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Objective: We aimed to examine whether HIV infection was independently associated with frailty status and its individual components. Methods: This cross‐sectional investigation included people living with HIV (PLWH) and HIV‐negative individuals from the baseline survey of the Comparative HIV and Aging Research in Taizhou (CHART) cohort, China. Frailty phenotype was based on five components: weight loss, low physical activity, exhaustion, weak grip strength and slow gait speed. Frailty was defined as the presence of at least three components, and prefrailty was defined as one or two components. Logistic regression models were used to analyse the factors associated with frailty and its components. Results: In all, 2475 people living with HIV (age 45.5 ± 14.9 years; 76.2% male) and 4948 HIV‐negative individuals (age 45.5 ± 14.8 years; 76.3% male) were included. Among PLWH, median CD4 count was 395 cells/μL and 78% were currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Frailty and prefrailty were significantly more prevalent in PLWH (3.2% vs 1.9% and 32.9% vs 27.9%) overall and at ages 18–39 (1.4% vs 0.2% and 22.7% vs 19.0%), 40–59 (2.5% vs 0.9% and 30.9% vs 27.9%) and 60–90 years (8.4% vs 7.4% and 57.1% vs 45.8%). HIV infection was associated with frailty and prefrailty [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–2.08; and aOR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05–1.33, respectively] after adjusting for confounding variables, but were strengthened with further adjustment for multimorbidity (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.14–2.28; and aOR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.09–1.37), and were no longer significant with further adjustment for depressive symptoms and sleep disorders (aOR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.71–1.46; and aOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.94–1.20). Among individual components, HIV infection was positively associated with weak grip strength and slow gait speed, but negatively associated with low physical activity and exhaustion in all the adjusted models described. Conclusions: Frailty and prefrailty occur more often and earlier in PLWH. However, grip strength and gait speed are affected to a greater extent, highlighting their potential as screening and intervention targets to prevent or slow frailty among PLWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified some variants associated with subclinical atherosclerosis (SCA) in general population but lacking sufficient validation. Besides traditional risk factors, whether and how would genetic variants associate with SCA among people with HIV (PWH) remains to be elucidated. Method: A large original GWAS and gene-environment interaction analysis of SCA were conducted among Chinese PWH (n = 2850) and age/sex-matched HIV-negative controls (n = 5410). Subgroup analyses by age and functional annotations of variants were also performed. Results: Different from HIV-negative counterparts, host genome had a greater impact on young PWH rather than the elders: one genome-wide significant variant (rs77741796, P = 2.20 × 10−9) and eight suggestively significant variants (P < 1 × 10−6) were identified to be specifically associated with SCA among PWH younger than 45 years. Seven genomic loci and 15 genes were mapped to play a potential role on SCA among young PWH, which were enriched in the biological processes of atrial cardiac muscle cell membrane repolarization and molecular function of protein kinase A subunit binding. Furthermore, genome-wide interaction analyses revealed significant HIV-gene interactions overall as well as gene-environment interactions with alcohol consumption, tobacco use and obesity among PWH. The identified gene-environment interaction on SCA among PWH might be useful for discovering high-risk individuals for the prevention of SCA, particularly among those with tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Conclusion: The present study provides new clues for the genetic contribution of SCA among young PWH and is the starting point of precision intervention targeting HIV-related atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

