HIV Seropositivity: Schuman P

Klein RS, Flanigan T, Schuman P, Smith D, Vlahov D. · Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. Disease, Department of Medicine, · J Allergy Clin Immunol. · Pubmed #9893191 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Controversy exists about both the clinical utility of anergy testing and the optimal criteria for defining anergy. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess various definitions of cutaneous anergy for ability to distinguish HIV status, level of immunodeficiency, and ability to mount a tuberculin reaction among women with or at risk for HIV infection. METHODS: HIV-seropositive (n = 721) and HIV-seronegative (n = 358) at-risk women at academic medical centers in Baltimore, Detroit, New York, and Providence had cutaneous testing with mumps, Candida, tetanus toxoid, and tuberculin antigens. Associations with HIV status and CD4+ lymphocyte levels were analyzed. RESULTS: Candida, mumps, and tetanus antigens alone or in combination elicited reactions significantly less often in HIV-seropositive than in HIV-seronegative women and less often in seropositive women with lower CD4+ counts, regardless of induration cutpoint chosen to define a positive reaction. The best antigen combinations for distinguishing groups included tetanus and mumps. Some women nonreactive to the 3 antigens ("anergic") had positive tuberculin reactions among both seropositive subjects (range, 1.1% to 2.9% depending on induration cutpoint for defining anergy) and seronegative subjects (range, 8.9% to 14%). CONCLUSION: Absence of reactions to Candida, mumps, and tetanus antigens alone or in combination and at any induration cutpoint is associated with HIV status and with CD4+ level. Combinations, including tetanus and mumps antigens with an induration cutpoint of less than 2 mm, may be the best for defining anergy.

Massad LS, Fazzari MJ, Anastos K, Klein RS, Minkoff H, Jamieson DJ, Duerr A, Celentano D, Gange S, Cu-Uvin S, Young M, Watts DH, Levine AM, Schuman P, Harris TG, Strickler HD. · Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62794-9640, USA. · J Low Genit Tract Dis. · Pubmed #17415113 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To describe outcomes after treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in women with HIV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women in two prospective cohort studies, the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) and the HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS), were followed every 6 months after treatment of CIN using human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and cytology with colposcopy as indicated. Identification of CIN or a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) within 6 months was defined as treatment failure and later disease as recurrence. RESULTS: Follow-up was available for 170 HIV-seropositive and 15 HIV-seronegative women. Treatment failed in 84 (45%) women (79 HIV seropositive and 5 HIV seronegative). Failure was more likely in women with lower CD4 counts (CD4 < 200 cells/microL: odds ratio [OR] = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.4-6.2) and detectable HPV DNA (OR 8.20; 95% CI = 1.8-37.4; p = .01). After successful treatment, recurrence-free probabilities at 1,2, 3, and 5 years were .79, .64, .49, and .34, respectively. HIV-seronegative women were less likely to recur than HIV-seropositive women (p = .03). In multivariable analysis of HIV-positive women, recurrence was more likely among women treated for CIN 2,3 (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.4-4.8), those with CD4 count of less than 200 cells/microL (HR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.3-6.5) and those with HPV after treatment (HR 2.9; 95% CI = 1.4-6.1); oncogenic HPV was more strongly associated with recurrence than nononcogenic HPV (p(trend) = .009). Most failures and recurrences were low grade, but one adenocarcinoma was diagnosed 4.2 years after therapy for CIN 1. CONCLUSION: Treatment failure and recurrence are common in women with HIV but are usually low grade.

Koshiol J, Schroeder J, Jamieson DJ, Marshall SW, Duerr A, Heilig CM, Shah KV, Klein RS, Cu-Uvin S, Schuman P, Celentano D, Smith JS. · Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. · Am J Epidemiol. · Pubmed #16775041 links to  free full text

