HIV and Aging

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Immunology, Vaccines, and Antivirals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 1669

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Lluita Contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: aging in HIV; chronic inflammation and immune activation; hallmarks of aging; long-term complications of antiretroviral therapy; new models of care; strategies for healthy aging in HIV
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

With the remarkable success of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV infection has transformed from a rapidly fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition. As a result, people with HIV (PWH) are now living longer, leading to an increasing prevalence of age-related comorbidities and an accelerated aging phenotype. This demographic shift presents unique challenges in understanding the complex interplay between HIV, ART, and the aging process.

In this Special Issue, we aim to explore the latest advancements in research concerning HIV and aging. We will focus on, but are not limited to, the following areas:

  • Mechanisms of accelerated and accentuated aging in PWH: Chronic inflammation, immune senescence, and other hallmarks of aging.
  • Non-AIDS-defining comorbidities: Such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, renal dysfunction, neurocognitive impairment, tumors, and bone disease in the context of HIV and aging.
  • The impact of ART on aging: Long-term toxicities, drug–drug interactions, and the optimization of ART regimens for older PLWH.
  • Immunological changes with age in HIV infection: T-cell and B-cell dysfunction, altered vaccine responses, and chronic immune activation.
  • Novel therapeutic strategies: Interventions to mitigate accelerated aging and age-related comorbidities in PLWH.
  • Optimizing follow-up strategies: Tailoring clinical guidelines and monitoring protocols to address the unique health needs and increased complexity of older PLWH, including screening for age-associated comorbidities and geriatric syndromes.
  • The role of multidisciplinary teams: Emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts involving HIV specialists, geriatricians, cardiologists, and neurologists in providing comprehensive and holistic care for older individuals living with HIV.

We welcome original research articles, comprehensive review articles, and concise short communications that contribute to a deeper understanding of these critical issues.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Healthcare.

Dr. Eugenia Negredo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • HIV and aging
  • accelerated and accentuated aging
  • immune senescence
  • inflammation
  • comorbidities
  • geriatric syndromes
  • neurocognitive function
  • functional status
  • antiretroviral therapy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 433 KB  
Article
Effectiveness and Safety of Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide in People Living with HIV Aged 50 Years and Older: A Retrospective Analysis of Naïve and Treatment-Experienced Individuals
by Marcello Trizzino, Luca Pipitò, Floriana Di Figlia, Silvia Bonura, Federica Zimmerhofer, Andrea Cicero, Claudia Gioè and Antonio Cascio
Viruses 2025, 17(11), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17111449 - 31 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1458
Abstract
Background: The aging of people living with HIV (PLWH) necessitates antiretroviral regimens (ART) with high efficacy, a favorable safety profile, and minimal drug–drug interactions. We evaluated the real-world performance of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in PLWH aged ≥ 50 years, stratified by prior [...] Read more.
Background: The aging of people living with HIV (PLWH) necessitates antiretroviral regimens (ART) with high efficacy, a favorable safety profile, and minimal drug–drug interactions. We evaluated the real-world performance of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in PLWH aged ≥ 50 years, stratified by prior treatment experience. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included ART-naïve and virologically suppressed treatment-experienced PLWH aged ≥ 50 years who started B/F/TAF. Primary endpoints were virological suppression (HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL) at 12 months ± 1 month and 24 months ± 1 month, and safety. Changes in immunological (CD4+ count, CD4+/CD8+ ratio), metabolic, and hepatic parameters were assessed. Results: Among 214 patients (37 naïve, 177 experienced; mean age 60.6 years), high virological suppression rates were observed in both naïve (85.7%) and experienced (93.9%) cohorts at 24 months. Immunologically, naïve patients experienced a robust increase in CD4+ counts (from 176 to 450 cells/μL, p < 0.001). A key finding was a significant increase in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the experienced cohort, which normalized from 0.95 at baseline to 1.12 at 24 months (p < 0.001). The regimen demonstrated a favorable safety profile: metabolic parameters remained stable, and hepatic enzymes significantly improved in naïve patients. Transient elastography confirmed no worsening of liver fibrosis or steatosis in experienced patients. The overall discontinuation rate was 19.2%, driven by different reasons between cohorts (e.g., comorbidities in naïve, strategic simplification in experienced). Conclusions: This real-world study confirms that B/F/TAF is a versatile cornerstone for the management of older PLWH. It demonstrates high efficacy in initiating treatment and is a safe, effective, and durable platform for treatment simplification. Its favorable metabolic and hepatic profile makes it particularly suitable for an aging population with a high burden of comorbidities, ensuring long-term treatment success. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV and Aging)
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