City lockdown is critical to successfully contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare among vulnerable population has yet to be explicated. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) in Wuhan with city lockdown and Shanghai without lockdown, and healthcare interruptions were evaluated and compared. A logistic regression analysis was employed to examine associates of HIV-related healthcare interruptions and compromised mental health. Compared to participants in Shanghai (N = 440), HIV-infected MSM in Wuhan (N = 503) had significantly higher proportion of untimely availability of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) (20.6% vs. 8.4%), obtaining ARVs from outside institutions (29.1% vs. 8.1%), postponed non-AIDS treatment (6.4% vs. 2.8%) and untimely follow-up appointments (33.4% vs. 14.5%). HIV-related healthcare interruptions were positively associated with lockdown (OR = 4.89, 95% CI: 3.49–6.85) and non-local residence (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.37–2.64). Compromised mental health, including insomnia and generalized anxiety disorders, was associated with non-local residence (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01–1.81) and healthcare interruptions (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.01–1.79). HIV-infected MSM are vulnerable to healthcare interruptions and mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the need for tailored intervention strategies to minimize deleterious health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of liver complications is increasing among people living with HIV, and microbial translocation (MT) might play a vital role. We conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the association between plasma biomarkers of MT and liver fibrosis (LF) among people living with HIV in southwest China. Method: A total of 665 people living with HIV were enrolled at baseline and had at least one follow‐up visit during the 3‐year study period. We calculated the Liver Fibrosis Index (FIB‐4) to evaluate LF and measured plasma soluble CD14 (sCD14) and lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) as surrogate biomarkers for MT. We used ordinal logistic regression to investigate correlates of LF at baseline and used a linear mixed model to examine the association between dynamic changes in MT biomarkers and LF. Results: Of the participants, 61 (9.17%) had advanced LF (FIB‐4 >3.25), and 193 (29.02%) had moderate LF (1.45 ≤ FIB‐4 ≤ 3.25). Patients with advanced LF had higher plasma levels of sCD14 and LBP than those with moderate or no LF, both at baseline and at follow‐up. The following factors were significantly associated with advanced LF: the highest quartile of LBP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02~2.81), current intravenous drug use (aOR = 1.82; 95% CI 1.06~3.12), baseline CD4 <200 cells/μl (aOR = 3.25; 95% CI 2.13~4.95), hepatitis C virus coinfection (aOR = 2.52; 95% CI 1.41~4.51) and age >50 years (aOR = 32.66; 95% CI 15.89~66.36). LF progression (increasing FIB‐4) was significantly associated with increasing sCD14 level (β = 1.11; 95% CI 0.97~1.26; p < 0.001) with covariate adjustment. Conclusion: The significant relationship between MT and LF may reveal pathogenic mechanisms and potential intervention targets of liver complications among people living with HIV in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurocognitive impairment (NCI) persists among people living with HIV (PLWH) despite the success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Although muscular waning or decreased handgrip strength has been widely reported to be associated with cognitive erosion in general elders, such association has not been examined in PLWH who commonly experience decreased handgrip strength and NCI. Furthermore, whether HIV infection modifies such association remains to be addressed. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 2808 HIV-positive and 5402 HIV-negative adults participating in the baseline survey of the CHART (Comparative HIV and Aging Research in Taizhou) cohort, China, 2017 − 2019. HIV-positive individuals showed weaker handgrip strength than HIV-negative controls (34.0 kg vs 37.7 kg). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that both HIV infection (aOR = 4.35, p < 0.001) and every 5-kg decrease in "Handgrip strength" (aOR = 1.27, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with NCI, and there was a significant interaction between reduced handgrip strength and HIV infection on NCI (aOR = 1.14, p = 0.015). In stratified analyses adjusting for potential confounders, the association between reduced handgrip strength and NCI was significant among PLWH at all age groups but only significant among HIV-negative controls at 30 − 44 and 60 − 89 ages. Handgrip strength decline is significantly associated with the risk of NCI among PLWH. HIV infection may exacerbate the adverse effect of poor handgrip strength on NCI, especially at younger ages. Early detection of handgrip strength decline could facilitate delivery of compensatory strategies or assistive services to PLWH with or at high risk of NCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), the incidence, manifestations and severity of kidney diseases have dramatically changed in people living with HIV (PLWH). Little is known about the incidence of impaired kidney function (IKF) measured by serum creatine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in PLWH.Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Ovid, Medline, Embase and Web of Science for studies published before May 7th, 2021, with estimates of incidence of IKF among PLWH. We independently reviewed each study for quality by using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The incidence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects model.Results: Sixty out of 3797 identifiable studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. A total of 19 definitions of IKF were described and categorized into three types: the threshold of eGFR, an absolute or percent decrease in eGFR, and certain eGFR threshold combined with decrement in eGFR. The eGFR< 60 ml/min/1.73m2 was the most widely used definition or criterion for IKF, by which the pooled incidence rate of IKF was 12.50 (95%CI: 9.00-17.36) per 1000 person years (PYs). The second most-studied outcome was a > 25% decrease in eGFR, followed by eGFR< 90 ml/min/1.73m2, eGFR< 30 ml/min/1.73m2 and a combination of eGFR threshold plus decreased eGFR. The reported incidence rates of IKF differ widely by different definitions of IKF. The highest pooled incidence was observed for those with > 25% decrease in eGFR, while the lowest was observed in those with eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73m2. Substantial heterogeneity was identified across most estimates.Conclusion: Our study provides a comprehensive summary of eGFR-based definitions and incidence rates of IKF in PLWH, not only promoting our understanding of IKF, but also underscoring needs for a concerted action to unify definitions and outcomes of IKF and their applications in AIDS care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association between CD4+ T cell count and combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) with the prevalence of anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among HIV-positive male cohort in China.Methods: A survey was conducted in men from a HIV cohort in Taizhou, China between 2016 and 2019. A face-to-face questionnaire interview was administered, and an anal-canal swab was collected for HPV genotyping.Results: A total of 766 HIV-positive men were recruited. The HPV prevalence was lower among those with increased CD4+ T cell count than those with decreased or unchanged (46.5 vs. 56.6%, p = 0.033) from baseline. In multivariable models, having the current CD4+ T cell count of 350-499 cells/µL (aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.13-0.64), and of ≥ 500 cells/µL (aOR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11-0.60) were associated with lower prevalence of any type HPV infection compared with those with < 200 cells/µL. Having taken NVP + 3TC + AZT was inversely associated with any high-risk (HR)-HPV (aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.25-0.90) and any low-risk (LR)-HPV infection (aOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.18-0.88), compared with those taking EFV + 3TC + TDF.Conclusions: Increased CD4+ T cell count at follow-up was significantly associated with lower prevalence of anal HPV infection. Inverse associations between NVP + 3TC + AZT and HR-HPV or LR-HPV infecton were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) profiles and contributions of mtDNA variants to CD4+T-cell recovery in Euramerican people living with HIV (PLWH) may not be transferred to East-Asian PLWH, highlighting the need to consider more regional studies. We aimed to identify mtDNA characteristics and mutations that explain the variability of short-term CD4+T-cell recovery in East-Asian PLWH. Method: Eight hundred fifty-six newly reported antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve Chinese PLWH from the Comparative HIV and Aging Research in Taizhou (CHART) cohort (Zhejiang Province, Eastern China) were enrolled. MtDNA was extracted from peripheral whole blood of those PLWH at HIV diagnosis, amplified, and sequenced using polymerase chain reaction and gene array. Characterization metrics such as mutational diversity and momentum were developed to delineate baseline mtDNA mutational patterns in ART-naïve PLWH. The associations between mtDNA genome-wide single nucleotide variants and CD4+T-cell recovery after short-term (within ~48 weeks) ART in 724 PLWH were examined using bootstrapping median regressions. Results: Of 856 participants, 74.18% and 25.82% were male and female, respectively. The median age was 37 years; 94.51% were of the major Han ethnicity, and 69.04% and 28.62% were of the heterosexual and homosexual transmission, respectively. We identified 2,352 types of mtDNA mutations and mtDNA regions D-loop , ND5 , CYB , or RNR1 with highest mutational diversity or volume. Female PLWH rather than male PLWH at the baseline showed remarkable age-related uptrends of momentum and mutational diversity as well as correlations between CD4+T <200 (cells/μl) and age-related uptrends of