News from aidsmap
Two UK studies find that HIV infection may be a risk factor for dying from COVID-19
Two studies relating COVID-19 mortality in the UK to HIV status have both concluded that having HIV raises the risk of dying from COVID-19, after adjusting for age and some other factors.
Large numbers of transgender MSM have never tested for HIV or STIs
A substantial minority of transgender men who have sex with men (MSM) have never tested for HIV or been screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), according to US research published in the online edition of Sexually Transmitted Infections. High-risk anal sex was associated with never testing for HIV.
Sexual health screening for gay men using PrEP in the US falling way behind recommended standards
Levels of sexual health screening among gay men taking PrEP fall well below recommended levels, investigators from the United States report in the online edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases. Rates of testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the rectum and throat – which can be asymptomatic – were especially low, so too testing coverage in south-eastern US states which have an especially high burden of HIV and STI infections among gay and other men who have sex with men.
Fewer antiretroviral drug interactions due to use of integrase inhibitors, says Swiss study
The introduction of integrase inhibitors has been accompanied by a reduction in the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions among people with HIV taking antiretrovirals in Switzerland, investigators report in the online edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
“Unprecedented” case of transmission of four-class resistant HIV virus reported in France
A highly unusual case of someone recently acquiring HIV that was resistant to four different classes of antiretroviral drugs has been reported in France. The case is unusual not only because of the degree of resistance displayed by the virus, but also because it appears to have undamaged ability to replicate.
Chicago study suggests knowledge of PrEP is not crossing over to women
A study of women, largely young and Black, attending a Chicago emergency department and an STI clinic, found low levels of knowledge of PrEP, even in a city where there have been PrEP campaigns targeting women and heterosexual men as well as members of the LGBT+ community.
aidsmapCHAT
We are back tonight, Thursday 20 August, for a new episode of aidsmapCHAT.
Joining NAM's Susan Cole and Matthew Hodson are: writer and activist and founder of POZ magazine, Sean Strub; HIV clinician and President of the European AIDS Clinical Society, Professor Jürgen Rockstroh; and celebrity doctor and broadcaster from South Africa, Dr Sindi van Zyl.
Join us tonight at 6pm (UK time) on aidsmap’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
Editors' picks from other sources
Eswatini becomes first African state to meet UN’s 2030 targets on HIV/AIDS | Daily Maverick
With the highest rates of HIV in the world, the tiny Kingdom of Eswatini has aggressively tackled the virus through testing and treatment, coupled with strong community prevention programming. By Ambrose Dlamini, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
England: Joint response to the announcement of the National Institute for Health Protection | Terrence Higgins Trust
“We urge the Government to think carefully before major changes to Public Health England are enacted.” A joint statement from Terrence Higgins Trust, National AIDS Trust, British HIV Association, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, and the UK Community Advisory Board HIV treatment advocates network.
Young long-term survivors: still here, still facing the challenges | POZ
In the 1980s and 90s, untold US infants and children with HIV died of AIDS. When effective HIV medications became available, thousands survived, thanks to a heroic effort to create paediatric HIV regimens and to provide services for physical and mental health. But that’s not the full story.
UnitedHealthcare spurns Gilead's newer PrEP drug Descovy as Truvada generic looms: report | FiercePharma
Gilead’s new HIV PrEP option, Descovy, will no longer be covered by UnitedHealthcare starting next month, as the company’s old stalwart Truvada is slated to go generic. Those who still wish to get Descovy as a PrEP med will have to seek prior authorisation, a process through which the insurer will review whether the drug is indeed necessary for a patient.
HIV+ Canadian guilty of sexual assault, despite condom use | Star Observer
A court of appeal in Canada has held an HIV-positive man who had protected sexual intercourse with three women, guilty of aggravated sexual assault over his alleged failure to disclose his health status. There was no allegation that HIV was transmitted or that he had not properly used condoms.
Coming soon: news from the Digital International Liver Congress
Next week, we'll be reporting from the Digital International Liver Congress, organised by the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL). We'll be publishing news on aidsmap.com but for comprehensive coverage visit our sister site infohep.org.
Our September infohep bulletin will be focusing on news from the conference and will be available in five languages – English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Russian.