Healthy 48-yr old man with HIV for 15 years, stable viral suppression, looking to optimize health—diet, exercise, immune-boosting supplements, safest HIV and HTN meds. Listen as Chris and Eileen discuss their approach to giving patients the good news about their health, health maintenance, supplement use, and whether to stay the course or switch ART regimens in patients who are doing well.

Resources:

• NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets  
• FDA: Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements

Related NYSDOH AIDS Institute Clinical Guidelines: 

• Primary Care for Adults with HIV
• Second-Line ART After Treatment Failure or for Regimen Simplification
• Use of Injectable CAB/RPV LA as Replacement ART in Virally Suppressed Adults
• Prevention and Management of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Adults With HIV

New COVID-19 vaccine policy, proviral DNA testing, then the case of a woman with 10+ years viral suppression, CKD, and CVD, identified as a statin candidate after a significant cardiac event. With no family history of CVD, her risks included exposure to older ARVs and smoking 1 to 3 cigarettes/day. Listen as Drs. Scully and Hoffmann delve into non-infectious comorbidities associated with HIV, risk factors, and adjusted CVD risk calculation for women and African Americans.

References Cited

• Beavers C, Pau AK, Glidden D, et al. Statin Therapy as Primary Prevention for Persons With HIV: A Synopsis of Recommendations From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Antiretroviral Treatment Guidelines Panel. Ann Intern Med. Published online May 27, 2025. PMID: 40418812
• D:A:D Study Group, Sabin CA, Worm SW, et al. Use of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and risk of myocardial infarction in HIV-infected patients enrolled in the D:A:D study: a multi-cohort collaboration [published correction appears in Lancet. 2008 Jul 26;372(9635):292]. Lancet. 2008;371(9622):1417-1426. PMID: 18387667
• Elion RA, Althoff KN, Zhang J, et al. Recent Abacavir Use Increases Risk of Type 1 and Type 2 Myocardial Infarctions Among Adults With HIV. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2018;78(1):62-72. PMID: 29419568
• Fichtenbaum CJ, et al “Abacavir is associated with elevated risk for cardiovascular events in the REPRIEVE trial” IAC 2024; Abstract OAB3406LB.
• Grinspoon SK, Zanni MV, Triant VA, et al. Performance of the pooled cohort equations and D:A:D risk scores among individuals with HIV in a global cardiovascular disease prevention trial: a cohort study leveraging data from REPRIEVE. Lancet HIV. 2025;12(2):e118-e129. PMID: 39832519
• SMART Study Group, El-Sadr WM, Lundgren J, et al. CD4+ count-guided interruption of antiretroviral treatment. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(22):2283-2296. PMID: 171355583 
• Prasad V, Makary MA. An Evidence-Based Approach to Covid-19 Vaccination. N Engl J Med. Published online May 20, 2025. PMID: 40392534
• Ridker PM, Danielson E, Fonseca FA, et al. Rosuvastatin to prevent vascular events in men and women with elevated C-reactive protein. N Engl J Med. 2008;359(21):2195-2207. PMID: 18997196
• Selinger S. In adults with HIV and low-to-moderate CV risk, pitavastatin reduced MACE over a median 5.1 y. Ann Intern Med. 2023;176(11):JC130. PMID: 37931263
• Wensing AM, Charpentier C, Calvez V, et al. Utilizing HIV Proviral DNA to Assess for the Presence of HIV Drug Resistance. Clin Infect Dis. Published online April 3, 2025. doi:10.1093/cid/ciaf161. PMID: 40176204.

Related Guidelines from the NYSDOH AI Clinical Guidelines Program

• Primary Care for Adults With HIV 
• Immunizations for Adults With HIV: COVID-19

After brief mention of an HIV vaccine, the hosts turn to the challenges of treating cryptococcal meningitis in a 46-year-old woman with profound immune suppression after being off ART for 6-12 months. Emphasizing the high potential for morbidity and mortality, Chris and Eileen focus on the complexities of cryptococcal meningitis medical management, including the role of immune constitution, timing of ART initiation, and the risk of IRIS. Listen as they work through the treatment requirements and clinical decisions involved in this complicated case.    

