to collect information regarding epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory characteristics. Data obtained were processed statistically to describe frequencies observed. Results: Three hundred and three patients were found eligible for review. A majority of patients were male (73.3%, n=222), with a median age of 46.1 years (range 21–79 years). Older individuals (≥60 years) were 15.2% (n=46) of the group. Patients had a diagnosis of HIV infection for an average time of 9.41 years, and were on HAART for an average of 7.78 years. Most patients were on an NNRTI-based first-line regimen (76.2%, n=231), followed by rescue regimens (12.2%, n=37), PI-based first-line regimens (9.3%, n=28) and other combinations for first-line therapy (2.3%, n=7). Median CD4 count was 614.2 cells/µL and proportion of patients with undetectable viral load (, Introduction: The introduction of cART has reduced HIV-associated morbidity and mortality and changed the patients’ perspective of life. As a result, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become a crucial clinical issue. It has been suggested that factors influencing HRQoL in women may differ from those in men. Main objectives are as follows: assessment of HRQoL in a sample of Italian women from IANUA study; investigate correlation primarily between CD4+ cells count, viral load, co-infection HIV–HCV and changes in HRQoL. Materials and methods: EQ-5D-3L self-reported questionnaire has been used in the evaluation of HRQoL. It assesses five dimensions: “mobility,” “self care,” “usual activities,” “pain/discomfort” and “anxiety/depression.” Each dimension has three levels: no problems, some problems and extreme problems. In addition, it includes a visual analogue scale (VAS) where one's own health “today” is rated from 0 “worst imaginable health” to 100 “best imaginable health.” The respondents provide information on marital status, education, employment/unemployment, other treatments used in addition to HAART (one, two, three, four, five or more) and number of hospitalizations due to HIV/AIDS. Results: Three hundred and twenty patients completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the sample was 49 years (range 21–86). The mean VAS score was 74.1. It was lower than the mean VAS score of the sample of men (n=620) of 76.1 (p=0.01). Table 1 provides information about five dimensions of the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire. Positive correlations were found between HRQoL and CD4+ cells count at last available visit (R 0.14, p=0.05) and nadir CD4+ cells count (R 0.17, p=0.01). Negative correlations were found between HRQoL and co-infection HIV–HCV (R −0.16, p=0.01) and anxiety/depression (R −0.49, p=0.01). Conclusions: The analysis of self-reported questionnaires indicates that HRQoL in our sample group is not deeply affected by HIV/AIDS. The dimensions that are affected in the least are “mobility” and “self care” while the major problem is “anxiety/depression” with more than half of the sample reporting moderate or high level., Introduction: The best time for accurate testing for vitamin D deficiency in HIV-infected patients remains unclear. We aimed to study the seasonal changes in serum 25OH-cholecalciferol (vitamin D), serum calcium and other markers of bone metabolism in an unselected European population of HIV-infected patients, most of whom were treated with antiretroviral drugs. Methods: Retrospective single-centre study. Patients’ medical records were screened for serum vitamin D levels, β-crosslaps and surrogate values of bone turnover (serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase (AP)). Results: A total of 1011 data sets (625 patients) were evaluated. Overall, the median vitamin D level was 19.6 µg/L (95% confidence interval 18.8–20.6). In 207 (16.4%) data sets, patients were receiving oral cholecalciferol supplementation. Seasonal changes in serum vitamin D levels were reflected by minimum levels (median 13.5 µg/L) in March and maximum levels (median 23.7 µg/L) in July (p, Introduction and aims: Since the introduction of the second generation DAAs, many HIV/HCV co-infection patients previously warehoused for HCV, but in treatment for HIV, started undergoing HCV therapy. The intent of this study is to better understand the treatment dynamics of HIV/HCV co-infection patients in the second generation DAA era. Key parameters include gender and age distribution across HIV third agents, proportion of patients receiving DAA therapies, proportion of HIV third agents pre- and post-HCV diagnosis and dynamics of patients who switched HIV third agents post-HCV diagnosis. Design and methods: This retrospective study utilized IMS longitudinal prescription (LRx) and medical claims data (Dx). LRx covers 88% of all retail scripts. The linked Dx data cover 1.1 billion office claims annually. Patients were selected if they received an HIV diagnosis or HIV treatment between May 2014 and October 2015. Patients were identified as HCV if they received either a diagnosis or a treatment for HCV during the same period. Stability and eligibility rules were applied to the LRx to minimize the risk of anomalous results due to variability. We then observed the HIV treatment regimens pre- and post-HCV co-infection diagnosis. Results: This retrospective study assesses IMS APLD and claims data from 30,061 patients having both HIV and HCV diagnoses. Sixty-eight percent of patients are male and 72% over the age of 50. Thirteen thousand three hundred and fifty-nine patients have both HIV and HCV diagnoses and an HIV index regimen. Of these patients, 69% are male and 73% are over the age of 50 with both age and gender similar across HIV third agents. Twelve percent received a DAA regimen for HCV. Greater than 88% of these patients were placed on a sofosbuvir-based regimen (Harvoni or Sovaldi), and this was similar across HIV third agents. One thousand five hundred and thirty-three patients have both HIV and HCV diagnoses and an identifiable HIV regimen pre- and post-HCV diagnosis. In these patients (which include those on standard triple therapy and nuc-sparing regimens), integrase inhibitors are the most frequently used HIV third agent pre- (51%) and post- (53%) HCV diagnosis followed by NNRTIs (33% pre and 32% post) and protease inhibitors (32% pre and 26% post). Hundred and seventy-three patients switched their HIV third agent post-HCV diagnosis with most (87%) switching to include an integrase inhibitor as part of their regimen. Of these 149 patients, 50% switched to Tivicay/Triumeq, 45% to Isentress and 5% to Stribild. Conclusions: Only 11% of patients having both HIV and HCV diagnoses and an identifiable HIV regimen pre and post-HCV diagnosis switched their HIV regimens prior to initiating DAA therapy. Of those who switched their HIV regimens, 87% switched to include an integrase inhibitor. In addition, 95% of all switches to integrase inhibitors were to integrases not requiring a booster (Tivicay/Triumeq and Isentress)., Introduction: Serologic response of early syphilis to treatment has been reportedly poorer in HIV-positive patients compared with HIV-negative patients; however, the interpretation of the published data is limited by the differences in study design, subjects with different stages of syphilis included, definition used for serologic response, treatment administered and follow-up frequency and duration. We aimed to compare the early serologic response of early syphilis to benzathine penicillin G (BPG) during the monthly follow-up for 3 consecutive months between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. Materials and methods: Since January 2015, adult patients aged 20 years or older who presented with early syphilis (primary, secondary and early latent syphilis) with baseline rapid plasma regain (RPR) titres of 4 or greater were included in this prospective observational study after the patients received a single dose of BPG for early syphilis according to the STD Treatment Guidelines 2015 of US CDC [1]. RPR titres were determined at baseline and thereafter every 4 weeks for 12 weeks, followed by every 12 weeks. Serologic response was defined as decline of RPR titre by fourfold or greater at each time point compared with baseline. Serologic failure was defined as an increase of RPR titre by fourfold or greater during follow-up after ever achieving a decline of the titre. Results: Between January 2015 and May 2016, 111 HIV-positive and 24 HIV-negative patients were included; all were men who have sex with men. Compared with HIV-positive patients, HIV-uninfected patients had more cases of secondary syphilis (66.7% vs. 30.6%, p=0.002), less early latent syphilis (25.0% vs. 60.4%, p=0.003), less prior syphilis (8.3% vs. 70.3%, p, Introduction: There is growing evidence that despite effective cART, cognitive and emotional impairments have been still observed in HIV-infected individuals, which depends on multiple factors. One of the most important predictors of neurocognitive changes is the nadir CD4 cells count. The aim of the current report is to determine the neurocognitive and emotional differences between HIV-infected MSM with undetectable viral load and non-infected controls and to examine the significance of ARV regimens and nadir CD4 count in HIV(+) group. Materials and methods: In this study, there were 95 HIV(+) MSM and 95 HIV-uninfected controls matched on socio-demographic variables. The characteristics of HIV(+) group were as follows: duration of HIV infection M=6.5 years (SD=5.8); CD4+ nadir M=265.2 cells/mL (SD=147.5); current CD4+ M=586.1 cells/mL (SD=217); duration of cART M=5.1 years (SD=4.9); 56% were treated with 2NRTI+PI/r, 23% 2NRTI+NNRTI, 21% other regimen. HIV(+) subjects were divided into two groups with nadir CD4 count 350 cells/mL (n=26). The participants performed a battery of standard neuropsychological tests and psychological questionnaires. In the analyses were used Student's, non-parametric tests (Kolmogrow–Smirnov) and correlations. Results: HIV(+) and HIV(−) groups did not differ in terms of age and years of education. HIV(+) individuals achieved lower outcomes in attention (p350 cells/mL. Conclusions: Despite effective cART, the HIV(+) MSM showed lower functioning in neurocognitive domains and frail emotional condition as compared to the control group. We found differences in neurocognitive functioning in relation to nadir CD4 count. However, ARV regimen was not an important factor of cognitive decline in patients with undetectable viral load., Introduction: Ombitasvir, paritaprevir co-administered with ritonavir, and dasabuvir (OBV/PTV/r+DSV) comprise the 3 direct-acting antiviral (DAA; 3D) regimen±ribavirin (RBV) approved for HCV genotype (GT) 1 infection. Here we investigate the safety and efficacy of 3D±RBV for GT1, and the 2 DAA (2D) regimen of OBV+PTV/r+RBV approved for GT4, in HIV-1 co-infected patients with or without compensated cirrhosis. Methods: TURQUOISE-I, part 2 is a phase 3 multicentre study. Eligible patients were HCV treatment-naïve or RBV/interferon-experienced, on an HIV-1 antiretroviral regimen containing atazanavir, raltegravir, dolutegravir or darunavir (for GT4 only) and had plasma HIV-1 RNA, Introduction: HCV affects 185 million people worldwide and leads to death and morbidities. HCV has a high genetic diversity and is classified into seven genotypes and 67 subtypes. Novel anti-HCV drugs (direct-acting antivirals) eligibility, resistance and cure rates depend on HCV geno/subtype (GT). Materials and methods: Anonymized GT and epidemiological information gained in 2011–2015 was analyzed retrospectively. Data were obtained from 52 centres in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Russia, Spain and the UK. Results: Thirty-seven thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine samples were included in the study. The most prevalent was GT1 (64.9%), followed by GT3 (20.9%) and GT4 (9.0%). Three samples classified as the recombinant genotype-P were identified in Munich (Germany). We show that the GT distribution is similar throughout Western European countries, with some local differences. Here, GTs 1b and 2 prevalences are lower and of GT 1a and 4 higher than in all previous reports. Israel has a unique GT pattern with only GT1b, 1a and 4 (78.6%, 20.2% and 1.2%, respectively). In South Russia, the GT proportions are more similar to Asia, with prevalent GTs 1, 3 and 2 (50.8%, 37.9% and 11.2%, respectively). GTs 5 and 6 were detected in very low proportions. Three cases of the recombinant genotype P were reported in Munich (Germany). In addition, we observed that GT proportion was dependant on patients’ gender, age and transmission route (Figure 1): GTs 1b and 2 were significantly more common in female, older, nosocomially-infected patients, while GTs 1a, 3 and 4 were more frequent in male, younger patients infected by tattooing, drug consume and/or sexual practises. In infections acquired by drug consume, GTs 1a (35.0%) and 3 (28.1%) prevailed. In infections related to sexual practises, lower proportion of GT3 (14.0%) and higher of GT4 (20.2%) were detected. GT4 was mostly abundant in MSM (29.6%). HIV co-infection was significantly associated with higher proportions GTs 1a and 4 (42.5% and 19.3%, respectively). Conclusions: Genotype prevalence evolves and correlates to epidemiological factors. Continuous surveillance is necessary to better assess hepatitis C infection in Europe and to take appropriate health actions., Introduction: Liver fibrosis progression is faster in HIV/HCV co-infected than in HCV mono-infected patients. We aimed at assessing the rate of progression to advanced liver fibrosis among HIV-infected patients on suppressive ART, with or without HCV co-infection, and identifying its predictors. Methods: Patients from the ICONA cohort with known HCV-antibody (HCVAb) status and a FIB-4 ≤3.25 were studied from baseline (the first of two consecutive HIV RNA 3.25) was assessed using multivariable Cox analyses, separately conducted among HCVAb-positive and HCVAb-negative patients. The tested covariates were as follows: gender, country of birth, injecting drug use as HIV risk factor, CD4 nadir, baseline CD4, HDL cholesterol, diabetes, duration of HIV infection, HCV RNA, HCV genotype, baseline FIB-4 and first-line ART drugs. Results: Five thousand seven hundred and seventeen patients with a median follow-up of 4 (IQR 2.2–7.4) years, contributing to 30,299 patient-years of follow-up (PYFU) were included. The median number of FIB-4 measurements was 7 per patient (IQR 4–14). Patients were predominantly males (75%), their median age was 40 years (IQR 34–46); 20% were HCVAb-positive. Median baseline FIB-4 was 1.09 (IQR 0.81–1.58) and 0.81 (IQR 0.59–1.12) among HCVAb-positive and HCVAb-negative patients, respectively (Table 1). During follow-up, 272 patients progressed to advanced fibrosis. Incidence (0.9 per 100 PYFU (95% CI 0.8–1.0)) was higher among HCVAb-positive patients with positive or unknown HCV RNA (2.94 (95% CI 2.43–3.55) or 3.10 (95% CI 2.51–3.83) per 100 PYFU) than among HCVAb-negative or HCVAb-positive HCV RNA-negative patients (0.33 (95% CI 0.26–0.41) and 0.49 (95% CI 0.19–1.32) per 100 PYFU, respectively). At multivariable analysis, in HCVAb-negative patients, higher baseline FIB-4 (per unit increase, HR 3.88, 95% CI 2.86–5.26, p35 mg/dL vs. ≤35 mg/dL, HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47–0.89, p=0.008) was protective. Conclusions: In our cohort, progression to more advanced liver fibrosis was associated with HCV co-infection and, independently of HCV, to having received d-drugs-containing ART. Although these regimens are now abandoned, past exposure independently contributed to faster fibrosis progression, suggesting irreversible iatrogenic damage whose mechanism warrants further investigation. In HCV co-infected patients, HDL cholesterol had a protective role on fibrosis progression., Introduction: Novel direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) achieve sustained virologic response (SVR) rates of >90%. Current high prices limit global access to DAAs. While Gilead (originator company of sofosbuvir) offers voluntary licences to generic producers in a limited number of countries, these countries represent only 50% of the worldwide epidemic. Costs of production can be estimated by tracking the average cost-per-kilogram of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) exported internationally from India, and combining the estimated per-pill API expenditure with other components of production cost (e.g. formulation, packaging). The per-kilogram price of API and steady, high demand volumes are key determinants of the total production cost of any medicine. Materials and methods: Data were extracted from an online database of Indian export ledgers for per-kilogram prices and volumes of DAA APIs exported from India over January to June 2016. Average API costs were calculated for June 1, using linear regression models, weighted by individual export size. For velpatasvir, which is the newest DAA in this study and lacks export data, per-kilogram API cost was estimated from analysis of chemical synthesis processes described in originator patents. Costs of per-pill API requirements were combined with estimated costs for formulation and excipients ($0.04/pill), packaging ($0.35/month). Finally, a profit margin of 50% was added to estimate a price at which generic producers could profitably enter the market. Current US and Indian prices were collected, for comparison, from multiple databases. Results: Export volumes from India in January–June 2016 were as follows: sofosbuvir 10,200 kg, (equivalent to 303,000 12-week treatment courses), daclatasvir 5443 kg (1,080,000 courses), ledipasvir 240 kg (32,000 courses). API prices decreased throughout the time frame. Mean API prices on 1 June 2016 were: sofosbuvir $1094/kg, daclatasvir $998/kg, ledipasvir $2441/kg. API cost for velpatasvir was estimated at $8900–11,700/kg. US prices were 1355 times higher than the target price for sofosbuvir, 4500 times higher for daclatasvir, 984 times higher for sofosbuvir+ledipasvir and 346–413 times higher for sofosbuvir+velpatasvir (Table 1). Conclusions: HCV DAAs production costs are falling rapidly. Twelve-week treatments of sofosbuvir can be manufactured for $62, sofosbuvir+ledipasvir $96, daclatasvir $14, sofosbuvir+velpatasvir $181–216. These target prices all include a 50% profit margin for generic suppliers. These estimated generic prices for DAAs are comparable to those that have allowed massive treatment scale-up in HIV/AIDS., Introduction: Clinical outcome of HCV therapy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) depends on host and viral factors. This observational, retrospective and non-interventional study collects data from viral geno/subtypes (GTs), DAA-resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) in the NS3/protease, NS5A and NS5B genes, to predict clinical outcome using the geno2pheno (HCV) tool. The current geno2pheno version interprets resistance according to viral GT background. Materials and methods: Baseline NS3/protease, NS5A and NS5B sequences were obtained. Subtyping and presence of RAMs against asunaprevir (ASV), boceprevir (BOC), grazoprevir (GZV), paritaprevir (PTV), simeprevir (SMV), telaprevir (TVR), daclatasvir (DCV), elbasvir (EBR), ledipasvir (LDV), ombitasvir (OBV), dasabuvir (DSV) and sofosbuvir (SOF) were determined by sequencing (either Sanger or NGS) and subsequent interpretation with geno2pheno (HCV) (www.hcv.bioinf.mpi-inf.mpg.de/). Results: One thousand five hundred and seventy HCV-infected patients from the PEPSI project have been enrolled until June 2016. We obtained 1024 NS5B sequences, which were used for genotyping. The most prevalent GTs were as follows: GT1a=39.1%; GT1b=34.2%; GT3a=16.6%; GT4d=4.6%. Baseline treatment susceptibility was analysed. 595 NS3/protease sequences were obtained and used for protease-inhibitors resistance prediction (Figure 1). Baseline resistance was found: ASV=2.8%; BOC=3.4%; GZV=16.5%; PTV=2.0%; SMV=21.8%; TVR=3.4%. For ASV, 22.0% of the samples were predicted as possibly resistant. NS5A: the susceptibility of 402 sequences was analyzed. The percentage of resistant samples was similar for all four NS5A inhibitors, 10.2–12.0%. NS5B: the sequence sets used for the analysis of each of the NS5B inhibitors varied, since the described RAM patterns for each drug comprise different amino acid residues. While 14.2% of the 502 sequences used for DSV screening were reported as resistant, none of the 912 samples screened for SOF were predicted as resistant. Baseline RAM analysis: the prevalence of the mutations NS3 80K and 170I (18.2% and 14.8%, respectively) leads to baseline resistance to SMV and GZV (21.8% and 16.5%, respectively). In addition, substitutions on other five amino acid positions were found in lower proportions. In the NS5A, amino acids exchanges at positions 28, 30, 31 and 93 were found, leading to NS5A baseline resistance of 10%. In the NS5B, the mutations 556GNR were found in 13.0% of the cases. Conclusions: DAA susceptibility may be compromised at baseline. Baseline sequencing of target genes is cost-effective procedure to assess viral genotype in the DAA target genes and to determine resistance. These two parameters can help the physician to determine the best treatment and avoid misclassification of viral recombinant GTs., Introduction: Despite a common perception that ART leads to more drug discontinuations in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, especially for certain compounds, as compared to HIV mono-infected, it remains unclear whether co-infection leads to higher frequency of treatment changes for a given time in care. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis within the Icona Foundation study cohort including all patients who started cART and were tested for HCVAb at least once over follow-up. People were defined HCVAb+ if they were ever tested positive. Individuals who seroconverted for HCV, spontaneously reverted to HCV negative, cured or HBV co-infected patients were excluded. Exposure factors were calculated at the date of starting cART apart from the number of ART lines ever used which was calculated at the date of last visit. Total ART lines used were calculated first counting all switches and, in three other analyses, counting only switches that occurred for a specific reason as reported by the physician: (1) treatment failure (virological/immunological failure); (2) change due to toxicity/intolerance; and (3) change due to ART simplification. Univariable and multivariable analyses logistic regression models were performed. Potential confounders used in the multivariable model are listed in the footnote of Table 1. Results: We enrolled 8188 patients: 1626 HCVAb+, 6562 HCVAb−. At the date of starting cART, HCVAb+ patients were younger (median (IQR) 37 (33–42) vs. 38 (31–46); p3 ART lines (31% vs. 19%; p, Introduction: Following clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, HCV antibody titres (anti-HCV) may decline resulting in seroreversion. However, it is unclear whether changes in antibody levels differ between patients with spontaneous HCV clearance and those treated during early or chronic HCV infection. Material and methods: We compared anti-HCV dynamics following an incident HCV infection after HIV diagnosis in 67 HIV-seropositive men who have sex with men (MSM) grouped by different clinical outcomes: 22 patients not treated for HCV infection (untreated), 12 with spontaneous HCV clearance and 33 with treatment-induced sustained virological response (SVR) (median time from diagnosis to treatment 3.2 months). Anti-HCV antibody levels were measured at baseline and annually for 3 years thereafter using a commercial ELISA kit (ARCHITEKT, Abbott Laboratories). Results were compared to 12 SHCS participants with chronic HCV infection acquired before HIV diagnosis and subsequent SVR (chronic HCV infection). We compared the relative change (%) in antibody levels between patient groups by estimating: (1) the maximum drop over the study period and (2) rates of decline per year over time. Re-infections were assessed by repeated HCV RNA measurements in all participants. Results: MSM with SVR following treatment of incident HCV infections showed a more pronounced decrease in anti-HCV levels within the first 3 years after treatment (median decline 71%) compared to patients with spontaneous clearance (median decline 37.6%, p, Introduction: An ongoing outbreak of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has been occurring among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Taiwan since June 2015, with more than 400 cases reported to the Taiwan CDC as of June 2016. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of HAV vaccination in HIV-positive patients in an outbreak setting. Materials and methods: In light of an ongoing outbreak of acute HAV infection among MSM, we prospectively performed a seroepidemiologic survey of HAV in HIV-positive patients during June 2015 to June 2016. The HAV-seronegative patients were offered HAV vaccine. The serologic outcomes were assessed after the first and last doses of HAV vaccine. The clinical outcome was acute HAV infection. Results: During the 1-year study period, 1237 HAV-seronegative patients with 94.7% being MSM and a median CD4 count of 567 cells/mm3 (range 4–2342 cells/mm3) were included for analysis. Before 30 June 2016, 728 patients (58.9%) had received at least one dose of HAV vaccine, and 100 (8.1%) had completed the two-dose vaccine series. Compared with non-vaccinated patients, the vaccinated patients were older (mean age, 35.5 years vs. 34.0 years), less likely to be anti-hepatitis C-positive (5.5% vs. 10.8%) and more likely to have received antiretroviral therapy (97.0% vs. 93.9%) and have had HAV vaccination previously (8.9% vs. 4.5%). The overall seroconversion rate before the administration of the second dose of HAV vaccine was 27.8%. The seroconversion rates within 4 weeks, at weeks 4–8, weeks 8–16 and weeks 16–24 were 18.1%, 20.6%, 48.4% and 51.9%, respectively. One month after the last dose, the seroconversion rate increased to 95.5%. The factors associated with seroconversion between the first and last doses of HAV vaccination were time to anti-HAV IgG testing (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), per 1-week increase, 1.16; 95% CI 1.09–1.22) and previous HAV vaccination (AOR 47.72; 95% CI 7.16–317.97). The incidence rate of acute HAV infection in patients with and without HAV vaccination was 0.13 and 6.45 per 100 person-years, respectively, resulting in a vaccine effectiveness of 98.0%. The predicting factors of acute HAV infection included having had not receiving HAV vaccine (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 45.45; 95% CI 5.95–333.33) and recent syphilis (AHR 6.11; 95% CI 3.02–12.39). Conclusions: Despite the impaired immunity from HIV infection and delayed serologic response to HAV vaccination in HIV-positive MSM, the risk of acute HAV infection was significantly reduced among the vaccinated patients during the HAV outbreak setting., Introduction: High prices of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) can prevent access to treatment. Generic versions of sofosbuvir (SOF) are being mass produced for prices under 1% of the current U.S. retail price. Under UK and Australian law, individual patients have the legal right to import 3 months of treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV), for their personal use. This analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of generic DAAs legally imported into countries where treatment access is limited. Methods: SOF, ledipasvir (LDV) and daclatasvir (DCV) were imported from generic companies into Europe, Australia and North America. Selection of DAAs and treatment duration depended on baseline HCV genotype and fibrosis stage. Initial generic supplies were evaluated using high precision liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to evaluate presence of active drug. Patients taking generic DAAs were evaluated pretreatment, and at weeks 2, 4, 12 and then for SVR4 and 12. Adverse events were recorded. This analysis includes data from 448 patients, whose imported treatment was organized from the FixHepC website. Results: Of the 448 patients treated, 237 received SOF/LDV, 208 SOF/DCV and 3 SOF/RBV. By HPLC and NMR, all imported drugs passed quality control standards for active DAA drugs. Overall, the patients were 57% male with a mean age of 55 years; 66% were genotype 1, 25% genotype 3 and mean baseline HCV RNA was 6.5 log10 IU/mL. Based on currently available data, the percentage with HCV RNA, Introduction: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) combined with lamivudine (LAM) or emtricitabine are the recommended nucleos(t)ide reverse-transcriptase inhibitors backbone for patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV). TDF leads to rapid decline of HBV DNA. However, data regarding the durability of HBV suppression of TDF-containing cART in HIV/HBV co-infected patients are scarce in hyperendemic area of chronic HBV infection. This study aimed to assess the long-term virologic response of HBV to TDF-containing cART in HIV-positive patients in Taiwan where the prevalence of chronic HBV infection was estimated 15–20% in persons born before nationwide neonatal HBV vaccination programme was implemented in 1986. Methods: Between 2004 and 2016, 186 HIV/HBV co-infected patients with baseline HBV DNA >1000 copies/mL were included and followed for 5 years or longer. Serial blood samples were collected for determinations of plasma HBV DNA load, HBV serologic markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, and anti-HBe) and liver and renal functions after initiation of cART with or without TDF. Factors associated with undetectable HBV DNA at 5 years of treatment were explored by logistic regression. Results: Of 186 HIV/HBV co-infected patients included, 53 received cART which contained LAM as the only therapy for HBV, 58 switched to TDF-containing cART after detection of resistance-associated mutations of HBV to LAM (n=40) or an elevation of HBV DNA load (n=18) and 75 received TDF-containing cART as initial anti-HBV therapy. The percentages of HBV viral suppression at year 1 and year 5 were 64% and 73.7%, respectively, in patients receiving LAM monotherapy for HBV, 76.4% and 89.7%, respectively, in patients switching to TDF-containing cART, and 86.1% and 100%, respectively, in patients receiving TDF-containing regimens as their first cART. In multivariate analysis, the only factor associated with failure to achieve viral suppression at 5 years was higher HBV DNA load at baseline (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), per 1−log10 copies/mL increase, 1.722; 95% CI 1.094–2.711, p=0.019). TDF exposure was of borderline statistical significance (AOR 0.183; 95% CI 0.028–1.193, p=0.076) in the analysis. During study period, 10 of 46 patients (21.7%) with baseline HBeAg positivity had HBeAg seroconversion and loss of HBsAg was observed in four patients (2.2%). Conclusions: TDF-containing cART achieved durable HBV viral suppression in HIV/HBV co-infected patients. A higher HBV DNA load at baseline was associated with failure to achieve HBV viral suppression after long-term TDF-containing cART., Introduction: Since 2000, there have been numerous reported cases of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in developed countries [1]. The majority of these men deny any history of injecting drug use (IDU), making sexual transmission the most likely route of transmission. HCV genotype 4 is increasing in prevalence amongst MSM populations [2], but is subject to less research than other HCV genotypes. This study aims to use a variety of phylogenetic approaches and evolutionary analysis to determine the origins, spread and changing epidemiology of HCV genotype 4d (HCV-4d). Methods: NS5B region sequences were obtained for patients with HCV-4d using the Los Alamos HCV Sequence Database and NCBI GenBank. Most of these patients were also co-infected with HIV. For each sequence, the sample collection date, country and most likely route of HCV infection were recorded. Sequences were aligned and maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees created with 1000 bootstrap replicates. Molecular clock analysis was performed using the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach. Results: The records of 193 individuals (n=193) were reviewed (See Figure 1 on page 259). In the maximum likelihood tree, a distinct cluster of 70 sequences from MSM from four European countries was noted. An MSM cluster was noted containing 12 sequences from the UK, with a 4.8% pairwise distance from the nearest other sequence. A strongly supported homologous pair of genetically similar Dutch sequences was also noted, one from an injecting drug user (IDU) and one from an MSM who reports IDU. Molecular clock analysis identified six HCV-4d clusters comprising mostly IDU sequences, and two MSM-specific clusters. The estimated year of origin of the IDU clusters ranged from 1982 to 1994, whilst the MSM clusters were estimated to have originated in 1995 and 1999. In the IDU clusters, 65% of lineage splits occurred before 1996. In the MSM clusters, 83% of lineage splits occurred after 2000. The UK-specific MSM cluster appears to originate following a lineage split from a strain of HCV-4d circulating in IDUs in Southern Europe in the late 1980s to early 1990s. Conclusion: Incidental transfer of HCV-4d strains from IDUs and rising viral transmission in highly connected MSM populations has led to the formation of international MSM-specific transmission networks. Increased investment in public health interventions is required to slow this expanding epidemic., Introduction: Twelve-week therapy with the single-tablet regimen (STR) of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) has demonstrated high efficacy in genotypes 1 to 6 HCV-infected patients. Astral-5 clinical trial completed the phase 3 program with the analysis of 12-week SOF/VEL regimen in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Previous SOF-based combinations showed a comparable safety and efficacy profile in both HCV mono-infected and HCV/HIV co-infected individuals. In order to confirm these data also for SOF/VEL, we compared data obtained in Astral-5 trial with safety and efficacy results of HCV mono-infected individuals produced by Astral 1, 2 and 3. Methods: Astral-5 study enrolled treatment-naïve and -experienced HCV/HIV co-infected patients of all HCV genotypes, with or without cirrhosis. Patients who were on stable ARV regimens with fully suppressed HIV RNA received SOF/VEL (400 mg/100 mg daily) for 12 weeks. Patients were on a wide range of ARV regimens including emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or abacavir/lamivudine with a backbone of raltegravir, cobicistat/elvitegravir, rilpivirine, ritonavir-boosted atazanavir, darunavir or lopinavir. Astral 1, 2 and 3 phase 3 trials enrolled treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced genotype 1 to 6 HCV-infected patients, with and without cirrhosis, no limit of BMI and no limit of age. Patients received SOF/VEL for 12 weeks. Results: A total of 106 HIV/HCV co-infected patients were enrolled and treated with SOF/VEL for 12 weeks. Overall 86% were male, 45% were black, 77% had IL28B non-CC genotypes, 29% had prior treatment failure (primarily pegIFN/RBV) and 16% had compensated cirrhosis. The genotype distribution in HIV/HCV patients was 62% GT1a, 11% GT1b, 10% GT2, 11% GT3 and 5% GT4. The median baseline CD4 count was 548 cells/µL (range 183–1513 cells/µL) with a median estimated glomerular filtration rate of 97 mL/min (range 57–198 mL/min). Boosted protease inhibitor regimens were the most commonly used regimen (47%). No patient experienced confirmed HIV virologic rebound (HIV-1 RNA ≥400 copies/mL). A total of 1035 HCV mono-infected individuals were treated with a 12-week SOF/VEL regimen in Astral 1, 2 and 3 trials. Cirrhotic patients represented the 21% (n=220) of the total population, and 291 patients (28%) failed a previous anti-HCV treatment. The genotype distribution was 20% GT1a, 12% GT1b, 23% GT2, 27% GT3, 11% GT4, 3% GT5 and 4% GT6. IL28B non-CC genotype was present in 77% of the patients. Efficacy and safety outcomes of mono- and co-infected patients, including complete SVR12, HIV parameters and the impact of HCV resistance variants on outcome will be presented., Introduction: HCV co-infection is common in HIV populations due to shared modes of transmission. Evaluating differences between HIV only and HIV/HCV populations may lead to earlier identification, more effective management and better clinical outcomes. Materials and methods: Using the OPERA database, a collaboration of caregivers at 79 clinics in 15 states, HIV+ individuals initiating HIV antiretroviral therapy for the first time between 1 January 2007 and 31 March 2015 were identified. Patients were followed from HIV treatment initiation to discontinuation of regimen, loss to follow-up, death or study end (31 March 2016). Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between HIV/HCV co-infected and HIV-only patients using Pearson chi-square or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Differences in time to HIV viral load (VL) suppression (, Introduction: Russia and Eastern Europe are not included in voluntary licence agreements, and prices of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in Eastern Europe are very high. An increasing number of individuals in Russia/Eastern Europe are treating their hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with generic drugs produced in India or Egypt. It is legal to import DAAs for personal use. This analysis assessed the efficacy of generic DAAs legally imported into Russia/Eastern Europe. Methods: Generic versions of sofosbuvir (SOF), ledipasvir (LDV) and daclatasvir (DCV) were sourced from generic suppliers in India and Egypt. The choice of DAAs and the length of treatment were determined based on baseline HCV genotype and stage of fibrosis. Patients taking generic DAAs were evaluated pretreatment, and at week 4 (rapid virological response – RVR), Week 12 or end of treatment (EOT), and then for sustained virologic response (SVR) 4, 12 and 24. This analysis includes available data from 179 patients being monitored in infectious disease and state university hospitals throughout Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Spain, Colombia, Israel and Estonia. Patients are monitored by state university hospitals, private doctors, infectious disease hospitals, local AIDS centres and online patient Facebook groups such as the Gepatitka group. Results: Of the 179 patients treated, 42 received SOF/LDV, 136 SOF/DCV and 1 patient received SOF/RBV. The backbone of their generic DAA treatment, SOF, was mainly from Indian generic companies: Hetero (54%), Natco (13%), Mylan (8%) and Zydus (7%). Overall, the patients were 57% male with a mean age of 36.5 years; 40% were genotype 1, and mean baseline HCV RNA was 6.34 log10 IU/mL. A RVR was observed in 70% (26/37) of the patients treated with SOF/DCV, 82% (9/11) of the patients treated with SOF/LDV. Based on currently available data, the percentage with HCV RNA, Introduction: Global elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) would be feasible only if prices of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are affordable for mass treatment programs. Several countries in Southeast Asia are not included in voluntary license agreements, and prices of DAAs in Southeast Asia are high. An increasing number of individuals in Southeast Asia are treating their HCV infection with generic drugs produced in India. This analysis assessed the efficacy of generic DAAs imported into Southeast Asia. Methods: Generic versions of sofosbuvir (SOF), ledipasvir (LDV) and daclatasvir (DCV) were sourced from generic suppliers in India. The choice of DAAs and the length of treatment were determined based on baseline HCV genotype and stage of fibrosis. Patients taking generic DAAs were evaluated pre-treatment, and at weeks 4 and 12 during treatment and then for sustained virologic response (SVR) 4, 12 and 24. This analysis includes available data from 62 patients being monitored in regional medical institutes and national university hospitals throughout Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and India. Results: Of the 62 patients treated, 22 received SOF/LDV, 15 SOF/DCV and 25 SOF/RBV. The backbone of combination DAA therapy, SOF, was predominantly from Indian generic companies: Cipla (40%), Zydus (21%), Hetero (13%), Natco (8%) and Mylan (8%). Overall, the patients were 87% male with a mean age of 46 years; 59% were genotype 1, and mean baseline HCV RNA was 6.6 log10 IU/mL. Based on currently available data, the percentage with HCV RNA, Introduction: ART-induced toxicity has been frequently reported in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. However, there is conflicting evidence on whether HCV co-infection has a synergistic effect on ART-induced toxicity. One way to evaluate this hypothesis is to compare the risk of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation associated with the use of ART in HIV mono-infected versus HIV/HCV co-infected populations. Materials and methods: We selected individuals in the ICONA Foundation study cohort with at least one ALT measurement and known current HCV status. We designed a case-control analysis nested in the cohort. Cases were defined as individuals who showed liver enzyme elevation (LEE) >5 x upper limit normal at their last clinical observation; controls were participants who showed normal liver enzyme levels over the same calendar time after enrolment in the cohort. Controls were matched by a predefined set of potential confounders: age (65), CD4 count cells/mm3 (501), HIV RNA viral load copies/mL (100,000) and mode of HIV transmission. A conditional logistic regression model was used to evaluate the associations between ART exposure and risk of LEE in a univariable model adjusted for matching factors and after further controlling for gender, nationality, alcohol use, smoking status and calendar year of enrolment. Interaction between HIV/HCV co-infection status and ART exposure were also formally assessed. Results: We included 2061 (n=687 cases) individuals of whom 70% were males with median calendar year of last clinical visit in 2014 (IQR 2007–2015). Median age was 35 (IQR 31–40) and CD4 count was 386 (IQR 188–586), matched in cases and controls. Proportion of HIV/HCV co-infected individuals was higher in cases than controls 39 and 29%, respectively (p, Introduction: Interferon-free hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies with second-generation direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are highly effective and well tolerated. For that reason they have the potential to substantially increase treatment eligibility and efficacy in HIV-infected patients. We assessed the impact of DAAs on treatment uptake, efficacy as well as its impact on liver disease burden in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). Materials and methods: We prospectively collected data on all SHCS participants who started HCV therapy since January 2009. HCV treatment uptake and efficacy as well as the stage of liver fibrosis was compared between three different time periods: period 1, January 2009 to August 2011 (prior to the availability of DAAs); period 2, September 2011 to March 2014 (first-generation DAAs); period 3, April 2014 to December 2015 (second-generation DAAs). Results: Treatment uptake (4.5/100 patient years (py), 5.7/100 py and 22.4/100 py) and efficacy ((SVR 12): 54%, 70% and 90%) continuously increased through the different periods (Figure 1). Treatment uptake increased across all HCV genotypes in period 3. At the beginning of the third period, 876 SHCS participants had a chronic HCV infection and of those, 186 started HCV therapy with a second-generation DAA. Eighty-eight of 98 patients who reached the end of follow-up, and from whom complete data were already available, achieved an SVR: three patients died (two of liver decompensation and one of sepsis), four had viral relapses (three SOF/RBV and one SOF/LDV), one had a virologic breakthrough (SOF/RBV) and two were lost to follow-up. The majority of treated patients were Caucasian (95%) male (77%) PWIDs (59%) on ART (96%) with advanced liver fibrosis (69% with F4). Patients treated for HCV-genotype 1 during period 3 had significantly higher liver fibrosis stages (44/61, 72% with F4) than those treated during period 2 (21/58, 36% with F4). The proportion of SHCS participants remaining to be treated with liver cirrhosis declined during the last two periods from 18% to 10%. Conclusions: The introduction of interferon-free second-generation DAA treatments in the SHCS increased treatment uptake and efficacy across all HCV genotypes. Because of treatment priorities and limitations in reimbursement, most patients treated with second-generation DAAs had advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. The treatment of these patients was made possible because of the favourable safety profile of new drugs, and resulted in a significant reduction of the number of cirrhotic patients with replicating HCV infection in the SHCS., Introduction: We evaluated therapeutic outcomes of all-oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for HCV genotype 4 (GT4) in HIV/HCV co-infected patients with compensated liver disease. Methods: The Madrid co-infection registry (MADRID-CoRe) is a prospective registry of all co-infected adults (≥18 years) undergoing DAA therapy (Rx) for HCV in hospitals from the Madrid Regional Health Service (SERMAS). We assessed SVR12, viral relapse and failure due to Rx discontinuation. Between November 2014 and May 2016, 2402 co-infected individuals have initiated DAA Rx within MADRID-CoRe. Herein, we present data of co-infected patients with GT4 and compensated liver disease with programmed Rx finalization censored to 31 December 2015. Results: We evaluated 243 co-infected individuals who met the inclusion criteria. DAA regimens used included (1) sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) 190 patients (181 without ribavirin (RBV) (8 weeks 2, 12 weeks 123 and 24 weeks 56) and nine with RBV (12 weeks 8 and 24 weeks 1)); (2) ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OBV/PTV/r) 33 patients (one without RBV for 12 weeks and 32 with RBV (12 weeks 24 and 24 weeks 8)); (3) simeprevir/sofosbuvir (SMV/SOF) 10 patients (eight without RBV (12 weeks six and 24 weeks eight) and two with RBV (12 weeks one and 24 weeks one)); (4) daclatasvir/sofosbuvir (DCV/SOF) 10 patients (seven without RBV (12 weeks one and 24 weeks six) and three with RBV (12 weeks two and 24 weeks one)). Patients’ characteristics and treatment outcomes categorized by DAA regimens are shown in Table 1. Conclusions: High effectiveness was found with LDV/SOF and OBV/PTV/r for GT4 in co-infected patients with compensated liver disease. Small sample size and very high liver stiffness preclude any conclusion about the effectiveness of SMV/SOF and DCV/SOF., Introduction: We previously have shown that the rate of recent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in HIV-positive patients seeking HIV care at the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH), Taipei, had increased from 0 in 1994–2000 and 2.29 in 2001–2005 to 10.13 per 1000 person-years of follow-up (PYFU) in 2006–2010. This study aimed to investigate whether the increasing trend of recent HCV infection continued between 2011 and 2015. Materials and methods: Between January 2011 and December 2015, HIV-positive patients seeking care at the NTUH were prospectively observed, and serologic tests for HCV were provided at baseline during their first visit and subsequently on an annual basis or to those who acquired syphilis or had elevated aminotransferases according to the national HIV treatment guidelines. Antibodies to HCV were determined with a third-generation enzyme immunoassay (Ax SYM HCV III; Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL). HCV RNA load was determined, and HCV was genotyped. Recent HCV seroconversion was defined as the first positive anti-HCV detected within 1 year after the last negative anti-HCV. The date of seroconversion was assigned as the midpoint between the date of the last negative and that of the first positive anti-HCV result. All patients were followed until 30 April 2016. Results: During the 5-year study period, 3483 HIV-positive patients aged 15 years or older sought HIV care at NTUH. After excluding 29 patients without anti-HCV data at baseline and 371 testing positive for HCV (prevalent HCV infections), 3083 were included for prospective follow-up. A total of 140 (4.5%) had recent HCV infection (incident HCV infections) during a total observation duration of 9900.51 PYFU, giving an overall incidence rate of 14.14 per 1000 PYFU. The rate was 12.64, 13.81, 13.27, 11.77 and 18.55 per 1000 PYFU in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. Compared with 2695 patients without HCV seroconversion, patients with recent HCV seroconversion were more likely to be male (100.0% vs. 96.1%, p=0.009), younger (mean age, 32.4 vs. 35.9 years, p=0.0004) and men who have sex with men (85.7% vs. 78.4%, p=0.007) and to have recent syphilis (37.1% vs. 11.1%, p, Introduction: Either in clinical trials or in real-life studies, cure rates with oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) are greater than 90%. However, as these drugs become more widely used, clinicians are beginning to report occasional cases of treatment failure. Materials and methods: GEPCOI is a multicentre group that involves several sites in Portugal. For this study, 10 centres participated, and all cases of DAA failure were collected. Treatment failure was considered in case of relapse, virologic failure during treatment, discontinuation or death. All co-infected HIV/HCV patients that started oral DAA drugs were included in this analysis. Results: A total of 573 chronic hepatitis co-infected patients started a course of oral DAAs since the beginning of 2015. All but 23 patients (4%) achieved sustained virologic response: 16 (2.8%) had a relapse or failure during treatment, 2 discontinued treatment and 5 died. All except one were male (95.6%) with an average age of 47 years. They were naïve (65.2%) or null responders (21.7%) and relapsers (4%) in previous treatment with pegIFN+ribavirin (RBV). All patients were under ART, and only two had detectable viremia. Only three patients changed ART schedule due to HCV treatment (pIs to IIs and TDF/FTC to ABC/3TC). Regarding HCV, genotype 1 was the predominant (60.8%) and the degree of fibrosis was respectively: F0–F2, 21.7%; F3; 21.7%; and F4, 56.5%. Those who have relapse or virologic failure were G1 10, G2 two, G3 three and G4 one. All HCV G1/4 were treated with SOF/LDV+RBV 12 weeks or 24 weeks without RBV. In all, G2/3 SOF+RBV was used, except in one patient classified initially as G1, who completed 12 weeks with asunaprevir+daclatasvir+RBV (G3). Deaths (five) occurred during or after the end of treatment, due to hepatic decompensation or related complications: they were all F4, with a MELD score ranging from 9 to 27. All of these patients had both albumin level, Introduction: Since June 2015, an ongoing outbreak of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is occurring amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) in Taiwan, with more than 440 cases reported to the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control as of 30 June 2016. This study aimed to describe the seroepidemiology of HAV infection among HIV-positive patients in northern Taiwan, where three-fourths of the patients in the outbreak reside. Materials and methods: We reviewed the medical records of HIV-positive patients seeking HIV care at the National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei. Information on demographics and clinical characteristics was collected, which included age, risk group for HIV transmission, plasma HIV RNA load, CD4 count and serologies of hepatitis viruses and syphilis at baseline and during follow-up, and dates of HAV vaccination administered. A case-control study was conducted to identify the associated factors with acute HAV infection. Case patients were those who received a diagnosis of acute HAV infection between June 2015 and 2016, and four controls were identified that were matched with case patients by age (±5 years), HIV risk factor and similar observation duration. Results: During the study period, 2029 HIV-positive patients, with a mean age of 38.4 years and 83.3% being MSM, had baseline HAV serologic data and 33.6% (n=682) tested seropositive for HAV. The HAV seroprevalence was 15.4% in those aged, Introduction: HIV/HCV co-infected patients have higher HCV loads and generally more rapid progression to fibrosis, end-stage liver disease and death. HIV and HCV viral infections are both characterized by systemic immune activation that plays an important role in disease progression. In the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) era, little is known about the immune-pathological response in HCV mono-infected and in HCV/HIV co-infected patients. The aim of the study was to analyze activation of T lymphocytes, DCs and Mo subsets in HCV and HCV/HIV patients under effective ART that receiving anti-HCV therapy. Material and methods: In our study, we assessed 75 samples from 26 patients (13 HCV/HIV patients under effective ART and active HCV replication and 13 HCV patients) undergoing IFN-free regimens DAA based. Samples were collected before starting anti-HCV therapy (TO) and 12 weeks after the end of treatment when they obtained a sustained virologic response (SVR 12). Fourteen healthy donors (HD) were used as controls. We analyzed whole blood samples evaluating mDC, pDC, slanDC and typical, atypical and intermediate monocytes with a cytofluorimetric method based on seven fluorochromes. HLA-DR/CD38 CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes were also evaluated. Liver fibrosis was measured using FibroScan and FIB-4 score. ANOVA with Dunn's test, Mann–Whitney test, Wilcoxon test and Spearman correlation test were used for statistical analysis. Results: All patients in both groups obtained SVR12. Activation of CD8 T cells was significantly higher in HIV/HCV and HCV patients than control (p=0.0002 and p=0.0041, respectively). Interestingly, a decrease in both groups was found (comparing SVR12 in HIV/HCV and HCV patients to HD, p=0.0186 and p=0.0479, respectively) up to a normalization after anti-HCV therapy. HLA-DR/CD38 CD4 levels were elevated only in co-infected patients (p=0.0003) without modification during therapy (comparing SVR to control p=0.0385). Intermediate Mo were increased in patients with HCV infection compared to HD (p=0.0654) and normalized after therapy. Considering the sub-population of DCs, Mdc and pDC were reduced only in HIV/HCV patients (p, Introduction: Regarding the treatment of HIV/HCV co-infected patients, we still have some concerns about the renal safety of the interaction between ledipasvir (LDV)/sofosbuvir (SOF) and an ARV regimen including tenofovir and a boosted protease inhibitor (PI). Data are lacking from clinical trials to support this co-administration, since these patients were excluded from the main studies in co-infected patients. Increased levels of tenofovir and risk of renal impairment might prompt preventive ARV therapy switch recommendations, not possible in all patients due to their history of previous ARV regimens. Methods: An observational study was conducted among the co-infected on an ARV regimen including tenofovir and boosted PI, who started HCV treatment with DAAs, between 1 January 2015 and 20 May 2016. Data on demographic, clinical and virological features were collected by analysis of clinical files. Results: A total of 149 patients were treated with tenofovir/emtricitabine, from which 68 with SOF/LDV and an antiretroviral regimen that included a boosted PI: 30 on DRV/r, 22 on LPV/r, 14 on ATV/r, 1 on SQV/r and 1 on FPV/r. Mean age was 47 years, 72% males. Regarding HIV infection, 85% of the patients had undetectable viral load (60 mL/min. Only one of the remaining 64 patients presented with an egfR, Introduction: HCV infection is associated with lower lipid levels in HIV co-infected patients treated or not with ART [1]. This has been related both to the HCV infection and to the impairment of the liver function. Some studies have reported increased lipid values after sustained virological response (SVR) with therapy based on interferon (INF) [2]. We aim to evaluate lipid changes in HIV/HCV co-infected patients receiving all-oral HCV therapy. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study in a cohort of HIV/HCV co-infected patients treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) and INF-free therapy. All patients whose treatment finished on 30 December 2015 or before, and whose 24-week post-treatment evaluation was on or before 15 June 2016, were included. The values of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-c) were collected at three time points: (1) 12 weeks before starting DAAs (pre-treatment); (2) between week 4 and the final day of treatment (on-treatment); (3) weeks 12 to 24 after the end of HCV therapy (post-treatment). Means were compared with the repeated measures ANOVA test. Results have been adjusted by a general linear regression which includes the following variables: age, gender, basal HCV RNA, presence of a protease inhibitor (PI) drug in the DAA regimen, presence of a PI drug in the ART regimen and estimated liver fibrosis (cirrhosis has been considered when liver stiffness ≥14.6 kPa). Results: Two hundred and fifty patients had reached week 24 post-treatment on 15 June 2016. Only 130 patients had available lipid data before, during and after HCV therapy. Table 1 shows baseline characteristics. SVR was achieved in 127 patients (97.7%). TC and LDL-c values statistically increased on and after treatment (p, Introduction: In our HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected cohort, we are successfully treating HCV with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) regardless of genotype, regimen, disease stage or prior treatment exposure. However, we recognize a proportion of patients for whom we are unable to provide treatment, because they do not engage in the traditional care setting. We report on the efficacy and safety of DAA therapy in our cohort of HIV/HCV co-infected individuals, the demographics of those not engaging in care and the strategies employed to tackle this population. Methods: All patients co-infected with HIV and HCV in our cohort were included, and case notes were reviewed. Those who spontaneously cleared HCV infection, transferred care or died were excluded. Results: At May 2016, the HIV/HCV co-infected cohort comprised 181 patients, of whom 89 (49%) had commenced HCV treatment. Thirty-three of these patients were treated successfully with interferon and ribavirin. Fifty-seven patients received ≥1 dose second-generation DAA, including 20 patients with cirrhosis, six in clinical trials. The majority were male (46/57) with a history of injecting drug use (35/57). The majority were HCV genotype 1 infected (48/57). Most were treatment naïve (43/57); six prior null responders; four relapsers after previous IFN/RBV; none were DAA experienced. Fifty-five of 57 were on a suppressive HIV antiretroviral regimen. At the time of writing, 52/57 patients had reached end of treatment. Forty-two had achieved SVR12 (42/42, 100%). Despite high success rates with those engaged in care, 92 (51%) patients remain untreated, of whom the majority are not attending scheduled hospital appointments, and many are currently struggling with addictions. Some are recently diagnosed as part of an ongoing outbreak of HIV and HCV amongst people who inject drugs. To target this population, we are implementing service change. New strategies will include local pharmacy “directly observed therapy” dispensing, specialist nurse-led service in the community and in addiction services. We show the area of residence of those who have over 50% non-attendance rates, in relation to the hospital where care is traditionally delivered to highlight the need for local services. Conclusions: In those who access care, we observe excellent SVR rates in HIV-infected patients receiving DAAs for HCV. Serious adverse events with DAAs are rare and delivering treatment in the community to difficult-to-treat populations will increase engagement in HIV care and HCV cure rates. Poor engagement in care should be tackled by service redesign to reach out to these populations., Introduction: Association between HCV infection and insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes has been widely postulated. Our group already reported a rapid improving of glycaemic control associated with DAAs [1]. Aim of our study was to evaluate if improving of glycaemic control persists after the end of DAAs treatment. Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 39 HCV-infected patients (10 HIV+) with type 2 diabetes who were treated with different IFN-free regimens, including sofosbuvir, simeprevir, ledipasvir, daclatasvir, dasabuvir and ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir. To evaluate general improving of glycaemic control, we investigated for reduction of fasting glucose (FG) or glycated haemoglobin (A1C) or modification of insulin/metformin dosing during and after anti-HCV treatment. Statistical analysis was performed with the paired t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Welch one-way ANOVA procedure (R software). Results: The mean age of the patients was 60 years (32 M, 7 F). The HCV genotypes were different but with type 1 prevalence (n=24). All the patients had HCV RNA undetectable at end of treatment (, Introduction: We evaluated therapeutic outcomes LDV/SOF for HCV genotype 1 (GT1) in HIV/HCV co-infected patients with compensated liver disease. Materials and methods: The Madrid co-infection registry (MADRID-CoRe) is a prospective registry of all co-infected adults (≥18 years) undergoing DAA therapy (Rx) for HCV in hospitals from the Madrid Regional Health Service (SERMAS). We assessed SVR12, viral relapse and failure due to Rx discontinuation. Between November 2014 and May 2016, 2402 co-infected individuals have initiated DAA Rx within MADRID-CoRe. Herein, we present data of co-infected patients with GT1a or GT1b and compensated liver disease that were treated with LDV/SOF with or without ribavirin (RBV) for 12 or 24 weeks, and with programmed Rx finalization censored to 31 December 2015. Results: We evaluated 377 co-infected individuals who met the inclusion criteria: 284 infected with GT1a and 93 infected with GT1b. Patients characteristics and treatment outcomes categorized by subtypes, treatment duration and use of RBV are shown in Table 1. Conclusions: High effectiveness and safety were found with LDV/SOF for 12 or 24 weeks in GT1 co-infected patients with compensated liver disease., Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated a waning immunity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) 15 years after vaccination in individuals born after 1986 when nationwide HBV vaccination program was implemented in Taiwan [1], where the prevalence of chronic HBV infection was 15 to 20% among those born before 1984. We aimed to assess the HBV seroepidemiology and serologic response to booster vaccination for HBV among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) born after 1986. Materials and methods: Medical records of HIV-positive MSM who were born after 1986 and sought HIV care at the NTUH between 2000 and 2016 were reviewed, and information on clinical characteristics and antiretroviral therapy containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) or lamivudine (3TC) was collected. Results: During the 16-year study period, 632 HIV-positive MSM were included, with a mean age of 23.0 years. About 83% were receiving cART containing TDF plus FTC or 3TC. Twenty patients (3.2%) had anti-HCV antibody and 197 (31.2%) had syphilis at baseline. Eighty-two patients (13%) were excluded from analysis due to lack of the result of anti-HBc antibody at baseline. Among 550 patients, 18 (3.3%) had chronic HBV infection and 271 (49.3%) had lost HBV seroprotection (anti-hbS 10 mIU/mL. Among the vaccine-responders, 47 had repeat testing at week 52 of booster vaccination and 22 (47%) had a sustained serologic response. For those who had lost HBV seroprotection at the beginning of this study, three incident cases of HBV infection occurred after 754.7 person-years of follow-up (PYFU), accounting for an incidence rate of 4.0 per 1000 PYFU. Two cases of anti-HBc antibody seroconversion occurred in patients with an anti-HBs titer ≥10 mIU/mL at baseline (incidence rate, 3.0 per 1000 PYFU). During the same period of observation, the incidence of HCV infection and syphilis was 13.4 per 1000 PYFU and 96.4 per 1000 PYFU, respectively. Conclusions: Despite impaired immunity from HIV infection and poor response to HBV booster vaccination, the seroprevalence of chronic HBV infection has significantly declined in the HIV-positive MSM born after 1986. In this high-risk group for acquisition of sexually transmitted infections and with waning immunity against HBV, the risk of incident HBV infection remains low., Introduction: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) field has been revolutionized following the introduction of new direct-acting antivirals (DAA). HCV eradication with peginterferon-ribavirin already was shown to be associated with significant improvements in liver function and hepatic fibrosis. Information on the extent of liver fibrosis regression is lacking in HIV-HCV co-infected indivudals, in whom hepatic fibrosis more rapidly develops. Methods: All HIV-HCV co-infected patients treated with DAA at our clinic until March 2016 were examined. Transient elastometry (FibroScan) was performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of completion of therapy, at the time of sustained virologic response (SVR12). Liver fibrosis regression was defined as a shift from advanced fibrosis (METAVIR F3–F4 [>9.5 kPa]) to null-mild fibrosis (F0–F2) and/or >30% reduction on kPa from any baseline value. Results: A total of 50 HIV-HCV co-infected individuals with SVR12 were identified. Overall, 79.2% were male and median age 52 years. Baseline serum HCV RNA was 6.2 Log IU/mL. Distribution of HCV genotypes: G1a (25), G1b (nine), G3 (eight) and G4 (eight). A total of 52.8% of patients had unfavourable IL28B genotypes (CT/TT). Elevated AST/ALT at baseline was seen in 77.4% of patients. Patients were treated with SOF-LED (31), 3D (eight), SOF-DCV (eight) and SOF-SMV (eight). Median length of therapy was 12 weeks. Up to 54% received RBV. At baseline, 65.4% had F3 to F4 being significantly higher in those with IL28B-CC compared with IL28B CT/TT (80% vs. 52%; p=0.044). Mean FibroScan value was 20.1 kPa. At the time of SVR12, a significant regression in liver fibrosis was found in 38.5%. The mean reduction was of 4.81 kPa (p, Introduction: New drugs (DAAs) are now effective in HCV infection, and no difference in sustained virological response (SVR) was observed between HCV mono-infected and HIV co-infected patients. Despite major advances in HCV therapy, persons living with HIV (PLHIV) were undertreated. The aim of this study was to describe the management of HCV treatment in an HIV/HCV cohort during a 15-year period. Methods: An electronic chart review of all HIV patients with >1 observation at our department from the year 2000 was made. Demographic, virological and treatment data were collected. Results: From 2000 to 2015, 2353 PLHIV were enrolled; 67.8% were males, median age was 48 years and 19.2% were not Italian. HIV transmission due to intravenous drug use (IDU) was reported in 681 people (28.9%), in 573 (24.4%) was in men who had sex with men (MSM), heterosexual transmission in 1007 (42.8%) and other risk in 92 (3.9%). Seven hundred and ninety-five patients’ (33.8%) result was HCVAb positive. HCV+ patients were mostly Italian (94.3%), IDU in 72.0% and MSM in 6.5%. Only 596 HCV+ patients had detectable HCV RNA in the blood (75%); this mostly related to patients that obtained an SVR before the year 2000. HCV genotypes were tested in 516 patients; 55.8% were genotype 1, 31.8% were 3 subtype; 12.4% were genotype 2 or 4. The percentage of HCVAb patients amongst the total of HIV population significantly decreased from the 49.2% of 2000 to the 30.7% of 2015 (p0.001). SVR rate was significantly improved in 2015 (79.9% vs. 50% of 2014, p=0.02). The number of re-treatments significantly increased in 2014 and 2015 (58.8% and 61.2% of the total of treatments respectively, p>0.001 vs. 2013). The number of HCVAb+ patients with HCV RNA not relievable (cured) significantly increased during years. At 2015, 50.4% of patients resulted to be HCV RNA negative (18.1% in 2000, p, Introduction: New IFN-free regimens based on direct antiviral agents (DAAs) in patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis showed high rates of sustained virological response (SVR) and good safety profile. So far, few data are available about the impact of these therapies on elderly patients, who are often not included in clinical trials. Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of DAAs in elderly patients. Materials and methods: In this prospective, single-centre observational study, all patients aged ≥65 years, who initiated a DAA-based regimen, were enrolled from February 2015 to May 2016, then divided according to age (group A: 65–74 years; group B: ≥75 years). Baseline clinical, anamnestic and laboratory data were collected (Table 1). Results: In the study period, 289 patients started a DAA-based regimen, including 167 patients (males: 87, 52.1%) aged ≥65 years (group A: 99 patients, 59.3%; group B: 68 patients, 40.7%). The following regimens were administered: sofosbuvir-based: 38 patients (22.7%), simeprevir-based: 25 (15%), ledipasvir-based: 33 (19.8%), daclatasvir-based: three (1.8%), paritaprevir, ombitasvir/ritonavir ± dasabuvir-based: 68 (40.7%). Ribavirin was used in 49 patients (29.3%). In 38 patients (22.8%), an adjustment of comedications was necessary due to drug interactions. Safety was assessed for 134 patients who reached end of treatment (EOT) during the study period (Table 2). At least one AE occurred in 93 patients (69.4%), of whom seven (5.2%) had serious AEs (World Health Organization grade 3/4). Treatment discontinuation because of AEs occurred in six patients (4.5%), including one death due to oesophageal varices bleeding. The following AEs were observed: neurological/psychiatric symptoms (headache, dizziness, insomnia and mood disorders) (23.9%); skin reactions (23.1%); anaemia with Hb, Epidemiologic studies report high HCV positivity rates in prisons (3–40%) with high unawareness rates, resulting in a substantial risk of HCV transmission. For this, treating HCV-positive prisoners could impact on both individual and public health. Though international guidelines have emphasized that prisoners must be treated as well as general population, HCV treatment eligibility in prisons has always been suboptimal due to poor adherence, psychiatric comorbidities, side effects and legal issues. The availability of highly effective, short-course DAAs could increase inmates’ treatment opportunities [1,2]. Our study was performed in 2015 in three prisons of Milan (Opera, San Vittore and Bollate) harbouring yearly 3400 prisoners overall. Every new inmate was proposed HIV, HCV, HBV, PPD and syphilis testing. HCV RNA+ prisoners were submitted to an infectious disease visit, HCV genotyping, ultrasonography and fibroscan. Legal issues and patient's motivation were considered. All motivated prisoners with advanced liver fibrosis (F3/F4) and at least 3 months end of sentence were selected for DAA treatment according to Italian guidelines. Three thousand three hundred and fifty-four tests were performed: HCV-Ab positivity was found in 10% (n=314) of inmates. Seventy percent of HCV-Ab+ inmates were IDUs. HCV RNA was detected in 60% of HCVAb+ inmates. Thirty percent of HCV RNA+ patients had advanced liver fibrosis (F3/F4). Sixty percent of them were treated with first- and second-generation DAAs. The main reasons for treatment deferral were transfer to other prison or release (33%), low compliance (19%) and end of sentence, Introduction: We evaluated therapeutic outcomes of DSV+OBV/PTV/r for HCV genotype 1 (GT1) in HIV/HCV co-infected patients with compensated liver disease. Methods: The Madrid co-infection registry (MADRID-CoRe) is a prospective registry of all co-infected adults (≥18 years) undergoing DAA therapy (Rx) for HCV in hospitals from the Madrid Regional Health Service (SERMAS). We assessed SVR12, viral relapse and failure due to Rx discontinuation. Between November 2014 and May 2016, 2402 co-infected individuals have initiated DAA Rx within MADRID-CoRe. Herein, we present data of co-infected patients with GT1 and compensated liver disease with programmed Rx finalization censored to 31 December 2015, who were treated with DSV+OBV/PTV/r with or without ribavirin (RBV). Results: We evaluated 132 co-infected individuals who met the inclusion criteria; 72 infected with GT1a and 60 infected with GT1b. Patient characteristics and treatment outcomes categorized by subtypes, treatment duration and use of RBV are shown in Table 1. Conclusions: High effectiveness and safety were found with DSV+OBV/PTV/r with or without RBV for GT1 in co-infected patients with compensated liver disease., Introduction and aims: Because genotype 4 (GT-4) HCV/HIV co-infected patients with advanced liver fibrosis are generally under-represented in clinical trials, and their prevalence in developed countries is low, little data are currently available on use of DAAs in this setting. The aim of this study was to assess in the clinical practice, the efficacy and safety of interferon-free DAA therapy in GT-4 HCV co-infected patients. Methods: COINFECOVA-2 is an observational, multicentre study accomplished in hospitals of a region of eastern Spain, including co-infected patients treated with all oral DAA on routine practice. GT-4 HCV/HIV co-infected patients were included in this analysis, if interferon-free DAA therapy was initiated before 1 September 2015 (24-week regimen) or before 1st December 2015 (12-week regimen), allowing a sufficient follow-up to evaluate efficacy. Epidemiologic and clinical data were retrospectively collected by their responsible physicians and investigators. Results: We included 102 patients in 14 outpatient clinics with a median age of 50 years (IQR 46–54), 74% men and 94% on antiretroviral therapy. HIV viral load was, Introduction: End-stage liver disease caused by chronic HCV infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV patients. Several factors such as duration of infection, age, male gender, consumption of alcohol and transmission path have been associated with a faster fibrosis progression rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the FIB-4 score, a noninvasive test for the assessment of liver fibrosis, and to compare it with transient elastography (TE) in order to predict the fibrosis degree, and its implications in the different genotypes (GTs). Materials and methods: Observational and multicentre study was conducted in five hospitals of the northern of Spain (2014–2015). HIV/HCV patients ≥18 years on stable cART (≥6 months) were selected to analyze their liver fibrosis using two noninvasive biomarkers: TE and FIB-4 index calculation. Results: A total of 584 HIV/HCV patients were included (median age 49.5 years; male 71.2%; 86.9% people who inject drugs). Median CD4 was 620 cells/mL; 82% of them had a VL 3.25 in 36.5%, 43.4% and 20.1%, respectively. There was a significative correlation between fibrosis degree and FIB-4 score (p, Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to be a serious global health problem despite the introduction of direct acting antiretroviral drugs. The limitations in surveillance that contribute to high transmission rates as well as the emergence of drug resistance argue for vaccine development both for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. High evolution rate of HCV due to high error rates of viral polymerase combined with constant immune pressure from the host generates major challenges for vaccine development. Herein, we evaluated inter-/intra-host diversity of HCV in the E1E2 region in relationship with fibrosis in treatment-naïve patients. Materials and methods: Blood samples from nine treatment-naïve HCV genotype 1b infected patients, five with no/low fibrosis (F0, F1) and four with high fibrosis (F4) were collected. HCV full length E1E2 region was reverse transcribed and amplified in two rounds of PCR. The amplicon was cloned in the mammalian expression vector pcDNA™3.1/V5-His TOPO TA and 10 clones were sequenced using 3500 ABI instrument. BioEdit, Mega 7 and FastTree software tools were used to analyze the genetic evolution and the intra- and inter-host viral diversity. Results: Intra-host variability was relatively low in patients with high fibrosis (F4), while for those with no/low fibrosis (F0, F1) the viral diversity varied, being high in those with older infection and low in acute infection. The impact of positive (immune-mediated) or negative (virus adaptation) selection on viral diversity was evaluated based on non-synonymous to synonymous substitution rates per site (dN/dS ratio). dN/dS ratio showed a reduced immune pressure on E1E2 glycoprotein of HCV-infected patients with high fibrosis, while those with chronic infection and low fibrosis showed a strong positive selection pressure in hypervariable region 1 of E2 glycoprotein. Conclusion: Advanced fibrosis was associated with low intra-host viral diversity and reduced selection pressure; apparently viral populations that are structurally conserved and tolerated by the immune system are being stably selected during late stages of disease. Acknowledgments: This work was supported by ANCSI; grant EEA-JRP-RO-NO-2013-1-0022, GreenVac Project., Introduction: We evaluated therapeutic outcomes of LDV/SOF for 8 or 12 weeks in HCV genotype 1 (GT1) HCV-infected, treatment-naïve (TN) and non-cirrhotic patients with HIV infection. Materials and methods: The Madrid co-infection registry (MADRID-CoRe) is a prospective registry of all co-infected adults (≥18 years) undergoing DAA therapy (Rx) for HCV in hospitals from the Madrid Regional Health Service (SERMAS). We assessed SVR12, viral relapse and failure due to Rx discontinuation. Between November 2014 and May 2016, 2402 co-infected individuals have initiated DAA Rx within MADRID-CoRe. Herein, we present data of co-infected patients with GT1, TN and non-cirrhotic that were treated with LDV/SOF for 8 or 12 weeks without ribavirin, and with programmed Rx finalization censored to 31 December 2015. Results: We evaluated 192 co-infected individuals who met the inclusion criteria: 134 treated with LDV/SOF for 12 weeks and 58 treated for LDV/SOF for 8 weeks. Patients’ characteristics and treatment outcomes are shown in Table 1. Conclusions: In real-life clinical practice, no significant differences were found in effectiveness and safety with LDV/SOF for 8 or 12 weeks for GT1 in TN, non-cirrhotic co-infected patients., Introduction: New HCV treatment combinations have been studied only with few HIV drugs and always in triple therapy. In the clinical setting, many times we have to use non-conventional combinations, such as mono- or dual therapy, due to resistance or toxicity. The effect of non-conventional ART combinations on both HCV and HIV suppression needs to be assessed. Material and methods: Retrospective review of HIV/HCV co-infected patients has initiated DAA-based HCV treatment from November 2014 to 2015 in three different hospitals in Madrid. HIV viral suppression was assessed at the beginning and at the end of HCV treatment and compared between groups that have received triple therapy versus mono- or dual antiretroviral treatment. Values are given as percentage and median (interquartile range) for qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. Chi-square and non-parametric (U de Mann-Whitney) test were used for comparisons. Results: Overall, 596 patients initiated HCV treatment. Of them, 393 were receiving a triple antiretroviral combination, 66 PI/r monotherapy, 51 PI/r+3TC, 32 other dual therapies and 40 other combinations. Mono-/dual therapy groups were older than patients on triple therapy. However, the rest of baseline characteristics were similar between groups (Table 1). HCV sustained virologic response (SVR) 12 weeks after the end of therapy were 93.2% (520/560) and 94.6% (522/552) in intention-to-treat (ITT) and on-treatment analysis, respectively. No differences in SVR were seen in patients on triple therapy or mono-/dual therapy: ITT (92.9% vs. 95.3%; Δ=−2.4; 95% CI −6.3 to 1.5; p=0.3), OTT (93.6% vs. 96.1%; Δ=−2.5; 95% CI −6.6 to 1.66; p=0.2). HIV viral load, Introduction: The success of ART has changed HIV from a life-threatening disease to a manageable lifelong disease. Today HIV+ patients have a life expectancy approaching that of the general population, but are exposed to a higher risk of developing comorbidities as a consequence of ageing and exposure to highly active ART. Currently, scarce evidence is available on comorbidities in HIV+ patients and the related burden on the healthcare systems. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities among HIV patients and estimate the associated healthcare costs. Materials and methods: An observational retrospective cohort analysis, using administrative and laboratory test outcomes databases from seven local health units (LHUs) in Italy, was designed. Currently, data from one LHU are presented in this analysis. Records of patients diagnosed with HIV (identified through hospitalizations, specific treatments or blood test results) between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015 were extracted. The date of the first HIV-related healthcare consumption was used as the index date. Clinical characteristics of patients were investigated in the year before the index date. All patients were followed up for one year after the index date (only patients with one year follow-up were included). Results: The preliminary analyses from one LHU included 366 HIV+ patients. Mean age was 53.6 years, 66% were male and 5% had AIDS. Twenty-five percent of patients had one comorbidity, 11% had two and 6% had three or more. Thirty-two percent of patients had rheumatologic diseases (anti-inflammatory/anti-rheumatic drugs prescribed), 7% had chronic kidney disease (CKD; defined as GFR, Introduction: DAA treatment has been associated with high rates of sustained virological response (SVR) and a good safety profile both in HCV+ and HIV/HCV+ individuals. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of DAAs in HIV/HCV+ compared with HCV+ patients in a large single-centre. Methods: All HCV-infected patients, with or without HIV infection, who received an IFN-free regimen with DAAs from February 2015 throughout June 2016, were enrolled. Clinical, virological and laboratory data were collected. Results: A total of 449 patients received DAAs, and 339 (54 HIV/HCV+ and 285 HCV+) completed their treatment. A follow-up ≥3 months after the end of treatment (EOT) was available for 184 HCV+ and 40 HIV/HCV+ subjects. HIV/HCV+ individuals were younger (median age 52 vs. 68 years), mostly male (90.9% vs. 57.2%) and more commonly infected with genotypes 1a (52.7% vs. 6.4%), 3 (25.5% vs. 6.8%) and 4 (14.5% vs. 3.1%). Two hundred and twenty-four (63.4%) patients were cirrhotic and 188 (53.7%) had a previous therapy failure. HCV+ patients were more likely to have ≥2 comorbidities (27.8% vs. 9%; p=0.003). Type of therapy, effectiveness and safety were analyzed for 350 patients, including 11 subjects who discontinued treatment (Table 1). Most common adverse events were rash (16.9%), fatigue (12.6%), anaemia (13.1%) and headache (8.6%). Severe adverse events (SAE) occurred in eight HCV+ (2.3%) and in one HIV/HCV+ patient (1.8%). HCV+ patients experienced more frequently ≥2 adverse events (23.1% vs. 9.1%, p=0.02) and underwent a larger ribavirin use (69.2% vs. 54.5%, p=0.03). Therapy was discontinued due to liver transplantation (one patient), SAE (nine patients, including one death because of oesophageal varices bleeding), breakthrough (one HIV/HCV+ genotype 4 patient). SVR12 was achieved in 92.4% patients overall, 92.9% HCV+ versus 90% HIV/HCV+ (p=0.52). Relapse was observed in five genotype 3 patients (three HCV+ and two HIV/HCV+) treated with sofosbuvir and ribavirin and one genotype 4 HIV/HCV+ patient treated with sofosbuvir and simeprevir. Conclusion: A worse safety profile pertained HCV+ patients with a higher burden of comorbidities. However, an overall high rate of SVR12 was obtained independent of HIV infection., Objectives: To better describe safety of PI-boosted (ritonavir/cobicistat) plus ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) in routine clinical care. Methods: A retrospective HIV/HCV cohort study of patients from a tertiary centre in Madrid, Spain, starting LDV/SOF with PI-boosted with complete renal function and overall safety follow-up data during therapy. Paired baseline and at the end of treatment eGFR (CKD-EPI) comparisons were made regarding cobicistat or ritonavir boosted PI use (plus TDF or not). Results: From a DAA cohort of 424 co-infected patients, 83 were on protease inhibitor-based regimen for HIV. Of these, 47 patients on LDV/SOF (57%) were included (83% men, age 51 years (47–51)). HCV genotypes: 1 (68.1%); 3 (10.6%); 4 (21.3%). DAA duration was: 8 weeks (five patients); 12 weeks (33 patients); 24 weeks (nine patients). Twenty-eight patients without cirrhosis (59.6%), 19 with cirrhosis (40.4%). PI distribution was: darunavir/ritonavir (25 patients); darunavir/cobicistat (11 patients); lopinavir/ritonavir (six patients); and atazanavir/ritonavir (five patients). Antiretrovirals associated with PI were: Kivexa (six patients) and Truvada (nine patients); lamivudine (16 patients) and PI monotherapy (16 patients). Median time between the baseline and the last eGFR was 24 weeks (22–26). Mean baseline eGFR (CKD-EPI) in darunavir/cobicistat group was 94.4 mL/min meanwhile in the others boosted PI was 91.2 mL/min (p=0.6). After the end of LDV/SOF mean eGFR was 94.2 mL/min versus 83.4 mL/min, respectively (p=0.2). In the boosted TDF group mean baseline eGFR was 95.4±11.5 mL/min versus 74.5±32.2 mL/min in the last observation (p=0.15). The observed changes in eGFR were not statistically significant, of small magnitude and non-clinically relevant. No adverse events were reported during treatment. Conclusion: In a population of HCV/HIV co-infected patients no impact on kidney function or safety considerations was observed during the short 8 to 24 weeks DAA treatment duration with cobicistat/ritonavir boosted PI and LDV/SOF therapy., Introduction: Combination of lamivudine (LAM) or emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is the recommended first-line regime for treatment in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HIV co-infection. However, little is known about the best strategy in patients who developed tenofovir toxicity. We report the outcome of HBV co-infected patients who switched from TDF to entecavir (ETV) due to renal or bone toxicity with maintenance of LAM. Materials and methods: Retrospective case series (2009–2015) of HBV/HIV co-infected patients who developed TDF toxicity and switched to ETV together with LAM. HBV suppression (HBV DNA) and renal and bone toxicity were evaluated during follow-up. Results: Overall, 12 patients switched to ETV+LAM because TDF toxicity. Mean age was 54.9 years, and 83% male. Patients showed chronic replicative HBV co-infection (Ag-HBe positive in four cases, Ac-HBe in six cases; median HBV DNA level at baseline was 104.146 UI/mL) suppressed while receiving HBV therapy with LAM for a median of 122 months (49.6–170.3), along with TDF for 67 months (34–136.2). Thus, at the time of change, HBV DNA was undetectable in all the cases except one patient with lack of adherence (1,700,000 UI/L). Patients showed additional cases of renal or bone toxicity (two HTA, two DM, two liver transplantation, one renal transplant, one patient on dialysis, four patients receiving antineoplastic chemotherapy and one patient with Fanconi syndrome suspicion). At the time of switch, mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 87.3 mL/min (49–103.3) and six patients were below 60 mL/min. Urine analysis showed a protein-creatinine ratio (PCR) of 112 mg/gr (40–189) and fractional excretion of phosphate was 35.4% (13.5–79.9%). Also, two patients showed severe osteoporosis and three patients had vertebral fractures. During a median follow-up of 29.4 months on ETV (3.9–81; 7.3 patient-years), HBV remained suppressed in all the patients, with normalization of transaminases. In addition, there was improvement in eGFR (from 75.6 to 90.6 mL/min; 0.16), serum phosphate (from 2.7 to 3.11; p=0.06) and FE of phosphate in urine (from 59.2 to 74.3; p=0.21). Conclusions: The switch to entecavir together with lamivudine could be an alternative to TDF in HBV/HIV co-infected patients in case of toxicity or intolerance., Introduction: There are few data on the real-world experience of hepatitis C virus (HCV) direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of DAA therapies in a cohort of HIV/HCV patients in the Infectious Diseases Department in Brescia, Northern Italy. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of all HIV/HCV patients who started treatment with DAAs from February 2015 to March 2016. The primary outcome was to evaluate sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after DAAs completion (SVR12). Results: Hundred and fifty-three HCV/HIV co-infected patients started treatment in the study period. Most patients were male (121, 79.1%) and HCV genotypes 1a, 3 and 4 were the most represented (55, 36.0%; 37, 24.2% and 33, 21.6%, respectively). cART was modified before starting DAA in 35/153 patients (22.9%), to avoid PK interactions. Sixty-four (41.8%) patients had received prior treatment with an IFN-containing regimen; 126 (82.4%) of patients presented with cirrhosis, 25 (16.3%) presented with moderate fibrosis at transient elastography (F3) and one (0.65%) was treated according to Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco (AIFA) inclusion criteria no. 3 (extra-hepatic HCV manifestations). Ribavirin was included in the vast majority of regimens (109 patients, 71.2%). The following regimens were prescribed: sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (±ribavirin) 68 (44.5%), sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (±ribavirin) 52 (34%), sofosbuvir/ribavirin nine (5.9%), sofosbuvir/simeprevir (±ribavirin) eight (5.2%), ombitasvir/paritepravir/ritonavir/dasabuvir (±ribavirin) eight (5.2%) and ombitasvir/paritepravir/ritonavir (±ribavirin) eight (5.2%). Among the 72 patients who completed therapy and had a 12-week follow-up by the end of the study, the overall SVR12 rate was 95.8% and 3/72 (4.2%) patients faced virologic failure. No significant differences in SVR12 rate were observed according to gender, age, fibrosis grade and baseline HCV viral load. Anyway the three failed patients were males with cirrhosis. Conclusions: Treatment with DAAs was highly effective (cure rate of 95.8%) in our cohort of co-infected patients, the majority of whom (82.4%) presented with cirrhosis. Neither HIV co-infection nor advanced liver disease should be considered as a barrier to HCV treatment. However, DAAs-cART interactions are a real challenge during therapy and in some cases (22.9% in our experience) cART needs to be modified before DAA treatment., Introduction: Due to potential drug-drug interaction, DCV dose reduction to 30 mg is required when co-administered with atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r), while no data are available for unboosted atazanavir (ATV). Moreover, no data on rilpivirine (RPV) and DCV interaction are currently available. The aim of our study was to describe DCV pharmacokinetics when co-administered with different protease inhibitors (PIs) and RPV in a real-life cohort of HIV/HCV-positive patients. Materials and methods: HIV/HCV co-infected patients treated with DCV plus sofosbuvir (SOF) for at least 4 weeks and receiving ART were enrolled. Assuming a comparable effect of ATV and ATV/r, patients treated with ATV received a reduced DCV dose of 30 mg. DCV plasmatic levels (DCVpl) (22±2 hours after last intake) were evaluated using UPLC-MS/MS validated method and reported as ng/mL. Data are expressed as numbers (percentage) and median (IQR). Results: Twenty-nine patients were enrolled: 86.2% males, age 52 (IQR 49–54), BMI 25 kg/m2 (22.5–27.7). Metavir score was 4, 3 and 1 in 22 (76%), 6 (21%) and 1 (3%), respectively. Child-Pugh score was A and B in 93% and 7%, respectively. Twenty-four patients had HCV genotype 3 and five had genotype 1. ART was PI-based in 13 (48%) patients (six ATV/r, two ATV, five DRV/r), RPV-containing in eight (26%) and INI-containing in eight (26%). Twenty-seven DCV determinations were obtained at week 4. Median DCVpl in study population was 212 ng/mL (103–299). In patients co-administered with RPV, DCVpl was 216 ng/mL (61–383) and no significant statistical difference was found in DCVpl of patients receiving other ARVs (p=1). Patients receiving PI showed a DCVpl of 280 ng/mL (224.5–369.75), with no statistical difference compared with DCVpl of RPV group (p=0.36). DCVpl of subjects in ATV/r (280 ng/mL, 212–283) and DRV/r (315 ng/mL, 277–315) showed no significant difference (p=0.29), as well as DCVpl of those in ATV/r or ATV (237 ng/mL, 212–237) (p=0.37). Conclusions: DCV plasmatic concentrations in our cohort of patients administered with different ARV regimens resulted comparable to values reported from literature. This is the first report on DCV exposures in HIV/HCV patients co-administered with RPV. Results show that standard DCV dose of 60 mg provides adequate DCV levels, comparable to those reported with other regimens. Moreover our findings confirm the appropriateness of reduced DCV dose of 30 mg both in individuals treated with ATV/r and in patients receiving unboosted ATV., Introduction: HCV genotype 4 infection has an estimated prevalence of 10 to 20% worldwide. In Europe the number of infections has been rising due to several epidemiologic variations. In Portugal its incidence reaches 7% [1]. The high rates of cure seen with oral-based regimens brought the need to well characterize genotype 4 infection in terms of its epidemiology, natural history and response to treatment in a real-life experience basis. Materials and methods: At our Infectious Disease Center, since 1 January 2015 until 31 March 2016, 416 patients were eligible to engage HCV treatment with DAA regimens. Inclusion criteria: Included all chronically HCV-infected patients, with or without HIV infection, followed at our service, and proposed to DAA treatment. Epidemiologic, demographic, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic data were collected. Data analysis: This was performed by using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 15.0. Results: Of the 416 patients proposed for DAA treatment, 281 patients were HIV co-infected (68%) and 135 were HCV mono-infected (32%). The global prevalence of HCV genotype 4 was 17% (n=72), 20% in co-infected (HIV/HCV) versus 11% in HCV mono-infected patients. The 72 patients with genotype 4 infection included 57 (79%) patients co-infected with HIV, 77% with TCD4 cell count >500 cells/µL, all of them under cART with viral suppression. The demographic analysis of co-infected versus HCV mono-infected patients revealed: male gender 80% versus 82%, mean age 48 years versus 56 years, injectable drug use being the more frequent route of transmission 78% versus 45%, mean time since diagnosis 15 years versus 11 years. Chronic liver disease stage was Child-Pugh A in 91% versus 100%; MELD 3.25 in 10% versus 36% and APRI >0.7 in 20% versus 36%. Real-time elastography was performed and revealed fibrosis stage ≤F2 in 39% versus 20%. Stage F4 was detected in four patients (7%) versus one (7%). The proposed treatment was SOF/LED in 97% of patients (n=70); SOF/LED+RBV (n=1); SOF+PEG+RBV (n=1). At the present date, 64 patients started treatment, 80% (n=51) HIV/HCV versus 20% (n=13) HCV mono-infected. The preliminary sustained virologic response rate was 95%. There was one death due to hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions: Our cohort reveals a genotype 4 prevalence above that estimated for general population, especially in the HIV co-infected patients reaching 20%. This analysis suggests that co-infected patients have an earlier diagnosis of HCV infection, as they were younger and presented earlier in time., Introduction: Direct antiviral agents (DAAs)-based therapy has dramatically changed outcomes among patients with cirrhosis, but the benefits in advanced liver disease are unclear. Materials and methods: From April 2013, we consecutively included 181 HIV/HCV cirrhotics patients treated with DAAs. Baseline characteristics, sustained virologic response (SVR12) and discontinuations for any reason were recorded. Results: The baseline characteristics are in Table 1. Most were GT1 (61%) and treatment experienced (58%). The rate of SVR12 obtained for our cohort was 85% (149/175). There was a statistically significant difference in the SVR12 rate in non-GT4-infected patients compared with GT4-infected patients (88.9% vs. 67.7%, p=0.009). Simeprevir (SMV)-including DAA therapy was associated with treatment failure p=0.009. The premature discontinuation rate was 4.4% (8/181) in our study, of whom five patients (62.5%) died. Reasons for discontinuation in the remaining three patients included intracranial haemorrhage (n=1), upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n=1) and liver transplantation (n=1). On-treatment mortality rate was 2.76% and the baseline demographics and HCV characteristics of these five patients are described. The median age was 52 years and received treatment with DCV/SOF in three patients and LDV/SOF in two patients. Genotypes distribution was 1a (two patients), 1b (one patient) and 3 (two patients). The mean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, platelet counts, bilirubin and albumin levels were not statistically different from those patients who survived treatment. The causes of death for the five patients were hepatocarcinoma (n=3), upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n=1) and sepsis (n=1). Two of three patients with hepatocarcinoma developed a multicentric HCC “de novo” with rapid progression (Table 2). Of note, while there were five on-treatment deaths there was no mortality in the 12 weeks post-treatment. Three patients with premature discontinuation reached SVR12. Conclusions: We did not find a high mortality rate although close monitoring on direct-acting antiviral therapy is essential. DAAs effectively cured HCV in patients with advanced liver disease. The longer-term impact of HCV treatment in patients with cirrhosis remains to be determined., Introduction: Patients with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) are a priority treatment group due to the risk of developing clinical decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) interferon (IFN)-free therapies have simplified regimens and reduced adverse effects (AE), not being exempt from drug interactions. Cirrhotic patients, with more comorbidities and polymedication, could have higher risk of AE during the treatment with DAA, with compromised effectiveness. Objectives: 1) To describe and analyze clinical, virologic and elastographic characteristics in cirrhotic HCV mono-infected and HIV–HCV co-infected patients who receive treatment with DAA, and 2) to describe and analyze the effectiveness and safety of DAA in the patients included. Methods: Retrospective descriptive observational study of a cohort of cirrhotic HCV mono-infected and HIV–HCV co-infected patients on DAA IFN-free therapies in the Infectious Diseases Unit of the General Hospital Universitario Santa Lucia (Cartagena), from 1 January 2015 to 30 April 2016. The variables analyzed were: clinical and elastographic characteristics, comorbidities, routine treatment, efficacy rate, AE and therapeutic failures. Results: From 116 patients with HCV chronic infection who initiated treatment with DAA, 31 (26.7%) were cirrhotic. Twenty-three patients were male (74%), and the mean age was 53.8±8 years. Nineteen patients (61.3%) were co-infected with HIV. The most frequent HCV genotype was 1a. The elastography median result was 20.4 kPa (p25–p75: 17–33 kPa). The mean HCV viral load (log) was 6.18±0.73 (3.75–7.19). Eighty-four percent had at least three comorbidities. Twenty-two patients consumed three or more drugs (71%), and most frequently: benzodiazepines (61%), antihypertensives (50%), proton pump inhibitors (50%), antidepressants (32%) and antipsychotics (29%). Thirteen percent of patients were on methadone program. Effectiveness analysis: 23 patients (74.2%) reached week 12 post-treatment; intention-to-treat analysis: 21 patients (91%) achieved SVR; observed data: 17 patients (74%) with SVR. Six patients presented AE (19%), of which two (33%) resulted in failure due to toxicity/intolerance. One patient had severe hepatic decompensation and deceased. Four patients failed treatment, due to virologic failure (two) and lack of adherence (two). Conclusions: Patients with liver cirrhosis receiving DAA IFN-free therapies present high comorbidity and use of polypharmacy. A higher rate of severe AE was observed without a significant reduction in the virologic efficacy., Background and aims: Hepatitis C (HCV) treatment with direct antiviral agents (DAAs) showed high rates of sustained virological response in clinical trials. