Suchergebnisse

BACKGROUND: Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) are a common complication of military training. Naval Special Warfare (NSW) training requires prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion and unique environmental exposures, including extended immersion in ocean water. A centerpiece of SEAL training is referred to as "Hell Week" (HW), a colloquial term to reflect the intense physical obstacles and exposure to extreme environmental conditions endured by candidates. Due to such environmental exposures, NSW trainees are at increased risk for SSTI due to uncommon organisms. A prior outbreak of Shewanella SSTI and bacteremia among NSW trainees led to the initiation of prophylactic doxycycline 100 mg daily during and for 7 days after HW to attempt to reduce this risk. The efficacy of this intervention is undetermined. METHODS: Doxycycline prophylaxis was initiated in August 2015. We conducted a retrospective analysis of SSTI incidence presenting for medical attention among NSW trainees from April 2013 to November 2018, using case records collected prospectively at the Naval Special Warfare Center. The incidence of SSTI was calculated based on the size of a given class and the number of affected trainees. SSTI cases were then divided and analyzed as occurring during vs. after HW. RESULTS: The pre-intervention cohort consisted of 1626 NSW trainees. A total of 76 trainees developed SSTI, with 20 cases during HW and 56 cases in the post-HW period. In the post-intervention cohort, 2022 trainees experienced a total of 81 cases of SSTI during HW and 83 in the post-HW period. 45% of all SSTI cases occurred in the months of June, July, and August. The incidence of cellulitis between the pre- and post-intervention cohorts during HW was 2% and 4%, respectively, and 5% and 6.4% in the post-HW period. There were no hospitalizations for invasive gram-negative infections following the initiation of doxycycline prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Doxycycline prophylaxis does not appear to reduce the incidence of SSTI but may reduce the ...

BACKGROUND: Coccidioidomycosis ranges clinically from a self-limited respiratory illness to multi-organ dissemination. Based largely on skin testing from the 1940s, 60% of infections are thought to be asymptomatic. Limited Coccidioides seroincidence data support our understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of this disease. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study tested 2000 U.S. military personnel for Coccidioides exposure after transfer to an endemic region of California between 2011 and 2017. The presence of IgG and IgM anti-Coccidioides antibodies were tested on pre- and post-transfer serum samples from the DoD Serum Repository to establish rates of seroconversion. Medical histories and participant demographics including race/ethnicity and military occupational specialty codes were collected from the electronic medical record and participants were stratified by a history of Coccidioides-specific or general respiratory illness based on ICD9/ICD10 coding. RESULTS: Thirty of 2000 participants tested newly positive for anti-Coccidioides antibodies after 12 months on station. Seroconversion incidence varied from 0.0-1.32 annually and overall 0.5 per 100 person years. Seroconverters were more frequently diagnosed with coccidioidomycosis or pneumonia than non-converters (p=0.027). No statistically significant association between demographic characteristics and seroconversion or disease was observed. Clinical disease was detected in only three seroconverters (10%). Incidence Rate of Coccidioidomycosis Infection among Active Duty Stationed at NAS Lemoore, 2011-2017 [Image: see text] Seroconversion Status by Cocci/Pneumonia Diagnosis Status [Image: see text] CONCLUSION: In this study Coccidioides seroincidence was similar to that observed by others, adding longitudinal evidence to epidemiologic assumptions about coccidioidomycosis. A trend toward increasing incidence over the course of the study is consistent with the classification of coccidioidomycosis as an emerging infectious disease. While transmission ...

Streptococcus anginosus group pericarditis is rare. A 24-year-old male soldier presented for care at a military clinic in Afghanistan with shock and cardiac tamponade requiring emergent pericardial drainage and aeromedical evacuation. We review the patient's case, the need for serial pericardial drainage, and the available literature on this disorder.

