The availability of effective interventions to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission and the significant reduction in the number of HIV-infected infants in the United States have led to the concept that elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission (EMCT) is possible. Goals for elimination are presented. We also present a framework by which elimination efforts can be coordinated, beginning with comprehensive reproductive health care (including HIV testing) and real-time case-finding of pregnancies in HIV-infected women, and conducted through the following: facilitation of comprehensive clinical care and social services for women and infants; case review and community action; allowing continuous quality research in prevention and long-term follow-up of HIV-exposed infants; and thorough data reporting for HIV surveillance and EMCT evaluation. It is emphasized that EMCT will not be a one-time accomplishment but, rather, will require sustained effort as long as there are new HIV infections in women of childbearing age.

Objective To use a systematic, evidence‐based consensus process to develop definitions for transfusion reactions in dogs and cats. Design Evidence evaluation of the literature was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. Reaction definitions were generated based on synthesis of human and veterinary literature. Consensus on the definitions was achieved through Delphi‐style surveys. Draft recommendations were made available through industry specialty listservs and comments were incorporated. Results Definitions with imputability criteria were developed for 14 types of transfusion reactions. Conclusions The evidence review and consensus process resulted in definitions that can be used to facilitate future veterinary transfusion reaction research.

Objective To systematically review available evidence to develop guidelines for the prevention of transfusion reactions and monitoring of transfusion administration in dogs and cats. Design Evidence evaluation of the literature (identified through Medline searches through Pubmed and Google Scholar searches) was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. Evidence was evaluated using PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions generated for each reaction type. Evidence was categorized by level of evidence (LOE) and quality (Good, Fair, or Poor). Guidelines for prevention and monitoring were generated based on the synthesis of the evidence. Consensus on the final recommendations and a proposed transfusion administration monitoring form was achieved through Delphi‐style surveys. Draft recommendations and the monitoring form were made available through veterinary specialty listservs and comments were incorporated. Results Twenty‐nine guidelines and a transfusion administration monitoring form were formulated from the evidence review with a high degree of consensus Conclusions This systematic evidence evaluation process yielded recommended prevention and monitoring guidelines and a proposed transfusion administration form. However, significant knowledge gaps were identified, demonstrating the need for additional research in veterinary transfusion medicine.

Purpose of review To describe progress and challenges to elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission (EMCT) in high-income countries. Recent findings Despite ongoing declines in the number of perinatally HIV-infected infants in most high-income countries, the number of HIV-infected women delivering may be increasing, accompanied by apparent changes in this population, including higher percentages with antiretroviral “pre-treatment” (with possible antiretroviral resistance), other co-infections, mental health diagnoses, and recent immigration. The impact of antiretroviral resistance on mother-to-child transmission is yet to be defined. A substantial minority of infant HIV acquisitions occur in the context of maternal acute HIV infection during pregnancy. Some infant infections occur after pregnancy, e.g., by premastication of food, or breastfeeding (perhaps by an uninfected woman who acquires HIV while breastfeeding). Summary The issues of EMCT are largely those of providing proper care for HIV-infected women. Use of combination antiretroviral therapy by increasing proportions of the infected population may function as a structural intervention important to achieving this goal. Providers and public health systems need to be alert for HIV-serodiscordant couples in which the woman is uninfected and for changes in the population of HIV-infected pregnant women. Accurate data about HIV-exposed pregnancies is vital to monitor progress toward EMCT.

