A fixed dose anti-HIV combination for the poor? Triomune

peer reviewedDespite a relative global stabilization of its incidence, HIV infection remains a major threat for public health, principally in Africa where it concerns more than 22 million people and constitutes the first cause of death on the continent. To face the emergency of the HIV/AIDS epidemics on the African continent, the primary goal is to make available to all patients free and efficient antiretroviral medications. Such a goal cannot be dissociated from large scale prevention campaigns. In 2000, Triomune, one of the first fixed dose combinations of three antiretrovirals (stavudine, lamivudine & nevirapine) was launched by the Indian drug company Cipla, specialized in the production of low cost medications. Its convenient pill burden (one pill twice a day) and its very low cost (around 30 US $ per month) make Triomune an appealing solution for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Unfortunately, Triomune presents several drawbacks (low genetic barrier, frequent side effects) and one of its constituents is not used in Europe anymore. Other first line treatments are urgently needed

Obesity, high blood pressure, hypercholesterolaemia, and untreated diabetes in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected Adults in Mbuji-Mayi (Democratic republic of congo)

Little is known about the major cardiovascular risk factors in HIV-infected as compared to the HIV-uninfected patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). We determined the prevalence of hypertension, obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), total cholesterol > 200 mg/dl, HDLcholesterol &≤ 40 mg/dl, and glycemia > 126 mg/dl. We also calculated the average and/or median of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and glycemia among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients.We conducted a cross-sectional study that enrolled 592 HIV-uninfected and 445 HIV-infected patients of whom 425 (95.5%) were on first-line antiretroviral therapy based on stavudine–lamivudine–nevirapine. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients were collected. The results were analyzed by chi-square, t-student, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. 11.5% of HIV-infected patients had an average blood pressure suggesting hypertension versus 10.6% of HIV-uninfected (P = 0.751). But in absolute value, HIVinfected patients had a median of diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg versus 85 mmHg of HIV-uninfected (P 200 mg/dl and HDL-cholesterol ≤ 40 mg/dl. Proactive screening and prompt management of dyslipidemia and hypertension in this population should be a priority. © 2017, Lavoisier

New approaches to the treatment of the HIV-infected patient

peer reviewedHIV infection remains a major problem of public health in Belgium as well as globally. The number of new diagnosies of HIV infection in Belgium remains between two and three daily. Given the dramatic effect of antiretroviral therapy on the mortality due to HIV infection, the number of patients is constantly increasing. The different problems related to HIV care are also changing. Aging of the patients and chronic exposure to antiretroviral medications have induced new complications. We will present in this brief article several new experimental and clinical approaches in which our centre has participated during the last two years