mutational diversity in many mtDNA regions. After adjustments of important sociodemographic and clinical variables, m.1005T>C, m.1824T>C, m.3394T>C, m.4491G>A, m.7828A>G, m.9814T>C, m.10586G>A, m.12338T>C, m.13708G>A, and m.14308T>C (at the Bonferroni-corrected significance) were negatively associated with short-term CD4+T-cell recovery whereas m.93A>G, m.15218A>G, and m.16399A>G were positively associated with short-term CD4+T-cell recovery. Conclusion: Our baseline mtDNA characterization stresses the attention to East-Asian female PLWH at risk of CD4+T-cell loss-related aging and noncommunicable chronic diseases. Furthermore, mtDNA variants identified in regression analyses account for heterogeneity in short-term CD4+T-cell recovery of East-Asian PLWH. These results may help individualize the East-Asian immune recovery strategies under complicated HIV management caused by CD4+T-cell loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH). We sought to characterize the hypertension incidence among PLWH on antiretroviral therapy, focusing on the effect of change in general and abdominal obesity on hypertension during follow-up. This was a prospective analysis of 229 treated PLWH aged over 40 years without hypertension at baseline. Overall a median follow-up of 2.9 years, 26.2% PLWH developed hypertension. In multivariable models, compared to those without obesity measures at both baseline and follow-up visit, PLWH with general obesity at both occasions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.83, P = 0.006) or at baseline only (aOR = 5.45, P = 0.003), abdominal obesity (measured as waist circumference) at both occasions (aOR = 3.87, P = 0.001) or at follow-up only (aOR = 2.27; 9P = 0.060), abdominal obesity (measured as waist-to-hip ratio) at both occasions (aOR = 2.27, P = 0.077) were at increased risk of incident hypertension. Our data show that both general and abdominal obesity especially in the persistent status increase the hypertension risk in treated PLWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We aimed to describe the epidemiological, virological, and serological features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH). Methods This population-based cohort study identified all COVID-19 cases among all PLWH in Wuhan, China, by 16 April 2020. The epidemiological, virological, and serological features were analyzed based on the demographic data, temporal profile of nucleic acid test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the disease, and SARS-CoV-2–specific immunoglobin (Ig) M and G after recovery. Results From 1 January to 16 April 2020, 35 of 6001 PLWH experienced COVID-19, with a cumulative incidence of COVID-19 of 0.58% (95% confidence interval [CI],.42–.81%). Among the COVID-19 cases, 15 (42.86) had severe illness, with 2 deaths. The incidence, case-severity, and case-fatality rates of COVID-19 in PLWH were comparable to those in the entire population in Wuhan. There were 197 PLWH who had discontinued combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), 4 of whom experienced COVID-19. Risk factors for COVID-19 were age ≥50 years old and cART discontinuation. The median duration of SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding among confirmed COVID-19 cases in PLWH was 30 days (interquartile range, 20–46). Cases with high HIV viral loads (≥20 copies/mL) had lower IgM and IgG levels than those with low HIV viral loads (<20 copies/ml; median signal value divided by the cutoff value [S/CO] for IgM, 0.03 vs 0.11, respectively [ P  < .001]; median S/CO for IgG, 10.16 vs 17.04, respectively [ P  = .069]). Conclusions Efforts are needed to maintain the persistent supply of antiretroviral treatment to elderly PLWH aged 50 years or above during the COVID-19 epidemic. The coinfection of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 might change the progression and prognosis of COVID-19 patients in PLWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2009 to July 2016 to explore the occurrence and risk factors of self-reported fatigue within the first 6 months after receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) among patients living with HIV in Taizhou City of Zhejiang province, Eastern China. In total, 1163 HIV-infected patients with a median follow-up duration of 27.8 months were included in the analysis. Among them, 261 (22.4%) reported fatigue within the first 6 months after ART. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, self-reported fatigue within the first 6 months after ART was negatively associated with junior middle-school education or above, baseline CD4 cell count of 200-349 and >350 cells/μL (vs < 200 cells/μL), overweight at baseline (vs normal weight) but positively associated with ≥50 years old at initiation of ART (vs <30 years old), underweight at baseline, use of efavirenz (EFV) in the first-line regimen. Our data suggest that earlier initiation of ART and higher body mass index are preferred to restore the energy of HIV-infected patients with the EFV use in the era of ART in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnitude of the HIV and syphilis epidemic among Chinese men ages 50 and older is unclear. In this study, we aimed to characterise and compare the prevalence of HIV and syphilis infections; linkage to care among those infected with HIV; and the geographic distribution of the two epidemics among elderly men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-MSM in Shanghai, China. This cross-sectional study involved 12,910 men ages 50 and above who participated in the HIV voluntary and counselling testing programme each year from 2008 to 2014. HIV prevalence among MSM in our sample ranged between 4.9% and 15.4%, while syphilis frequency among non-MSM decreased from 26.0% to 18.7%. Further, in 2014, MSM participants had a higher HIV prevalence than non-MSM (4.9% vs 1.8%), whereas syphilis was higher in older non-MSM compared to MSM (18.7% vs 12.4%). Among those infected with HIV, 121/211 (53.75%) of participants were linked to HIV treatment, where the linkage rate was comparable to that in Kunming [Zhao, S., Zhao, G., Zhang, W., liao, B., Chu C., Wang J., & Li, L. (2015). Compare the difference of efficiency between voluntary counseling testing and provider-initiated testing counseling for identifying HIV/AIDS in Kunming. Chinese Journal of AIDS & STD, 21(7), 623-625]. The high burden of HIV and syphilis among men ages 50 and older in Shanghai, China highlights the need to target older Chinese men, both MSM and non-MSM, with prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection has been proved to be a growing public health concern. The prevalence and genotypic pattern vary with geographic locations. Limited information is available to date with regard to HCV genotype and its clinical implications among those former commercial blood donor communities. The aims of this study were to genetically define the HCV genotype and associated clinical characteristics of HIV/HCV co-infected patients from a region with commercial blood donation history in central China. Methods: A cross sectional study, including 164 HIV infected subjects, was conducted in Shanxi province central China. Serum samples were collected and HCV antibody testing, AST and ALT testing were performed. Seropositive samples were further subjected to RT-PCR followed by direct sequence coupled with phylogenetic analysis of Core-E1 and NS5B regions performed in comparison with known reference genotypes. Findings: A total of 139 subjects were HCV antibody positive. Genotype could be determined for 88 isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the predominant circulating subtype was HCV 1b (65.9%), followed by HCV 2a (34.1%). The HCV viral load in the subjects infected with HIV1b was significantly higher than those infected with HCV 2a (P = 0.006). No significant difference for HCV RNA level was detected between ART status, CD4+ cell count level and HIV RNA level. Serum AST and ALT level were likely to increase with HCV RNA level, although no significance was observed. Those who had conducted commercial donation later than 1991 (OR 3.43, 95% CI: 1.12–10.48) and had a short duration of donation (OR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13–0.96) were more likely to be infected with HCV 1b. Conclusion: These results suggest that HCV subtype 1b predominates in this population, and the impact of HIV status and ART on HCV disease progression is not significantly correlated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine alcohol use and subsequent HIV risky behaviors among a sample of predominately ethnic minority people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a rural community in Yunnan Province, China. Method: A cross-sectional study with a face-to-face questionnaire interview was conducted among eligible participants. Results: In total, 455 (94.4%) out of 482 eligible HIV patients participated in the study. Of them, 82.6% were ethnic minorities; 15.4% were never married; 96.5% were sexually experienced; 55.4% had used drugs, 67% were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Over 65% were ever drinkers; of whom 61.5% were current drinkers. Among current drinkers, 32.4% drank daily and 41.2% were hazardous drinkers. Chinese white wine was the preferred choice. Higher level of alcohol use among drinkers in the preceding month was positively associated with being males (OR = 2.76, 95%CI: 1.03–7.43), ethnic minorities (OR Jingpo = 2.21, 95%CI: 1.06–4.59; OR other minorities = 3.20, 95%CI: 1.34–7.62), higher education (OR1–6 = 1.98, 95%CI: 0.99–3.96; OR≥7 = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.09–5.06) and being ART-naive (OR = 2.69, 95%CI: 1.67–4.32). About 39% of ever drinkers