Use of efavirenz or atazanavir/ritonavir is associated with better clinical outcomes of HAART compared to other protease inhibitors: routine evidence from the Italian MASTER Cohort.

Randomized trials and observational cohorts reported higher rates of virological suppression after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) including efavirenz (EFV), compared with boosted protease inhibitors (PIs). Correlations with immunological and clinical outcomes are unclear. Patients of the Italian MASTER cohort who started HAART from 2000 to 2010 were selected. Outstanding outcome (composite outcome for success (COS)) was introduced. We evaluated predictors of COS (no AIDS plus CD4+ count >500/ mm3 plus HIV-RNA <500 copies/mL) and of eight single outcomes either at month 6 or at year 3. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted. There were 6259 patients selected. Patients on EFV (43%) were younger, had greater CD4+ count, presented with AIDS less frequently, and more were Italians. At year 3, 90% of patients had HIV RNA <500 copies/mL, but only 41.4% were prescribed EFV, vs. 34.1% prescribed boosted PIs achieved COS (p <0.0001). At multivariable analysis, patients on lopinavir/ritonavir had an odds ratio of 0.70 for COS at year 3 (p <0.0001). Foreign origin and positive hepatitis C virus-Ab were independently associated with worse outcome (OR 0.54, p <0.0001 and OR 0.70, p 0.01, respectively). Patients on boosted PIs developed AIDS more frequently either at month 6 (13.8% vs. 7.6%, p <0.0001) or at year 3 (17.1% vs. 13.8%, p <0.0001). At year 3, deaths of patients starting EFV were 3%, vs. 5% on boosted PIs (p 0.008). In this study, naïve patients on EFV performed better than those on boosted PIs after adjustment for imbalances at baseline. Even when virological control is achieved, COS is relatively rare. Hepatitis C virus-positive patients and those of foreign origin are at risk of not obtaining COS. Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2014 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Risk of Severe Non AIDS Events Is Increased among Patients Unable to Increase their CD4+ T-Cell Counts >200+/μl Despite Effective HAART

Immunological non-response (INR) despite virological suppression is associated with AIDS-defining events/death (ADE). Little is known about its association with serious non-AIDS-defining events (nADE)

30-day morbidity and mortality of sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and one anastomosis gastric bypass: a propensity score-matched analysis of the GENEVA data

Background: There is a paucity of data comparing 30-day morbidity and mortality of sleeve gastrectomy (SG), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). This study aimed to compare the 30-day safety of SG, RYGB, and OAGB in propensity score-matched cohorts. Materials and methods: This analysis utilised data collected from the GENEVA study which was a multicentre observational cohort study of bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) in 185 centres across 42 countries between 01/05/2022 and 31/10/2020 during the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. 30-day complications were categorised according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. Patients receiving SG, RYGB, or OAGB were propensity-matched according to baseline characteristics and 30-day complications were compared between groups. Results: In total, 6770 patients (SG 3983; OAGB 702; RYGB 2085) were included in this analysis. Prior to matching, RYGB was associated with highest 30-day complication rate (SG 5.8%; OAGB 7.5%; RYGB 8.0% (p = 0.006)). On multivariate regression modelling, Insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolaemia were associated with increased 30-day complications. Being a non-smoker was associated with reduced complication rates. When compared to SG as a reference category, RYGB, but not OAGB, was associated with an increased rate of 30-day complications. A total of 702 pairs of SG and OAGB were propensity score-matched. The complication rate in the SG group was 7.3% (n = 51) as compared to 7.5% (n = 53) in the OAGB group (p = 0.68). Similarly, 2085 pairs of SG and RYGB were propensity score-matched. The complication rate in the SG group was 6.1% (n = 127) as compared to 7.9% (n = 166) in the RYGB group (p = 0.09). And, 702 pairs of OAGB and RYGB were matched. The complication rate in both groups was the same at 7.5 % (n = 53; p = 0.07). Conclusions: This global study found no significant difference in the 30-day morbidity and mortality of SG, RYGB, and OAGB in propensity score-matched cohorts

