28 FEBRUARY 2020 VOLUME 22 ISSUE 8

Media Coverage

• The US Government Removed Condom Images From HIV-Awareness Fliers

  The Department of Health and Human Services stripped from a government website HIV/AIDS educational material that featured condoms, calling the images “unapproved,” according to official correspondence obtained by Kaiser Health News.

  February 28, 2020

  Male and Female Condoms

  VICE

• Needle Exchange Helped NZ Avoid High Rates of HIV

  The introduction of New Zealand's world-first needle exchange programme 30 years ago has helped this country avoid the high rates of HIV found overseas, a study has concluded.

  February 27, 2020

  General

  RNZ

• White House Names AIDS Expert Debbie Birx To Help Lead Coronavirus Response

  The White House sought to show it was shoring up its efforts to corral the spread of coronavirus on Thursday, naming an internationally recognized HIV/AIDS expert as its new coronavirus response coordinator.

  February 27, 2020

  General

  NPR

• Lowering the Cost of HIV Prevention Medication Is Essential to Ending the HIV Epidemic

  Some of my patients call them "Skittles." They're small ovaloid morsels that evoke a particular sweetness and pleasure. And they have been a boon in the sex-positive movement in the queer community that has arisen to rival the privilege of relatively worry-free heterosexual sex. Skittles, of course, refers to Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil & emtricitabine), the first FDA-approved medication and currently the only CDC-recommended medication for use in HIV prevention, or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

  February 27, 2020

  PrEP

  Philadelphia Gay News

• HIV Vaccine Regimen Does Not Show Efficacy in the HVTN 702 Trial in South Africa

  On Monday February 3rd it was announced that HVTN 702, a large-scale HIV vaccine efficacy trial taking place in South Africa, had found no evidence of protection against HIV acquisition. The information emerged from a pre-planned review of interim results conducted by the trial’s Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), which revealed roughly equal numbers of HIV infections among vaccine and placebo (dummy vaccine) recipients. There were no indications that the vaccine regimen had caused harm.

  February 26, 2020

  HIV Vaccine

  TAG HIV Basic Science, Vaccines, and Cure Project Blog

• Will the Newest Pill for HIV Prevention Fuel Progress — Or Profits?

  Four decades after the HIV epidemic began, there’s finally hope it might end. Indeed, “Getting to Zero” — meaning zero new HIV infections — is a slogan used by the World Health Organization and others in fighting the epidemic.

  February 26, 2020

  PrEP

  STAT News

• ‘A Completely New Culture of Doing Research.’ Coronavirus Outbreak Changes How Scientists Communicate

  On 22 January, Dave O’Connor and Tom Friedrich invited several dozen colleagues around the United States to join a new workspace on the instant messaging platform Slack. The scientists, both at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, had seen news about a new disease emerging in China and realized researchers would need a primate model if they were going to answer some important questions about its biology.

  February 26, 2020

  General

  Science

• How Telehealth Platforms Make It Easy to Get PrEP

  HIV health care professionals and advocates have been struggling with how to reach the populations that could most benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and, when and if these patients access it, help them take their medication daily. A variety of new mobile-friendly online portals and apps are taking on two of the biggest barriers to getting people on PrEP: the lack of doctors who are willing to prescribe it, and the perceived—and often real—difficulties in obtaining it.

  February 26, 2020

  PrEP

  The Body

• HIV Vaccine Trial Failure Is a “Wake Up Call” for Southern Africa, Say Researchers

  “We have an answer – the regimen simply didn’t work. It feels really grim, though, today.” This was the immediate and heartfelt reaction of one of the principal investigators of the first large-scale HIV efficacy vaccine trial to be launched for nine years – only one of three such 'phase III' trials in the last decade – when I emailed her on 3 February. That was the day it was announced that the HVTN 702 (Uhambo) trial would close, as the experimental vaccine had no efficacy.

  February 24, 2020

  HIV Vaccine

  aidsmap

• If I Can Be Protected Against HIV, Others Should Be Too

  “May you of a better future, love without a care,” wrote the artist and film-maker Derek Jarman in his final year. It’s a line that returned to me last month as I rode the Eurostar back to London with my colleagues, Marc and Phil. After meetings with sexual health activists from across Belgium, Marc took out the pill-holder he keeps in his pocket when he travels, and swallowed the medication he takes every day. Doing so reminded Phil and I that we should do the same, each of us gulping down a generic formulation of a tablet called Truvada.

