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Antivir Ther 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, Lyon, France.

Background: A link between HBV and PLK1 was clearly evidenced in HBV-driven carcinogenesis, and we have also recently shown that PLK1 is a proviral factor in the early phases of HBV infection. Moreover, we have shown that BI-2536, a small molecule PLK1 inhibitor, was very efficient at inhibiting HBV DNA neosynthesis, notably by affecting nucleocapsid assembly as a result of the modulation of HBc phosphorylation. Yet, as small molecule kinase inhibitors often feature poor selectivity, a more specific and safer strategy to target PLK1 would be needed for a potential development against chronic HBV infections. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Central Theater of the PLA, Wuhan, China.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was discovered in 2019 in Wuhan, China, no standard therapy guideline has been set despite the severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its high infectivity. The globally pandemic outbreak suggests that COVID-19 was highly infectious and difficult to control. A dual-combination of ribavirin and interferon-α has been the widely used regimen for the treatment of this disease in China. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, China.

Background: Hair antiretroviral concentration has served as an innovative and objective measure of antiretroviral adherence. However, some factors (e.g. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Clinical Virology, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA.

Background: Vesatolimod (VES; GS-9620) is a Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist that directly activates human pDCs and B lymphocytes resulting in direct and indirect production of cytokines and immune activation. VES is being evaluated in HIV-1 infected people as part of an HIV remission strategy. Here we investigated the potential of VES to trigger indirect activation of HIV-specific CD8 T cells using immune cell cultures derived from HIV+ donors. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 May 5. Epub 2020 May 5.

The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.

Background: This study investigated survival in people living with HIV being followed-up from five and ten years after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in a multi-country Asian cohort.

Methods: We included patients in follow-up >5 years after ART initiation. Factors associated with mortality beyond five and ten years on ART were analysed using competing risk regression with time-updated variables. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 May 5. Epub 2020 May 5.

Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Background: Daclatasvir has potent antiviral activity against HCV infection when used in combination with sofosbuvir, however, its pharmacokinetics have not been described in adolescents. The aim is to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters for daclatasvir in adolescents, and to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model.

Methods: Seventeen adolescent patients with genotype 4 chronic HCV infection received once daily oral daclatasvir 60 mg in combination with 400 mg sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 May 4. Epub 2020 May 4.

Department of Gastroenterology, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey.

Background: There are limited data about the mortality and morbidity of patients with HBV flare related to immunosuppressive treatments (IST) in the third-generation antivirals era. Herein, we performed a multi-centric study in patients treated with entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and evaluated their clinical course.

Methods: The study group included patients who were consulted to Gastroenterology or Infectious disease specialists at eight different hospitals in Turkey. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Apr 28. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Department of Pharmacy Practice and Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Background: Pharmacokinetic (PK) changes can affect antiretroviral (ARV) systemic exposure for critically ill patients living with HIV (CI-PLWH). Studies to guide ARV adjustments in this population are limited.

Methods: A PK analysis was conducted in a 44-year-old CI-PLWH who presented for a heart and lung transplant on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO). Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Apr 27. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Ramon y Cajal and Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.

Background: Cofactors associated with persistently abnormal CD4+:CD8+ T-cell ratio in people with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) might change over time as the population of people with HIV ages or as new ART drugs become available. The main objective of our study was to determine the long-term associations of baseline factors, including the CD4+ count and ratio, with ratio normalization (≥1). In addition to this, we explored whether the ratio remained associated with the risk of both AIDS and non-AIDS events among individuals on suppressive ART. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Apr 21. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Infectious Diseases Unit, AORN Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano, Caserta, Italy.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate in HIV-infected patients treated with a direct acting antiviral agent (DAA)-based regimen the variables associated with SVR and the trend in biochemical parameters and clinical events during and after DAA regimen.

Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study, enrolling all 243 HIV/HCV coinfected adult patients treated with DAAs between January 2015 and December 2018 in one of the nine participating Infectious Disease Centers in southern Italy, 8 in Campania and 1 in Apulia.

