2023
Modelling the impact and cost‐effectiveness of non‐governmental organizations on HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Stone J, Trickey A, Walker J, Bivegete S, Semchuk N, Sazonova Y, Varetska O, Altice F, Saliuk T, Vickerman P. Modelling the impact and cost‐effectiveness of non‐governmental organizations on HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2023, 26: e26073. PMID: 37012669, PMCID: PMC10070931, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26073.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyHepatitis C virusHCV incidenceHCV infectionHIV/HCV testingHIV/HCV infectionHCV transmission modelNeedles/syringesHCV testingHCV eliminationHCV transmissionAgonist treatmentC virusNew HIVHigh prevalencePWIDHIVCondom useSubstantial detrimental impactInfectionIncidencePreventative impactDrugsCoverage levelsDALYs
2022
Nurse Practitioner–Led Integrated Rapid Access to HIV Prevention for People Who Inject Drugs (iRaPID): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Khati A, Altice FL, Vlahov D, Eger WH, Lee J, Bohonnon T, Wickersham JA, Maviglia F, Copenhaver N, Shrestha R. Nurse Practitioner–Led Integrated Rapid Access to HIV Prevention for People Who Inject Drugs (iRaPID): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2022, 11: e42585. PMID: 36222826, PMCID: PMC9597427, DOI: 10.2196/42585.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERSame-day PrEPHIV prevention programsPreliminary efficacyTrial designReal-world settingPrevention programsPre-exposure prophylaxis uptakePilot studyProspective pilot studySignificant public health concernOpioid use disorderHIV prevention strategiesHepatitis C virusOutbreak of HIVEvidence-based preventionPublic health concernInstitutional review boardMOUD initiationControlled TrialsPilot RCTC virusOpioid epidemicHIV preventionNurse practitionersStrengthening systems of care for people with or at risk for HIV, HCV and opioid use disorder: a call for enhanced data collection
Eller AJ, DiDomizio EE, Madden LM, Oliva JD, Altice FL, Johnson KA. Strengthening systems of care for people with or at risk for HIV, HCV and opioid use disorder: a call for enhanced data collection. Annals Of Medicine 2022, 54: 1714-1724. PMID: 35775786, PMCID: PMC9377256, DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2084154.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCascade of careHuman immunodeficiency virusOpioid use disorderHepatitis C virusPublic health planningUse disordersCo-occurring opioid use disorderHealth planningBurden of diseaseSystems of careQuality improvement activitiesOUD cascadeTreatment initiationImmunodeficiency virusC virusPatient outcomesTreatment accessPayer sourceTreatment retentionHealth systemHealthcare systemCareSyndemicDisordersVirus
2021
Treatment of Hepatitis C virus among people who inject drugs at a syringe service program during the COVID-19 response: The potential role of telehealth, medications for opioid use disorder and minimal demands on patients
Sivakumar A, Madden L, DiDomizio E, Eller A, Villanueva M, Altice FL. Treatment of Hepatitis C virus among people who inject drugs at a syringe service program during the COVID-19 response: The potential role of telehealth, medications for opioid use disorder and minimal demands on patients. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2021, 101: 103570. PMID: 34954493, PMCID: PMC8685180, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103570.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderHepatitis C virusSyringe services programDifferentiated care modelPerson visitsC virusCare modelUse disordersInitiation of DAAChronic HCV infectionEvidence-based treatmentsCOVID-19Initial phlebotomyVirological responseHCV infectionHCV treatmentAdditional patientsElevated riskPatientsClient-centred approachPWIDHIVPerson contactTreatment demandLaboratory screening
2019
Global patterns of opioid use and dependence: harms to populations, interventions, and future action
Degenhardt L, Grebely J, Stone J, Hickman M, Vickerman P, Marshall BDL, Bruneau J, Altice FL, Henderson G, Rahimi-Movaghar A, Larney S. Global patterns of opioid use and dependence: harms to populations, interventions, and future action. The Lancet 2019, 394: 1560-1579. PMID: 31657732, PMCID: PMC7068135, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)32229-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid useExtramedical opioid useIllicit opioid useRisk Factor StudyHepatitis C virusDrug-related harmRange of interventionsHIV mortalityOverall mortalityAgonist treatmentExtramedical usePatient acceptabilityC virusHigh prevalenceOpioid overdoseHigh-income countriesGlobal burdenOpioidsMultiple healthEffective interventionsInterventionTreatment qualityDrugsHIV
