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Biomedicines
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Emerging Insights into HIV
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Emerging Insights into HIV

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbiology in Human Health and Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2024 | Viewed by 6585

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Konstantinos Protopapas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
4th Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Interests: HIV; PrEP; sexually transmitted infections; HIV/HCV co-infection; public health
Dr. Antonios Papadopoulos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
4th Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Interests: HIV; infectious diseases; bone and joint infections; public health; emerging diseases
Dr. Charalampos D. Moschopoulos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
4th Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Interests: HIV; infectious diseases; viral infections; immunology; HIV neurocognitive disorders

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, entitled “Emerging Insights into HIV”. Despite the intensive research efforts, there is still no cure for HIV infection, and millions of people are affected worldwide. However, the advent of modern antiretroviral treatment has revolutionised the management of HIV, and consequently, people living with HIV are expected to have a near-normal life expectancy and quality of life. People on combined antiretroviral treatment achieve an undetectable plasma viral load and immune reconstitution. However, low-grade chronic inflammation renders them more susceptible to cardiometabolic and other comorbidities. This is intensified by the fact that people with HIV are getting older and developing comorbidities related to aging. In addition, people with HIV are still affected by stigma and discrimination, barriers to access to care, and socioeconomical and regional disparities, which provide additional obstacles to HIV prevention, treatment, and elimination.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the latest research and developments in the field of HIV pathogenesis and treatment. Moreover, it seeks to gather cutting-edge research and insights that contribute to the ongoing efforts to combat HIV, advance our understanding of HIV infection, and address global challenges, with a focus on global health equity.

Original research articles and reviews that align with the aim and scope of this Special Issue are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following: antiretroviral treatment and toxicities; novel antiretroviral treatment; HIV/HCV co-infection; HIV and COVID-19; HIV and comorbidities; AIDS-related illness and opportunistic infections; and HIV cures. Manuscripts should adhere to the journal’s guidelines for formatting and referencing.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Konstantinos Protopapas
Dr. Antonios Papadopoulos
Dr. Charalampos D. Moschopoulos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • HIV/AIDS
  • antiretroviral treatment
  • comorbidities
  • co-infection
  • neuroHIV

