A Review and Analysis of Outcomes from Prevention of Mother-to- Child Transmission of HIV Infant Follow-up Services at a Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit of a Major Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria: 2007-2020

Background and Objective: Above 90% of childhood HIV infections result from mother-to child transmission (MTCT). This study examined the MTCT rates of HIV-exposed infants enrolled in the infant follow-up arm of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) program in a teaching hospital in Southeast Nigeria. Methods: This was a 14-year review of outcomes of infants enrolled in the infant follow-up arm of the PMTCT program of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria. The majority of subjects were enrolled within 72 hours of birth and were followed up until 18 months of age according to the National Guidelines on HIV prevention and treatment. At enrollment, relevant data were collected prospectively, and each scheduled follow-up visit was recorded both electronically and in physical copy in the client’s folders. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The major outcome variable was final MTCT status. Results: Out of 3,784 mother-infant dyads studied 3,049 (80.6%) received both maternal and infant Antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis while 447 (11.8%) received none. The MTCT rates were 1.4%, 9.3%, 24.1%, and 52.1% for both mother and infant, mother only, infant only, and none received ARV prophylaxis respectively. There was no gender-based difference in outcomes. The MTCT rate was significantly higher among mixed-fed infants (p<0.001) and among those who did not receive any form of ARVs (p<0.001). Among dyads who received no ARVs, breastfed infants significantly had a higher MTCT rate compared to never breastfed infants (57.9% vs. 34.8%; p<0.001). The MTCT rate was comparable among breastfed (2.5%) and never-breastfed (2.1%) dyads who had received ARVs. After logistic regression, maternal (p<0.001, OR: 7.00) and infant (p<0.001, OR: 4.00) ARV prophylaxis for PMTCT remained significantly associated with being HIV-negative. Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Appropriate use of ARVs and avoidance of mixed feeding in the first six months of life are vital to the success of PMTCT programs in developing countries. PMTCT promotes exclusive breastfeeding and reduces the burden of pediatric HIV infection, thereby enhancing child survival. Copyright © 2021 Ugochukwu et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.

A fresh look at the role of spiramycin in preventing a neglected disease: meta-analyses of observational studies

Purpose We aimed to investigate the effect of antepartum treatment with spiramycin with or without subsequent pyrimethamine–sulfonamide–folinic acid, compared to no treatment, on the rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and incidence/severity of sequelae in the offspring. Methods Embase and PubMed were searched for literature on spiramycin in pregnant women suspected/diagnosed with T. gondii infection. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects model. Results Thirty-three studies (32 cohorts and 1 cross-sectional study), with a total of 15,406 mothers and 15,250 offspring, were pooled for analyses. The MTCT rate for all treated patients was significantly lower than the untreated [19.5% (95% CI 14–25.5%) versus 50.7% (95% CI 31.2–70%), p < 0.001]. The transmission rate in patients on spiramycin monotherapy was also significantly lower than untreated [17.6% (95% CI 9.9–26.8%) versus 50.7% (95% CI 31.2–70%), p < 0.001]. Conclusion Results indicate significant reduction in MTCT rates following spiramycin treatment of suspected/diagnosed maternal T. gondii infection.

Early retention among pregnant women on ‘Option B + ’ in urban and rural Zimbabwe

Background In 2013, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended Option B+ as a strategy to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. In option B+ , lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) is offered to all HIV positive pregnant and breastfeeding women to reduce MTCT rate to less than or equal to 5%. Its success depends on retaining women on ART during pregnancy, delivery and breast-feeding period. There is limited data on early retention on ART among pregnant women in Zimbabwe. We therefore assessed early retention among women on Option B + from antenatal care (ANC) until 6 months post ANC booking and at delivery in Bulawayo city and Mazowe rural district of Zimbabwe. Methods We collected data for pregnant women booking for ANC between January and March 2018, comparing early retention among ART naïve women and those already on ART. The two cohorts were followed up for 6 months post ANC booking, and this was done in two districts. Data were collected from routine tools used at facility level which include ANC, delivery and ART registers. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate retention probabilities at 1, 3 and 6 months post-delivery and for retention at delivery proportions were used. Poisson regression was used to investigate factors associated with non-retention at 6 months post ANC booking. Results A total of 388 women were included in the study with median age of 29 years (IQR: 25–34). Two-thirds booked in their second trimester. Retention at 3 and 6 months post ANC booking was 84% (95% CI 80–88) and 73% (95% CI 69–78) respectively. At delivery 81% (95% CI 76–84) were retained in care, 18% lost-to-follow-up and 1% transferred out. In this study we did not find marital status, gestation age, facility location, ART status at ANC booking, to be associated with loss to follow-up. Conclusion In this study, we found low retention at 3, 6 months and delivery, a threat to elimination of Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV in Zimbabwe. Our findings emphasize the need for enhanced interventions to improve early retention such as post-test counselling, patient tracing and visit reminders.

Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission among Pregnant Women in a City with the Highest Rates of HIV in Brazil

Objective Most of the HIV pediatric infections are acquired through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Porto Alegre is a state capital of Brazil that had a HIV MTCT rate of 4.1% in 2013 and the highest rate of HIV-infected pregnant women in the country during 2018. Zidovudine and nevirapine have been used in Brazil for high-risk newborns since 2012. The aim of the study was to investigate HIV MTCT rate and the factors associated with HIV transmission at a hospital that is a reference center for HIV-infected mothers in Porto Alegre, after the introduction of this policy. Study Design This retrospective cohort study included all HIV-exposed infants born between February 2013 and December 2016 at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Student's t-test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare variables between HIV-infected and uninfected groups of newborns. Poisson's regression with robust variance was used to determine the factors associated with HIV MTCT. Results A total of 375 newborns were exposed to HIV, with an outpatient loss of 14.4% (n = 54). The HIV MTCT rate was 2.18% (n = 7), with four infected during the intrauterine period. The risk factors for MTCT were no prenatal care (relative risk [RR] = 9.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.0–44.3), late maternal HIV diagnosis in the peripartum period (RR = 16.3; 95% CI: 3.6–73.0), syphilis infection during pregnancy (RR = 9.3; 95% CI: 2.1–40.3), maternal viral load >1,000 copies/mL in the third trimester or peripartum period (RR = 9.5; 95% CI: 1.7–50.5), and lack of or inappropriate antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy (RR = 8.2; 95% CI: 1.6–41.4). Conclusion MTCT rate was 2.18%. With the institution of two-drug prophylaxis for high-risk newborns, persistent cases HIV MTCT were predominantly found among women with absence of antenatal care, late HIV diagnosis, syphilis coinfection, high viral load, and inadequate ARV therapy during pregnancy. Although zidovudine and nevirapine were administered postnatally to high-risk newborns, this regimen could not prevent transplacental transmission. Key Points

Tenofovir Alafenamide to Prevent Perinatal Hepatitis B Transmission: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study

Background Few safety and effectiveness results have been published regarding the administration of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) during pregnancy for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods In this multicenter prospective observational study, pregnant women with HBV DNA levels higher than 200,000 IU/ml who received TAF or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) from gestational weeks 24-35 to delivery were 1:1 enrolled and followed until postpartum month 6. Infants received immunoprophylaxis. The primary endpoint was the safety of mothers and infants. The secondary endpoint was the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive rate at 7 months for infants. Results In total, 116 and 116 mothers were enrolled, and 117 and 116 infants were born, in the TAF and TDF groups, respectively. TAF was well tolerated during a mean treatment duration of 11.0 weeks. The most common maternal adverse event was nausea (19.0%). One (0.9%), 3 (2.6%), and 9 (7.8%) mothers had abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels at delivery and at postpartum months 3 and 6, respectively. The TDF group had safety profiles that were comparable to those of the TAF group. No infants had birth defects in either group. The infants’ physical and neurological development at birth and at 7 months in the TAF group were comparable with those in the TDF group. The HBsAg positive rate was 0% at 7 months in all 233 infants. Conclusion Antiviral prophylaxis with TAF was determined to be generally safe for both mothers and infants and reduced the MTCT rate to 0%.

