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Roberto Cauda

Publications and source records attributed to Roberto Cauda.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Azole susceptibility patterns and genetic relationship among oral Candida strains isolated in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

We performed a cross-sectional study to analyze patterns of azole susceptibility of oral isolates in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era and compared current data with those obtained for isolates from 1994. We further identified patients with relapsing oral pharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) who had been included in a similar study in 1994. For these subjects, we compared the susceptibility pattern for the OPC isolates, and if a modification of azole resistance was observed, we analyzed the genotypic pattern for the 1994 and 2000 isolates to determine whether the dominant strain was closely related. We included 69 consecutive HIV-infected subjects with 137 episodes of OPC who were admitted to our ward from January to June 2000. Ninety-two strains (67%) and 21 non- strains (15%) were isolated. We identified 24 episodes of OPC caused by two different species. Compared with the pre-HAART era, the fluconazole resistance of isolates significantly decreased from 45% to 10% (p <.001). Itraconazole resistance decreased from 37% to 7% (p <.001). Ketoconazole resistance (3% in 1994) was not detected more. Nine patients whose isolate was susceptible to all azole drugs had a previous isolate resistant to all azole drugs. We observed that these isolates exhibited different fingerprint profiles. Our findings demonstrate that most cases of HIV-associated OPC observed in the HAART era are caused by azole-susceptible strains. The reversion of an isolate from azole resistant to azole susceptible is related to strain replacement.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

In vitro and in vivo modulation of MDR1/P-glycoprotein in HIV-infected patients administered highly active antiretroviral therapy and liposomal doxorubicin.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transports a wide range of structurally unrelated drugs, such as HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) and cytotoxic compounds such as anthracyclines. Because modification of P-gp phenotype and function is an important underlying mechanism of drug interactions, the current study was conducted in order to evaluate whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV plasma viral load (VL), or cancer chemotherapy may induce in vivo changes of P-gp phenotype in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HIV-infected treatment-naive and -experienced subjects at different stages of HIV infection and/or disease, including patients with HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS). Our results show that neither HAART nor HIV VL, nor the stage of HIV infection and/or disease, significantly alter P-gp expression on PBMCs. In particular, surface P-gp expression is expressed at low levels by T-cell subsets, B cells, and NK cells, whereas almost all monocytes are double positive and these results are not modified by HIV PI-containing regimens. By contrast, a significant phenotype modification is detected in PBMCs from AIDS/KS patients after challenge with the liposomal formulation of the anthracycline doxorubicin (L-DOX) with the higher expression reached 24 hours after the end of the drug infusion. In addition, accumulation of L-DOX is unaffected by P-gp-mediated drug efflux as documented by in vitro experiments, in sharp contrast to the kinetic of free DOX, based on HIV PI blockade experiments. Finally, P-gp expression was found in KS spindle cells from HIV-infected treatment-naive AIDS/KS patients. We conclude that P-gp phenotype in PBMCs and specific subsets is not altered by HAART and/or HIV, whereas a significant increase is induced by specific anticancer drugs such as L-DOX. Moreover, HIV PIs possess an inhibitory effect on P-gp function that may improve DOX sensitivity in KS spindle cells.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Usefulness of monitoring HIV drug resistance and adherence in individuals failing highly active antiretroviral therapy: a randomized study (ARGENTA).

OBJECTIVE: To establish the influence of genotypic resistance-guided treatment decisions and patient-reported adherence on the virological and immunological responses in patients failing a potent antiretroviral regimen in a randomized, controlled trial in a tertiary care infectious diseases department. PATIENTS: A total of 174 patients with virological failure were randomly assigned to receive standard of care (SOC) or additional genotypic resistance information (G). Adherence was measured by a self-administered questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Primary endpoints were the proportion with HIV-RNA < 500 copies/ml at 3 and 6 months by intention-to-treat analysis. Secondary endpoints were changes from baseline HIV-RNA levels and CD4 cell counts. RESULTS: At entry, 25% had failed three or more highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens and 41% three drug classes; there were more resistance mutations in G. In 127 evaluable questionnaires, 43% reported last missed dose during the previous week. At 3 months, 11 of 89 patients (12%) in SOC and 23 of 85 (27%) in G had HIV-RNA < 500 copies/ml (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.12-6.26); the relative proportions were 17 and 21% at 6 months. CD4 cell changes did not differ between arms. Six month CD4 cell changes were +62 in adherent and -13 cells/microl in non-adherent patients (P < 0.01). Being assigned to G, good adherence, previous history of virological success, fewer experienced HAART regimens and lower baseline viral load were independently predictive of 3 month virological success. CONCLUSION: The virological benefit of genotype-guided treatment decisions in heavily pre-exposed patients was short term. Patients adherence and residual treatment options influenced outcomes.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗

Antiretroviral therapy with protease inhibitors has an early, immune reconstitution-independent beneficial effect on Candida virulence and oral candidiasis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects.

Highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAARTs) that contain human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors (PIs) or nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) were compared for their effect on secretory aspartyl proteinase (Sap), a virulence trait for mucosal candidiasis. In therapy-naive HIV-positive subjects, oral Sap was detected in 11, 6, 3, 0, and 0 of 15 subjects treated with PI-HAART and in 7, 7, 9, 6, and 5 of 15 subjects treated with NNRTI-HAART, on days 0, 14, 30, 90, and 180 of treatment, respectively. In another 30 subjects, Sap was detected in 0 and 7 of 15 subjects after 1 year of treatment with PI-HAART or NNRTI-HAART, respectively. The anti-Sap effect of PI-HAART was associated with clinical resolution of oral candidiasis but not with late and inconstant recovery of anticandidal cellular immunity. In all subjects, the 2 therapeutic regimens compared well in increasing CD4(+) cell count and abating viremia. Thus, PIs exert an early, immune reconstitution-independent effect on Candida virulence in the oral cavities of HIV-positive subjects.

Adult↗

Risk factors and predictors of mortality of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES: To define the incidence, risk factors and short-term predictors of mortality of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia in HIV-infected patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All HIV-infected subjects with S. aureus bacteraemia were consecutively enrolled in a case-control study between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 2000 and prospectively followed up. RESULTS: In the study period, 129 of 419 (31%) HIV-infected patients with bacteraemia had a diagnosis of S. aureus bacteraemia. The comparative analysis of incidence of S. aureus bacteraemia in the period 1991-96 and 1997-2000 showed a significant decrease (P < 0.001). The same trend was observed for MRSA bacteraemia (P = 0.002). The analysis of antimicrobial resistance showed that among 129 S. aureus strains, 88 (68%) were methicillin susceptible and 41 (32%) were methicillin resistant. The majority of MRSA bacteraemia was hospital acquired (78%). Previous administration of beta-lactams (P < 0.001), multiple previous hospital admissions (P < 0.001) and low numbers of CD4+ peripheral cells (P < 0.001) were found to be independent risk factors of methicillin resistance at multivariate analysis. The mortality rate was 34% in the cases and 11% in the controls (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis indicated that a high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score (P < 0.001) and high HIV viraemia (P = 0.02), but not methicillin resistance, predicted an increased risk of death in patients with S. aureus bacteraemia. CONCLUSION: Individual exposure to beta-lactams, in association with a history of multiple hospitalizations and low CD4+ cell number, plays a pivotal role as a risk factor for the development of methicillin resistance in HIV-infected patients. Methicillin resistance does not influence the outcome of S. aureus bacteraemia when included in a multivariate analysis.

APACHE↗

Antiretroviral therapy in chronic liver disease: focus on HIV/HCV coinfection--statements of the First Italian Consensus Workshop.

Hepatitis C virus common transmission routes and HCV coinfection is frequent in persons living with HIV. Liver enzyme elevation following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy is frequently seen in HIV-infected patients with chronic liver disease, particularly those with chronic hepatitis C. This complication may lead to treatment discontinuation, complicating HIV therapeutic management. Multiple factors influence the risk of liver toxicity under antiretroviral therapy, including the specific drug in use (e.g. use of full doses of ritonavir), and environmental factors (e.g. alcohol abuse). However a beneficial effect of antiretroviral therapy on liver disease has been supported by some studies. Despite increasing knowledge of HCV/HIV coinfection, there is no clear consensus on how to treat HIV in HCV-coinfected patients An Italian group of experts were invited to discuss in detail the current risks and implications of antiretroviral treatment in HIV-infected persons with chronic hepatitis C, and their main conclusions are summarized in this consensus document.

Anti-HIV Agents↗