Causes and Outcomes of Admission and Investigation of Tuberculosis in Adults with Advanced HIV in South African Hospitals: Data from the TB Fast Track Trial

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of hospitalization and in-hospital mortality in HIV-positive adults. Using data from hospital and clinic files, research databases, and autopsy, we describe causes and outcomes of admissions, and assess investigations for TB among adults with advanced HIV who were hospitalized after enrollment into the TB Fast Track trial in South Africa (2013–2015). A total of 251 adults [median CD4 count, 37.5 cells/μL; interquartile range, 14–68 cells/µL; 152 (60.6%) on antiretroviral therapy] experienced 304 admissions. Ninety-five of 251 of the first admissions (37.8%) were TB related; the next most common causes were AIDS-related illnesses (41 of 251, 16.3%) and surgical causes (21 of 251, 8.4%). Of those admitted with previously undiagnosed TB, 60% had CD4 counts less than 50 cells/µL. Overall, 137 of 251 individuals (54.6%) died in the hospital or within 90 days of their first discharge. Case fatality rates were particularly high for those admitted with TB (66%) and bacterial infections (80%). In 144 admissions for whom anti-TB treatment had not been started before admission, a sputum-based TB investigation was recorded in only 12 of 57 admissions (21.1%) in whom one or more TB symptom was recorded (24 of 57 started on treatment), and 6 of 87 admissions (6.9%) in whom no TB symptoms were recorded (14 of 87 started on treatment). Hospitalized adults with advanced HIV are at high risk of death. TB was a common cause of hospitalization but was under-investigated, even in those with symptoms. In addition to early identification of TB and other AIDS-related illnesses during hospitalization of adults with advanced HIV, improved pre-hospital management strategies are needed to interrupt disease progression and reduce poor outcomes in this already vulnerable population.

Intestinal Colonization with Tropheryma whipplei—Clinical and Immunological Implications for HIV Positive Adults in Ghana

Background: Recent studies demonstrated higher prevalence rates of Tropheryma whipplei (T. whipplei) in HIV positive than in HIV negative subjects. However, associations with the immune status in HIV positive participants were conflicting. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, stool samples of 906 HIV positive and 98 HIV negative individuals in Ghana were tested for T. whipplei. Additionally, sociodemographic parameters, clinical symptoms, medical drug intake, and laboratory parameters were assessed. Results: The prevalence of T. whipplei was 5.85% in HIV positive and 2.04% in HIV negative participants. Within the group of HIV positive participants, the prevalence reached 7.18% in patients without co-trimoxazole prophylaxis, 10.26% in subjects with ART intake, and 12.31% in obese participants. Frequencies of clinical symptoms were not found to be higher in HIV positive T. whipplei carriers compared to T. whipplei negative participants. Markers of immune activation were lower in patients colonized with T. whipplei. Multivariate regression models demonstrated an independent relationship of a high CD4+ T cell count, a low HIV-1 viral load, and an obese body weight with the presence of T. whipplei. Conclusions: Among HIV positive individuals, T. whipplei colonization was associated with a better immune status but not with clinical consequences. Our data suggest that the withdrawal of co-trimoxazole chemoprophylaxis among people living with HIV on stable cART regimen may inadvertently increase the propensity towards colonization with T. whipplei.

Effect of suicidality on clinical and behavioural outcomes in HIV positive adults in Uganda

Introduction Suicidality is a risk of a person committing suicide often characterized by suicidal ideation, intent or attempts. Despite the high burden of suicidality among individuals living with HIV and HAIDS, there is paucity of data on the impact of suicidality on clinical (such as CD4 counts and HIV disease progression) and behavioural outcomes (such as adherence to HIV Medications). Cross-sectional investigations of these associations are often complicated by bidirectional causal relationships and hence the need for longitudinal study designs. We conducted a cohort study to determine the impact of suicidality on clinical and behavioural outcomes among adults living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Materials and methods We conducted the study among 1099 ART naïve adults living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Data were collected at three time points: baseline, 6 and 12 months. Multiple regression and discrete time survival models were used to determine the relationship between suicidality and indices of HIV outcomes. Results Majority of the participants were female and the participant mean age was 35 years. Most of them (73%) had primary or no formal education. The proportion of participants with suicidality decreased from 2.9% at baseline to roughly 1% both at month 6 and month 12. Of the investigated clinical and behavioural outcomes, baseline suicidality only had a negative impact on missing a dose of ART where the odds of missing a dose of ART were 8.25 (95% CI 2.45–27.71, p>0.01) times higher for participants with suicidality compared to those without suicidality. The following outcomes were not significantly impacted by baseline suicidality: HIV clinical stage, CD4 count and risky sexual behaviour. Conclusions The fact that baseline suicidality significantly negatively impacted ART adherence calls for the incorporation of psychosocial interventions to target indices of psychological distress such as suicidality to improve HIV related outcomes.