INTRODUCTION: There is a high prevalence of at-risk drinking in the U.S. military. Among HIV-infected individuals, alcohol abuse confers additional risk for adverse health outcomes. In the military, however, the characteristics of HIV-infected individuals who engage in high-risk drinking are not well defined. The purpose of this study was to assess risk factors associated with at-risk drinking in an HIV-positive longitudinal cohort of DoD beneficiaries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Annual prevalence of at-risk drinking was calculated for members of the U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study who initiated highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during or after January 2006 through May 2014; each participant completed at least one self-reported alcohol survey within a year of HAART initiation. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with at-risk drinking. RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of subjects (495/752) reported at-risk drinking on at least one survey after HAART initiation. At-risk drinkers were more likely to be Active Duty compared to Retired (OR 0.65 95% CI [0.46, 0.92]). In multivariate models, Caucasian race (OR 3.30 95% CI [2.31, 4.71]); Hispanic/other race (OR 2.17 95% CI [1.51, 3.14]) and younger age (OR 0.61 per 10 years older, [95%CI 0.49, 0.75]) were significantly associated with at-risk drinking. Single relationship status (OR 1.51 95% CI [1.08, 2.13]) was also associated with at-risk drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with general alcohol consumption patterns in the military, we found a high prevalence of at-risk drinking among individuals with HIV infection, which was associated most closely with young, non-African Americans. Targeting interventions toward this group will be important to reduce at-risk drinking and its potential for HIV-related complications.

BACKGROUND: The use of antiretroviral therapy has reduced morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection primarily due to the reduction of AIDS-related events. Although guidelines have aimed to standardize preventive care, disparities in prevention of cardiovascular disease remain prevalent across multiple cohorts. METHODS: The US Military HIV Natural History Study is an open cohort of Department of Defense beneficiaries. We included subjects aged 21–75 whose most recent study visit was between October 2015 and September 2016 and conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of established cardiovascular disease risk factors and statin use. To determine statin eligibility we used the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2013 atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease management guidelines and included subjects who had all necessary data elements for analysis. RESULTS: The participants (n = 1223) were predominantly middle-aged (median 47 years, Interquartile Range [IQR] 33–55), male (95%), and were racially diverse (46% African-American, 16% Hispanic/other). The rate of tobacco use was 16%, diabetes was 11%, and 36% had hypertension. In total, 486 (40%) patients met criteria for statin therapy, with 17% of those being for secondary prevention. As of their last visit, 52 (4%) had a detectable HIV viral load. Statins were prescribed to only 302 (62%) of those with an indication, with lower prescription rates in African Americans (52%) and Hispanics (58%) than Caucasians (73%). Average blood pressure, rates of tobacco use, and prevalence of diabetes were equal between the African American and Caucasian groups. CONCLUSION: We found significant racial disparities in both primary and secondary cardiovascular disease mitigation within the military healthcare system. Previous studies have found similar racial differences attributed to socioeconomic factors and higher rates of intravenous drug use. As active duty service members have a stable income, open access to healthcare, and low rates of ...