30-Day morbidity and mortality of bariatric metabolic surgery in adolescence during the COVID-19 pandemic – The GENEVA study

Background: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is an effective treatment for adolescents with severe obesity. Objectives: This study examined the safety of MBS in adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This was a global, multicentre and observational cohort study of MBS performed between May 01, 2020, and October 10,2020, in 68 centres from 24 countries. Data collection included in-hospital and 30-day COVID-19 and surgery-specific morbidity/mortality. Results: One hundred and seventy adolescent patients (mean age: 17.75 ± 1.30 years), mostly females (n = 122, 71.8%), underwent MBS during the study period. The mean pre-operative weight and body mass index were 122.16 ± 15.92 kg and 43.7 ± 7.11 kg/m2, respectively. Although majority of patients had pre-operative testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (n = 146; 85.9%), only 42.4% (n = 72) of the patients were asked to self-isolate pre-operatively. Two patients developed symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection post-operatively (1.2%). The overall complication rate was 5.3% (n = 9). There was no mortality in this cohort. Conclusions: MBS in adolescents with obesity is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic when performed within the context of local precautionary procedures (such as pre-operative testing). The 30-day morbidity rates were similar to those reported pre-pandemic. These data will help facilitate the safe re-introduction of MBS services for this group of patients

Elemental Composition of Natural Nanoparticles and Fine Colloids in European Forest Stream Waters and Their Role as Phosphorus Carriers

"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Gottselig, N., W. Amelung, J. W. Kirchner, R. Bol, W. Eugster, S. J. Granger, C. Hernández-Crespo, et al. 2017. Elemental Composition of Natural Nanoparticles and Fine Colloids in European Forest Stream Waters and Their Role as Phosphorus Carriers. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 31 (10). American Geophysical Union (AGU): 1592 1607. doi:10.1002/2017gb005657, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GB005657. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."[EN] Biogeochemical cycling of elements largely occurs in dissolved state, but many elements may also be bound to natural nanoparticles (NNP, 1-100 nm) and fine colloids (100-450 nm). We examined the hypothesis that the size and composition of stream water NNP and colloids vary systematically across Europe. To test this hypothesis, 96 stream water samples were simultaneously collected in 26 forested headwater catchments along two transects across Europe. Three size fractions (similar to 1-20 nm, >20-60 nm, and >60 nm) of NNP and fine colloids were identified with Field Flow Fractionation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and an organic carbon detector. The results showed that NNP and fine colloids constituted between 2 +/- 5% (Si) and 53 +/- 21% (Fe; mean +/- SD) of total element concentrations, indicating a substantial contribution of particles to element transport in these European streams, especially for P and Fe. The particulate contents of Fe, Al, and organic C were correlated to their total element concentrations, but those of particulate Si, Mn, P, and Ca were not. The fine colloidal fractions >60 nm were dominated by clay minerals across all sites. The resulting element patterns of NNP <60 nm changed from North to South Europe from Fe-to Ca-dominated particles, along with associated changes in acidity, forest type, and dominant lithology.The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the following people in locating suitable