Effectiveness and safety of dual therapy with co-packaged dolutegravir and lamivudine compared to triple therapy as switching strategy in clinical practice.

Introduction: Dolutegravir plus lamivudine (DTG/3TC) dual therapy has demonstrated efficacy in HIV treatment, but access remains challenging in Latin America. Argentina approved a generic co-packaged DTG+3TC presentation to improve accessibility. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of co-packed DTG/3TC compared to DTG-based triple therapy in clinical practice.

Immune response induced by the recombinant novel coronavirus vaccine (Adenovirus type 5 vector) (Ad5-nCoV) in persons living with HIV (PLWH).

Background: Despite higher risk of poorer outcomes and potential sub-optimal vaccine effectiveness, people living with HIV (PLWH) are underrepresented in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of the Ad5-nCoV vaccine (CanSino Biologics Inc./The Beijing Institute of Biotechnology) in PLWH.

Prevalence of Doravirine Resistance Mutations in a Large-Scale HIV-1 Transmitted Drug Resistance Survey in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Background: Argentina has reported moderate to high levels of transmitted drug resistance in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), mostly to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Doravirine (DOR) has a unique resistance profile and retains potent antiviral activity in the presence of the most prevalent NNRTI-associated resistant viruses. Scarce data exist regarding the frequency of DOR resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) in Latin America.

Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence and Clinic Attendance Over Time Among People in Argentina Living with HIV and Lost to Care.

Background: Although Argentina provides access to no cost HIV care, treatment adherence and retention in care remain suboptimal. This study aimed to explore factors associated with self-reported adherence and appointment attendance over time.

Method: Participants (N = 360) were people living with HIV (PLWH) that were lost to care (i.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the 2022-2023 Mpox outbreak in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Introduction: The 2022-2023 Mpox outbreak in Argentina presented unique challenges due to the lack of vaccination and antiviral therapy. This study analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cases in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (MABA), examining temporal trends, HIV status, and concomitant sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Materials And Methods: An ambispective, analitic, and multicenter study was conducted between September 2022 and May 2023 in HIV/STI clinics and hospitals in MABA.

Unity is strength: creation and future actions for a consortium for HIV cure research in Latin America and the Caribbean 'Lac-Cura'.

The development of effective HIV cure strategies is crucial. However, most research in this area has been concentrated in high-income countries, underscoring the need to expand efforts to regions like Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), which face distinct biomedical, social, political, and economic challenges. Data on LAC's participation in HIV cure research, along with stakeholder perceptions, reveal that the work being done in the region is scarce, fragmented, scattered, and characterized by limited resources and infrastructure.

Tenofovir-Containing Antiretroviral Therapy and Clinical Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in People Living with HIV.

Tenofovir has been hypothesized to be effective against COVID-19 and is available as two prodrugs, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), both part of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens. People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) might be at higher risk for COVID-19 progression; however, information about the impact of tenofovir on COVID-19 clinical outcomes remains controversial. The COVIDARE is a prospective observational multicentric study in Argentina.

A small cluster randomised clinical trial to improve health outcomes among Argentine patients disengaged from HIV care.

Background: Patients disengaged from HIV care, e.g., missed medication pick-ups, not attending physician visits, account for ≥70% of new HIV infections.

[Impact of COVID-19 related lockdown on the metabolic profile of people with HIV infection in Argentina].

Background: The spread of SARS-CoV-2 required widespread lockdown to mitigate the pandemic. Argentine authorities imposed preventive social isolation for 234 days (March 20th to November 9th 2020). This measure led to major changes in the population's lifestyle.

Long-term efficacy and safety of fostemsavir among subgroups of heavily treatment-experienced adults with HIV-1.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand how demographic and treatment-related factors impact responses to fostemsavir-based regimens.

Design: BRIGHTE is an ongoing phase 3 study evaluating twice-daily fostemsavir 600 mg and optimized background therapy (OBT) in heavily treatment-experienced individuals failing antiretroviral therapy with limited treatment options (Randomized Cohort 1-2 and Nonrandomized Cohort 0 fully active antiretroviral classes).

Methods: Virologic response rates (HIV-1 RNA <40 copies/ml, Snapshot analysis) and CD4+ T-cell count increases in the Randomized Cohort were analysed by prespecified baseline characteristics (age, race, sex, region, HIV-1 RNA, CD4+ T-cell count) and viral susceptibility to OBT.