Results: Of the 243 patients enrolled, 233 (95. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Apr 16. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Microbiology Unit, Laboratory of Virology, St. Orsola Polyclinic, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major complication in immunocompromised patients, including those with autoimmune diseases. Here, we describe the first case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis treated with steroids and cyclophosphamide, complicated by a multidrug-resistant (MDR) CMV infection in presence of weak antiviral cellular immunity. Since reports regarding CMV infection in rheumatological patients are rarely described and no guidelines on its management exist, the described case contributes to identify potential strategies to predict the risk of CMV disease and developing of MDR-CMV in these patients, through virological and immunological surveillance. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Apr 3. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

Background: In patients treated for HCV infection, potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can occur among direct acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) and comedications used. The real life effectiveness and safety of elbasvir/grazoprevir (ELB/GZR) among co-medicated HCV patients were evaluated.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated consecutive patients from 15 clinical centers participating in PITER who were treated with ELB/GZR and had been followed for at least 12 weeks after treatment. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Apr 1. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

ICH Study Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.

Background: Neuropsychiatric AEs (NPAEs) leading to dolutegravir (DTG) discontinuation were seen more frequently in real-world use than in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The recently approved fixed-dose combination bictegravir plus emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/F/TAF) has shown comparable NPAE rates but some favourable patient-reported outcomes in RCTs compared with DTG. We were interested in its neuropsychiatric tolerability in clinical practice. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Apr 1. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: People living with HIV who were diagnosed before highly active antiretroviral therapy became available in 1996 and who survived at least 15 years after HIV diagnosis, termed long-term survivors (LTS), form a particularly vulnerable population. We study social, clinical and mental factors of LTS in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, with a particular focus on people who inject drugs (PWID).

Methods: We quantified differences between PWID LTS, and men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual (HET) LTS. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Mar 23. Epub 2020 Mar 23.

MRC-Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, London, UK.

Background: Protease inhibitors (PI) have relatively low penetration into the genital tract, raising concerns about the potential for genital HIV-RNA shedding in patients taking PI-based regimens, particularly PI monotherapy (PImono).

Methods: We measured HIV-RNA and PI drug concentrations in samples of semen; cervico-vaginal and rectal mucosa secretions; and plasma in patients after 48-96 weeks on PImono or standard triple therapy.

Results: A total of 85 participants were recruited. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(8):595-601

US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.

Background: Across sub-Saharan Africa, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) have disproportionately poor HIV treatment outcomes. Stigma and criminalization create barriers to health-care engagement and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), potentially promoting the development of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR). We evaluated transmitted, pre-treatment and acquired HIVDR among MSM and TGW in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Mar 2. Epub 2020 Mar 2.

Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.

Background: An increase in pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) to first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low-income countries has been recently described. Herein we analyse the prevalence of PDR and risk of virological failure (VF) over time among migrants to Italy enrolled in ARCA.

Methods: HIV-1 sequences from ART-naive patients of non-Italian nationality were retrieved from ARCA database from 1998 to 2017. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(8):589-593

Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.

Background: Due to the limitations of current antiviral therapies because of drug resistance and the emergence of new circulating viral strains, novel effective antivirals are urgently needed. Results of the previous drug repurposing by virtual screening of DrugBank revealed the anticholinergic drug cycrimine as a possible inhibitor of the influenza virus infection.

Methods: In this study we examined the potential antiviral activity of cycrimine in vitro. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Feb 20. Epub 2020 Feb 20.

Division of Infectious Diseases, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Background: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (CRD#42017070552) to quantify the impact of oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) on bone mineral density (BMD) and the risk of osteoporosis, low bone mass and fractures, among people taking it as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV treatment and HBV treatment.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for randomized controlled trials published from 1997-2018 reporting BMD, osteoporosis, low bone mass and/or fractures in treatment-naive patients taking compared with not taking TDF for 48 ±4 weeks. We pooled outcomes using DerSimonian random-effects models. Read More

Antivir Ther 2020 Feb 12. Epub 2020 Feb 12.