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 263 KiB  
Article
Design and Proof of Concept of a Web-Based Questionnaire to Identify Patients at Risk for HIV and HCV Infection
by Alejandro G. García-Ruiz de Morales, María Jesús Vivancos, Jorge Lázaro, Beatriz Romero Hernández, Beatriz Mateos, Pilar Pérez-Elías, Margarita Herrero Delgado, Laura Villanova Cuadra, Santiago Moreno, Javier Martínez-Sanz and María Jesús Pérez-Elías
Biomedicines 2024, 12(8), 1846; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12081846 - 14 Aug 2024
Viewed by 661
Abstract
Despite remarkable improvement in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) care continuum, the rate of late diagnosis of HIV and HCV in high-income countries remains unacceptably high. Testing relies mainly on primary care physicians’ identification of risk factors. We [...] Read more.
Despite remarkable improvement in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) care continuum, the rate of late diagnosis of HIV and HCV in high-income countries remains unacceptably high. Testing relies mainly on primary care physicians’ identification of risk factors. We aimed to adapt an analogic to an online questionnaire to help HIV and HCV screening and perform a pilot study to assess its accuracy and acceptability. We used the Delphi method to adapt a previously validated analogical questionnaire to a user-friendly online tool. It aimed to identify participants who should be screened for HIV or HCV and those who should be referred for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We then designed a proof-of-concept pilot study from July to October 2022 to test its feasibility and suitability for use on a larger scale and to assess its accuracy in identifying patients at risk for HIV or HCV or with indication for PrEP. The final questionnaire consisted of 37 questions. A total of 142 participants provided informed consent, and 102 completed the questionnaire: 41 random patients recruited at the primary care level, 10 participants recently diagnosed with HIV, 20 participants with HIV on follow-up, 21 participants from the PrEP program, and 10 patients diagnosed with HCV. The tool adequately indicated the need for testing in more than 98% of participants with confirmed HIV/HCV infections or in the PrEP program. Furthermore, it adequately assessed PrEP referral in 94% of participants already on PrEP or with known HIV infection. Participants were highly satisfied with the tool, and 98% of them recommended its use. A self-administered web-based tool to identify patients who should be tested for HIV or HCV or referred to PrEP could simplify patient selection and help reduce late diagnosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights into HIV)
14 pages, 2063 KiB  
Article
Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections after Booster SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in a Greek Cohort of People Living with HIV during the Delta and Omicron Waves
by Konstantinos Protopapas, Konstantinos Thomas, Charalampos D. Moschopoulos, Eirini Oktapoda, Eirini Marousi, Eirini Marselou, Nikiforos Stamoulis, Christos Filis, Pinelopi Kazakou, Chrysanthi Oikonomopoulou, Georgios Zampetas, Ourania Efstratiadou, Katerina Chavatza, Dimitra Kavatha, Anastasia Antoniadou and Antonios Papadopoulos
Biomedicines 2024, 12(7), 1614; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12071614 - 19 Jul 2024
Viewed by 796
Abstract
Introduction: Currently approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been proven effective in protecting against severe COVID-19; however, they show variable efficacy against symptomatic infection and disease transmission. We studied the breakthrough COVID-19 infection (BTI) after booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV (PWH). [...] Read more.
Introduction: Currently approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been proven effective in protecting against severe COVID-19; however, they show variable efficacy against symptomatic infection and disease transmission. We studied the breakthrough COVID-19 infection (BTI) after booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV (PWH). Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, descriptive cohort study involving PWH, who were followed in the HIV Clinic of “Attikon” University Hospital in Athens, Greece. A BTI was defined as a case of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 occurring at least 14 days after the third (booster) vaccine dose. Results: We studied 733 PWH [males: 89%, mean age: 45.2 ± 11.3 years, mean BMI: 26.1 ± 4.1, HIV stage at diagnosis (CDC classification): A/B/C = 80/9/11%, MSM: 72.6%] with well-controlled HIV infection. At least one comorbidity was recorded in 54% of cases. A history of ≥1 vaccination was reported by 90%, with 75% having been vaccinated with ≥3 vaccines. Four hundred and two (55%) PWH had a history of COVID-19 and 302 (41.2%) had a BTI, with only 15 (3.7%) needing hospitalization. Only one patient was admitted to the ICU, and no death was reported. Regarding BTI after booster dose, increased age (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96–0.99, per 1-year increase), and COVID-19 infection prior to booster dose (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21–0.68) were associated with a lower likelihood for BTI, whereas higher BMI (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.08) and MSM as a mode of HIV transmission were associated with increased risk (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.47–4.56). The incidence rate of total COVID-19 and BTI followed the epidemic curve of the general population, with the highest incidence recorded in June 2022. Conclusions: A significant proportion of PWH with well-controlled HIV infection experienced a BTI, with the majority of them having mild infection. These data, which include the period of Omicron variant predominance, confirm the importance of vaccination in the protection against severe COVID-19. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights into HIV)
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11 pages, 1574 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Myo-Intimal Media Thickness and Atheromatous Plaques in People Living with HIV from the Archiprevaleat Cohort vs. HIV-Negative Subjects
by Salvatore Martini, Elena Delfina Ricci, Addolorata Masiello, Sergio Zacà, Benedetto Maurizio Celesia, Sergio Ferrara, Giovanni Di Filippo, Alessandra Tartaglia, Rosa Basile, Domenico Angiletta and Paolo Maggi
Biomedicines 2024, 12(4), 773; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12040773 - 1 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 994
Abstract
Background: Antiretroviral therapy has allowed a clear improvement in prognosis for HIV patients, but metabolic problems, such as dyslipidemia, remain. This can lead to the development of atheromatous plaques. Our study aims to evaluate whether HIV-positive (HIV+) patients show higher myo-intimal media thickness [...] Read more.
Background: Antiretroviral therapy has allowed a clear improvement in prognosis for HIV patients, but metabolic problems, such as dyslipidemia, remain. This can lead to the development of atheromatous plaques. Our study aims to evaluate whether HIV-positive (HIV+) patients show higher myo-intimal media thickness (IMT) and atheromatous plaques compared to HIV-negative (HIV−) patients. Methods: To evaluate the association between HIV infection in experienced patients and vascular pathology, we performed a cross-sectional study, observing 1006 patients, 380 HIV+ enrolled in the Archiprevaleat cohort, and 626 HIV− as a control group. All patients underwent a Doppler scan of the supra-aortic vessels. We compared the prevalence of IMT > 1.0 mm and plaques in the two groups. Results: Patients in the HIV+ group were younger than those in the HIV− group, with a lower prevalence of hypertension and diabetes and higher dyslipidemia. The prevalence of plaques in strata of age was higher in the HIV+ group than in the HIV− group and was associated with the length of ART exposure. Conclusions: Our cross-sectional, retrospective study shows that HIV+ experienced patients are at greater risk of IMT and atheromatous plaques compared to HIV−. The risk is associated with being HIV+ and with the length of ART exposure. This finding may be useful in preventing cardiovascular risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights into HIV)
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Review