Abstract: Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection seems central to cervical carcinogenesis. Smoking is associated with cervical cancer in HPV DNA-positive women, but its association with HPV persistence is unclear, particularly with respect to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus. The authors evaluated smoking and HPV clearance by HIV serostatus among 801 women from the HIV Epidemiology Research Study (United States, 1993-2000). Type-specific HPV duration was defined as the interval between initial MY09/11 polymerase chain reaction positivity and the first of two consecutive HPV-negative study visits. Hazard ratios adjusted for study site and risk behaviors (sexual activity or injection drug use) were estimated using Cox regression. This analysis included 522 HIV-seropositive and 279 HIV-seronegative women (median follow-up, 4.4 years). Ever smoking was associated with reduced clearance of high-risk HPV in HIV-seronegative women (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30, 0.88) but not in HIV-seropositive women (HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.65, 1.42); similar results were found for current smoking. Current smoking was not associated with clearance of any type-specific HPV in HIV-seropositive (HR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.82, 1.20) or HIV-seronegative (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.68, 1.26) women. HPV clearance did not appear to vary by amount or duration of smoking. Smoking did not modify overall clearance but was associated with lower high-risk HPV clearance in HIV-seronegative women.

Hamburger ME, Moore J, Koenig LJ, Vlahov D, Schoenbaum EE, Schuman P, Mayer K, Anonymous00333. · Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Surveillance and Epidemiology, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. · AIDS Behav. · Pubmed #15475680 No free full text.

Abstract: This study longitudinally examines the relation between a history of experiencing childhood and adult physical or sexual abuse, and male condom use by women with or at risk for HIV. Abuse history and prospective condom use data were collected from 214 HIV infected and 189 uninfected women participating in the HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS) who were inconsistent condom users at baseline and received two safer sex counseling sessions. Analyses were conducted to assess the association between abuse history and condom use while controlling for sociodemographic variables and other risk factors. HIV-uninfected women with a history of adult physical abuse were five times less likely to report consistent condom use at 1-year follow-up than uninfected women without a history of abuse while holding control variables constant. Expectations of a negative reaction by the partner to suggested condom use did not explain this association. Though in the same direction as in uninfected women, abuse history was not significantly related to consistent condom use among HIV-infected women. These data indicate the need to develop risk prevention strategies tailored to uninfected women with a history of adult abuse. In lieu of specialized interventions, health care providers should assess women's abuse history and supplement HIV prevention counseling with mental health counseling when indicated.

Smith DK, Gardner LI, Phelps R, Hamburger ME, Carpenter C, Klein RS, Rompalo A, Schuman P, Holmberg SD, Anonymous00314. · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Surveillance and Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. · J Urban Health. · Pubmed #14709715 No free full text.

Abstract: HIV/AIDS-associated and non-HIV/AIDS-associated death rates and causes of death between 1993 and 1999 were examined in 885 HIV-infected women and 425 uninfected women of the HIV Epidemiology Research Study cohort. Causes of death were determined by review of death certificates and the National Death Index. Adjusted hazard ratios were calculated for mortality risk factors. In the 885 HIV-infected women and 425 uninfected women, 234 deaths and 8 deaths, respectively, occurred by December 31, 1999. All-cause death rates in the HIV-infected women were unchanged between the pre-HAART (1993-1996) and HAART eras (1997-1999)-5.1 versus 5.4 deaths per 100 person-years (py). AIDS as a cause of death decreased from 58% of all deaths in 1996 to 19% in 1999, while HAART use increased to 42% by the end of 1999. In spite of the modest proportion ever using HAART, HIV-related mortality rates did decline, particularly in women with CD4+ cell counts less than 200/mm(3). Drug-related factors were prominent: for the 129 non-AIDS-defining deaths, hepatitis C positivity (relative hazard [RH] 2.6, P <.001) and injection drug use (RH 1.7, P = 0.02) were strong predictors of mortality, but were not significant in the Cox model for 105 AIDS-defining deaths (RH 0.9, P >.30 and RH 0.7, P >.30, respectively. The regression analysis findings, along with the high percentage of non-AIDS deaths attributable to illicit drug use, suggest that high levels of drug use in this population offset improvements in mortality from declining numbers of deaths due to AIDS.

