Outcomes after two years of providing antiretroviral treatment in Khayelitsha, South Africa

Offering integrated care for HIV/AIDS, diabetes and hypertension within chronic disease clinics in Cambodia

PROBLEM

In Cambodia, care for people with HIV/AIDS (prevalence 1.9%) is expanding, but care for people with type II diabetes (prevalence 5-10%), arterial hypertension and other treatable chronic diseases remains very limited.

APPROACH

We describe the experience and outcomes of offering integrated care for HIV/AIDS, diabetes and hypertension within the setting of chronic disease clinics.

LOCAL SETTING

Chronic disease clinics were set up in the provincial referral hospitals of Siem Reap and Takeo, 2 provincial capitals in Cambodia.

RELEVANT CHANGES

At 24 months of care, 87.7% of all HIV/AIDS patients were alive and in active follow-up. For diabetes patients, this proportion was 71%. Of the HIV/AIDS patients, 9.3% had died and 3% were lost to follow-up, while for diabetes this included 3 (0.1%) deaths and 28.9% lost to follow-up. Of all diabetes patients who stayed more than 3 months in the cohort, 90% were still in follow-up at 24 months.

LESSONS LEARNED

Over the first three years, the chronic disease clinics have demonstrated the feasibility of integrating care for HIV/AIDS with non-communicable chronic diseases in Cambodia. Adherence support strategies proved to be complementary, resulting in good outcomes. Services were well accepted by patients, and this has had a positive effect on HIV/AIDS-related stigma. This experience shows how care for HIV/AIDS patients can act as an impetus to tackle other common chronic diseases.

The cost-effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy for treating HIV disease in the Caribbean

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) recently became available in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Survival benefits and budgetary implications associated with universal access to ART have not been examined in the Caribbean.

METHODS

Using a state-transition simulation model of HIV with regional data, we projected survival, cost, and cost-effectiveness of treating an HIV-infected cohort. We examined 1 or 2 ART regimens and cotrimoxazole. In sensitivity analysis, we varied HIV natural history and ART efficacy, cost, and switching criteria.

RESULTS

Without treatment, mean survival was 2.30 years (mean baseline CD4 count = 288 cells/microL). One ART regimen with cotrimoxazole when the CD4 count was <350 cells/microL provided an additional 5.86 years of survival benefit compared with no treatment; the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $690 per year of life saved (YLS). A second regimen added 1.04 years of survival benefit; the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $10,960 per YLS compared with 1 regimen. Results were highly dependent on second-line ART costs. Per-person lifetime costs decreased from $17,020 to $9290 if second-line ART costs decreased to those available internationally, yielding approximately $8 million total savings.

CONCLUSIONS

In the OECS, ART is cost-effective by international standards. Reducing second-line ART costs increases cost-effectiveness and affordability. Current funding supports implementing universal access regionally over the next year, but additional funding is required to sustain lifetime care for currently infected persons.

Incidence and determinants of mortality and morbidity following early antiretroviral therapy initiation in HIV-infected adults in West Africa

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the incidence and risk factors of mortality and severe morbidity during the first months following antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in West African adults.

METHODS

A cohort study in Abidjan in which 792 adults started ART with a median CD4 cell count of 252 cells/mul and were followed for a median of 8 months. Severe morbidity was defined as all World Health Organization stage 3 or 4-defining morbidity events other than oral candidiasis.

RESULTS

In patients with pre-ART CD4 cell count < 200, at 200-350 and > 350 cells/mul, incidence of mortality was 5.0 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.6-8.7], 1.7 (95% CI, 0.6-3.8) and 0.0 (95% CI, 0.0-3.4]/100 person-years, and incidence of severe morbidity was 13.3 (95% CI, 9.0-19.1), 9.5 (95% CI, 6.2-12.9) and 7.9 (95% CI, 3.4-15.5)/100 person-years, respectively. The most frequent diseases were invasive bacterial diseases (32/65 episodes, 49%) and tuberculosis (25/65 episodes, 38%). Both diseases followed the same curve of decreasing incidence over time. Patients who experienced severe morbidity had higher risks of mortality, virological failure and immunological failure. Other independent risk factors for mortality and/or severe morbidity were: at baseline, high viral load, advanced clinical stage, past history of tuberculosis, low BMI, low haemoglobin and low CD4 cell count; during follow-up: low CD4 cell count and persistently detectable viral load.

CONCLUSION

These data give new arguments to reinforce the hypothesis that, in this region, ART should be started before the CD4 cell count drops below 350 cells/mul. Further studies should assess whether patients with low BMI, low haemoglobin, high viral load or past history of tuberculosis should start ART earlier.

Provider-initiated HIV testing in rural Haiti: low rate of missed opportunities for diagnosis of HIV in a primary care clinic

As HIV treatment is scaled-up in resource-poor settings, the timely identification of persons with HIV infection remains an important challenge. Most people with HIV are unaware of their status, and those who are often present late in the course of their illness. Free-standing voluntary counseling and testing sites often have poor uptake of testing. We aimed to evaluate a 'provider-initiated' HIV testing strategy in a primary care clinic in rural resource-poor Haiti by reviewing the number of visits made to clinic before an HIV test was performed in those who were ultimately found to have HIV infection. In collaboration with the Haitian Ministry of Health, a non-governmental organization (Partners In Health) scaled up HIV care in central Haiti by reinforcing primary care clinics, instituting provider-initiated HIV testing and by providing HIV treatment in the context of primary medical care, free of charge to patients. Among a cohort of people with HIV infection, we assessed retrospectively for delays in or 'missed opportunities' for diagnosis of HIV by the providers in one clinic. Of the first 117 patients diagnosed with HIV in one clinic, 100 (85%) were diagnosed at the first medical encounter. Median delay in diagnosis for the remaining 17 was only 62 days (IQR 19 - 122; range 1 - 272). There was no statistical difference in CD4 cell count between those with and without a delay. 3787 HIV tests were performed in the period reviewed. Provider-initiated testing was associated with high volume uptake of HIV testing and minimal delay between first medical encounter and diagnosis of HIV infection. In scale up of HIV care, provider-initiated HIV testing at primary care clinics can be a successful strategy to identify patients with HIV infection.

Cost-effectiveness of alternative strategies for initiating and monitoring highly active antiretroviral therapy in the developing world

OBJECTIVE

Determine the cost-effectiveness of initiating and monitoring highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in developing countries according to developing world versus developed world guidelines.

DESIGN

Lifetime Markov model incorporating costs, quality of life, survival, and transmission to sexual contacts.

METHODS

We evaluated treating patients with HIV in South Africa according to World Health Organization (WHO) "3 by 5" guidelines (treat CD4 counts <or=200 cells/mm or patients with AIDS, and monitor CD4 cell counts every 6 months) versus modified WHO guidelines that incorporate the following key differences from developed world guidelines: treat CD4 counts <or=350 cells/mm or viral loads >100,000 copies/mL, and monitor CD4 cell counts and viral load every 3 months.

RESULTS

Incorporating transmission to partners (excluding indirect costs), treating patients according to developed versus developing world guidelines increased costs by US $11,867 and increased life expectancy by 3.00 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), for an incremental cost-effectiveness of $3956 per QALY. Including indirect costs, over the duration of the model, there are net cost savings to the economy of $39.4 billion, with increased direct medical costs of $60.5 billion offset by indirect cost savings of $99.9 billion.

CONCLUSIONS

Treating patients with HIV according to developed versus developing world guidelines is highly cost-effective and may result in substantial long-term savings.

