scholarly journals Cytokine Network and Sexual Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission in Men Who Have Sex With Men

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. 2655-2662
Author(s):  
Christophe Vanpouille ◽  
Andrew Frick ◽  
Stephen A Rawlings ◽  
Martin Hoenigl ◽  
Andrea Lisco ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Seminal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission from men to their partners remains the main driver of HIV epidemics worldwide. Semen is not merely a carrier of the virus, but also provides an immunological milieu that affects HIV transmission. Methods We collected blood and semen from people with HIV whose epidemiologically linked sexual partners either did or did not acquire HIV. Viral transmission was confirmed by phylogenetic linkage (HIV pol). We measured the concentration of 34 cytokines/chemokines by Luminex in the blood and semen of 21 source partners who transmitted HIV (transmitters) and 22 who did not transmit HIV (nontransmitters) to their sexual partners. Differences between cytokine profiles in transmitters versus nontransmitters were analyzed using the multivariate statistical technique of partial least square discriminant analysis. Results The cytokine profile in seminal fluid, but not in peripheral blood, was significantly different between men who have sex with men (MSM) who transmitted HIV and those who did not transmit HIV to their sexual partners (E = 19.77; P < .01). This difference persisted after excluding people with undetectable HIV RNA levels in nontransmitters. Conclusions Seminal cytokine profiles correlated with transmission or nontransmission of HIV from the infected MSM to their partners, independently from seminal viral load. Seminal cytokine spectra might be a contributing determinant of sexual HIV transmission, thus providing new directions for the development of strategies aimed at preventing HIV transmission.

2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 478-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Hariri ◽  
Matthew T. McKenna

SUMMARY The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic emerged in the early 1980s with HIV infection as a highly lethal disease among men who have sex with men and among frequent recipients of blood product transfusions. Advances in the treatment of HIV infection have resulted in a fundamental shift in its epidemiology, to a potentially chronic and manageable condition. However, challenges in the prevention of this infection remain. In particular, increasing evidence suggests that transmission of drug-resistant virus is becoming more common and that the epidemic is having a profound impact on morbidity and mortality in ethnic and racial minority subgroups in the United States. New population-based data collection systems designed to describe trends in behaviors associated with HIV transmission and better methods for measuring the true incidence of transmission will better elucidate the characteristics of HIV infection in the United States and inform future public health policies.


Author(s):  
Nadine Bachmann ◽  
Katharina Kusejko ◽  
Huyen Nguyen ◽  
Sandra E Chaudron ◽  
Claus Kadelka ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Identifying local outbreaks and their drivers is a key step toward curbing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and potentially achieving HIV elimination. Such outbreaks can be identified as transmission clusters extracted from phylogenetic trees constructed of densely sampled viral sequences. In this study, we combined phylogenetic transmission clusters with extensive data on virological suppression and behavioral risk of cluster members to quantify the drivers of ongoing transmission over 10 years. Methods Using the comprehensive Swiss HIV Cohort Study and its drug-resistance database, we reconstructed phylogenetic trees for each year between 2007 and 2017. We identified HIV transmission clusters dominated by men who have sex with men (MSM) and determined their annual growth. We used Poisson regression to assess if cluster growth was associated with a per-cluster infectivity and behavioral risk score. Results Both infectivity and behavioral risk scores were significantly higher in growing MSM transmission clusters compared to nongrowing clusters (P ≤ .01). The fraction of transmission clusters without infectious members acquiring new infections increased significantly over the study period. The infectivity score was significantly associated with per-capita incidence of MSM transmission clusters in 8 years, while the behavioral risk score was significantly associated with per-capita incidence of MSM transmission clusters in 3 years. Conclusions We present a phylogenetic method to identify hotspots of ongoing transmission among MSM. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment as prevention at the population level. However, the significantly increasing number of new infections among transmission clusters without infectious members highlights a relative shift from diagnosed to undiagnosed individuals as drivers of HIV transmission in Swiss MSM.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huanchang Yan ◽  
Weiyun He ◽  
Liping Huang ◽  
Hao Wu ◽  
Yuanhao Liang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) are vulnerable risk group for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection. However, some MSM do not disclose their same-sex behavior and could impact the transmission and prevention of HIV-1 infection. Here, we evaluated the role of nondisclosed MSM in HIV-1 transmission in Guangzhou, China. Methods The HIV-1 pol sequences were obtained from HIV-infected subjects from 2008 to 2015. A transmission network was constructed using HIV TRAnsmission Cluster Engine (HIV-TRACE) at a pairwise genetic distance of 0.5%. The position of nondisclosed MSM in the network was determined by centrality analysis. Results Nondisclosed MSM were inferred in 9.92% (61 of 615) of slightly older, self-reported non-MSM (P = .006). They were more likely to be married (P = .002) and less educated (P < .001) than the MSM with whom they clustered. Closeness centrality was bigger for nondisclosed MSM than for MSM (P < .001), indicating the central position of nondisclosed MSM in the networks. The average shortest path length was smaller for nondisclosed MSM than for MSM (P < .001), whereas radiality was bigger for nondisclosed MSM than for MSM, suggesting a relatively greater contribution of nondisclosed MSM in transmitting HIV-1 than MSM. Assortativity analysis indicated that nondisclosed MSM were more likely to link each other with coefficient of 0.025. Conclusions Nondisclosed MSM are a specific group, and they play an important role in HIV-1 transmission. They could be bisexual and might increase the risk of HIV-1 infection to their sex partners. Therefore, specific prevention and intervention targeting nondisclosed MSM are urgently needed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (47) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Pharris ◽  
Chantal Quinten ◽  
Lara Tavoschi ◽  
Gianfranco Spiteri ◽  
Andrew J. Amato-Gauci ◽  
...  