  February 22, 2020

  PrEP

  The Guardian

• Multiple Factors Explain Why Middle-Aged Heterosexuals With New Sexual Partners Don’t Use Condoms

  New strategies and approaches are needed to address the sexual health needs of middle-aged heterosexuals starting new relationships, research published in Sexually Transmitted Infections suggests. The UK study involved men and women aged between 40 and 59 years with, or considering, new sexual partners after the break-up of a long-term relationship.

  February 21, 2020

  Male and Female Condoms

  aidsmap

Published Research

• What Lessons It Might Teach Us? Community Engagement in HIV Research

  Greater time and attention should be placed on the development of community engagement in HIV research. A large body of literature, including innovative cross-cutting approaches, exists to guide and inform best practices and mitigate common barriers. However, we recognize that true growth and expansion of CBPR within HIV and in other fields will require a greater breadth of research reporting qualitative and quantitative outcomes.

  March 1, 2020

  General

  Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS

• Expression of CD40L by the ALVAC-Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Vector Abrogates T Cell Responses in Macaques

  This strategy showed limited efficacy in preventing HIV-1/SIV acquisition in humans and macaques. In both species, protection was associated with vaccine-induced antibodies against the HIV envelope and CD4+ T cell responses, including type 1 antiviral responses. In this study, we tested whether augmenting CD40L expression by coexpressing it with the ALVAC vector could increase the protective immune responses.

  February 28, 2020

  HIV Vaccine

  Journal of Virology

• Expansion of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis to 35 PEPFAR-Supported Early Program Adopters, October 2016–September 2018

  During October 2016–September 2018, in 15 of 35 country or regional programs supported by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the increase in PrEP coverage among the general population was approximately triple that among female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender women. Critical factors associated with successful PrEP implementation in these populations include stakeholder engagement, existing PrEP delivery guidelines, HIV service provider training, and a drug procurement system.

  February 28, 2020

  PrEP

  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

• Advances in Clinical Trial Design: Weaving Tomorrow’s TB Treatments

  We advocate here for the international adoption of a better harmonized approach to regimen development to ensure that best practices are used to accelerate development of new TB regimens. By using all the creative approaches described in this Collection, we hope that the next generation of TB trials will yield high-quality evidence for novel regimens that meets the needs of the 10 million persons who become ill with TB each year. Such an approach should help us to reduce these numbers more rapidly by together weaving a tapestry of highly effective, safe, and accessible TB treatments.

  February 27, 2020

  General

  PLOS Medicine

• The Uptake of Population Size Estimation Studies for Key Populations in Guiding HIV Responses on the African Continent

  The past decade has seen an increase in PSE studies conducted for key populations in more generalized HIV epidemic settings which involve significant investments of finances and human resources. However, there remains limited evidence of sustained uptake of these data to guide the HIV responses. Increasing uptake necessitates effective stakeholder engagement and data-oriented capacity building to optimize research utilization and facilitate data-driven and human rights-affirming HIV responses.

  February 26, 2020

  General

  PLOS One

• Injecting Drug Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men in New Zealand: Findings From National Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemiological and Behavioural Surveillance

  New Zealand has averted high endemic HIV rates seen among GBM and PWID in other countries and results have been sustained over 30 years.

  February 26, 2020

  General

  Drug and Alcohol Review

• The High Content of Fructose in Human Semen Competitively Inhibits Broad and Potent Antivirals that Target High-mannose Glycans

  Here we describe HIV-1 infection and inhibition in whole human semen and a synthetic simulant we formulated. We discovered that the sugar fructose in semen decreases the activity of a broad and potent class of antiviral agents that target mannose sugars on the envelope protein of HIV-1. This effect of semen fructose likely reduces the efficacy of such inhibitors to prevent sexual transmission of HIV-1.

  February 26, 2020

  General

  Journal of Virology

• Pharmacogenetic Interactions Between Antiretroviral Drugs and Vaginally Administered Hormonal Contraceptives

  CYP2B6 slow metabolizer genotype worsens the pharmacokinetic interaction of efavirenz with hormonal contraceptives administered by vaginal ring. Efavirenz dose reduction in CYP2B6 slow metabolizers may reduce, but will likely not eliminate, this interaction.

