Newsletter

Volume 10, Issue 3

July – September 2023

Check out the current issue of URBAN ARCH News, the quarterly newsletter bringing you news on the latest URBAN ARCH and related research.

The GRAIL Study

In this edition of the URBAN ARCH Newsletter, we highlight the recently funded Gabapentin to Reduce Alcohol and Improve Viral Load Suppression (GRAIL) study.

Updates from 2nd Generation URBAN ARCH HIV/Alcohol P01s

                    

International URBAN ARCH Center Updates

Click on the buttons below to see what the International URBAN ARCH Center Cores and Projects have been working on.

Spotlight on… Allen Kekibiina

In this issue, we interview GRAIL field coordinator Allen Kekibiina about her background in the field of HIV and alcohol research, and her current work on the GRAIL study. 

 

Article Spotlight

Alcohol Use Did Not Increase Risk for Serious Isoniazid-related Toxicity Among People With HIV and TB

Among people with HIV (PWH), isoniazid preventative therapy can help prevent tuberculosis (TB) disease. However, isoniazid therapy is not recommended for people with heavy alcohol use, due to concerns about hepatotoxicity. URBAN ARCH researchers in Uganda investigated the incidence of severe isoniazid-related toxicity among a cohort of PWH, some of whom had consumed alcohol within the last 3 months (n=200), and some of whom had no alcohol consumption in the last year (n=101). All participants were receiving antiretroviral therapy, had TB infection, and had alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 2× or less the upper limit of normal (ULN). Isoniazid-related toxicity was classified thus: Grade 3+ (ALT or AST at least 5× the ULN or severe symptoms), or Grade 2 (ALT or AST 2-5× the ULN or moderate symptoms).

  • Overall, 8.3 percent (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.4–12.0) of the cohort had Grade 3+ isoniazid-related toxicity. Of participants with alcohol use, the incidence was 6 percent (95% CI 3.1–10.2); among those without alcohol use, the incidence was 12.9 percent (95% CI 7.0–21.0).
  • Overall, 21.7 percent (95% CI 17.0–27.1) of the cohort had Grade 2 isoniazid-related toxicity. Of participants with alcohol use, the incidence was 25 percent (95% CI 19.0–31.8); among those without alcohol use, the incidence was 14.8 percent (95% CI 8.1–23.9).

Comments: Alcohol use did not increase the risk of serious isoniazid-related toxicity in this cohort of PWH who did not have significant liver enzyme elevations at baseline. These results suggest that alcohol use should not preclude receipt of isoniazid therapy to prevent TB disease among PWH who drink.

Reference: Hahn JA, Ngabirano C, Fatch R, et al. Safety and tolerability of isoniazid preventive therapy for tuberculosis for persons with HIV with and without alcohol use. AIDS. 2023;37(10):1535-1543.

Save the Date: 2024 URBAN ARCH Annual Meeting

Mark your calendars! The 2024 URBAN ARCH Annual Meeting will be held on May 3, 2024, with options to attend virtually via Zoom or in-person in Boston. Additional details will be announced soon. We look forward to seeing you there!

Photo from the 2022 URBAN ARCH Annual Meeting in Boston.

URBAN ARCH invites poster abstract submissions from trainees and early stage investigators for the 2024 URBAN ARCH Annual Meeting. Abstract submissions should focus on alcohol/HIV research. Research previously presented or submitted to other conferences is welcome. 

Three abstracts will be selected for 10-minute oral poster presentations, which can take place in-person or via zoom.

If you are interested, please submit your abstracts here by Monday, February 26, 2024. Please reach out to Natalia Gnatienko with any questions. 

New URBAN ARCH Publications

Events and Conferences

    Upcoming abstract submission deadlines: CROI (September 27, 2023); CPDD (December 29, 2023); RSA (Early January, Date TBA).

    Click here for more events and conferences.

    Happy Fall from URBAN ARCH!