Macalino GE, Ko H, Celentano DD, Hogan JW, Schoenbaum EE, Schuman P, Rich JD, Anonymous00412. · Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA. · J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. · Pubmed #12869839 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Drug use, particularly among women, is a public health issue given its health effects and its impact on HIV transmission. Becoming HIV seropositive could lead to differing patterns of drug use over time. HIV infection may decrease drug use due to an increased access to health services. Alternatively, increased drug use may occur due to depression associated with being HIV infected, leading to despair, hopelessness, and a lack of motivation to become drug free. METHODS: We evaluated the potential association between HIV serostatus and drug use among a cohort of 1310 women who were part of a multicenter collaborative study on the natural history of HIV infection. Eight hundred seventy-one HIV-seropositive women and 439 HIV-seronegative women were enrolled at four sites (New York, Providence, Baltimore, and Detroit). We defined drug use as any heroin or cocaine use reported at the baseline visit (enrollment). RESULTS: Drug use was found to decrease during earlier visits (months 1-24) and remained stable at 20% thereafter (months 30-84). No significant differences in change of drug use were noted by HIV serostatus, using generalized estimating equation-based logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-seropositive status did not affect drug use patterns over time within our population of high-risk women.

Strickler HD, Palefsky JM, Shah KV, Anastos K, Klein RS, Minkoff H, Duerr A, Massad LS, Celentano DD, Hall C, Fazzari M, Cu-Uvin S, Bacon M, Schuman P, Levine AM, Durante AJ, Gange S, Melnick S, Burk RD. · Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. · J Natl Cancer Inst. · Pubmed #12865452 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 is etiologically associated with approximately half of all cervical cancers. It is important, therefore, to determine the characteristics that distinguish HPV16 from other HPV types. A preliminary result based on cross-sectional baseline data in the Women's Interagency Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Study (WIHS) suggested that the prevalence of HPV16 might have a weaker association with immune status in HIV-seropositive women than that of other HPV types. To address this issue, we examined HPV test results from repeated study visits in the WIHS and from an independent study, the HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS). METHODS: HIV-seropositive women in the WIHS (n = 2058) and in the HERS (n = 871) were assessed semiannually. HPV DNA was detected in cervicovaginal lavage specimens by using polymerase chain reaction assays. Prevalence ratios were used to compare the prevalence of each HPV type in women with the lowest CD4+ T-cell counts (<200 T cells/mm3) with that of women with the highest CD4+ T-cell counts (> or =500 T cells/mm3). A summary prevalence ratio for each HPV type (i.e., across visits and studies) was estimated using generalized estimating equations. The association of CD4+ T-cell stratum with type-specific HPV incidence was measured using multivariable Cox regression models. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: The prevalence ratio for HPV16 was low compared with that of other HPV types at every study visit in both cohorts. The generalized estimating equation summary prevalence ratio for HPV16 (1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.97 to 1.62) was the smallest measured, and it was statistically significantly lower than that of all other HPV types combined (P =.01). The association of CD4+ T-cell stratum with HPV16 incidence was also among the smallest measured (hazard ratio = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.01 to 2.81). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalent and incident detection of HPV16 is more weakly associated with immune status in HIV-seropositive women than that of other HPV types, suggesting that HPV16 may be better at avoiding the effects of immune surveillance, which could contribute to HPV16's strong association with cervical cancer.

Harlow SD, Cohen M, Ohmit SE, Schuman P, Cu-Uvin S, Lin X, Greenblatt R, Gurtman A, Khalsa A, Minkoff H, Young MA, Klein RS. · Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. · Am J Obstet Gynecol. · Pubmed #12712080 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of substance use and psychotherapeutic medications on menstrual characteristics in women who are human immunodeficiency virus seropositive and seronegative. STUDY DESIGN: Menstrual calendars were prospectively collected for 1075 women who were human immunodeficiency virus seropositive and seronegative and who were enrolled in the Women's Interagency Human Immunodeficiency Virus Study or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemiology Research Study; several of the women were substance users or recipients of psychotherapeutic medications. RESULTS: Women who received methadone maintenance and who used injection drugs had substantially increased odds of a cycle of >or=90 days (odds ratio, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.23-4.22; and odds ratio, 3.87; 95% CI, 2.16-6.95, respectively). The use of psychotherapeutic medications increased the odds of having very short cycles, <18 days, and cycles of >or=90 days (odds ratio, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.16-2.45; and odds ratio, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.03-3.36, respectively). CONCLUSION: Clinicians should evaluate substance use, participation in methadone maintenance programs, and the use of psychotherapeutic medications and consider the neuroendocrinologic effects of these medications as a potential cause of menstrual disruptions.