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission remains significant in Europe. Rates of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have declined, but not in all countries. New HIV diagnoses have increased among native and foreign-born men who have sex with men. Median CD4+ T-cell count at diagnosis has increased, but not in all groups, and late diagnosis remains common. HIV infection and AIDS can be eliminated in Europe with resolute prevention measures, early diagnosis and access to effective treatment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E Cohn ◽  
Lisa B Haddad ◽  
Anandi N Sheth ◽  
Christina Hayford ◽  
Joan S Chmiel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In 1988, 1 of 3 women (W) and heterosexual men living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reported wanting children, but little is known about parenting desires of men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. We examined parenting desires among persons initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods Of 1809 participants in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) Study 5257, 1425 W aged ≤45 years or men completed questionnaires about parenting desires at baseline and 96 weeks after initiating ART. Self-reported desires for children in the future (yes/unsure vs no) and associations between baseline sociodemographics and parenting desires at 96 weeks were examined using multivariable logistic regression, overall and within subgroups. Results The 1425 participants were as follows: 36% white, 39% black, 22% Hispanic; median age 36 (interquartile range, 28–44); 70% MSM, 13% men reported sex only with W (MSW), 17% W. At baseline, 42% may want children in the future (42% MSM, 37% MSW, 43% W); at 96 weeks, 41% may want children (41% MSM, 37% MSW, 43% W). At follow-up, approximately 10% of responses changed in each direction. In multivariable analyses, education greater than high school, <30 years, and having no children were significantly associated with future parenting desires among all subgroups. Among MSM, being black was associated with desiring children. Conclusions Approximately 40% of MSM, W, and MSW with HIV may want children, both at baseline and 96 weeks after ART initiation. These results highlight the need to regularly assess parenting goals, provide access to comprehensive reproductive services, and address prevention of vertical and heterosexual HIV transmission.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 2905-2916
Author(s):  
Georgia Vourli ◽  
Teymur Noori ◽  
Anastasia Pharris ◽  
Kholoud Porter ◽  
Maria Axelsson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background High uptake of antiretroviral treatment (ART) is essential to reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and related mortality; however, gaps in care exist. We aimed to construct the continuum of HIV care (CoC) in 2016 in 11 European Union (EU) countries, overall and by key population and sex. To estimate progress toward the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 target, we compared 2016 to 2013 estimates for the same countries, representing 73% of the population in the region. Methods A CoC with the following 4 stages was constructed: number of people living with HIV (PLHIV); proportion of PLHIV diagnosed; proportion of those diagnosed who ever initiated ART; and proportion of those ever treated who achieved viral suppression at their last visit. Results We estimated that 87% of PLHIV were diagnosed; 92% of those diagnosed had ever initiated ART; and 91% of those ever on ART, or 73% of all PLHIV, were virally suppressed. Corresponding figures for men having sex with men were: 86%, 93%, 93%, 74%; for people who inject drugs: 94%, 88%, 85%, 70%; and for heterosexuals: 86%, 92%, 91%, 72%. The proportion suppressed of all PLHIV ranged from 59% to 86% across countries. Conclusions The EU is close to the 90-90-90 target and achieved the UNAIDS target of 73% of all PLHIV virally suppressed, significant progress since 2013 when 60% of all PLHIV were virally suppressed. Strengthening of testing programs and treatment support, along with prevention interventions, are needed to achieve HIV epidemic control.


