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Among 733 pregnant women with HIV followed between 2013 and 2021, only 8 (1.1%) had prior HPV vaccination. One had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions [LSIL], and none had HPV type information. Among the 725 non-vaccinated women, 578 (79.7%) had information on cervical cytology. Rate of cytologic abnormalities in this group was 20.6% (0.2% atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance [AGC], 1.7% atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASC-US], 11.1% LSIL, and 7.6% high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions [HSIL]). Among 56 women with HPV type information, 75.0% carried high risk types, with similar occurrence in women with and without cytologic abnormalities, 30.4% had multiple high-risk types, and 75.9% carried at least one of the types included in the currently recommended 9-valent vaccine.

PurposeRecommended regimens for pregnant women with HIV-1 are composed of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) plus either a ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI) or an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (ISTI), with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) representing an alternative drug class. The study’s purpose was to compare these three options in terms of pregnancy outcomes.MethodsData from a national observational study of pregnant women with HIV-1 were used. The analysis included all pregnancies reported between 2008 and 2018, ending in live births and exposed within 32 weeks of gestation to three-drug regimens composed of a NRTI backbone plus a PI, a NNRTI or a ISTI, without class switching during pregnancy. Clinical and laboratory outcomes were evaluated in univariate and multivariable analyses.ResultsOverall, 794 exposed pregnancies were analyzed (PI 78.4%, NNRTI 15.4%, ISTI 6.2%). Almost all outcomes had similar rates in the three groups. Women who received PI in pregnancy were less likely to be virologically suppressed at third trimester. PI use was associated with higher bilirubin and triglyceride levels, and ISTI use with a lower rate of low birthweight. The differences in viral suppression at third trimester and in low birthweight were not maintained in multivariable analyses that were adjusted for confounders.DiscussionWe found no major differences in a wide range of outcomes relevant for pregnant women with HIV. Such results are reassuring, and this information may be helpful in a context of preconception counseling when therapeutic choices for pregnancy are discussed between women and care providers.

PurposeTo evaluate associations between CD4/CD8 ratio and pregnancy outcomes in women with HIV.MethodsWe evaluated, in a national study of pregnant women with HIV receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART), values of CD4/CD8 ratio at entry in pregnancy, changes between first and third trimester, and possible associations with preterm delivery, low birthweight, and HIV-RNA < 50 copies/ml at third trimester in univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsAmong 934 women, 536 (57.4%) were already on ART at conception. CD4/CD8 ratio (baseline value 0.570) increased significantly between the first and third trimesters, particularly in women who started ART in pregnancy (+ 0.163, vs. + 0.036 in women already on treatment). The rate of CD4/CD8 ratio normalization, defined by achieving a ratio ≥ 1 at the third trimester, was 13.2%. In multivariable analyses, women who entered pregnancy with a CD4/CD8 ratio < 0.3, compared to women with ratio ≥ 1, were almost four-times less likely to have third-trimester HIV-RNA < 50 copies/ml (AOR 0.258, 95%CI 0.111–0.601), and more than twice as likely to have preterm delivery (AOR 2.379, 95%CI 1.082–5.232). For preterm delivery, also a baseline CD4/CD8 ratio between 0.3 and 0.45 was significantly associated with an increased risk (AOR: 3.415, 95%CI 1.690–6.900).ConclusionWe described for the first time independent associations of low CD4/CD8 ratio with preterm delivery and HIV-RNA suppression.

PurposeTo evaluate the maternal and neonatal safety of vaginal delivery in women with HIV following the implementation of a national protocol in Italy.MethodsVaginal delivery was offered to all eligible women who presented antenatally at twelve participating clinical sites. Data collection and definition of outcomes followed the procedures of the National Program on Surveillance on Antiretroviral Treatment in Pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes were compared according to the mode of delivery, classified as vaginal, elective cesarean (ECS) and non-elective cesarean section (NECS).ResultsAmong 580 women who delivered between January 2012 and September 2017, 142 (24.5%) had a vaginal delivery, 323 (55.7%) had an ECS and 115 (19.8%) had an NECS. The proportion of vaginal deliveries increased significantly over time, from 18.9% in 2012 to 35.3% in 2017 (p < 0.001). Women who delivered vaginally were younger, more commonly nulliparous, diagnosed with HIV during current pregnancy, and antiretroviral-naïve, but had a slightly longer duration of pregnancy, with significantly higher birthweight of newborns. NECS was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The rate of HIV transmission was minimal (0.4%). There were no differences between vaginal and ECS about delivery complications, while NECS was more commonly associated with complications compared to ECS.ConclusionsVaginal delivery in HIV-infected women with suppressed viral load appears to be safe for mother and children. No cases of HIV transmission were observed. Despite an ongoing significant increase, the rate of vaginal delivery remains relatively low compared to other countries, and further progress is needed to promote this mode of delivery in clinical practice.

Introduction We aimed to assess any factors associated with dysplasia regression and with HPV clearance in a cohort of HIV+ patients, with particular focus on cART and gender. Methods Asymptomatic HIV+ patients of the San Paolo Infectious Disease (SPID) cohort who underwent anoscopy/gynaecological evaluation were enrolled. Anal/cervical brushing were analyzed for: HPV‐PCR detection/genotyping (HR‐HPV), cytologic abnormalities (Bethesda System 2001: LSIL‐HSIL). Demographics and HIV‐related parameters were evaluated at baseline. Activated CD8+/CD38+ lymphocytes were measured (flow citometry). Patients were examined at baseline (T0) and at 12–18 months visit (T1). HPV clearance was defined as negativisation of HPV at T1; SIL regression (SIL‐R) and progression (SIL‐P) were defined as change from HSIL/LSIL to a lower‐grade/absence of dysplasia and as change from absence of HSIL/LSIL to a higher‐grade dysplasia at T1, respectively. Mann Whitney test, Chi‐square test and multivariate logistic regression were used. Results A total of 189 patients were examined, 60 (32%) were women. One hundred fifty patients (79%) were HPV+, 113 (75%) harboured HR‐HPV; 103 (68%) showed LSIL/HSIL at T0 (32% of women and 65% of men) (all were HPV‐positive). No differences in demographics and HIV‐related markers were found between patients with SIL‐P (33, 41%) and patients with SIL‐R (47, 59%). HPV+ patients who cleared HPV (28, 18%) were found to be more frequently female, heterosexual infected, more frequently on cART and with lower Log10 HIV‐RNA and lower levels of CD8+/CD38+ % compared with HPV persistence group (Table 1). No differences in PI exposure were found between the two groups (p=.08). Interestingly, also when only HR‐HPV were considered, clearance was associated with exposure to cART (naïve 4%, vs cART 86%, p=.048). In multivariate analysis, heterosexuals (AOR 5.123, 95% CI 1.5–17.5 vs homosexuals) were independently associated to HPV clearance, whereas CD8+/CD38+% (AOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.65–1.01 for each % more) were predictive of HPV persistence. Conclusions Close follow‐up of HPV and SIL should be promoted particularly in men and in untreated individuals. We cannot exclude behavioural variables linked to risky sex and reinfection.