References Cited

• Boulware DR, Meya DB, Muzoora C, et al. Timing of antiretroviral therapy after diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(26):2487-2498. PMID: 24963568
• Chang CC, Dorasamy AA, Gosnell BI, et al. Clinical and mycological predictors of cryptococcosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. AIDS. 2013;27(13):2089-2099. PMID: 23525034
• Gandhi RT, Landovitz RJ, Sax PE, et al. Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV in Adults: 2024 Recommendations of the International Antiviral Society-USA Panel. JAMA. 2025;333(7):609-628. PMID: 39616604
• Ingle SM, Miro JM, May MT, et al. Early Antiretroviral Therapy Not Associated With Higher Cryptococcal Meningitis Mortality in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in High-Income Countries: An International Collaborative Cohort Study. Clin Infect Dis. 2023;77(1):64-73. PMID: 36883578
• Kwizera R, Kiiza TK, Akampurira A, Kimuda S, Mugabi T, Meya DB. Evolution of Laboratory Diagnostics for Cryptococcosis and Missing Links to Optimize Diagnosis and Outcomes in Resource-Constrained Settings. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2024;11(9):ofae487. Published 2024 Aug 27. PMID: 3928635
• Makadzange AT, Ndhlovu CE, Takarinda K, Reid M, Kurangwa M, Gona P, Hakim JG. Early versus delayed initiation of antiretroviral therapy for concurrent HIV infection and cryptococcal meningitis in sub-saharan Africa. Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Jun 1;50(11):1532-8. PMID: 20415574.
• Srichatrapimuk S, Sungkanuparph S. Integrated therapy for HIV and cryptococcosis. AIDS Res Ther. 2016;13(1):42. Published 2016 Nov 29. PMID: 27906037

Related Guidelines

• Clinical info HIV.gov: Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents With HIV: Cryptococcosis
• IAS-USA: Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV in Adults: 2024 Recommendations of the International Antiviral Society-USA Panel  
• NYSDOH AI Clinical Guidelines Program: Management of IRIS

After presenting with fatigue, malaise, and muscle cramps, a 28-yr-old man with history of STIs is diagnosed with new renal failure (Cr >9 mg/dL) and HIV (VL ~3 mil. copies/mL). Drs. Scully and Hoffmann note the missed opportunities for HIV prevention, then review HIV-associated kidney disease and evaluate regimens safe for rapid ART initiation.

References Cited

• Bahr NC, Yarlagadda SG. Fanconi Syndrome and Tenofovir Alafenamide: A Case Report. Ann Intern Med. 2019;170(11):814-815. PMID: 30690644 
• Diana NE, Naicker S. The changing landscape of HIV-associated kidney disease. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2024;20(5):330-346. PMID: 38273026
• Gallant JE, Parish MA, Keruly JC, Moore RD. Changes in renal function associated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate treatment, compared with nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor treatment. Clin Infect Dis. 2005;40(8):1194-1198. PMID: 15791522 
• Jiang SX, Duncan J, Ko HH. Acquired Fanconi Syndrome from Tenofovir Treatment in a Patient with Hepatitis B. Case Reports Hepatol. 2023;2023:6158407. Published 2023 Jun 17. PMID: 37362623
• Karris MY. Short Communication: Resolution of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Induced Fanconi Syndrome with Switch to Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate in a HIV-1 and Hepatitis B Coinfected Patient. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2017;33(7):718-722. PMID: 28403627 

Related Guidelines from the NYSDOH AI Clinical Guidelines Program

• PrEP to Prevent HIV and Promote Sexual Health
• Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis to Prevent Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Selecting an Initial ART Regimen

Mid-50s-yr-old man with HIV since the early 1990s presented for evaluation of persistent low-level viremia, despite consistent engagement in care and ART. Genotypic testing found only a variety of minor mutations. The patient and his care provider were concerned about the health consequences, including the risk of inflammatory diseases in the future, and about implications for U=U. After a brief discussion of the good news on lenacapavir for HIV prevention and a reminder about mpox vaccination, Drs. Scully and Hoffmann delve into the patient’s history to uncover the source of his LLV and treatment options. 

