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There continues to be profound differences in TB incidences as well as in TB treatment and care across Europe in recent years. High TB incidences are observed in Eastern Europe and especially among injecting drug users (IDUs), and there are large overlaps with a HIV epidemic, which is also far from being under control in this region. Further, mortality rates among HIV‐positive patients with TB in Eastern Europe were in the 2000s 3–5 fold higher compared with other parts of Europe. As of 2014, there remain many challenges in the organizational set‐up of TB care in Eastern Europe and often only limited possibilities of support for the vulnerable IDU populations, including in particular opioid substitution therapy. Further, high prevalences of multi‐drug‐resistant TB (MR‐TB) are an increasing problem in Eastern Europe which in several settings reached beyond 50% among patients previously treated for TB. Obviously, this causes problems for immediate therapy of the individual patients and for development of secondary resistance during therapy. The panel of TB drugs available in TB clinics in Eastern Europe is often limited, and a quick TB diagnosis and acknowledgement of the resistance pattern to guide initial therapy seems to be a priority. For HIV‐positive patients in particular, better access to cART may also be an important tool to reduce the TB incidence among these patients. Thus, treatment and care of TB patients in especially Eastern Europe are facing a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in the coming years.

IntroductionProteinuria (PTU) is an important marker for the development and progression of renal disease, cardiovascular disease and death, but there is limited information about the prevalence and factors associated with confirmed PTU in predominantly white European HIV+ persons, especially in those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.Patients and methodsBaseline was defined as the first of two consecutive dipstick urine protein (DPU) measurements during prospective follow‐up >1/6/2011 (when systematic data collection began). PTU was defined as two consecutive DUP >1+ (>30 mg/dL) >3 months apart; persons with eGFR <60 at either DPU measurement were excluded. Logistic regression investigated factors associated with PTU.ResultsA total of 1,640 persons were included, participants were mainly white (n=1,517, 92.5%), male (n=1296, 79.0%) and men having sex with men (n=809; 49.3%). Median age at baseline was 45 (IQR 37–52 years), and CD4 was 570 (IQR 406–760/mm3). The median baseline date was 2/12 (IQR 11/11–6/12), and median eGFR was 99 (IQR 88–109 mL/min/1.73 m2). Sixty‐nine persons had PTU (4.2%, 95% CI 3.2–4.7%). Persons with diabetes had increased odds of PTU, as were those with a prior non‐AIDS [1] or AIDS event and those with prior exposure to indinavir. Among females, those with a normal eGFR (>90) and those with prior abacavir use had lower odds of PTU (Figure 1).There was no significant association between past or current use of tenofovir, lopinavir, atazanvir (boosted or unboosted) or any other boosted PI and PTU (p>0.2). During 688.2 person‐years of follow up (PYFU), three persons developed chronic kidney disease (CKD; confirmed [>3 months apart] eGFR<60); 2/685 (0.3%) without PTU and 1/38 (2.8%) with PTU (p=0.032). The crude incidence of CKD in those with baseline PTU and eGFR>60 was almost 10 times higher than in those without baseline PTU and eGFR>60 (rate ratio 9.61; 95% CI 0.87–105.9, p=0.065).ConclusionsOne in 25 persons with eGFR>60 had confirmed proteinuria at baseline. Factors associated with PTU were similar to those associated with CKD. The lack of association with antiretrovirals, particularly tenofovir, may be due to the cross‐sectional design of this study, and additional follow‐up is required to address progression to PTU in those without PTU at baseline. It may also suggest other markers are needed to capture the deteriorating renal function associated with antiretrovirals may be needed at higher eGFRs. Our findings suggest PTU is an early marker for impaired renal function.

