Pediatric Appendicitis Severity in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Abstract Background Achieving undetectable viral loads is crucial for the reduction of HIV transmissions, AIDS related illnesses and death. Adolescents living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) have worse treatment adherence and lower viral suppression rates compared to adults. We report on the clinical factors associated with viral suppression among adolescents 10–19 years living with HIV in the Ehlanzeni district, Mpumalanga in South Africa. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted with 9,543 adolescents living with HIV, aged 10–19 years, who were enrolled in 136 ART clinics in the Ehlanzeni district. Clinical and immunological data were obtained from electronic medical records (Tier.net). Adolescents were categorized as having achieved viral suppression if their latest viral load count was < 1000 ribonucleic acid (RNA) copies/mL. Using a backward stepwise approach, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with viral suppression. Results The mean age of the participants was 14.75 years (SD = 2.8), and 55.43% were female. Mean duration on ART was 72.26 (SD = 42.3) months. Of the 9,543 adolescents with viral load results recorded, 74% had achieved viral suppression. After adjusting for other covariates, the likelihood of achieving viral suppression remained significantly higher among adolescents who were: female (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.05–1.38), had CD4 count > 200 (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.89–2.79), and on ART for more than 6 months (AOR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.74–4.34). Furthermore, the likelihood of having viral suppression was lower among adolescents with CD4 count < 200 at baseline (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.64–0.90), and who were switched to second line regimen (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.35–0.49). Conclusions Viral suppression amongst adolescents at 74% is considerably lower than the WHO target of 90%. Of particular concern for intervention is the lower rates of viral suppression amongst male adolescents. Greater emphasis should be placed to enrol adolescents on ART earlier before CD4 counts are depleted (< 200) and keeping them engaged in care (beyond 6 months). Furthermore, improved viral load monitoring may prevent unnecessary switching to second line treatment, which are costly and is a risk factor for viral non suppression.

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Safety and effectiveness of an all-oral, bedaquiline-based, shorter treatment regimen for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in high HIV burden rural South Africa: a retrospective cohort analysis

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa1894 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ilse Tack ◽

Asnake Dumicho ◽

Liesbet Ohler ◽

Altynay Shigayeva ◽

Abera Balcha Bulti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Treatment Regimen ◽

Median Time ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Cohort Analysis ◽

Treatment Success ◽

Severe Anaemia ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Resistant Tuberculosis ◽

Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Abstract Background At the end of 2018, South Africa updated its all-oral regimen, to include bedaquiline (BDQ) and two months of linezolid (LZD) for all patients initiating the shorter 9 to 12 months regimen for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB). We assessed a group of patients in rural KwaZulu-Natal for safety and effectiveness of this treatment regimen under programmatic conditions. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis on RR-TB patients treated with a standardized all-oral short regimen between July 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019 in three facilities in King Cetshwayo District. An electronic register (EDR Web) and facility-based clinical charts were used to collect variables which were entered into an Epi-Info database. Results Our cohort included 117 patients; 68.4%(95%CI:59.3-76.3) were HIV positive. The median time to culture conversion was 56 days(95%CI:50-57). Treatment success was achieved in 75.2%(95%CI:66.5-82.3) of patients. Mortality within the cohort was 12.8%(95%CI:7.8-20.3). Anaemia was the most frequent severe adverse event. The median time to develop severe anaemia was 7.1 weeks(IQR 4.0-12.9) after treatment initiation. LZD was interrupted in 25.2%(95%CI:17.8-34.5) of participants. Conclusions An all-oral shorter regimen, including BDQ and LZD as core drugs for the treatment of RR-TB, shows good outcomes, in a high HIV burden rural setting. Adverse events (AEs) are common, especially for LZD, but could be managed in the program setting. Support is needed when introducing new regimens to upskill staff in the monitoring, management and reporting of AEs.

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