BACKGROUND: Since 1985, all active duty (AD) U.S. military service members have undergone periodic mandatory HIV screening. Subsequent care in the Military Health System (MHS) allows evaluation of clinical outcomes in a setting of open access to healthcare and medications. We describe ART outcomes in HIV-positive AD military utilizing data collected over 15 years in our prospective, multi-center HIV Natural History Study (NHS). METHODS: We included AD NHS participants diagnosed with HIV from 2002–2016 with ≥1 year of follow-up. Demographics, clinical diagnoses and laboratory data collected at study visits were compared for those on vs. never on ART by HIV diagnosis era at 5-year intervals. Among participants who initiated ART with ≥1 year of follow-up after ART initiation (AI), we assessed rates of virologic suppression (VS) and virologic failure (VF). RESULTS: From 2002 to 2016, 1,599 NHS participants were diagnosed with HIV infection; 1,482 had ≥1 year of follow-up. 1,337 (90.2%) received ART; ART recipients were more likely male (OR 2.5 [95% CI 1.2–5.3]), Caucasian (1.6 [1.1–2.3]), older (1.5 per 10 years [1.1–2.0]), diagnosed from 2012–2016 (14.6 [6.6–31.9]), and have lower CD4 counts (0.8 per 100 cells [0.7–0.8]) and higher VL at diagnosis (2.1 [1.8–2.5]). The median time from diagnosis to AI was 0.3 years [0.1–1.3], decreasing by era (P <0.0001). Of those ever on ART, 1,212 (90.7%) had ≥1 year of follow-up on ART; of whom, 1,196 (98.7%) achieved ≥1 measure with VS, 91% on their first regimen and 69% within 6 months. Participants not achieving VS were younger at diagnosis (0.87 per year [0.78–0.98]) and at AI (0.89 per year [0.81–0.98]), were diagnosed in 2002–2011 (9.11 [1.20–69.22]), and had lower CD4 counts at AI (0.50 per 100 cells [0.33–0.75]). 92 (7.7%) had subsequent VF after initial VS. VF was more likely in participants diagnosed in 2002–2006 (3.0 [2.0–4.7]). 281 (23.2%) had an AIDS-defining diagnosis (CD4<200 cells/uL in 88%), which decreased by era (P <0.05). There were 6 deaths in the ...

BACKGROUND: Background- Current guidelines recommend annual extragenital [EG] testing for all sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM), and every 3−6 months for MSM at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Compliance with this guideline is low and testing rates among MSM with HIV have ranged between 30–46%. Financial disincentives (such as the lack of reimbursement for EG testing) may contribute to the lower EG testing rates. To examine if access to free testing improves EG testing rates, we used data from the US Military HIV Natural History Study (NHS), a cohort comprised of HIV-infected Department of Defense beneficiaries with access to care and free testing. METHODS: Methods- Among NHS participants with a follow-up visit between 1/1/2013 and 1/1/2018, genital (primarily urine samples) and EG testing rates (pharyngeal and rectal) were calculated and temporal trends examined. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with EG testing. In a sub-set of participants who answered a risk behavior survey we examined risk-related information. RESULTS: Results- Of the 1971 male participants who had a NHS visit during the study period, 1962 (99.5%) had genital and 1419 (72%) had EG testing performed at least once. Annual genital and EG testing rates ranged between 96 - 98% and 33% - 46% respectively. No temporal trends were observed in EG testing rates. EG testing rates were higher in those with a history of gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis in the year prior, ranging between 50 and 67%. EG testing was more likely to occur in those who were younger and those with a prior history of STI (Table 1). In a subset of participants with risk behavior information, those who reported being MSM were more likely to be tested [Referent heterosexual; Odds Ratio 2.35 [95% CI 1.60–3.46]. CONCLUSION: Conclusion-Despite the availability of free EG testing, EG testing rates were low in the NHS and similar to those observed nationwide This contrasts with the genital testing rates which ...