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DAAs in a real-world setting, and compare the results in HCV mono-infected and HCV/HIV co-infected patients. Methods: Observational study including all HCV-infected patients starting treatment with DAAs between January 2015 and May 2016. Data were collected by review of clinical files. Liver fibrosis was evaluated by indirect methods (real time elastography, ultrasonography and biochemical markers). Results: Three hundred and eighty-five patients were included, 295 (78%) HIV co-infected, 76% male and 69% aged 40 to 59 years. Mode of transmission was intravenous drugs use in 76%. Genotype (Gt) distribution was: Gt1 244 (63%); Gt2 seven (2%); Gt3a 66 (17%); and Gt4 68 (18%). Liver cirrhosis was present in 10% (38/385). Regimens used were: SOF/LDV in 298 (77%); SOF+RBV in 50 (13%); SOF/LDV+RBV in 26 (7%); other in 11 (3%). Duration of treatment was 8, 12, 16 or 24 weeks, depending on genotype, fibrosis stage and history of previous treatment, according to EASL guidelines. At the time of this analysis, 295 (76%) patients had completed treatment and data for SVR12 were available for 248 (64%). Overall SVR12 was 96%. SVR12 with SOF-based regimens was: Gt1 99% (164/166), Gt2 86% (6/7), Gt3 85% (23/27) and Gt4 91% (40/44). Regimens without SOF, used in haemodialysis patients, had 100% (4/4) SVR12. Cirrhotic patients (32/248) had 94% SVR12; average variation on MELD score for Child-Pugh A and B/C patients with SVR12 was, respectively, −0.9 and −1.4. Eleven patients experienced treatment failure: six treatment experienced; one F4; no relation with HIV infection status – 4% (8/189) in HIV versus 5% (3/59) non-HIV patients. Treatment was well tolerated. Thirty-six percent reported at least one adverse event (AE), the most common being asthaenia (12%) and headache (9%). None discontinued. ART was changed in 10 patients before or during HCV treatment, in seven due to renal AEs. Tenofovir-based regimens were used in 149 HIV-infected patients starting SOF or SOF/LED therapy, prompting changes on ART in six (4%). Conclusions: HCV treatment with DAAs showed high efficacy and good tolerability. SVR12 rate (96%) was consistent with data from clinical trials. High rate of SVR12 and improvement in liver function was observed in cirrhotic patients. Failure was not related with HIV co-infection. Regular monitoring of renal function is needed in patients on tenofovir starting SOF or SOF/LDV., Introduction: Cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma represents the ultimate stage of HCV infection implying a negative impact on patients’ quality of life, increase morbidity and mortality. Hepatic cirrhosis present as a wide histopathologic findings and early HCV infection diagnosis and treatment are major objectives in order to treat infection before hepatic severe fibrosis establishment. Since early 2015, Portugal is living a favourable scenario that allows the prescription of reimbursed DAA regimens, including sofosbuvir (SOF), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDP) coformulation, and most recently, ombitasvir/pariteprevir/ritonavir plus dasabuvir combination (3D), with or without ribavirin (RBV) association. Material and methods: Demographic, epidemiologic, clinical, virologic and treatment response data of HCV chronic infected cirrhotic patients, who were eligible to start treatment with DAA regimens, were collected, during the period between 1 January 2015 and 30 June 2016. Hepatic fibrosis was assessed by real-time elastography together with APRI and FIB-4 serum biomarkers determination. Cirrhosis was considered for those with METAVIR F4 and for those with F3 plus high APRI or FIB-4 scores. Results: During the inclusion period, 153 chronically HCV-infected cirrhotic patients started treatment with DAAs: 100 (65%) HCV/HIV co-infected and 53 (35%) HCV mono-infected. Demographic and epidemiologic characterization of both groups (HCV/HIV vs. HCV) revealed: male predominance in 80% versus 64%, mean age of 49 years versus 55 years, parenteral HCV transmission in 74% versus 56% and mean time since HCV diagnosis of 15 years versus 9.8 years. HCV infection staging evidenced (HCV/HIV vs. HCV): genotype 1 was the most frequent (68% vs. 60%); CC IL28B gene polymorphism in 39% vs. 32% and mean HCV plasma RNA of 6.48 log10 versus 6.4 log10. Clinical scores Child-Pugh and MELD evidenced compensated hepatic disease in the vast majority of patients: 83% versus 96% Child-Pugh A and 77% versus 89% MELD, Introduction: The direct-acting antivirals (DAA) revolutionized the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treatment. Since 2015, DAA became available in Portugal due to a universal access policy. Its use in HIV-infected patients has some peculiarities, especially due to drug interactions. Our aim is to assess the DAA efficacy in real life and to monitor fibrosis and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) changes with treatment. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of HCV-HIV patients treated with DAA between February 2015 and June 2016. The primary outcome was sustained virological response (SVR) at week 12 after treatment and the secondary outcomes were changes in fibrosis, transaminases and AFP. We used the most appropriate measures of central tendency/distribution and statistical test. Results: We included 236 patients that completed 12 weeks after treatment evaluation (from 402 patients with chronic HCV-HIV, 275 started the DAA treatment). Ninety percent (n=212) were men and the mean age was 47.4 (SD 6.6). The majority acquired the infection through drug abuse (91.5%) and 64% were HCV treatment naïve. The most frequent HCV genotype was 1 (77.1%), followed by 3 (10.2%). The cirrhotic rate was 30%. Concerning the HIV treatment, 99% of patients were on treatment. In 68 patients (28.8%) the HIV treatment had to be changed due to drug interactions: efavirenz (38.3%), boosted atazanavir (27.9%), boosted lopinavir (23.5%), nevirapine (8.8%) and boosted elvitegravir (1.5%). The patients changed the HIV treatment to raltegravir, rilpivirine, boosted darunavir or dolutegravir. Regarding HCV treatment, the majority did sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (83.9%), followed by sofosbuvir/ribavirin (9.3%), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir/ribavirin (5.9%) and sofosbuvir/daclatasvir/ribavirin (0.8%). The duration of treatment was 12 weeks in 49.6% and 24 weeks in 50.4%. Our SVR rate was 97% (229 patients cured the infection): four patients did not cure the infection owing to lack of adherence, in two patients the treatment was stopped (acute renal failure and alveolar haemorrhage, respectively) and one patient had a relapse. There were no statistically significant differences in the HIV viral load or CD4 count during the treatment (evaluated at 0, 4 and 12 weeks, end of treatment and 12 weeks after treatment) (Friedman test). The elastography stiffness, AFP and transaminases decreased in a statistically significant manner comparing before and after treatment (Wilcoxon test). Conclusion: Our results confirm in real life the efficacy of these DAA with improvement of fibrosis, hepatic cytolysis and AFP., Introduction: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs created a major paradigm shift in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of DAA therapy and the role of on-treatment HCV RNA kinetics on virological outcome in a “real-life” setting. Materials and methods: All consecutive HIV/HCV co-infected patients starting DAAs from May 2015 to March 2016 at our HIV Outpatient Clinic were evaluated. Baseline characteristics, safety data, sustained virological response at 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12) and HCV RNA at 8 hours/48 hours/week 1/week 2/week 4/week 8 and monthly thereafter were assessed. Results: Forty-nine patients were treated. Demographic, clinical/virological characteristics at baseline and DAA regimens are shown in Table 1. To date, 31 patients completed 12 weeks of follow-up after end of treatment. Thirty patients (97%) achieved SVR12 and one patient (3%) failed to obtain HCV RNA undetectability at 12 weeks after end of treatment. Thirteen patients achieved HCV RNA 12 UI/mL at week 4 and HCV RNA 12 UI/mL at week 8 and HCV RNA, Introduction: Treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) with interferon-based regimens was associated with a decrease in the CD4 cell count in HCV–HIV co-infected patients, which returned to baseline after the end of treatment. HCV cure with those regimens was associated with a progressive increase in CD4 cell count. Aim: To assess the impact of HCV treatment with DAAs on CD4 cell count. Methods: Prospective study of HCV/HIV co-infected patients treated with DAAs for chronic hepatitis C. CD4 cell counts at baseline, at the end of treatment and 12 weeks after treatment were compared. The patients were randomized based on CD4 count at baseline lower or equal and higher than 350 CD4/mm3. Results: We included 133 patients: 88.7% were male, the mean age was 46 years old and the acquisition of HCV was by intravenous drug use in 94%. The most frequent genotype was G1 (79.7%), followed by G4 (11.3%), G3 (8.3%) and G2 (0.8%). Overall, 41.4% were treatment experienced. Mean value of fibrosis was 18.4 kPa and 52.6% of patients were cirrhotic. All patients were receiving antiretroviral treatment and all had undetectable HIV RNA. The mean baseline CD4 count was 603/mm3. Of the patients with, Introduction: People consulted for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be at higher risk for HCV and/or HIV infection due to earlier exposures, lifestyle or occupation. Here, we evaluate the positivity rate of anti-HCV and anti-HIV/p24 in this population, as well as factors related to it. Methods: We performed retrospective analyzes of consultations due to PEP in HIV Outpatient Clinic in Warsaw. Data were obtained from electronic database, which collects all medical information since 2007. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors related to positive anti-HCV test (all with p, Introduction: The current era of HCV direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has allowed HIV–HCV co-infected patients to achieve similar rates of response to HCV mono-infected patients [1]. Managing HIV–HCV therapy is complex, often involving drug–drug interactions (DDIs) between the DAAs, ARVs and other medicines. We evaluated the incidence of DDIs in co-infected patients and its impact on choice of preferred HCV therapy as recommended by NHS England. Material and methods: Retrospective evaluation of all HIV–HCV co-infected patients receiving DAAs seen across nine UK centres from June 2015 till May 2016. Data were collected on demographics, HCV genotype, choice of DAA and ARVs and any changes made to these or additional monitoring required. The Liverpool hep-druginteractions.org website [2] was used to evaluate the presence and severity of potential drug interactions. Results: Hundred and eighty-three patients were identified of which 163/183 (89%) were male and median 49 years old. Hundred and forty-eight of 183 (81%) were HCV genotype 1, 17 (9%) genotype 4, 15 (8%) genotype 3 and two with genotype 2, with 78/183 (43%) reporting cirrhosis. Eighty-eight of 183 (48%) were non-responders or relapses to prior HCV therapy. The HIV and HCV regimens are listed in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. Twenty-nine of 183 (16%) required alteration to their HIV regimen prior to DAA therapy (Table 3). Twenty-two of 29 (76%) of which received Abbvie 2D/3D (ritonavir)-based DAA. Six of 183 (3%) required adaptation of HCV regimen due to current ART regimen. Six hundred and ninety-four comedicines were identified in 146/183 (80%) patients (median 3.5/patient). Hundred and seventy-two of 694 (25%) amber DDIs (close monitor/dosage adjustment required) were identified in 56/183 (31%) of patients, with 17/694 (2%) red (do not co-administer) observed for 14/183 (8%) of patients. The need for additional monitoring was reported for 61/183 (33%) of patients due to potential DDIs with the DAA chosen, including renal monitoring for tenofovir/ledipasvir co-administration, monitoring of INR for warfarin, blood pressure and lipids. Conclusion: Managing HIV–HCV co-infected patients is clearly complex requiring review and modification of both HIV and HCV therapy with additional monitoring. The majority received what was deemed first-line HCV therapy as per national prescribing guidelines at the time of initiation of HCV treatment. The role of the specialist pharmacy team is key to managing this cohort., Introduction: Increasingly, women in Sub-Saharan Africa are choosing etonogestrel (ENG) contraceptive implants because they are highly effective and well tolerated. However, implantable contraceptive failures are reported in HIV-positive women due to drug-contraceptive interactions with efavirenz (EFV)-based ART [1–3]. We characterized ENG pharmacokinetics in HIV-positive Ugandan women receiving ENG implants plus EFV- or nevirapine (NVP)-based ART compared with ART-naïve women. To explore the potential for a bidirectional interaction, we compared EFV and NVP concentrations before and after ENG implant insertion. Material and methods: This non-randomized, parallel-group study included three arms: ART-naïve, EFV- or NVP-based ART (N=20 per group). Participants in the ART groups were on stable ART with an undetectable HIV RNA at entry. Sparse pharmacokinetic sampling of ENG, EFV and NVP were performed at screening, entry and then 1, 4, 12 and 24 weeks post-implant insertion. In the ART groups, plasma was collected 12 to 14 hours post-EFV or 11 to 13 hours post-NVP dose. Participants on EFV-based ART had copper intrauterine devices in place at entry. ART and ENG concentrations were quantitated using validated HPLC and HPLC-MS/MS methods, respectively. Data are compared as geometric mean ratio (GMR), with 90% CI. Results: At entry, study groups were similar in age, weight and CD4 count. Data from 58 participants are included; one participant each was excluded from the EFV (ART non-adherence) and NVP (processing error) groups. Geometric mean (GM) ENG area under the curve (AUC) from 0 to 24 weeks (AUC0–24) were 11.12, 1.80 and 10.47ng*wk/mL in the ART-naïve, EFV and NVP groups, respectively (AUC0–24 GMR: EFV: ART-naïve 0.162 (0.160–0.163); NVP: ART-naïve 0.941 (0.938–0.944)). EFV and NVP concentrations were lower at week 24 compared with pre-implant (EFV: GM 3.6 vs. 4.7 mg/L, respectively, GMR 0.76 (0.71–0.79), p=0.009; NVP: GM 5.7 vs. 6.9 mg/L, respectively, GMR 0.83 (0.78–0.88), p=0.227). No participant in the EFV group and one participant in the NVP group had concentrations below the suggested threshold for virologic suppression at week 24 (EFV, Introduction: Main pharmacologic advantages of dolutegravir compared with other integrase inhibitors are its suitability for once-daily administration, no need for pharmacokinetic boosting, a high barrier to resistance and its modest drug-to-drug interaction profile. It should be pointed out, however, that most of these features derive from studies in healthy volunteers. Here we aimed to characterize the pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir in a real-life setting. Materials and methods: Consecutive HIV-infected patients treated with dolutegravir for at least one month with a request for monitoring of dolutegravir plasma concentrations were considered. Drug concentrations were assessed by a validated HPLC-UV method. Dolutegravir trough concentrations were estimated using the interval between last dose intake and blood sampling and the drugs elimination half-life and clustered according to the companion antiretroviral drug. Results: Sixty HIV-infected adult patients were included in the study. All patients had good immunologic status (CD4 cell count 660±325 cells/mL) with no clinical signs of liver or kidney dysfunction. Patients were given dolutegravir at 50 mg once daily, with mean sparse and trough drug concentrations of 2553±1932 and 1507±1283 ng/mL, respectively. Dolutegravir was given in combination with atazanavir (n=25), darunavir (n=13), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (n=12, rilpivirine or etravirine) or abacavir/emtricitabine (n=10). By multivariate analyzes, only companion antiretroviral drug resulted significantly associated with dolutegravir plasma trough concentrations (p=0.012). Indeed, patients given dolutegravir with atazanavir had three- to four-fold higher drug concentrations compared with those given darunavir, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or abacavir/emtricitabine (2918±1411 vs. 617±286, 932±965 or 1168±822 ng/mL, p, Introduction: Dolutegravir (DTG) is the latest available integrase strand transfer inhibitor. It is primarily metabolized via UGT1A1 with CYP 3A4 as a minor pathway and it is substrate of p-glycoprotein. Few drug-to-drug interactions have been observed but data on DTG pharmacokinetics (PK) in the clinical setting are limited. Materials and methods: The Torino Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) registry was used and patients on DTG, with fully available data (demographic, time after dose and concomitant medications), were included; patients on rifampin were excluded. Data are described as medians (interquartile ranges) and analyzed through non-parametric tests. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed including variables with p-values below 0.10 at univariate tests. Results: Three hundred and sixty-three samples were available from 149 patients (median 1, range 1–19 per patient). Median age and body mass index were 49.3 years (46.4–54.5) and 24.2 kg/m2 (20.8–27.7); 102 patients (68.4%) were male and 50 (33.5%) were HCV positive. Samples were withdrawn 22.5 hours (10.8–24.2) after drug intake (198 (54.5%) were trough values) and DTG median concentrations were 1107 ng/mL (399–2549). Three hundred and twenty-four (91.3%) and 31 (8.7%) samples were from patients on once-daily or twice-daily DTG: respective trough values were 660 ng/mL (255–1237) and 2674 ng/mL (1000–3474). Inter-patient variability was high (102%) and lower in patients on twice-daily DTG (56.9% vs. 108%); intra-patient variability (calculated in 10 patients with >4 trough samples, all on once-daily DTG) was 64.7%. A moderate significant correlation was observed between DTG concentrations and age (rho 0.21 and p, Introduction: Limited prospective PK data are available on DRV/RTV once daily (OD) and RAL twice daily (BD) in ARV-naïve HIV-infected individuals. We here present the PK analysis performed in the NEAT001/ANRS143 study. Materials and methods: NEAT 001/ANRS143 96-week randomized study demonstrated non-inferiority of first-line ART with DRV/RTV (800/100 mg OD) plus RAL (400 mg BD) compared with DRV/RTV plus TDF/FTC (245/200 mg OD). However, higher failure rates in the RAL arm were seen in those with low CD4 counts and high viral load (VL) at baseline. Blood for PK analysis of study drugs (TFV, FTC, DRV, RTV, and RAL) was collected 4 and 24 weeks after ARV initiation. Only samples drawn between 5 and 30 hours post-dose were included in this analysis. Drug concentrations were log-transformed, and linear regression analysis was used to examine possible determinants of DRV concentrations (age, gender, weight, ethnicity, RTV, RAL), adjusted for time post-dose. We also examined if DRV concentration was lower in patients with CD4, Introduction: Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (EVG/COBI/FTC/TAF (150/150/200/10 mg); E/C/F/TAF; Genvoya) is a single-tablet regimen approved for HIV treatment. Atorvastatin (AVA; Lipitor), a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, is a commonly prescribed medication for lipid lowering in HIV-infected individuals. AVA is metabolized by CYP3A and is a substrate of Pgp and OATP1B1/1B3. COBI, a pharmacokinetic (PK) enhancer in E/C/F/TAF, is an inhibitor of CYP3A, P-gp and OATP1B1/1B3. This study evaluated the DDI potential between E/C/F/TAF and AVA. Materials and methods: This was a randomized, three-period and open-label study. Healthy subjects (n=16) received the following treatments in a fixed sequence: AVA 10 mg on day 1; E/C/F/TAF on days 4 to 13; E/C/F/TAF+AVA 10 mg on day 14. PK assessments were performed on the last day of each period (days 1, 13 and 14). Statistical comparisons of EVG, COBI, TAF, TFV and AVA exposures were made using geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and associated 90% CI bounds of 70 to 143% (EVG, COBI, TAF, TFV AUC, Cmax and Ctau; AVA AUC) and 50 to 200% (AVA Cmax), with E/C/F/TAF+AVA serving as the test (day 14) and E/C/F/TAF or AVA alone serving as the reference (day 13 or 1, respectively). Results: All subjects completed the study and treatments were generally well tolerated. The majority of adverse events (AEs) were mild in severity and no grade 3 or 4 AEs were observed. Following co-administration of E/C/F/TAF+AVA, relative to AVA alone, the GMRs of the PK parameters of AVA were 2.3- to 2.9-fold higher (Table 1) and its active ortho- and parahydroxylated metabolites were undetectable, indicating a DDI attributed the COBI-mediated effect of E/C/F/TAF on AVA. In contrast, and as expected due to the limited liability of AVA as a perpetrator of DDI, following co-administration of E/C/F/TAF+AVA, relative to E/C/F/TAF alone, the 90% CIs about the GMRs of the PK parameters of EVG, COBI, TAF and TFV were within the prespecified bounds and consistent with historical data. Conclusions: All treatments were generally well tolerated. An increase in AVA exposures was observed following co-administration with E/C/F/TAF, consistent with intestinal Pgp inhibition and the inhibition of the CYP3A-mediated metabolism of AVA by COBI. AVA did not result in changes in the PK of the components of E/C/F/TAF. These findings are aligned with the prescribing information of E/C/F/TAF regarding AVA, which recommends initiating AVA treatment with the lowest starting dose and titrate with clinical monitoring., Introduction: Data on protease inhibitors (PI) persistence in plasma are limited to ritonavir (RTV)-boosting, and data with cobicistat-boosting are unavailable. The object of this study was to investigate the PK of darunavir (DRV)–cobicistat and atazanavir (ATV)–cobicistat once-daily dosing over 72 hours following drug intake cessation. Materials and methods: Healthy volunteers received a fixed-dose combination of atazanavir 300 mg + cobicistat 150 mg once daily for 10 days, followed by a 10-day washout period and then a fixed-dose combination of darunavir 800 mg + cobicistat 150 mg once daily for 10 days. Full PK profiles were assessed for each phase for the 72 hours following day 10. PK parameters were determined over 24 hours in plasma and to the last measurable concentration in plasma and urine (24–72 hours post-dose) by non-compartmental methods. Results: Sixteen subjects completed the study. Geometric mean (GM) terminal elimination half-life to 72 hours of darunavir was 6.35 hours, lower than the 0 to 24 hours half-life (10.41 hours). The terminal elimination half-life of atazanavir was 6.77 hours, lower than the 0 to 24 hours half-life (9.69 hours). These values did not remarkably differ from those measured with RTV [1]. Thirteen of 16 subjects had darunavir concentrations higher than the target of 550 ng/mL for protease-resistant HIV isolates (equivalent to 10 times the protein binding corrected minimum inhibitory concentration (IC50) for wild-type virus) [2] at 24 hours post-dose, and 5/16 subjects had concentrations higher than the target at 30 hours post-dose (GM of 1033 and 381 ng/mL). All subjects had atazanavir concentrations above the suggested minimum effective concentration of 150 ng/mL (equivalent to 10 times the protein binding corrected IC50 for wild-type virus) [2] 24 hours post-dose and 14/16 subjects had concentrations higher than the target at 30 hours post-dose (GM of 759 and 407 ng/mL). At 48 hours post-dose, no subject had concentrations above targets with darunavir-cobicistat whilst 3/16 subjects did for atazanavir-cobicistat. Cobicistat half-life to 72 hours was 3.62 hours with darunavir and 4.21 hours with atazanavir (both were shorter than RTV's) [1]. GM urine C24 darunavir and atazanavir concentrations were 11,878 ng/mL and 24,857 ng/mL respectively. Urine concentrations decay mirrored plasma concentration decay for both drugs. Conclusions: This study investigated the PK forgiveness of two cobicistat-boosted protease inhibitors in plasma. Different concentration decay patterns and relationships with cut-offs used to define therapeutic concentrations were seen for DRV and ATV, which may be partially explained by cobicistat half-life (shorter with DRV than ATV). For the first time, we also measured drug PK forgiveness in urine, which can be an easier marker of adherence. Further clinical data are warranted to inform on whether drug doses can be delayed or missed., Introduction: Darunavir (DRV) is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and CYP3A5 and is a substrate for the hepatic influx transporter, OATP1B1 (encoded by SLCO1B1). The pregnane X receptor (PXR; NR1I2) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR; NR1I3) play important roles in transcriptional regulation of enzymes and transporters. The effect of polymorphisms within these genes on the pharmacokinetics of DRV was investigated in participants from the NEAT 001/ANRS 143 study. Methods: NEAT 001/ANRS 143 was a randomized study that demonstrated non-inferiority of first-line ART with DRV/ritonavir (DRV/r; 800/100 mg once daily) plus raltegravir (RAL; 400 mg twice daily) compared with DRV/r plus tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC; 245/200 mg once daily). Blood samples were collected at week 4 post-therapy initiation at any time >5 hours post-dose. DNA was extracted from whole blood and genotyping for CYP3A4 (rs35599367), CYP3A5 (rs776746), SLCO1B1 (rs4149056; 521T>C), CAR (rs2307424) and PXR (rs2472677) polymorphisms was conducted. Plasma drug concentrations were log transformed and genetic associations were assessed using linear regression. Analysis was conducted in the entire cohort (pooled), as well as independently in each arm. Results: A total of 1278 plasma concentrations were available from 653 participants. In week 4 pooled analysis, SLCO1B1 rs4149056 was associated with DRV plasma concentrations (p=0.025). SLCO1B1 rs4149056 was significantly associated with DRV plasma concentrations in the TDF/FTC arm (p=0.036), but not the RAL arm (p=0.38). In the TDF/FTC arm, plasma DRV concentrations were 2936±5256 ng/mL, 3121±2160 ng/mL and 2520±1296 ng/mL, in TT, TC and CC genotype groups, respectively. NR1I3 rs2307424 was significantly associated with ritonavir plasma concentrations in TDF/FTC arm (p=0.001) but not the RAL arm (p=0.57). Plasma concentrations for ritonavir in the TDF/FTC arm at week 4 were 207±256 ng/mL, 192±333 ng/mL and 111±117 ng/mL for GG, AG and AA, respectively. No other associations were observed. Conclusions: Lower DRV plasma concentrations were observed in C homozygotes for SLCO1B1 521T>C in patients receiving a TDF/FTC backbone but not those receiving RAL. This association is different to that previously reported for lopinavir and statins, where concentrations were higher in C homozygotes. This may indicate an indirect effect of this polymorphism on DRV concentrations (e.g. mediated by an interacting drug) but confirmatory studies are required and the underlying mechanism needs to be elucidated., Introduction: In the product monograph of Stribild, it is recommended that the formulation should be administered under fed conditions to optimize drugs exposure. Here we assessed to what extent this advice is applied in the real-life scenario by measuring drugs plasma trough concentrations in HIV-infected patients given Stribild alone or as part of antiretroviral therapy as per their daily routine practice. Materials and methods: Consecutive HIV-infected patients treated with Stribild for at least one month, with no clinical evidence of gastrointestinal impairment and not given drugs known to affect elvitegravir or tenofovir pharmacokinetics, were considered. Drug concentrations were assessed by a validated LC-MS/MS method (lower limit of quantification (LOQ): 25, 10, 5 and 100 ng/mL for elvitegravir, tenofovir, cobicistat and darunavir, respectively). Results: Thirty-six percent of our patients (n=65) took Stribild in the evening with food, and the remaining were distributed as follows: 23% in the morning with breakfast, 9% middle in the morning, 17% at lunchtime and 15% late in the evening. Nine out of the 65 patients had elvitegravir concentrations below the LOQ of the method, whereas in the remaining the levels were largely distributed (Figure 1). All patients with suboptimal elvitegravir exposure took Stribild under fasting conditions. Wide inter-individual variability in the tenofovir and cobicistat levels was also observed, with 13 out of the 65 patients having cobicistat concentrations, Introduction: DCFTAF is the first single-tablet, once-daily protease inhibitor-based complete HIV-1 regimen containing darunavir (DRV, D 800 mg), cobicistat (COBI, C 150 mg), emtricitabine (FTC, F 200 mg) and the novel prodrug of tenofovir, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF, 10 mg). TAF has an improved renal and bone safety profile compared with tenofovir disproxyl fumarate. The efficacy and safety of DCFTAF is under investigation in two international, fully randomized phase 3 studies, AMBER (NCT02431247) and EMERALD (NCT02269917). This study evaluated the impact of food on the pharmacokinetics of the DCFTAF components. Methods: This was a phase 1, open-label, randomized, two-period, single-centre, crossover study in 24 HIV-negative, healthy volunteers (NCT02475135). In two treatment sessions, participants received a single oral dose of DCFTAF under fasted conditions or 30 minutes after a standardized high-fat breakfast, with a ≥7-day washout period in between. Pharmacokinetic profiles were determined over 72 hours for DRV and COBI, 48 hours for FTC and 12 hours for TAF. Plasma concentrations of DRV, COBI, FTC and TAF were determined using validated LC-MS/MS assays. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using non-compartmental analysis (WinNonlin) and evaluated using least square (LS) means ratios and 90% CIs. Safety and tolerability were assessed throughout the study. Results: When administered as DCFTAF, DRV exposure was 30 to 45% lower and COBI exposure was 16 to 30% lower, in fasted (test) compared with fed conditions (reference) (Table 1). For FTC, Cmax was 26% higher in fasted compared with fed conditions, while AUClast was comparable under both conditions (Table 1). For TAF, the Cmax was 82% higher, while AUCinf was 20% lower, in fasted than in fed conditions. The TAF AUClast was comparable under both conditions (90% CI of the LS mean ratio was within the 80 to 125% boundaries of no effect) (Table 1). Administration of DCFTAF was generally well tolerated under fed and fasted conditions. No new safety issues, grade 3/4 or serious adverse events or deaths occurred. There were no discontinuations due to adverse events. Conclusions: When administered as the DCFTAF tablet, DRV exposure was decreased in fasted conditions versus fed conditions, similar to other (co)formulations of DRV. Differences in the exposures to COBI, FTC and TAF in fasted conditions versus fed conditions are not considered to be clinically relevant. Consistent with other DRV formulations, it is recommended the DCFTAF tablet be taken with food, which is also the recommendation in the ongoing phase 3 AMBER and EMERALD trials in HIV-1-infected adults. SD, standard deviation; LS, least square; CI,confidence interval; Cmax, maximum plasma concentration; tmax, time to Cmax; AUClast, area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC, calculated by linear-linear trapezoidal summation) from time of administration up to the last timepoint with a measurable concentration post-dose; AUCinf, AUC from time of administration to infinity; t1/2term, terminal elimination half-life; ND, not determined., Introduction: Cobicistat, a component of single-treatment regimen EVG/C/F/T, is a potent cytochrome P450 inhibitor [1], so many DDI are expected. From the real practice perspective, we evaluated the clinical impact of DDI associated with the use of EVG/C/F/T and concomitant medication (CM). Methods: From July 2014 to January 2016, we retrospectively reviewed all patients starting a new EVG/C/F/T regimen, both in naïve and switching scenarios, in six hospitals of Spain. CM was recorded since EVG/C/F/T was started, and categorized, according to the Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions (LHDI) tool (no interactions expected, potential interactions/use with caution and formally contraindicated). The highest degree of DDI found was applied. Time and reasons to change EVG/C/F/T were compared according to CM status (no DDI, if patient has no CM or no interactions were expected, and DDI present, if CM has been identified by LHDI tool with potential interactions or contraindicated) [2]. Results: Overall 243 patients, followed for a median time of 13.7 years before starting EVG/C/F/T, were included, 75% men, with a median age of 47 years, route of HIV transmission (IDU 35%, MSM 34%), AIDS stage 28%, baseline CD4 count 521 and HIV RNA fully suppressed in 73%. Among 198 (82%) pre-treated patients, main reasons for starting EVG/C/F/T were simplification 57% and toxicity 18%. Thirty-seven percent of patients did not received CM, while 152 (63%) received a median of 2 (2–4) CM that were classified as no DDI 26%, potential DDI 73% or contraindicated 2% (domperidone and ivadravina). After a median exposure of 278 days to EVG/C/F/T, 13% of patients changed its therapy due to toxicity 6.2%, DDI 2.1%, failure 0.8%, simplification 0.8% and other reasons 3.3%. No differences were observed in median time to change EVG/C/F/T according to DDI status, neither in the univariate log rank test p (0.69) nor in the Cox regression analysis p (0.64). Conclusions: In clinical practice, despite a large number of drug-drug interactions are predicted for EVG/C/F/T and concomitant medication, these did not influence a shorter durability., Introduction: Dolutegravir (DTG) is a second-generation integrase inhibitor used for the treatment of HIV-1-infected patients. DTG has shown anti-HIV effects non-inferior to those of other drugs in phase 3 trials and can be conveniently taken once daily. The characteristic side effects of DTG include central nervous system side-effects (CNSSEs) leading to drug discontinuation in cases. Furthermore, DTG is primarily metabolized by UGT1A1, and there is a weak correlation between DTG plasma-trough concentrations and UGT1A1 genetic polymorphisms. The principal aim of the study was to explore DTG plasma-trough concentrations association with CNSSEs. Moreover, we considered whether UGT1A1 genetic polymorphisms could predict of DTG CNSSEs. Materials and methods: We included 101 Japanese HIV-1-infected patients given DTG at Osaka National Hospital from June 2014 to March 2016. Their DTG trough levels were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. UGT1A1 was genotyped using the sequence method. We compared the frequency of CNSSEs among three groups: A (with homozygous mutations in UGT1A1*6/*28 or compound heterozygous mutations in *6/*28); B (patients with heterozygous mutations in *6/*28); and C (wild-type). Results: Side-effects developed in 37 of 101 patients (37%), and of these, CNSSEs were evident in 21 patients (21%): headache in eight (38%); insomnia in six (29%); irritability in three (14%); light-headedness in two (9%); depression in one (1%); and dizziness in one (1%). The median DTG plasma-trough concentration was significantly higher in patients with CNSSEs (1.34 µg/mL) than in those without CNSSEs (1.06 µg/mL) (p, Introduction: There is expanding evidence that redox-imbalance plays a role in viral, inflammatory and immunological response of HIV infection [1]. Albumin circulates as S-thiolated form (RSSP) in near of 25%, and S-thiolation by disulfide bond with low molecular weight thiols, such as glutathione (GSH) generating glutathionylated proteins (GSSP), cysteine (cysSH; CysSSP), homocysteine (HCysSH; HCysSSP) and cysteinylglycine (CysGlySH; CysGlySSP) is a common reversible oxidative modification. This process protects protein thiols from irreversible oxidation, is a relevant redox-buffer in blood and has a regulatory function [2]. The RSSP-profile might represent