IntroductionSeveral resistance mutations have been shown to affect viral fitness, and the presence of certain mutations might result in clinical benefit for patients kept on a virologically failing regimen due to an exhaustion of drug options. We sought to quantify the effect of resistance mutations on CD4 slopes in patients undergoing episodes of viral failure.Materials and MethodsPatients from the EuroSIDA and UK CHIC cohorts undergoing at least one episode of virological failure (>3 consecutive RNA measurements >500 on ART) with at least three CD4 measurements and a resistance test during the episode were included. Mutations were identified using the IAS‐US (2013) list, and were presumed to be present from detection until the end of an episode. Multivariable linear mixed models with a random intercept and slope adjusted for age, baseline CD4 count, hepatitis C, drug type, RNA (log‐scale), risk group and subtype were used to estimate CD4 slopes. Individual mutations with a population prevalence of >10% were tested for their effect on the CD4 slope.ResultsA total of 2731 patients experiencing a median of 1 (range 1–4) episodes were included in this analysis. The prevalence of any resistance per episode was 88.4%; NNRTI resistance was most common (78.5%). Overall, CD4 counts declined by 17.1 (−19.7; −14.5) cells per year; this decline was less marked with partial viral suppression (current HIV RNA more than 1.5 log below the setpoint; p=0.01). In multivariable models adjusting for viral load, CD4 decline was slower during episodes with detected resistance compared to episodes without detected resistance (21.0 cells/year less, 95% CI 11.75–30.31, p<0.001). Among those with more than one resistance mutation, there was only weak evidence that class‐specific mutations had any effect on the CD4 slope (Table 1). The effects of individual mutations (incl. M184V) were explored, but none were significantly associated with the CD4 slope; for these comparisons, a Bonferroni‐corrected p‐value level was 0.003.ConclusionsIn our study population, detected resistance was associated with slightly less steep CD4 declines. This may be due to a biological effect of resistance on CD4 slopes, or other unmeasured factors such as poor adherence among individuals without resistance. Among individuals with detected drug resistance, we found no evidence suggesting that the presence of individual mutations was associated with beneficial CD4 slope changes.

IntroductionEuroSIDA has previously reported a poorer clinical prognosis for HIV‐positive individuals in Eastern Europe (EE) as compared with patients from other parts of Europe, not solely explained by differences in patient characteristics. We explored regional variability in self‐reported HIV management at individual EuroSIDA clinics, with a goal of identifying opportunities to reduce the apparent inequalities in health.MethodsA survey (www.chip.dk/eurosida/csurvey) on HIV management was conducted in early 2014 in all currently active EuroSIDA clinics. Responders in EE were compared with clinics in all other EuroSIDA regions combined (non‐EE). Characteristics were compared between regions using Fishers exact test.ResultsA total of 80/97 clinics responded (82.5%, 12/15 in EE, 68/82 in non‐EE). Participating clinics reported seeing a total of 133,532 patients [a median of 1300 per clinic (IQR 700–2399)]. The majority of clinics requested viral load and CD4 measurements at least every six months for patients on as well as off ART (EE 66.7%, non‐EE 75%, p=0,72). Significantly fewer EE clinics performed resistance tests before ART as well as upon treatment failure (Figure 1). Half of the EE clinics indicated following WHO guidelines (EE 50%, non‐EE 7.4%, p<0.0001), whereas most non‐EE clinics followed EACS guidelines (non‐EE 76.5%, EE 41.7%, p=0.017). The majority of EE clinics and ¼ non‐EE clinics indicated deferral of ART initiation in asymptomatic individuals until CD4 ≤350 cells/mm3 (Figure 1). There were no significant regional differences in screening haematology, liver or renal function, which the majority of clinics reported to do routinely. However, EE clinics reported screening significantly less for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and only about half screened for tobacco use, alcohol consumption and drug use (Figure 1). Screening for cervical cancer and for anorectal cancer was low in both regions (Figure 1).ConclusionsWe found significant regional variability in self‐reported HIV management across Europe, with less resistance testing, screening for CVD and substance use in EE. EE clinics indicated deferral of ART initiation for longer than non‐EE clinics. Adherence to international guidelines for cervical cancer screening was poor in both regions. Whether differences in HIV management are reflected in clinical outcomes deserves further investigation.

