Browsing by Author "Vinikoor M"

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Brief Report: Assessing the Association Between Changing NRTIs When Initiating Second-Line ART and Treatment Outcomes.
(2018-Apr-01) Rohr JK; Ive P; Horsburgh CR; Berhanu R; Hoffmann CJ; Wood R; Boulle A; Giddy J; Prozesky H; Vinikoor M; Mwanza MW; Wandeler G; Davies MA; Fox MP; School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA.; Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Helen Joseph Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.; Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA.; McCord Hospital, Durban, South Africa.; Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.; The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.; School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.; Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University, Boston, MA.; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.; Department of Medicine, Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND: After first-line antiretroviral therapy failure, the importance of change in nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) in second line is uncertain due to the high potency of protease inhibitors used in second line. SETTING: We used clinical data from 6290 adult patients in South Africa and Zambia from the International Epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) Southern Africa cohort. METHODS: We included patients who initiated on standard first-line antiretroviral therapy and had evidence of first-line failure. We used propensity score-adjusted Cox proportional-hazards models to evaluate the impact of change in NRTI on second-line failure compared with remaining on the same NRTI in second line. In South Africa, where viral load monitoring was available, treatment failure was defined as 2 consecutive viral loads >1000 copies/mL. In Zambia, it was defined as 2 consecutive CD4 counts <100 cells/mm. RESULTS: Among patients in South Africa initiated on zidovudine (AZT), the adjusted hazard ratio for second-line virologic failure was 0.25 (95% confidence interval: 0.11 to 0.57) for those switching to tenofovir (TDF) vs. remaining on AZT. Among patients in South Africa initiated on TDF, switching to AZT in second line was associated with reduced second-line failure (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.35 [95% confidence interval: 0.13 to 0.96]). In Zambia, where viral load monitoring was not available, results were less conclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Changing NRTI in second line was associated with better clinical outcomes in South Africa. Additional clinical trial research regarding second-line NRTI choices for patients initiated on TDF or with contraindications to specific NRTIs is needed.
Changes in rapid HIV treatment initiation after national "treat all" policy adoption in 6 sub-Saharan African countries: Regression discontinuity analysis.
(2019-Jun) Tymejczyk O; Brazier E; Yiannoutsos CT; Vinikoor M; van Lettow M; Nalugoda F; Urassa M; Sinayobye JD; Rebeiro PF; Wools-Kaloustian K; Davies MA; Zaniewski E; Anderegg N; Liu G; Ford N; Nash D; Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America.; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Global Hepatitis Programme, HIV/AIDS Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America.; Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America.; Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo and Entebbe, Uganda.; Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda.; Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi.; Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Division of Infectious Diseases, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America.; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND: Most countries have formally adopted the World Health Organization's 2015 recommendation of universal HIV treatment ("treat all"). However, there are few rigorous assessments of the real-world impact of treat all policies on antiretroviral treatment (ART) uptake across different contexts. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We used longitudinal data for 814,603 patients enrolling in HIV care between 1 January 2004 and 10 July 2018 in 6 countries participating in the global International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium: Burundi (N = 11,176), Kenya (N = 179,941), Malawi (N = 84,558), Rwanda (N = 17,396), Uganda (N = 96,286), and Zambia (N = 425,246). Using a quasi-experimental regression discontinuity design, we assessed the change in the proportion initiating ART within 30 days of enrollment in HIV care (rapid ART initiation) after country-level adoption of the treat all policy. A modified Poisson model was used to identify factors associated with failure to initiate ART rapidly under treat all. In each of the 6 countries, over 60% of included patients were female, and median age at