AIDS research and human retroviruses最新文献

{"title":"Genetic Characterization of HIV-1 <i>tat</i> Gene from Virologically Controlled Aging Individuals with HIV on Long-Term Antiretroviral Therapy.","authors":"Nathan Kummet, Neha Mishra, Adela Diaz, Nicholas Cusick, Stephen Klotz, Nafees Ahmad","doi":"10.1089/aid.2024.0029","DOIUrl":"10.1089/aid.2024.0029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART) that reduces the viral load to undetectable levels and improve CD4 T cell counts, viral eradication has not been achieved due to HIV-1 persistence in resting CD4⁺ T-cells. We, therefore, characterized the <i>tat</i> gene, which is essential for HIV-1 replication and pathogenesis, from 20 virologically controlled aging individuals with HIV (HIV⁺) on long-term ART and improved CD4⁺ T-cell counts, with a particular focus on older individuals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell genomic DNA from HIV⁺ were used to amplify <i>tat</i> gene by polymerase chain reaction followed by nucleotide sequencing and analysis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that each HIV⁺ <i>tat</i> sequences were confined to their own subtrees and well discriminated from other HIV⁺ sequences. Moreover, there was a low degree of viral heterogeneity and lower estimates of genetic diversity within these individuals' <i>tat</i> sequences, which decreased with increasing CD4 T counts in these HIV⁺. Most HIV⁺ Tat deduced amino acid sequences showed intact open reading frames and maintained the important functional domains for Tat functions, including transactivation, TAR binding, and nuclear localization. Furthermore, Tat-deduced amino acid sequences showed variation in previously characterized cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) epitopes, suggesting escape mutants. In conclusion, a low degree of genetic variability and conservation of functional domains and variations in CTL epitopes were the features of <i>tat</i> sequences that may be contributing to viral persistence in these 20 aging individuals with HIV on long-term ART.</p>","PeriodicalId":7544,"journal":{"name":"AIDS research and human retroviruses","volume":" ","pages":"143-154"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142891384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leukemia-Related Signaling Pathways Among HTLV-1-Derived Adult T Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma and Asymptomatic Carriers in Comparison to Normal Group.","authors":"Saber Soltani, Sayed-Hamidreza Mozhgani, Roozbeh Roohinezhad, Setareh Hedayati Emami, Mah Hedayati Emami, Setayesh Solooki, Mina Fattah Hesari, Niloofar Doroozeh, Mehdi Norouzi","doi":"10.1089/AID.2024.0010","DOIUrl":"10.1089/AID.2024.0010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a fetal malignant infection. Recently, HTLV-1 new asymptomatic carriers (ACs) have frequently been reported among blood donors. Reaching the profound concept of HTLV-1-associated molecular pathogenesis could result in finding novel therapeutic strategies. The current study aimed to determine leukemia-related signaling regulation in ATLL. Thirty participants were evaluated in 3 groups, including 10 ATLL patients, 10 ACs, and 10 normal controls. Blood samples were isolated without any chemotherapy history from ATLL patients. Also, blood samples were recovered from ACs and normal individuals. White blood cells isolation was done on the collected blood samples. After this, RNA was extracted from the prepared samples and used for the cDNA synthesis. <i>TAX</i> and HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor as viral genes and cellular genes, including <i>MKP-1</i>, <i>EVI-1</i>, <i>JNK-1</i>, <i>FOXO-1</i>, <i>AKT-1</i>, <i>DEPTOR</i>, <i>MTOR</i>, and <i>JUN</i>, were investigated using real-time PCR. The mean age of ATLL patients was 53.2 ± 7.32 years, and 9 (90%) were male. The <i>EVI-1</i> and <i>FOXO-1</i> expression levels were significantly associated with ATLL patients compared with the internal control. However, the significant differences in expression of other genes in the remaining groups were not seen. Discovering viral and cellular signaling pathways that regulate HTLV-1 transformation is essential. A novel therapeutic strategy for ATLL-regulating cellular signaling pathways <i>in vivo</i> could be considered. Therefore, clinical trials using activators and inhibitors of related cellular signaling pathways for cell therapy of ATLL are recommended. It is recommended that more investigation be conducted on <i>FOXO-1</i> and <i>EVI-1</i> to target these genes and reveal the molecular pathogenesis of ATLL.