Antiretroviral treatment strategies in resource-limited settings

To date, a minority of persons living with HIV worldwide has benefited from the advances in HIV therapeutics fueled by the scientific community, policy-makers, advocates, and the pharmaceutical industry in the global North. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that access to highly active antiretroviral therapy can be successfully scaled-up in less wealthy nations in the South. High rates of adherence correspond with clinical, immunologic, and virologic outcomes similar to those seen in wealthier nations. Recent reports of successful programs highlight the provision of free care, reliance on the international funding sources, and proactive adherence counseling. As access to antiretroviral therapy has improved, there is an urgent need to develop better strategies for initiating and monitoring therapy, including the scale-up of viral load testing.

Positive outcomes of HAART at 24 months in HIV-infected patients in Cambodia

OBJECTIVES

African and Asian cohort studies have demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of HAART in resource-poor settings. The long-term virological outcome and clinico-immunological criteria of success remain important questions. We report the outcomes at 24 months of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in patients treated in a Médecins Sans Frontières/Ministry of Health programme in Cambodia.

METHODS

Adults who started HAART 24 +/- 2 months ago were included. Plasma HIV-RNA levels were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Factors associated with virological failure were analysed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 416 patients, 59.2% were men; the median age was 33.6 years. At baseline, 95.2% were ART naive, 48.9% were at WHO stage IV, and 41.6% had a body mass index less than 18 kg/m. The median CD4 cell count was 11 cells/microl. A stavudine-lamivudine-efavirenz-containing regimen was initiated predominantly (81.0%). At follow-up (median 23.8 months), 350 (84.1%) were still on HAART, 53 (12.7%) had died, six (1.4%) were transferred, and seven (1.7%) were lost to follow-up. Estimates of survival were 85.5% at 24 months. Of 346 tested patients, 259 (74.1%) had CD4 cell counts greater than 200 cells/microl and 306 (88.4%) had viral loads of less than 400 copies/ml. Factors associated with virological failure at 24 months were non-antiretroviral naive, an insufficient CD4 cell gain of less than 350 cells/microl or a low trough plasma ART concentration. In an intention-to-treat analysis, 73.6% of patients were successfully treated.

CONCLUSION

Positive results after 2 years of advanced HIV further demonstrate the efficacy of HAART in the medium term in resource-limited settings.

Asymptomatic serum cryptococcal antigenemia and early mortality during antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between a positive serum cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) test at baseline and mortality during the first 12 weeks on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Cryptococcal meningitis is a leading cause of HIV-related mortality in Africa, but current guidelines do not advocate CRAG testing as a screening tool.

METHODS

Between May 2003 and December 2004, we enrolled HIV-1 infected individuals into a study of ART monitoring in rural Uganda. CRAG testing was conducted retrospectively on stored pre-ART serum samples of participants whose baseline CD4 cell count was <100 cells/mul and who were without symptoms suggestive of disseminated cryptococcal disease at enrolment.

RESULTS

Of 377 participants, 5.8% had serum CRAG titre >/=1:2. Of these, 23% died during follow-up. Controlling for CD4 cell count, HIV-1 viral load, anaemia, active tuberculosis and body mass index, relative risk of death during follow-up among those with asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia at baseline was 6.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.86-23.61, P = 0.0036]. The population attributable risk for mortality associated with a positive CRAG at baseline was 18% (CI 2-33%), similar to that associated with active tuberculosis (19%, CI 1-36%).

CONCLUSION

Asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia independently predicts death during the first 12 weeks of ART among individuals with advanced HIV disease in rural Uganda. Routine screening and provision of azole antifungal therapy prior to or simultaneous with the start of ART should be evaluated for the potential to prevent mortality in this population.

Information systems for patient follow-up and chronic management of HIV and tuberculosis: a life-saving technology in resource-poor areas

Background

The scale-up of treatment for HIV and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in developing countries requires a long-term relationship with the patient, accurate and accessible records of each patient’s history, and methods to track his/her progress. Recent studies have shown up to 24% loss to follow-up of HIV patients in Africa during treatment and many patients not being started on treatment at all. Some programs for prevention of maternal–child transmission have more than 80% loss to follow-up of babies born to HIV-positive mothers. These patients are at great risk of dying or developing drug resistance if their antiretroviral therapy is interrupted. Similar problems have been found in the scale-up of MDR-TB treatment.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess the role of medical information systems in tracking patients with HIV or MDR-TB, ensuring they are promptly started on high quality care, and reducing loss to follow-up.

Methods

A literature search was conducted starting from a previous review and using Medline and Google Scholar. Due to the nature of this work and the relative lack of published articles to date, the authors also relied on personal knowledge and experience of systems in use and their own assessments of systems.

Results

Functionality for tracking patients and detecting those lost to follow-up is described in six HIV and MDR-TB treatment projects in Africa and Latin America. Preliminary data show benefits in tracking patients who have not been prescribed appropriate drugs, those who fail to return for follow-up, and those who do not have medications picked up for them by health care workers. There were also benefits seen in providing access to key laboratory data and in using this data to improve the timeliness and quality of care. Follow-up was typically achieved by a combination of reports from information systems along with teams of community health care workers. New technologies such as low-cost satellite Internet access, personal digital assistants, and cell phones are helping to expand the reach of these systems.

Conclusions

Effective information systems in developing countries are a recent innovation but will need to play an increasing role in supporting and monitoring HIV and MDR-TB projects as they scale up from thousands to hundreds of thousands of patients. A particular focus should be placed on tracking patients from initial diagnosis to initiation of effective treatment and then monitoring them for treatment breaks or loss to follow-up. More quantitative evaluations need to be performed on the impact of electronic information systems on tracking patients.

Substitutions due to antiretroviral toxicity or contraindication in the first 3 years of antiretroviral therapy in a large South African cohort

INTRODUCTION

The patterns and reasons for antiretroviral therapy (ART) drug substitutions are poorly described in resource-limited settings.

METHODS

Time to and reason for drug substitution were recorded in treatment-naive adults receiving ART in two primary care treatment programmes in Cape Town. The cumulative proportion of patients having therapy changed because of toxicity was described for each drug, and associations with these changes were explored in multivariate models.

RESULTS

Analysis included 2,679 individuals followed for a median of 11 months. Median CD4+ T-cell count at baseline was 85 cells/microl. Mean weight was 59 kg, mean age was 32 years and 71% were women. All started non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based ART (60% on efavrienz) and 75% started on stavudine (d4T). After 3 years, 75% remained in care on-site, of whom 72% remained on their initial regimen. Substitutions due to toxicity of nevirapine (8% by 3 years), efavirenz (2%) and zidovudine (8%) occurred early. Substitutions on d4T occurred in 21% of patients by 3 years, due to symptomatic hyperlactataemia (5%), lipodystrophy (9%) or peripheral neuropathy (6%), and continued to accumulate over time. Those at greatest risk of hyperlactataemia or lipodystrophy were women on ART > or =6 months, weighing > or =75 kg at baseline.

DISCUSSION

A high proportion of adult patients are able to tolerate their initial ART regimen for up to 3 years. In most instances treatment-limiting toxicities occur early, but continue to accumulate over time in patients on d4T. Whilst awaiting other treatment options, the risks of known toxicities could be minimized through early identification of patients at the highest risk.