enrollment ranged from 32 to 36 years. In all countries studied, national adoption of treat all was associated with large increases in rapid ART initiation. Significant increases in rapid ART initiation immediately after treat all policy adoption were observed in Rwanda, from 44.4% to 78.9% of patients (34.5 percentage points [pp], 95% CI 27.2 to 41.7; p < 0.001), Kenya (25.7 pp, 95% CI 21.8 to 29.5; p < 0.001), Burundi (17.7 pp, 95% CI 6.5 to 28.9; p = 0.002), and Malawi (12.5 pp, 95% CI 7.5 to 17.5; p < 0.001), while no immediate increase was observed in Zambia (0.4 pp, 95% CI -2.9 to 3.8; p = 0.804) and Uganda (-4.2 pp, 95% CI -9.0 to 0.7; p = 0.090). The rate of rapid ART initiation accelerated sharply following treat all policy adoption in Malawi, Uganda, and Zambia; slowed in Kenya; and did not change in Rwanda and Burundi. In post hoc analyses restricted to patients enrolling under treat all, young adults (16-24 years) and men were at increased risk of not rapidly initiating ART (compared to older patients and women, respectively). However, rapid ART initiation following enrollment increased for all groups as more time elapsed since treat all policy adoption. Study limitations include incomplete data on potential ART eligibility criteria, such as clinical status, pregnancy, and enrollment CD4 count, which precluded the assessment of rapid ART initiation specifically among patients known to be eligible for ART before treat all. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis indicates that adoption of treat all policies had a strong effect on increasing rates of rapid ART initiation, and that these increases followed different trajectories across the 6 countries. Young adults and men still require additional attention to further improve rapid ART initiation.
Effect of antiretroviral therapy care interruptions on mortality in children living with HIV.
(2022-Apr-01) Davies C; Johnson L; Sawry S; Chimbetete C; Eley B; Vinikoor M; Technau KG; Ehmer J; Rabie H; Phiri S; Tanser F; Malisita K; Fatti G; Osler M; Wood R; Newton S; Haas A; Davies MA; Newlands Clinic, Harare, Zimbabwe.; Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Somkhele, South Africa.; Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town.; School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Tygerberg Academic Hospital, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.; Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Harriet Shezi Children's Clinic, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto, South Africa.; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.; Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.; Kheth'Impilo AIDS Free Living.; Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University.; Gugulethu HIV Programme and Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; SolidarMed, Lucerne, Switzerland.; Lighthouse Trust Clinic, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malaysia.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Empilweni Services and Research Unit, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of HIV-infected children that have care interruptions, during which the child's health status and use of medication is unknown. DESIGN: We included data on children initiating ART between 2004 and 2016 at less than 16 years old at 16 International Epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS Southern Africa cohorts. Children were classified as loss to follow up (LTFU) if they had not attended clinic for more than 180 days. Children had a care interruption if they were classified as LTFU, and subsequently returned to care. Children who died within 180 days of ART start were excluded. METHODS: The main outcome was all cause mortality. Two exposed groups were considered: those with a first care interruption within the first 6 months on ART, and those with a first care interruption after 6 months on ART. Adjusted hazard ratios were determined using a Cox regression model. RESULTS: Among 53 674 children included, 23 437 (44%) had a care interruption, of which 10 629 (20%) had a first care interruption within 6 months on ART and 12 808 (24%) had a first care interruption after 6 months on ART. Increased mortality was associated with a care interruption within 6 months on ART [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 1.52, 95% CI 1.12-2.04] but not with a care interruption after 6 months on ART (AHR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.77-1.44). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that strengthening retention of children in care in the early period after ART initiation is critical to improving paediatric ART outcomes.
Evaluating a multifaceted implementation strategy and package of evidence-based interventions based on WHO PEN for people living with HIV and cardiometabolic conditions in Lusaka, Zambia: protocol for the TASKPEN hybrid effectiveness-implementation stepped wedge cluster randomized trial.
