scholarly journals Impact of breastfeeding, maternal antiretroviral treatment and health service factors on 18-month vertical transmission of HIV and HIV-free survival: results from a nationally representative HIV-exposed infant cohort, South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. jech-2019-213453
Author(s):  
Ameena Ebrahim Goga ◽  
Carl Lombard ◽  
Debra Jackson ◽  
Vundli Ramokolo ◽  
Nobubelo Kwanele Ngandu ◽  
...  

BackgroundWe analysed the impact of breastfeeding, antiretroviral drugs and health service factors on cumulative (6 weeks to 18 months) vertical transmission of HIV (MTCT) and ‘MTCT-or-death’, in South Africa, and compared estimates with global impact criteria to validate MTCT elimination: (1) <5% final MTCT and (2) case rate ≤50 (new paediatric HIV infections/100 000 live births).Methods9120 infants aged 6 weeks were enrolled in a nationally representative survey. Of 2811 HIV-exposed uninfected infants (HEU), 2644 enrolled into follow-up (at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months). Using Kaplan-Meier analysis and weighted survey domain-based Cox proportional hazards models, we estimated cumulative risk of MTCT and ‘MTCT or death’ and risk factors for time-to-event outcomes, adjusting for study design and loss-to-follow-up.ResultsCumulative (final) MTCT was 4.3% (95% CI 3.7% to 5.0%); case rate was 1290. Postnatal MTCT (>6 weeks to 18 months) was 1.7% (95% CI 1.2% to 2.4%). Cumulative ‘MTCT-or-death’ was 6.3% (95% CI 5.5% to 7.3%); 81% and 62% of cumulative MTCT and ‘MTCT-or-death’, respectively, occurred by 6 months. Postnatal MTCT increased with unknown maternal CD4-cell-count (adjusted HR (aHR 2.66 (1.5–5.6)), undocumented maternal HIV status (aHR 2.21 (1.0–4.7)) and exclusive (aHR 2.3 (1.0–5.2)) or mixed (aHR 3.7 (1.2–11.4)) breastfeeding. Cumulative ‘MTCT-or death’ increased in households with ‘no refrigerator’ (aHR 1.7 (1.1–2.9)) and decreased if infants used nevirapine at 6 weeks (aHR 0.4 (0.2–0.9)).ConclusionsWhile the <5% final MTCT target was met, the case rate was 25-times above target. Systems are needed in the first 6 months post-delivery to optimise HEU health and fast-track ART initiation in newly diagnosed mothers.

Author(s):  
Fiekumo Igbida Buseri ◽  
Evelyn Mgbeoma Eze ◽  
Ngowari Golden

Background: Pregnancy associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- infection poses risk to the fetus due to vertical-transmission. This can be prevented through administration of antiretroviral drugs. Our objective was to investigate the incidence of vertical-transmission of HIV and its correlation with maternal gestational age at antenatal booking with immediate commencement of antiretroviral therapy in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: All antenatal attendees and their HIV-exposed newborns were screened for HIV-infection between April, 2016 and May, 2017 using qualitative rapid ELISA kits and HIV-DNA PCR technique. The HIV-positive antenatal attendees were placed on daily single-dose triple antiretroviral regimen (efavirenz, lamivudine, tenofovir, 600/300/300mg tablet) with multivitamins from the first day of booking and continued afterward. The HIV-exposed babies were placed on 5ml daily single-dose triple antiretroviral chemoprophylaxis on the first day of delivery and continued until blood collection at 6 weeks for HIV diagnosis. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software (version 17.0) was used for data analysis. Results: We found 4.34% overall prevalence of HIV-1 infection among the antenatal attendees and 7.57% incidence of mother-to-child transmission. There was significant difference between gestational age at booking with commencement of ART and the number of HIV-positive babies (χ2=7.113, df=2, P<0.05). There was no vertical transmission among the attendees who booked at first trimester, 35.7% at second trimester and 64.3% at third trimester. There was no statistically significant gender difference (P>0.05) between the number of infected males, 42.9% and females, 57.1%. Conclusion: High incidence of vertical-transmission of HIV was obtained from those HIV-positive mothers who registered late for antenatal care. Therefore, strong advocacy for early entry into antenatal care is solicited.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobubelo Kwanele Ngandu ◽  
Debra Jackson ◽  
Carl Lombard ◽  
Duduzile Faith Nsibande ◽  
Thu-Ha Dinh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Since 2001 the South African guidelines to improve child health and prevent vertical HIV transmission recommended frequent infant follow-up with HIV testing at 18 months postpartum. We sought to understand non-attendance at scheduled follow-up study visits up to 18 months, and for the 18-month infant HIV test amongst a nationally representative sample of HIV exposed uninfected (HEU) infants from a high HIV-prevalence African setting. Methods Secondary analysis of data drawn from a nationally representative observational cohort study (conducted during October 2012 to September 2014) of HEU infants and their primary caregivers was undertaken. Participants were eligible (N = 2650) if they were 4–8 weeks old and HEU at enrolment. All enrolled infants were followed up every 3 months up to 18 months. Each follow-up visit was scheduled to coincide with each child’s routine health visit, where possible. The denominator at each time point comprised HEU infants who were alive and HIV-free at the previous visit. We assessed baseline maternal and early HIV care characteristics associated with the frequency of ‘Missed visits’ (MV-frequency), using a negative binomial regression model adjusting for the follow-up time in the study, and associated with missed visits at 18 months (18-month MV) using a logistic regression model. Results The proportion of eligible infants with MV was lowest at 3 months (32.7%) and 18 months (31.0%) and highest at 12 months (37.6%). HIV-positive mothers not on triple antiretroviral therapy (ART) by 6-weeks postpartum had a significantly increased occurrence rate of ‘MV-frequency’ (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.2 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1–1.4), p < 0.0001). Compared to those mothers with ART, these mothers also increased the risk of ‘18-month-MV’ (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3 (CI, 1.1–1.6), p = 0.006). Unknown infant nevirapine-intake status increased the rate of ‘MV-frequency’ (p = 0.02). Mothers > 24 years had a significantly reduced rate of ‘MV-frequency’ (p ≤ 0.01) and risk of ‘18-month-MV’ (p < 0.01) compared to younger women. Shorter travel time to health facility lowered the occurrence of ‘MV-frequency’ (p ≤ 0.004). Conclusion Late initiation of maternal ART and infant prophylaxis under the Option- A policy and extended travel time to clinics (measured at 6 weeks postpartum), contributed to higher postnatal MV rates. Mothers older than 24 years had lower MV rates. Targeted interventions may be needed during the current PMTCT Option B+ (lifelong ART to pregnant and lactating women at HIV diagnosis) to circumvent these risk factors and reduce missed visits during HIV-care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Tamandjou Tchuem ◽  
Mark Fredric Cotton ◽  
Etienne Nel ◽  
Richard Tedder ◽  
Wolfgang Preiser ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Whilst much attention is given to eliminating HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), little has been done to ensure the same for hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. The introduction of HBV immunization at six weeks of age has reduced HBV horizontal transmission in South Africa. However, in order to eliminate HBV MTCT, further interventions are needed. The risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) MTCT in HIV-infected (HIV+) African women is not yet well described. This study aimed to determine the rate of HBV and HCV vertical transmission in HIV-exposed infants in South Africa. Methods Serum samples from infants enrolled in an isoniazid prevention study (P1041) were screened for HBV and HCV serology markers; screening was performed on samples collected at approximately 60 weeks of age of the infants. HBV DNA was quantified in HBsAg positive samples and HBV strains characterized through gene sequencing. All HCV antibody samples with inconclusive results underwent molecular testing. Results Three of 821 infants were positive for both HBsAg and HBV DNA. All HBV strains belonged to HBV sub-genotype A1. The rtM204I mutation associated with lamivudine resistance was identified in one infant, a second infant harboured the double A1762T/G1764A BCP mutation. Phylogenetic analysis showed clustering between mother and infant viral genomic sequences. Twenty-one of 821 HIV-exposed infants tested had inconclusive HCV antibody results, none were HCV PCR positive. Conclusions This study suggests that HBV vertical transmission is likely to be occurring in HIV-exposed infants in South Africa.. A more robust strategy of HBV prevention, including birth dose vaccination, is required to eradicate HBV MTCT. HCV infection was not detected.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Ribeiro ◽  
Miguel Rocha