Gardner LI, Holmberg SD, Williamson JM, Szczech LA, Carpenter CC, Rompalo AM, Schuman P, Klein RS, Anonymous00372. · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-45 Division of HIV/AIDS, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. · J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. · Pubmed #12571531 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Data on the incidence and prognostic significance of renal dysfunction in HIV disease are limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of proteinuria and elevated serum creatinine in HIV-positive and HIV-negative women and to determine whether these abnormalities are predictors of mortality or associated with causes of death listed on the death certificate in HIV-positive women. DESIGN: The incidence of proteinuria or elevated serum creatinine and mortality was assessed in a cohort of 885 HIV-positive women and 425 at-risk HIV-negative women. SETTING: Women from the general community or HIV care clinics in four urban locations in the United States. OUTCOME MEASURES: Creatinine of >or=1.4 mg/dL, proteinuria 2 or more, or both. Deaths confirmed by a death certificate (92%) or medical record/community report (8%). RESULTS: At baseline, 64 (7.2%) HIV-positive women and 10 (2.4%) HIV-negative women had proteinuria or elevated creatinine. An additional 128 (14%) HIV-positive women and 18 (4%) HIV-negative women developed these abnormalities over the next (mean) 21 months. Relative hazards of mortality were significantly increased (adjusted relative hazard = 2.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.9-3.3), and there were more renal causes recorded on death certificates (24/92 (26%) vs. 3/127 (2.7%), p<.0001) in HIV-infected women with, compared with those without these renal abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Proteinuria, elevated serum creatinine, or both frequently occurred in these HIV-infected women. These renal abnormalities in HIV-infected women are associated with an increased risk of death after controlling for other risk factors and with an increased likelihood of having renal causes listed on the death certificate. The recognition and management of proteinuria and elevated serum creatinine should be a priority for HIV-infected persons.

Sheu M, Hogan J, Allsworth J, Stein M, Vlahov D, Schoenbaum EE, Schuman P, Gardner L, Flanigan T. · Brown University Department of Medicine and Center for Statistical Sciences, Providence, Rhode Island. · J Womens Health (Larchmt). · Pubmed #12570040 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Incarceration rates in the United States have tripled over the past two decades and have increased even more rapidly among women than men. To identify risk factors that predict incarceration in HIV-positive (HIV+) and high-risk HIV-negative (HIV-) women and to evaluate the association between continuity of medical care and risk of incarceration, this analysis was conducted. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of HIV+ and high-risk HIV- women enrolled between April 1993 and January 1995 at four urban centers: Providence, Rhode Island; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; and Detroit, Michigan. The HIV Epidemiology Research (HER) Study enrolled 871 HIV+ and 439 high-risk HIV- innercity women between the ages of 16 and 55 years. All participants had a history of injection drug use or high-risk sexual behavior. Interviews, including questions on continuity of medical care and incarceration, were administered at baseline and 6 and 12 months after enrollment. Any incarceration in the 1-year period following enrollment was the main outcome measure. Continuity of care was measured as having seen one healthcare provider for at least 2 years, having received medical care from one usual physician or clinic, and having obtained medical care in a primary care setting as opposed to an emergency room or drug treatment center. RESULTS: Twelve percent of women were incarcerated within 1 year postenrollment. Factors associated with incarceration included recent drug use, prior incarceration, lack of college education, engaging in sex for drugs or money, and having multiple unmet basic needs at the time of enrollment in the study. Continuity of care with a single healthcare provider for more than 2 years prior to enrollment in the study was associated with decreased rates of incarceration even after adjusting for possible confounding factors (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.48 - 0.92). HIV serostatus did not correlate with incarceration. CONCLUSIONS: History of prior incarceration and recent drug use were associated with increased risk of incarceration. Continuity of medical care by a single healthcare provider was associated with decreased likelihood of incarceration, suggesting that the provider may play an important role in designing interventions to prevent incarceration in this high-risk population.

Viscidi RP, Ahdieh-Grant L, Clayman B, Fox K, Massad LS, Cu-Uvin S, Shah KV, Anastos KM, Squires KE, Duerr A, Jamieson DJ, Burk RD, Klein RS, Minkoff H, Palefsky J, Strickler H, Schuman P, Piessens E, Miotti P. · Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. · J Infect Dis. · Pubmed #12552444 No free full text.