2017
Hepatitis C virus treatment as prevention in an extended network of people who inject drugs in the USA: a modelling study
Zelenev A, Li J, Mazhnaya A, Basu S, Altice FL. Hepatitis C virus treatment as prevention in an extended network of people who inject drugs in the USA: a modelling study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2017, 18: 215-224. PMID: 29153265, PMCID: PMC5860640, DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(17)30676-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntiviral AgentsChemopreventionCitiesComputer SimulationDisease Transmission, InfectiousFemaleHepatitis CHumansMaleMiddle AgedModels, StatisticalPrevalenceSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSurveys and QuestionnairesTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeUnited StatesYoung AdultConceptsBaseline HCV prevalenceHepatitis C virusHCV prevalenceInjection partnersPrevention strategiesTreatment coverageTransmission of HCVHepatitis C virus (HCV) treatmentHCV elimination strategySuccessful HCV treatmentC virus treatmentInjection drug usersHCV treatment coverageAdditional network memberHCV treatmentActing antiviralsC virusChronic infectionVirus treatmentDrug usersPrevalenceDrug abuseDrugsNational InstitutePrevention
2016
Healthcare resources are inadequate to address the burden of illness among HIV-infected male prisoners in Malaysia
Bick J, Culbert G, Al-Darraji HA, Koh C, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Healthcare resources are inadequate to address the burden of illness among HIV-infected male prisoners in Malaysia. International Journal Of Prison Health 2016, 12: 253-269. PMID: 27921633, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-06-2016-0017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyHealth needsLatent tuberculosis infectionCo-morbid conditionsBurden of illnessComprehensive health assessmentHepatitis C virusComplex health needsSerious public health threatPublic health threatCD4 monitoringHIV careTuberculosis infectionHIV statusPhysical examinationC virusUntreated syphilisMale prisonersTobacco useHIVDisease comorbiditiesMalaysian adultsStructured historyHealthcare resourcesDrug useThe perfect storm: incarceration and the high-risk environment perpetuating transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Altice FL, Azbel L, Stone J, Brooks-Pollock E, Smyrnov P, Dvoriak S, Taxman FS, El-Bassel N, Martin NK, Booth R, Stöver H, Dolan K, Vickerman P. The perfect storm: incarceration and the high-risk environment perpetuating transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Lancet 2016, 388: 1228-1248. PMID: 27427455, PMCID: PMC5087988, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30856-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyHepatitis C virusIncident tuberculosis casesAgonist therapyC virusTuberculosis casesHIV transmissionEECA countriesAntiretroviral therapy coverageHIV transmission riskNew HIV infectionsInjection of opioidsTransmission of HIVSecondary preventionHIV infectionHIV incidenceSyringe programsHIVDrug useLarge burdenTransmission riskTherapyTuberculosisDrugsHigh levelsGlobal burden of HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis in prisoners and detainees
Dolan K, Wirtz AL, Moazen B, Ndeffo-mbah M, Galvani A, Kinner SA, Courtney R, McKee M, Amon JJ, Maher L, Hellard M, Beyrer C, Altice FL. Global burden of HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis in prisoners and detainees. The Lancet 2016, 388: 1089-1102. PMID: 27427453, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30466-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis B virusHepatitis C virusViral hepatitisChronic hepatitis B virusBurden of HIVOpioid agonist therapyPrevalence of HIVTreatment of HIVIncarceration of peopleComprehensive literature searchAgonist therapyActive tuberculosisHIV transmissionC virusB virusGlobal burdenPrevention interventionsGeneral populationGlobal epidemiologyHIVDrug useTuberculosisLiterature searchLarge-scale outbreaksHepatitisPrevention of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in prisoners
Kamarulzaman A, Reid SE, Schwitters A, Wiessing L, El-Bassel N, Dolan K, Moazen B, Wirtz AL, Verster A, Altice FL. Prevention of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in prisoners. The Lancet 2016, 388: 1115-1126. PMID: 27427456, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30769-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis B virusHepatitis C virusC virusB virusOpioid agonist therapySecondary prevention strategiesBlood-borne infectionsPrevalence of HIVOpioid use disorderPrevention of transmissionPublic health systemAgonist therapyEffective treatmentGeneral populationUse disordersPrevention strategiesPrisoner healthHealth systemInfectionHIVVirusTuberculosisAbsence of alternativesTherapyRisk environment