Patient retention in antiretroviral therapy programs in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Long-term retention of patients in Africa's rapidly expanding antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs for HIV/AIDS is essential for these programs' success but has received relatively little attention. In this paper we present a systematic review of patient retention in ART programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We searched Medline, other literature databases, conference abstracts, publications archives, and the "gray literature" (project reports available online) between 2000 and 2007 for reports on the proportion of adult patients retained (i.e., remaining in care and on ART) after 6 mo or longer in sub-Saharan African, non-research ART programs, with and without donor support. Estimated retention rates at 6, 12, and 24 mo were calculated and plotted for each program. Retention was also estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. In sensitivity analyses we considered best-case, worst-case, and midpoint scenarios for retention at 2 y; the best-case scenario assumed no further attrition beyond that reported, while the worst-case scenario assumed that attrition would continue in a linear fashion. We reviewed 32 publications reporting on 33 patient cohorts (74,192 patients, 13 countries). For all studies, the weighted average follow-up period reported was 9.9 mo, after which 77.5% of patients were retained. Loss to follow-up and death accounted for 56% and 40% of attrition, respectively. Weighted mean retention rates as reported were 79.1%, 75.0% and 61.6 % at 6, 12, and 24 mo, respectively. Of those reporting 24 mo of follow-up, the best program retained 85% of patients and the worst retained 46%. Attrition was higher in studies with shorter reporting periods, leading to monthly weighted mean attrition rates of 3.3%/mo, 1.9%/mo, and 1.6%/month for studies reporting to 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively, and suggesting that overall patient retention may be overestimated in the published reports. In sensitivity analyses, estimated retention rates ranged from 24% in the worse case to 77% in the best case at the end of 2 y, with a plausible midpoint scenario of 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

Since the inception of large-scale ART access early in this decade, ART programs in Africa have retained about 60% of their patients at the end of 2 y. Loss to follow-up is the major cause of attrition, followed by death. Better patient tracing procedures, better understanding of loss to follow-up, and earlier initiation of ART to reduce mortality are needed if retention is to be improved. Retention varies widely across programs, and programs that have achieved higher retention rates can serve as models for future improvements.

Scale-up of HIV care and treatment: can it transform healthcare services in resource-limited settings?

The rapid expansion of HIV care and treatment in resource-limited settings will undoubtedly ameliorate conditions in communities ravaged by this epidemic around the world and enable persons living with HIV to live longer, more productive lives. Concerns have been raised, however, regarding the possible deleterious effects on other health services. This paper argues that efforts to scale up HIV care and treatment in resource-limited countries, if designed and implemented with the additional goal of achieving broad health benefits, may serve as a catalyst for the establishment of more effective and responsive health systems. In order to determine these broader effects, mechanisms need to be established that enable relevant research and evaluation questions to be answered.

Antiretroviral durability and tolerability in HIV-infected adults living in urban Kenya

BACKGROUND

Insufficient data exist on the durability and tolerability of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens provided by HIV treatment programs implemented in developing countries.

METHODS

Longitudinal observation of clinical, immunologic, and treatment parameters of all HIV-infected adult patients initiated on ART was performed at Saint Mary's Mission Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya from September 2004 until August 2006.

RESULTS

A total of 1286 patients were analyzed (59.1% female). Initial ART regimens were primarily stavudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine (62.1%). Median ART duration was 350 days (11.6 months). Significant improvements in clinical and immunologic status were noted after 12 months of therapy. ART switches occurred in 701 (54.5%) patients. The cumulative incidence of ART switch at 12 months was 78.4%. Concurrent ART-related toxicities (40.6%) and tuberculosis treatment interactions (28.1%) were the most frequent reasons for ART switch. Baseline AIDS symptoms (hazard rate [HR]=1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28 to 1.98; P<0.01) and a CD4 count<or=100 cells/mm3 (HR=1.20, CI: 1.01 to 1.43; P=0.04) were independent predictors of ART switch. ART-related clinical toxicity occurred in 341 (26.5%) patients. Peripheral neuropathy was reported most frequently (20.7%). A CD4 count<or=100 cells/mm3 was an independent predictor of clinical toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Excellent clinical and immunologic responses to ART were observed in this urban Kenyan population; however, frequent switches in ART among medication classes because of toxicity or drug interactions may limit the durability of these responses.

The evolving cost of HIV in South Africa: changes in health care cost with duration on antiretroviral therapy for public sector patients

A retrospective costing study of 212 patients enrolled in a nongovernmental organization-supported public sector antiretroviral treatment (ART) program near Cape Town, South Africa was performed from a health care system perspective. gamma-Regression was used to analyze total costs in 3 periods: Pre-ART (median length=30 days), first 48 weeks on ART (Year One), and 49 to 112 weeks on ART (Year Two). Average cost per patient Pre-ART was $404. Average cost per patient-year of observation was $2502 in Year One and $1372 in Year Two. The proportion of costs attributable to hospital care fell from 70% Pre-ART to 24% by Year Two; the proportion attributable to ART rose from 31% in Year One to 55% in Year Two. In multivariate analysis, Pre-ART and Year One costs were significantly lower for asymptomatic patients compared with those with AIDS. Costs were significantly higher for those who died Pre-ART or in Year One. In Year Two, only week 48 CD4 cell count and being male were significantly associated with lower costs. This analysis suggests that the total cost of treatment for patients on ART falls by almost half after 1 year, largely attributable to a reduction in hospital costs.

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission services as a gateway to family-based human immunodeficiency virus care and treatment in resource-limited settings: rationale and international experiences

In many developing countries, services to prevent the mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) operate with limited contact with HIV care and treatment programs, despite significant advances in the accessibility of both services. There is a need to deliver more complex multidrug PMTCT interventions that extend beyond single-dose nevirapine, particularly for pregnant women with advanced HIV disease who are at high risk of transmitting HIV to their children and require rapid initiation of life-long highly active antiretroviral therapy. We argue for strengthened ties between PMTCT services and HIV care and treatment programs in resource-limited settings, viewing PMTCT programs as a gateway to family-based HIV care and treatment. Existing experiences from the multicountry MTCT-Plus Initiative suggest that close ties between PMTCT services and HIV care and treatment programs are feasible and can lead to significant advances in reducing the vertical transmission of HIV and promoting the health of HIV-infected women, children, and families.

Adverse Events in HIV-Infected Persons Receiving Antiretroviral Drug Regimens in a Large Urban Slum in Nairobi, Kenya, 2003-2005

OBJECTIVE

This article describes toxicities to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected patients receiving care at a clinic in a large urban slum in Nairobi, Kenya.

METHODS

Patients were treated with nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based ART and followed at scheduled intervals. Frequencies and cumulative probabilities of toxicities were calculated.

RESULTS

Among 283 patients starting ART, any and severe clinical toxicity were recorded as 65% and 6%, respectively. Cumulative probabilities for remaining free of any and severe clinical toxicities at 6, 12, and 18 months, were 0.47, 0.26, and 0.17, respectively and 0.98, 0.95, and 0.89, respectively. The probability of remaining free from elevated and grade 3 or 4 serum aminotransferase (AST) at 6, 12, and 18 months were 0.62, 0.42, and 0.21, respectively, and 0.99 at 6, 12, and 18 months.

CONCLUSIONS

ART toxicities were frequent, but severe toxicities were less common. In resource-limited settings, ART toxicity should not represent a barrier to care.

