The Effect of Switching from Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) to Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) on Liver Enzymes, Glucose, and Lipid Profile.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of switching from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) on the hepatic safety and metabolic profile.

Methods: Consecutive HIV patients, enrolled in the Surveillance Cohort Long-term Toxicity Antiretrovirals/Antivirals (SCOLTA) project, switching from TDF to TAF were included. Changes from baseline (T0) to 6-month follow-up (T1) were evaluated using paired -test and signed rank test.

Early administration of lopinavir/ritonavir plus hydroxychloroquine does not alter the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection: A retrospective cohort study.

As it has been shown that lopinavir (LPV) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have in vitro activity against coronaviruses, they were used to treat COVID-19 during the first wave of the epidemic in Lombardy, Italy. To compare the rate of clinical improvement between those who started LPV/ritonavir (LPV/r)+HCQ within 5 days of symptom onset (early treatment, ET) and those who started later (delayed treatment, DT). This was a retrospective intent-to-treat analysis of the hospitalized patients who started LPV/r + HCQ between 21 February and 20 March 2020.

Disseminated Cryptococcosis in a Patient With Metastatic Prostate Cancer Who Died in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak.

We report the case of a 61-year-old patient with a history of prostate cancer affected by bone metastasis. He presented to our attention for ulcerous and necrotic cutaneous lesions unresponsive to antibiotics. The spread of cutaneous lesions and the onset of neurological symptoms suggested a cryptococcal disease, which was confirmed by lumbar puncture and cutaneous biopsy.

Imported dengue fever: a 16-years retrospective analysis in Milan (Italy) and a brief review of the European literature.

Dengue Fever (DF), transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is the most common arthropod-borne infection, it is almost ubiquitous in tropical and subtropical areas with an estimate of 360 million infections per year. A competent vector (A. albopictus) is present in most of Southern Europe and is endemic in Italy.

Virological response and retention in care according to time of starting ART in Italy: data from the Icona Foundation Study cohort.

Objectives: To describe: (i) factors associated with rapid and delayed ART initiation; (ii) rates of 12 week virological response; and (iii) virologically controlled retention in care by 1 year from ART initiation according to timing of start in a real-life setting.

Methods: All individuals in the Icona cohort diagnosed with HIV in 2016-17 who initiated ART were grouped according to the time between HIV diagnosis and ART initiation: Group 1, ≤7 days; Group 2, 8-14 days; Group 3, 15-30 days; Group 4, 31-120 days; and Group 5, >120 days. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with: (i) the probability of rapid (Group 1) and very delayed (Group 5) ART initiation; (ii) the 12 week virological response (by a modified snapshot algorithm); and (iii) the probability of retention in care at 1 year (on ART with HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL).

Exploring healthcare providers' mental models of the infection prevention "patient zone" - a concept mapping study.

Background: Pathogen transmission plays a major role in the development of healthcare-associated infections. The "patient zone" concept developed as part of the World Health Organization's "Five moments of hand hygiene" aims to distinguish surfaces primarily contaminated by flora of a single patient, i.e.

Are direct-acting antivirals safe and effective in hepatitis C virus-cryoglobulinemia? virological, immunological, and clinical data from a real-life experience.

Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major cause of cryoglobulinemia. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have markedly changed the therapeutic outcomes in the treatment of patients with HCV. We evaluate the efficacy, safety, immunological, and clinical response of different DAA regimens in HCV-cryoglobulinemia.

Transfer of pathogens to and from patients, healthcare providers, and medical devices during care activity-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The transfer of pathogens may spread antimicrobial resistance and lead to healthcare-acquired infections. We performed a systematic literature review to generate estimates of pathogen transfer in relation to healthcare provider (HCP) activities.

Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, Medline/Ovid, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies published before July 7, 2017.

Likelihood of Infectious Outcomes Following Infectious Risk Moments During Patient Care-An International Expert Consensus Study and Quantitative Risk Index.

OBJECTIVE To elicit expert consensus on the likelihood of infectious outcomes (patient colonization or infection) following a broad range of infectious risk moments (IRMs) from observations in acute care. DESIGN Expert consensus study using modified Delphi technique. PARTICIPANTS Panel of 40 international experts including nurses, physicians and microbiologists specialized in infectious diseases and infection prevention and control (IPC).

Frequency and Nature of Infectious Risk Moments During Acute Care Based on the INFORM Structured Classification Taxonomy.

OBJECTIVE In this study, we sought to establish a comprehensive inventory of infectious risk moments (IRMs), defined as seemingly innocuous yet frequently occurring care manipulations potentially resulting in transfer of pathogens to patients. We also aimed to develop and employ an observational taxonomy to quantify the frequency and nature of IRMs in acute-care settings. DESIGN Prospective observational study and establishment of observational taxonomy.

Weight Gain: A Possible Side Effect of All Antiretrovirals.

Weight gain and body mass index (BMI) increase are central issues in patients living with HIV who need to minimize the risk of metabolic disease. Information collected through the SCOLTA cohort revealed significant 1-year BMI increase in patients treated with dolutegravir ( = .004), raltegravir ( = .

Atherosclerosis is associated with multiple pathogenic mechanisms in HIV-infected antiretroviral-naive or treated individuals.

Objectives: HIV-infected patients have a greater burden of sub-clinical and clinical atherosclerotic disease compared to the general population. The primary objective of this study was to compare the relative roles of inflammation, endothelial alterations, and metabolic factors in the induction and maintenance of atherosclerosis in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated or ART-naive patients.

Design: Cross-sectional study; 79 HIV-infected patients (55 ART-treated and 24 naive individuals) were consecutively enrolled.

Hydroxychloroquine drastically reduces immune activation in HIV-infected, antiretroviral therapy-treated immunologic nonresponders.

Despite optimal suppression of HIV replication, restoration of CD4(+) T cells is not always achieved in antiretroviral therapy-treated individuals. Defective CD4 recovery in immunologic nonresponders is possibly associated with TLR-mediated immune activation driven by alterations of gut permeability. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) reduces endosomal TLR signaling; thus, we verified whether HCQ could dampen immune activation and be associated with an increase in CD4(+) T cells.

Immunological effects of sublingual immunotherapy: clinical efficacy is associated with modulation of programmed cell death ligand 1, IL-10, and IgG4.

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an alternate route of administration of allergen-specific immunotherapy with an improved safety profile; to clarify the immune mechanisms elicited by this therapy, we analyzed the clinical and immunologic effects of SLIT in patients with a clinical history of ragweed sensitization. To analyze possible difference among immunotherapeutic protocols, we also compared patients receiving preseasonal, seasonal, or prolonged sublingual therapy (≥ 3 y); patients receiving symptomatic therapy alone were enrolled as well in the study. Clinical and immunological parameters were measured twice in and out of the pollination period.

Lipid Metabolism and Cardiovascular Risk in HIV-1 Infection and HAART: Present and Future Problems.

Many infections favor or are directly implicated with lipid metabolism perturbations and/or increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). HIV itself has been shown to increase lipogenesis in the liver and to alter the lipid profile, while the presence of unsafe habits, addiction, comorbidities, and AIDS-related diseases increases substantially the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the HIV-infected population. Antiretroviral therapy reduces such stimuli but many drugs have intrinsic toxicity profiles impacting on metabolism or potential direct cardiotoxicity.