Some people with HIV may have weaker response to COVID-19 vaccines

People living with HIV had lower than expected antibody levels after receiving the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, according to study results presented at the virtual IDWeek meeting. Those with a detectable viral load or a low CD4 T-cell count were at greater risk for diminished response, supporting a third vaccine dose for these individuals.

Large US study confirms that people switching from TDF to TAF experience rising blood fat levels

A US study of 6451 people with HIV who switched from antiretroviral drug regimens containing the older form of tenofovir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), to regimens containing the newer form, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), shows rises in participants' cholesterol and triglycerides – blood lipids (fats) that raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.

People with HIV with suppressed viral load and higher CD4 counts unlikely to need a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine

People with HIV with well-controlled viral load on antiretroviral treatment have similar levels of antibodies to HIV-negative people after two doses of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and in most cases will not need a third dose, Canadian researchers report.

Working together to improve HIV care in Europe

Dr Sanjay Bhagani is president of the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) and an experienced consultant in infectious diseases and HIV. We spoke to him about the upcoming EACS conference and his vision for HIV care in Europe.

People with HIV taking newer antiretrovirals at higher risk of fatty liver disease

People with HIV were more likely to develop fatty liver disease if they took antiretroviral treatment that contains an integrase inhibitor or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), a German research group has found.

People living with HIV in the media: irresponsible, unhealthy and 'other'

People living with HIV were often presented as reckless or morally deficient, according to an analysis of Irish print media between 2006 to 2016. Little attention was given to broader structural and social factors related to HIV transmission or to recent biomedical advances.

More money, trust, and control: HIV self-testing and PrEP empowers sex workers and their partners in Uganda

A qualitative study asked HIV-negative sex workers and their partners in Uganda about their experiences using HIV self-testing and PrEP. The study found that using the two interventions together was economically empowering because sex without a condom was safer, they enhanced relationships, intimacy, and trust among partners, and participants were empowered to take control of their sexual health.

Older version of tenofovir used as PrEP linked to weight loss

People who took the older formulation of tenofovir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), during clinical trials of PrEP were more likely to experience substantial weight loss than people taking either a placebo or cabotegravir, an analysis of seven studies has shown. The findings add to evidence that TDF may play a role in the weight changes experienced by people with HIV taking antiretroviral therapy.

Increased risk of Kaposi’s sarcoma with low CD4/CD8 ratios and of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with high CD8 counts despite effective HIV treatment

A recent study has found that despite effective antiretroviral therapy, low CD4/CD8 ratios and high CD8 counts are associated with a higher risk of Kaposi’s sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, respectively. This increased risk is particularly present in people living with HIV who have CD4 cell counts above 500.

Update on the SAHPRA review of the SPUTNIK V vaccine | South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA)

SAHPRA is concerned that use of the Sputnik V vaccine in South Africa, a setting of a high HIV prevalence and incidence, may increase the risk of vaccinated males acquiring HIV.

Deaths from tuberculosis rose in 2020 after falling for a decade | New York Times

Deaths from tuberculosis, the world’s biggest infectious disease killer until the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, have increased for the first time in more than a decade, totaling more than 1.5 million people in 2020. That trend is expected to worsen in 2021 and 2022, according to a report released by the World Health Organization.

Cabotegravir (Vocabria) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland | Scottish Medicines Consortium

Cabotegravir long-acting injection is indicated, in combination with rilpivirine long-acting injection, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) on a stable antiretroviral regimen without present or past evidence of viral resistance to, and no prior virological failure with, agents of the NNRTI and INI class.

Early treatment reduces risk of anal cancer in people with HIV | POZ

Treating abnormal anal cell changes early can significantly reduce the risk of progression to anal cancer in people living with HIV, according to long-awaited results from the ANCHOR study.

Ending PrEP stigma: researcher calls for integrating HIV services into primary health care | TheBodyPro

According to Sarit Golub, Ph.D., M.P.H., the practice of labelling and separating HIV-related services from other health care reinforces stigma.