Using the critical path method to rollout and optimise new PMTCT guidelines to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Zimbabwe: a descriptive analysis

Background Achievement of the elimination target for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in selected countries has increased hope to end the HIV epidemic in children across the world. However, MTCT rates remain well above the 5% elimination target in most sub-Saharan Africa countries. These countries require innovative strategies to scale-up their interventions to end paediatric HIV. We describe how the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) consortium and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) used the critical path method to facilitate rapid expansion and optimization of 2010 and 2013 WHO PMTCT guidelines to reduce Zimbabwe’s MTCT rate from 22% in 2010 to 6.4% in 2015. Methods We analysed activities implemented and PMTCT programme data for the period before and during the EGPAF-CIFF project. The critical path method involved a cycle of collecting and analysing quarterly PMTCT indicator data and planning and implementing targeted activities to improve the PMTCT indicators. We performed a graphical trend analysis of data that measured availability of PMTCT services. Using Pearson’s Chi2 test, we compared results of PMTCT uptake indicators at the start and end of the EGPAF-CIFF project and used regression discontinuity analysis to assess effectiveness of activities implemented to improve the PMTCT service uptake indicators. Results Zimbabwe rolled out WHO 2010 and 2013 PMTCT guidelines in less than 1 year during the EGPAF-CIFF project, yet it took more than 4 years to roll-out previous guidelines. All PMTCT indicators increased significantly (p < 0.001) comparing the five-year periods before and during the EGPAF-CIFF project. Critical path activities implemented increased five of the seven PMTCT uptake indicators. Conclusion Zimbabwe rapidly rolled-out and optimised new WHO PMTCT guidelines and drastically reduced its MTCT rate using the critical path method. We recommend wider use of the critical path method in public health programmes.

Preventing mother to child transmission of HIV: lessons learned from China

Background The program for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was launched in 2003 in China, but few studies have been conducted to describe the panorama of PMTCT. We investigated the rate and associated factors of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in China from 2004 to 2018. Methods HIV-infected pregnant women from two areas in China between 2004 and 2018 were enrolled. Antiretrovirals (ARVs) were provided to the mothers and their babies, and the children were followed and tested for HIV. Results In total, 857 mothers and their 899 children were enrolled, and the overall MTCT rate was 6.6% (95% CI 5.0–8.2). The MTCT rates of nonintervention, only formula feeding (FF), infant prophylaxis (IP) + FF, single dosage antiretrovirals (sdARVs) + IP + FF, zidovudine (AZT) alone+IP + FF and prenatal combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) + IP + FF were 36.4, 9.4, 10.0, 5.7, 3.8 and 0.3%, respectively. The MTCT rate declined over time. No ARVs, CD4 count < 200/μL, low birth weight, and breastfeeding were associated with MTCT of HIV. For different ARVs, a higher MTCT rate was observed for AZT alone, sdARVs, and no ARVs compared to cART for pregnant women. Conclusions Although the overall MTCT rate remains relatively high, the real-world effect of prenatal cART+IP + FF in China has exerted the same protective effects in high-income countries. With the extension of prenatal cART for pregnant women with HIV, the MTCT rate of HIV has gradually declined in China. However, the coverage of prenatal cART for pregnant women should be further improved. The effect of only post-exposure prophylaxis for infants was limited.

Feasibility of Using Infant Testing during Immunization to Estimate HIV Mother-to-Child-Transmission Rates in Zambia

Background : This study piloted the feasibility of infant testing in immunization services as a strategy for estimating MTCT rates among the population of HIV exposed infants in Zambia. Methods : The study recruited a cross-sectional sample of 8,042 caregiver-baby pairs in 38 high volume immunization sites in 7 towns across 3 provinces of Zambia. All mothers who brought their children below the age of one year for immunization at the study facilities were invited to participate in the study. All consenting mothers were interviewed and blood drawn from their babies for; rapid HIV antibody test to determine exposure and DNA PCR test for samples of all HIV-exposed babies to determine HIV infection. Results : Of 8,042 recruited caregiver-baby pairs, 1,409 (17.5 %) babies were HIV-exposed. Approximately 90.2 percent of all mothers of HIV exposed infants reported that they attended ANC visits more than two times and facility based deliveries stood at 91.6 percent. Exclusive breastfeeding among HIV exposed infants reduced with increase in age of infant; it was highest at 6 weeks (82.2 %) followed by 10 weeks (74.0 %) and 14 weeks (58.2 %) . MTCT rates were relatively lower than what was reported before at 4.7 percent among Penta 1 seekers, 2.8 percent among Penta 2 seekers, 2.1 percent among Penta 3 seekers and 5.0 percent among Measles vaccination seekers. The overall MTCT rate stood at 3.8 percent. About 48.1 percent of HIV positive babies were male compared to 51.9 percent females. Babies of mothers below the age of 25 years accounted almost half (51.9 %) of all HIV infected babies in the study. Reported exclusive breastfeeding among HIV positive babies was 77.8 percent for Penta 1 seekers, 75.0 percent for Penta 2 seekers and 100 percent for Penta 3 seekers. Conclusion: The study succeeded in estimating MTCT rates using infant testing in immunization services, demonstrating that it is feasible to use routine infant testing in immunization services as a strategy for estimating MTCT rates among the population of HIV-exposed infants in countries with high HIV burden and immunization coverage.