Abstract: Baseline serum samples from 2815 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and 963 HIV-negative women enrolled in 2 cohort studies were tested for immunoglobulin G antibodies to human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) capsids. HPV-16 seropositivity was associated with lifetime number of sex partners (P<.001) among both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. Approximately 50%-60% of HPV-16 DNA-positive women were HPV-16 positive. HPV-16 seropositivity was associated with HIV infection; however, after adjustment for baseline cervical HPV infection and disease, the association disappeared. Thus, the high seroprevalence of HPV-16 among HIV-positive women may be explained by a high prevalence of HPV of all types. Approximately 50% of HIV-positive women had serological evidence of prior HPV-16 infection, but only approximately 5% had an HPV-16 cervical infection at baseline. Despite the higher prevalence of HPV infection in this group, most HIV-positive women are able to control HPV-16 replication at the cervix, and reactivation, if it occurs, is not very common.

Silverberg MJ, Ahdieh L, Munoz A, Anastos K, Burk RD, Cu-Uvin S, Duerr A, Greenblatt RM, Klein RS, Massad S, Minkoff H, Muderspach L, Palefsky J, Piessens E, Schuman P, Watts H, Shah KV. · Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. · Sex Transm Dis. · Pubmed #12172526 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: HIV infection and associated immunodeficiency are known to alter the course of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and of associated diseases. GOAL: This study investigated the association between HIV and HPV and genital warts. STUDY DESIGN: HPV testing and physical examinations were performed in two large prospective studies: the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) and the HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS). Statistical methods incorporating dependencies of longitudinal data were used to examine the relationship between HIV and HPV and genital warts. RESULTS: A total of 1008 HIV-seronegative and 2930 HIV-seropositive women were enrolled in the two studies. The prevalence of HPV 6 or 11 was 5.6 times higher in HIV-seropositive women in the WIHS and 3.6 times higher in the HERS. Genital wart prevalence increased by a factor of 3.2 in the WIHS and 2.7 in the HERS in HIV-seropositive women. In the WIHS, infection with HPV type 6 or 11, in comparison with no HPV infection, was associated with odds of genital wart prevalence of 5.1 (95% CI: 2.9-8.8), 8.8 (95% CI: 6.1-12.8), and 12.8 (95% CI: 8.8-18.8) in HIV-seronegative women, HIV-seropositive women with > or =201 CD4 cells/microl, and HIV-seropositive women with < or =200 CD4 cells/microl, respectively. In the HERS, infection with HPV type 6 or 11 was associated with odds of 2.7 (95% CI: 1.6-4.6), 4.9 (95% CI: 3.2-7.7), and 5.3 (95% CI: 3.3-8.5) in these same groups. Other HPV types showed a similar dose-response relation, but of substantially lower magnitude and statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection and immunodeficiency synergistically modified the relation between HPV 6 or 11 infection and genital wart prevalence.

Cu-Uvin S, Ko H, Jamieson DJ, Hogan JW, Schuman P, Anderson J, Klein RS, Anonymous00204. · Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. · Clin Infect Dis. · Pubmed #11981738 No free full text.

Abstract: Trichomoniasis has been implicated in the acquisition and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The prevalence, incidence, and persistence or recurrence of trichomoniasis were assessed among HIV-positive women and among HIV-negative women at high risk for HIV infection. A total of 871 HIV-seropositive women and 439 HIV-seronegative women enrolled in the HIV Epidemiology Study (HERS) were seen biannually. The prevalence of trichomoniasis was 9.4%-29.5% among HIV-seropositive women and 8.2%-23.4% among HIV-seronegative women. Prevalence decreased over time, did not vary according to HIV status or CD4 cell count, and was higher among women who reported crack use (P=.02) or cigarette use (P=.02), women who had bacterial vaginosis (P=.02), and those who were black (compared with white women, P<.001). There were no differences, according to HIV status or CD4 cell count, in the adjusted incidence, unadjusted incidence, or persistence or recurrence of trichomoniasis. HIV infection does not make a woman more likely to have prevalent, incident, or persistent or recurrent trichomoniasis.