A national survey of teachers on antiretroviral therapy in Malawi: access, retention in therapy and survival

Background

HIV/AIDS is having a devastating effect on the education sector in sub-Saharan Africa. A national survey was conducted in all public sector and private sector facilities in Malawi providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) to determine the uptake of ART by teachers and their outcomes while on treatment.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A retrospective cohort study was carried out based on patient follow-up records from ART Registers and treatment master cards in all 138 ART clinics in Malawi; observations were censored on September 30^th 2006. By this date, Malawi's 102 public sector and 36 private sector ART clinics had registered a total of 72,328 patients for treatment. Of these, 2,643 (3.7%) were teachers. Adjusting for double-registration caused by clinic transfers, it is estimated that 2,380 individual teachers had ever accessed ART. There were 15% of teachers starting ART in WHO clinical stage 1 or 2 with a CD4-lymphocyte count of ≤250/mm³ and 85% starting in stage 3 or 4. By 30^th September 2006, 1,850 teachers were alive on ART (3.5% of all teachers in Malawi). The probability of being alive on ART at 6-months, 12-months, 18-months and 24-months after treatment initiation was 84%, 79%, 75% and 73% respectively. Retention in treatment was better for women (adjusted HR = 1.8) and in those starting ART in WHO Clinical Stage 1 and 2 (adjusted HR = 1.8).

Conclusion/Significance

Rapid scale up of ART has allowed 2,380 HIV-positive teachers to access life-prolonging treatment. There is evidence that this intervention can help to mitigate some of the shortages of teaching personnel in resource-poor countries affected by a generalised HIV epidemic.

Brief report: effectiveness of combination antiretroviral therapy on survival and opportunistic infections in a developing world setting: an observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

The prolonged effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a developing country is not well established.

METHODS

An observational database was established at the HIV clinic of the Almenara Hospital in Lima, Peru in 1996. All 564 initially antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected persons (mean CD4 count of 91 cells/mm3) who received combination ART were followed over time.

RESULTS

The overall survival rate was 96% at year 2, 94% at year 4, and 91% at year 5. Among persons who initiated therapy with CD4 counts <100 cells/mm3, the overall survival rate at 3 years was 95%. Opportunistic infections while on ART occurred in 20% of persons. Patients who received 2 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors plus a protease inhibitor had slightly better survival rates and less opportunistic disease in the first year of therapy as compared with those receiving 2 RT inhibitors and a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or 3 RT inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the long-term effectiveness of ART in a developing country urban setting. It provides evidence of the importance of continuing global financing initiatives to provide widespread HIV therapy for countries in the developing world.

Second-line combination antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings: facing the challenges through clinical research

Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically altered the prognosis of individuals infected with HIV. In the past 5 years there has been a concerted effort to increase access to ART in the developing world. The evidence to date suggests that adherence to therapy and clinical outcomes in developing world programmes are at least the equal of those observed in developed countries. Although access to first-line therapy is reasonably well established, there is a substantial and unacceptable mortality rate in the first 6 months after initiation of ART, particularly in those with low CD4 cell counts and late-stage disease. Failure of first-line ART is inevitable in a proportion of patients. Access to second-line ART regimens in developing countries is problematic, mainly because of the expense of HIV protease inhibitors (PIs). Access to second-line ART may be facilitated by novel strategies using the existing recommended agents or by the use of new agents or classes. Refinement of programmes in the developing world must be underpinned by the same rigorous scientific research effort that has characterized the success of the effort in the developed world. Therefore, the funding bodies responsible for the roll-out of antiretroviral access across the globe must mandate, incorporate and fund clinical research as an intrinsic aspect of combination ART roll-out programmes.

Antiretroviral treatment roll-out in a resource-constrained setting: capitalizing on nursing resources in Botswana

PROBLEM

As programmes to deliver antiretroviral therapy (ART) are implemented in resource-constrained settings, the problem becomes not how these programmes are going to be financed but who will be responsible for delivering and sustaining them.

APPROACH

Physician-led models of HIV treatment and care that have evolved in industrialized countries are not replicable in settings with a high prevalence of HIV infection and limited access to medical staff. Therefore, models of care need to make better use of available human resources.

LOCAL SETTING

Using Botswana as an example, we discuss how nurses are underutilized in long-term clinical management of patients requiring ART.

RELEVANT CHANGES

We argue that for ART-delivery programmes to be sustainable, nurses will need to provide a level of clinical care for patients receiving this therapy, including prescribing ART and managing common adverse effects.

LESSONS LEARNED

Practicalities involved in scaling up nurse-led models of ART delivery include overcoming political and professional barriers, identifying educational requirements, agreeing on the limitations of nursing practice, developing clear referral pathways between medical and nursing personnel, and developing mechanisms to monitor and supervise practice. Operational research is required to demonstrate that such models are safe, effective and sustainable.

Enhanced ex vivo stimulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific T cells in human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons via antigen delivery by the Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase vector

The genetically detoxified Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase is a promising delivery system for immunodominant tuberculosis antigens in gamma interferon release assays. This system has not been evaluated in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons in high tuberculosis prevalence areas. A whole-blood gamma interferon release assay with Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens (early-secreted antigenic target 6, culture filtrate protein 10, alpha-crystallin 2, and TB10.3) delivered by adenylate cyclase in addition to native tuberculosis antigens (without adenylate cyclase delivery) was evaluated in 119 adults in Khayelitsha Township, Cape Town, South Africa. Results were compared to tuberculin skin test results of 41 HIV-positive and 42 HIV-negative asymptomatic persons, in addition to 36 HIV-positive persons with recently diagnosed smear- or culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Delivery of tuberculosis antigens by adenylate cyclase decreased by 10-fold the amount of antigen required to restimulate T cells. Furthermore, the responses of HIV-positive persons with a low response to native tuberculosis antigens were enhanced when these antigens were delivered by adenylate cyclase. When gamma interferon responses to the tuberculosis antigens (with or without delivery by adenylate cyclase) were combined, a significantly higher number of patients were scored positive than by tuberculin skin testing. Ex vivo responses to tuberculosis antigens delivered by adenylate cyclase are maintained in the context of HIV infection. Our findings suggest that the majority of those in this population are infected with tuberculosis, which is of significant public health importance.

Clinical, immunological, and epidemiological importance of antituberculosis T cell responses in HIV-infected Africans

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated tuberculosis is a major cause of mortality in Africa. The assay of T cell interferon- gamma released in response to antigens of greater specificity than purified protein derivative is a useful improvement over the Mantoux tuberculin skin test, but few studies have evaluated interferon-gamma secretion in HIV-infected individuals.

METHODS

Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen-specific interferon-gamma secretion was assessed by whole blood assay and enzyme-linked immunospot, which were compared with the Mantoux tuberculin skin test in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals without active tuberculosis and HIV-infected patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Khayelitsha, South Africa.

RESULTS

The skin test and whole blood assay responses to purified protein derivative in HIV-positive subjects were decreased, compared with responses in HIV-negative subjects (P < .001). By contrast, the responses to M. tuberculosis antigens (early secreted antigenic target 6, culture filtrate protein 10, TB10.3, and alpha-crystallin 2) were less affected, indicating a high prevalence of latent tuberculosis (approximately 80%) in both HIV-negative and HIV-positive subject groups. Whole blood assay responses did not differ between the HIV-positive subjects without tuberculosis and HIV-positive subjects with tuberculosis, but the enzyme-linked immunospot method response to early secreted antigenic target 6 and culture filtrate protein 10 was higher in the group of HIV-infected subjects with tuberculosis (P < or = .04), although this group had lower CD4+ cell counts. A ratio of the combined enzyme-linked immunospot method response divided by the CD4+ cell count of > 1.0 had 88% sensitivity and 80% specificity for active pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-infected individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Interferon-gamma release appears to be less impaired than skin testing by HIV coinfection. The novel potential to relate the enzyme-linked immunospot method and CD4+ cell count to assist diagnosis of active tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection is important and deserves further evaluation.