2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna B. Scinto ◽  
Sandeep Gupta ◽  
Swati Thorat ◽  
Muhammad M. Mukhtar ◽  
Anthony Griffiths ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe phase III RV144 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine trial conducted in Thailand remains the only study to show efficacy in decreasing the HIV acquisition risk. In Thailand, circulating recombinant forms of HIV clade A/E (CRF01_AE) predominate; in such viruses,envoriginates from clade E (HIV-E). We constructed a simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) chimera carryingenvisolated from an RV144 placebo recipient in the SHIV-1157ipd3N4 backbone. The latter contains long terminal repeats (LTRs) with duplicated NF-κB sites, thus resembling HIV LTRs. We devised a novel strategy to adapt the parental infectious molecular clone (IMC), R5 SHIV-E1, to rhesus macaques: the simultaneous depletion of B and CD8+cells followed by the intramuscular inoculation of proviral DNA and repeated administrations of cell-free virus. High-level viremia and CD4+T-cell depletion ensued. Passage 3 virus unexpectedly caused acute, irreversible CD4+T-cell loss; the partially adapted SHIV had become dual tropic. Virus and IMCs with exclusive R5 tropism were reisolated from earlier passages, combined, and used to complete adaptation through additional macaques. The final isolate, SHIV-E1p5, remained solely R5 tropic. It had a tier 2 neutralization phenotype, was mucosally transmissible, and was pathogenic. Deep sequencing revealed 99% Env amino acid sequence conservation; X4-only and dual-tropic strains had evolved independently from an early branch of parental SHIV-E1. To conclude, our primate model data reveal that SHIV-E1p5 recapitulates important aspects of HIV transmission and pathobiology in humans.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding the protective principles that lead to a safe, effective vaccine against HIV in nonhuman primate (NHP) models requires test viruses that allow the evaluation of anti-HIV envelope responses. Reduced HIV acquisition risk in RV144 has been linked to nonneutralizing IgG antibodies with a range of effector activities. Definitive experiments to decipher the mechanisms of the partial protection observed in RV144 require passive-immunization studies in NHPs with a relevant test virus. We have generated such a virus by insertingenvfrom an RV144 placebo recipient into a SHIV backbone with HIV-like LTRs. The final SHIV-E1p5 isolate, grown in rhesus monkey peripheral blood mononuclear cells, was mucosally transmissible and pathogenic. Earlier SHIV-E passages showed a coreceptor switch, again mimicking HIV biology in humans. Thus, our series of SHIV-E strains mirrors HIV transmission and disease progression in humans. SHIV-E1p5 represents a biologically relevant tool to assess prevention strategies.


2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (21) ◽  
pp. 10523-10526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Pöhlmann ◽  
George J. Leslie ◽  
Terri G. Edwards ◽  
Todd Macfarlan ◽  
Jacqueline D. Reeves ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The C-type lectins DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR capture and transfer human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to susceptible cells, although the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here we show that DC-SIGN/DC-SIGNR-mediated HIV transmission involves dissociable binding and transfer steps, indicating that efficient virus transmission is not simply due to tethering of virus to the cell surface.


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