PURPOSE: There are few reports of refractive surgery on human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) patients; we sought to assess the frequency of refractive surgery complications in HIV+ individuals and related risk factors. SETTINGS: Multiple centers in the United States DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study METHODS: The U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study is a prospective observational cohort study of HIV+ Servicemembers and beneficiaries. Participants were selected who had CPT codes for LASIK, PRK, and other refractive surgeries. The frequency of complications was determined using ICD-9 codes. Covariates included age, gender, antiretroviral therapy, time since HIV diagnosis, history of AIDS, and CD4 and viral load. Statistical analysis was completed using univariate (Chi-square and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests) and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Seventy-nine out of 2073 participants had refractive surgery. 53 subjects underwent PRK, 23 LASIK, two radial keratotomy (RK), and one astigmatic correction. Complications occurred in 6/79 (7.6%) of participants, including five subjects who underwent PRK and one following RK, occurring between eight to 217 days after surgery. Five ulcers and one unspecified keratitis were noted. In univariate analysis, type of surgery (p=0.02) and history of AIDS (p=0.02) were risk factors for complications. In logistic regression analysis, no variables were found to be risk factors for complications. CONCLUSION: Complications were infrequent among HIV+ participants following refractive surgery. Point estimates suggest that PRK may have more complications than LASIK and that advanced HIV, reflected by prior AIDS, may be associated with an increased risk of complications. Further study will be needed to confirm these findings.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the prevalence of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5) mediated drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in males with HIV infection receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and identify factors associated with PDE-5-mediated DDIs. METHODS: Male US Military HIV Natural History Study participants diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED) and having a PDE-5 inhibitor and potentially-interacting ART co-dispensed within 30 days were included. DDIs were defined according to criteria found in published guidelines and drug information resources. The primary outcome of interest was overall PDE-5 inhibitor-mediated DDI prevalence and episode duration. A secondary logistic regression analysis was performed on those with and without DDIs to identify factors associated with initial DDI episode. RESULTS: A total of 235 male participants with ED met inclusion criteria. The majority were White (50.6%) or African American (40.4%). Median age at medication co-dispensing (45 years), duration of HIV infection (14 years), and duration of ED (1 year) did not differ between the two groups (p>0.05 for all). PDE-5 inhibitors included sildenafil (n = 124), vardenafil (n = 99), and tadalafil (n = 14). ART regimens included RTV-boosted protease inhibitors (PIs) atazanavir (n = 83) or darunavir (n = 34), and COBI-boosted elvitegravir (n = 43). Potential DDIs occurred in 181 (77.0%) participants, of whom 122 (67.4%) had multiple DDI episodes. The median DDI duration was 8 (IQR 1–12) months. In multivariate analyses, non-statistically significant higher odds of DDIs were observed with RTV-boosted PIs or PI-based ART (OR 2.13, 95% CI 0.85–5.37) and in those with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (OR 1.74, 95% CI 0.83–3.64). CONCLUSIONS: PDE-5-mediated DDIs were observed in the majority of males with HIV infection on RTV- or COBI-boosted ART in our cohort. This study highlights the importance of assessing for DDIs among individuals on ART, especially those on boosted regimens.

BACKGROUND: Background- Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is associated with fewer renal and bone toxicities than tenofovir disoproxil phosphate (TDF). Hence, most experts suggest switching to TAF. We examined factors associated with switching to TAF in the US Military HIV Natural History Study (NHS), a cohort of people living with HIV who have unrestricted access to care and medications. METHODS: Methods- The first formulation of TAF received FDA approval on 1 November 2015; hence, we included all NHS participants with visits between November 2015 and March 2019. Patient factors including race, gender, CD4 count, antiretroviral therapies (ART), viral load, HIV diagnosis era, presence of comorbidities (cancer, heart disease, dyslipidemia, kidney disease and obesity), were assessed for association with a switch to TAF with a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Results- Of the 1678 eligible participants, 1324 (63%) had received a TDF-based regimen. Participants who received a TDF-regimen were 94% male 44% African-American [AA], 39% Caucasians and 17% Hispanic. About half the participants who received TDF-based ART switched to a TAF-based regimen (n=682, 52%). Of the 425 (32%) participants receiving TDF/FTC co-formulated with efavirenz, 48% (n=206) switched to TAF. The proportions switching to TAF were higher in those receiving TDF/FTC co-formulated with rilpivirine [59%, n=90] or elvitegravir/cobicistat [68%, n=146]. The common ART regimens after the switch were: TAF co-formulated with elvitegravir/cobicistat (46%), rilpivirine (16%) or bictegravir (12%) and TAF/FTC combined with dolutegravir (15%). In an adjusted analysis, older participants, and participants receiving TDF/FTC in combination with efavirenz, dolutegravir, raltegravir, boosted protease inhibitors or a combination of boosted protease inhibitors and integrase inhibitors (other) were less likely to switch, table 1. CONCLUSION: Conclusions- Despite the unrestricted access to care and ART in the NHS, only half of the participants switched to TAF. Participants ...