References Cited

• Broyles LN, Luo R, Boeras D, Vojnov L. The risk of sexual transmission of HIV in individuals with low-level HIV viraemia: a systematic review. Lancet. 2023;402(10400):464-471. PMID: 37490935.
• Esber A, Polyak C, Kiweewa F, et al. Persistent Low-level Viremia Predicts Subsequent Virologic Failure: Is It Time to Change the Third 90? Clin Infect Dis. 2019;69(5):805-812. PMID: 30462188
• Fleming J, Mathews WC, Rutstein RM, et al. Low-level viremia and virologic failure in persons with HIV infection treated with antiretroviral therapy. AIDS. 2019 Nov 1;33(13):2005-2012. PMID: 31306175
• Hillus D, Le NH, Tober-Lau P, et al. Safety and effectiveness of MVA-BN vaccination against mpox in at-risk individuals in Germany (SEMVAc and TEMVAc): a combined prospective and retrospective cohort study. Lancet Infect Dis. Published online March 18, 2025. PMID: 40118087
• Jatt LP, Mgodi NM, Buchbinder SP, Gray GE, Kublin JG. An HIV Vaccine in the Era of Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for PrEP - Essential or Irrelevant? N Engl J Med. 2025;392(16):1561-1563. PMID: 40260855
• White JA, Wu F, Yasin S, et al. Clonally expanded HIV-1 proviruses with 5'-leader defects can give rise to nonsuppressible residual viremia. J Clin Invest. 2023;133(6):e165245. Published 2023 Mar 15. PMID: 36602866.

Related Guidelines 

• NYSDOH AI Clinical Guidelines Program: Second-Line ART After Treatment Failure or for Regimen Simplification
• Clinical Info HIV.gov: Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents With HIV. Management of People With HIV and Antiretroviral Therapy Experience: Virologic Failure

48-yr-old man with HIV for 12 years presented 1 year after his last visit with a history of methamphetamine use, inconsistent engagement in care, and a new diabetes diagnosis. He reported no recent ART and no meth use for about 8 months. On returning to care, his viral load was 250,000 copies/mL, the CD4 count was 230 cells/mm3, creatinine levels were elevated, and genotype testing found a K103N mutation. He was motivated to resume ART. Drs. Scully and Hoffmann evaluate the patient’s new ART options in light of his clinical viremia and comorbidities. 

References Cited

• Andreatta K, D’Antoni ML, Chang S, et al. High efficacy of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in Black adults in the United States, including those with pre-existing HIV resistance and suboptimal adherence. J Med Virol. 2024;96(10):e29899. PMID: 39370775.
• Denyer R, Zemskova J, Benator DA. HIV treatment with dolutegravir and doravirine: rationale for selection and clinical outcomes in a highly treatment experienced population. Int J STD AIDS. 2022;33(12):1073-1077. PMID: 36113042
• Figueroa MI, Sued O, Cecchini D, et al. Dual therapy based on co-formulated darunavir/ritonavir plus lamivudine for initial therapy of HIV infection: The ANDES randomized controlled trial. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2024;64(4):107301. PMID: 39151647
• Kabra M, Barber TJ, Allavena C, et al. Virologic Response to Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine in People With Suppressed Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and Historical M184V/I: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2023;10(11):ofad526. Published 2023 Oct 27. PMID: 38033982
• Paton NI, Musaazi J, Kityo C, et al. Dolutegravir or Darunavir in Combination with Zidovudine or Tenofovir to Treat HIV. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jul 22;385(4):330-341. PMID: 34289276.
• Rolle CP, Berhe M, Singh T, et al. Dolutegravir/lamivudine as a first-line regimen in a test-and-treat setting for newly diagnosed people living with HIV. AIDS. 2021;35(12):1957-1965. PMID: 34115650
• Rossotti R, D'Amico F, Bana NB, et al. Durability of doravirine with dolutegravir dual regimen compared with other dolutegravir-based dual combinations. HIV Med. 2024;25(6):675-683. PMID: 38263787
• Sax PE, Rockstroh JK, Luetkemeyer AF, et al. Switching to Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Alafenamide in Virologically Suppressed Adults With Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(2):e485-e493. PMID: 32668455

Related Guidance and Guidelines

NYSDOH AI Clinical Guidelines Program:

• ChemSex: Questions and Answers
• HIV Resistance Assays
• Resource: ART Drug-Drug Interactions
• Stimulant Use Clinical Guidance
• Substance Use Harm Reduction in Medical Care
• Use of Injectable CAB/RPV LA as Replacement ART in Virally Suppressed Adults

Clinical Info HIV.gov:

• Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents With HIV
• Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents With HIV