(2024-Jun-06) Herce ME; Bosomprah S; Masiye F; Mweemba O; Edwards JK; Mandyata C; Siame M; Mwila C; Matenga T; Frimpong C; Mugala A; Mbewe P; Shankalala P; Sichone P; Kasenge B; Chunga L; Adams R; Banda B; Mwamba D; Nachalwe N; Agarwal M; Williams MJ; Tonwe V; Pry JM; Musheke M; Vinikoor M; Mutale W; Institute of Public Health, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.; Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.; Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Ridgeway Campus, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA.; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.; Department of Health Economics, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Ridgeway Campus, Lusaka, Zambia.; Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. michael.herce@cidrz.org.; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia. michael.herce@cidrz.org.; Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
BACKGROUND: Despite increasing morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCD) globally, health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have limited capacity to address these chronic conditions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). There is an urgent need, therefore, to respond to NCDs in SSA, beginning by applying lessons learned from the first global response to any chronic disease-HIV-to tackle the leading cardiometabolic killers of people living with HIV (PLHIV). We have developed a feasible and acceptable package of evidence-based interventions and a multi-faceted implementation strategy, known as "TASKPEN," that has been adapted to the Zambian setting to address hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The TASKPEN multifaceted implementation strategy focuses on reorganizing service delivery for integrated HIV-NCD care and features task-shifting, practice facilitation, and leveraging HIV platforms for NCD care. We propose a hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial to evaluate the effects of TASKPEN on clinical and implementation outcomes, including dual control of HIV and cardiometabolic NCDs, as well as quality of life, intervention reach, and cost-effectiveness. METHODS: The trial will be conducted in 12 urban health facilities in Lusaka, Zambia over a 30-month period. Clinical outcomes will be assessed via surveys with PLHIV accessing routine HIV services, and a prospective cohort of PLHIV with cardiometabolic comorbidities nested within the larger trial. We will also collect data using mixed methods, including in-depth interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions, and structured observations, and estimate cost-effectiveness through time-and-motion studies and other costing methods, to understand implementation outcomes according to Proctor's Outcomes for Implementation Research, the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, and selected dimensions of RE-AIM. DISCUSSION: Findings from this study will be used to make discrete, actionable, and context-specific recommendations in Zambia and the region for integrating cardiometabolic NCD care into national HIV treatment programs. While the TASKPEN study focuses on cardiometabolic NCDs in PLHIV, the multifaceted implementation strategy studied will be relevant to other NCDs and to people without HIV. It is expected that the trial will generate new insights that enable delivery of high-quality integrated HIV-NCD care, which may improve cardiovascular morbidity and viral suppression for PLHIV in SSA. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05950919).
Field performance of the Determine HBsAg point-of-care test for diagnosis of hepatitis B virus co-infection among HIV patients in Zambia.
(2018-Jan) Chisenga CC; Musukuma K; Chilengi R; Zürcher S; Munamunungu V; Siyunda A; Ojok D; Bauer S; Wandeler G; Vinikoor M; Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. Electronic address: caroline.chisenga@cidrz.org.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia; School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia; School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND: We evaluated the field performance of a rapid point-of-care (POC) test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) that could support decentralization and scale-up of hepatitis B virus (HBV) diagnosis in Africa. OBJECTIVE: To determine the field performance of the Determine HBsAg POC test for diagnosis of HBV co-infection among HIV patients in Zambia. STUDY DESIGN: Between 2013-2014, we screened HIV-infected adults for HBsAg at two urban clinics in Zambia. A subset were tested with the POC Determine HBsAg (Alere, USA) by finger prick in the clinic and HBsAg serology (Access2Analyzer, Beckman Coulter) at a reference laboratory. If either test was reactive, we determined HBV viral load (VL) and genotype. We described patient demographic and clinical characteristics (including liver fibrosis) and assessed the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of the Determine test. In secondary analyses, we assessed sensitivity among patients with replicating HBV (i.e., VL>20 IU/ml) and with high HBV VL (i.e.,>20,000IU/ml). RESULTS: Among 412 participants with both HBsAg tests, median age was 34 years, 51% were women, and median CD4 was 208 cells/mm CONCLUSIONS: Determine HBsAg is a cheaper alternative HBV testing option compared to the gold standard ELISA and has high specificity and good sensitivity in the field among HIV-infected individuals.
Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis in Zambian adults is characterized by increased liver stiffness: A nested case-control study.
(2020-Jul) Sinkala E; Vinikoor M; Miyanda Siyunda A; Zyambo K; Besa E; Nsokolo B; Wandeler G; Foster GR; Kelly P; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA.; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.; Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutritional Group, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Cirrhosis commonly complicates portal hypertension worldwide but in Zambia hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) dominates as the cause of portal hypertension. We need easier and non-invasive ways to assess HSS. Transient elastography (TE), a measure of liver stiffness can diagnose liver cirrhosis. TE remains unexplored in HSS patients, who generally have normal liver parenchyma. We aimed to explore liver stiffness in HSS. This nested case control study was conducted at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia between January 2015 and January 2016. We enrolled 48 adults with HSS and 22 healthy controls. We assessed liver stiffness using TE while plasma hyaluronan was used to assess liver fibrosis. Plasma tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14) were used to assess inflammation. The median (interquartile range) liver stiffness was higher in patients, 9.5 kPa (7.8, 12.8) than in controls, 4.7 kPa (4.0, 5.4),
High prevalence of binge drinking among people living with HIV in four African countries.
(2018-Dec) Nouaman MN; Vinikoor M; Seydi M; Ekouevi DK; Coffie PA; Mulenga L; Tanon A; Egger M; Dabis F; Jaquet A; Wandeler G; INSERM U1219 Bordeaux Population Health Research, ISPED, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Département de santé publique, Faculté des Sciences de la santé, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo.; Zambia Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia.; Programme PACCI, CHU de Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.; Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; CHU de Treichville, Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.; University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia.; Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, CRCF, CHU de Fann, Dakar, Sénégal.
INTRODUCTION: Excessive alcohol consumption leads to unfavourable outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV), including reduced adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and engagement into care. However, there is limited information on alcohol consumption patterns among PLHIV in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional approach, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) was administered to PLHIV attending HIV clinics in Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Senegal and Zambia (2013 to 2015). Hazardous drinking was defined as an AUDIT-C score ≥4 for men or ≥3 for women, and binge drinking as ≥6 drinks at least once per month. The prevalence of binge drinking was compared to estimates from the general population using data from the World Health Organization. Factors associated with binge drinking among persons declaring any alcohol use in the past year were assessed using a logistic regression model to estimate odds ratio (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among 1824 PLHIV (median age 39 years, 62.8% female), the prevalence of hazardous alcohol use ranged from 0.9% in Senegal to 38.4% in Zambia. The prevalence of binge drinking ranged from 14.3% among drinkers in Senegal to 81.8% in Zambia, with higher estimates among PLHIV than in the general population. Male sex (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.6 to 3.7), tobacco use (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.9) and living in Zambia were associated with binge drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption patterns varied widely across settings and binge drinking was more frequent in HIV-positive individuals compared to the general population. Interventions to reduce excessive alcohol use are urgently needed to optimize adherence in the era of universal ART.
No Impact of Hepatitis B Virus Infection on Early Mortality Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients in Southern Africa.
(2018-Sep-28) Hector J; Vinikoor M; Chilengi R; Ehmer J; Egger M; Wandeler G; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.; Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.; SolidarMed, Ancuabe, Mozambique.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka.; School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa.; Department of Medicine at University of Alabama, Birmingham.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Propranolol Reduces Portal Vein Diameter in Schistosomal Liver Disease with Portal Hypertension: A Prospective Cohort Study.