Background: Thrombocytopenia in dogs is common in critical care medicine, but availability of fresh platelet concentrates in veterinary medicine can be limiting. Lyophilized platelets have long shelf-lives and can be easily transported, stored, and administered in various settings. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel trehalose-stabilized canine lyophilized platelet product in thrombocytopenic dogs with clinically-evident bleeding. Animals: Eighty-eight dogs with platelet counts <50 × 10 3 /μL and a standardized bleeding assessment tool (DOGiBAT) score ≥2. Methods: Multicenter, randomized, non-blinded, non-inferiority clinical trial comparing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-stabilized cryopreserved platelet concentrates (CPP) with trehalose-stabilized lyophilized platelets (LP) for control of bleeding in thrombocytopenic dogs. Dogs were randomized to receive 3 × 10 9 platelets/kg of LP or CPP. Primary outcome measures were change in DOGiBAT score, platelet count, need for additional red cell transfusion and all-cause mortality.

Cervical disc arthroplasty is a treatment option for symptomatic cervical disc disease. There is a paucity of literature on long-term safety outcomes, durability, and device-related failure rates. The M6-C artificial cervical disc is a device with titanium alloy endplates and a complex polymeric centerpiece. To date, trials have exhibited acceptable safety profiles.This case series describes the presentation, management, and pathological findings of a delayed prevertebral periprosthetic mass anterior to the M6-C disc. Four patients at 3 different institutions underwent cervical disc replacement with the M6-C disc. Two to seven years postoperatively, they presented with dysphagia secondary to a compressive mass anterior to the disc. Case notes were reviewed to collect data on symptoms, management, and outcomes. The patients were systemically well and presented with progressive dysphagia. They had imaging findings of a mass anterior to the disc. They underwent a decompressive procedure, with 2 patients undergoing device removal and fusion. In 2 cases, a soft-tissue mass was seen intraoperatively, with frank pus. In 3 cases, Propionibacterium acnes was identified and antibiotic treatment given. Histopathology demonstrated mixed inflammatory infiltrates with foreign body–type granulomas. Postoperatively, the dysphagia resolved.The development of delayed dysphagia in a patient with an M6-C disc should prompt investigation to identify a mass lesion. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of delayed infection, or suspected delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, following M6-C disc implantation. It is important for this to be added to the device safety concerns. Further prospective studies are needed to establish the incidence and the long-term safety and failure rates of the M6-C disc.

Objective To systematically review available evidence to develop guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of transfusion‐associated reactions in dogs and cats. Design Standardized and systemic evaluation of the literature (identified through Medline via PubMed and Google Scholar searches) was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. The available evidence was evaluated using PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions generated for each reaction type. The evidence was categorized by level of evidence (LOE) and quality (Good, Fair, or Poor). Guidelines, diagnostic, and treatment algorithms were generated based on the evaluation of the evidence. Consensus on the final guidelines was achieved through Delphi‐style surveys. Draft recommendations were disseminated through veterinary specialty listservs for review and comments, which were evaluated and integrated prior to final publication. Results Medline via PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched. There were 14 Population Intervention Comparison Outcome questions identified and corresponding worksheets were developed focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of transfusion‐associated reactions in dogs and cats. Fourteen guidelines and four algorithms were developed with a high degree of consensus. Conclusions This systematic evidence evaluation process yielded recommended diagnostic and treatment algorithms for use in practice. However, significant knowledge gaps were identified, demonstrating the need for additional research in veterinary transfusion medicine.

Background: An incidence of perinatally acquired HIV infection less than 1:100,000 live births is one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) goals of the United States. Such an estimate has only been possible in recent years because regular nationwide data were lacking. Method: Using previously published CDC estimates of the number of infants born with HIV infection in the United States (interpolating for years for which there was no published estimate), and census data on the annual number of live-born infants, estimated incidence was calculated for 1978–2013. Exact 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the Poisson distribution. Results: Estimated incidence of perinatally acquired HIV infection peaked at 43.1 (95% CI: 41.1 to 45.1) in 1992 and declined rapidly after the use of zidovudine prophylaxis was recommended in 1994. In 2013, estimated incidence of perinatally acquired HIV infection in the United States was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.4 to 2.2), a 96% decline since the peak. Conclusion: Estimated incidence of perinatally acquired HIV infection in the United States in 2013 was 1.8/100,000 live births.