J Int Aids Soc
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Comparative Study
Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction among HIV-positive patients with early syphilis: azithromycin versus benzathine penicillin G therapy.
The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, a febrile inflammatory reaction that often occurs after the first dose of chemotherapy in spirochetal diseases, may result in deleterious effects to patients with neurosyphilis and to pregnant women. A single 2-g oral dose of azithromycin is an alternative treatment to benzathine penicillin G for early syphilis in areas with low macrolide resistance. With its potential anti-inflammatory activity, the impact of azithromycin on the incidence of the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in HIV-positive patients with early syphilis has rarely been investigated. ⋯ Treatment with azithromycin was associated with a lower risk for the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction than that with benzathine penicillin G in HIV-positive patients with early syphilis. Previous benzathine penicillin G therapy for syphilis decreased the risk, whereas higher RPR titres increased the risk, for the reaction.
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BMS-663068 is a prodrug of BMS-626529, an attachment inhibitor that binds directly to HIV-1 gp120, preventing initial viral attachment and entry into the host CD4+ T-cell. AI438011 is a Phase IIb, randomized, active-controlled trial investigating the safety, efficacy and dose-response of BMS-663068 versus atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) in treatment-experienced (TE), HIV-1-positive subjects. ⋯ Virologic response rates were similar across the BMS-663068 and ATV/r arms in TE subjects, regardless of BL demographic characteristics (gender, race, age), BL HIV-1 RNA, or BL CD4+ T-cell count. Mean increases in CD4+ T-cell counts across the BMS-663068 arms were consistent with ATV/r, regardless of gender, age and BL CD4+ T-cell count. These results support continued development of BMS-663068. Note: Previously submitted at IDWeek, Philadelphia, PA, 8 October 2014.
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The recent availability of efficacious prevention interventions among stable couples offers new opportunities for reducing HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the dynamics of HIV incidence among stable couples is critical to inform HIV prevention strategy across sub-Saharan Africa. ⋯ Close to two-thirds of total HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa occur among stable couples; however, only half of this incidence is attributed to HIV transmissions from the infected to the uninfected partner in the couple. The remaining incidence is acquired through extra-partner sex. Substantial reductions in HIV incidence can be achieved only through a prevention approach that targets all modes of HIV exposure among stable couples and among individuals not in stable couples.