(2020-Apr) Sinkala E; Vinikoor M; Zyambo K; Besa E; Nsokolo B; Kelly P; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.; Department of Internal Medicine, Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutritional Group, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.; Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) complicates portal hypertension, leading to life-threatening variceal bleeding. Variceal bleeding is associated with increased portal vein diameter (PVD). Beta-blockers prevent variceal bleeding. It is unclear whether beta-blockers such as propranolol can reduce PVD in HSS. We aimed to explore the effect of propranolol on PVD in HSS. A longitudinal study was conducted at the University Teaching Hospital, Zambia, as an extension of a clinical trial of rifaximin undertaken to test the hypothesis that rifaximin could reduce bacterial translocation in HSS. We randomized 85 adults to either rifaximin and standard care, or propranolol-based standard care only for 42 days. We then followed up all the patients on propranolol up to day 180. We used ultrasound to measure PVD at baseline and day 180. The primary outcome was reduction in PVD. Beta-blockade and splenic size reduction were secondary outcomes. Portal vein diameter reduced after 180 days of propranolol therapy from median 12 mm (interquartile range (IQR): 11-14) to median 10 mm (IQR: 9-13) (
Retention and mortality on antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa: collaborative analyses of HIV treatment programmes.
(2018-Feb) Haas AD; Zaniewski E; Anderegg N; Ford N; Fox MP; Vinikoor M; Dabis F; Nash D; Sinayobye JD; Niyongabo T; Tanon A; Poda A; Adedimeji AA; Edmonds A; Davies MA; Egger M; Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la santé, Université Polytechnique de Bobo-Dioulasso, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, City University of New York, School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.; Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; ISPED, Centre Inserm U1219-Bordeaux Population Health, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.; Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.; Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.; World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland.; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.; Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda.; Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales (SMIT), CHU de Treichville, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.; Centre National de Reference en Matiere de VIH/SIDA (CNR), Bujumbura, Burundi.; School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Institute of Social & Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
INTRODUCTION: By 2020, 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV should receive long-term combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). In sub-Saharan Africa, this target is threatened by loss to follow-up in ART programmes. The proportion of people retained on ART long-term cannot be easily determined, because individuals classified as lost to follow-up, may have self-transferred to another HIV treatment programme, or may have died. We describe retention on ART in sub-Saharan Africa, first based on observed data as recorded in the clinic databases, and second adjusted for undocumented deaths and self-transfers. METHODS: We analysed data from HIV-infected adults and children initiating ART between 2009 and 2014 at a sub-Saharan African HIV treatment programme participating in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA). We used the Kaplan-Meier method to calculate the cumulative incidence of retention on ART and the Aalen-Johansen method to calculate the cumulative incidences of death, loss to follow-up, and stopping ART. We used inverse probability weighting to adjust clinic data for undocumented mortality and self-transfer, based on estimates from a recent systematic review and meta-analysis. RESULTS: We included 505,634 patients: 12,848 (2.5%) from Central Africa, 109,233 (21.6%) from East Africa, 347,343 (68.7%) from Southern Africa and 36,210 (7.2%) from West Africa. In crude analyses of observed clinic data, 52.1% of patients were retained on ART, 41.8% were lost to follow-up and 6.0% had died 5 years after ART initiation. After accounting for undocumented deaths and self-transfers, we estimated that 66.6% of patients were retained on ART, 18.8% had stopped ART and 14.7% had died at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Improving long-term retention on ART will be crucial to attaining the 90% on ART target. Naïve analyses of HIV cohort studies, which do not account for undocumented mortality and self-transfer of patients, may severely underestimate both mortality and retention on ART.
Rifaximin Reduces Markers of Inflammation and Bacterial 16S rRNA in Zambian Adults with Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis: A Randomized Control Trial.