  February 26, 2020

  Hormonal Contraceptives and HIV

  Pharmacogenetics and Genomics

• Ethics of HIV and Hepatitis B Cure Research

  Understanding of the ethical issues in HIV cure research has been enhanced by sustained normative and empirical scholarship with a range of stakeholders. This work has crucial implications for HBV cure research, but there is also a pressing need for directed work on HBV cure research. In both HIV and HBV cure research, such scholarship promises to help ensure that critically important research efforts are ethically sound.

  February 25, 2020

  Cure

  Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS

• Virological Suppression and Clinical Management in Response to Viremia in South African HIV Treatment Program: A Multicenter Cohort Study

  In this study, 90 percent virological suppression below the threshold of 1,000 copies/mL was observed in on-treatment analysis. However, this target was not met at the 50-copies/mL threshold or in intention-to-treat analysis. Clinical management in response to viremia was profoundly delayed, prolonging the duration of viremia and potential for transmission. Diagnostic tools to establish the cause of viremia are urgently needed to accelerate clinical decision-making.

  February 25, 2020

  Treatment

  PLOS Medicine

• Evidence of an Association of Increases in Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Coverage With Decreases in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Diagnosis Rates in the United States, 2012–2016

  We found statistically significant associations between jurisdictional increases in PrEP coverage and decreases in the annual percentage change in diagnosis rate (EAPC) independent of changes in viral suppression (VS), which supports bringing PrEP use to scale in the US to accelerate reductions in HIV infections.

  February 25, 2020

  PrEP

  Clinical Infectious Diseases

• Evaluation of Antiviral T Cell Responses and TSCM Cells in Volunteers Enrolled in a Phase I HIV-1 Subtype C Prophylactic Vaccine Trial in India

  The present study evaluated vaccine-induced antiviral responses and TSCM cells in volunteers vaccinated with a subtype C prophylactic HIV-1 vaccine candidate administered in a prime-boost regimen. We found that ADVAX DNA prime followed by MVA boost induced significantly more peripheral CD8+ TSCM cells and higher levels of CD8+ T cell-mediated inhibition of replication of different HIV-1 clades as compared to MVA alone and placebo.

  February 25, 2020

  HIV Vaccine

  PLOS ONE

• Leaving No One Behind: Lessons From Implementation of Policies for Universal HIV Treatment to Universal Health Coverage

  ART coverage has increased at global, regional and national levels to all population groups. However, the gains have not been equitable among locations and populations. Policies towards universality may widen the inequity in resource-limited settings unless countries take precautions and “put the last first”. We argue that primary health care and public health approaches, with multi-sectoral actions and community engagement, are vital to minimize inequity, achieve UHC and leave no one behind.

  February 24, 2020

  Treatment

  Globalization and Health

• What Do the Universal Test and Treat Trials Tell Us About the Path to HIV Epidemic Control?

  These trials provide strong evidence that UTT inclusive of universal testing increases population‐level viral suppression and decreases HIV incidence and mortality faster than the status quo in SSA and should be adapted at a sub‐country level as a public health strategy. However, more is needed, including integration of new prevention interventions into UTT, in order to reach UNAIDS HIV elimination targets.

  February 24, 2020

  Treatment

  JIAS

• HIV-1 Uncoats in the Nucleus Near Sites of Integration

  Overall, our studies help resolve a long-standing question in HIV-1 replication regarding the location and timing of uncoating and fundamentally change our understanding of HIV-1 postentry replication events. We propose that the viral core may remain intact or nearly intact until just before integration to maintain high concentrations of reverse transcriptase and integrase near the viral nucleic acid to complete DNA synthesis and ensure assembly of an integration-competent viral complex.

  February 24, 2020

  General

  PNAS

• Safety and Immune Responses After a 12-Month Booster in Healthy HIV-Uninfected Adults in HVTN 100 in South Africa: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of ALVAC-HIV (vCP2438) and Bivalent Subtype C gp120/MF59 Vaccines

  In this study, a 12-month booster of subtype C pox-protein vaccines restored immune responses, and slowed response decay compared to the 6-month vaccination.

