What Is IRIS Like in the U.S.?
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
February 6, 2012
Paul E. Sax, MD
Approximately 10% of patients responding to antiretroviral therapy developed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, which was, in turn, associated with increased mortality risk.
Reviewing:
Novak RM et al., AIDS 2012 Jan 10
Should Efavirenz Be Dosed Higher When Coadministered with Rifampin?
DRUG WATCH
February 6, 2012
Tanuja N. Gengiah, M Clin Pharm, MS (Epi), and Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD
The FDA recommends a dosage increase in patients weighing
More on Low (but Detectable) Viral Loads — Is Knowing This Useful?
FEATURE
Dr. Paul Sax debates the merits of PCR versus bDNA viral-load testing in his blog HIV and ID Observations .
Recent Patterns of Anal Cancer in HIV-Infected Patients
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
February 6, 2012
Abigail Zuger, MD
Rates exceed those in the general population for all risk groups but are highest among men who have sex with men.
Reviewing:
Silverberg MJ et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jan 30
Quantifying the Effect of Delayed HIV Diagnosis on Life Expectancy
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
In a computer simulation model in which patients were assumed to start treatment according to current guidelines, life expectancy was projected to be 3 years longer for those diagnosed at a CD4 count around 400 cells/mm3 than for those diagnosed at a count closer to 150 cells/mm3 .
Reviewing:
Nakagawa F et al., AIDS 2012 Jan 28; 26:335
Cumulative PI Exposure and Risk for Sudden Death or Nonhemorrhagic Stroke
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
January 30, 2012
Keith Henry, MD
A modest association was seen, but too few events occurred for the results to be considered definitive.
Reviewing:
Worm SW et al., J Infect Dis 2012 Feb 15; 205:535
Oral and Fingerstick Sample Collection for HIV Screening: Subtle but Important Differences in Accuracy
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
January 30, 2012
Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH
The OraQuick rapid HIV test performed well on both types of samples but was less sensitive and specific on oral fluid, which would lead to a lower positive predictive value in low-prevalence settings.
Reviewing:
Pai NP et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2012 Jan 24
Leung CC and Lee SS., Lancet Infect Dis 2012 Jan 24
HIV Viral Loads — the Lower, the Better?
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Patients with low-level viremia on sensitive assays have an increased risk for virologic failure, but the optimal management of such patients remains unclear.
Reviewing:
Doyle T et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jan 11
Gandhi RT and Deeks SG., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jan 11
Pre-Super Sunday Scombroids
FEATURE
From doctors cheating Medicaid to older men contracting HIV, Dr. Paul Sax offers his take on the week's ID news in his blog HIV/ID Observations .
Transmission of Blood-Borne Pathogens in Injection-Drug Users
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Hepatitis B virus and HIV are coming under control because of harm-reduction programs, but hepatitis C virus continues to be a problem.
Reviewing:
Blomé MA et al., J Viral Hepat 2011 Dec; 18:831
