Culture-independent characterisation of human faecal flora using rRNA-targeted hybridisation probes

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Prevalence and impact of GBV-C, SEN-V and HBV occult infections in HIV–HCV co-infected patients on HCV therapy

International audienceBackground/AimsIt has been suggested that, in HIV–HCV co-infected patients, co-infections with other viruses may affect the response to HCV therapy. We aimed to assess the prevalence of GBV-C, SEN-V and occult HBV infections, their impact on HCV and HIV infections and on the response to HCV therapy in HIV–HCV co-infected patients. Methods Three-hundred and sixty eight patients were tested before starting interferon–ribavirin for the presence of occult hepatitis B DNA, GBV-C RNA and SEN-V DNA by using real time PCR. Clinical, immunological, virological, histological characteristics and response to HCV therapy were compared according to the presence or not of each viral co-infection. Results HBV DNA, GBV-C RNA and SEN-V DNA were found in 5 (1.4%, CI95%: 0.2–2.4%), 104 (29.9%, CI95%: 25.1–34.7%) and 209 patients (57.9%, CI95%: 52.8–63.0%), respectively. GBV-C positive patients had significantly higher CD4 count at baseline, during and after HCV therapy, even after stratification on antiretroviral treatment. No other significant difference was observed according to the presence or not of GBV-C or SEN-V co-infection, in particular regarding virological responses to HCV combination therapy. Conclusions There is no reason to withhold HCV therapy in HIV infected patients who have access to HAART, because of occult HBV, GBV-C or SEN-V co-infections.</p

Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in HIV-infected patients (EPIB 2005 STUDY)

International audienceOBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of hepatitis B (HBV) infection in HIV-infected patients and the impact of anti-HBV treatments. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All the patients with past or present chronic HBV infection seen in October 2005 in 17 French hospitals were included. Data were retrospectively collected from their first visit in a time-dependent manner, through a detailed standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: Among 477 HBV-infected patients, 261 (55%) were co-infected with HIV. The HBV-HIV co-infected patients underwent fewer serological, virological and histological evaluations. Initial positive HBe antigenemia (HBe Ag) was more frequent in these patients (57.9 versus 28.6%; P < 10), as was cirrhosis on the initial liver biopsy (17.9 versus 7.6%; P = 0.05). Throughout the mean 5-year follow-up, HBe Ag loss was less frequent (P = 0.04), as was HBe seroconversion (incidence rate 2.6 versus 10/100 patient-years; P < 10). HBe Ag loss was associated with fibrosis improvement (METAVIR score -0.5 +/- 0.4 versus +0.2 +/- 0.6 if persistent positive HBe Ag, P = 0.01). In co-infected patients on tenofovir, adefovir or interferon, HBe seroconversions were seen in patients on combined HBV treatment, the use of which is increasing (58% in 2005). Nevertheless, no significant difference in virological, immunological or biochemical evolution was observed between these different treatments. CONCLUSIONS: In HBV-HIV co-infected patients, the assessment of HBV infection still needs to be improved, the HBV wild-type remains predominant, and HBe Ag loss is rare and associated with a better histological evolution. There is insufficient evidence of the superiority of combined HBV treatment, and this still needs be demonstrated in long term studies

Cannabis use as a factor of lower corpulence in hepatitis C-infected patients: results from the ANRS CO22 Hepather cohort

International audienceBackground: Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are at greater risk of developing metabolic disorders. Obesity is a major risk factor for these disorders, and therefore, managing body weight is crucial. Cannabis use, which is common in these patients, has been associated with lower corpulence in various populations. However, this relationship has not yet been studied in persons with chronic HCV infection.Methods: Using baseline data from the French ANRS CO22 Hepather cohort, we used binary logistic and multinomial logistic regression models to test for an inverse relationship between cannabis use (former/current) and (i) central obesity (i.e., large waist circumference) and (ii) overweight and obesity (i.e., elevated body mass index (BMI)) in patients from the cohort who had chronic HCV infection. We also tested for relationships between cannabis use and both waist circumference and BMI as continuous variables, using linear regression models.Results: Among the 6348 participants in the study population, 55% had central obesity, 13.7% had obesity according to their BMI, and 12.4% were current cannabis users. After multivariable adjustment, current cannabis use was associated with lower risk of central obesity (adjusted odds ratio, aOR [95% confidence interval, CI]: 0.45 [0.37-0.55]), BMI-based obesity (adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) [95% CI]: 0.27 [0.19-0.39]), and overweight (aRRR [95% CI]: 0.47 [0.38-0.59]). This was also true for former use, but to a lesser extent. Former and current cannabis use were inversely associated with waist circumference and BMI.Conclusions: We found that former and, to a greater extent, current cannabis use were consistently associated with smaller waist circumference, lower BMI, and lower risks of overweight, obesity, and central obesity in patients with chronic HCV infection. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these relationships and to assess the effect of cannabis use on corpulence and liver outcomes after HCV cure.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01953458

ABO blood types and SARS-CoV-2 infection assessed using seroprevalence data in a large population-based sample: the SAPRIS-SERO multi-cohort study

International audienceAbstract ABO blood type has been reported as a potential factor influencing SARS-CoV-2 infection, but so far mostly in studies that involved small samples, selected population and/or used PCR test results. In contrast our study aimed to assess the association between ABO blood types and SARS-CoV-2 infection using seroprevalence data (independent of whether or not individuals had symptoms or sought for testing) in a large population-based sample. Our study included 67,340 French participants to the SAPRIS-SERO multi-cohort project. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected using ELISA (targeting the proteins spike (S) and nucleocapsid (NP)) and seroneutralisation (SN) tests on dried blood spots collected in May–November 2020. Non-O individuals (and especially types A and AB) were more likely to bear anti SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (ELISA-S, 2964 positive cases: OR non-Ovs.O = 1.09[1.01–1.17], OR Avs.O = 1.08[1.00–1.17]; ELISA-S/ELISA-NP/SN, 678 triple positive cases: OR non-Ovs.O = 1.19 [1.02–1.39], OR Avs.O = 1.19[1.01–1.41], OR ABvs.O = 1.43[1.01–2.03]). Hence, our results provided additional insights into the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 infection, highlighting a higher susceptibility of infection for individuals of blood types A and AB and a lesser risk for blood type O

Sotrovimab therapy elicits antiviral activities against Omicron BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5 in sera of immunocompromised patients [letter]

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