(2018-Apr) Sinkala E; Zyambo K; Besa E; Kaonga P; Nsokolo B; Kayamba V; Vinikoor M; Zulu R; Bwalya M; Foster GR; Kelly P; Paediatric Centre of Excellence Laboratory, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Internal Medicine, Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutritional Group, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.; Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.; Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Cirrhosis is the dominant cause of portal hypertension globally but may be overshadowed by hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) in the tropics. In Zambia, schistosomiasis seroprevalence can reach 88% in endemic areas. Bacterial translocation (BT) drives portal hypertension in cirrhosis contributing to mortality but remains unexplored in HSS. Rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic may reduce BT. We aimed to explore the influence of rifaximin on BT, inflammation, and fibrosis in HSS. In this phase II open-label trial (ISRCTN67590499), 186 patients with HSS in Zambia were evaluated and 85 were randomized to standard care with or without rifaximin for 42 days. Changes in markers of inflammation, BT, and fibrosis were the primary outcomes. BT was measured using plasma 16S rRNA, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and lipopolysaccharide, whereas hyaluronan was used to measure fibrosis. Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14) assessed inflammation. 16S rRNA reduced from baseline (median 146 copies/µL, interquartile range [IQR] 9, 537) to day 42 in the rifaximin group (median 63 copies/µL, IQR 12, 196),
Risk factors for impaired fasting glucose or diabetes among HIV infected patients on ART in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia.
(2017) Shankalala P; Jacobs C; Bosomprah S; Vinikoor M; Katayamoyo P; Michelo C; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.; School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatiscs, University of Zambia, P.O Box 5110, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA.; Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, 5032 Great North Road, Lusaka, Zambia.; Family Health International (fhi360), Plot 2374, Farmers Village, ZNFU Complex, Showground's Area, TiyendePamodzi Road, Off Nangwenya Road, P.O. Box 320303, Lusaka, Zambia.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND: Africa has a high prevalence of both Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) but in Zambia there are few data on co-morbid NCDs like Diabetes Mellitus (DM) among HIV-infected individuals. We aimed to identify risk factors for impaired fasting glucose or diabetes among HIV-infected Zambians on long-term Combined Antiretroviral Treatment (cART). METHODS: This was a cross sectional study of adult HIV patients in five health facilities of Copperbelt Province in Zambia. HIV/AIDS patients aged 18 years and above, enrolled in care at those health facilities and had been on cART for more than 2 years were included. All patients known to have Diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. Participants underwent assessment of random blood sugar levels at enrolment and returned the following morning for fasting glucose measured by glucometers. The primary outcome was proportion with impaired fasting glucose or DM. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine if demographics, time on ART, type of ART regimen, body mass index and baseline CD4 count were predictors of impaired fasting glucose. RESULTS: Overall ( CONCLUSION: We have found high levels of impaired fasting glucose or diabetes among ART patients compared to what is reported in the general population suggesting missed care and support opportunities associated with metabolic imbalance management. There is thus a need to re-package HIV programming to include integration of diabetes screening as part of the overall care and support strategy.
Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma among adults with HIV/HBV co-infection in Zambia: a pilot study.
(2022-Mar) Riebensahm C; Chitundu H; Muula G; Chihota B; Sinkala E; Sunkutu V; Maurer MH; Dufour JF; Berzigotti A; Egger M; Bolton-Moore C; Vinikoor M; Wandeler G; Department for Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Hepatology, Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: carlotta.riebensahm@insel.ch.; Department of Radiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.; Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.; Department of Radiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Hepatology, Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.; Department of Medicine, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the main cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). An HCC screening initiative was piloted in an established cohort of individuals co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HBV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at two outpatient clinics in Lusaka, Zambia. METHODS: All patients underwent abdominal ultrasound (AUS) and transient elastography. RESULTS: Among 279 patients co-infected with HIV/HBV, 165 (59.1%) were men, median age was 34 years [interquartile range (IQR) 28-39 years] and median CD4 count was 246 cells/µL (IQR 112-355 cells/µL) at ART initiation. While 102 (55.7%) individuals had elevated transaminases, 114 (59.7%) had HBV levels >2000 IU/mL and 59 (24.6%) had significant fibrosis. At their first AUS measurement, 75 (26.9%) participants had hepatomegaly and 69 (24.7%) had periportal fibrosis. Five patients had a liver lesion >1 cm, an indication for confirmatory imaging. CONCLUSIONS: In one of the first HCC screening initiatives in SSA, 2% of patients co-infected with HIV/HBV had significant liver lesions, and one-quarter had findings suggestive of schistosomiasis-induced liver damage.
