The projected course of the HIV epidemic (prevalence) under simplified assumptions about heterogeneity in susceptibility to HIV infection [50].

<p>For comparison, the dashed curve shows the projected course in the absence of such heterogeneity, but with similar final size of the epidemic.</p

Adult (15–49) HIV prevalence (A) and annual incidence (B) in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, and Mozambique, 1990–2009 [8].

<p>Adult (15–49) HIV prevalence (A) and annual incidence (B) in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, and Mozambique, 1990–2009 <a href="http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003459#pcbi.1003459-UNAIDS1" target="_blank">[8]</a>.</p

HIV entry assay identifies previously known HIV target cells, but virus entry into blood CD4+ T cells does not predict subsequent HIV acquisition.

Comparison of percent HIV entry into blood CD4+ T cells of HIV-uninfected participants who subsequently acquired HIV (HIV sero-converters) or did not acquire HIV (non sero-converters).</p

Gating strategy for analysis of HIV entry and various blood-derived CD4 T+ cell subsets.

Representative plots of virus entry (A) gated on singlets, live cells, lymphocytes, and CD4+ T cells. Blue and green refer to cleaved and uncleaved CCF2-AM dye respectively. In (B), representative plots show gating strategy for various CD4+ T cell subsets as indicated.</p

HIV entry into various blood CD4+ T cell subsets.

<p>HIV entry into various blood CD4+ T cell subsets.</p

Correlation between bulk HIV entry into CD4+ T cells and the frequency of various blood CD4+ T cell subsets within an individual.

Various blood CD4+ T cells are indicated in the figure legend (A-D). *, **, and *** indicate p values <0.01, <0.001 and <0.0001 respectively. TCM and TEM refer to central and effector memory CD4+ T cells respectively.</p

Participant characteristics.

<p>Participant characteristics.</p

Table2_The descriptive epidemiology of pre-omicron SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections and severe outcomes in Manitoba, Canada.docx

IntroductionVaccination plays a key role in curbing severe outcomes resulting from COVID-19 disease. With the Omicron variant and the relaxing of public health protections breakthrough infections are increasingly common, and certain groups remain at higher risk for severe outcomes from breakthrough infections. We analysed population-based public health data from Manitoba, Canada to understand characteristics of those experiencing breakthrough infections and severe outcomes from breakthrough infections. Data from previous pandemic stages can provide valuable information regarding severe outcomes associated with breakthrough infection in the Omicron and future phases.MethodsPositive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests from Cadham Provincial Laboratory were linked to case information from the population-based Public Health Information Management System. A retrospective design was used with time-to-event analyses to examine severe outcomes among those experiencing breakthrough infection.ResultsBreakthrough cases were more likely to have 2 + chronic conditions, compared to age-, sex-, and time-period matched unvaccinated cases (24% vs. 17%), with hypertension (30%), diabetes (17%), and asthma (14%) being the most prevalent chronic conditions amongst breakthrough cases. Severe outcomes resulting from breakthrough infection was associated with age and chronic conditions, with those with 2 + chronic conditions at higher risk of severe outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.6, 95% confidence intervals: 2.0-6.4). Risk of severe outcomes varied by age group, with those 70 + years at over 13 times the risk of severe outcomes (95% CI: 4.5-39.8), compared to those 18-29 years of age.DiscussionOur results demonstrate the impact of chronic conditions on the likelihood of, and severity of outcomes from breakthrough infections. These findings underscore the importance of vaccination programs prioritizing vulnerable populations.</p

Correlation of SEB induced IFNγ mRNA and protein induction in cervical cells from HIV infected participants.

<p>Horizontal lines represent median values. IFNγ mRNA induction was associated to IFNγ protein production in SEB treated samples.</p

Proteins found to be significantly overabundant (A) and under abundant (B) in the cationic protein-depleted cervicovaginal secretions of HIV-positive sex workers compared to HIV seronegative low-risk controls.

<p>^a General functions are based on each protein’s gene ontology obtained from the UniProt website.</p><p>^b Statistical significance was deduced via Student’s T-test, p < 0.05.</p><p>Proteins found to be significantly overabundant (A) and under abundant (B) in the cationic protein-depleted cervicovaginal secretions of HIV-positive sex workers compared to HIV seronegative low-risk controls.</p