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HIV diversity reflects multifactorial evolutionary forces, but monitoring subtype prevalence may provide clues to understanding the epidemic. In the Americas HIV-1 C is present at significant levels only in the southern states of Brazil. We describe in this study the presence of the HIV-1 C pol genome in 11.6% (95 CI 6-21%) of antiretroviral-naive individuals from São Paulo, the major city of South America, and 6.8% (95 CI 4-12%) from the second metropolitan area of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Moreover, a significant growth trend of this subtype was documented among cases failing therapy in the area. Sequences were obtained by direct nested PCR from cDNA retrotranscribed from plasma RNA. Phylogenetic and amino acid signatures support an expansion from variants previously identified in southern Brazil. The evaluation of additional genomic regions (partial gag, envelope, and/or integrase) in samples with HIV-1 C at pol showed extensive recombination with clade B, observed in 47% of ARV-naive cases. The spread of HIV-1 C locally and to other areas of South America should be monitored as it may influence the dynamics of the epidemic.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmitted drug resistance (TDR) is an important public health issue. In Brazil, low to intermediate resistance levels have been described. We assessed 225 HIV-1 infected, antiretroviral naïve individuals, from HIV Reference Centers at two major metropolitan areas of Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo and Campinas), the state that concentrates most of the Brazilian Aids cases. TDR was analyzed by Stanford Calibrated Population Resistance criteria (CPR), and mutations were observed in 17 individuals (7.6%, 95% CI: 4.5%–11.9%). Seventy-six percent of genomes (13/17) with TDR carried a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) resistance mutation, mostly K103N/S (9/13, 69%), potentially compromising the preferential first-line therapy suggested by the Brazilian HIV Treatment Guideline that recommends efavirenz-based combinations. Moreover, 6/17 (35%) had multiple mutations associated with resistance to one or more classes. HIV-1 B was the prevalent subtype (80%); other subtypes include HIV-1 F and C, mosaics BC, BF, and single cases of subtype A1 and CRF02_AG. The HIV Reference Center of Campinas presented more cases with TDR, with a significant association of TDR with clade B infection (P < 0.05).

Objective To evaluate the impact of an intervention improving the continuum of care monitoring (CCM) within HIV public healthcare services in São Paulo, Brazil, and implementing a clinical monitoring system. This system identified three patient groups prioritized for additional care engagement: (1) individuals diagnosed with HIV, but not receiving treatment (the treatment gap group); (2) individuals receiving treatment for >6 months with a detectable viral load (the virologic failure group); and (3) patients lost to follow-up (LTFU). Methods The implementation strategies included three training sessions, covering system logistics, case discussions, and development of maintenance goals. These strategies were conducted within 30 HIV public healthcare services (May 2019 to April 2020). After each training session, professionals shared their experiences with CCM at regional meetings. Before and after the intervention, providers were invited to answer 23 items from the normalization process theory questionnaire (online) to understand contextual factors. The mean item scores were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. The RE-AIM implementation science framework (evaluating reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) was used to evaluate the integration of the CCM. Results In the study, 47 (19.3%) of 243 patients with a treatment gap initiated treatment, 456 (49.1%) of 928 patients with virologic failure achieved suppression, and 700 of 1552 (45.1%) LTFU patients restarted treatment. Strategies for the search and reengagement of patients were developed and shared. Providers recognized the positive effects of CCM on their work and how it modified existing activities (3.7 vs. 4.4, p<0.0001, and 3.9 vs. 4.1, p<0.05); 27 (90%) centers developed plans to sustain routine CCM. Conclusion Implementing CCM helped identify patients requiring more intensive attention. This intervention led to changes in providers’ perceptions of CCM and care and management processes, which increased the number of patients engaged across the care continuum and improved outcomes.

O monitoramento clínico de pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids (PVHA) contribui para a identificação e gestão de caso das pessoas sem início de tratamento (gap), em falha terapêutica e em abandono de tratamento. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar e discutir o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia para a implementação do monitoramento clínico das PVHA em serviços do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). A metodologia utilizada desde 2014 pelo Centro de Referência e Treinamento DST/AIDS-SP-Coordenação do Programa Estadual de IST/AIDS do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, foi reestruturada em três reuniões, no período de junho a agosto de 2018. Foram mantidos os eixos de apresentação do número de usuários com falha terapêutica, em gap e em abandono de tratamento nos serviços participantes, e a discussão de vulnerabilidades individuais, sociais e programáticas. Foi adicionado um novo eixo que direciona a discussão das possibilidades de reorganização de fluxos assistenciais e práticas gerenciais do serviço. Adicionalmente, a intervenção passou a ser feita nos serviços de saúde, com a participação de um número maior de profissionais da equipe multiprofissional, discussão de casos, fluxos e processos de trabalho e encontros regionais para a troca de experiências em monitoramento clínico entre os serviços. A reestruturação da metodologia contribuiu para a diminuição do gap de tratamento, reorganização de fluxos assistenciais e inclusão do monitoramento clínico como ferramenta de gestão nos serviços de assistência especializada às PVHA. Essa metodologia pode ser implementada por outros programas estaduais, municípios e serviços, uma vez que todos têm acesso às mesmas fontes de informação usadas nesta intervenção.

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Introduction: Telemedicine was leveraged for its contribution to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in Brazil and worldwide. Objective: We aim to evaluate the acceptability of incorporating teleconsultation through synchronized videoconference by users and professionals in a service specialized in the prevention and treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections, and to identify associated factors. Methods:This is a cross-sectional study with 410 users and 57 professionals who answered a category-standardized questionnaire. Predictors of acceptability were assessed using logistic regression model. Results: A total of 364 (88.8%) users said they would accept the modality. The factors positively associated with the odds of acceptance were the self-assessment of having favorable conditions to participate in a teleconsultation (aOR 54.8; 95%CI 12.4–242.1; p<0.001), the perception of saving money (aOR 5.2; 95%CI 1.9–14.0; p=0.001), and perceived convenience of the modality (aOR 6.7; 95%CI 2.9–15.9; p<0.001). Factors associated with reduced odds of acceptance were the fear of not being evaluated well (aOR 0.2; 95%CI 0.1–0.4; p<0.001), or remaining long without seeing the professional (aOR 0.2; 95%CI 0.1–0.5; p<0.001). The acceptance of the modality among professionals was 75.4% and the perception of its convenience (aOR 16.8; 95%CI 2.6–108.4; p=0.003) and that the institution has appropriated conditions (aOR 7.7; 95%CI 1.5–40.6; p=0.016) were associated with increased odds of accepting its incorporation in their routine. Conclusion: Governance should invest in infrastructure and support, secure protocols, digital literacy, and training of its users and employees for video teleconsultation.

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