2015
Challenges in managing HIV in people who use drugs
Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Challenges in managing HIV in people who use drugs. Current Opinion In Infectious Diseases 2015, 28: 10-16. PMID: 25490106, PMCID: PMC4409950, DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000125.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-HIV AgentsCoinfectionComorbidityContinuity of Patient CareHealth Services AccessibilityHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansMedication AdherenceMental DisordersNeedle-Exchange ProgramsOpiate Substitution TreatmentSocial ClassSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSubstance-Related DisordersTuberculosisConceptsOpioid substitution therapyHepatitis C virusHIV continuumTreatment outcomesImproved ART adherenceInterferon-based regimesTB treatment outcomesHIV treatment outcomesBetter treatment retentionEvidence-based preventionHIV treatment accessHIV-HCVNoninfectious comorbiditiesOST servicesCare retentionART adherenceHIV managementAntiretroviral adherencePsychiatric comorbiditySubstitution therapyHIV treatmentNew diagnostic technologiesC virusClinical managementEarly diagnosis
2012
Developing a Modified Directly Observed Therapy Intervention for Hepatitis C Treatment in a Methadone Maintenance Program: Implications for Program Replication
Bruce RD, Eiserman J, Acosta A, Gote C, Lim JK, Altice FL. Developing a Modified Directly Observed Therapy Intervention for Hepatitis C Treatment in a Methadone Maintenance Program: Implications for Program Replication. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2012, 38: 206-212. PMID: 22242700, PMCID: PMC5573865, DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2011.643975.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSustained virologic responseEarly virologic responseMethadone maintenance treatmentHepatitis C treatmentSelf-administered therapyHepatitis C virusHCV treatmentVirologic responseAdherence supportWeek 12HCV treatment adherenceOpioid-dependent patientsBlood-borne infectionsMethadone-maintained patientsCompletion of treatmentCase-control studyMethadone maintenance clinicsMethadone maintenance programMental illness comorbidityConcurrent substance useC treatmentObserved therapyHCV genotypesHIV statusIllness comorbidity
2007
Case Series on the Safe Use of Buprenorphine/Naloxone in Individuals with Acute Hepatitis C Infection and Abnormal Hepatic Liver Transaminases
Bruce RD, Altice FL. Case Series on the Safe Use of Buprenorphine/Naloxone in Individuals with Acute Hepatitis C Infection and Abnormal Hepatic Liver Transaminases. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2007, 33: 869-874. PMID: 17994482, DOI: 10.1080/00952990701653875.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis C virusAcute hepatitis C infectionHepatitis C infectionBuprenorphine treatmentC infectionChronic viral illnessesSafety of buprenorphineAcute HCV infectionBuprenorphine/naloxoneOpiate substitution therapyOpioid-dependent patientsOpiate substitution treatmentLaboratory evaluationChronic hepatitisElevated transaminasesHCV infectionLiver transaminasesViral illnessCase seriesSubstitution therapyC virusSubstitution treatmentBuprenorphinePatientsTransaminase
2005
Adherence to hepatitis B virus vaccination at syringe exchange sites
Altice FL, Bruce RD, Walton MR, Buitrago MI. Adherence to hepatitis B virus vaccination at syringe exchange sites. Journal Of Urban Health 2005, 82: 151-161. PMID: 15746385, PMCID: PMC3456633, DOI: 10.1093/jurban/jti016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAge DistributionConnecticutDiagnostic Tests, RoutineFemaleHepatitis BHepatitis B AntibodiesHepatitis B Surface AntigensHepatitis B VaccinesHumansImmunization ProgramsMaleMiddle AgedMobile Health UnitsNeedle-Exchange ProgramsPatient ComplianceSubstance Abuse, IntravenousUrban Health ServicesConceptsInjection drug usersHepatitis B virusHBV infectionHealth care servicesHigh riskCare servicesHepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccinationActive injection drug usersPreventive health care servicesB virus vaccinationVaccine-eligible patientsChronic HBV infectionHepatitis C virusSyringe exchange programsSyringe exchange sitesMobile health care servicesDaily injectorsHBV vaccinationVaccination seriesVirus vaccinationC virusB virusPreventive vaccinationVaccinationDrug users