scholarly journals Assessment of Antiretroviral therapy Initiation among pregnant Women under Option B+ Approach; Viral Load and CD4 Count Outcomes in selected Hospitals of West Zone Oromia, Ethiopia: Quantitative Prospective Cohort Study Design

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dereje Bayissa Demissie ◽  
Gizachew Abdissa Bulto ◽  
Wagi Tosisa Mekuria ◽  
Fikru Negassa Dufera

Abstract Abstract Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective for elimination of mother-to-child transmission (eMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, reducing infant mortality and ensuring maternal virologic suppression. While pregnant women require lifelong ART immediately they test HIV positive (“test and treat”) under Option B+ programs, eMTCT programs face challenges and information on the relationship between the time to ART initiation following HIV testing and treatment outcomes is limited in Ethiopia Methods: A quantitative prospective cohort design was employed to conduct the study. Five randomly selected Hospitals providing Option B+ services with routine viral load assessment by Oromia regional Laboratory (ORL) from January 2016 to January 2017 was randomly selected. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine factors affecting the time to ART initiation following an HIV test and logistic regression used to determine the correlation between time and treatment outcomes. Results: The study results produced and evidence of a mean VL (copies/ml) of 197.27 copies/ml. Respondents that were on ART for a shorter period ≤37 months had the least proportion of women 31% were suppressed with VL<1000 copies/ml compared to those on ART for >38 months (58.7%) were suppressed. The median (IQR) CD4 count change or difference among women that had initial and last CD4 was 581 cells/μl and mean of current CD4 count 629.17ceels/ml3 and more than 85.3% had increase CD4 count. Therefore, in this study identified that factors associated with viral load response were poor /fair adherence missing doses in the past month, missing appointments, baseline CD4 and maternal months on ART were statistically significant among HIV positive pregnant women that initiated lifelong ART on option B+ in Ethiopia. Conclusion: The study results demonstrated that HIV positive pregnant women Study results indicate that majority of the respondents 89.7% were suppressed of which 80.3% were undetectable (VL= 0 copies /ml3 and 85.3% had increased CD4 count and 10.3% were not suppressed (VL >1000 copies/ml). Therefore, strategies aimed at improving adherence among women on option B+ are to ensure that these women achieve adequate immunological outcomes. Keywords: ART Initiation Pregnant Women Option B +, Viral Load, CD4 Count

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0246140
Author(s):  
Sarah Nabukeera ◽  
Joseph Kagaayi ◽  
Fredrick Edward Makumbi ◽  
Henry Mugerwa ◽  
Joseph K. B. Matovu