  February 24, 2020

  PLOS Medicine

• Developing Targeted HIV Risk Predictors for Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Two-City Comparative Study

  To better guide more applicable screening guidelines specifically for YBMSM, we examine demographic, behavioral, sexual network, and biological predictors of HIV status among YBMSM in two demographically distinct cities with high HIV burden in the United States: Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA. We perform multivariable logistic regressions to identify predictors of HIV in these populations.

  February 23, 2020

  PrEP

  International Journal of STD and AIDS

• Changes in Kidney Function Among Men Having Sex With Men Starting on Demand Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate – Emtricitabine for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

  The renal safety of on‐demand PrEP with TDF/FTC was good. The overall reduction and intermittent exposure to TDF/FTC may explain this good renal safety.

  February 22, 2020

  PrEP

  JIAS

• Prevalence and Correlates of Rectal Douching and Enema Use Among Black Sexual Minority Men and Black Transwomen in the Deep South

  HIV/STI disparities are highest among Black sexual minority men (BSMM) and Black transwomen (BTW) in the Deep South. Exploring the prevalence and correlates of rectal douching and enema use could provide insights into risk factors and HIV/STI prevention opportunities among these groups.

  February 21, 2020

  General

  Archives of Sexual Behavior

• Mathematical Modeling to Reveal Breakthrough Mechanisms in the HIV Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) Trials

  The ongoing Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) trials will uncover whether passive infusion of the broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) VRC01 can protect against HIV acquisition. Previous statistical simulations indicate these trials may be partially protective. In that case, it will be crucial to identify the mechanism of breakthrough infections. To that end, we developed a mathematical modeling framework to simulate the AMP trials and infer the breakthrough mechanisms using measurable trial outcomes.

  February 21, 2020

  Antibody Related Research

  PLOS Computational Biology

• Student Education About Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Varies Between Regions of the United States

  Overall, 83.4 percent of students were aware of PrEP, but only 62.2 percent of fourth-year students indicated they had been taught about PrEP at any time during their training. Education about PrEP was most comprehensive in the Northeastern US, the area with the highest PrEP to need ratio (4.7). In all regions, transgender patients and heterosexual men and women were least likely to be presented in education as PrEP candidates, and men who have sex with men were the most frequently presented.

  February 20, 2020

  PrEP

  Journal of General Internal Medicine

• Using Motivational Interviewing to Increase PrEP Uptake Among Black Women at Risk for HIV: an Open Pilot Trial of MI-PrEP

  These preliminary findings showed acceptability and feasibility with high satisfaction ratings; increases in PrEP uptake, knowledge, and motivation to use; and decreases in PrEP barriers and medical mistrust. Greater attention is needed on the psychosocial and structural factors among Black women who may benefit from PrEP.

  February 20, 2020

  PrEP

  Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

• Anal Human Papillomavirus Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Three Metropolitan Cities in Southern China: Implications for HPV Vaccination

  Anal HPV prevalence was high among MSM in southern China, significantly associated with HIV status and sexual experience. HPV prevalence increased with age among MSM. A targeted HPV vaccination program for teenage MSM might be necessary. Our findings will inform targeted HPV modelling among MSM in China.

  February 20, 2020

  HPV Vaccines

  Vaccine

• Diversity and Function of Maternal HIV-1-Specific Antibodies at the Time of Vertical Transmission

  Mother-to-child-transmission of HIV-1 offers a unique setting in which maternal antibodies both within the mother and passively-transferred to the infant are present at the time of viral exposure. Untreated HIV-exposed human infants are infected at a rate of 30-40 percent, meaning that some infants do not get infected despite continued exposure to virus. Since the potential of HIV-specific immune responses to provide protection against HIV is a central goal of HIV vaccine design, understanding the nature of maternal antibodies may provide insights into immune mechanisms of protection.

  February 19, 2020

  Antibody Related Research

  Journal of Virology

• Navigating New Sexual Partnerships in Midlife: A Socioecological Perspective on Factors Shaping STI Risk Perceptions and Practices

  Participants’ accounts of new sexual partnerships in midlife indicate that STI risk perceptions and practices are shaped by factors operating at multiple levels across the socioecological arena (individual, partnership, peers and communities, societal).

  February 10, 2020

  Male and Female Condoms

  Sexually Transmitted Infections

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