How labour intensive is a doctor-based delivery model for antiretroviral treatment (ART)? Evidence from an observational study in Siem Reap, Cambodia

BACKGROUND

Funding for scaling-up antiretroviral treatment (ART) in low-income countries has increased substantially, but the lack of human resources for health (HRH) is increasingly being identified as an important constraint for scaling-up ART.

METHODS

In a clinic run by Médecins Sans Frontières in Siem Reap, Cambodia, we documented the use of doctor-time for ART in September 2004 and in August 2005, for different phases in ART (pre-ART, ART initiation, ART follow-up Year 1, & ART follow-up Year 2). Based on these observations and using a variety of assumptions for survival of patients on ART (between 90 and 95% annually) and for further reductions in doctor-time per patient (between 0 and 10% annually), we estimated the need for doctors for the period 2004 till 2013 in the Siem Reap clinic, and in a hypothetical district in sub-Saharan Africa.

RESULTS

In the Siem Reap clinic, we found that from 2004 to 2005 the doctor-time needed per patient was reduced by between 14% and 33%, thanks to a reduction in number of visits per patient and shorter consultation times. In 2004, 2.06 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors were needed for 522 patients on ART, and in 2005 this was slightly reduced to 1.97 FTE doctors for 911 patients on ART. By 2013, Siem Reap clinic will need between 2 and 5 FTE doctors for ART. In a district in sub-Saharan Africa with 200,000 inhabitants and 20% adult HIV prevalence, using a similar doctor-based ART delivery model, between 4 and 11 FTE doctors would be needed to cover 50% of ART needs.

CONCLUSION

ART is labour intensive. Important reductions in doctor-time per patient can be realized during scaling-up. The doctor-based ART delivery model analysed seems adequate for Cambodia. However, for many districts in sub-Saharan Africa a doctor-based ART delivery model may be incompatible with their HRH constraints.

Discordant Responses to Potent Antiretroviral Treatment in Previously Naive HIV-1-Infected Adults Initiating Treatment in Resource-Constrained Countries

OBJECTIVES

To assess the frequency of and risk factors for discordant responses at 6 months on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in previously treatment-naive HIV patients from resource-limited countries.

METHODS

The Antiretroviral Therapy in Low-Income Countries Collaboration is a network of clinics providing care and treatment to HIV-infected patients in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Patients who initiated therapy between 1996 and 2004, were aged 16 years or older, and had a baseline CD4 cell count were included in this analysis. Responses were defined based on plasma viral load (PVL) and CD4 cell count at 6 months as complete virologic and immunologic (VR(+)IR(+)), virologic only (VR(+)IR(-)), immunologic only (VR(-)IR(+)), and nonresponse (VR(-)IR(-)). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association between therapy responses and clinical and demographic variables.

RESULTS

Of the 3111 patients eligible for analysis, 1914 had available information at 6 months of therapy: 1074 (56.1%) were VR(+)IR(+), 364 (19.0%) were VR(+)IR(-), 283 (14.8%) were (VR(-)IR(+)), and 193 (10.1%) were VR(-)IR(-). OF THE 3111 patients eligible for analysis, 1914 had available information at 6 months of therapy: 1074 (56.1%) were VRIR, 364 (19.0%) were VRIR, 283 (14.8%) were (VRIR), and 193 (10.1%) were VRIR. Compared with complete responders, virologic-only responders were older, had a higher baseline CD4 cell count, had a lower baseline PVL, and were more likely to have received a nonstandard HAART regimen; immunologic-only responders were younger, had a lower baseline CD4 cell count, had a higher baseline PVL, and were more likely to have received a protease inhibitor-based regimen.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of and risk factors for discordant responses were comparable to those observed in developed countries. Longer follow-up is needed to assess the long-term impact of discordant responses on mortality in these resource-limited settings.

Establishing a workplace antiretroviral therapy programme in South Africa

Ways to expand access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) in low income settings are being sought. We describe an HIV care programme including ART in an industrial setting in South Africa. The programme uses guidelines derived from local and international best practice. The training component aims to build capacity among health care staff. Nurses and doctors are supported by experienced HIV clinicians through telephone consultation and site visits. Patients undergo a three-stage counselling procedure prior to starting ART. Drug regimens and monitoring are standardised and prophylaxis against opportunistic infections (isoniazid and cotrimoxazole) is offered routinely. Laboratory and pharmacy services, using named-patient dispensing, are centralized. The programme is designed to ensure that data on clinical and economic outcomes will be available for programme evaluation. Between November 2002-December 2004, ART delivery has been established at 70 ART workplace ART sites. The sites range from 200 to 12000 employees, and from small occupational health clinics and general practitioner rooms to larger hospital clinics. During this period, 2456 patients began ART. Of those on treatment for at least three months, 1728 (78%) have been retained on the programme and only 38 (1.7%) patients have failed the first-line ART regimen. This model for delivery of ART is feasible and successful in an industrial setting. The model may be generalizable to other employment health services in settings of high HIV prevalence, and as a model for implementing ART in other types of health-care settings.

Clinical Toxicity of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in a Home-Based AIDS Care Program in Rural Uganda

BACKGROUND

We evaluated clinical toxicity in HIV-infected persons receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda.

METHODS

From May 2003 through December 2004, adults with a CD4 cell count < or =250 cells/microL or World Health Organization stage 3/4 HIV disease were prescribed ART. We calculated probabilities for time to toxicity and single-drug substitution as well as multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for development of toxicity.

RESULTS

ART (stavudine plus lamivudine with nevirapine [96%] or efavirenz [4%]) was prescribed for 1029 adults, contributing 11,268 person-months of observation. Toxicities developed in 543 instances in 411 (40%) patients (incidence rate = 4.47/100 person-months): 36% peripheral neuropathy (9% severe); 6% rash (2% severe); 2% hypersensitivity reaction; < or =0.5% acute hepatitis, anemia, acute pancreatitis, or lactic acidosis; and 13% other. Probabilities of remaining free from any toxicity at 6, 12, and 18 months were 0.76, 0.59, and 0.47 and from any severe toxicity at 6, 12, and 18 months were 0.92, 0.86, and 0.85, respectively. For 217 patients (21%), 222 single-drug substitutions were made, mostly because of peripheral neuropathy or rash.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical toxicities were common, but no patients discontinued ART because of toxicity. The most common toxicities, peripheral neuropathy and rash, were managed with single-drug substitutions. In resource-limited settings, toxicity from ART regimens containing stavudine or nevirapine is manageable but more tolerable regimens are needed.

Effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy using non-brand name drugs in Brazil

In Brazil, HIV-infected individuals receive drugs (including non-brand name drugs which comprise locally produced generics and drugs that have not been tested in bioequivalence trials) free of charge from the government. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where non-brand drugs are widely used. For this purpose, we estimated the proportion of subjects with virologic failure (plasma HIV viral load greater than 400 copies/mL at 6 months after initiation of treatment). This was a retrospective cohort study of drug-naive HIV-infected subjects who initiated HAART. Subjects were included in the analysis if they were 18 years of age or older, were treatment naive, started HAART with a minimum of 3 drugs, and had available information on blood plasma HIV-1 viral load after 6 months on therapy. All subjects used antiretrovirals in dosing regimens recommended by the Brazilian National Advisory Committee for Antiretroviral Therapy. Chart reviews were conducted in three settings: at two public health outpatient units, at one clinical trial unit and at one private office. No comparisons of the effectiveness of non-brand name with the effectiveness of brand name drugs were made. We present results for 485 patients; of these, 354 (73%), 55 (11%), and 76 (16%) were seen at the public health outpatient units, private office, and clinical trial unit, respectively. Virologic failure was observed in 119 (25%) of the subjects. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of HAART in a setting where non-brand name drugs are widely used.

