HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and Dermatology: Essentials and Updates

The presentation by John Zampella from NYU focuses on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its relevance to dermatology. He begins by discussing the importance of understanding PrEP, especially in the light of rising HIV rates among gay and bisexual men. The talk includes definitions of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), explaining how these treatments function to prevent infections. Zampella highlights the effectiveness of different PrEP medications, such as Truvada and the newer Descovy, which have been shown to reduce the risk of contracting HIV by up to 99% with proper adherence. He introduces injectable PrEP options, including cabotegravir and lenacapavir, which require less frequent administration and demonstrate higher adherence rates. Additionally, he discusses the potential side effects of PrEP and PEP, particularly concerning kidney function and bone density, while noting that newer formulations like Descovy are associated with fewer adverse effects. Zampella also covers the role of doxycycline in preventing bacterial STIs and its implications for resistance, underscoring the need for ongoing conversations with patients about risks and benefits. The talk concludes with an invitation to engage with resources from the CDC on PrEP and a promotion for a dermatology conference.