reported having engaged in sex after drinking since HIV diagnosis. Those who were younger than 46 years (OR16–25 = 7.77, 95%CI: 1.22–49.60, OR26–35 = 2.79, 95%CI: 1.06–7.35, OR36–45 = 2.96, 95%CI: 1.57–7.58), hazardous drinkers (OR = 1.99, 95%CI: 1.00–3.97) and drug users (OR = 3.01, 95%CI: 1.19–7.58) were more likely to have had sex after drinking. Approximately 56% of drug users had used drugs after drinking. Conclusions: High prevalence of alcohol use and subsequent risky behaviors including sexual engagement and drug use among HIV patients in rural Yunnan require tremendous and integrated efforts for prevention and control of alcohol and drug abuse and HIV spreading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe changes in sexual behaviors among HIV-infected individuals after their HIV diagnosis. Methods: All HIV-infected individuals diagnosed by the end of 2009 in Taizhou Prefecture were invited to participate in this 12-month prospective study. Assessments including the total number and types of sexual contacts, and condom use details for up to their most familiar eight sexual contacts were collected both at enrollment and 12-month follow-up. Results: 262 HIV-infected individuals were eligible for analysis. The total number of sexual contacts reported by participants was 4,017, 1,496 and 356 during the 12- month period prior to HIV diagnosis (T1), the 12-month period prior to the baseline survey (T2), and the 12-month follow-up period (T3), respectively. The difference in the number of sexual contacts between T2 and T1 was −5 in median (IQR −1, −14), and the difference between T3 and T2 was 0 in median (IQR: 0, −6). A larger proportion of spousal or long-term heterosexual contact was reported from T1(27.7%) to T2(42.5%) to T3(76.1%), whereas a smaller proportion of commercial heterosexual contacts was reported from T1 (48.6%) to T2 (33.2%) to T3 (7.0%) as well as a smaller proportion of non-commercial casual homosexual contacts was reported from T2 (8.4%) to T3 (3.8%).The proportion of consistent condom use increased significantly from T1 (9.3%) to T2 (35.3%) to T3 (91.5%). Conclusion: Sexual behaviors did not change in a uniform manner for the participants in our study. Sexual behaviors and sexual networks vis-à-vis HIV diagnosis and follow-up were associated with the participant’s characteristics and HIV infection and treatment status. The overall lesson is that individuals who are unaware of their HIV infection are the main drivers of secondary transmission. Early identification of HIV infection and access to antiretroviral therapy (ART ) are both key strategies to the control and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact tracing, coupled with molecular epidemiologic investigation, is especially useful for identifying an infection with few cases in the population, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in China. No such research is available on Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). From 2008 to 2010 in Taizhou Prefecture in China, every newly diagnosed HIV-infected MSM was invited to participate as an “index case” in a contact tracing survey by providing contact information for up to 8 sexual contacts, who themselves were approached to receive voluntary HIV counseling and testing. Those who tested HIV-positive were then subjected to another contact tracing survey. This process was repeated until no more sexual contacts were reported or tested positive. A total of 100 HIV-infected MSM served as “index cases,” including the initial 49 cases identified through routine surveillance programs and 51 cases from the present survey. Traced MSM exhibited little willingness to receive voluntary counseling and testing. CRF01_AE (HIV type 1) was the dominant subtype. Seven of 49 independent sexual networks were deemed HIV transmission clusters. Fear of stigma or discrimination may deter Chinese MSM from receiving voluntary counseling and testing. Nonetheless, the integration of behavioral network analysis and HIV phylogenetic analysis provides enhanced evidence for developing tailored prevention strategies for HIV-infected MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