</p>","PeriodicalId":7544,"journal":{"name":"AIDS research and human retroviruses","volume":" ","pages":"113-119"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141603152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcytosis as a Mechanism of HIV-1 Entry into Columnar Epithelial Explants of the Female Reproductive Tract.","authors":"Ann M Carias, Meegan Anderson, Michael McRaven, Edward Allen, Angela J Fought, Thomas J Hope","doi":"10.1089/aid.2024.0045","DOIUrl":"10.1089/aid.2024.0045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>During male-to-female transmission, HIV-1 must cross the mucosal epithelium of the female reproductive tract to gain access to underlying target cells. Previously, we demonstrated that HIV-1 can penetrate intact columnar and squamous genital epithelia in both <i>ex vivo</i> and <i>in vivo</i> systems. We found that the virus enters the squamous epithelium via a diffusion-based mechanism, but the mechanism of entry in columnar epithelium remained elusive. Using a similar set of approaches, we now demonstrate that HIV enters the endocervical simple columnar epithelium via endocytosis. By exposing human endocervical explant tissue to small molecule endocytosis inhibitors prior to virus exposure, we show that virus penetration into the simple columnar barrier is impeded. These data suggest a transcytosis-based mechanism for HIV-1 penetration into the endocervical columnar barrier.</p>","PeriodicalId":7544,"journal":{"name":"AIDS research and human retroviruses","volume":" ","pages":"167-173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11971551/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142811894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Role of Gut Vascular Barrier Proteins in HIV-Induced Mucosal Damage: A Comparative Study.","authors":"Li Jin, Rong Hu, Yong Qing, Zhen Rang, Fan Cui","doi":"10.1089/aid.2024.0077","DOIUrl":"10.1089/aid.2024.0077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aims to compare intestinal mucosal damage and the expression levels of occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, β-catenin, and plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein (PLVAP) in the gut vascular barrier (GVB) among people living with HIV (PLWH), asymptomatic PLWH, and healthy volunteers (non-PLWH). Three groups were selected for the study: PLWH, asymptomatic PLWH, and healthy volunteers. Colonic mucosal tissue samples were collected via colonoscopy from all participants. Histological examination of the colonic mucosa was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression levels of occludin, ZO-1, VE-cadherin, β-catenin, and PLVAP were assessed using RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analyses. Pathological scores of colonic mucosa in PLWH and asymptomatic PLWH were significantly higher than those in non-PLWH (<i>p</i> < .001 and <i>p</i> = .0056, respectively). CD4⁺ T cell counts in asymptomatic PLWH and non-PLWH were significantly higher than in PLWH (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The CD4⁺/CD8+ T cell ratio in non-PLWH significantly exceeded those in PLWH and asymptomatic PLWH (<i>p</i> < .05). Analysis of protein and mRNA expression revealed: (1) no statistically significant differences in PLVAP-mRNA expression across all groups (<i>p</i> > .05); (2) higher PLVAP protein levels in PLWH compared with asymptomatic PLWH and non-PLWH (<i>p</i> < .05), with no significant differences between asymptomatic PLWH and non-PLWH (<i>p</i> = .632); (3) significantly higher PLVAP expression in the colonic mucosa of PLWH and asymptomatic PLWH compared with non-PLWH (<i>p</i> = .034 and <i>p</i> = .011, respectively), with no significant differences between PLWH and asymptomatic PLWH (<i>p</i> > .999). ZO-1 expression was significantly lower in PLWH than in non-PLWH (<i>p</i> = .012), with no notable differences between asymptomatic PLWH and other groups. PLWH, compared with healthy controls, exhibit significant inflammatory changes in the intestinal mucosa. PLVAP expression serves as a potential indicator to assess the extent of GVB damage and disease progression in PLWH.