Background While the proportion of HIV-positive children (under 15 years) enrolled on antiretroviral therapy (ART) has increased in recent years, up to 60% of children started on ART do not achieve virological suppression. We set out to determine the factors associated with virological non-suppression among children living with HIV receiving ART at a peri-urban HIV care clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Method This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at the pediatric HIV/AIDS clinic at the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in Kampala, Uganda. Three hundred (300) HIV-positive children (0–14 years) were randomly selected from existing medical records and data on children’s socio-demographic and clinical characteristics (age at ART initiation, WHO clinical staging, and ART-induced side effects) were abstracted using a data abstraction form. Virological non-suppression was defined as a viral load ≥1000 copies/Ml of blood after six months of ART initiation. Incident rate ratios (IRRs) were determined as a measure of association between virological non-suppression and child/patient characteristics. The IRRs were obtained via a modified Poisson regression with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). All analyses were done using statistical package, Stata version 15. Results The overall non-suppression rate among HIV-positive children on ART was 23%. Being at WHO clinical stage 4 at ART initiation [adj. IRR 2.74; 95%CI: 1.63, 4.61] and ART-induced side effects [adj. IRR 1.77; 95%CI: 1.06, 2.97] were significantly associated with non-suppression. Older age at ART initiation (age 5–9 years: [adj. IRR 0.42; 95%CI: 0.28, 0.65]; age 10–14 years: [adj. IRR 0.34; 95%CI: 0.18, 0.64] was less likely to be associated with virological non-suppression. Conclusion Nearly a quarter of HIV-positive children on ART had a non-suppressed viral load after six months of treatment. Being at WHO clinical stage 4 at ART initiation and ART-induced side effects were significantly associated with virological non-suppression while older age at ART initiation was protective. Our findings suggest a need for age-specific interventions, particularly those targeting children below five years of age, to improve virological suppression among HIV-positive children receiving ART in this setting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney E. Sims Gomillia ◽  
Kandis V. Backus ◽  
James B. Brock ◽  
Sandra C. Melvin ◽  
Jason J. Parham ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART), ideally initiated within twenty-four hours of diagnosis, may be crucial in efforts to increase virologic suppression and reduce HIV transmission. Recent studies, including demonstration projects in large metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; San Francisco, California; and Washington D.C., have demonstrated that rapid ART initiation is a novel tool for expediting viral suppression in clinical settings. Here we present an evaluation of the impact of a rapid ART initiation program in a community-based clinic in Jackson, MS. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who were diagnosed with HIV at Open Arms Healthcare Center or were linked to the clinic for HIV care by the Mississippi State Department of Health Disease Intervention Specialists from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. Initial viral load, CD4+ T cell count, issuance of an electronic prescription (e-script), subsequent viral loads until suppressed and patient demographics were collected for each individual seen in clinic during the review period. Viral suppression was defined as a viral load less than 200 copies/mL. Rapid ART initiation was defined as receiving an e-script for antiretrovirals within seven days of diagnosis. Results Between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018, 70 individuals were diagnosed with HIV and presented to Open Arms Healthcare Center, of which 63 (90%) completed an initial HIV counseling visit. Twenty-seven percent of patients were provided with an e-script for ART within 7 days of diagnosis. The median time to linkage to care for this sample was 12 days and 5.5 days for rapid ART starters (p < 0.001). Median time from diagnosis to viral suppression was 55 days for rapid ART starters (p = 0.03), a 22 day decrease from standard time to viral suppression. Conclusion Our results provide a similar level of evidence that rapid ART initiation is effective in decreasing time to viral suppression. Evidence from this evaluation supports the use of rapid ART initiation after an initial HIV diagnosis, including same-day treatment.


Author(s):  
Kristen L. Bunnell ◽  
Arwa Aldossari ◽  
Connor Perkins ◽  
Christopher Schriever ◽  
Thomas D. Chiampas ◽  
...  

Background: Obesity is common among patients with HIV. The objective of this study was to characterize response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a cohort of obese incarcerated adults compared to a nonobese cohort. Methods: A retrospective matched cohort study was conducted in an HIV telemedicine clinic. Patients with body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2 who received the same ART with >95% adherence for at least 6 months were matched to nonobese patients by age, gender, ART, CD4 count, and viral load at baseline. Results: Twenty pairs were included, with an average BMI of 24 kg/m2 in the nonobese cohort and 35 kg/m2 in the obese cohort. No difference was observed in the proportion of patients who achieved virologic suppression or the change in CD4 count from baseline to 6 to 12 months. Conclusion: This study revealed no differences in immunologic recovery or virologic suppression between obese and nonobese patients in an adult correctional population.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Cecchelli ◽  
Giacomo Grassi ◽  
Stefano Pallanti