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination can reduce influenza burden, but questions have arisen about the duration of vaccine protection. While the timing of vaccination varies, annual receipt of influenza vaccine is mandated for active duty military personnel. The goal of this analysis is to determine if influenza vaccine effectiveness decreases over time. A secondary goal of this analysis is to determine if repeated influenza vaccination is associated with risk for influenza. METHODS: Otherwise healthy individuals presenting for treatment of acute respiratory infections at 5 military treatment facilities from 2009 to 2018 were enrolled in the Acute Respiratory Infection Consortium (ARIC) study. Individuals with complete demographics, influenza vaccination in the two years prior to illness, and influenza laboratory results were included in this analysis (n=1,273). Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of an influenza diagnosis according to time since influenza vaccination, categorized in 90-day periods. The model also included age, race, month of diagnosis, influenza season, and whether the participant received 4+ influenza vaccinations in the past 5 years. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two individuals (15%) had laboratory confirmed influenza (Table 1). Participants were mostly active duty, male, and white. Over half of the participants received 4+ influenza vaccinations in the past 5 years. Participants who were vaccinated 90-179 and 180+ days ago had greater odds of being diagnosed with influenza than did individuals who were vaccinated < 90 days prior to illness onset (Table 2). Participants who were 18-24 years old had lower odds of influenza than individuals in other age groups. Vaccine experience (vaccinated against influenza for at least four of the past five years), race, and ethnicity were not statistically significantly associated with influenza diagnosis. Table 1. Characteristics of individuals included in the analysis of waning influenza vaccine effectiveness in the ARIC ...

Travelers to developing regions are at risk for development of influenza-like illness (ILI). Little is known of traveler and trip characteristics associated with the development of ILI. TravMil is a prospective observational study, enrolling subjects presenting to six military travel clinics or predeployment-screening sites. We analyzed pre- and post-travel surveys from travelers visiting regions outside of the continental United States, Western or Northern Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand between January 2010 and March 2016. Influenza-like illness was defined as a self-reported fever associated with either sore throat or cough. Trip and traveler characteristics were analyzed to determine risk factors for the development of ILI. Two thousand nine hundred and thirty-two trips were recorded (55% male, median age 45 years, 69% white, 51% on vacation, median travel duration 17 days). The 2,337 trips included the number of self-reported influenza vaccinations in the preceding 5 years (median 5). Eleven percent of the trips were complicated by an ILI lasting a median of 5 days; 70% and 17% of these reported upper and lower respiratory tract infection, respectively, and 12% reported both. On multivariate analysis, increased risk of ILI was associated with female gender (odds ratio [OR]: 1.60 [confidence interval (CI): 1.25–2.05], P < 0.01), age (years) (OR: 1.01 [CI: 1.01–1.02], P < 0.01); and duration of travel (days) (OR: 1.01 [CI: 1.00–1.01], P < 0.01). Influenza-like illness is common in travelers, regardless of traveler characteristics, purpose of travel, destination, or season of year. Female gender, older age, and longer duration of travel were associated with an increased risk of ILI. Additional tools and strategies are needed to prevent ILI in international travelers.