Prevalence, incidence and mortality associated with tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients initiating antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) may reduce the burden of TB, but to what extent is unknown.

METHODS

In a study of 1044 adults who initiated home-based ART in Tororo, Uganda between 1 May 2003 and 30 June 2005, participants were screened for active TB at baseline and then monitored at weekly home visits. Participants with TB at baseline or follow-up were compared with those without TB to determine factors associated with mortality in those with TB.

RESULTS

At baseline, 75 (7.2%) subjects had TB and a total of 53 (5.5%) were diagnosed with TB over a median of 1.4 years of follow-up (3.90 cases/100 person years). Cumulative mortality was 17.9/100 person-years for those with TB and 3.8/100 person-years for those without TB (P < 0.001). Mortality was associated with low baseline CD4 cell counts [relative hazard (RH), 0.99 per 1 cell/microl increase; P = 0.03] and marginally associated with a body mass index <or= 18 (RH, 2.04; P = 0.10) and increasing age (RH, 1.04 per year; P = 0.11). TB incidence and TB-associated mortality were highest within the first 6 months of ART and declined to 52% and 61% of expected values, respectively, from months 7 to 18 after ART initiation.

CONCLUSION

TB remains an important cause of illness and death in patients receiving ART in Uganda. However, both appear to decline markedly, after 6 months of ART.

Long-term safety, effectiveness and quality of a generic fixed-dose combination of nevirapine, stavudine and lamivudine

We assessed the long-term safety, effectiveness and quality of a fixed-dose combination of nevirapine, stavudine and lamivudine (triomune). HIV-1-infected adults initially enrolled in a one-year, open-label, single-arm, multicentre trial in Cameroon were followed for 2 years. Our results support the safety and effectiveness of the triomune combination for first-line treatment of HIV infection. Virological effectiveness appeared to wane somewhat during the second year of treatment, however, and plasma nevirapine concentrations were relatively high.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and virologic suppression among HIV-infected persons receiving care in private clinics in Mumbai, India

BACKGROUND

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and correlates of adherence and virologic suppression among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons receiving ART in private, outpatient clinics in India is unknown.

METHODS

Between December 2004 and April 2005, persons receiving ART at 3 private clinics in Mumbai, India, were interviewed regarding HIV care and adherence to ART. Physicians also completed a survey for each participant. Quantitative HIV-1 RNA level was determined for 200 participants.

RESULTS

Of 279 participants, 73% reported > or = 95% adherence to ART. Adherence was positively associated with age > or = 50 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.90), presence of comorbid conditions (aOR, 1.92), medication self-efficacy (aOR, 4.01), absence of pain in the past month (aOR, 2.14), and support from family and friends (aOR, 2.57). Lack of reminders from family members to take medication (aOR, 0.27) was negatively associated with adherence. Of 200 participants, 127 (63.5%) had virologic suppression (RNA level, < 400 copies/mL). Independent correlates of suppression were a regimen containing > or = 3 ART drugs (aOR, 5.52), first ART regimen (aOR, 3.28), adherence to therapy > or = 95% (aOR, 5.70), female sex (aOR, 3.19), and a physical component score > or = 50 (aOR, 1.07).

CONCLUSION

Self-reported adherence to ART in a sample of patients attending Mumbai's private clinics was relatively high. However, the fact that a detectable viral level was found in nearly 40% of patients suggests that second-line ART regimens, as well as an emphasis on adherence and appropriate ART regimens in India, is needed.

Preliminary outcomes of a paediatric highly active antiretroviral therapy cohort from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background

Few studies address the use of paediatric highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Africa.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study to investigate preliminary outcomes of all children eligible for HAART at Sinikithemba HIV/AIDS clinic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Immunologic, virologic, clinical, mortality, primary caregiver, and psychosocial variables were collected and analyzed.

Results

From August 31, 2003 until October 31, 2005, 151 children initiated HAART. The median age at HAART initiation was 5.7 years (range 0.3–15.4). Median follow-up time of the cohort after HAART initiation was 8 months (IQR 3.5–13.5). The median change in CD4% from baseline (p < 0.001) was 10.2 (IQR 5.0–13.8) at 6 months (n = 90), and 16.2 (IQR 9.6–20.3) at 12 months (n = 59). Viral loads (VLs) were available for 100 children at 6 months of which 84% had HIV-1 RNA levels ≤ 50 copies/mL. At 12 months, 80.3% (n = 61) had undetectable VLs. Sixty-five out of 88 children (73.8%) reported a significant increase (p < 0.001) in weight after the first month. Eighty-nine percent of the cohort (n = 132) reported ≤ 2 missed doses during any given treatment month (> 95%adherence). Seventeen patients (11.3%) had a regimen change; two (1.3%) were due to antiretroviral toxicity. The Kaplan-Meier one year survival estimate was 90.9% (95%confidence interval (CI) 84.8–94.6). Thirteen children died during follow-up (8.6%), one changed service provider, and no children were lost to follow-up. All 13 deaths occurred in children with advanced HIV disease within 5 months of treatment initiation. In multivariate analysis of baseline variables against mortality using Cox proportional-hazards model, chronic gastroenteritis was associated with death [hazard ratio (HR), 12.34; 95%CI, 1.27–119.71) and an HIV-positive primary caregiver was found to be protective against mortality [HR, 0.12; 95%CI, 0.02–0.88). Age, orphanhood, baseline CD4%, and hemoglobin were not predicators of mortality in our cohort. Fifty-two percent of the cohort had at least one HIV-positive primary caregiver, and 38.4% had at least one primary caregiver also on HAART at Sinikithemba clinic.

Conclusion

This report suggests that paediatric HAART can be effective despite the challenges of a resource-limited setting.

Development and assessment of an innovative culturally sensitive educational videotape to improve adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in Soweto, South Africa

The increasing availability of antiretroviral medication (ARV) therapy in the face of limited chronic medication-taking experience among resource-poor South Africans has raised concerns about adequate adherence to these medications. We hypothesized that a culturally sensitive audiovisual patient education program would be of substantial and measurable benefit in increasing patient understanding of the concepts of ARV resistance risk and medication-taking skills. To identify potential barriers to adherence and successful strategies to promote adherence, 6 focus groups with health care providers and HIV-positive adherence counselors were held, resulting in the production of a 17-minute culturally sensitive educational videotape. Basic drug-taking concepts and practical advice on how to improve adherence were presented in the videotape. Thirty-four HIV-positive patients (including 11 ARV-naive patients and 23 ARV-experienced patients) were shown the educational videotape, and their knowledge about medication taking was evaluated by a 24-point pre- and postvideotape questionnaire. On average, the 34 patients gained 2.2 knowledge points (P = 0.021). ARV-naive patients had an average improvement of 3.0 points (P = 0.0028), with most significant gains in the areas of understanding medication-taking strategies and side effects. These preliminary findings indicate that a culturally sensitive educational videotape can improve medication-taking knowledge in South Africa and that further study of the potential efficacy of using media technology to improve individuals' adherence to ARV therapy is warranted.