Aripiprazole is the first medication approved by the FDA as an add-on treatment for MDD. The impact of aripiprazole on the response to HIV is unknown. The patient we report on was diagnosed HIV-positive in 1997 and has been treated with antiretroviral therapy since then. In 2008, we diagnosed resistant major depression, hypochondria, and panic disorder. On that occasion, blood tests showed a significantly reduced CD4 count and a positive viral load. We treated this patient with aripiprazole and citalopram. Mood, somatic symptoms, and occupational functioning progressively improved. The last blood examination showed an increase in the CD4 count and a negative viral load. On the basis of the present case study and the review of the literature concerning the effects of psychotropic agents on viral replication, we suggest that the use of aripiprazole in HIV-infected subjects warrants further research.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoliang Zeng ◽  
huanhuan chen ◽  
qiuying zhu ◽  
zhiyong shen ◽  
guanghua lan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The number of HIV infected children receiving antiviral treatment in Guangxi is increasing. Understanding factors and trends of mortality and attrition in HIV-infected children under antiretroviral therapy (ART) was an urgently need to improve treatment outcomes. This study aimed to describe and assess mortality and attrition after ART initiation between 2004 and 2018 among children with HIV in Guangxi, China.Methods: Cohort study data were extracted from the National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program (NFATP) database, which has standard guidelines for core treatment indicators and other data at all HIV/AIDS treatment facilities of Guangxi. A total of 901 HIV-infected children who have started ART were included in the study. The study collected the following data: age, gender, WHO clinic stages before ART, CD4 cell count before ART, Cotrimoxazole prophylaxison (CTX) use before ART, initial ART regimen, malnutrition before ART, abnormal liver function before ART, abnormal kidney function before ART, severe anemia before ART, and time lag between a HIV diagnosis and ART initiation.Results: HIV-infected children under ART had a mortality rate of 0.87 per 100 person-years, and an attrition rate of 3.02 per 100 person-years. Mortality was lower among children with CD4 count between 200-500 copies/ml (Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) 0.22, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.09-0.54), and CD4 count ≥500 copies/ml (AHR 0.09, 95% CI 0.03-0.27); but higher among children with late ART initiation at 1-3 months (AHR 2.37, 95% CI 1.10-5.08), and at ≥ 3 months (AHR 2.22, 95% CI 1.05-4.72). Attrition was lower among children with a CD4 count ≥500 copies/ml (AHR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40-0.93), but higher among children with late ART initiation at 1-3 months (AHR 1.63, 95% CI 1.10-2.42), and at ≥ 3 months (AHR 1.26, 95% CI 0.85-1.86).Conclusion: Supportive programs are needed to educate children’s families and parents on early ART, link HIV-infected children to care, and retain them in care among other programs that treat and manage physical conditions of HIV-infected children before ART initiation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 1394
Author(s):  
Dhileeban Maharajan P. ◽  
T. Jeetenkumar Singh ◽  
S. Bhagyabati Devi ◽  
H. Rebachandra Singh ◽  
Dipul Rudra Paul ◽  
...  

Background: India has the third largest human HIV epidemic in the world. The advent of antiretroviral drug began a revolution in the management of HIV. Recent studies have shown that an increasing number of patients experiencing virologic failure on second line Antiretroviral therapy and require third line ART.Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal for a period of two years, to study the clinical, immunological, and virological profile of patients undergoing third line Antiretroviral therapy and to study the early immuno-virological response to third line Antiretroviral therapy.Results: Mean CD4 count before third line ART initiation was 95.90±111.85 cells/μl with 60% of them had CD4 count <100 cells/μl. The mean CD4 count improved significantly (p<0.005) to 246.70±123.78 cells/μl after six months and 340.70±198.57 cells/μl after one year of the therapy. At the time of initiation of third line ART, none of the patients had viral load <150copies/ml while 60% of the population had viral load >100000 copies/ml. After one year of third line ART, 80 % of the patients showed viral suppression (VL<150copies/ml). At the end of one year, the improvement in CD4 count comparing to the Viral load was significant in those who showed viral suppression (VL<150 copies/ml).Conclusions: This study showed significant improvement in the CD4 count and viral suppression with third line medication without any major clinical adverse effect.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S432-S432
Author(s):  
Karen Jacobson ◽  
Onyema Ogbuagu