Department of Infectious Diseases Center, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Background: Telbivudine (LdT) and tenofovir (TDF) are widely used in pregnant women to prevent vertical transmission; however, limited data are available on the differences in clinical efficacy and safety between the two drugs.

Methods: A total of 307 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive pregnant women with complete follow-up data were enrolled, the patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels <1×ULN at baseline were enrolled to cohort 1 for treatment from 28 ±4 weeks gestation to delivery, while ALT levels >1×ULN at baseline were enrolled to cohort 2 for treatment from 28 ±4 weeks gestation and continued after delivery. The clinical efficacy and safety was compared in LdT- and TDF-treated patients. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(8):581-587

Research Center in Infectious Diseases of the CHUQ-CHUL and Laval University, Québec City, QC, Canada.

Background: Neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (NAIs), including oseltamivir and zanamivir, play an important therapeutic role against influenza infections in immunocompromised patients. In such settings, however, NAI therapy may lead to the emergence of resistance involving mutations within the influenza surface genes. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of NA and haemagglutinin (HA) genes of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in an immunocompromised patient receiving oseltamivir then zanamivir therapies. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(8):557-566

Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA, USA.

Background: Cobicistat (COBI), a CYP3A inhibitor, is a pharmacokinetic enhancer that increases exposures of the HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) atazanavir (ATV) and darunavir (DRV). The potential drug interaction between COBI-boosted PIs and hormonal contraceptives, which are substrates of intestinal efflux transporters and extensively metabolized by CYP enzymes, glucuronidation and sulfation, was evaluated.

Methods: This was a Phase I, open-label, two cohort (n=18/cohort), fixed-sequence study in healthy females that evaluated the drug-drug interaction (DDI) between multiple-dose ATV+COBI or DRV+COBI and single-dose drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol (EE). Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(7):529-540

Department of Internal Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), the oral prodrug of tenofovir (TFV), is advocated in pregnancy for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMCT) with failure of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and vaccination. The pharmacokinetics of TDF monotherapy for PMCT-HBV is important if deployment is to emulate the success of multiple antiretrovirals (ARVs) for PMCT-HIV in resource-constrained settings.

Methods: This systematic review followed a protocol and is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA) guidelines. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(7):541-552

APHP, Université Paris-Saclay, Univ. Paris-Sud, UVSQ, CESP INSERM U1018, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.

Background: In Western countries, viral rebound on antiretroviral therapy (ART) appears to occur more frequently in migrants. We aimed to assess the respective roles of socioeconomic factors and migration on viral rebound in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in France.

Methods: We included PLHIV in France, enrolled from 2004 to 2008 in the French ANRS-COPANA cohort, who started a first ART and achieved undetectability (<50 copies/ml) within 1 year. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(8):567-579

Divisão de Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia Clínica do Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Departamento de Gastroenterologia da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment adherence has been poorly studied worldwide. We evaluated long-term virological and adherence outcomes to antiviral treatment in CHB patients.

Methods: A prospective 183 Brazilian CHB patient cohort treated with monotherapy or combination adefovir dipivoxil, entecavir, lamivudine and/or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate was studied in a reference tertiary centre. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(7):505-512

Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is underdiagnosed and undertreated, especially among people living with HIV (PLWH). Recently, there has been an increased interest in the role of vitamin D in cardiovascular disease (CVD). While vitamin D deficiency has been associated with CVD in observational studies in the general population, there are limited data in PLWH. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(Suppl 1):A1-A112

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(6):459-465

Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Jackson, MS, USA.

Background: The purpose of this review is to critically analyse data regarding the prevalence and risk factors for developing a prolonged QTc interval and subsequent sudden cardiac death (SCD) in persons living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods: A systematic literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed using the following search terms: 'HIV and prolonged QTc' and 'managing HIV-patients with prolonged QTc'. References within articles of interest were also evaluated. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(7):521-528

Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.