Telemedicine for unhealthy alcohol use in adults living with HIV in Alabama using common elements treatment approach: A hybrid clinical efficacy-implementation trial protocol.
(2023-Jun) Gagnon KW; Levy S; Figge C; Wolford Clevenger C; Murray L; Kane JC; Bosomprah S; Sharma A; Nghiem VTH; Chitambi C; Vinikoor M; Eaton E; Cropsey K; School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.; School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, London, UK.; School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND: Unhealthy alcohol use is an unaddressed barrier to achieving and maintaining control of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Integrated screening, treatment of common behavioral and mental health comorbidities, and telemedicine can improve alcohol treatment and HIV clinical and quality of life outcomes for rural and underserved populations. OBJECTIVE: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, we will evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of telephone-delivered Common Elements Treatment Approach (T-CETA), a transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy protocol, on unhealthy alcohol use, HIV, other substance use and mental health outcomes among predominantly rural adults with HIV receiving care at community clinics in Alabama. METHODS: Adults with HIV receiving care at four selected community clinics in Alabama will receive a telephone-delivered alcohol brief intervention (BI), and then be assigned at random (stratified by clinic and sex) to no further intervention or T-CETA. Participants will be recruited after screening positively for unhealthy alcohol use or when referred by a provider. The target sample size is 308. The primary outcome will be change in the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) at six- and 12-months post-enrollment. Additional outcomes include HIV (retention in care and viral suppression), patient-reported mental health (anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress), and quality of life. A range of implementation measures be evaluated including T-CETA provider and client acceptability, feasibility, cost and cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: This trial will inform alcohol treatment within HIV care programs, including the need to consider comorbidities, and the potential impact of alcohol interventions on HIV and quality of life outcomes.
Temporal Trends in Co-trimoxazole Use Among Children on Antiretroviral Therapy and the Impact of Co-trimoxazole on Mortality Rates in Children Without Severe Immunodeficiency.
(2019-Nov-06) Boettiger DC; Law MG; Sohn AH; Davies MA; Wools-Kaloustian K; Leroy V; Yotebieng M; Vinikoor M; Vreeman R; Amorissani-Folquet M; Edmonds A; Fatti G; Batte J; Renner L; Adedimeji A; Kariminia A; INSERM, Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie et Analyses en Santé Publique (LEASP)-UMR 1027, Toulouse, France.; Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.; Rakai Health Science Program, Uganda.; Department of Paediatrics, Korlebu Hospital, Accra, Ghana.; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa.; College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus.; TREAT Asia/amfAR-Foundation for AIDS Research, Bangkok, Thailand.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka.; Kheth'Impilo AIDS Free Living, Cape Town, South Africa.; Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.; Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.; Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND: Co-trimoxazole is recommended for all children with human immunodeficiency virus. In this analysis, we evaluate trends in pediatric co-trimoxazole use and survival on co-trimoxazole in children using antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS: We used data collected between January 1, 2006, and March 31, 2016, from the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with using co-trimoxazole at ART initiation. Competing risk regression was used to assess factors associated with death. RESULTS: A total of 54113 children were included in this study. The prevalence of co-trimoxazole use at ART initiation increased from 66.5% in 2006 to a peak of 85.6% in 2010 and then declined to 48.5% in 2015-2016. A similar trend was observed among children who started ART with severe immunodeficiency. After adjusting for year of ART initiation, younger age (odds ratio [OR], 1.18 for <1 vs 1 to <5 years of age [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-1.28]), lower height-for-age z score (OR, 1.15 for less than -3 vs greater than -2 [95% CI, 1.08-1.22]), anemia (OR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.02-1.15]), severe immunodeficiency (OR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.18-1.32]), and receiving care in East Africa (OR, 8.97 vs Southern Africa [95% CI, 8.17-9.85]) were associated with a high prevalence of co-trimoxazole use. Survival did not differ according to co-trimoxazole use in children without severe immunodeficiency (hazard ratio, 1.01 for nonusers versus users [95% CI, 0.77-1.34]). CONCLUSIONS: Recent declines in co-trimoxazole use may not be linked to the current shift toward early ART initiation. Randomized trial data might be needed to establish the survival benefit of co-trimoxazole in children without severe immunodeficiency.