Sankar A, Luborsky M, Schuman P, Roberts G. · Department of Anthropology, College of Liberal Arts, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. · AIDS Care. · Pubmed #11940279 No free full text.

Abstract: Low adherence is the single most important challenge to controlling HIV through the use of high acting anti-retrovirals (HAART). Non-adherence poses an immediate threat to individuals who develop resistant forms of the virus as well as a public health threat if those individuals pass on treatment-resistant forms of the virus. To understand the concerns and perceptions that promote or deter adherence to antiretroviral medication by HIV-positive African-American women, we conducted in-depth interviews with 15 African-American women taking HAART. We focused on the discourse and narratives women use in talking about their adherence practice. Discourse analysis was utilized to identify and explore the sources of influence used by these women in describing their adherence practice. Roughly a third of the sample fell into each of the three self-assessed adherence categories: always adherent, mostly adherent and somewhat adherent. Among the 'always adherent', 80% of the sources of influence cited supported adherence, while only 48% and 47% of the authoritative sources cited by women in the 'mostly' and 'somewhat' categories supported adherence. Each self-assessed adherence group was characterized by its own distinctive discourse style. Findings suggest that adherence to HAART among African-American HIV-positive women would be improved by identifying those influences undermining adherence. Focused study of the 'always adherent' types is recommended.

Ahdieh L, Klein RS, Burk R, Cu-Uvin S, Schuman P, Duerr A, Safaeian M, Astemborski J, Daniel R, Shah K. · Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. · J Infect Dis. · Pubmed #11517428 No free full text.

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and related immunosuppression are associated with excess risk for cervical neoplasia and human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence. Type-specific HPV infection was assessed at 6-month intervals for HIV-positive and HIV-negative women (median follow-up, 2.5 and 2.9 years, respectively). The type-specific incidence of HPV infection was determined, and risk factors for HPV persistence were investigated by statistical methods that accounted for repeated measurements. HIV-positive women were 1.8, 2.1, and 2.7 times more likely to have high-, intermediate-, and low-risk HPV infections, respectively, compared with HIV-negative women. In multivariate analysis, high viral signal, but not viral risk category, was independently associated with persistence among HIV-positive subjects (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-2.9). Furthermore, persistence was 1.9 (95% CI, 1.5-2.3) times greater if the subject had a CD4 cell count <200 cells/microL (vs. >500 cells/microL). Thus, HIV infection and immunosuppression play an important role in modulating the natural history of HPV infection.

Cohen RA, Boland R, Paul R, Tashima KT, Schoenbaum EE, Celentano DD, Schuman P, Smith DK, Carpenter CC. · Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA. · AIDS. · Pubmed #11273214 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine whether highly active retroviral therapy (HAART) is associated with better neurocognitive outcome over time among HIV-infected women with severely impaired immune function. METHODS: A semiannual neurocognitive examination on four tasks was administered: Color Trail Making, Controlled Oral Word Association, Grooved Pegboard and Four-Word Learning. This protocol was initiated in the HIV Epidemiological Research study (HERS) study when a woman's CD4 cell count fell to < 100 x 10(6) cells/l. Immune function (CD4), viral load status and depression severity (CESD) were also assessed semi-annually, along with an interview to determine medication intake and illicit drug use. RESULTS: HAART was not available to any participant at the time of enrollment (baseline), while 44% reported taking HAART at their most recent visit (mean duration of HAART 36.3 +/- 12.6 months). HAART-treated women had improved neurocognitive performance compared with those not treated with HAART. Women taking HAART for 18 months or more showed the strongest neurocognitive performance with improved verbal fluency, psychomotor and executive functions. These functions worsened among women not taking HAART. Substance abuse status, severity of depressive symptoms, age and educational level did not influence the HAART treatment effects on neurocognitive performance. Neurocognitive improvements were strongly associated with the magnitude of CD4 cell count increases. CONCLUSIONS: HAART appeared to produce beneficial effect on neurocognitive functioning in HIV-infected women with severely impaired immune systems. Benefits were greatest for women who reported receiving HAART for more than 18 months.