Abstract Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens for the treatment of HIV that incorporate the integrase strand inhibitor (INSTI) class of antiretroviral medications have high efficacy and tolerability, and may result in faster time to virologic suppression compared with regimens that contain protease inhibitors (PIs) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). However, differences in viral suppression are not well-defined in routine clinical settings. Methods We performed a retrospective single-center chart review of treatment-naïve HIV patients initiating ART between 2013 and 2016. Among patients on different ART regimen types, we compared rates of achievement of viral suppression (defined as viral load less than limit of detection or &lt;20 copies/uL) over time and median time to viral suppression using chi-square and independent samples median testing. Patients who were prescribed nonstandard regimens, were nonadherent, or discontinued or changed ART within 6 months were excluded. Results One hundred and fifty-five patients—45 (29.0%) female and 110 (71%) male—met study inclusion criteria. Mean age at ART initiation was 41.3 years (SD 12.5), and mean baseline viral load was 293,974 copies/uL. Twelve (7.7%) patients had an opportunistic infection diagnosed at time of ART initiation. Seventy-one (45.8%) initiated an INSTI-based ART regimen, 58 (37.4%) initiated a NNRTI-based regimen, and 26 (16.8%) initiated a PI-based regimen. Eighty-one (52.3%) patients had documented viral suppression, with median time to viral suppression 105 days (IQR 49–159). Patients on INSTI regimens were more likely to achieve viral suppression by 6 months (93.2% compared with 69.7% on NNRTIs and 30.8% on PIs), and had lower median time to suppression (62.6 days vs. 140.5 days on NNRTI regimens and 154.5 days on PI regimens, P = 0.002). Conclusion In this cohort, patients on INSTI-based ART regimens experienced higher rates of viral suppression at 6 months and shorter time from ART initiation to viral suppression. In HIV patients on INSTI-based ART regimens, virologic failure should be suspected prior to the current recommendation of 6 months. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e030228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorina Onoya ◽  
Tembeka Sineke ◽  
Cheryl Hendrickson ◽  
Idah Mokhele ◽  
Mhairi Maskew ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo assess delays to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation before and after the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) and the same-day initiation (SDI) of ART policy periods in Johannesburg, South Africa.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingPatients were recruited from six primary health clinics in Johannesburg.ParticipantsOverall, 1029 newly diagnosed HIV positive adults (≥18 years) were consecutively enrolled by referral from the testing counsellor between April and December 2015 (pre-UTT n=146), July and August 2017 (UTT, n=141) and October 2017 and August 2018 (SDI, n=742).Main outcome measuresCox proportional hazards regression was used to assess predictors of 30 days ART initiation. Additionally, predictors of immediate ART initiation were evaluated using Poisson regression.ResultsOverall, 30 days ART proportions were 71.9% overall, 36.9% pre-UTT (44.3% of those eligible), 65.9% under UTT and 79.9% under the SDI policy. The median days to ART initiation declined from 21 pre-UTT (IQR: 15–30) to 8 (IQR: 6–16) under UTT and 5 days (IQR: 0–8) under the SDI policy. However, only 150 (20.2%) of the SDI cohort-initiated ART immediately after HIV diagnosis. Living in a two-adult home (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.2 vs living alone, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.5) increased the likelihood of 30-day ART. Missing baseline cluster of differentiation four (CD4) data decreased the likelihood of 30 days ART by 40% (aHR 0.6 vs CD4 <350 cells/µL, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.7). More women took up immediate ART (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.9). Participants ≥40 years (aRR 0.6 vs 18–24 years, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.9) were less likely to start ART immediately after HIV diagnosis. However, immediate ART rates increased with longer policy implementation time (aRR 0.2 for <3 months vs >10 months, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.4).ConclusionsThe study results highlight a positive move towards earlier ART initiation during the UTT and SDI periods and emphasise a need to increase same-day ART implementation further.


2015 ◽  
Vol 05 (04) ◽  
pp. 308-312
Author(s):  
Adoum Fouda Abderrazzack ◽  
Mounerou Salou ◽  
Akouda Patassi ◽  
Degninou Yehadji ◽  
Yaovi Ameyapoh

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Bahemana ◽  
◽  
Allahna Esber ◽  
Nicole Dear ◽  
Kavitha Ganesan ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction With increased use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV mortality rates are declining and people living with HIV (PLWH) are surviving longer. We characterized CD4 recovery and viral suppression among adults aged < 50 and ≥ 50 years living with HIV who initiated ART in the African Cohort Study (AFRICOS). Methods Beginning in January 2013, PLWH at twelve clinics in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria underwent medical history review, CD4 and viral load testing as part of the ongoing African Cohort Study (AFRICOS). ART-naïve PLWH who initiated ART within 30 days of enrollment and had at least one year of follow-up were included in these analyses. To compare ART response in participants < 50 years and ≥ 50 years old, changes in CD4 count and viral load suppression after ART initiation were examined at different time points using linear and binomial regression with generalized estimating equations. Variables for time since ART initiation and the interaction between age group and time on ART were included in the model to evaluate longitudinal changes in CD4 recovery and viral suppression by age. Results Between January 2013 and September 2019, 2918 PLHV were enrolled in the cohort. Of these, 443 were ART naïve and initiated on ART within 30 days of enrollment, with 90% (n = 399) aged < 50 years old at ART initiation. At ART initiation, participants aged 50 and older had a higher median CD4 count compared to participants younger than 50 years of age although it did not reach statistical significance (306 cells/mm3, IQR:130–547 vs. 277cells/mm3, IQR: 132–437). In adjusted models examining CD4 recovery and viral suppression there were no significant differences by age group over time. By the end of follow-up viral suppression was high among both groups of adults (96% of adults ≥ 50 years old and 92% of adults < 50 years old). Conclusion This study found no difference in long-term CD4 recovery or viral suppression by age at ART initiation. We found that particularly among younger adults participants had lower median CD4 counts at ART initiation, suggesting the importance of identifying and putting this population on treatment earlier in the disease course.


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