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30 pages, 3991 KiB  
Review
The Phenomenon of Antiretroviral Drug Resistance in the Context of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Treatment: Dynamic and Ever Evolving Subject Matter
by Miruna-Maria Apetroaei, Bruno Ștefan Velescu, Marina Ionela (Ilie) Nedea, Cristina Elena Dinu-Pîrvu, Doina Drăgănescu, Anca Ionela Fâcă, Denisa Ioana Udeanu and Andreea Letiția Arsene
Biomedicines 2024, 12(4), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12040915 - 20 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1691
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a significant global health issue that affects a substantial number of individuals across the globe, with a total of 39 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS. ART has resulted in a reduction in HIV-related mortality. Nevertheless, the issue of [...] Read more.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a significant global health issue that affects a substantial number of individuals across the globe, with a total of 39 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS. ART has resulted in a reduction in HIV-related mortality. Nevertheless, the issue of medication resistance is a significant obstacle in the management of HIV/AIDS. The unique genetic composition of HIV enables it to undergo rapid mutations and adapt, leading to the emergence of drug-resistant forms. The development of drug resistance can be attributed to various circumstances, including noncompliance with treatment regimens, insufficient dosage, interactions between drugs, viral mutations, preexposure prophylactics, and transmission from mother to child. It is therefore essential to comprehend the molecular components of HIV and the mechanisms of antiretroviral medications to devise efficacious treatment options for HIV/AIDS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights into HIV)
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Other

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11 pages, 471 KiB  
Brief Report
HIV-Related Oral Mucosa Lesions: A Cross-Sectional Study on a Cohort of Italian Patients
by Marco Tarozzi, Elisa Baruzzi, Sem Decani, Camilla Tincati, Andrea Santoro, Laura Moneghini, Giovanni Lodi, Andrea Sardella, Antonio Carrassi and Elena Maria Varoni
Biomedicines 2024, 12(2), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12020436 - 15 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1756
Abstract
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can be associated with oral mucosal diseases, including oral candidiasis and HPV infection, which are putative indicators of the immune status. Aim and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of HIV-related oral [...] Read more.
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can be associated with oral mucosal diseases, including oral candidiasis and HPV infection, which are putative indicators of the immune status. Aim and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of HIV-related oral mucosal lesions in a cohort of Italian HIV+ patients regularly attending the Clinics of Infectious Diseases. Results: One hundred seventy-seven (n = 177) patients were enrolled and 30 (16.9%) of them showed HIV-related diseases of the oral mucosa. They were mainly found in male patients over 35 years old, undergoing Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART), and with CD4+ count < 500/µL. Oral candidiasis was the most common HIV-related oral lesion. No significant correlations could be detected between the prevalence of HPV infection and other clinical parameters (lymphocyte count, cART treatment and viral load). Conclusions: HIV-related oral mucosal diseases can correlate with immunosuppression. Early diagnosis and management of oral lesions in HIV+ patients should be part of the regular follow-up, from a multidisciplinary perspective of collaboration between oral medicine and infectious disease specialists, in an attempt to reduce morbidity due to oral lesions and modulate antiretroviral therapy according to the patient’s immune status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights into HIV)
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