IntroductionAlthough prostate cancer (PCa) incidence is lower in HIV+ men than in HIV− men, the usefulness of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening in this population is not well defined and may have higher false negative rates than in HIV− men. We aimed to describe the kinetics and predictive value of PSA in HIV+ men.MethodsMen with PCa (n=21) and up to two matched controls (n=40) with prospectively stored plasma samples before PCa (or matched date in controls) were selected. Cases and controls were matched on date of first and last sample, age, region of residence and CD4 count at first sample date. Total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA), testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. Conditional logistic regression models investigated associations between markers and PCa. Sensitivity and specificity of using tPSA >4 µg/L to predict PCa was calculated. Mixed models were used to describe kinetics.ResultsSixty‐one men were included with a median six (IQR 2–9) years follow‐up. Time between last sample and PCa was seven (4–11) months. Cases and controls were well matched at first sample, with a median age of 51 (IQR 48–57) and CD4 of 437 (243–610) cells/mm3. Median tPSA [2.8 (IQR: 1.6–4.6) and 0.8 (0.5–1.2) µg/L] and fPSA [0.4 (0.2–0.8) and 0.3 (0.2–0.4) µg/L] levels were higher in cases than controls at first sample. Both tPSA and fPSA increased significantly over time in cases (Figure 1), to a median at last sample of 6.1 (4.7–9.5) and 0.9 (0.6–1.3) µg/L, respectively, but were stable in controls, with a median at last sample of 0.8 (0.5–1.4) and 0.2 (0.2–0.4) µg/L (Figure). Higher levels of tPSA and fPSA were associated with higher odds of PCa at first sample [OR for 2‐fold higher 4.7 (CI: 1.7–12.9) and 5.4 (1.7–17.4)]. Elevated tPSA values in cases were detectable ≥5 years before PCa (p<0.01). Testosterone [overall median 19.4 (IQR 15.3–23.9) nmol/L at first sample) and SHBG [50.0 (34.0–66.0) nmol/L] levels were similar in cases and controls at first and last sample (all p>0.7). The most informative predictor of PCa was tPSA (AUC=0.9), followed by fPSA (0.8). Testosterone (AUC = 0.5) and SHBG (0.5) were poor predictors of PCa. Overall, tPSA level >4 µg/L had 99% specificity and 37% sensitivity. Performance was best in the year prior to PCa (specificity: 99%, sensitivity: 88%).ConclusionsPSA was highly predictive of PCa in HIV+ men. Our results indicate that PSA screening in HIV+ men may be useful, and further work is needed to identify potentially age‐related cut‐offs to maximize sensitivity and specificity to identify those for further evaluation at early stages of PCa.

IntroductionRates of both TB/HIV co‐infection and multi‐drug‐resistant (MDR) TB are increasing in Eastern Europe (EE). Data on the clinical management of TB/HIV co‐infected patients are scarce. Our aim was to study the clinical characteristics of TB/HIV patients in Europe and Latin America (LA) at TB diagnosis, identify factors associated with MDR‐TB and assess the activity of initial TB treatment regimens given the results of drug‐susceptibility tests (DST).Material and MethodsWe enrolled 1413 TB/HIV patients from 62 clinics in 19 countries in EE, Western Europe (WE), Southern Europe (SE) and LA from January 2011 to December 2013. Among patients who completed DST within the first month of TB therapy, we linked initial TB treatment regimens to the DST results and calculated the distribution of patients receiving 0, 1, 2, 3 and ≥4 active drugs in each region. Risk factors for MDR‐TB were identified in logistic regression models.ResultsSignificant differences were observed between EE (n=844), WE (n=152), SE (n=164) and LA (n=253) for use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) at TB diagnosis (17%, 40%, 44% and 35%, p<0.0001), a definite TB diagnosis (culture and/or PCR positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis; 47%, 71%, 72% and 40%, p<0.0001) and MDR‐TB prevalence (34%, 3%, 3% and 11%, p <0.0001 among those with DST results). The history of injecting drug use [adjusted OR (aOR) = 2.03, (95% CI 1.00–4.09)], prior TB treatment (aOR = 3.42, 95% CI 1.88–6.22) and living in EE (aOR = 7.19, 95% CI 3.28–15.78) were associated with MDR‐TB. For 569 patients with available DST, the initial TB treatment contained ≥3 active drugs in 64% of patients in EE compared with 90–94% of patients in other regions (Figure 1a). Had the patients received initial therapy with standard therapy [Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol (RHZE)], the corresponding proportions would have been 64% vs. 86–97%, respectively (Figure 1b).ConclusionsIn EE, TB/HIV patients had poorer exposure to cART, less often a definitive TB diagnosis and more often MDR‐TB compared to other parts of Europe and LA. Initial TB therapy in EE was sub‐optimal, with less than two‐thirds of patients receiving at least three active drugs, and improved compliance with standard RHZE treatment does not seem to be the solution. Improved management of TB/HIV patients requires routine use of DST, initial TB therapy according to prevailing resistance patterns and more widespread use of cART.