Introduction: Pre-exposure prophylaxis is defined as the use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV acquisition in uninfected individuals. Recognizing the increasing use of informal pre-exposure prophylaxis in Portugal, CheckpointLX, a community clinic targeted to men who have sex with men in Lisbon, Portugal, began offering counselling and follow-up services prior to formal introduction. This study aims to characterize pre-exposure prophylaxis users attending CheckpointLX before formal pre-exposure prophylaxis introduction in Portugal, and those who were referred to pre-exposure prophylaxis in the National Health Service following formal approval of pre-exposure prophylaxis.Material and Methods: Data was collected by peer counsellors between May 2015 and September 2018 and inserted in a database. Medical care followed the European AIDS Clinical Society recommendations for pre-exposure prophylaxis eligibility, initiation and follow-up. For formal pre-exposure prophylaxis, the General-Directorate for Health’s Pre-exposure Prophylaxis guidelines checklist was used.Results: Until the end of May 2018, CheckpointLX had a total of 90 appointments for wild pre-exposure prophylaxis, of which 64 (71%) were first time visits. As for the 380 service users referred to the National Health Service, most were Portuguese (n = 318, 84%), and the mean age was 31 (8.9) years old. Condomless sex in the last six months with partners of unknown HIV status was the most common eligibility criteria (n = 59, 83%).Discussion: Pre-exposure prophylaxis delivery should be complemented with effective information on the importance of immunization and education on safer practices of drug administration, in the scope of broader preventive sexual health care.Conclusion: Much remains to be done in Portugal to ensure that pre-exposure prophylaxis is available to those who need it the most. Offering pre-exposure prophylaxis at community clinics could be a first step.


BMJ ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 318 (7199) ◽  
pp. 1650-1656 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Soderlund ◽  
K. Zwi ◽  
A. Kinghorn ◽  
G. Gray

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria F.M. Barral ◽  
Gisele R. de Oliveira ◽  
Rubens C. Lobato ◽  
Raul A. Mendoza-Sassi ◽  
Ana M.b. Martínez ◽  
...  

In the absence of intervention, the rate of vertical transmission of HIV can range from 15-45%. With the inclusion of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and the choice of delivery route this amounts to less than 2%. However ARV use during pregnancy has generated several questions regarding the adverse effects of the gestational and neonatal outcome. This study aims to analyze the risk factors for vertical transmission of HIV-1 seropositive pregnant women living in Rio Grande and the influence of the use of ARVs in pregnancy outcome. Among the 262 pregnant women studied the rate of vertical transmission of HIV was found to be 3.8%. Regarding the VT, there was a lower risk of transmission when antiretroviral drugs were used and prenatal care was conducted at the referral service. However, the use of ART did not influence the outcome of pregnancy. However, initiation of prenatal care after the first trimester had an influence on low birth weight, as well as performance of less than six visits increased the risk of prematurity. Therefore, the risk factors analyzed in this study appear to be related to the realization of inadequate pre-natal and maternal behavior.


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