BACKGROUND: Viral respiratory infections are a common cause of hospitalization for younger, otherwise-healthy populations. In this study, we describe the epidemiology of influenza-like illness in non-elderly adults within the U.S. Military Health System (MHS) by pathogen and hospitalization status. METHODS: The Acute Respiratory Infection Consortium (ARIC) is a prospective cohort of patients with influenza-like illness within the MHS. Participants between 18 and 65 years of age were identified in outpatient settings between 2012 and 2017, and were excluded if pregnant, if reporting chronic cardiac, respiratory, renal, or neurologic disease, or if on long-term aspirin therapy. Demographics, nasopharyngeal swabs and symptom data were collected; swabs were tested for viral pathogens using a target-enriched multiplex PCR panel (TEM-PCR(TM), Diatherix LLC). Data were analyzed to compare clinical features and risks for hospitalization. RESULTS: 397 participants met inclusion criteria. 34 participants required hospitalization; 363 were outpatients. Median length of hospitalization was 2 days. A virus was identified in 58.4% of outpatients (OP) and 55.9% of inpatients (IP); coronaviruses (63/363), enteroviruses (50/363), and influenza A (73/363) predominated in OP, whereas influenza A predominated among IP (35.3%, 12/34). There were no significant differences between OP and IP in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, or tobacco use. IP were more likely to be obese (BMI ≥30, 43.3% vs. 20.5%, P = 0.004) and less likely to have received influenza vaccination (45.5% vs. 16.9%, P > 0.001). IP with influenza did not report more severe symptoms (chills, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, myalgia, or headache) on enrollment but were more likely to have fever (temperature ≥38.0⁰ C) than OP (92.9 vs. 57.1%, P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Influenza A is the most frequently identified cause of hospitalization among healthy, non-elderly adults with viral respiratory infection. Although age and tobacco use may be risks for viral acquisition, they ...

BACKGROUND: As morbidity due to viral coinfections declines among HIV-infected persons, changes in liver-related morbidity are anticipated. We examined data from the US Military HIV Natural History Study (NHS), a cohort of military beneficiaries, to evaluate incidence and risk factors associated with chronic liver enzyme elevation (cLEE) in HIV-monoinfected patients in the combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) era. METHODS: Participants who were hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus seronegative with follow-up after 1996 were included. We defined chronic liver enzyme elevation (cLEE) as alanine aminotransferase elevations ≥1.25 times the upper limit of normal on at least 2 visits, for a duration of ≥6 months within 2 years. We used multivariate Cox proportional hazards models to examine risk factors for cLEE. RESULTS: Of 2779 participants, 309 (11%) met criteria for cLEE for an incidence of 1.28/100 PYFU (1.28–1.29/100 PYFU). In an adjusted model, cLEE was associated with Hispanic/other ethnicity (reference Caucasian: hazard ratio [HR], 1.744; 95% CI, 1.270–2.395), non–nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor–based cART (reference boosted protease inhibitors: HR, 2.232; 95% CI, 1.378–3.616), being cART naïve (HR, 6.046; 95% CI, 3.686–9.915), or having cART interruptions (HR, 8.671; 95% CI, 4.651–16.164). African American race (HR, 0.669; 95% CI, 0.510–0.877) and integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)–based cART (HR, 0.222; 95% CI, 0.104–0.474) were protective. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that initiation and continued use of cART are protective against cLEE and support the hypothesis that HIV infection directly impacts the liver. INSTI-based regimens were protective and could be considered in persons with cLEE.

Objective: Neurocognitive impairment (NCI) is a well-known complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and may be influenced by a number of psychological factors. We examined the relationship between NCI and mental health disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in a cohort of 189 active-duty and retired U.S. military men living with HIV. Methods: Participants completed selected modules of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to ascertain the presence of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and other mental health diagnoses. We also obtained demographic data, including history of head trauma, via personal interview. NCI was assessed with a comprehensive battery of standardized neuropsychological tests. Results: The median age of study subjects was 36 years (interquartile range [IQR] 28 to 43) and median total years of education was 14 (IQR 12 to 16). NCI was diagnosed in 19% of subjects. Individuals with and without a history of PTSD were similar with respect to most HIV-related characteristics; however, the former were significantly more likely to have a prior acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) diagnosis. In multivariate analysis, lifetime history of PTSD was independently associated with NCI (odds ration [OR] = 6.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.85, 20.27), while a history of head of trauma was negatively associated (OR = 0.37 95% CI = 0.15,0.92). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that PTSD is an important predictor of NCI in this U.S. military cohort. HIV-infected individuals with cognitive difficulties should be screened for mental health disorders, including PTSD, and prospective studies of the longitudinal relationship between PTSD and NCI, as well as the impact of PTSD treatment on future NCI, are warranted.