Ickovics JR, Hamburger ME, Vlahov D, Schoenbaum EE, Schuman P, Boland RJ, Moore J, Anonymous00090. · Yale University, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, PO Box 208034, 60 College St, Suite 415, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA. · JAMA. · Pubmed #11255423 links to  free full text

Abstract: CONTEXT: The impact of depression on morbidity and mortality among women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has not been examined despite the fact that women with HIV have substantially higher rates of depression than their male counterparts. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of depressive symptoms with HIV-related mortality and decline in CD4 lymphocyte counts among women with HIV. DESIGN: The HIV Epidemiologic Research Study, a prospective, longitudinal cohort study conducted from April 1993 through January 1995, with follow-up through March 2000. SETTING: Four academic medical centers in Baltimore, Md; Bronx, NY; Providence, RI; and Detroit, Mich. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 765 HIV-seropositive women aged 16 to 55 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HIV-related mortality and CD4 cell count slope decline over a maximum of 7 years, compared among women with limited or no depressive symptoms, intermittent depressive symptoms, or chronic depressive symptoms, as measured using the self-report Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. RESULTS: In multivariate analyses controlling for clinical, treatment, and other factors, women with chronic depressive symptoms were 2 times more likely to die than women with limited or no depressive symptoms (relative risk [RR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-3.8). Among women with CD4 cell counts of less than 200 x 10(6)/L, HIV-related mortality rates were 54% for those with chronic depressive symptoms (RR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.6-11.6) and 48% for those with intermittent depressive symptoms (RR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.1-10.5) compared with 21% for those with limited or no depressive symptoms. Chronic depressive symptoms were also associated with significantly greater decline in CD4 cell counts after controlling for other variables in the model, especially among women with baseline CD4 cell counts of less than 500 x 10(6)/L and baseline viral load greater than 10 000 copies/microL. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that depressive symptoms among women with HIV are associated with HIV disease progression, controlling for clinical, substance use, and sociodemographic characteristics. These results highlight the importance of adequate diagnosis and treatment of depression among women with HIV. Further research is needed to determine if treatment of depression can not only enhance the mental health of women with HIV but also impede disease progression and mortality.

Thomas DL, Rich JD, Schuman P, Smith DK, Astemborski JA, Nolt KR, Klein RS. · Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. · J Infect Dis. · Pubmed #11237816 No free full text.

Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to identify factors that determine the blood level of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. By use of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, the level of HCV RNA was ascertained in stored serum samples from 676 women enrolled in a multicenter prospective investigation who were seropositive for anti-HCV antibodies. HCV RNA levels ranged from undetectable to 22.4x106 copies/mL in these women. Among the 520 women with detectable HCV RNA, levels were higher among those who were >41 years old and those who had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. After adjusting for age in a multivariate linear regression model, HCV RNA levels were more strongly associated with HIV RNA levels than with CD4(+) lymphocyte counts. However, <6% of person-to-person variance was explained by the factors evaluated. Additional research is needed to ascertain what determines the level of HCV RNA in blood.

Cannon MJ, Dollard SC, Smith DK, Klein RS, Schuman P, Rich JD, Vlahov D, Pellett PE, Anonymous00173. · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. · N Engl J Med. · Pubmed #11228278 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), the causal agent of Kaposi's sarcoma, is transmitted sexually among homosexual men, but little is known of its transmission among women. Although HHV-8 has been detected in blood, there has been no clear evidence of blood-borne transmission. METHODS: We identified risk factors for HHV-8 infection in 1295 women in Baltimore, Detroit, New York, and Providence, Rhode Island, who reported high-risk sexual behavior or drug use. HHV-8 serologic studies were performed with two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, HHV-8 was associated with black race, Hispanic ethnic background, a lower level of education, and infection with syphilis, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV). The risk of seropositivity for HHV-8 increased with the frequency of injection-drug use (P<0.001); HHV-8 seroprevalence among the women who used drugs daily was three times that among women who never injected drugs. Among the women with a low risk of sexual transmission, HHV-8 seroprevalence was 0 percent in those who had never injected drugs and 36 percent in those who had injected drugs (P<0.001). However, injection-drug use was linked less strongly to HHV-8 infection than to infection with HBV or HCV. In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of HHV-8 seropositivity included HIV infection (odds ratio, 1.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.2), syphilis infection (odds ratio, 1.8; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.8), and daily injection-drug use (odds ratio, 3.2; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.4 to 7.6). CONCLUSIONS: Both injection-drug use and correlates of sexual activity were risk factors for HHV-8 infection in the women studied. The independent association of HHV-8 infection with injection-drug use suggests that HHV-8 is transmitted through needle sharing, albeit less efficiently than HBV, HCV, or HIV.