sampling sites, contacting site operators, performing the sampling, and providing data: A. Avila Castells (Autonomous University of Barcelona), R. Batalla (University of Lleida), P. Blomkvist (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), H. Bogena (Julich Research Center), A.K. Boulet (University of Aveiro), D. Estany (University of Lleida), F. Garnier (French National Institute of Agricultural Research), H.J. Hendricks-Franssen (Research Center Julich), L. JacksonBlake (James Hutton Institute, NIVA), T. Laurila (Finnish Meteorological Institute), A. Lindroth (Lund University), M.M. Monerris (Universitat Politecnica de Valencia), M. Ottosson Lofvenius (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), I. Taberman (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), F. Wendland (Research Center Julich), T. Zetterberg (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and The Swedish Environmental Research Institute, IVL) and further unnamed contributors. The Swedish Infrastructure for Ecosystem Science (SITES) and the Swedish Integrated Monitoring, the latter financed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, and ICOS Sweden have supported sampling and provided data for the Swedish sites. J.J.K. gratefully acknowledges the support from CESAM (UID/AMB/50017/2013), funded by the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) with cofunding by FEDER through COMPETE. N.G. gratefully acknowledges all those who contributed to organizing and implementing the continental sampling. The raw data can be found at http://hdl.handle.net/2128/14937. This project was partly funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG KL2495/1-1).Gottselig, N.; Amelung, W.; Kirchner, J.; Bol, R.; Eugster, W.; Granger, S.; Hernández Crespo, C.... (2017). Elemental Composition of Natural Nanoparticles and Fine Colloids in European Forest Stream Waters and Their Role as Phosphorus Carriers. Global Biogeochemical Cycles. 31(10):1592-1607. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GB005657S159216073110Baken, S., Moens, C., van der Grift, B., & Smolders, E. (2016). Phosphate binding by natural iron-rich colloids in streams. Water Research, 98, 326-333. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2016.04.032Baken, S., Regelink, I. C., Comans, R. N. J., Smolders, E., & Koopmans, G. F. (2016). Iron-rich colloids as carriers of phosphorus in streams: A field-flow fractionation study. Water Research, 99, 83-90. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2016.04.060Benedetti, M. F., Van Riemsdijk, W. H., Koopal, L. K., Kinniburgh, D. G., Gooddy, D. C., & Milne, C. J. (1996). Metal ion binding by natural organic matter: From the model to the field. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 60(14), 2503-2513. doi:10.1016/0016-7037(96)00113-5Binkley, D., Ice, G. G., Kaye, J., & Williams, C. A. (2004). NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATIONS IN FOREST STREAMS OF THE UNITED STATES. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 40(5), 1277-1291. doi:10.1111/j.1752-1688.2004.tb01586.xBishop, K., Buffam, I., Erlandsson, M., Fölster, J., Laudon, H., Seibert, J., & Temnerud, J. (2008). Aqua Incognita: the unknown headwaters. Hydrological Processes, 22(8), 1239-1242. doi:10.1002/hyp.7049Bol, R., Julich, D., Brödlin, D., Siemens, J., Kaiser, K., Dippold, M. A., … Hagedorn, F. (2016). Dissolved and colloidal phosphorus fluxes in forest ecosystems-an almost blind spot in ecosystem research. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 179(4), 425-438. doi:10.1002/jpln.201600079Buffle, J., & Leppard, G. G. (1995). Characterization of Aquatic Colloids and Macromolecules. 2. Key Role of Physical Structures on Analytical Results. Environmental Science & Technology, 29(9), 2176-2184. doi:10.1021/es00009a005Celi, L., & Barberis, E. (s. f.). Abiotic stabilization of organic phosphorus in the environment. Organic phosphorus in the environment, 113-132. doi:10.1079/9780851998220.0113Dahlqvist, R., Benedetti, M. F., Andersson, K., Turner, D., Larsson, T., Stolpe, B., & Ingri, J. (2004). Association of calcium with colloidal particles and speciation of calcium in the Kalix and Amazon rivers. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68(20), 4059-4075. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2004.04.007Darch, T., Blackwell, M. S. A., Hawkins, J. M. B., Haygarth, P. M., & Chadwick, D. (2014). A Meta-Analysis of Organic and Inorganic Phosphorus in Organic Fertilizers, Soils, and Water: Implications for Water Quality. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 44(19), 2172-2202. doi:10.1080/10643389.2013.790752Dynesius, M., & Nilsson, C. (1994). Fragmentation and Flow Regulation of River Systems in the Northern Third of the World. Science, 266(5186), 753-762. doi:10.1126/science.266.5186.753Erickson, H. P. (2009). Size and Shape of Protein Molecules at the Nanometer Level Determined by Sedimentation, Gel Filtration, and Electron Microscopy. Biological Procedures Online, 11(1), 32-51. doi:10.1007/s12575-009-9008-xEspinosa, M., Turner, B. L., & Haygarth, P. M. (1999). Preconcentration and Separation of Trace Phosphorus Compounds in Soil Leachate. Journal of Environmental Quality, 28(5), 1497-1504. doi:10.2134/jeq1999.00472425002800050015xFernández-Martínez, M., Vicca, S., Janssens, I. A., Sardans, J., Luyssaert, S., Campioli, M., … Peñuelas, J. (2014). Nutrient availability as the key regulator of global forest carbon balance. Nature Climate Change, 4(6), 471-476. doi:10.1038/nclimate2177Giddings, J., Yang, F., & Myers, M. (1976). Flow-field-flow fractionation: a versatile new separation method. Science, 193(4259), 1244-1245. doi:10.1126/science.959835Gimbert, L. J., Andrew, K. N., Haygarth, P. M., & Worsfold, P. J. (2003). Environmental applications of flow field-flow fractionation (FIFFF). TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 22(9), 615-633. doi:10.1016/s0165-9936(03)01103-8Gottselig, N., Bol, R., Nischwitz, V., Vereecken, H., Amelung, W., & Klumpp, E. (2014). Distribution of Phosphorus-Containing Fine Colloids and Nanoparticles in Stream Water of a Forest Catchment. Vadose Zone Journal, 13(7), vzj2014.01.0005. doi:10.2136/vzj2014.01.0005Gottselig, N., Nischwitz, V., Meyn, T., Amelung, W., Bol, R., Halle, C., … Klumpp, E. (2017). Phosphorus Binding to Nanoparticles and Colloids in Forest Stream Waters. Vadose Zone Journal, 16(3), vzj2016.07.0064. doi:10.2136/vzj2016.07.0064Hagedorn , A. G. 2006 EG-Sicherheitsdatenblatt (Gemäß 2001/58/EG)Hart, B. T., Douglas, G. B., Beckett, R., Van Put, A., & Van Grieken, R. E. (1993). Characterization of colloidal and particulate matter transported by the magela creek system, Northern Australia. Hydrological Processes, 7(1), 105-118. doi:10.1002/hyp.3360070111Hassellöv, M., Lyvén, B., Haraldsson, C., & Sirinawin, W. (1999). Determination of Continuous Size and Trace Element Distribution of Colloidal Material in Natural Water by On-Line Coupling of Flow Field-Flow Fractionation with ICPMS. Analytical Chemistry, 71(16), 3497-3502. doi:10.1021/ac981455yHassellov, M., & von der Kammer, F. (2008). Iron Oxides as Geochemical Nanovectors for Metal Transport in Soil-River Systems. Elements, 4(6), 401-406. doi:10.2113/gselements.4.6.401Hens, M., & Merckx, R. (2001). Functional Characterization of Colloidal Phosphorus Species in the Soil Solution of Sandy Soils. Environmental Science & Technology, 35(3), 493-500. doi:10.1021/es0013576Hill, D. M., & Aplin, A. C. (2001). Role of colloids and fine particles in the transport of metals in rivers draining carbonate and silicate terrains. Limnology and Oceanography, 46(2), 331-344. doi:10.4319/lo.2001.46.2.0331Jarvie, H. P., Neal, C., Rowland, A. P., Neal, M., Morris, P. N., Lead, J. R., … Hockenhull, K. (2012). Role of riverine colloids in macronutrient and metal partitioning and transport, along an upland–lowland land-use continuum, under low-flow conditions. Science of The Total Environment, 434, 171-185. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.11.061Jiang, X., Bol, R., Nischwitz, V., Siebers, N., Willbold, S., Vereecken, H., … Klumpp, E. (2015). Phosphorus Containing Water Dispersible Nanoparticles in Arable Soil. Journal of Environmental Quality, 44(6), 1772-1781. doi:10.2134/jeq2015.02.0085Kögel-Knabner, I., & Amelung, W. (2014). Dynamics, Chemistry, and Preservation of Organic Matter in Soils. Treatise on Geochemistry, 157-215. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-095975-7.01012-3Krám, P., Hruška, J., & Shanley, J. B. (2012). Streamwater chemistry in three contrasting monolithologic Czech catchments. Applied Geochemistry, 27(9), 1854-1863. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2012.02.020Lyvén, B., Hassellöv, M., Turner, D. R., Haraldsson, C., & Andersson, K. (2003). Competition between iron- and carbon-based colloidal carriers for trace metals in a freshwater assessed using flow field-flow fractionation coupled to ICPMS. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 67(20), 3791-3802. doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(03)00087-5Marschner, B., & Kalbitz, K. (2003). Controls of bioavailability and biodegradability of dissolved organic matter in soils. Geoderma, 113(3-4), 211-235. doi:10.1016/s0016-7061(02)00362-2Martin, J.-M., Dai, M.-H., & Cauwet, G. (1995). Significance of colloids in the biogeochemical cycling of organic carbon and trace metals in the Venice Lagoon (Italy). Limnology and Oceanography, 40(1), 119-131. doi:10.4319/lo.1995.40.1.0119Mattsson, T., Kortelainen, P., Laubel, A., Evans, D., Pujo-Pay, M., Räike, A., & Conan, P. (2009). Export of dissolved organic matter in relation to land use along a European climatic gradient. Science of The Total Environment, 407(6), 1967-1976. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.11.014Missong, A., Bol, R., Willbold, S., Siemens, J., & Klumpp, E. (2016). Phosphorus forms in forest soil colloids as revealed by liquid-state31P-NMR. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 179(2), 159-167. doi:10.1002/jpln.201500119Montalvo, D., Degryse, F., & McLaughlin, M. J. (2015). Natural Colloidal P and Its Contribution to Plant P Uptake. Environmental Science & Technology, 49(6), 3427-3434. doi:10.1021/es504643fNeubauer, E., Köhler, S. J., von der Kammer, F., Laudon, H., & Hofmann, T. (2013). Effect of pH and Stream Order on Iron and Arsenic Speciation in Boreal Catchments. Environmental Science & Technology, 47(13), 7120-7128. doi:10.1021/es401193jNeubauer, E., v.d. Kammer, F., & Hofmann, T. (2011). Influence of carrier solution ionic strength and injected sample load on retention and recovery of natural nanoparticles using Flow Field-Flow Fractionation. Journal of Chromatography A, 1218(38), 6763-6773. doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2011.07.010Nischwitz, V., & Goenaga-Infante, H. (2012). Improved sample preparation and quality control for the characterisation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in sunscreens using flow field flow fractionation on-line with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 27(7), 1084. doi:10.1039/c2ja10387gRan, Y., Fu, J. ., Sheng, G. ., Beckett, R., & Hart, B. . (2000). Fractionation and composition of colloidal and suspended particulate materials in rivers. Chemosphere, 41(1-2), 33-43. doi:10.1016/s0045-6535(99)00387-2Regelink, I. C., Koopmans, G. F., van der Salm, C., Weng, L., & van Riemsdijk, W. H. (2013). Characterization of Colloidal Phosphorus Species in Drainage Waters from a Clay Soil Using Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation. Journal of Environmental Quality, 42(2), 464-473. doi:10.2134/jeq2012.0322Regelink, I. C., Voegelin, A., Weng, L., Koopmans, G. F., & Comans, R. N. J. (2014). Characterization of Colloidal Fe from Soils Using Field-Flow Fractionation and Fe K-Edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(8), 4307-4316. doi:10.1021/es405330xRegelink, I. C., Weng, L., & van Riemsdijk, W. H. (2011). The contribution of organic and mineral colloidal nanoparticles to element transport in a podzol soil. Applied Geochemistry, 26, S241-S244. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.03.114RICHARDSON, C. J. (1985). Mechanisms Controlling Phosphorus Retention Capacity in Freshwater Wetlands. Science, 228(4706), 1424-1427. doi:10.1126/science.228.4706.1424Roth , C. 2011 Sicherheitsdatenblatt Gemäß Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1907/2006 RepSchmitt, D., Taylor, H. E., Aiken, G. R., Roth, D. A., & Frimmel, F. H. (2002). Influence of Natural Organic Matter on the Adsorption of Metal Ions onto Clay Minerals. Environmental Science & Technology, 36(13), 2932-2938. doi:10.1021/es010271pSix, J., Elliott, E. T., & Paustian, K. (1999). Aggregate and Soil Organic Matter Dynamics under Conventional and No-Tillage Systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 63(5), 1350-1358. doi:10.2136/sssaj1999.6351350xStolpe, B., Guo, L., Shiller, A. M., & Hassellöv, M. (2010). Size and composition of colloidal organic matter and trace elements in the Mississippi River, Pearl River and the northern Gulf of Mexico, as characterized by flow field-flow fractionation. Marine Chemistry, 118(3-4), 119-128. doi:10.1016/j.marchem.2009.11.007Tipping, E., & Hurley, M. . (1992). A unifying model of cation binding by humic substances. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 56(10), 3627-3641. doi:10.1016/0016-7037(92)90158-fTombácz, E., Libor, Z., Illés, E., Majzik, A., & Klumpp, E. (2004). The role of reactive surface sites and complexation by humic acids in the interaction of clay mineral and iron oxide particles. Organic Geochemistry, 35(3), 257-267. doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2003.11.002Trostle, K. D., Ray Runyon, J., Pohlmann, M. A., Redfield, S. E., Pelletier, J., McIntosh, J., & Chorover, J. (2016). Colloids and organic matter complexation control trace metal concentration-discharge relationships in Marshall Gulch stream waters. Water Resources Research, 52(10), 7931-7944. doi:10.1002/2016wr019072U.S. Department of Agriculture 1993 Soil survey manual, chapter 3. Selected chemical propertiesVitousek, P. (1982). Nutrient Cycling and Nutrient Use Efficiency. The American Naturalist, 119(4), 553-572. doi:10.1086/283931Wells, M. L., & Goldberg, E. D. (1991). Occurrence of small colloids in sea water. Nature, 353(6342), 342-344. doi:10.1038/353342a0Wen, L.-S., Santschi, P., Gill, G., & Paternostro, C. (1999). Estuarine trace metal distributions in Galveston Bay: importance of colloidal forms in the speciation of the dissolved phase. Marine Chemistry, 63(3-4), 185-212. doi:10.1016/s0304-4203(98)00062-0Zirkler, D., Lang, F., & Kaupenjohann, M. (2012). «Lost in filtration»—The separation of soil colloids from larger particles. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 399, 35-40. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2012.02.02

Circulating sCD14 Is Associated with Virological Response to Pegylated-Interferon-Alpha/Ribavirin Treatment in HIV/HCV Co-Infected Patients

Microbial translocation (MT) through the gut accounts for immune activation and CD4+ loss in HIV and may influence HCV disease progression in HIV/HCV co-infection. We asked whether increased MT and immune activation may hamper anti-HCV response in HIV/HCV patients.98 HIV/HCV patients who received pegylated-alpha-interferon (peg-INF-alpha)/ribavirin were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline MT (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), host response to MT (sCD14), CD38+HLA-DR+CD4+/CD8+, HCV genotype, severity of liver disease were assessed according to Early Virological Response (EVR: HCV-RNA <50 IU/mL at week 12 of therapy or ≥2 log(10) reduction from baseline after 12 weeks of therapy) and Sustained Virological Response (SVR: HCV-RNA <50 IU/mL 24 weeks after end of therapy). Mann-Whitney/Chi-square test and Pearson's correlation were used. Multivariable regression was performed to determine factors associated with EVR/SVR.71 patients displayed EVR; 41 SVR. Patients with HCV genotypes 1-4 and cirrhosis presented a trend to higher sCD14, compared to patients with genotypes 2-3 (p = 0.053) and no cirrhosis (p = 0.052). EVR and SVR patients showed lower levels of circulating sCD14 (p = 0.0001, p = 0.026, respectively), but similar T-cell activation compared to Non-EVR (Null Responders, NR) and Non-SVR (N-SVR) subjects. sCD14 resulted the main predictive factor of EVR (0.145 for each sCD14 unit more, 95%CI 0.031-0.688, p = 0.015). SVR was associated only with HCV genotypes 2-3 (AOR 0.022 for genotypes 1-4 vs 2-3, 95%CI 0.001-0.469, p = 0.014).In HIV/HCV patients sCD14 correlates with the severity of liver disease and predicts early response to peg-INF-alpha/ribavirin, suggesting MT-driven immune activation as pathway of HIV/HCV co-infection and response to therapy