Variations in the characteristics and outcomes of children living with HIV following universal ART in sub-Saharan Africa (2006-17): a retrospective cohort study.
(2021-Jun) Iyun V; Technau KG; Vinikoor M; Yotebieng M; Vreeman R; Abuogi L; Desmonde S; Edmonds A; Amorissani-Folquet M; Davies MA; University Hospital of Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.; Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Health Impact Assessment, Western Cape Department of Health, Cape Town, South Africa.; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address: toyiniyun@gmail.com.; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.; Empilweni Service and Research Centre, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.; Department of Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Inserm U1027, Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3, Toulouse, France.; CIDRZ; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
BACKGROUND: The proportion of children living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa has increased greatly since 2006, yet the changes in their demographic characteristics and treatment outcomes have not been well described. We examine the trends in characteristics and outcomes of children living with HIV who were younger than 5 years at ART initiation, and compare outcomes over time and across country income groups. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of data from children living with HIV who were younger than 5 years at ART initiation from 45 paediatric sites in 16 low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). Outcomes were trends in patient characteristics at ART initiation (age, weight, height, and CD4%), and comparisons of mortality and loss to follow-up during ART over time and in various economic settings. We identified risk factors for mortality using Cox proportional hazards models. Each participating region had relevant institutional ethics review board approvals to contribute data to the analysis. FINDINGS: We included 32 221 children living with HIV and initiating ART younger than 5 years between Jan 1, 2006, and Dec 31, 2017. Median age at ART initiation was 20·4 months (IQR 9·4-36·0) in 2006-10, 19·2 months (8·3-33·6) in 2011-13, and 19·2 months (8·8-33·7) in 2014-17. Median age at ART initiation was 13·2 months (IQR 4·7-26·8) in upper-middle-income countries, 22·6 months (13·2-37·5) in lower-middle-income countries and 24·2 months (13·5-39·1) in low-income countries. The proportion of children initiating ART younger than 3 months increased from 770 (5·1%) of 14 943 children in 2006-10 to 728 (10·0%) of 7290 children in 2014-17. The proportion of children initiating ART with severe immunosuppression decreased from 5469 (74·7%) of 7314 children for whom CD4% data were available in 2006-10 to 2353 (55·2%) of 4269 children in 2014-17. Mortality at 24 months on ART decreased from 970 (6·5%) of 14 943 children in 2006-10 to 214 (2·9%) of 7290 children in 2014-17. Loss to follow-up was 20·5% (95% CI 20·1-21·0) overall, and was similar across time periods. In multivariable analysis, lower mortality was observed for more recent ART initiation cohorts (adjusted hazard ratio 0·70, 95% CI 0·63-0·79 for 2011-13; 0·53, 0·45-0·72 for 2014-17 vs 2006-10) and for those residing in an upper-middle-income country (0·42, 0·35-0·49 vs low-income countries). INTERPRETATION: Mortality declined significantly after universal ART recommendations for children younger than 2 years in 2010 and children younger than 5 years in 2013. However, substantial variations persisted across country income groups, and one in five children continue to be lost to follow-up. Targeted interventions are required to improve outcomes of children living with HIV, especially in the poorest countries. FUNDING: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.