</p>","PeriodicalId":7544,"journal":{"name":"AIDS research and human retroviruses","volume":" ","pages":"159-166"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142581443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"IL-15/IL-15Ra Synergies with IL-12 to Induce Functional CD8 T Cells and NK Cells During Chronic SHIV Infection.","authors":"Sakthivel Govindaraj, Chris Ibegbu, Syed A Ali, Hemalatha Babu, Uma Shanmugasundaram, Francois Villinger, Rama Rao Amara, Vijayakumar Velu","doi":"10.1089/AID.2024.0043","DOIUrl":"10.1089/AID.2024.0043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cytokines are key mediators of immune regulation, orchestrate communication between immune cells, and play a pivotal role in shaping the immune landscape during chronic infection and cancer. The therapeutic potential of IL-15/IL-15Rα and IL-12 has been explored individually in various immunotherapeutic strategies, though not as a combination. Therefore, we investigated whether the combination of IL-15/IL-15Rα and IL-12 treatment would enhance the potency and quality of either NK cells, SIV-specific CD8 T cells, or both, compared with single cytokine treatment. Our findings reveal that <i>in vitro</i> IL-15/IL-15Rα and IL-15/IL-15Rα plus IL-12 treatment results in an expansion of functional CD8 T cells and NK cells from uninfected and chronically infected macaques with simian/human immunodeficiency virus. Additionally, the cytokine combination significantly reduced CCR5 expression on total CD4 T cells, limiting the number of viral targets. This study supports the potential utilization of combined IL-15/IL-15Rα plus IL-12 treatment for chronic viral infections and cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":7544,"journal":{"name":"AIDS research and human retroviruses","volume":" ","pages":"120-123"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11971607/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141747176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Willingness to Switch to Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine Every 2 Months for People Living with HIV in Nanjing, China.","authors":"Mengqing Li, Hongjing Guan, Mingli Zhong, Xiaoyun Di, Nawei Yu, Chen Chen, Rentian Cai, Hongxia Wei","doi":"10.1089/aid.2023.0150","DOIUrl":"10.1089/aid.2023.0150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Daily oral medication is currently the most common antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). As the first complete long-acting (LA) ART regimen, cabotegravir (CAB) and rilpivirine (RPV), offer a novel treatment approach with less frequent administration, via bimonthly infusion. Due to the upcoming availability of this regimen in China, the study aimed to analyze the willingness and reasons of PLWH to switch to CAB+RPV therapy. A questionnaire survey among PLWH receiving oral ART was carried out between March 25 and April 8, 2023, in the Second Hospital of Nanjing, China. Participants were asked about their willingness to switch to the CAB+RPV LA regimen and provided reasons for their decision. We analyzed the reasons for switching, and the factors affecting their willingness were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression. Among 693 participants, 56.7% expressed willingness to switch to the CAB+RPV regimen, 32.6% were uncertain, and 10.7% were unwilling. The primary reason for switching to CAB+RPV therapy was not being concerned about daily adherence to ART (22.6%). Uncertainty about switching was mainly associated with participants' concerns in terms of price (31.6%) and safety (31.1%) of the novel drugs. Unwillingness was mainly due to participants' satisfaction with their current treatment regimen (20.3%). In multivariate analysis, higher education (odds ratio [<i>OR</i>]: 2.990; 95% confidence interval [<i>CI</i>]: 1.171-7.636) was positively associated with willingness to switch, whereas the age of ≥60 (<i>OR</i>: 0.142; 95% <i>CI</i>: 0.036-0.554) was negatively associated. Our survey demonstrated that the majority of PLWH were willing to switch to CAB+RPV therapy, mainly due to its improved convenience and reduced risk of disease exposure. However, their concerns regarding price, efficacy, and safety could be the key challenges for the clinical implementation of the CAB+RPV LA regimen in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":7544,"journal":{"name":"AIDS research and human retroviruses","volume":" ","pages":"107-112"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142811915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The rs1799884 <i>Glucokinase</i> Gene Polymorphism Modulates Susceptibility to HIV Status and CD4 Cell Count and Viral Load before and After Treatment in AIDS Progressors.","authors":"Soufiane Hilmi, Ahd Ouladlahsen, Bouchaib Bencharki, Asmaa Haddaji, Sanaa Jebbar, Rajaa Bensghir, Mustapha Sodqi, Latifa Marih, Kamal Marhoum El Filali, Soumaya Benjelloun, Sayeh Ezzikouri","doi":"10.1089/aid.2024.0009","DOIUrl":"10.1089/aid.2024.0009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus targeting the immune system and the primary agent causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), can have