Background: HBV and HIV infections are highly endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria while HBV-HIV coinfection is not uncommon. Antiretroviral (ART)-treatment for HIV can affect HBV whereby antiviral resistance mutations in the HBV genome can be selected. Here, we determined the prevalence of resistance mutations among ART-experienced and ART-naive HIV-HBV-coinfected patients in southwestern Nigeria. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(7):473-483

Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

Background: This 5-year follow-up of the CCgenos cross-sectional study aimed to observe real-life outcomes in a cohort of 997 Han Chinese patients with chronic HCV infection and to explore the impacts of HCV genotype, patient characteristics and treatment status.

Methods: Clinical information and centralized HCV RNA measures were collected every 6/3 months for untreated/treated patients. Overall disease progression was defined as ≥1 of: de novo development of cirrhosis, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score increased by ≥2 points (if cirrhosis at baseline), progression to decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver transplant or death. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(7):513-519

Denver Public Health, Denver, CO, USA.

Background: The use of dual antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens for treatment of HIV is increasing. The contemporary combination of boosted darunavir with dolutegravir has not been widely studied.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that evaluated treatment-experienced individuals within three large urban clinics prescribed boosted darunavir with dolutegravir (study regimen) dual therapy. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 Sep 20. Epub 2019 Sep 20.

Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia e de Neurologia/Neurociências, Campus do Valonguinho, Niterói, Brazil.

Background: Bovine herpesvirus type 5 is an important agent of meningoencephalitis in cattle and has been identified in outbreaks of bovine's neurological disease in several Brazilian States. In recent years, oxoquinoline derivatives have become an important focus in antiviral drug research.

Methods: The cytotoxicity and anti BoHV-5RJ42/01 activity of a set of synthetic 4-oxoquinoline derivatives 4a-k were assayed on Madin Darbin Bovine Kidney cell and antiviral activity by plaque reduction assay. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(8):603-607

Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.

We report the first two paediatric cases of sofosbuvir treatment during high-intensity myeloablative conditioning and engraftment phases of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These reports highlight the safety of sofosbuvir during all phases of transplantation and the lack of interaction between sofosbuvir and alkylating or immunosuppressive agents. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(6):393-404

ViiV Healthcare, Brentford, UK.

Background: Pretreatment and acquired drug resistance mutations (DRMs) can limit antiretroviral therapy effectiveness.

Methods: We review prevalence of DRMs with resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), focusing on lamivudine and rilpivirine, from 127 articles with >100,000 individuals with HIV-1 infection.

Results: Estimated global prevalence of pretreatment resistance to any NRTI was 4% and to any NNRTI was 6%. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(7):553-555

Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Turin, Italy.

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(6):443-450

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

Background: Doravirine (DOR) is a novel non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor available as a single tablet and a three-drug combination with lamivudine (3TC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) to treat HIV-1 infection. These analyses assessed pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions with coadministration.

Methods: Two trials were conducted. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(4):451-457

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.

Background: While acute changes in hepatic fibrosis are recognized shortly after achieving sustained virological response (SVR) using direct-acting antiviral therapies, long-term outcomes for the growing population of successfully treated patients with HCV remain uncertain. The aim of this study is to characterize long-term changes in fibrosis following SVR in patients with and without HIV and to identify potential factors associated with progression or regression of fibrosis.

Methods: We completed a prospective longitudinal study of 162 subjects with HCV (34% HIV-coinfected) with pre-treatment fibrosis stage determined by liver biopsy and post-SVR transient elastography. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(6):425-435

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

Background: The safety and efficacy of doravirine were compared with that of efavirenz as initial treatment of adults living with HIV-1 infection (NCT01632345).

Methods: A Phase IIb double-blind trial with participants stratified by screening HIV-1 RNA (≤ or >100,000 copies/ml) and randomized 1:1:1:1:1 to receive once-daily doravirine (25, 50, 100 or 200 mg) or efavirenz 600 mg (Part I) for up to 96 weeks, with open-label tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg (TDF/FTC). After dose selection at week 24, doravirine 100 mg was provided to participants receiving the other doses of doravirine and additional participants were randomized 1:1 to receive once-daily doravirine 100 mg or efavirenz 600 mg for 96 weeks with TDF/FTC (Part II). Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(3):235

The Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russian Federation.