• Physical frailty is a risk factor for health outcomes in people living with HIV. • People living with HIV with physical frailty were at increased risk for falls. • HIV–seropositive individuals with physical frailty were at higher risk of mortality. • Routine screening and intervention for physical frailty may improve health outcomes. Physical frailty is one of the major concerns among older people living with HIV (PLWH). This meta-analysis aimed to explore the association between physical frailty and negative health outcomes among PLWH. We systematically searched six electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases up to April 10, 2022, for studies examining the association between physical frailty and risk of negative health outcomes among PLWH. Risk ratios (RRs), odds ratios, and hazard ratios with 95% CIs were extracted, and meta-analyses were conducted by using a fixed or random-effects model. In total, 10 studies incorporating 7755 HIV–seropositive patients (mean age 49.4 years) were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, five studies with 3434 participants reported the effect of physical frailty on falls. Results showed that physical frailty in HIV–seropositive individuals demonstrated a higher risk of future falls (pooled RR 3.74, 95% CI 1.42-9.86) compared with robust HIV–seropositive patients. In addition, a meta-analysis of five studies (4321 participants) reporting the frailty-mortality association showed that physical frailty was significantly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (RR 1.70, 95% CI 1.32-2.19) among PLWH. Physical frailty is a significant risk factor for negative health outcomes in PLWH, including falls and all-cause mortality, underscoring the need for routine screening and early intervention of physical frailty among PLWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The prevalence of renal impairment (RI) in people living with HIV (PLWH) was comparable with that in HIV-negative individuals overall • The prevalence of RI was higher in HIV-positive females than in HIV-negative females. • Sex-specific correlates of RI were observed in all participants. • HIV infection and sex may act synergistically on RI through fat metabolism. Females are more vulnerable to renal impairment (RI) in people living with HIV (PLWH), but few studies have examined sex disparity in the association of HIV serostatus with RI. In total, 2,101 PLWH on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and 4,202 HIV-negative people were selected and frequency matched in 1:2 ratio by sex and age categories. RI was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <90 mL/min/1.73 m2. The interaction effect of sex with HIV serostatus and correlates of RI were assessed by logistic regression models. In total, 78.2% of participants were males with median age 43.7 (IQR: 32.5-54.4) years. The prevalence of RI was comparable for PLWH and HIV-negative people overall (30.4% vs 30.1%) but significantly higher for HIV-positive females (37.1%) than HIV-negative females (30.1%). Multiple logistic regression identified an interaction between sex and HIV serostatus on RI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] of the interaction term: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.23-2.26). HIV infection was significantly associated with RI in females (aOR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.17-2.06) but not in males. Central obesity and nadir CD4 count were significantly associated with RI in HIV-infected females but not in HIV-infected males. Sex seems to modify the association between HIV infection and RI, suggesting a sex-specific mechanistic pathogenesis of RI in PLWH, which warrants further investigation and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To examine the prevalence and correlates of smoking versus tobacco chewing, and potential gender differences in tobacco use among HIV-infected individuals in a rural community in Yunnan Province, China. Method: A cross-sectional design using face-to-face interviews. Results: Among the participants, 301 (66.2%) were male; 79 (17.4%) were ethnic Han, 310 (68.1%) were Jingpo minority, 62 (13.6%) were Dai minority; 17.8% had no formal education and 55.6% had only primary school education; 15.4% were never married; 40% reported drinking in the past 30 days; 55.4% had ever used drugs; and 67% were currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The mean age of the study participants was 38.1 years (SD=8.8). About 62% were current cigarette smokers. Current cigarette smoking was positively associated with being male (OR=142.43, 95% CI: 35.61–569.72) and current drinking (OR=7.64, 95% CI: 2.68–21.81), as well as having ever used drugs (OR=4.03, 95% CI: 1.31–12.35). Among current smokers, 67.6% were heavy smokers (smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day). Those who were older than 46 years of age (OR=9.68, 95% CI: 1.41–66.59) and current drinkers (OR=2.75, 95% CI: 1.56–4.83) were more likely to be heavy smokers. Approximately 9% were currently used chewing tobacco. Those who were female (OR=41.29, 95% CI: 8.53–199.93) and current drinkers (OR=3.22, 95% CI: 1.02–10.16) were more likely to use chewing tobacco. All who used chewing tobacco were ethnic minorities. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking and use of chewing tobacco were highly prevalent among HIV-infected individuals in rural Yunnan, underscoring the urgent need for tobacco prevention and intervention programs tailored for this population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]