Assessment of Casual Relations, Direct and Indirect Effects of Latent Covariates On CD4 Cell Count Change Among HIV Positive Adults

Background: The use of structural equation modelling and latent variables remains unusual in epidemiology despite its potential usefulness and assessment of casual relations. Measuring direct and indirect effect of latent variables helps for proper intervention and for the ART program to be effective. The main objective of current investigation was to assess casual relations, direct and indirect effect of latent covariates on CD4 cell count change for HIV positive adults under HAART. Methods: Based on the repeated measures of CD4 cell count change data obtained in ART section at Felege Hiwot Teaching and Specialized hospital, AMOS software was employed parameter estimation. The data was conducted on 792 randomly selected HIV positive adults. The data was collected by the health staff for sake of delivering medication adherence. Results: CD4 cell count change was directly and indirectly affected by the latent variables. The powers of effects of observed variables with and without latent variables were a little bit different from each other. Hence, the power effect of observed variables with latent variables was lower as compared to without latent variables. The direct effect of latent variables on the response variable was a little bit greater than indirect effect. Conclusion: The power of effects of observed variables were stronger than their effects with latent variables. Hence, the latent variables had significant contributions for progress of CD4 cell count change. Health related education about the direct and indirect effect of latent variables should be given for patients under HAART.

Predictors of recovery rate among undernourished HIV-positive adults treated with ready-to-use therapeutic food at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A retrospective cohort study

Background Nutritional support is becoming more widely acknowledged as a crucial component of the key package of care for HIV/AIDS patients. This nutritional support is exceptionally important for patients in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, where HIV/AIDS is very prevalent. However, there is a lack of evidence on the recovery rate and predictors at the study site and at large in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study will give some insight into the recovery rate and its predictors among under-nourished HIV-positive adults treated with Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) attending at Debre Markos referral hospital. Moreover, the findings of this study will be used by both governmental and non-governmental organizations to allocate more resources to mitigate the nutritional problems for people living with HIV. Methods An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 453 under-nourished HIV positive adults treated with RUTF at Debre Markos referral Hospital from the 1st of July, 2015 to the 31st of December, 2017. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were extracted from patient charts using a standardized data extraction checklist. Data were entered into Epi-Data Version 4.2 and analyzed using Stata Version 14. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to estimate the time to recovery. Log-rank test was used to compare the recovery time between different baseline categorical variables. The bivariable and multivariable Cox-proportional hazard regression models were fitted for potential predictors of recovery time. Adjusted hazard Ratios (AHRs) with 95% CIs were used to measure the strength of association and test statistical significance. Results A total of 453 undernourished HIV-positive adults were included in the final analysis. About 201, 44.4% (95%CI: 38.9, 49.0%) patients participating in the RUTF program were recovered based on predetermined exit criteria with incidence of 10.65 (95% CI: 9.28, 12.23) per 100 person-month observations. Being moderately undernourished (AHR: 11.0, 95% CI: 5.3, 23.1), WHO clinical stage (I or II) (AHR:1.8, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.6), and working functional status at baseline (AHR = 2.34, 95%CI: 1.01,5.45) were predictors of recovery time. Conclusion This study concluded that the overall nutritional recovery rate was below the acceptable minimum requirement which at least 75% of patients should recovered. Mild to moderate undernutrition at baseline, WHO clinical stage I or II at enrolment, and working functional status were found to be predictors of recovery time in HIV/AIDS patients treated with the RUTF. As a result, special attention should be paid to severely malnourished patients, WHO clinical stages III or higher, and patients who are bedridden or ambulatory during treatment.

Decrease in late presentation for HIV care in Kinshasa, DRC, 2006–2020

Introduction Late presentation for HIV care is a well-described issue for the success of ART outcomes and the cause of higher morbidity, mortality and further transmission. Monitoring the level of late presentation and understanding the factors associated with it would help to tailor screening and information strategies for better efficiency. We performed a retrospective cohort study in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC. The studied population included HIV-positive adults newly enrolled in HIV care between January 2006 and June 2020 at 25 HIV urban care facilities. Patient information collected at presentation for HIV care included age, sex, WHO clinical stage and screening context. We used 2 definitions of late presentation: the WHO definition of advanced HIV disease (WHO stage 3/4 or CD4 cell count < 200 cells/mm3) and a more inclusive definition (WHO stage 3/4 or CD4 cell count < 350 cells/mm3). Results A total of 10,137 HIV-infected individuals were included in the analysis. The median age was 40 years; 68% were female. A total of 45.9% or 47.5% of the patients were late presenters, depending on the definition used. The percentage of patients with late presentation (defined as WHO stage 3/4 or CD4 cell count < 350 cells/mm3) decreased during recent years, from 70.7% in 2013 to 46.5% in 2017 and 23.4% in 2020. Age was associated with a significantly higher risk of LP (p < 0.0001). We did not observe any impact of sex. Conclusions The frequency of late presentation for care is decreasing in Kinshasa, DRC. Efforts have to be continued. In particular, the issue of late diagnosis in older individuals should be addressed.