Harlow SD, Schuman P, Cohen M, Ohmit SE, Cu-Uvin S, Lin X, Anastos K, Burns D, Greenblatt R, Minkoff H, Muderspach L, Rompalo A, Warren D, Young MA, Klein RS. · University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. · J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. · Pubmed #10877498 No free full text.

Abstract: HIV serostatus and menstrual function were examined using prospectively collected menstrual data from 802 HIV-seropositive and 273 HIV-seronegative women, ages 20 to 44, enrolled in two cohort studies of HIV infection in North American women. The associations between HIV serostatus and the probabilities of having a cycle lasting >40 days (n = 541 cycles), >90 days (n = 67 cycles), <18 days (n = 316 cycles) and mean length and variability of 18 to 40 day cycles (n = 3,634) were assessed. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, body mass index, and substance use, seropositivity increased the odds of having a very short cycle (< 18 days, odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-2.11) and a very long cycle (>90 days, OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.68-2.58) slightly, although the latter CIs include one. Seropositivity did not increase the odds of having a moderately long cycle (>40 days, OR, 1.14) or affect mean cycle length or variability (beta, 0.30 +/- 0.20; between-woman standard deviation [SD], 2.2 days [HIV-seronegative] and 1.9 days [HIV-seropositive]; within-woman SD, 3.5 days for both). Although seropositivity may slightly increase the probability of very short cycles, HIV serostatus has little overall effect on amenorrhea, menstrual cycle length, or variability. Among HIV-seropositive women, higher viral loads and lower CD4+ counts were associated with increased cycle variability and polymenorrhea.

Flanigan TP, Hogan JW, Smith D, Schoenbaum E, Vlahov D, Schuman P, Mayer K. · Department of Medicine and Center for Statistical Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. · Clin Infect Dis. · Pubmed #10530455 No free full text.

Abstract: Bacterial infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, particularly women. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a history of bacterial infections among 1,310 women with or at risk for HIV infection. HIV-seropositive women were significantly more likely than seronegative women to report recent and lifetime histories of bacterial infection, even after history of injection drug use since 1977 was adjusted for; this included recent pneumonia (odds ratio [OR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-6.6), sinusitis (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-2.0), and urinary tract infection (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1). Compared with HIV-negative women, women with CD4 cell counts of <200 were about eight times more likely to report recent pneumonia (OR, 7.8; 95% CI, 3.4-17.7); those with CD4 cell counts of 200-500 were almost three times more likely to do so (OR, 2.6; CI, 1.2-5.7). Logistic regression analysis revealed that only CD4 cell category and a recent history of smoking had a significant relationship to self-reported pneumonia.

Cu-Uvin S, Hogan JW, Warren D, Klein RS, Peipert J, Schuman P, Holmberg S, Anderson J, Schoenbaum E, Vlahov D, Mayer KH. · Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. · Clin Infect Dis. · Pubmed #10524955 No free full text.

Abstract: This study was undertaken to assess whether the prevalence of lower genital tract infections among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive women was higher than among high-risk HIV-seronegative women at their baseline visit for the HIV Epidemiology Research Study. Results were available for 851 HIV-seropositive and 434 HIV-seronegative women. Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection was more prevalent among HIV-seropositive women (64% vs. 28%). Bacterial vaginosis was common (35% vs. 33%), followed by trichomoniasis (12% vs. 10%), syphilis (8% vs. 6%), Chlamydia trachomatis infection (4% vs. 5%), candidal vaginitis (3% vs. 2%), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (0.8% vs. 0.3%). Alcohol use (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1. 3-2.4) and smoking (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3-2.5) were associated with bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.5-3.4), trichomoniasis (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.7), and syphilis (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-7.4) were found to be more prevalent among black women. Our study showed no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of lower genital tract infections except for HPV between HIV-infected and demographically and behaviorally similar HIV-uninfected high-risk women.