Feasibility of Using Infant Testing during Immunization to Estimate HIV Mother-to-Child-Transmission Rates in Zambia

Background : This study piloted the feasibility of infant testing in immunization services as a strategy for estimating MTCT rates among the population of HIV exposed infants in Zambia. Methods : The study recruited a cross-sectional sample of 8,042 caregiver-baby pairs in 38 high volume immunization sites in 7 towns across 3 provinces of Zambia. All mothers who brought their children below the age of one year for immunization at the study facilities were invited to participate in the study. All consenting mothers were interviewed and blood drawn from their babies for; rapid HIV antibody test to determine exposure and DNA PCR test for samples of all HIV-exposed babies to determine HIV infection. Results : Of 8,042 recruited caregiver-baby pairs, 1,409 (17.5 %) babies were HIV-exposed. Approximately 90.2 percent of all mothers of HIV exposed infants reported that they attended ANC visits more than two times and facility based deliveries stood at 91.6 percent. Exclusive breastfeeding among HIV exposed infants reduced with increase in age of infant; it was highest at 6 weeks (82.2 %) followed by 10 weeks (74.0 %) and 14 weeks (58.2 %) . MTCT rates were relatively lower than what was reported before at 4.7 percent among Penta 1 seekers, 2.8 percent among Penta 2 seekers, 2.1 percent among Penta 3 seekers and 5.0 percent among Measles vaccination seekers. The overall MTCT rate stood at 3.8 percent. About 48.1 percent of HIV positive babies were male compared to 51.9 percent females. Babies of mothers below the age of 25 years accounted almost half (51.9 %) of all HIV infected babies in the study. Reported exclusive breastfeeding among HIV positive babies was 77.8 percent for Penta 1 seekers, 75.0 percent for Penta 2 seekers and 100 percent for Penta 3 seekers. Conclusion: The study succeeded in estimating MTCT rates using infant testing in immunization services, demonstrating that it is feasible to use routine infant testing in immunization services as a strategy for estimating MTCT rates among the population of HIV-exposed infants in countries with high HIV burden and immunization coverage.

Situation of PMTCT in Bhutan, 14 Years’ Experience

Introduction: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission activities form important part of HIV/AIDS prevention program of any community or country. Methods: Information from the PMTCT Programme from the Ministry of Health and other published literature on HIV in Bhutan were reviewed. Results: The first case of mother to child transmission was reported in Bhutan in 2001. However, the retrospective study shows that one of the earliest mothers-to- child transmissions could have taken place back in 1997. Strategies for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in Bhutan have endured substantial advancement based on global scientific evidence. It is a concern as there is a slow rise in the number of HIV cases. The main modeof transmission is unsafe heterosexual practice in Bhutan. Before the planned PMTCT program, 3 children were infected. After launch of proper PMTCT program, we had all the components of effective strategies in PMCT program which have evolved with better ones with time. Due to this, MTCT was 3.2%. With undetected HIV infections, 32 children were born outside of the program and actual national MTCT rate is 5.5%. Conclusion: There is increasing number of people every year with new HIV infections. In addition, our detection gap is 45% with about 602 undiagnosed in the community. Every effort should be put forward to upscale the PMTCT program for Bhutan to eliminate Mother-to-Child transmission (MTCT) of HIV by 2020 and beyond.