Mental Health, Coping, and Social Support Among People Living with HIV in the Americas: A Comparative Study Between Argentina and the USA During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a risk to mental health and may disproportionately affect people living with HIV (PLWH). This study examined the interaction of social support and resilient coping in predicting depressive symptoms among PLWH. PLWH residing in Buenos Aires, Argentina and in Miami, Florida (US) were asked to complete an anonymous survey on the impact of COVID-19.

Prolonged Posttreatment Virologic Control and Complete Seroreversion After Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Infection.

Background: Possible human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 clearance has rarely been reported. In this study, we describe a unique case of an HIV-positive, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-experienced woman with prior acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who has not experienced viral rebound for over 12 years since discontinuing cART.

Methods: Leukapheresis, colonoscopy, and lymph node excision were performed for detailed examination of virologic (including HIV reservoir) and immunologic features.

Mental health, coping, and social support among people living with HIV in the Americas: A comparative study between Argentina and the USA during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic pose significant risk to mental health and may disproportionately affect people living with HIV (PLWH). This study examined the interaction of social support and resilient coping in predicting depressive symptoms among PLWH. : PLWH residing in Buenos Aires, Argentina and in Miami, Florida (US) were asked to complete an anonymous survey on the impact of COVID-19.

Impact of COVID-19-Related Stress and Lockdown on Mental Health Among People Living With HIV in Argentina.

Background: The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has necessitated widespread lockdown to mitigate the pandemic. This study examines the influence of resilience on the impact of COVID-related stress and enforced lockdown on mental health, drug use, and treatment adherence among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Argentina.

Setting: PLWH residing predominantly in Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area and urban regions of Argentina were identified from a private clinic electronic database.

Cumulative Burden of Mental Health Factors and Engagement in HIV Care in Argentina.

Background: Cumulative burden of multiple mental health conditions may worsen physical health outcomes in vulnerable populations. Accordingly, identifying cumulative burdens of mental health conditions that may affect HIV treatment and care can guide public health strategies to reduce their impact on HIV-related health outcomes. This study examined the relationship between the cumulative burden of mental health conditions and factors associated with engagement in HIV care in Argentina.

Physician-delivered motivational interviewing to improve adherence and retention in care among challenging HIV-infected patients in Argentina (COPA2): study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: "Challenging" HIV-infected patients, those not retained in treatment, represent a critical focus for positive prevention, as linkage to care, early initiation of antiretroviral therapy, adherence and retention in treatment facilitate viral suppression, thus optimizing health and reducing HIV transmission. Argentina was one of the first Latin American countries to guarantee HIV prevention, diagnosis and comprehensive care services, including antiretroviral medication, which removed cost and access as barriers. Yet, dropout occurs at every stage of the HIV continuum.

Implementation and uptake of the Conexiones y Opciones en la Argentina intervention: feasibility and acceptability.

Challenging HIV-infected patients, those neither adherent nor actively engaged in care, represent an important opportunity for intervention if the HIV epidemic is to be contained. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an adapted patient adherence intervention and a motivational interview-based provider intervention in urban Buenos Aires, Argentina, in order to optimize health benefits in challenging HIV-infected patients. To maximize implementation and uptake of both strategies, interventions were adapted to the local setting.

[COGNITIVE SCREENING IN HIV-1 INFECTED YOUNG ADULTS AT BUENOS AIRES. PRELIMINARY DATA].

Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in HIV-1 infected patients, even in younger individuals. These symptoms usually are not recognized by health professionals or even patients themselves. However, they can represent a major cause of functional impairment and failure in treatment compliance.

Improving Adherence to Care Among "Hard to Reach" HIV-Infected Patients in Argentina.

Many HIV-infected patients fail to achieve undetectable viral load and are not retained in care. This pilot study examined patients lost to care in public and private clinics in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The impact of patient and provider interventions was compared separately and collectively.

[Primary HIV resistance in Buenos Aires metropolitan area].

Surveillance of primary drug resistance is critical to optimize antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV. Mutations to be monitored are defined in a reference list of the World Health Organization (WHO), which does not include mutations for new drugs, such as rilpivirine. We undertook a retrospective analysis of medical records of ART naive patients treated at a specialized HIV/AIDS center, evaluating the prevalence of WHO mutations and mutations specific for rilpivirine.