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(6):405-416

Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Background: The aims of this study were to describe antiviral drug (AD) utilization and costs in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients in the hospital and calculated annual proportions of AD utilization and costs among patients. A two-part model was used to estimate adjusted odds ratio (OR) for antiviral therapy and cost ratios for antiviral costs associated with demographics. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(6):437-442

Department of Internal Medicine 1, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Background: Patients with chronic HCV infection are at increased risk of developing B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). Regression of HCV-associated B-NHL (HCV-NHL) can be achieved through HCV eradication using interferon (IFN). However, only about two-thirds of patients with sustained virological response (SVR) also had a consecutive lymphoma response. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(7):495-503

Divisions of Pulmonology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: Influenza virus infections in lung transplant recipients (LTRs) have an increased risk of unfavourable outcomes. Early initiation of treatment is associated with improved outcomes. In clinical practice, empirical oseltamivir treatment is therefore commonly started prior to diagnostic microbiological confirmation. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(6):467-471

Department of Infectious Diseases, Ramon y Cajal Hospital, Madrid, Spain.

Background: Dual therapies decrease toxicity, pill-burden and treatment-associated cost. The combination of high genetic barrier drugs such as dolutegravir plus boosted-darunavir may be suitable as simplification regimen for patients harbouring multidrug-resistant virus.

Methods: Patients switched to a once-daily regimen consisting of dolutegravir plus darunavir, boosted with cobicistat or ritonavir, were included in this cohort study. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(6):389-391

Deparment of Pharmacy, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences (RIHS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(6):417-423

Department of Virology, National Reference Center for Viral Hepatitis B, C and Delta, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France.

Background: International liver society guidelines recommended to perform HCV resistance testing at baseline of first-line therapy with certain combination regimens or prior to retreatment in patients previously exposed to a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) containing regimen. Currently, no standardized assays have been developed as purchasable kits for HCV resistance testing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Sentosa SQ HCV Genotyping Assay, a novel deep sequencing-based assay, to identify resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in the NS3 protease, NS5A protein domain I and NS5B polymerase regions for patients infected with HCV genotypes-1a and 1b. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 May 16. Epub 2019 May 16.

Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil.

Background: Infection by herpes simplex type-1 virus (HSV-1) causes several pathological processes, including cutaneous, oral and genital infections, fatal encephalitis and cognitive dysfunction due to grey matter loss. Acyclovir is the reference compound used as HSV-1 antiviral therapy. However, with the emergence of HSV-resistant strains to current antiviral drugs, development of new antiviral agents with distinct modes of action is urgently needed. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(5):355-362

Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.

Background: Vitamin D (VitD) and calcium (Ca) supplementation attenuates antiretroviral therapy (ART)-associated bone loss, but it is unclear whether this effect is mediated through immunomodulation.

Methods: In this exploratory analysis of A5280, a 48-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of VitD/Ca supplementation with ART initiation, we characterized lymphocyte phenotypes and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) expression by median fluorescence intensity (MFI) at baseline and 48 weeks. Changes were evaluated within and between treatment groups by Wilcoxon signed rank and rank sum tests, respectively. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(4):281-290

Storr Liver Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized HCV treatment, but the impact of antiviral resistance at a population level is still not clear. The majority of patients who fail DAA therapy develop resistance-associated substitutions (RASs), which can impact re-treatment. There is potential for resistance prevalence to rise in the community with treatment scale up, due to transmission of resistant virus. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(4):309-312

Institut de virologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is less susceptible than herpes simplex virus to acyclovir. The optimal acyclovir regimen during VZV encephalitis remains unknown. We report two cases of acute renal failure after an increase in acyclovir dosage from 10 mg to 15 mg/kg/8 h during the treatment of VZV encephalitis according to French guidelines. Read More

Antivir Ther 2019 ;24(2):151

Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.