Effect of HIV-1 Infection on T-Cell–based and Skin Test Detection of Tuberculosis Infection

RATIONALE

Two forms of the IFN-gamma release assay (IFNGRA) to detect tuberculosis infection are available, but neither has been evaluated in comparable HIV-infected and uninfected persons in a high tuberculosis incidence environment.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the ability of the T-SPOT.TB (Oxford Immunotec, Abingdon, UK), QuantiFERON-TB Gold (Cellestis, Melbourne, Australia), and Mantoux tests to identify latent tuberculosis in HIV-infected and uninfected persons.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 160 healthy adults without active tuberculosis attending a voluntary counseling and testing center for HIV infection in Khayelitsha, a deprived urban South African community with an HIV antenatal seroprevalence of 33% and a tuberculosis incidence of 1,612 per 100,000.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

One hundred and sixty (74 HIV(+) and 86 HIV(-)) persons were enrolled. A lower proportion of Mantoux results was positive in HIV-infected subjects compared with HIV-uninfected subjects (p < 0.01). By contrast, the proportion of positive IFNGRAs was not significantly different in HIV-infected persons for the T-SPOT.TB test (52 vs. 59%; p = 0.41) or the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (43 and 46%; p = 0.89). Fair agreement between the Mantoux test (5- and 10-mm cutoffs) and the IFNGRA was seen in HIV-infected people (kappa = 0.52-0.6). By contrast, poor agreement between the Mantoux and QuantiFERON-TB Gold tests was observed in the HIV-uninfected group (kappa = 0.07-0.30, depending on the Mantoux cutoff). The pattern was similar for T-SPOT.TB (kappa = 0.18-0.24).

INTERPRETATION

IFNGRA sensitivity appears relatively unimpaired by moderately advanced HIV infection. However, agreement between the tests and with the Mantoux test varied from poor to fair. This highlights the need for prospective studies to determine which test may predict the subsequent risk of tuberculosis.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in developing countries

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is causing the most destructive epidemic of recent times, having been responsible for the deaths of more than 25 million people since it was first recognised in 1981. This global epidemic remains out of control, with reported figures for 2005 of 40 million people infected with HIV. During 2005 there were 4.9 million new infections, showing that transmission is not being prevented, and there were 3.1 million deaths from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), reflecting the lack of a definitive cure and the limited access to suppressive antiretroviral treatment in the developing countries that are most severely affected. The current state of the epidemic and the response to date are here reviewed. Present and future opportunities for prevention, treatment and surveillance are discussed, with particular reference to progress towards an HIV vaccine, the expansion of the provision of highly active antiretroviral therapy, and the need to focus control programmes on HIV as an infectious disease, rather than as a development issue.

Response to highly active antiretroviral therapy among severely immuno-compromised HIV-infected patients in Cambodia

BACKGROUND

HAART efficacy was evaluated in a real-life setting in Phnom Penh (Médecins Sans Frontières programme) among severely immuno-compromised patients.

METHODS

Factors associated with mortality and immune reconstitution were identified using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models, respectively.

RESULTS

From July 2001 to April 2005, 1735 patients initiated HAART, with median CD4 cell count of 20 (inter-quartile range, 6-78) cells/microl. Mortality at 2 years increased as the CD4 cell count at HAART initiation decreased, (4.4, 4.5, 7.5 and 24.7% in patients with CD4 cell count > 100, 51-100, 21-50 and < or = 20 cells/microl, respectively; P < 10). Cotrimoxazole and fluconazole prophylaxis were protective against mortality as long as CD4 cell counts remained < or = 200 and < or = 100 cells/microl, respectively. The proportion of patients with successful immune reconstitution (CD4 cell gain > 100 cells/microl at 6 months) was 46.3%; it was lower in patients with previous ART exposure [odds ratio (OR), 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.05-0.45] and patients developing a new opportunistic infection/immune reconstitution infection syndromes (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52-0.98). Similar efficacy was found between the stavudine-lamivudine-nevirapine fixed dose combination and the combination stavudine-lamivudine-efavirenz in terms of mortality and successful immune reconstitution. No surrogate markers for CD4 cell change could be identified among total lymphocyte count, haemoglobin, weight and body mass index.

CONCLUSION

Although CD4 cell count-stratified mortality rates were similar to those observed in industrialized countries for patients with CD4 cell count > 50 cells/microl, patients with CD4 cell count < or = 20 cells/microl posed a real challenge to clinicians. Widespread voluntary HIV testing and counselling should be encouraged to allow HAART initiation before the development of severe immuno-suppression.

An investigation into the health-related quality of life of individuals living with HIV who are receiving HAART

The health authorities have recently accepted the routine provision of highly active antiretroviral therapy to persons living with AIDS in South Africa. There is a need to investigate the impact of HAART on the health-related quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a resource-poor environment, as this will have an influence on compliance and treatment outcome. The aim of this study was to explore whether HAART is efficacious in improving the self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a group of PWLA in WHO Stages 3 and 4 living in a resource-poor community. A quasi-experimental, prospective repeated measures design was used to monitor the HRQoL over time in participants recruited to an existing HAART programme. The HRQoL of 117 participants was determined through the use of the Xhosa version of the EQ-5D and measurements were taken at baseline, one, six and 12 months. At the time of the 12-month questionnaire, 95 participants had been on HAART for 12 months. Not all participants attended all follow-up visits, but only two participants had withdrawn from the HAART programme, after two or three months. At baseline, the rank order of problems reported in all domains of the EQ-5D was significantly greater than at 12 months. The mean score on the global rating of health status increased significantly (p < 0.001) from a mean of 61.7 (SD = 22.7) at baseline to 76.1 at 12 months (SD = 18.5) It is concluded that, even in a resource-poor environment, HRQoL can be greatly improved by HAART, and that the possible side effects of the drugs seem to have a negligible impact on the wellbeing of the subjects. This bodes well for the anticipated roll-out of HAART within the public health sector in South Africa.

Determining eligibility for antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings using total lymphocyte counts, hemoglobin and body mass index

BACKGROUND

CD4+ T lymphocyte (CD4) cell count testing is the standard method for determining eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART), but is not widely available in sub-Saharan Africa. Total lymphocyte counts (TLCs) have not proven sufficiently accurate in identifying subjects with low CD4 counts. We developed clinical algorithms using TLCs, hemoglobin (Hb), and body mass index (BMI) to identify patients who require ART.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of HIV-infected adults in Uganda, who presented for assessment for ART-eligibility with WHO clinical stages I, II or III. Two by two tables were constructed to examine TLC thresholds, which maximized sensitivity for CD4 cell counts 350 cells microL. Hb and BMI values were then examined to try to improve model performance.

RESULTS

1787 subjects were available for analysis. Median CD4 cell counts and TLCs, were 239 cells/microL and 1830 cells/microL, respectively. Offering ART to all subjects with a TLCs 3000 cells/microL, and used Hb and/or BMI values to determine eligibility for those with TLC values between 2000 and 3000 cells/microL, marginally improved accuracy.

CONCLUSION

TLCs appear useful in predicting who would be eligible for ART based on CD4 cell count criteria. Hb and BMI values may be useful in prioritizing patients for ART, but did not improve model accuracy.

Conservation of First-Line Antiretroviral Treatment Regimen where Therapeutic Options are Limited

Objectives

To determine rates and causes of switching from first- to second-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimens in a large treatment-naive cohort (a South African community-based ART service) where a targeted adherence intervention was used to manage initial virological breakthrough.

Methods

ART-naive adults ( n=929) commencing first-line non-nucleoside-based ART [according to WHO (2002) guidelines] between September 2002 and August 2005 were studied prospectively. Viral load (VL) and CD4+ T-cell counts were monitored every 4 months. All drug switches were recorded. Counsellor-driven adherence interventions were targeted to patients with a VL >1,000 copies/ml at any visit (virological breakthrough) and the VL measurement was repeated within 8 weeks. Two consecutive VL measurements >1,000 copies/ml was considered virological failure, triggering change to a second-line regimen.