fatal consequences. Although antiretroviral treatment has significantly reduced mortality and comorbidity in people living with HIV (PLHIV), its impact on metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains notable. Several genome-wide association studies have identified a link between the <i>glucokinase</i> gene (<i>GCK</i>) and MetS, particularly in type 2 diabetes. However, no studies have investigated the association between this gene and HIV status. Our study aims to evaluate the association of the rs1799884 polymorphism in the <i>GCK</i> gene with HIV status in a group of Moroccan patients. This case-control study includes 207 PLHIV and 181 HIV-uninfected controls. Genotyping of the rs1799884 polymorphism in the <i>GCK</i> gene was performed using a predesigned TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay. The genotypic distribution between PLHIV and HIV-uninfected controls revealed a significant difference. Patients with the CT genotype had a 4.47-fold increased risk of infection [odds ratio (OR) = 4.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.75-7.29; <i>p</i> = .001]. However, the TT genotype conferred protection against HIV in a recessive model (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.28-0.91; <i>p</i> = .021). Interestingly, the risk associated with the CT genotype was even higher in AIDS-related cases (OR = 9.37; 95% CI = 4.32-20.36; <i>p</i> = .0001). Additionally, under the dominant model, individuals with CT and TT genotypes had a 7.67-fold increased risk of infection (OR = 7.67; 95% CI = 3.60-16.36; <i>p</i> < .0001). However, the TT genotype under the recessive model was not significantly associated with disease progression. No significant association was observed between these genotypes and CD4 count; however, there was a significant variation in viral load after treatment. Our findings suggest that the rs1799884-C/T variant of the <i>GCK</i> gene may influence susceptibility to HIV status, progression to AIDS, and response to treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":7544,"journal":{"name":"AIDS research and human retroviruses","volume":" ","pages":"69-75"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142805976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardiovascular Safety of Doravirine/Lamivudine/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Virologically Suppressed PLWHIV: A Comparative Analysis of CVD Scores.","authors":"Arturo Ciccullo, Valentina Iannone, Damiano Farinacci, Rebecca Jo Steiner, Francesca Lombardi, Andrea Carbone, Pierluigi Francesco Salvo, Gianmaria Baldin, Alberto Borghetti, Simona Di Giambenedetto","doi":"10.1089/aid.2024.0066","DOIUrl":"10.1089/aid.2024.0066","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Aim of this study is to assess the cardiovascular safety of doravirine/lamivudine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DOR/3TC/TDF). We analyzed data from 37 virologically suppressed people living with HIV starting DOR/3TC/TDF, collecting viro-immunological and metabolic parameters as well as the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease (10Y-CD) using both the Framingham risk score and D:A:D score.After 48 weeks, we observed a significant reduction in 10Y-CD both via the Framingham score (-0.7, <i>p</i> = .021) and the D:A:D score (-0.41, <i>p</i> = .012). After 96 weeks, we registered a significant reduction in 10Y-CD calculated via the D:A:D score (-0.98, <i>p</i> = .009). Regarding serum lipid markers, after 48 weeks we observed a significant reduction in total cholesterol (-17 mg/dL, <i>p</i> < .001), triglycerides (-21 mg/dL, <i>p</i> = .015), and LDL cholesterol (-8 mg/dL, <i>p</i> = .022). After 96 weeks, we registered a significant reduction in total cholesterol (-19 mg/dL, <i>p</i> < .001). DOR/3TC/TDF has shown a favorable metabolic profile, with a significant reduction in 10Y-CD, independently from the use of lipid-lowering drugs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7544,"journal":{"name":"AIDS research and human retroviruses","volume":" ","pages":"87-89"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142520714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-Term Follow-Up of Persons Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV Infection at a Large HIV Treatment Clinic in Trinidad.","authors":"Jonathan Edwards, Gregory Boyce, Nyla Lyons, Selena Todd, Wendy Samaroo Francis, Elise Raeburn, Robert Jeffrey Edwards","doi":"10.1089/aid.2024.0052","DOIUrl":"10.1089/aid.2024.0052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Data on persons with perinatally acquired HIV infection in the Caribbean are limited; thus, a chart review was conducted among these clients at an adult HIV treatment clinic in Trinidad over the period January 01, 2011-June 30, 2023. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data were extracted and analyzed using RStudio version 2021.09.0. Fifty-four study participants were followed up, age range 18-29 years, and there were 27 (50%) males. Eighteen participants (33.3%) were institutionalized until the age of 18 years, while 36 (66.7%) lived with caregivers/relatives and attended outpatient pediatric clinic. The transition from the sheltered environment of pediatric care to the adult HIV clinic was turbulent for some participants as they experienced HIV-related stigma, which may result in poor HIV outcomes. At the initial clinic visit, 28 (51.9%) study participants were virally suppressed (HIV viral load <1,000 copies/mL), which included 12 (66.7%) of 18 who were institutionalized as compared to 16 (44.4%) of 38 who lived with caregivers/relatives (<i>p</i> = 0.387). Data from their last clinic visit showed 31 (57.4%) participants were virally suppressed; 13 (24.1%) were lost to follow-up from care, and there were 6 (11.1%) deaths; 29 (53.7%) were on antiretroviral therapy single-tablet regimens (STRs) and 25 (46.3%) on complex multiple-tablet regimens (MTRs). Institutionalized clients and those on STRs were more likely to be virally suppressed than those living with relatives (<i>p</i> = 0.043) and those on MTR (<i>p</i> < 0.001), respectively. Reported deaths were higher among clients who lived with caregivers/relatives and those on MTR. Participants of younger age were less likely to achieve viral suppression (<i>p</i> = 0.02). Comprehensive programs that include STRs, the engagement of caregivers/relatives and health workers, life skills, and enhanced psychosocial interventions for youths living with perinatally acquired HIV are important to support the transition to adult care and reduce the complex challenges of living with a stigmatizing disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":7544,"journal":{"name":"AIDS research and human retroviruses","volume":" ","pages":"90-97"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142455853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using HIV and Hepatitis C Molecular Epidemiology to Investigate Assisted Partner Services Recruitment Among People Who Inject Drugs in Kenya.","authors":"Hanley Kingston, Bhavna H Chohan, Loice Mbogo, David Bukusi, Aliza Monroe-Wise, Betsy Sambai, Victor Omballa, Khai Hoan Tram, Brandon Guthrie, Jennifer Giandhari, Sarah Masyuko, Rose Bosire, William Sinkele, Tulio de Oliveira, John Scott, Carey Farquhar, Joshua T Herbeck","doi":"10.1089/aid.2024.0036","DOIUrl":"10.1089/aid.2024.0036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual and/or injecting partners of people who inject drugs (PWID) may have an elevated risk of HIV infection either from sharing a transmission network or an epidemiological environment. We estimated the degree of similarity between HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) sequences from PWID and their partners to assess whether partner-based recruitment identifies sexual or injecting partners within transmission networks. We used assisted partner services (APS) to recruit sexual and injecting partners of PWID living with HIV in Kenya and evaluated trends in the TN93 distances (an adjusted measure of sequence similarity) of the HIV-1 and HCV sequences from partner pairs. Of 135 unique pairs identified, 2 sexual, 2 injecting, and 3 unique sexual and injecting partner pairs had HIV sequences within a TN93 distance of 0.045, and 4 unique partner pairs had HCV sequences with distances <0.015. Sexual but not injecting partner pairs had HIV sequences with significantly smaller distances than non-partners, on average, but injecting partner pairs did have significantly smaller HCV-4a patristic distances than non-partners. APS recruitment partly reflects the HIV transmission network among sexual, but not injecting, partners of PWID. The relationship between the injecting partner recruitment and molecular networks is stronger for HCV than HIV and may reflect some recent parenteral HCV transmission. Our results show the importance of continued focus on reducing sexual HIV transmission among PWID and on education and services to address HCV transmission through needle- and/or equipment-sharing.</p>","PeriodicalId":7544,"journal":{"name":"AIDS research and human retroviruses","volume":" ","pages":"76-86"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142833322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}