IntroductionDevelopment of a simple, widely applicable risk score for chronic kidney disease (CKD) allows comparisons of risks or benefits of starting potentially nephrotoxic antiretrovirals (ARVs) as part of a treatment regimen.Materials and MethodsA total of 18,055 HIV‐positive persons from the Data on Adverse Drugs (D:A:D) study with >3 estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) >1/1/2004 were included. Persons with use of tenofovir (TDF), atazanavir (ritonavir boosted (ATV/r) and unboosted (ATV)), lopinavir (LPV/r) and other boosted protease inhibitors (bPIs) before baseline (first eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m2 after 1/1/2004) were excluded. CKD was defined as confirmed (>3 months apart) eGFR <60. Poisson regression was used to develop a score predicting low (<0 points), medium (1–4 points) and high (>5 points) risk of developing CKD. Increased incidence of CKD associated with starting ARVs was modelled by including ARVs as time‐updated variables. The risk score was externally validated on two independent cohorts.ResultsA total of 641 persons developed CKD during 103,278.5 PYFU (incidence 6.2/1000 PYFU, 95% CI 5.7–6.7). Older age, intravenous drug use, HCV+ antibody status, lower baseline eGFR, female gender, lower CD4 nadir, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease predicted CKD and were included in the risk score (Figure 1). The incidence of CKD in those at low, medium and high risk was 0.8/1000 PYFU (95% CI 0.6–1.0), 5.6 (95% CI 4.5–6.7) and 37.4 (95% CI 34.0–40.7) (Figure 1). The risk score showed good discrimination (Harrell's c statistic 0.92, 95% CI 0.90–0.93). The number needed to harm (NNTH) in patients starting ATV or LPV/r was 1395, 142 or 20, respectively, among those with low, medium or high risk. NNTH were 603, 61 and 9 for those with a low, medium or high risk starting TDF, ATV/r or bPIs. The risk score was externally validated on 2603 persons from the Royal Free Hospital clinic cohort (94 events, incidence 5.1/1000 PYFU; 95% CI 4.1–6.1) and 2013 persons from the control arms of SMART/ESPRIT (32 events, incidence 3.8/1000 PYFU; 95% CI 2.5–5.1). External validation showed consistent CKD rates across risk groups (Figure 2).InterpretationTraditional and HIV‐related risk factors were predictive of CKD; all are routinely available, making the risk score easy to incorporate into clinical practise and of direct relevance for clinical decision making. NNTH in persons starting potentially nephrotoxic ARVs at high risk of CKD were low, and alternative ARVs may be more appropriate.

AbstractIntroductionSince the beginning of the HIV epidemic in resource‐rich countries, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PjP) is one of the most frequent opportunistic AIDS‐defining infections. The Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research Europe (COHERE) has shown that primary Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PjP) prophylaxis can be safely withdrawn in patients with CD4 counts of 100 to 200 cells/µL if plasma HIV‐RNA is suppressed on combination antiretroviral therapy. Whether this holds true for secondary prophylaxis is not known, and this has proved difficult to determine due to the much lower population at risk.MethodsWe estimated the incidence of secondary PjP by including patient data collected from 1998 to 2015 from the COHERE cohort collaboration according to time‐updated CD4 counts, HIV‐RNA and use of PjP prophylaxis in persons >16 years of age. We fitted a Poisson generalized additive model in which the smoothed effect of CD4 was modelled by a restricted cubic spline, and HIV‐RNA was stratified as low (<400), medium (400 to 10,000) or high (>10,000copies/mL).ResultsThere were 373 recurrences of PjP during 74,295 person‐years (py) in 10,476 patients. The PjP incidence in the different plasma HIV‐RNA strata differed significantly and was lowest in the low stratum. For patients off prophylaxis with CD4 counts between 100 and 200 cells/µL and HIV‐RNA below 400 copies/mL, the incidence of recurrent PjP was 3.9 (95% CI: 2.0 to 5.8) per 1000 py, not significantly different from patients on prophylaxis in the same stratum (1.9, 95% CI: 0.1 to 3.7).ConclusionsHIV viraemia importantly affects the risk of recurrent PjP. In virologically suppressed patients on ART with CD4 counts of 100 to 200/µL, the incidence of PjP off prophylaxis is below 10/1000 py. Secondary PjP prophylaxis may be safely withheld in such patients. While European guidelines recommend discontinuing secondary PjP prophylaxis only if CD4 counts rise above 200 cells/mL, the latest US Guidelines consider secondary prophylaxis discontinuation even in patients with a CD4 count above 100 cells/µL and suppressed viral load. Our results strengthen and support this US recommendation.