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Background Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are recommended as first-line ART for people living with HIV (PLWH) in most guidelines. The INSTI-resistance-associated mutation E157Q, a highly prevalent (2%–5%) polymorphism of the HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type 1) integrase gene, has limited data on optimal first-line ART regimens. We assessed the virological outcomes of various first-line ART regimens in PLWH with E157Q in real-world settings. Methods A multicentre retrospective observational study was conducted on PLWH who underwent integrase genotypic drug-resistance testing before ART initiation between 2008 and 2019 and were found to have E157Q. Viral suppression (<50 copies/mL) rate at 24 and 48 weeks, time to viral suppression and time to viral rebound (≥100 copies/mL) were compared among the first-line ART regimens. Results E157Q was detected in 167 (4.1%) of 4043 ART-naïve PLWH. Among them, 144 had available clinical data after ART initiation with a median follow-up of 1888 days. Forty-five started protease inhibitors + 2 NRTIs (PI group), 33 started first-generation INSTI (raltegravir or elvitegravir/cobicistat) + 2 NRTIs (INSTI-1 group), 58 started once-daily second-generation INSTI (dolutegravir or bictegravir) + 2 NRTIs (INSTI-2 group) and eight started other regimens. In the multivariate analysis, the INSTI-2 group showed similar or favourable outcomes compared with the PI group for viral suppression rates, time to viral suppression and time to viral rebound. Two cases in the INSTI-1 group experienced virological failure. Conclusions The general guideline recommendation of second-generation INSTI-based first-line ART for most PLWH is also applicable to PLWH harbouring E157Q. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum KL-6 can distinguish between different phenotypes of severe COVID-19 We read the article by D'Alessandro et al with great interest and appreciate their efforts to evaluate the role of serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) as a prognostic biomarker of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).1 KL-6 is a mucin-like high-molecular-weight glycoprotein expressed in type II pneumocytes and respiratory bronchiolar epithelial cells in the healthy lung.2 Elevated serum levels can predict the prognosis of various interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF),3 and D'Alessandro et al1 observed a significant increase in serum KL-6 in critically ill patients with COVID-19 who required mechanical ventilation or intensive care. Here, we report different serum KL-6 kinetics in two patients with severe COVID-19. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Late diagnosis of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major concern epidemiologically, socially and for national healthcare systems. Although the association of certain demographics with late HIV diagnosis has been reported in several studies, the association of other factors, including clinical and phylogenetic factors, remains unclear. In the present study, we conducted a nationwide analysis to explore the association of demographics, clinical factors, HIV-1 subtypes/circulating recombinant form (CRFs) and genetic clustering with late HIV diagnosis in Japan, where new infections mainly occur among young men who have sex with men (MSM) in urban areas., Methods: Anonymized data on demographics, clinical factors and HIV genetic sequences from 39.8% of people newly diagnosed with HIV in Japan were collected by the Japanese Drug Resistance HIV-1 Surveillance Network from 2003 to 2019. Factors associated with late HIV diagnosis (defined as HIV diagnosis with a CD4 count <350 cells/μl) were identified using logistic regression. Clusters were identified by HIV-TRACE with a genetic distance threshold of 1.5%., Results: Of the 9422 people newly diagnosed with HIV enrolled in the surveillance network between 2003 and 2019, 7752 individuals with available CD4 count at diagnosis were included. Late HIV diagnosis was observed in 5522 (71.2%) participants. The overall median CD4 count at diagnosis was 221 (IQR: 62-373) cells/μl. Variables independently associated with late HIV diagnosis included age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.21, 95% CI 1.88-2.59, ≥45 vs. ≤29 years), heterosexual transmission (aOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.11-1.62, vs. MSM), living outside of Tokyo (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05-1.32), hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.01-1.98) and not belonging to a cluster (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.12-1.51). CRF07&#95;BC (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.18-0.65, vs. subtype B) was negatively associated with late HIV diagnosis., Conclusions: In addition to demographic factors, HCV co-infection, HIV-1 subtypes/CRFs and not belonging to a cluster were independently associated with late HIV diagnosis in Japan. These results imply the need for public health programmes aimed at the general population, including but not limited to key populations, to encourage HIV testing., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of the International AIDS Society published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International AIDS Society.)