a pharmacodynamics biomarker for assessing the redox-modulating effects of drugs. The antiretrovirals, as efavirenz (EFV) and nevirapine (NVP), were implicated with protein adducts formation and oxidative stress induction [3]. This work is aimed to investigate the RSSP-profiling in a cohort of HIV-infected patients and additionally the redox-modulating response to EFV and NVP. Methods: The study protocol received prior approval from hospitals ethics committee. Patients gave their written informed consent. A cross-sectional analysis was performed. Patients were stratified according to cART use: naïve, on NVP-cART and EFV-cART. Anthropometric and clinical data (age, CD4 cell count, viral load, kidney and liver function parameters, hepatitis B and C co-infection) were recorded for each patient. Exclusion criteria included kidney and hepatic dysfunction. Patients with detectable viral load in cART groups were also excluded. Thiols were quantified by an HPLC-FD method and the RSSP-profiles were obtained. Results: A total of 135 patients were included (70% male, 44±11 years old; CD4 cell count 606±22 cells/µL). Patients’ characteristics and data obtained from thiol-omic analyses are summarized in Table 1. Among naïve patients, there was no association between viral load and any type of RSSP. Conversely, CD4 cell count was associated with CysSSP (r=0.5390, p=0.014), GSSP (r=0.4930, p=0.044) and CysGlySSP (r=0.4508, p=0.046). Multivariable analysis of the entire cohort showed that GSSP levels were associated with age (B: −0.04; 95% CI −0.06–−0.02; p=0.001) and cART (B: 1.7; 95% CI 1.1–2.2; p, Introduction: EVG/COBI has shown high rates of efficacy and when combined in the single-tablet regimen (STR) with emtricitabine/tenofovir-alafenamide (F/TAF) improved bone and renal safety in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced participants compared with F/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF). We evaluated the clinical consequences of use of the PIM amlodipine, a medication which has a caution and recommendation for clinical monitoring when administered with EVG/COBI/FTC with either TDF or TAF, in nine large phase 3 clinical trials. Materials and methods: We retrospectively pooled data from five treatment-naïve studies (GS-US-292-0104, GS-US-292-0111, GS-US-236-0102, GS-US-236-0103, GS-US-236-0128) and four treatment-experienced studies (GS-US-292-0109, GS-US-292-0112, GS-US-236-0115, GS-US-236-0121) to assess AEs associated with concomitant use of amlodipine. All participants received EVG/COBI/emtricitabine combined in an STR with either TDF or TAF. Drug-specific AEs were obtained from Micromedex and Lexi-Comp. We evaluated the following: (1) AEs occurring in >10% of participants, (2) AEs leading to premature discontinuation and (3) drug-specific grade 2–4 AEs. Statistical comparisons between users and non-users of the PIM were conducted using two-sided Fisher exact tests. Results: Of the 4667 participants, there were 153 who received amlodipine (mean age 50 years, 75% male and 46% Caucasian). See Table 1. Although there was no difference in all-grade adverse events between amlodipine users and non-users, amlodipine users had higher rates of drug-specific AEs: (1) peripheral edema (4.6% with and 0.4% without amlodipine, p, Introduction: Drug–drug interactions (DDI) between hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) and HIV ARVs are frequent. To date, most information has been obtained from phase 1 DDI studies in healthy volunteers and drug combinations permitted in phase 2 and 3 HIV/HCV co-infection trials [1,2]. Aim of this study was to investigate ARV plasma trough levels before and during sofosbuvir (SOF)-based treatment in HCV/HIV co-infected patients treated in the real-world setting. Material and methods: This study is a monocentre, prospective, open-label, observational cohort study. HIV/HCV co-infected persons undergoing HCV treatment with standard dose of DAA and antiretrovirals are enrolled. Patients also need to receive the same ARVs for at least 2 weeks before starting DAA treatment and to have HIV RNA 40 copies/mL during SOF-based treatment was observed. Consequences of loss of virological suppression, such as resistance development or treatment change, are still under observation. Conclusions: In this large HIV/HCV co-infected patient population observed in the real-world setting, no significant modifications in ARV concentrations during SOF-based DAA treatment were observed for the most commonly used antiretrovirals. Nonetheless, loss of virological suppression does occur during DAA treatment and thus monitoring of plasma drug levels and viral load is advisable., Introduction: Regarding the published data, the overall medication error rate in HIV patients admitted to a hospital varies between 5.8% and 86% [1], depending on the methodology and study duration. Admission of an HIV-infected patient by a physician not specialized in infectious diseases could be a risk factor for drug-related problems. Most of the described errors are prescribing errors [2],3, highlighting the need for a detailed and accurate medication reconciliation on admission. Materials and methods: Descriptive observational study. HIV-infected patients with any ART admitted to a hospital ward were included. The study lasted 5 months (March–July 2015).The primary outcome was the ART error rate. Secondary outcomes included the following: type of ART error; omission of treatment, wrong schedule, wrong dose, wrong drug, pharmacologic interaction (classified as potential interaction or forbidden co-administration according to the University of Liverpool classification of interactions); error rate in each type of ward (medical or surgical); number of times error reach to patient; time until correction of medication errors. A clinical pharmacist reviewed prescriptions of all hospitalized HIV patients with ART on a daily basis. Medication reconciliation was made comparing outpatient medication records with the treatment prescribed to the patient at admission. The pharmaceutical intervention was carried out through a text message associated with the electronic prescription and a phone call to the physician in charge of the patient. Subsequently, the degree of acceptance of interventions was evaluated. Results: In total, 105 HIV patients were admitted to our hospital during follow-up period, with a total of 124 admissions. Patients had a mean (SD) age of 49 years (±8.48) and 73.4% were male. A total of 32 patients (30.5%) had at least one error. We detected a total of 41 errors (Table 1). A total of 13 forbidden co-administration and 505 potential interactions were detected. However, pharmacist intervention was necessary only in two patients with contraindicated combinations (protease inhibitor+statins), the rest was controlled by HIV physicians. Error rate was similar in both surgical and medical wards (34% and 33%, respectively). A total of 29% of errors reached to patients. Patients were exposed to errors a median time of 54 hours. In total, 46.3% of pharmaceutical interventions were accepted. Conclusions: Error rate was as high as in other studies. Medication reconciliation on admission by a pharmacist helps to correct these errors. Collaboration between hospital pharmacists and HIV unit with physicians not specialized in infectious diseases, and the development of strategies are needed to prevent medication errors in HIV patients at admission., Introduction: Tenofovir (TDF) is one of the most widely used antiretroviral drugs. Despite the high degree of tolerability, a small percentage of patients experienced alteration in tubular function during TDF use. Intracellular TDF disposition is regulated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug efflux transporters, and a reduced transport activity may be implicated in accumulation of TDF into the cells. The aim of our study was to assess the major determinant of TDF-associated tubular dysfunction in a real-life setting including the usefulness of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mapping into ABCC2, ABCC4 and ABCC10 genes. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed all HIV-positive patients who were followed at the Infectious Diseases Unit, DIBIC Luigi Sacco, University of Milan from April 2013 to June 2015. All patients treated with TDF during their antiretroviral history were evaluated for the functional variants mapping in ABCC2 (−24 C>T/rs717620 and 4544 G>A/rs8187710), ABCC4 (3463 A>G/rs1751034) and ABCC10 (rs2125739 T>C). Kidney tubular dysfunction (KTD) was defined as the presence of urine phosphate wasting and/or proteinuria at 24-hour urine analysis. Results: During the period of observation, 158 patients were selected and genotyped; 42 (26.6%) patients experienced a KTD and 116 (73.4%) had a normal tubular function. No statistically significant differences were observed among these two groups of patients regarding age, gender and ethnicity; non-Caucasian patients were two (4.8%) and three (2.6%), respectively. No differences were also observed in the distribution of hypertension and diabetes among groups. Patients who experienced KTD had a longer median duration of therapy in TDF than patients without KTD (6.3 years (interquartile range (IQR) 2.5–9.2) vs. 4.9 (IQR 1.9–7.9); p=0.09) and a higher prevalence of bone disease (23 (54.8%) vs. 32 (27.6%); p=0.002). The percentage of patients with KTD was higher among those with “GG” genotype at rs1751034 of ABCC4 compared to patients with normal tubular function (6 (14.3%) vs. 4 (3.5%), p=0.01) (Figure 1). No statistically significant differences were observed regarding the distribution of ABCC2 and ABCC10 SNPs. Carriers of “G” allele in homozygous status at rs1751034 of ABCC4 showed a significant association with KTD (odds ratio 4.67, 95% CI 1.25–17.46, p=0.02) in bivariate analysis, but this association was lost in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: In our real-life cohort, 26% of patients treated with TDF manifested signs related to kidney tubular dysfunction. According to our results, ABCC4 rs1751034 should be a genetic determinant of KTD; however, further validation studies are needed for therapy personalization., Introduction: ARV agents pose a high risk for drug–drug interactions (DDIs) with other ARV and non-ARV drugs. Induction or inhibition of different cytochrome P450 enzymes by protease inhibitors (PI) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) is one of the major but not exclusive metabolic pathways potentially leading to an increased risk of toxicity or loss of efficacy of ARV and non-ARV drugs. Partly metabolized by other pathways, the integrase inhibitor (INI) class might show a more favourable profile. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of potential DDIs in patients who recently started ARV and to evaluate the effect of INI introduction. Materials and methods: The study population comprised all patients starting ART in our centre from 2009 till April 2016. All prescribed comedications since start of ARV were recorded retrospectively from the medical files. The complete treatment was screened for DDIs using the most recent version of the University of Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions database (www.hiv-druginteractions.org). DDIs were scored as absent, potential, contra-indicated or not assessable due to lack of data. Results: Of the 145 patients included, 28% (n=41) were treated on an NNRTI-based regimen, 30% (n=44) on a PI-based regimen and 42% (n=61) on an INI-based regimen. Dolutegravir (69%, n=42) and elvitegravir (30%, n=18) were the most prescribed INIs. A total of 78% (n=113) of the patients took comedication. Polypharmacy (≥5 comedications) was seen in 26% of patients, significantly correlated with age (p=0.024). Potential DDI was seen in 63% (n=71) of the patients with comedication and in 32% (160/503) of all non-ARV prescriptions. These involved mainly antimicrobial drugs (33%), cardiovascular drugs (19%) and central nervous system drugs (19%). Contra-indicated prescriptions were detected in 1% (n=6), disproportionally more involving gastro-intestinal drugs (66%). PI-based ART was an independent risk factor for potential or contra-indicated DDI (odds ratio (OR) 2.36; 95% CI 1.14–4.90; p=0.030). There was no higher risk associated with NNRTI-based ART (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.32–1.36) as well as for INI-based regimens (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.33–1.25). A significantly lower risk for drug interaction was seen with dolutegravir-based treatment (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.22–0.98; p=0.046), though not for elvitegravir-based ART (OR 1.76; 95% CI 0.64–4.82). Conclusions: Integrase inhibitor use did not result in lower or higher risk for drug–drug interactions in our patient cohort. However, dolutegravir-based treatment showed a significantly lower risk for DDIs, which was not the case for elvitegravir., Introduction: Efavirenz (EFV) is primarily metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B6, which is genetically polymorphic. Genotype 516TT is associated with decreased plasma clearance of EFV and a higher incidence of neurologic complications. The pharmacokinetic difference between 516GG and 516GT after long-term use of EFV has however received less attention. Methods: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is available as a supplemental clinical service to HIV patients receiving HAART in Hong Kong. A high-performance liquid chromatography system has been in operation for about 10 years. Mid-dose plasma level of EFV of patients started on an EFV-based treatment regimen at year 1 (defined as more than 2 months and less than 2 years) were evaluated. As a sub-study, EFV-treated patients of Integrated Treatment Centre with blood tests done at two or more time points were analyzed. Results: TDM results of 95 patients were examined in the first part of the study. The mean age at diagnosis of these patients was 40.0 years (SD 11.7), of which, 93 (97.9%) were male. Their CYP2B6-516 genotypes were as follows: GG 48 (50.5%), GT 37 (38.9%) and TT 10 (10.5%), the distribution of which was in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. At year 1, the mean EFV level of GT was high at 8.78 mg/L (SD 2.66). The difference between GG and GT was statistically significant (2.89±1.26 mg/L vs. 3.65±1.26 mg/L, t test p, Introduction: The European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) conducted a survey in February 2016 to provide a snapshot on patient experience with their HIV clinicians. During 1 week, 357 responses from 34 countries were received (74% male, 23% female, 1% trans, 2% N/A, all age groups 18–80 were represented in the responses). Method: A pan-European online survey consisting of 37 questions was undertaken using existing networks from across Europe to promote the survey in order to better understand the current care continuum from across the region. Results: While there generally is a high level of trust – 88% of the survey participants have answered “yes” to the question “do you trust your HIV doctor?” – the survey results reveal areas where further efforts on the European level are necessary. Figure 1 shows what topics are being addressed during patients’ appointments with their doctors. In this light, “Treatment Options” (73%), “Side Effects” (65%) and “Diagnostics” (62%) are the most frequently addressed topics. Given the high importance of the topics of “Adherence” and “Sexual Health,” it is particularly surprising that only 35% and 39% of the participants, respectively, indicated that they discuss these topics with their doctors. Even much less frequently social or psychological issues such as “Recreational Drug Use,” “Legal Rights,” “Reproductive Choices,” “Social Concerns” or “Mental Health” are being discussed. Almost all the topics are addressed less when patients do not trust their HIV doctor. When asked if test results are being explained to them, 57% of participants replied that test results are explained to them very well, 30% replied that this is only sometimes the case and 13% either never receive an explanation or do not understand it. With regard to treatment options, only 56% of the survey participants indicated that they are given a choice between treatment options while this was not the case with 44%. Conclusion: Understanding test results and having a voice in the choice of treatment and care options are central elements for an empowered patient. Whilst the outcome shows that in general patients trust their doctors, there appears to be missed opportunities to identify what really matters to patients and the long-term management of good health. Whilst limited time is a pressure, a broader conversation is needed by both doctors and patients to address the medical, social and psychological aspects of living with HIV., Introduction: In 2015, an outbreak of HIV was noted in the population of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Glasgow [1]. By August 2015, over 40 individuals had been identified, where previous years had an annual average of 10 [2]. Dry blood spot testing (DBST) is a non-invasive way to diagnose HIV which can be quickly completed in a community setting. Aims: Increase access to HIV testing for opiate replacement therapy (ORT) patients linked to the South West Community Addiction Team (SWCAT), via DBST, improve acceptability and uptake of HIV testing among target group; increase awareness amongst staff and patients of the outbreak and importance of prevention and testing. Materials and methods: This project used a two-pronged approach. Awareness campaign. Briefing delivered to SWCAT integrated staff team (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Glasgow City Council); this encompassed both raising awareness of the outbreak and the importance of increasing testing rates. Poster campaign in clinic premises in conjunction with European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week; a dialogue began with patients regarding the benefits of screening and to begin to move away from focusing on risk-taking behaviour and any sense of stigma. DBST. Testing period identified (initially 1 week – extended to 4 due to high uptake rate). Targeted approach by staff to promote testing to patients. Identified medical officer available throughout testing period at each ORT clinic. Instant access to DBST for those accepting the test. Results: A total of 148 ORT patients were identified attending clinics at SWCAT in November/December 2015. All 148 were offered HIV tests at their clinic appointments. Of this group, 146 (98.6%) accepted the tests, which were completed at the same appointment. Conclusions: The uptake of HIV tests in SWCAT significantly exceeded all expectations. The results show that HIV testing in a community setting, when offered instantly with a “no-wait” approach during an awareness campaign, can be made both highly accessible and acceptable to a population engaged with an ORT programme. By switching the focus of the test away from risk-taking behaviour towards health promotion, it allowed patients to actively make decisions about their health and fully engage with the process., Introduction: HIV testing rates are low among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender (TG) individuals who contribute >50% of new HIV infections in Thailand [1,2]. Online supervised, finger-prick, HIV self-testing and counselling (eHTC) is an innovative strategy to expand early testing among Thai MSM and TG. We studied acceptability and uptake of this strategy. Methods: In December 2015, the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre (TRCARC) launched an Online Test and Treat implementation research project to explore approaches to engage and retain “hard-to-reach” MSM and TG, in HIV testing and care. Participants recruited and enrolled online via TRCARC's Adam's Love (www.adamslove.org) could choose between (1) eHTC with real-time guidance from counsellors or (2) online counselling followed by private clinic-based testing. Questionnaires assessed reasons for choosing eHTC over clinic-based testing, and feelings post-eHTC utilization. Results: Between December 2015 and May 2016, 99,110 MSM and TG were reached via online study promotions, 264 were screened, 153 (58%) passed the eligibility criteria and 97 (36.7%) were successfully enrolled. Among 97 individuals, 25 (25.8%) selected eHTC while 72 (74.2%) opted for online counselling followed by clinic-based testing. Younger MSM/TG, (median age 25 vs. 29 years, p=0.006), less frequent (previous test >1 year) and first time testers (47.37% vs. 17.74%, p=0.01) and those having previous STIs (20% vs. 11.11%, p=0.015) were more likely to prefer eHTC than clinic-based testing. High-risk behaviours were similar in both groups, with high social media sex-seeking >80% and consistent condom use in the past 6 months, Introduction: Recent HIV continuum of care data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control [1] shows 78% of responding countries had significant break points relating to diagnosis, 41% in linkage to care and 48% in subsequently accessing treatment. Break points involving care/treatment are far greater in non-EEA countries but exist across Europe. Two-thirds of countries identified legal or policy issues contributory to such gaps. Methods: A literature review done between January and October 2015 for Optimizing Testing and Linkage to Care for HIV across Europe (OptTEST) [2] included 54 documents, including academic and grey literature, identifying a wide range of legal and regulatory barriers. Results: Legal barriers identified included criminalization of HIV transmission and perceived exposure; criminalization of key populations, for example, drug users and sex workers; failure to provide legal protections for these and others, for example, MSM and transgender people. These acted to deter access to HIV services and to impede disclosure of risk activities which might otherwise trigger TasP. Immigration law deterred official access to healthcare for many undocumented migrants and denial of/poor access to ART existed in a number of prison and immigration detention systems. Drug laws in particular were shown to act to increase HIV and decrease access to care, while their reform can directly act to reduce HIV transmission (e.g. in Portugal) [3]. Regulatory barriers were less well documented but there was extensive coverage of testing. Outdated guidelines alongside restrictive practices and regulations acted to hinder proven new testing technologies and settings, including restrictions on who can administer tests; requirement of extensive pre-/post-test counselling; refusal to accept referrals from community testing into care; limited testing sites and restricted types of test. Wider barriers to improving the continuum of care included separation of healthcare into vertical specialities (e.g. drugs care separate from HIV and from TB); lack of case management systems; failure to integrate healthcare and social support; disruption of care between civil and detention authorities. Complex entitlement regulations and charging systems deterred migrants, including even those entitled to healthcare sometimes. Conclusion: Findings suggest a need for consistent, updated evidence-based guidelines for testing and care across Europe and guideline implementation; for reform of laws based on stigma rather than evidence and practices based on custom rather than current knowledge; for better dialogue between policymakers, clinicians, NGOs and people with HIV/in key populations about the actual legal and regulatory barriers which hinder achievement of 90/90/90., Introduction: In the World Health Organization European Region, it is estimated that approximately 2.5 million people are living with HIV (PLHIV) [1] and around 13 and 15 million are living with hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV), respectively [2]. Around one in three is unaware that they are living with HIV [3,4] and one in three people has been exposed to either HBV or HCV [2]. European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week (ETW) is a partnership between civil society, healthcare professionals, governmental and other policy organizations. A dedicated website (www.testingweek.eu) provides a hub for interested organizations to sign up and download materials to support planned activities. Materials and methods: ETW 2015 took place from 20 to 27 November 2015. All participating organizations were invited to complete an online evaluation survey with questions about their carried out ETW activities. Data were entered into the Research Electronic Data Capture system (REDCap) hosted at CHIP, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen. Five electronic survey reminders were sent prior to the survey deadline, 15 January 2016. Data were extracted in Excel format from REDCap and descriptive statistics were produced as frequencies and respective proportions in Excel. Results: Of the 417 organizations that signed up, 194 from 39 countries submitted the evaluation survey (46.5%). The majority of respondents were NGOs (65.5%) followed by healthcare professionals/hospitals/clinics (18.0%) and governmental and other policy organizations (9.3%). The majority of respondents carried out testing activities (Figure 1) and awareness-raising activities. Several respondents reported testing for more than one of the three conditions during ETW (Table 1). The percentage of respondents reporting increase in testing during ETW compared to an average week was 78% for HIV, 74% for HBV and 70% for HCV. ETW has brought forward many innovative best practice examples from all over Europe of how testing and awareness raising can be done. Examples include designing of coffee cup sleeves promoting HIV testing distributed to coffee shops throughout Dublin, dissemination sessions in the streets, use of rapid tests, for example, via a mobile clinic in Kiev doing outreach testing to MSM and collaboration across sectors and between organizations and institutions. Conclusions: Several organizations tested for HIV, HBV and HCV (35) and reported significant increases in testing during ETW. ETW has proven to be an efficient initiative in uniting Europe in promoting testing and in increasing testing for HIV, HBV and HCV through innovative activities carried out by ETW participants., Introduction: The HIV epidemic remains a major global health issue. Data from cost-effectiveness analyses are usually based on CD4+ counts and morbidity. Here, we evaluate the impact of sexual HIV transmission due to delayed cART on the cost effectiveness of care. Methods: A lifetime Markov model (1-month cycle) was developed to estimate lifetime costs, clinical outcomes and cost per quality adjusted life years (QALY) gained for 1- and 3- year delay in starting cART (as compared to staring immediately at linkage to care). Health states included into the model were asymptomatic HIV, AIDS defining condition (mild, moderate, severe) [1], Hodgkin's Lymphoma and non-AIDS defining condition (>20 illnesses/events in total). Mortality rates and utility values were obtained from published literature. The number of new infected persons was estimated based on sexual orientation, number of sexual partners per year, number of sex acts per month, frequency of condom use and use of cART [2]. We assumed that patients had HIV RNA, Introduction: Targeted HIV testing has been proposed as the most efficient strategy for HIV diagnosis in low prevalence populations. We aimed to compare cost effectiveness of three HIV testing targeted approaches, previously validated, to predict HIV infection. Methods: All participants in DRIVE study (non-targeted HIV testing program in emergency department and primary care centre (PCC)) were tested for HIV and filled out a self-administered HIV Risk Exposure and Clinical Conditions Questionnaire (RE&CI-Q). The RE&CI-Q included six questions to evaluate risk of exposure to HIV and 14 HIV-associated clinical indicators (from HIV Indicator Diseases across Europe Study (HIDES) list [1]). One affirmative answer defined the person as being at risk. The other two tools evaluated were as follows: Denver HIV Risk Score (DHRS) with a cut-off >30 and HIDES using only 14 clinical indicators. Using DRIVE study database, we calculated sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the three tools, considering the gold standard confirmed cases of HIV infection with EIA/WB. Number of missed HIV infections (NMHI), tests avoided and incremental costs/effectiveness ratio (ICER) were also calculated. Results: A total of 5329 participants of age 18–60 years completed RE&CI-Q and rapid HIV test in the DRIVE study (69.3% in PCC). In total, 50.4% women and median age 37 years (28–47). Confirmed new HIV infection was detected in 22 (0.41%) with this non-targeted strategy. The percentages of population identified at risk for HIV infection by a positive RE&CI-Q, DHRS >30 and at least one item of 14 HIDES list selection were 51.2%, 39.7% and 26.9%, respectively. Sn, Sp, PPV, NPV, NMHI and test avoided were 100%, 49%, 0.80%, 100%, 0 and 2601, respectively in RE&CI-Q approach, 72.7%, 60.41%, 0.76%, 99.8%, 6 and 3212 in DHRS, and 91%, 74.4%, 1.4%, 99.9%, 2 and 3948 in 14 items of HIDES list. The cost per new HIV diagnosis was 552€ (HIDES), 992€ (RE&CI-Q) and 1058€ (DHRS). ICER per new HIV diagnosis -66€ for RE&CI-Q and -506€ for HIDES respect DHRS strategy. Conclusions: All approaches avoided HIV tests compared with routine strategy, but only RE&CI-Q captured all HIV-infected subjects detected by the non-targeted strategy. Cost of each NHIVD obtained using RE&CI-Q compared to HIDES list is low with respect to the benefit obtained., Introduction: Linkage to care is one of the essential steps in HIV cascade of care. To evaluate the impact of an active intervention aimed to shorten time from first HIV EIA result to first HIV outpatient clinic visit. Methods: From 1 January to 30 June 2015 (first period) and 2016 (second period), we identified all first positive HIV EIA (HIV) results obtained in the Microbiology Laboratory Department of Ramón y Cajal Hospital (RyC). All samples came from two main settings: hospital departments (HD) or primary health area (PHA). In 2015 period, HIV+ results were electronically informed and when possible prescriber physician was alerted by phone, that a second sample needs to be sent to confirm serology. In the 2016 period addition to the above mentioned, all HIV+ results were weekly identified, and we phoned the requesting physician informing the HIV+ result and recommending that the confirmation and the first HIV visit should be done as soon as possible at the HIV RyC outpatient clinic. Number and result of HIV tests, linkage to care at RyC HIV clinic or other clinic (rate and time to first visit) were compared between the two periods. Results: Overall 21,049 first tests were requested (9969 and 11,072 in first and second period). Absolute number and rate of new HIV diagnoses (NHIVD) were 111 (0.53%) (60 (0.61%) and 51 (0.46%); p=0.16). No differences were observed in NHIVD in first and second period according to sex (women 20% vs. 12%; p=0.3), age (38 vs. 37 mean years; p=0.6) or setting (HA 35% vs. 35%; p=1) between first and second periods. From patients with at least 1 month of follow-up (108), unadjusted rate of linkage to care was 50/60 (83.3%) versus 46/48 (95.8%); p=0.04, for first and second period. Mean time to linkage to care was (82±157 and 27±31 days; p=0.019). In an unadjusted analysis, age and setting (HD or PHA) presented same rate of linkage to care, while women had lower rates. In an estimative model, only a trend towards a higher probability to linkage to care was observed for second period (OR 4.6 (09;22.3); p=0.07), when it was adjusted by sex. Conclusions: A higher rate of linkage to care was observed in the intervention period, but the effect was attenuated by sex., Introduction: The Ugandan Ministry of Health adopted Option B+ in 2013 for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This required the mother to attend multiple services delivery points for eMTCT program and ART clinic for her care and treatment as well as the baby's EID services after birth. The mothers didn't want to visit the ART clinic after birth because of stigma. The MoH became concerned over high loss-to-follow-up rates and introduced mother–baby care point within the MCH department. Methods: In 2014, the MoH recommended the establishment of mother–baby care points within MCH departments, where midwives provide daily one-stop services to mothers receiving Option B+ with their HIV-exposed infants until child is 18 months old, when mother and child, if HIV positive, are transferred to the ART clinic. Strengthening TB and HIV & AIDS Responses in Eastern Uganda (STAR-E), a USAID project funded by PEPFAR and implemented by Management Sciences for Health, supported the MoH to establish mother–baby care points at MCH departments in 154 health facilities in Eastern Uganda from October 2014 to February 2015 and also did an operational research to understand the impact of MBCP as compared to the old model of implementation. Lessons learned: STAR-E assessed for retention among 496 mother–baby pairs enrolled into Option B+ program during when the MBCP had not been established in 34 health facilities and found the following: 52% were retained at 3 months and 44% at 6 months. And at 3 months, post-delivery period when they were transferred and receiving services at the ART clinic, only 20% were retained. After MBCP were established, the project reviewed records in the same facilities from October 2014 to March 2016 and found higher retention after delivery than earlier research. Of the 277 mother–baby pairs enrolled, 72% were retained at 3 months post-partum, 64% at 6 months, 55% at 9 months and 41% by 12 months, as most of the babies are weaned by then, second DNA PCR done to determine if baby has been protected. Conclusion: Mother–baby care points, where HIV and MCH services are integrated, improved retention of mother–baby pairs in Option B+ during the post-delivery period. This enabled more of the HIV-exposed infants to access DNA PCR twice, nutritional assessment, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and nevirapine prophylaxis. More HIV-positive infants into care and treatment since they were in contact with the health system more often and mothers were retained on ART., Introduction: Free ART is available in Russia for PLH, who visit special AIDS centres. According to current guidelines, ART is eligible for patients with CD4, Introduction: To achieve the ultimate goal of eliminating perinatal transmission, we reviewed and identified gaps of the current public health programme for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in Hong Kong, a region with low HIV seroprevalence of 98% in recent years. From 2001 to 2014, 3 perinatal infections were identified out of 72 infants born to HIV-infected mothers. All were detected before 2007, two of which were due to late presentation to antenatal care without participation in UATP. The other was due to failure of intra-partum and post-partum intervention when the mother presented 6 days prior to her preterm delivery. The incorporation of rapid HIV testing in 2008 had filled the gap for late-presenting pregnant women so that interventions could be offered to HIV-infected women not identified by UATP. Since 2008, the percentage of women with HIV test results known prior to delivery remained above 98.6%; and 97% of HIV-positive mothers and their babies had received either three-part or two-part ART. However, five cases of HIV-infected children born to their infected mother who were tested negative by UATP in the early antenatal period were reported in 2009–2015. Unprotected sex during pregnancy was the common risk factor. All five mothers and all but one of the spouses/partners were either non-Hong Kong residents or originated from Asian or African countries where the HIV prevalence was higher than Hong Kong, highlighting its unique epidemiological pattern. Conclusions: The gap in PMTCT in Hong Kong lies in the HIV-infected women who seroconverted after they were tested negative in the early antenatal period. Partner counselling and testing, enhancement of safer sex, targeted HIV retesting at third trimester for pregnant women based on their epidemiological and behavioural risks are options to close the gap., Introduction: The first of the UNAIDS 90–90–90 targets aims at 90% coverage of HIV testing and counselling (HTC) [1]. Studies on HTC at the homes of individuals report HTC uptake (individuals tested/individuals encountered at home) of >90% [2]. However, HTC coverage (individuals knowing their status/individuals living in targeted area) remains below 90% because of persons absent during home-based HTC [3]. This study assesses the HTC coverage achieved in Lesotho after two consecutive home visits in order to achieve maximal coverage and to cover presence during the week and on weekends. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in Lesotho, Southern Africa. Data were derived from home-based HTC campaigns serving to recruit HIV-infected individuals for the CASCADE trial (NCT02692027). Assessment of HTC coverage after two home visits is a nested study in the published CASCADE trial protocol [4]. The primary outcome of interest was the HTC coverage in targeted areas after two visits. Counsellors visited randomly selected villages or urban areas moving door to door and offering HTC to all household members. Each area was visited twice, once during the week and once over the weekend. Household members were defined as spending at least one night at least twice a month in that household. The duration of the HTC campaigns was from 22 February to 3 July 2016. Data were captured on tablet computers and synchronised daily [5]. Results: Counsellors visited 6429 occupied households with 17,887 household members in 60 rural villages and 17 urban areas; 1988 (30.9%) households were revisited because of members absent at first visit. Among individuals encountered at home, 1381 (9.5%) were already known to be HIV infected. Among the 13,193 with unknown HIV status, 11,268 (85.4%) accepted HTC. HTC coverage in visited areas increased from 62.7%, after the first visit, to 70.5%, after the second visit (Figure 1). Table 1 shows HTC uptake and HTC coverage after two visits, stratified by age and gender. HTC uptake was similar among men and women, but coverage was lower among men due to a lower proportion encountered at home. Conclusions: A second catch-up visit on a weekend increased the proportion of persons knowing their HIV status by 8%, but home-based HTC still fell short of the targeted 90% coverage. Future strategies need to combine home-based HTC with approaches specifically tailored to frequently absent household members, such as testing at the workplace or school-based HTC or self-testing., Introduction: HIV and HCV monitoring among prison inmates is essential in countries with a high HIV/HCV prevalence. Recent studies on this topic are sparse in Portugal and other European countries. The monitoring of HIV and HCV prevalence among inmates, and the characterization of this population, might be a useful measure to study the epidemiological situation. Materials and methods: The HIV and HCV prevalence was estimated among inmates of two male prisons in the centre of Portugal (Pinheiro da Cruz and Setúbal), followed in a medical appointment in an infectious diseases department between 2014 and 2016. Data were obtained from the hospital medical records. Collected information included variables such as age, country of birth, transmission risk, serological status and adherence to consultation and therapy. Patients were considered as refractory to consultation if they had fewer than two consultations per year. Results: Approximately 1000 men were incarcerated in those prisons at the time of data collection. In total, 82 (8%) were under follow-up in our hospital. A total of 36 (44%) of the inmates were co-infected with both HIV and HCV, 31 (38%) had solely HCV infection and only 15 (18%) had HIV monoinfection. In total, 91% had history of intravenous drug abuse, although only 10 were on methadone maintenance treatment. In total, 43% of the 67 HCV-positive inmates were being or had been treated for HCV infection, and 18 (62%) had already obtained sustained virological response. Out of a total of 51, only 6 of the HIV-positive patients were not under HAART at the moment. In total, 38 (84%) of the patients undergoing treatment had undetectable viral load. In total, 62 (79%) were adhering to both HIV and HCV medication as prescribed. A total of 13 patients were considered as refractory to the consultation. At the time of data collection, only three of these refractory patients were still incarcerated. Conclusion: HIV and HCV prevalence in the inmate population was 5–13 times higher than the general population in Portugal, which is a major public health issue. Adhesion to HAART is higher than in the general population, probably due to controlled medication distribution in prison facilities. The prevalence of patients undergoing treatment for HCV is approximately the same as in general population. National data on HIV and HCV prevalence in prison facilities are essential to implement prevention interventions and to improve screening and treatment for these two chronic conditions, as well as to implement measures to increase adherence to follow-up., Introduction: HIDES study has shown that indicator conditions-based HIV testing may offer better results than standard approach. It has also been proven that populations with the HIV prevalence of >0.1% should be routinely screened for HIV. Currently, routine HIV testing for indicator conditions is not covered by public healthcare in Poland, which may delay or miss the opportunity for HIV diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate HIV testing patterns among patients presenting with specific indicator condition, that is, ongoing mononucleosis-like illness in the Emergency Department (ED) and referred for further diagnostics to hospital. Materials and methods: We conducted retrospective analysis of medical records of patients referred from the ED with ongoing mononucleosis-like illness to the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw for further diagnosis within past 12 months (1 May 2014–30 April 2015). Patients were eligible if being 18 years up. Results: In total, 173 patients were consulted at the ED with a mononucleosis-like illness, 94 men and 79 women, with a median age of 26 years; 72 (41.6%) were admitted to hospital; 54 (75%) were offered HIV test and all expressed consent; 4 (5.5%) patients were diagnosed with HIV infection, referred to HIV clinic and linkaged to care. The continuum of care for mononucleosis-like illness is presented in Figure 1. Conclusion: The rate of HIV diagnosis among patients hospitalized due to mononucleosis-like illness was high (5.5%), confirming clear benefit in routine testing of this group of patients. According to our analyses, 58% patients missed the opportunity for HIV testing in ED due to the lack of such healthcare program. With presented rate, this translated to six HIV patients who may still remain unaware of HIV infection. Standards of care for mononucleosis-like illness should include routine HIV testing, which needs additional financing and attention from public healthcare representatives and other stakeholders., Introduction: In keeping with the US National HIV/AIDS strategy, New York City has attained a >90% rate of persons living with HIV who know their serostatus over the years 2008 to 2012. To maintain this high standard, it is imperative to target HIV testing and linkage to care to the highest risk groups. We investigated a cohort of newly diagnosed individuals at an academic hospital in Northern Manhattan to evaluate changes in the epidemiology and clinical characteristics with a focus on men who have sex with men (MSM) and those over the age of 50 years. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective review of all new HIV diagnoses between 1 January 2006 and 1 August 2015. Eligible patients were >18 years old, had a new positive HIV test and a CD4 cell count within 90 days of diagnosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare clinical and demographic characteristics of individuals diagnosed in 2006 to 2010 (early) and 2011 to 2015 (late) periods. Results: There were a total of 578 new HIV diagnoses: 294 in 2006 to 2010 with mean age 38 years and mean CD4 254 cells/µL; 284 in 2011 to 2015 with mean age 37 years, mean CD4 286 cells/µL. The proportion of HIV diagnoses made in the ED increased from 9% to 34% in the early compared to late period with a concomitant decrease in inpatient diagnoses from 44% to 19% (p, Introduction: In England, people living with HIV (PLHIV) can access care at any centre, regardless of geographical location. Non-UK born and individuals without residency are also entitled to free HIV care at any service. There are no data currently available on reasons patients transfer their HIV management and care from one service to another. We aimed to investigate reasons for transfer amongst PLHIV transferring their care to one of three London HIV units in London, UK. Materials and methods: Patients transferring their HIV care to one of three London clinics between December 2015 and June 2016 were asked to fill in a questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to explore reasons for leaving their previous centre and reasons for choosing the new service. Results: A total of 111 patients completed the questionnaire; 47% (n=52) transferred from services abroad, 37% (n=41) within London and 16% (n=18) transferred from outside of London. Reasons for leaving the previous HIV clinic included location (75%, n=83), problems at the clinic (10%, n=11) and confidentiality (5%, n=5). Other reasons (n=12) included services offered (e.g. specialist services for HCV treatment), finance and employment. Reasons for choosing the service patients transferred to included location (31%, n=34), good reputation (20%, n=22), friend/partner attending the service (14%, n=6). A total of 21% (n=22) gave a combination of these reasons and 15% (n=17) gave other reasons including previously attending the service, recommendation by a doctor. Only one patient mentioned using the internet to find their clinic. Current BHIVA guidelines recommend a medical summary should be received within 2 weeks of transferring to a new service. And 27% (26 of 95) of patients were aware of the summary being received at the time of their first appointment of whom 11/26 had transferred their care within the United Kingdom; 36 stated it had not been received and 33 did not know. Conclusions: Most patients transferred their care to another HIV service for geographical reasons. Reasons for choosing their new clinic included a combination of location, reputation or a friend/partner already attending the service. Reassuringly, a minority cited problems at their old clinic as a reason to transfer care. However, this could have been due to sampling bias, patients with problems may have been less likely to complete the questionnaire. In the age of digital media, it is also interesting that only one patient found their chosen clinic via the internet. Patients seem to base their choice on recommendation., Introduction: Decentralization of HIV care and treatment has played a critical role in scaling up services across sub-Saharan Africa [1,2]. However, little is understood about the implications for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in having care closer to their communities. This qualitative study examined patient experiences of challenges and advantages of receiving care at decentralized clinics. Materials and methods: Four decentralized clinics in small community hospitals in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, served as study sites. In total, 39 patients took part in individual open-ended interviews; 23 participated in four focus groups. All participants had transferred from a large, urban HIV clinic. Interview topics addressed access to and preferences for care, services received, perceived impact of decentralization and experiences of decentralization. Resulting data were analyzed to identify recurrent themes and develop descriptive categories. Results: Receiving care at clinics located in local communities shapes the experience of care for patients. Because decentralized sites have fewer HIV patients, HIV clinics take place on specific days of the week. This creates a situation of predictable clinic attendance for PLHIV that can alternately lead to unwanted disclosure of HIV status or promote a “family-like” atmosphere of support within the clinic. Underlying factors determine whether a decentralized HIV clinic creates an atmosphere of risk or family-like support. These include the following: physical layout of the clinic, whether “ground rules” for confidentiality are established and enforced by staff and whether staff foster social interaction among patients by offering patient-centred care and organizing activities such as group meetings and positive living discussions. Conclusion: Decentralized clinics embedded within communities can pose the risk of unwanted disclosure. However, with patient-specific provider management, clinics can use local positioning to promote family-like relationships. These relationships may positively impact patient interpretations of quality of care, thereby improving retention rates in decentralized clinics. Funding: US National Institute of Mental Health (K24MH090894, NC Ware, PI), Introduction: Late presentation and late ART initiation for HIV infection is common in Latin America. Here, we estimated the proportion of deaths among HIV-infected adults receiving care at CCASAnet sites that could be attributed to late presentation (LP) to care, late ART initiation (LI) and no-ART initiation (NI) to highlight the potential impact of implementing strategies that reduce the time between HIV infection and diagnosis, linkage to care, and ART initiation. Methods: In this observational, multicentre, cohort study including adults enrolled at six centres in Latin America from 2001 to 2014, we estimated the population attributable fraction (PAF) for mortality due to LP, LI and NI. LP was defined as CD4, Introduction: Missed opportunities (MOs) for HIV testing occur when a patient with undiagnosed HIV infection presents to a healthcare provider and is not offered an HIV test. Some late presenters (LPs), defined as patients first presenting for care with a CD4 count below 350 cells/mm3, have presented several MOs before an HIV test is performed. The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of newly diagnosed patients presenting for care to our clinic and the extent to which MOs for HIV testing occur in our hospital. Materials and methods: Medical records of all patients newly presenting to our infectious diseases outpatient clinic for HIV care between 2010 and 2015 were examined. Demographic characteristics, HIV stage at diagnosis and reasons for HIV testing were recorded. For each patient, inpatient and outpatient visits to our teaching hospital during the 5 years preceding the HIV diagnosis were reviewed to determine whether HIV testing had been indicated according to the 2015 Swiss HIV testing recommendations. MOs were defined as visits at which HIV testing was indicated but not performed. Results: In total, 201 patients were included. Patient characteristics are summarized in Table 1. A total of 106 patients (53%) were late presenters, and94 patients (47%) had presented at least one MO (range 1–17) at our teaching hospital during the 5 years preceding diagnosis. Figure 1 shows the distribution of the type of MOs. Multivariate analysis revealed that MOs occurred more frequently among patients from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (aOR 3.5, 95% CI 1.4–8.6), men who have sex with men (MSM) (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2–9.4) and patients with chronic disease (aOR 4.5, 95% CI 1.8–11.1). In multivariate analysis, MOs were not associated with increased risk of late presentation (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3–1.4). Median CD4 count (cells/mm3) at HIV diagnosis was significantly higher among patients presenting at least one MO (351 vs. 244, p, Introduction: In the United Kingdom, almost 90% of patients diagnosed with HIV had initiated ART, with 93% of those on ART having a suppressed viral load. However, approximately one-third of all HIV infections in adults still remain undiagnosed and one-fourth of newly diagnosed individuals are late presenters. We aim to assess the newly diagnosed individuals in Lothian where prevalence is over 0.2% with no agreed policy to screen for HIV in order to understand current testing practice. Methods: Using our dedicated HIV database, we included all new presenters to our services between April 2015 and April 2016. Data were retrospectively collated through electronic patient records. Descriptive statistics were performed to examine demographics, baseline characteristics and treatments. Results: We identified 51 individuals (3 females) who were newly diagnosed with HIV. Median age was 35 years (20–73) with three individuals >65 years. A total of 17 individuals were diagnosed in GUM clinic, 14 in GP practice, 10 in secondary care, 6 through outreach services and 3 using self-testing kit. A total of 21 individuals diagnosed through routine screening, 5 contact tracing and 24 individuals presented with clinical symptoms. Median nadir CD4 cell count was 326 cells/mL. However, we observed significant differences in those diagnosed in various settings (Table 1). Individuals diagnosed in secondary care and those who used home testing kit had significantly lower median CD4 counts, 81 and 114 cells/mL, respectively. More than half of our cohort (28) had CD4 count, Introduction: The diagnosis of HIV late presenter is associated with a worse clinical condition, increased rate of HIV transmission and higher healthcare cost burden. Recognition of this population could change this outcome. Our aim was to analyze the characteristics, factors and risk predictors associated with being late presenter among newly HIV-infected patients in an outpatient clinic in Lisbon during a 5-year period. Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of the clinical records of patients older than 18 years, newly diagnosed with HIV infection admitted to our outpatient clinic between January 2010 and December 2014. Epidemiologic, immunologic, clinical and laboratory data were recorded. European Late Presenter Consensus definition criteria for late presentation [1] were used. Results: A total of 347 newly HIV-infected patients were admitted to our outpatient clinic, 149 (42.9%) meet the criteria for late presenters (LP) and 88 (25.4%) were late presenters with advanced disease (LPWAD). The majority of LP were male (68.5%), with a median age of 41 (62.5% were aged between 31 and 50 years), Caucasians (71.1%) and 66.4% were Portuguese. Heterosexual transmission was the main route of infection (57.7%). The main trigger of HIV infection diagnosis on the LP group was clinical investigation due to symptoms (55%) followed in 18.1% by screening due to behaviour risk mainly in the MSM and IVDU groups. A total of 52 (34.9%) patients were asymptomatic and 95 (63.8%) fulfilled AIDS criteria according to the CDC classification. The median CD4 count was 195 cells/mm3 (4.2–724 cells/mm3); the median viral load was 159,200 copies/mL (303–7,578,000 copies/mL) and 55.7% patients had viral load higher than 5 log10. Almost half of the new HIV diagnosed patients were foreign (48.5%) and 53.2% of the patients of African origin were LP. There was a higher number of heterosexual males who were LP than men who have sex with men (49.1% vs. 30.3%). Although only 4.6% of newly diagnosed patients were IVDU, 75% of these were LP. Conclusions: There was a high percentage of late diagnosis of HIV infection in our cohort. These results emphasize the need to promote a better access to care not only to the classic behavioural risk groups like MSM and IVDU but mainly to the foreign population and heterosexual males., Introduction: The epidemiology of HIV infection changed dramatically in the last few years; however, late diagnosis, associated with increased disease burden and risk of transmission as well as a reduction of the benefits of antiretroviral therapy, continues to be a major issue. The main objectives of this study were to identify risk factors related to late presentation and describe the evolution of clinical characteristics of newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients. Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study of all newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients admitted to our Infectious Diseases Department between 2006 and 2015. Data were collected after chart review. For a temporal trend analysis patients were categorized into five time periods: 2006 to 2007; 2008 to 2009; 2010 to 2011; 2012 to 2013; 2014 to 2015. Continuous variables were expressed as median and standard deviation, and categorical variables were expressed as number (percentage). Patient characteristics were compared using chi-square test, independent samples t-test or ANOVA, as appropriate. Risk factors for immunity depression were initially investigated through univariate analysis; with the factors identified, a multiple logistic regression model was performed. The level of significance considered was p, Introduction: Symptomatic primary HIV infection is associated with faster decline in CD4+ T cells count and progression to AIDS, and immediate initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is recommended. However, little is known about immunological predictors of immune recovery. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine that promotes homeostatic polyclonal proliferation of CD4+ T cells and participates in regulating Th17/regulatory T-cell balance, immunological functions known to be affected during primary HIV infection. The aim of this study was to describe immune recovery in primary and chronic HIV infection and possible impact of TSLP. Materials and methods: Prospective study including 100 HIV-infected individuals (primary HIV infection (N=14), early presenters (>350 CD4+ T cells/µL, N=42), late presenters without advanced disease (200–350 CD4+ T cells/µL, N=24) and late presenters with advanced disease (, Introduction: aCVE is of rising interest in the HIV setting, although preliminary data described it as an uncommon finding. CSF viral escape (CVE) predictors are not definitively assessed. Pathogenesis and clinical significance of aCVE remain uncertain, particularly regarding intrathecal immune activation/inflammation and neuroinjury markers during aCVE. Materials and methods: Single-center retrospective study on CSF/plasma paired samples collected on neurologically asymptomatic HIV-positive patients undergoing lumbar puncture (LP) for CNS staging of lymphoma during ART exposure. aCVE was defined: a) detectable CSF HIV RNA with concurrent plasma levels 1.0 log higher than concomitant plasma HIV RNA level. CSF neopterin, and neurofilament light-chain (NFL) concentrations were determined by ELISA assays. aCVE adjusted ORs were calculated by fitting a logistic multivariate regression model. Results: Two hundred and ninety-one CSF/plasma pairs from 92 patients were included: 88% male, median age 42 years, heterosexual 47%, MSM 26%, IDU 21%. CD4 cells/mm3 was 500 in 22%; 98% CDC stage C. CSF was collected in 44% during 2004 to 2008, in 56% during 2009 to 2014. At LP, all patients were receiving cART: 67.7% TDF/FTC, 11% ABC/3TC, 2.8% ZDV/3TC, 40% EFV, 33% LPV/r, 9% ATV/r and 6.5% DRV/r. Hundred and forty-nine (51.2%) had HIV RNA 350 (0.11; 0.02–0.82 vs. CD4, Introduction: It is well known that HIV-positive subjects have a higher risk of non-AIDS-related comorbidities than general population. Chronic immune activation of T-cells plays an important role in HIV pathogenesis and related comorbidities. In this context, the integrin-alpha4 (CD49d), a transmembrane co-stimulatory molecule, is involved in the lymphocyte homing from peripheral compartment to the gut (alpha4beta7) and to the central nervous system (alpha4beta1). The aim of the study was to evaluate CD49d expression in T-lymphocyte subsets and the relationship with cardiovascular damage in HIV+ individuals on effective cART. Materials and methods: Thirty HIV+ subjects (6 females and 24 males) with a mean age (±standard deviation (SD)) of 52±10.1 years on effective cART and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy donors (HD) were enroled. T-lymphocyte immunophenotype and CD49d expression, measured as median fluorescence intensity (MFI), were assessed by flow cytometry. Carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) was measured with ultrasonography. Normal and pathological c-IMT were defined as IMT 0.9 mm, respectively. Results: HIV+ subjects showed a lower count of CD4+ T-lymphocytes (p=0.04) and increased levels of immune activation (CD4+ and CD8+ HLA-DR+CD38+, p, Introduction: During HIV infection myeloid and lymphoid activation has been reported [1], together with elevation of monocyte/macrophage inflammation markers, such us soluble (s)CD14 and sCD163 [2,3]. We evaluated both myeloid and lymphoid activation markers and correlated them with CD4 recovery after 12 months of ARV treatment, and the time (in days) needed to achieve a viral load below 50 copies/mL. Materials and methods: HIV+ treatment-naïve patients were enroled and followed up for 1 year after treatment initiation. Blood samples were collected before treatment initiation (T0). Monocyte (Mo), dendritic cell (DC) and lymphocyte phenotypes were assessed by flow-cytometry using a lyse-no-wash protocol. sCD14 and sCD163 were measured in plasma with ELISA. Seventeen age- and sex-matched healthy donors (HD) were enroled. Results: We recruited 34 naïve patients (eight women, nine AIDS presenters). Fifteen, ten and six patients started an ARV therapy containing a protease, a non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase and an integrase inhibitor, respectively. Three patients did not start any treatment. No differences in HIV viral load and CD4 cell counts were observed at T0, according to ARV therapy. At T0, HIV+ subjects showed lower levels of pDC (3976 vs 7043 cells/mL, p, Introduction: Several sex differences have been described in the natural course of HIV-1 disease [1]. Higher levels of TLR 7-mediated IFN-alpha production together with greater levels of activated CD8-T cells were described in women compared with men for a given HIV viral load [2]. The role of sexual hormones in antiretroviral treatment (ART)-treated women is not completely understood and seems to be crucial to individualize possible eradication strategy in women that could be different than in men [3]. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of sexual hormones in determining innate immunity and immune activation in a cohort of HIV-infected subjects undergoing effective ART. Materials and methods: Seventy-four HIV-infected (41 F, 33 M) subjects receiving stable ART were studied. Immunological test including plasmocytoid and myeloid dendritic cells (DC) count, slan DC and typical, atypical and intermediate monocytes and T cell activation (HLA-DR+/CD38+CD4+ and HLA-DR+/CD38+CD8+). Sex hormones (oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone) were determined using CLIA kit. HIV RNA zenith, delta of CD4+, years of disease and CD4/CD8 ratio were also collected. Non-parametric Mann–Whitney test and Spearman coefficient correlation were used. Results: There were no significant differences in levels of circulating DC (mDC, pDC) between HIV+ women and men; however, a positive correlation was found between mDC and serum oestradiol (p=0.03, r=0.30). We did not observe statistically significant differences among the sub-populations of monocytes and MDC-8, but there was a trend of increased number of atypical inflammatory monocytes and MDC-8 in women. Interestingly, a significant augmentation of DR+38+ CD4+ T cells was found in men (p=0.02), and a negative correlation between DR+38+CD8+ T cells and serum oestradiol levels in all HIV subjects and in women was observed (respectively p=0.0002; r=−0.67; p=0.006, r=−0.50). Moreover, only in women a negative correlation between mDC and DR+38+CD8+ T cells was found (p=0.02; r=−0.43). Progesterone and testosterone levels were not associated with the immune variables considered. Regarding soluble markers of monocytes activation, we did not observe differences although women have lower levels of sCD14 than men (pg/mL, median 2249 and 2685 pg/mL). Conclusions: In HIV aviraemic ART-treated subjects, high levels of oestrogens seem to be associated with an expansion of mDC and a lower activation of CD8 T cells, underlying the importance of considering hormonal status and not only gender and age in designing immunological and therapeutic studies., Introduction: Studies have demonstrated that cytokine-mediated non-cytopathic suppression of viral replication may provide an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of viral infection. We hypothesized that active transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 cytokine response is involved in HIV-1 suppression during ART. Methods: Fifty-nine HIV-1 infected individual categorized according to virologic and immunologic outcomes after ART as, virologic responder (VR), immune-virologic failure (IVF) and viral suppressed (VS) were included in this cross-sectional study. For comparison, 12 ART-naïve long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) and 10 healthy controls were also included in the study. CD4+ T cell counts and plasma HIV-1 RNA were measured using flow cytometry and HIV-1 TaqMan assays, respectively. Plasma levels of active TGF-β1 were determined using MILLIPLEX® MAP TGF-β1 single plex magnetic bead kit on LuminexMAP® 200 system. Results: Whereas LTNPs had high HIV-1 RNA and CD4+ cell counts, plasma TGF-β1 was low. In patients on ART, VR had high CD4+ cell counts and low HIV-1 RNA contrasted with high TGF-β1 while IVF exhibited high HIV-1 RNA with low CD4+ cell count and TGF-β1. Of note, VS had undetectable HIV-1 RNA with high CD4+ cell counts and plasma concentration of TGF-β1. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between HIV-1 RNA and TGF-β1 in patients on ART. Conclusions: Overall, plasma concentration of active TGF-β1 was not significantly different between healthy controls and LTNPs. However, VR and VS displayed a significantly high TGF-β1 and a significantly low and undetectable HIV-1 RNA, respectively. Compared to VR, IVF had low TGF-β1 and higher HIV-1 RNA. This suggests immunoregulatory mechanisms to be involved in suppressing HIV-1 in HIV-infected patients on ART., Introduction: Maraviroc is a coreceptor antagonist that prevents HIV cell entry by blocking the CCR5-coreceptor. Before initiating treatment with maraviroc, viral coreceptor usage should be determined to ensure that HIV can use only the CCR5 coreceptor (R5) and cannot evade the drug by using the CXCR4 coreceptor (X4-capable). Although maraviroc is a treatment option for individuals infected with HIV-2, no online tool for the genotypic identification of HIV-2 coreceptor usage was available until now. Therefore, our research was concerned with developing, validating and implementing a data-driven web service for the prediction of HIV-2 coreceptor usage from the V3 loop of the HIV-2 glycoprotein. Methods: Several support vector machines (SVMs) were trained and validated on a data set of 73 R5 and 52 X4-capable V3 amino acid samples with known phenotypic coreceptor usage. We compared the nested cross-validation predictions from SVMs with the results from the rules-based method developed by Visseaux et al. [1] using McNemar's test and investigated the predictive performance of individual discriminatory features in the V3 loop using Fisher's exact test with multiple hypothesis correction (Benjamini-Hochberg method at a false discovery rate of 5%). Results: After comparing the predictive performance of all trained SVMs using 10 runs of 10-fold cross-validation, we selected a linear SVM as the model for geno2pheno (coreceptor-hiv2), because it performed best (area under the ROC curve of 0.95). In our evaluations of predictive performance using 10-fold nested cross-validation, SVMs had a sensitivity of 73.5% and a specificity of 96% for identifying X4-capable variants. We found that the predictive performance of SVMs was not significantly different (p=0.37) from the rules-based approach developed by Visseaux et al. Moreover, on a test set containing nine new V3 sequences together with the corresponding coreceptor usage phenotypes, geno2pheno (coreceptor-hiv2) achieved a predictive accuracy of 100% and outperformed the rules-based approach. Using SVMs, we could not only reproduce the established markers of CXCR4-usage but could also identify novel markers: the substitutions 27K, 15G and 8S were significantly predictive of CXCR4-usage. Conclusions: In this study, we developed geno2pheno (coreceptor-hiv2), the first online tool for the prediction of HIV-2 coreceptor usage from the V3 loop. The tool can aid clinicians in deciding whether maraviroc is a treatment option and allows for broader epidemiological studies on HIV-2 coreceptor usage. Moreover, our research indicates that HIV-2 coreceptor usage is not only influenced by the V3 loop but also by the V1/V2 regions. Geno2pheno (coreceptor-hiv2) is available at www.coreceptor-hiv2.geno2pheno.org., Introduction: Until a recent change in guidelines, HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda were monitored using CD4 cell counts only. So far, little is known about prevalence of drug resistance among HIV-infected patients with virological failure (VF) after immunological treatment monitoring in Uganda. Methods: From 4 June to 30 September 2015, viral load measurements were done in HIV-infected adults (18 years) on ART for at least 6 months presenting to the infectious diseases institute (IDI) in Kampala. In case of VF (>1000 copies/mL), HIV genotyping was requested. Sequencing of partial polymerase gene was conducted using an in-house protocol. All sequences were submitted to the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance database, and the surveillance drug resistance mutations were identified using the 2009 World Health Organization mutations list. HIV-1 subtypes were determined using REGA version 3.0. Results: Viral load measurements were done in 2511 patients, who had been on ART for a median time of 4.7 years (interquartile range (IQR) 2.5–8.7). A total of 199 patients (7.9%) had VF with a median viral load of 4.4 log10 copies/mL (IQR 3.9–4.9). The majority of patients with VF (140, 70.4%) were on first-line ART, 138 (69.3%) were female and the median age was 37 years (IQR 30–43). HIV genotyping tests were available in 163 (81.9%). HIV-1 subtypes A (46%) and D (34%) were most common. Relevant drug resistance mutations were observed in 135 (82.8%), of which 103 (63.2%) had resistance to two drug classes, and 11 (6.8%) had resistance to all three drug classes available in Uganda (Figure 1). Conclusions: With 92% of all patients virologically suppressed, the overall prevalence of VF was low and is in line with the third of the 90–90–90 UNAIDS targets. However, the majority of failing patients had developed resistance to more than one drug class, suggesting that failing regimens - not identified as such by CD4 monitoring - had been in place for a prolonged period of time., Introduction: Transmitted drug resistance (TDR) in new HIV infections has significant clinical consequences for the treatment success. Therefore, monitoring of TDR in currently circulating HIV strains is an important public health issue. We aim to estimate the prevalence of TDR to protease and reverse transcriptase inhibitors (PIs; RTIs) and to assess the impact on antiretroviral treatment according to the currently recommended first-line regimens (European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) HIV Guidelines version 8.01]. Materials and methods: Diagnostic laboratories provided dried serum spots (DSS) of ~60% of all newly diagnosed HIV infections in Germany reported to the Robert Koch Institute (2013–2015). HIV-1 genotyping was performed from “recent infections” (10%) and is comparable to other European countries. TDR was mainly caused by the first-generation NNRTI-selected K103NS, by long-term persisting TAMs and the PI-selected M46IL and V82FL. While the K103NS is associated with failure of current efavirenz-containing first-line regimens, the impact of TAMs and frequent PI-mutations on the success of current first-line therapies is predicted to be low and halves the TDR prevalence (10.8% to 5.4%). However, to allow an optimal therapeutic sequencing genotypic resistance testing prior to treatment initiation is important and should also include the HIV-integrase., Introduction: We have previously found that the most prevalent NNRTI-resistant mutations among HIV-1 drug-naïve individuals in Southern Greece were E138A and K103N. Our aim was to estimate the transmission dynamics of E138A- and K103N-resistant strains and to investigate for potential differences in these dynamics between subtypes A and B. Materials and methods: We analyzed all sequences with E138A from 179 and 68 HIV-1 treatment-naïve individuals sampled in Southern Greece infected with subtype A and B, respectively. Similarly, we analyzed 56 and 18 sequences with K103N from subtypes A and B. Phylodynamic analyses were performed using the birth-death model (BDM) in BEAST version 1.8. Results: The distributions of transmission risk groups were similar for subtypes A and B for both E138A and K103N. Men who have sex with men (MSM) represented 69% (N=124) and 63% (N=43) of infections with E138A in subtypes A and B, respectively (p=0.586). Similarly, MSM comprised 68% (N=38) and 61% (N=11) of individuals with K103N in subtypes A and B, respectively (p=0.355). The time of the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) for E138A was estimated in 1992.0 (95% HPD 1987.6–1995.6) and 1982.6 (95% HPD 1973.7–1990.6) for subtypes A and B, respectively. For K103N, the tMRCA was in 1999.0 (95% HPD 1994.7–2002.5) and 1991.8 (95% HPD 1979.1–2000.8) for subtypes A and B, respectively. Notably, the slope of the number of lineages (transmissions) over time estimated at the exponential phase of the BDM skyline for E138A sequences of subtype A (10.13, 95% CI 9.30–10.90) was 10 times that of subtype B (1.04, 95% CI 0.96–1.11) (Figure 1a). For K103N, the slope for subtype A transmissions was approximately 2.5 times (6.16, 95% CI 5.80–6.52) that for subtype B (2.50, 95% CI 2.45–2.55) (Figure 1b). Conclusions: Our study suggests that E138A and K103N HIV-1 resistant mutations are transmitted at higher rates in subtype A than in subtype B strains. Given that the distributions of transmission risk groups were similar between the two clades, observed differences in transmission dynamics could be due to higher transmissibility of subtype A or different risk behaviour of the individuals infected with this subtype. This is one of the few studies highlighting differences in transmission dynamics of resistant strains belonging to different subtypes., Introduction: Dolutegravir (DTG) is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) against which drug resistance in first-line therapy has never been observed. However, a R263K mutation that confers low-level resistance (3–4-fold) to DTG was selected by us in culture and also developed in several patients who received DTG as an INSTI after having failed other drugs. The absence of resistance to DTG is due to a high fitness cost that is exacted by the R263K mutation, and the fact that compensatory mutations for R263K have not occurred. Methods: We measured levels of integrated HIV DNA in cells infected by HIV containing R263K and other INSTI and non-INSTI resistance mutations. We also monitored immune responsiveness to HIV in patients receiving DTG-based therapy. Results: The R263K substitution alone conferred an approximate 3-fold level of resistance to DTG, a 40% loss inviral replicative capacity and a 40% drop in recombinant integrase activity. A continuation of DTG drug pressure led to secondary mutations at positions H51Y, E138K or T66I that did not individually affect DTG resistance or enzyme activity. However, the combination of R263K with H51Y or E138K slightly increased DTG resistance but also caused a 90% loss in each of viral replication capacity and integrase activity as measured both biochemically and by PCR. Most importantly, the continued propagation in culture of viruses containing both R263K and H51Y yielded progressively less integrated viral DNA in successive infections, beginning at 30% of wild-type and dramatically decreasing to non-detectability thereafter. In addition, our data show that HIV that is subjected to DTG pressure is unable to evolve and remains durably susceptible to anti-HIV neutralizing antibodies and Tcell immune responses. Conclusions: Our findings explain why drug resistance to DTG has not been observed after first-line therapy for more than 3 years since its approval by regulatory agencies. The use of DTG in first-line therapy may be compatible with treatment interruption strategies aimed at attaining a functional HIV cure because of the non-development of drug resistance., Introduction: Previous studies on pre-treatment drug resistance from sub-Saharan Africa have shown the highest prevalence in Uganda, particularly in Kampala, with a prevalence of 12.3%. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been publicly available in Uganda since 2000, with initial use - although limited - of mono/dual thymidine analogues. This study aims to describe type and frequency of pre-treatment resistance in HIV-infected Ugandan adults seeking care at one of the largest public-sector providers in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: From 4 June to 30 September 2015, ART-naïve adults (18 years) presenting to the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) in Kampala and willing to participate in this study were asked to give a plasma sample for pre-treatment HIV genotyping. Sequencing of partial polymerase gene was conducted using an in-house protocol. All sequences were submitted to the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance database, and the surveillance drug resistance mutations were identified using the 2009 World Health Organization mutations list. Results: Pre-treatment drug resistance testing was available from 152 ART-naïve HIV-infected adults, of which 96 (63.2%) were female with a median age of 33 years (interquartile range (IQR) 26–41), and a median CD4 cell count of 511 cells/µL (IQR 284–713). Mutations associated with HIV drug resistance were found in 9/152 (5.9%) patients. Five patients (5/152, 3.3%) harboured nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) mutations, and 8/152 (5.3%) had non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTI) mutations. Five (3.3%) patients had one-class mutations, and four (2.6%) showed double class resistance. Protease inhibitor mutations were not observed (for specific mutations see Table 1). Conclusions: Contrary to previous reports we found a low prevalence of pre-treatment drug resistance among Ugandan adults in Kampala. We hypothesize that the use of mono/dual thymidine analogues in the past contributed to a higher circulation of thymidine analogue mutations (TAMs), as observed in developed settings. The subsequent swift scale-up of triple ART in the region may have reduced pre-treatment resistance over time., Introduction: According to many reports, the prevalence of resistance mutations to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) in antiretroviral-naïve patients is increasing; and reaches or exceeds 10% in some regions. Recently, a surveillance study performed in Argentina determined that the prevalence of resistance to first-generation NNRTIs among people starting ART and no history of previous exposure was 10%. However, some mutations conferring resistance to newer-generation NNRTIs were not considered since these are not yet recommended as first-line therapy in this country. Rilpivirine-based regimens are now preferred or alternative first-line regimens according to many guidelines. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of resistance mutations to newer-generation NNRTIs (rilpivirine and etravirine) in the population starting ART in Argentina. Methods: We analyzed the prevalence of resistance mutations obtained through a nationally representative pretreatment HIV-drug resistance (PDR) surveillance study performed in Argentina from 2014 to 2015. Briefly, 30 ART-dispensing sites throughout the country were randomly chosen to enrol 330 adults starting ART (without prior exposure or re-starting ART); to generate a point prevalence estimate of resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) with a maximum 5% confidence interval (for both the total population and for those without ARV exposure). Samples were processed with Trugene (Siemens®), and analyzed using the Stanford algorithm HIVdb Program, Genotype Resistance Interpretation, version 6.3.1. This report incorporated in the analysis the mutations that, according to the IAS list [1], confer resistance to rilpivirine or etravirine (and were not considered for the original analysis). Results: Between August 2014 and March 2015, we obtained 330 samples from people starting ART in the selected sites. Mean (SD) age was 35 (11.0) years; 63.4% were male; median (IQR) CD4 count was 275/mm3 (106–461) and 16.6% had prior ARV exposure. For the population without prior exposure, the prevalence of RAMs was 13% (±4%), and prevalence of first-generation NNRTI RAMs was 10% (±4%). The prevalence of resistance mutations for second-generation NNRTIs was 7% (±3%) (17 samples with mutations out of 239 successfully sequenced samples). The most frequent mutations conferring resistance to rilpivirine or etravirine were: E138A (n=6) and E190A (n=4). Conclusions: This PDR surveillance study showed concerning levels of HIVDR in Argentina, not only for first-generation NNRTIs but also to rilpivirine and etravirine. In our setting, performing resistance testing would be necessary before prescription of ART even if the person would start a second-generation NNRTI-based regimen., Introduction: NGS technologies have made their way into routine diagnostics in HIV-1 resistance testing. The report of mutations of at least 10% of the viral population is chosen by many laboratories due to its equivalency to Sanger sequencing minority detection. The relevance of mutation detected in lower frequencies is still a subject of debate. We here report the frequency of additional mutations in population proportions of greater than 2% and 1% in routine laboratory testing. Materials and methods: All HIV-1 resistance tests (RTI and PI) performed between October 2014 and April 2016 with an in-house PCR followed by NGS (Illumina MiSeq, sequences reported with >100 reads only) were analyzed. Sequences were interpreted by HIV-GRADE (www.hiv-grade.de) for resistance mutations using 10%, 2% and 1% minority cut-offs. Besides the subtype and the overall increase in mutations, a specific focus were differences in reported resistance-associated mutations. We analyzed potential increase in resistance levels (e.g. additional drug class or further drugs in the same class). Results: We performed 645 NGS resistance tests for HIV-1 reverse transcriptase/protease. Four hundred and eighty-three (74.9%) were identified as subtype B. No drug resistance-associated mutations were reported by HIV-GRADE for 44% with a 10% cut-off, 29.5% and 19.7% with 2% and 1%, respectively. With a cut-off of 10% in 148 samples (105 non-B subtype), only PI relevant mutations were detected. We found mutations only relevant for NRTIs in 21 samples and for NNRTIs in 100 samples. At a cut-off of 2%, we detected mutations in 94 more samples increasing to 157 samples when utilizing a cut-off of 1%. A relevant increase in resistance levels compared with a 10% cut-off was observed for 102 samples at a cut-off of 2% and for 229 samples in the 1% cut-off group. The increase of resistance when lowering the cut-off could be shown for all drug classes with the highest proportions in the NNRTI drug class. Conclusions: A relative high portion (56%) of investigated sequences showed resistance mutations at a minority cut-off of 10%. Even removing the non-B subtype sequences, containing only secondary or subtype specific mutations, still left 50% with resistance-associated mutations. This high percentage of resistance increases substantially lowering the cut-off range to 2 or 1%. That's true not only for the numbers of mutations but also regarding resistance-levels. There is a clear need for clinical evaluation of the relevance of mutations in the low percentage range in NGS for resistance interpretation due to its broader use in clinical routine., Introduction: NNRTIs are prone to baseline resistance and potential treatment failure. We investigated the NNRTI resistance profiles of antiretroviral–naïve patients in a large urban clinic setting and assessed their response to initial ART. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective clinical chart review of ART-naïve patients with baseline genotypes available. We assessed the frequency of NNRTI mutations. Of those who started ART, we conducted Cox regression to determine correlates of virologic suppression (defined as viral load (VL) ≤40 or 50 copies/mL by 6 months) with presence of baseline NNRTI resistance as the primary correlate. Of those with virologic suppression, we conducted Cox regression to determine correlates of virologic rebound (defined as VL ≥200 copies/mL). Censoring occurred for those who did not have any follow-up VLs and at last VL or visit date for those without evidence of viral suppression. Results: Of the 1338 that fit the inclusion criteria, 90 (8.4%) had baseline NNRTI resistance (39 with 103N, 20 with 138A/G/K, 17 with 181C and 8 with 101E/H/P). Of the 90, nine (10%) had 184V, 23 (26%) had NRTI mutations and six (7%) had PI mutations. One thousand two hundred and eighteen (91%) of the ART-naïve patients were started on ART. Patients without NNRTI mutations were most commonly started on NNRTI-based regimens (41%), followed by PI-based (30%) and integrase inhibitor (INI)-based regimens (11%). Patients with baseline NNRTI resistance (n=83) were most commonly started on PI-based regimens (41%), followed by INI-based regimens (19%). Virologic suppression was observed for 963 out of 1218 individuals (79%) that started ART. Eighty-five percent and 90% of patients with and without NNRTI mutations achieved suppression, respectively. In univariate Cox regression, the presence of baseline NNRTI resistance did not impact virologic suppression (HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.76–1.24). In multivariable analysis, adjusting for age, gender, baseline VL and CD4 count, duration of HIV and baseline PI mutations, the presence of NNRTI mutations still did not impact virologic suppression (aHR 0.96; 95% CI 0.74–1.24). For virologic rebound, the presence of baseline NNRTI resistance also did not impact its occurrence (HR 1.11; 95% CI 0.68–1.81). In multivariable analysis, after adjusting for age, gender, baseline VL and CD4 count, duration of HIV and baseline PI mutations, the presence of NNRTI mutations also did not impact virologic rebound (aHR 1.09; 95% CI 0.66–1.78). Conclusions: Baseline NNRTI mutations were present in 8.4% of our antiretroviral-naïve patients. Despite having baseline NNRTI mutations, the majority of the patients reached virologic suppression and did not experience changes in virologic rebound., Introduction: The prevalence of resistance to NNRTI was previously estimated to be 16.9% among drug-naïve individuals in Greece. Our aim was to investigate the dispersal patterns of HIV-1 resistant strains and to estimate the effective reproductive number (Re) and transmission dynamics for locally transmitted resistance. Materials and methods: We analyzed sequences from 3428 HIV-1 treatment-naïve individuals sampled in Southern Greece during 1 January 2003 to 31 June 2015. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on subtype A (N=235) and B (N=86) sequences with NNRTI resistance (K103N and E138A), along with sequences isolated from seropositives without resistance from Greece sampled during 1998 to 2013 (subtype A: N=904; subtype B: N=1615) and a randomly selected global dataset (subtype A: N=5907; subtype B: N=3984). Phylogenetic trees were inferred by maximum likelihood method as implemented in RAxML. Phylodynamic analyses were performed using birth-death models (BDM) as implemented in BEAST2. Results: Phylogenetic analyses revealed that for subtype A, the majority of individuals infected with resistant strains (209 out of 235, 88.9%) belonged to monophyletic clusters (local transmission networks, LTNs). Specifically, 48 out of 56 (85.7%) of sequences with K103N, and 148 out of 179 (82.7%) with E138A belonged to one and four LTNs, respectively. These findings suggest that the viruses with the most prevalent resistance mutations spread locally. For subtype B, either non-clustered sequences or small LTNs (2–6 sequences), were identified. The time of the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) was in 2007 (95% HPD: 2004–2009) for the K103N cluster versus 1995 (95% HPD: 1991–1999), 1996 (95% HPD: 1989–2000), 1997 (95% HPD: 1991–2001) and 2004 (95% HPD: 2000–2007) for E138A LTNs (Figure 1). For the K103N sub-outbreak the Re was higher than 1 between 2008 and the first half of 2013 (maximum value of median Re=2.8) (Figure 1). On the contrary, for all E138A LTNs the Re was higher between 2011 and 2015, except the most recent one where the Re was approximately equal to 1. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the most prevalent mutations associated with resistance to NNRTIs were transmitted through local networks in Greece. Notably, phylodynamic analysis allows estimating that resistance in the last few years has been actively propagated with an increasing incidence. Those belonging to the active TDR networks are the priority population for prevention (TasP). Our study highlights the added value of the latest advances in molecular epidemiology to public health since these allow us to estimate critical epidemiologic parameters and therefore the priority population to intervene., Introduction: The prevalence of mutations conferring resistance to NNRTIs was previously reported to be higher than 15% among drug-naïve individuals both in Northern and Southern Greece. The most prevalent resistance mutations were E138A, K103N and Y181C associated mostly with subtype A1. Our aim was to investigate the dispersal patterns of HIV-1 resistant strains across Greece. Materials and methods: We analyzed sample of subtype A1 sequences (N=1104) obtained between 1999 and middle-2015 from both areas in Greece. We included sequences only from Greece since we have shown previously that subtype A1 sequences have been mostly found within a single monophyletic cluster. Phylogenetic trees were inferred by maximum likelihood method as implemented in RAxML using the GTR+G as nucleotide substitution model with bootstrapping. Results: Phylogenetic analyses revealed that E138A and K103N resistant strains have spread through large monophyletic clusters spanning both Northern and Southern Greece, suggesting that all transmissions within these clusters occurred regionally. Conversely, Y181C formed a subnetwork (monophyletic cluster) limited in Northern Greece with only a single spill over to Southern Greece. Specifically, for K103N strains we found a large (N=49) and a small cluster (N=5) including sequences from both areas. Sequences from Northern Greece formed two specific subnetworks, suggesting local dispersal. Similarly sequences with E138A from Northern Greece formed two specific subnetworks within the E138A monophyletic clades found for Greece. The latter consisted of four major clades of 53, 41, 29 and 25 sequences from both regions. Overall, we found that E138A and K103N spread through common networks across the country with evidence of local transmissions in Northern Greece. On the contrary, Y181C has spread only in Northern Greece with very limited dispersal to Southern Greece. Conclusions: A high prevalence of NNRTI resistance mutations was previously reported for the subtype A1 strains circulating in Greece and especially in Northern Greece. Our study provides evidence that the majority of these resistant viruses were transmitted within common transmission networks. Notably, significant clustering of sequences from Northern Greece as well as the existence of a regional cluster suggest high transmission networking of the population in this area; a finding that might explain the higher prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) in Northern Greece. Our study highlights the priority population to prevent TDR in the future., Introduction: In Europe, country-specific treatment guidelines often do not advocate testing for integrase inhibitor resistance-associated mutations (IRAM) before initiation of first-line ART given the extremely low prevalence of mutations found in older surveillance studies. However, increased use of integrase inhibitors (INSTI) might have led to the emergence of treatment-limiting mutations in more recent years. We aimed to determine the prevalence of IRAM in Austria in the 5 years following introduction of INSTI and to analyze trends and factors associated with their detection. Methods: Samples of antiretroviral treatment-naïve patients in Austria between 2008 and 2013 were analyzed for the existence of IRAM using bulk sequencing with published primers and drug-resistant mutation penalty scores (DPS, Stanford HIVdb algorithm) were calculated to estimate response to antiretroviral drugs. Demographic and virologic data including age, sex, viral subtype, drug resistance-associated mutations to PI and RTI were extracted from a database. Comparative statistics and logistic regression models were used to analyze risk factors for the occurrence of IRAM. Results: A total of 303 samples were analyzed. Seventy-eight percent were male and median age was 36 years. HIV subtype B was most common (62%) followed by subtype C (12%). Overall prevalence of IRAM was 2.3%. Six percent had a DPS ≥10 for raltegravir or elvitegravir, respectively, indicating at least potential low-level resistance. One percent had a DPS ≥10 for dolutegravir. One major mutation was observed (F121Y) in a patient sample from 2012 leading to 5- to 10-fold reduced susceptibility to raltegravir and elvitegravir. Two patients carried the major accessory mutations E138K and G140A, respectively, which both lie on the Q148 pathway. No temporal trend was observed (p=0.16). Presence of any IRAM was not significantly associated with male sex (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.14–4.30), older age (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.91–1.05), calendar year (OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.80–2.03) or occurrence of any other drug resistance mutations (OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.16–12.23) in a multivariable logistic regression. Discussion: Major primary IRAM are rarely found despite increasing use of INSTI in Austria but there is potential for reduced susceptibility to these drugs in selected patients. In the absence of predictors for occurrence of IRAM routine resistance testing seems prudent to avoid the consequences including accumulation of further mutations and therapeutic failure., Introduction: The HIV-1 infected population in Israel is unique in its diversity. Until recently, the rate of transmitted drug-resistance mutations (TDRs) was relatively high mainly to NNRTIs. The prevalence of TDRs is regularly evaluated in treatment-naïve patients in Tel Aviv. Methods: All blood samples obtained from treatment-naïve patients between 2010 and 2015 were analyzed for reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease resistance-associated mutations. Phylogeny on 614 sequences of subtypes A, B and C viruses (the main subtypes represented) was inferred by pol sequences. Results: Viral sequences from 672 patients were tested. Men who have sex with men (MSM) was the major exposure risk category group (n=375), 76% among them were born in Israel, and 88% harbor subtype B viruses. Other groups include intravenous drug users (IVUs) (n=99); 78% of them were born in the former Soviet Union countries and 86% harbour subtype A viruses. The heterosexuals group is very heterogeneous and includes patients born in Israel, Ethiopian immigrants, former Soviet Union and worker immigrants or refugees mainly from Africa. The resistance rate decreased from 15.9% in 2010 to 5.9% in 2013 (p, Introduction: As second-generation integrase inhibitor (INI), dolutegravir (DTG) has shown a superior barrier to resistance as compared with profiles of raltegravir (RAL) or elvitegravir (EVG). Current findings suggest that resistance mutations against INIs extreme rarely occur under DTG-containing first-line ART. However, this case report unveils a possible development of a T66I-mediated cross-resistance against EVG under DTG first-line regimen. Methods: A first-line treatment with lamivudine/abacavir, lopinavir and dolutegravir was initiated by a 44-year-old man with a diagnosis of HIV in November 2015 (CDC status B2, CD4 nadir 219/µL, HIV-1 RNA 350,000 copies/mL). Ultra-deep sequencing was performed by using population sequencing and ultra-deep sequencing (UDS, Illumina MiSeq) at baseline and at time of therapy failure. Resistance interpretation was estimated by using the HIV-Grade 12/2015, Stanford HIVdb version 7.0.1, Rega version 9.1.0 and the ANRS 25_09/2015 database. Viral load was quantified with Abbott Realtime. Results: Before start of therapy, no resistance-associated variants could be detected neither by population nor by UDS in HIV protease, reverse transcriptase and integrase. After start of DTG first-line therapy, HIV viral load dropped from 300,000 copies/mL to 2400 copies/mL within 4 weeks of follow-up and was undetectable at week 8. CD4 cell counts increased from 219/µL to 479/µL (13.4%). However, 20 weeks after initiation of ART, HIV viral load increased to 105 copies/mL and maintained low viremic 4 weeks later at 112 copies/mL most likely due to inadequate adherence although plasma drug levels turned out to be above critical limits. More importantly, the development of the INI resistance mutation T66I was then verified by UDS showing a minority population of 36.1%. The variant T66I is a non-polymorphic mutation and reduces EVG susceptibility by ~15-fold while susceptibility to RAL or DTG is reported to be unaffected. There was no evidence for protease or reverse transcriptase resistance mutations at this time. Twenty-eight weeks after start of therapy the viral load decreased to undetectable levels without any changes. Conclusion: Although being extreme rarely observed, INI-resistant HIV variants may also occur under DTG first-line treatment. The T66I alone does not necessarily limit the susceptibility to DTG itself but could be a first step of resistance development against DTG. It is reported that T66I confers high-level resistance against EVG and may also putatively lower the resistance barrier against RAL., Introduction: Non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-containing ART remains the recommended first-line regimens for adults infected with HIV in many resource-limited countries. Increasing trends of resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) to NNRTIs have caused concerns about the effectiveness of the regimens in national programs in these regions. In this multicentre study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of emergent RAMs of HIV-1 to ARVs in HIV-positive adults who developed virologic failure to first-line NNRTI-containing ART in Taiwan. Materials and methods: Between June 2012 and March 2016, ARV-naïve HIV-positive adults who initiated two NRTIs plus NNRTI at participating hospitals were included for analysis. Plasma HIV RNA load (PVL) was determined at baseline, and week 4 to 6 and subsequently every 12 to 16 weeks after ART initiation. Virologic failure was defined as a decrease of PVL 200 copies/mL at 6 months of ART initiation; or confirmed HIV RNA ≥200 copies/mL after viral suppression (PVL, Introduction: The German-Austrian guidelines for the treatment of HIV infection define therapeutic success as the reduction of the HIV-1 viral load (VL) below 50 copies/mL. Low-level viremia (LLV) is defined as repeated VL measurements between 50 and 200 copies/mL after initial therapeutic success. LLV has been previously associated with virologic failure (VF). Here, we provide an independent analysis of the association of LLV and other factors with VF. Materials and methods: The Arevir database comprises clinical and virologic data of therapy-naïve and therapy-experienced HIV-1-infected patients in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, including the data of the RESINA cohort. We queried the Arevir database for patients who attained confirmed therapeutic success under ART and who experienced confirmed LLV thereafter. We constrained our query to therapies in which the VL was measured at least once every 24 weeks. We define VF as a confirmed VL greater than 200 copies/mL following therapeutic success. P-values were calculated with Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: The database query resulted in 2485 first-line and 3657 further-line therapies. LLV occurred in 294 (4.8%) of these therapies, specifically in 47 (1.9%) first-line and in 247 (6.8%) further-line therapies. The mean time to LLV was 27 months (σ=20.7), with no significant differences between first- or further-line therapies (p=0.4597). The majority of patients showing LLV were treated with PI-based therapies (165/294; 56%), followed by NNRTI-based regimes (76/294; 26%). Fifty-three out of 294 (18%) patients experienced VF after LLV with a median VL at failure of 472 copies/mL (range 203–116,590 copies/mL) after a mean LLV episode of 77.4 weeks (σ=68.0). The failure rate was increased in therapy-experienced patients (48/247; 19.4%), as compared with therapy-naïve patients (5/47; 10.4%; p=0.2129). There was no difference in VF between PI-based and NNRTI-based therapies regardless of the backbone (33/165; 20% and 13/76; 17.1%, respectively; p=0.6049). Among all drug classes, VF was never related to entry inhibitors, integrase inhibitors or the more recently approved compounds DRV, TPV and RPV (45/204 vs 0/83, respectively; p, Introduction: cART has resulted in significant reduction of mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) from 40% to 1 to 2% in the last 2 decades. Choosing an individualized cART is one key factor for successful suppression of viral load until delivery. Thus, drug resistance testing during pregnancy before cART initiation or in case of increasing viral load is recommended. The prevalence of drug resistance mutations (DRM) in pregnant women in Germany has not been characterized yet. Materials and methods: Between January 2009 and March 2016, HIV drug resistance of all HIV-positive pregnant women was analyzed. Resistance testing was performed by using Sanger sequencing and next generation sequencing (NGS) by means of Illumina MiSeq-technology. Resistance interpretation was performed by the HIV-GRADE HIV-1-Tool (www.hiv-grade.de). Results: Data of 85 HIV-positive pregnant women and 103 live births were analyzed. In 64/85 cases (75%), resistance testing was requested, with 61/64 successful analyses. The majority of patients were migrants (88%), 75% of these women had their origin in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The majority of the patients were infected with non-B-subtypes (54/61, 88%), mainly 02_AG (23/61, 38%), followed by C (8/61, 13%) and A (7/61, 11%). In 14/61 (23%) resistance tests, DRM were found, in 9/14 due to ART history whereas five patients were therapy-naïve with presumably transmitted DRM (tDRM) or DRM due to immunological mechanisms like APOBEC3G/F (e.g. M184I, M230I) [1]. Five of 14 patients contained a two-class resistance against NRTI/NNRTI (Figure 1). Most common mutations were: M184VI (5/14), T215Y/F/N (4/14), Y181C (3/14) and K103N (3/14). NGS analysis showed additional mutations in 4/14 patients. No MTCT has been observed. Conclusions: In 23% (14/61), of all HIV-positive pregnant women in our study DRM have been observed, in 8% tDRM (5/61). The prevalence of tDRM in pregnant women is lower than in general German population of HIV-positive individuals. Using resistance testing by NGS resulted in the identification of additional relevant DRM compared to Sanger. Considering the importance of viral load suppression in pregnancy and the limited amount of time to achieve this goal, the choice of cART should be optimal and take these mutations into account. Genotypic resistance testing should be therefore considered for all pregnant women to optimize the success of cART and hence prevent mother-to-child transmission., Introduction: Combination antiretroviral therapy has greatly reduced the rate of morbidity and mortality among HIV-1 infected patients. However, high mutation and recombination rates of HIV-1 lead to the emergence of various subtypes and drug resistance viruses, rendering first-line ARV therapy ineffective in many patients. The aim of this sub-study is to describe the prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes and the patterns of drug resistance mutations among ARV-naïve HIV-1 infected patients from six different countries participating in the GARDEL study [1]. Materials and methods: A total of 543 naïve patients from six countries (Argentina, Chile, Spain, Mexico, Peru and US) were screened between December 2010 and May 2012, and 534 HIV sequences were analyzed following the IAS-USA 2014 Drug Resistance Mutations Panel [2]. Genotypic assays performed at screening visit were: PhenoSense HIV assay (Monogram Biosciences, San Francisco, CA, USA), ViroSeq HIV-1 (ViroSeq HIV-1 Genotyping System version 2.0, Celera, Alameda, CA, USA) and TRUGENE® HIV-1 Genotyping Assay (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Munich, Germany), according to availability at each site. Results: Of the 534 patients screened, 74% were Hispanic/Latino. Median time of infection at SCR was 10.5 months. CDC stage A: 82%. Of 450 viral subtypes available, the most frequent was subtype B in all three regions (Latin America (LA): 72% B, 17.6% BF; US/Mexico: 92% B; Spain: 91.2% B). A total of 113 samples (21.2%) had major resistant mutations; 22 samples (4.1%) had major protease mutations (M46I was the most common mutation: 1.5%), 85 samples (15.9%) had NNRTIs mutations (K103N/S was the most common mutation: 4.9%) and 17 samples had mutations to NRTIs (3.2%) and M41L (1.3%) was the most common mutation. PIs: only two patients had more than one major mutation (2/22). The more frequent minor mutations were: M36I/L/V (216/534), L63P (120/534), L10I/F/V/R (115/534) and K20R/M/I: 59/534. The global resistance analysis by regions showed 21% for LA, 22.8% for US/Mexico and 14.7% for Spain, being NNRTI resistance by regions 16.4%, 15.4% and 11.8% respectively. PI resistance was 3.1% for LA and Mexico/US and NRTI resistance was 3.1% for LA, 3.4% for US/Mexico and 2.9% for Spain. No Q151M, 69ss or K65R were identified. Conclusions: In our study, we found a primary resistance rate of 21.2%, similar in LA and US/Mexico. Levels of NNRTI resistance are similar in the three analyzed regions, as previously reported in naïve populations, and reinforce the need of performing genotypic testing in ARV-naïve patients, especially in LA where the first-line therapy is still based on NNRTI drugs., Introduction: The highly effective antiretroviral therapy has changed the natural history of HIV/AIDS, delaying the disease progression and improving the quality of life of the infected individuals. In treated HIV-1 population in Cuba, several factors might have contributed to high drug resistance levels such as prescription of suboptimal regimens containing non-boosted PI, prolonged exposure to failing therapies due to limited access to laboratory monitoring and limited options for antiviral drug substitutions if required. This might also result in the subsequent spread of drug-resistant strains. The performed studies in untreated population have shown high levels of HIV resistance to the antiretroviral therapy ranging from 12 to 21%. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of primary HIV drug resistance in newly diagnosed Cuban patients on a representative sample of the country. Materials and methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from 263 recently HIV-1 diagnostic patients from April 2013 to April 2014. The HIV-1 pol gene was sequenced using Sanger sequencing and drug resistance was interpreted according to the World Health Organization surveillance drug-resistance mutations (SDRM) list, version 2009. HIV-1 subtyping was performed using the Rega subtyping tool, version 3. Results: Experiments were successful for 189. The mean age at sampling was 33.5 years (17–74), 80.9% of the patients were men and the major transmission route was MSM (80.3%). 72.4% had recent infection and 38.6% were from Havana. The median value viral load was 58,000 RNA copies/mL and CD4 count value was 371 cells/mm3. In 17.4% (33/189) of the studied viruses, transmitted resistance mutations were detected, 22 (66.6%) were HSH, 26 (78.8%) were a recent HIV-1 infection, 13 (39.4%) were from Havana and 9 (27.2%) were infected with CRF19_cpx. Simple non-nucleoside mutants contributed the highest amount (45.5%), followed by double class resistance against NRTI and NNRTI (27.3%) and single mutants to the IP (12.1%). The most common mutation associated with resistance to NRTI was M184V (24.2%), for NNRTI was K103N (45.4%) and Y181C (30.3%) and for PI was D30N (6%). Conclusions: This study confirms the high levels of resistance in untreated population, it demonstrates the commitment of first-line therapies used in the country and could put at risk future therapies. It highlights the need for studies to elucidate the factors that are influencing detected high levels of resistance in newly diagnosed population. It also shows the need for resistance testing in patients who are starting the therapy., Introduction: Genotypic resistance testing is paramount for the monitorization of the emergence of antiretroviral drug-resistant virus. The Viroseq HIV-1 genotyping system version 2.0 is an IVD assay for sequencing of HIV-1 from plasma but only feasible if the viral load is at least 1000 copies/mL. However, some patients have a persistent low HIV-1 viremia inferior to 1000 copies/mL, being resistance testing and antiretroviral therapy hampered by this. So, for their clinical management, resistance testing solutions must be made available [1]. With this regard, we developed an in-house assay adapting the Viroseq version 2.0 with a nested-PCR protocol. Materials and methods: Blood samples from 36 patients on HAART with a viral load between 20 copies/mL and 1000 copies/mL (range 36–934 copies/mL; mean 357 copies/mL) were collected in K3EDTA and the plasma separated 6 hours after sampling and stored at −80°C. HIV-1 was concentrated by centrifugation of 1 mL of plasma at 24,000 g for 1 hour at 4°C. After removal of the supernatant, 1 mL of plasma was added and the sample thoroughly homogenized. RNA extraction was performed in the QIASymphonySP equipment from QIAGEN (Hilden, Germany) using the QIAsymphony Virus/Pathogen Mini Kit and an in-house protocol, rendering a final volume of 30 µL. The Viroseq protocol was performed according to the manufacturer instructions, followed by a nested-PCR protocol previously described by Mackie et al. [2]. The 50 µL PCR mix contained 0.5 µM of each primer, 1x Incomplete NH4+ Reaction Buffer (DFS-Taq DNA Polymerase, Bioron Life Science), 0.2 mM of deoxyribonucleotide, 2.5 units of DFS-Taq DNA Polymerase and 5 µL from the products of the first PCR. The PCR was performed on a Perkin Elmer PE9700 thermocycler and consisted on an initial denaturation for 5 minutes at 95°C, followed by 40 cycles of 95°C for 30 seconds; 55°C for 30 seconds, 72°C for 120 seconds and a extension at 72°C for 7 minutes. PCR products were sequenced on the 3130xl DNA Analyzer (Applied Biosystems) and analyzed in Viroseq version 2.8. Results: Sequencing and drug resistance testing was successful in 70% (9/13) of the samples with a viral load 36 to 200 copies/mL; in 93% (13/14) of the samples comprising 200 to 500 copies/mL and in 100% (9 /9) of the samples with 500 to 1000 copies/mL. Conclusion: Genotypic resistance testing is essential for the monitorization of the emergence of antiretroviral drug-resistant virus being necessary for the development of assays for patients with low viral loads., Introduction: Presepsin, a newly discovered soluble fragment of CD14, has been studied as a sepsis biomarker. The mechanism of its secretion is involved in the TLR4 activation cascade and it is related to mCD14 and sCD14, which are monocyte activation markers, indirectly representing the presence of bacterial translocation. Therefore presepsin could be employed as an immune activation marker, and it could allow for the estimation of bacterial translocation rates [1]. The aim of this study was to assess the correlations between presepsin serum concentration and bacterial translocation, immune activation and fibrosis markers in subjects with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) mono-infections and in HIV/HCV co-infection, compared to healthy controls. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included patients with HCV and HIV mono-infections, HIV/HCV co-infection and healthy controls (20 subjects/group). Peripheral blood was analyzed to determine the levels of presepsin, Forkhead box 3 (Foxp3+) T cells, TGF-β1, CD14 (soluble and surface isoforms), IL-17 and bacterial translocation products. These measurements were correlated to the severity of liver fibrosis, measured with the FIB-4 score and transient elastography. Results: Presepsin concentration was significantly higher in the HIV patients (HIV mono-infected and HIV/HCV co-infected). The same group showed increased levels of sCD14 and mCD14, expression of immune activation. Statistical analysis shows a significant correlation between presepsin and both forms of CD14 only in HIV/HCV group, where the percentage of bacterial translocation and chronic inflammation is high, as shown by the significant increase in bacterial DNA levels, sCD14, mCD14 and IL-17. Presepsin is associated with FIB-4 values in the HCV group. Conclusions: Presepsin is a biomarker of chronic immune activation, as demonstrated by its correlations with sCD14, mCD14 and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ lymphocytes, particularly in HIV infection. Its concentration is correlated to liver fibrosis markers, such as FIB-4, particularly in HCV mono-infected patients. Considering presepsin and a direct correlation between the levels of fibrosis and an inverse correlation with Treg cells in this group, the low levels of Treg cells may be involved in increasing the state fibrosis in chronic HCV patients., Introduction: HIV CRF19_cpx has been described as a highly pathogenic recombinant from Cuba [1]. Furthermore, these infections are typically associated to higher viral load (VL) at diagnosis and rapid progression to AIDS [2]. Here, we describe the emergence of this CRF19_cpx variant in southern Spain, clustering in men having sex with men (MSM). Materials and methods: The study was undertaken at the Virgen de la Victoria Hospital, a reference centre for the analysis of HIV-1 genotypic drug resistance in Malaga (Spain). The subtype for each FASTA sequence provided was assigned through REGA version 3.0. Sequences consigned as a CRF19_cpx variant were confirmed by phylogenetic analysis with other 195 reference sequences retrieved from LANL. Protease and reverse transcriptase (RT) genes were aligned by ClustalX and the phylogenetic reconstruction inferred by maximum likelihood method (RAxML). The reliability of the clades was supported on bootstrapping, with 1000 replications. For analysis of RT and protease resistance mutations, Standford algorithm version 7.1.1 was used. Additionally, we collected epidemiologic, clinical and immunologic data. Results: Genotypic test was performed in 2298 naïve patients from four hospitals during 2011 to 2016, finding the CRF19_cpx variant in 49 of them (2.1%). These recombinants, except one, were clustered together (bootstrap=93%), with phylogenetic relation to CRF19_cpx from Israel, Bulgaria and Cuba. Seven well-supported subclusters with different number of patients were also found: A, D, F and G (n=2); B and E (n=8); and C (n=3) (Figure 1). Non-nucleoside RT inhibitor G190A resistance mutation was found in 24 patients (48.9%), among them, clades C, D, E and F. All the patients were MSM, 21 of them (42.8%) had a prior negative HIV test, with a median time of seroconversion of 15 months (IQR 10.7–22.8). All were Spanish, except for two patients from Argentina and one from France. The mean age was 35.0 years (26.3–41.5), the initial CD4 count was 361/µL (254–416) and VL 4.9 log (4.5–5.4), being lower in patients with G190A mutation (4.6 vs 5.1, p=0.02). Three cases of AIDS (6.1%) and one death occurred (acute myocardial infarction). All the patients treated with first-line combination ART responded. Conclusions: CRF19_cpx variant has emerged affecting MSM naïve patients from southern Spain; all cases but one are related to a local cluster. Half of patients showed the G190A resistance mutation. Unlike previous studies, the variant from Malaga seems less pathogenic, with few cases of AIDS and excellent response to ARV., Introduction: Although with a lower prevalence than HIV-1, HIV-2 is responsible for localized epidemics, being Portugal the non-African country with the greatest expression of the infection. Clinical management of the infection is hampered by the lack of validated commercial RNA viral load assays, thus there an in-house development using the available equipment is mandatory. Materials and methods: HIV-2 was confirmed by Innolia© (Innogenetics, Gent, Belgium). Blood samples were collected in K3EDTA and the plasma separated 6 hours after sampling and stored at −80°C. The BIOQ HIV-2 RNA group A quantification panel (Biocentric) was used as an external standard. RNA extraction was performed from 1000 µL of plasma in the QIASymphonySP equipment from QIAGEN (Hilden, Germany) using the QIAsymphony Virus/Pathogen Mini Kit and an in-house protocol, rendering a final volume of 60 µL. RNA from the samples and standards was isolated under the same conditions. The protocol was based on the previously described by Avettand-Fenoel et al. [1]. The forward and reverse primers for the LTR region were 5'TCTTTAAGCAAGCAAGCGT GG-3 and 5’-AGCAGGTAGAGCCTGGGTGTT-3 and for the gag region F3 5’-GCGCGAGAAACTCCGTCTTG-3 and R1 5’-TTCGCTGCCCACACAATATGTT-3. The probe for the LTR region was 5'FAM-CTTGGCCGGYRCTGGGCAGA-BHQ1-3 and for the gag region S65GAG2 5'FAM-TAGGTTACGGCCCGGCGGAAAGA-BHQ1-3. The one-step RT-PCR was performed on the LightCycler 2.0 (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). The LightCycler RNA Virus Master Kit from Roche (Roche Molecular Biochemicals) was used. The 20 µL reaction mixture contained 0.5 µM of each primer, 0.25 µM of each probe, 0.4 µL of Enzyme Blend and 7.5 µL of the isolated RNA. The thermocycling consisted of 10 minutes at 60°C and 60 seconds at 95°C, followed by 50 cycles of 95°C for 5 seconds, 60°C for 50 seconds and 72°C for 10 seconds. Results: The standard curve generated by the LightCycler software (version 4.05) presented an efficiency of 2.079 and an error of 0.0657. This RT-PCR provides an increment in sensibility to 50 copies/mL and the detection of HIV-2 B subtypes. In comparison to the RT-PCR previously used in routine, no deviation higher than 0.5 log was found in the testing of 21 clinical samples and several dilutions of the NIBSC HIV-2 NIH-Z strain. Conclusions: This assay allows us to quantificate HIV-2 A and B subtypes with satisfactory sensibility and linearity, supporting the clinical management of the infection., Introduction: Nadir CD4 counts, advanced age and hepatitis C co-infections are known predictors of poorer immune recovery following HAART. As a high CD8 count was associated with inflammatory non-AIDS-related clinical events, it could be another useful marker for prognostic monitoring. Methods: Anonymous clinical data from Integrated Treatment Centre, the largest HIV service in Hong Kong, were accessed. Adult HIV+ patients with available negative HIV testing result within 3 years before HIV diagnosis were targeted for the collection of the following data: (a) CD4, CD8 and viral loads at all time points of testing, (b) timing of AIDS diagnosis, as appropriate, (c) antiretroviral treatment date and regimens. Cumulative viral load was estimated. All eligible patients were divided into two groups by their pre-HAART CD8 counts, that is, either >800/L or ≤800/L, followed by multivariable logistic regression. Results: As of the end of 2012, records of 199 treatment-naïve patients (median age 36) who had been on HAART continuously for ≥4 years were analyzed. A majority (90%) were male with men who have sex with men (MSM) accounting for 58% of the study population. Their median interval from diagnosis to the latest assessment was 12.7 years. Either a protease inhibitor-based (70%) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based (30%) regimen was prescribed. The pre-HAART median CD4 and CD8 counts were 158/L and 790/L, which were positively correlated (r=0.51, p800/L gave a high odds of poorer immune outcome. Pre-HAART CD8 count is an independent predictor of an outcome measure comprising CD4 count and CD4:CD8 ratio. While CD4 is a useful prognostic marker, the strength of prediction increased with the addition of baseline CD8 count using a cutoff of 800/mL.

Over the past decade, laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) has become the most common refractive procedure for the correction of refractive errors. Consistency and predictability of corneal flap thickness is crucial in both planning and in producing successful LASIK outcomes. Complications associated with thin flaps include flap slippage, striae, irregularity, astigmatism, buttonholes, free caps, and corneal haze. Thicker flaps cause decreased stromal-bed thickness, which increases the risk for biomechanical corneal changes and iatrogenic corneal ectasia [1-4]. Few studies have attempted to find a correlation between preoperative variables and corneal-flap thickness with the mechanical microkeratome. Yildirim et al. [5] found a low correlation with preoperative corneal thickness and no correlation with preoperative keratometry when using the mechanical microkeratome. Giledi et al. [6] reported a correlation between preoperative spherical-equivalent refraction and flap thickness, and a paradoxical finding of thinner flaps in patients with thicker corneas using the mechanical microkeratome. Current mechanical microkeratomes have a very good performance record; however, in a few cases, complications can occur during the microkeratome pass and flap cut. Femtosecond lasers offer an alternative to mechanical cutting and can provide additional features that affect flap morphology. Studies by Krueger and Dupps [7] and Alio and Pinero [8] found a planar-flap profile for femtosecond-laser-created flaps versus a meniscus-flap profile for microkeratome flaps. A meniscus flap extends deeper in the periphery and is shallower in the center of the flap, while a planar flap has the same thickness across its entirety. Despite the improved flap-thickness predictability with the femtosecond lasers compared with the conventional microkeratome, unexpectedly thinner or thicker flaps sometimes occur with the femtosecond lasers and can lead to surgical complications [9]. The main aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative variables and flap thickness in eyes having flap creation with the femtosecond-laser-assisted LASIK.

The efficacies of CO2 laser and conventional laryngeal microsurgery for vocal cord benign (vocal cord polyp) and precancerous (vocal cord leukoplakia) lesions were compared. Patients with bilateral vocal cord polyps (n = 60) and leukoplakia (n = 30) were divided randomly into two groups. One group was treated with throat microsurgical instruments and underwent routine lesion resection (conventional group) and the other with CO2 laser (laser group). For the subjective assessment, the tools GRABS and VHI were used. The objective assessment, A multi-dimensional voice program module for voice spectrum analysis was used. The laser group was slightly worse than the conventional group 1 week post-surgery by stroboscopic findings. The subjective and objective data of the two groups pre-and post-surgery showed that the voice recovery of the laser group was significantly better than that of the conventional group (P < 0.05). CO2 laser laryngeal microsurgery for vocal cord polyp and leukoplakia can improve significantly the vocal cord morphology and pronunciation quality. The procedure is especially more effective than conventional surgery in patients with vocal cord leukoplakia.

Objectives: We investigated the sleep structure of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and the association of abnormalities with brain lesions. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Thirty-three patients with NMOSD and 20 matched healthy individuals were enrolled. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were collected. Questionnaires were used to assess quality of sleep, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and depression. Nocturnal polysomnography was performed. Results: Compared with healthy controls, patients with NMOSD had decreases in sleep efficiency (7%; p = 0.0341), non-REM sleep N3 (12%; p < 0.0001), and arousal index (6; p = 0.0138). REM sleep increased by 4% (p = 0.0423). There were correlations between arousal index and REM% or Epworth Sleepiness Scale (r = −0.0145; p = 0.0386, respectively). Six patients with NMOSD (18%, 5 without infratentorial lesions and 1 with infratentorial lesions) had a hypopnea index >5, and all of those with sleep apnea had predominantly the peripheral type. The periodic leg movement (PLM) index was higher in patients with NMOSD than in healthy controls (20 vs 2, p = 0.0457). Surprisingly, 77% of the patients with PLM manifested infratentorial lesions. Conclusions: Sleep architecture was markedly disrupted in patients with NMOSD. Surveillance of nocturnal symptoms and adequate symptomatic control are expected to improve the quality of life of patients with NMOSD.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of central and abdominal obesity with the prevalence of cataracts in a middle-aged Korean population. This retrospective cross-sectional study was based on the data collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2009, in which 4,914 subjects were examined. Ophthalmological examinations were performed to determine the presence of a nuclear, cortical, or posterior subcapsular cataract. Both general obesity (a body mass index >= 25 kg/m(2)) and abdominal obesity (a waist circumference >= 90 cm for men and >= 80 cm for women) were significantly associated with the occurrence of cataracts among middle-aged women [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.69; and aOR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.06-1.85, respectively], while abdominal obesity was significantly inversely associated with the occurrence of cataracts among middle-aged men (aOR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58-1.01; and aOR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.89, respectively). We report a difference in the association between obesity and the prevalence of cataracts based on gender.

A hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the accumulation of extracellular amyloid-v (Av) plaques in the brains of patients. N-terminally truncated pyroglutamate-modified Av (pEAv) has been described as a major compound of Av species in senile plaques. pEAv is more resistant to degradation, shows higher toxicity and has increased aggregation propensity and v-sheet stabilization compared to non-modified Av. Here we characterized recombinant pEAv(3-40) in aqueous trifluoroethanol (TFE) solution regarding its aggregation propensity and structural changes in comparison to its non-pyroglutamate-modified variant Av(1-40). Secondary structure analysis by circular dichroism spectroscopy suggests that pEAv(3-40) shows an increased tendency to form v-sheet-rich structures in 20% TFE containing solutions where Av(1-40) forms a-helices. Aggregation kinetics of pEAv(3-40) in the presence of 20% TFE monitored by thioflavin-T (ThT) assay showed a typical sigmoidal aggregation in contrast to Av(1-40), which lacks ThT positive structures under the same conditions. Transmission electron microscopy confirms that pEAv(3-40) aggregated to large fibrils and high molecular weight aggregates in spite of the presence of the helix stabilizing co-solvent TFE. High resolution NMR spectroscopy of recombinantly produced and uniformly isotope labeled [U-15N]-pEAv(3-40) in TFE containing solutions indicates that the pyroglutamate formation affects significantly the N-terminal region, which in turn leads to decreased monomer stability and increased aggregation propensity

A hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the accumulation of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in the brains of patients. N-terminally truncated pyroglutamate-modified Aβ (pEAβ) has been described as a major compound of Aβ species in senile plaques. pEAβ is more resistant to degradation, shows higher toxicity and has increased aggregation propensity and β-sheet stabilization compared to non-modified Aβ. Here we characterized recombinant pEAβ(3-40) in aqueous trifluoroethanol (TFE) solution regarding its aggregation propensity and structural changes in comparison to its non-pyroglutamate-modified variant Aβ(1-40). Secondary structure analysis by circular dichroism spectroscopy suggests that pEAβ(3-40) shows an increased tendency to form β-sheet-rich structures in 20% TFE containing solutions where Aβ(1-40) forms α-helices. Aggregation kinetics of pEAβ(3-40) in the presence of 20% TFE monitored by thioflavin-T (ThT) assay showed a typical sigmoidal aggregation in contrast to Aβ(1-40), which lacks ThT positive structures under the same conditions. Transmission electron microscopy confirms that pEAβ(3-40) aggregated to large fibrils and high molecular weight aggregates in spite of the presence of the helix stabilizing co-solvent TFE. High resolution NMR spectroscopy of recombinantly produced and uniformly isotope labeled [U-15N]-pEAβ(3-40) in TFE containing solutions indicates that the pyroglutamate formation affects significantly the N-terminal region, which in turn leads to decreased monomer stability and increased aggregation propensity.

Purpose To elucidate the prevalence of cataract, glaucoma, pterygia, and diabetic retinopathy among Korean postmenopausal women with or without estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). Methods A cross-sectional, nationally representative sample from the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) (2007–2009) was used. Participants were interviewed for the determination of socioeconomic and gynecologic factors. Each woman also underwent an ophthalmologic examination and provided a blood sample for risk factor assessment. Results Of 3968 postmenopausal women enrolled, 3390 had never received estrogen, and 578 were undergoing estrogen treatment. After adjusting for age, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and high low-density lipoprotein levels, the prevalence of anterior polar cataract, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect, and flesh pterygium was higher in the non-ERT group (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 1.12–9.35, OR 1.70; 95% CI, 1.04–2.78, OR 3.725; 95% CI, 1.21–11.45, respectively). Further, the prevalence of atrophic pterygium was lower in the non-ERT group compared to that in the ERT group (OR, 0.21, 95% CI, 0.07–0.63). Conclusions These data suggest that ERT has a protective effect against the development of anterior polar cataract, flesh pterygium, and RNFL defect.

The α-MnO2 nanorods (MnO2 NR) were first synthesized and then incorporated onto the basal plane of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with the aid of ultrasonication to obtain a composite (MnO2 NR/RGO). A novel modified electrode (MnO2 NR/RGO/GCE) based on the MnO2 NR/RGO composite was fabricated and used for the selective detection of uric acid (UA) in the mass of ascorbic acid (AA). The as-made modified electrode shows a good electron transfer ability and displays a novel performance for the detection of UA. More interestingly, this electrode can effectively eliminate the interference of AA. A linear dependence on the concentration of UA from 5 × 10-8 to 4 × 10-4 M was measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and the detection limit was up to 1 × 10-8 M. The good sensitivity and repeatability of the proposed electrode enabled its successful application for the selective determination of UA in human urine sample analysis. These results will enhance our understanding of the applicability of MnO2 NR/RGO in electrochemical analysis.

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of allogeneic serum eye drops for the treatment of dry eye in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) following bone marrow transplantation.Sixteen patients with cGVHD following allogeneic hematological stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and diagnosed with dry eye syndrome refractory to conventional treatment were prospectively enrolled in this study. Allogeneic serum eye drops were obtained from healthy related donors after serologic testing. Symptom scores, tear breakup time (tBUT), the Schirmer test without anesthesia (Schirmer I test), tear osmolarity, corneal staining score, impression cytology grade, and goblet cell densities were evaluated before and 4 weeks after administration of allogeneic serum eye drops.Enrolled patients included 6 females and 10 males between 20 and 61 years of age (mean age, 37.2±11.6 years). After 4 weeks of treatment, the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) symptom scores decreased significantly (32.5-8.9). Tear osmolarity showed a significant decrease from 311.1 to 285.1 milliosmol. The corneal staining scores significantly decreased from 2.5 to 1.8. Impression cytology grade and goblet cell density improved from 3.4 to 2.4 and from 90.6 to 122.6 cell/mm(2), respectively. tBUT also significantly improved from 2.9 to 4.4 s, and the Schirmer I test results showed improvement, but lacked statistical significance (1.7-2.4 mm). No significant side effects were detected as a result of the allogeneic serum treatment during the follow-up period.Allogeneic serum can be used for the treatment of severe dry eye in patients with cGVHD when autologous serum is unavailable. Care should be taken to avoid the risk of blood-borne diseases.

The aggregation of the Av plays a fundamental role in the pathology of AD. Recently, N-terminally modified Av species, pE-Av, have been described as major constituents of Av deposits in the brains of AD patients. pE-Av has an increased aggregation propensity and shows increased toxicity compared with Av1-40 and Av1-42. In the present work, high-resolution NMR spectroscopy was performed to study pE-Av3-40 in aqueous TFE-containing solution. Two-dimensional TOCSY and NOESY experiments were performed. On the basis of NOE and chemical shift data, pE-Av3-40 was shown to contain two helical regions formed by residues 14-22 and 30-36. This is similar as previously described for Av1-40. However, the secondary chemical shift data indicate decreased helical propensity in pE-Av3-40 when compared with Av1-40 under exactly the same conditions. This is in agreement with the observation that pE-Av3-40 shows a drastically increased tendency to form v-sheet-rich structures under more physiologic conditions. Structural studies of pE-Av are crucial for better understanding the structural basis of amyloid fibril formation in the brain during development of AD, especially because an increasing number of reports indicate a decisive role of pE-Av for the pathogenesis of AD.

In this study, proteomics and transcriptomics studies of Thermoplasma acidophilum were performed. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics approaches combined with different pre-separation methods were used, to provide a global overview of the cytoplasmic proteins of T. acidophilum and information of proteins involved in the formation of macromolecular complexes. Additionally, a comprehensive quantitative proteomics and transcriptomics analysis of T. acidophilum cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions was applied which gave us information of biochemical adaptations of the cell to anaerobiosis. The results of this study are an important milestone for the validation of visual protein-maps of T. acidophilum created by cryo-electron tomography. In dieser Arbeit wurden Proteom- und Transkriptom-Untersuchungen an Thermoplasma acidophilum durchgeführt. Für die Proteomanalyse wurden massenspektrometrische Verfahren in Kombination mit unterschiedlichen Vortrennungsmethoden benutzt, um einen globalen Überblick über die exprimierten cytosolischen Proteine von T. acidophilum und ein umfassendes Inventar der makromolekularen Komplexe zu erhalten. Zusätzlich wurde eine vergleichende Quantifizierung des Proteoms und des Transkriptoms von T. acidophilum, kultiviert unter aeroben und anaeroben Bedingungen, durchgeführt, welche Informationen über die biochemische Anpassung der Zelle an Anaerobiose lieferte. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie sind ein wichtiger Meilenstein für die Validierung von mittels Kryo-Elektronentomographie erstellter visueller Proteinkarten von T. acidophilum.