AU Comment: HIV-2 Infection in Australia HIV-2 is uncommon in Australia. Diagnosis of HIV-2 in Australia can be difficult because of the cross-reaction of serological tests with HIV-1 proteins. St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, and the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) offers an HIV-2 western blot confirming HIV-2 infection by reactivity to specific HIV-2 glycoproteins. …
AU Comment: Australian Cardiovascular risk calculator An HIV-specific cardiovascular risk calculator has been developed based on data from the D:A:D study (including the use of specific antiretroviral agents), but has not been validated in other populations. The Australian Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculator is recommended for use to estimate an individual’s five-year risk of cardiovascular …
Key Considerations and Recommendations Substance use disorders (SUDs) are prevalent among people with HIV and contribute to poor health outcomes; therefore, screening for SUDs should be a routine part of clinical care (AII). The most commonly used substances among people with HIV include the following (listed in alphabetical order): alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, club drugs, opioids, …
AU Comment: Transgender People with HIV in Australia. The barriers transgender people face engaging in care are universal and result from stigma, structural barriers and previous negative experiences of health care. These barriers may impact positive health outcomes such as viral suppression. Although accurate data regarding the number of TGD people in Australia is lacking, …
AU Comment: HPV Screening in women living with HIV In Australia, the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) guidelines recommend to the general population that cytological screening is replaced with 5 yearly HPV testing, with reflex liquid-based cytology and genotyping for positive samples. HIV-positive women have a higher incidence of cervical cancer and HPV-associated precancerous changes, …
This section has information on Considerations for Antiretroviral Use in Patients with Coinfections. Please click on the below links or follow the table of contents to access the information you are looking for. TB/HIV HBV/HIV HCV/HIV
AU Comment: Australian epidemiology Approximately 5% of Australia’s 26,500 people living with HIV also have chronic hepatitis B. GESA Australian consensus recommendations also suggests HDV testing in the context of HIV/HBV coinfection.Reference: Hepatitis B Consensus Statement Working Group. Australian consensus recommendations for the management of hepatitis B infection. Melbourne: Gastroenterological Society of Australia, 2022. Panel’s …
AU Comment: Hepatitis C Treatment in the Australian Context The PBS lists the following all-oral pan genotypic regimens for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection in Australia, regardless of liver disease stage or ongoing drug and alcohol use. Treatment naïve: Sofosbuvir + Velpatasvir OR Glecaprevir + Pibrentasvir Treatment experienced: sofosbuvir+velpatasvir+ voxilaprevir (Vosevi) Regimens should …
AU Comment: Timing of ART commencement in OIs Data on when to commence ART in HIV patients with an opportunistic infection (OI) are mostly derived from studies undertaken in resource-limited countries where medical care and patient follow-up may be different to Australia. In general, ART should be commenced within 2 weeks of commencing treatment for …
This section has information on Limitations to Treatment Safety & Efficacy. Please click on the below links or follow the table of contents to access the information you are looking for. Cost Considerations and ART Adherence to the Continuum of Care Adverse Effects of ARV Agents
Developing a sustainable HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Workforce
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