Search

Community viral load measurements have been postulated to be a population-based biomarker of HIV disease. We propose the use of the monitored community viral load (mCVL) as an aggregate measure of viral load among persons receiving HIV care with available HIV-1 plasma viral loads and applied it to our clinic population from 2003-2010. We demonstrated a reduction in mCVL from 16,589 copies/ml to 11,992 copies/ml that correlated with a rising rate of antiretroviral use and HIV viral suppression; however, differences among risk populations were observed. The mCVL is a useful measure of HIV burden among patients in-care; it may reflect the HIV transmission risk in the community and help target preventive interventions.

Background Transgender persons are highly victimized, marginalized, disproportionately experience incarceration, and have alarmingly increased rates of HIV infection compared to cis-gender persons. Few studies have examined the HIV care continuum outcomes among transgender women (TW), particularly TW who are involved with the criminal justice (CJ) system. Methods To improve our understanding of HIV care continuum outcomes and risk behaviors among HIV-infected TW who are involved with the CJ system, we analyzed data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse-supported Seek, Test, Treat, Retain (STTR) Data Harmonization Initiative. Baseline data were pooled and analyzed from three U.S. STTR studies to examine HIV risk and care continuum indicators among CJ-involved HIV-infected TW compared to cisgender men (CM), matched on age (within 5 years) and study at a ratio of 1:5. Results Eighty-eight TW and 440 CM were included in the study. Among matched participants, TW were more likely to report crack and cocaine use compared to CM (40%,16% respectively, p