Results

During 760 person-years of observation [median IQR) 189 (85–441) days], 823 (89%) patients were retained on ART, 2% transferred elsewhere, 7% died and 3% were lost to follow-up. A total of 893 (96%) patients remained on first-line therapy and 16 (1.7%) switched to second-line due to hypersensitivity reactions ( n=9) or lactic acidosis ( n=7). A Kaplan-Meier estimate for switching to second-line due to toxicity was 3.0% at 32 months. Virological breakthrough occurred in 67 (7.2%) patients, but, following use of a targeted adherence intervention, virological failure was confirmed in just 20 (2.2%). Kaplan-Meier estimates at 32 months were 20% for virological breakthrough but only 5.6% for confirmed virological failure.

Conclusion

Regimen switches were due to virological failure or toxicity. Although follow-up time was limited, over 95% of individuals remained on first-line ART using a combination of viral monitoring and a targeted adherence intervention.

The cost-effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment in Khayelitsha, South Africa--a primary data analysis

Background

Given the size of the HIV epidemic in South Africa and other developing countries, scaling up antiretroviral treatment (ART) represents one of the key public health challenges of the next decade. Appropriate priority setting and budgeting can be assisted by economic data on the costs and cost-effectiveness of ART. The objectives of this research were therefore to estimate HIV healthcare utilisation, the unit costs of HIV services and the cost per life year (LY) and quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained of HIV treatment interventions from a provider's perspective.

Methods

Data on service utilisation, outcomes and costs were collected in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Utilisation of a full range of HIV healthcare services was estimated from 1,729 patients in the Khayelitsha cohort (1,146 No-ART patient-years, 2,229 ART patient-years) using a before and after study design. Full economic costs of HIV-related services were calculated and were complemented by appropriate secondary data. ART effects (deaths, therapy discontinuation and switching to second-line) were from the same 1,729 patients followed for a maximum of 4 years on ART. No-ART outcomes were estimated from a local natural history cohort. Health-related quality of life was assessed on a sub-sample of 95 patients. Markov modelling was used to calculate lifetime costs, LYs and QALYs and uncertainty was assessed through probabilistic sensitivity analysis on all utilisation and outcome variables. An alternative scenario was constructed to enhance generalizability.

Results

Discounted lifetime costs for No-ART and ART were US$2,743 and US$9,435 over 2 and 8 QALYs respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio through the use of ART versus No-ART was US$1,102 (95% CI 1,043-1,210) per QALY and US$984 (95% CI 913-1,078) per life year gained. In an alternative scenario where adjustments were made across cost, outcome and utilisation parameters, costs and outcomes were lower, but the ICER was similar.

Conclusion

Decisions to scale-up ART across sub-Saharan Africa have been made in the absence of incremental lifetime cost and cost-effectiveness data which seriously limits attempts to secure funds at the global level for HIV treatment or to set priorities at the country level. This article presents baseline cost-effectiveness data from one of the longest running public healthcare antiretroviral treatment programmes in Africa that could assist in enhancing efficient resource allocation and equitable access to HIV treatment.

Extending HIV care in resource-limited settings

Despite the clear benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART), only three countries in sub-Saharan Africa have achieved the "3 by 5" goal of treating at least half of the persons living with HIV/AIDS who need it. A major obstacle faced by many lower income countries is the establishment of treatment programs in rural areas where there is a scarcity of trained health care providers and infrastructure. This paper reviews published data on rural ART programs in lower income countries to identify necessary components of such a program. No clearly superior model for rural ART delivery has emerged. All programs document the need for expanded physical infrastructure, laboratory development, recruitment/training of additional health care providers, and/or the introduction of new technologies in order to effectively support the needs of ART roll-out.

Performance of Immunologic Responses in Predicting Viral Load Suppression

BACKGROUND

World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings state that CD4 cell counts may be used to indicate when ART regimens should be changed because of treatment failure. The performance of immunologic monitoring for this purpose has not been evaluated, however.

METHODS

Participants aged > or =18 years from the British Columbia HIV/AIDS Drug Treatment Program who had CD4 cell counts < or =200 cells/microL or an AIDS diagnosis at baseline had CD4 cell counts measured at 6 and 12 months after treatment initiation. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for immunologic responses in terms of predicting failure to achieve 2 viral load measurements < 500 copies/mL within 1 year.

RESULTS

Viral load suppression occurred in 674 (60%) of 1125 subjects. Using no increase in CD4 cell counts at 6 months as a definition of treatment failure had a sensitivity of 34%, specificity of 94%, positive predictive value of 75%, and negative predictive value of 71% for predicting failure to achieve virologic suppression. Using 12-month CD4 cell count values, the measurements were 35%, 95%, 79%, and 73%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Immunologic criteria to predict which patients have not achieved virologic suppression results in significant misclassification of therapeutic responses.

Long-term survival and immuno-virological response of African HIV-1-infected children to highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens

BACKGROUND

In Africa, facing the scaling-up of HAART, there is an urgent need to monitor accurately the long-term benefits of these lifelong treatments.

METHODS

Survival and immuno-virological response were assessed for 78 children in the ANRS 1244/1278 Children's cohort (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire) who were enrolled from October 2000 for treatment with HAART and followed to September 2004. Initial HAART consisted of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors with either nelfinavir (NFV) or efavirenz (EFV). For the comparison of immunological and virological responses, CD4 cell counts and HIV-1 RNA viral load were assessed by performing time-point specific and longitudinal data analysis.

RESULTS

At baseline, the median CD4 cell percentage was 7.5% and the median HIV-1 RNA viral load was 5.37 log10 copies/ml. The survival probability was high (0.86 at month 42; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.92) with no difference according to whether the HAART regimen contained NFV or EFV. At 36 and 42 months of follow-up, an immune recovery was observed with median CD4 cell percentages reaching 23.1% and 24.8%, respectively, with no difference according to the HAART regimen (longitudinal data analysis). At the same time points, a sustained viral suppression was also obtained, with undetectable viral load achieving in 46.5% and 45.0%, respectively, regardless of whether the HAART regimen.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the durability of both clinical and biological response to HAART in African children.

Risk factors for high early mortality in patients on antiretroviral treatment in a rural district of Malawi

OBJECTIVES

Among adults started on antiretroviral treatment (ART) in a rural district hospital (a) to determine the cumulative proportion of deaths that occur within 3 and 6 months of starting ART, and (b) to identify risk factors that may be associated with such mortality.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A cross-sectional analytical study set in Thyolo district, Malawi.

METHODS

Over a 2-year period (April 2003 to April 2005) mortality within the first 3 and 6 months of starting ART was determined and risk factors were examined.

RESULTS

A total of 1507 individuals (517 men and 990 women), whose median age was 35 years were included in the study. There were a total of 190 (12.6%) deaths on ART of which 116 (61%) occurred within the first 3 months (very early mortality) and 150 (79%) during the first 6 months of initiating ART. Significant risk factors associated with such mortality included WHO stage IV disease, a baseline CD4 cell count under 50 cells/mul and increasing grades of malnutrition. A linear trend in mortality was observed with increasing grades of malnutrition (chi for trend = 96.1, P </= 0.001) and decreasing CD4 cell counts (chi for trend = 72.4, P </= 0.001). Individuals who were severely malnourished [body mass index (BMI) < 16.0 kg/m] had a six times higher risk of dying in the first 3 months than those with a normal nutritional status.

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals starting ART, the BMI and clinical staging could be important screening tools for use to identify and target individuals who, despite ART, are still at a high risk of early death.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a home-based AIDS care programme in rural Uganda

BACKGROUND

Poverty and limited health services in rural Africa present barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy that necessitate innovative options other than facility-based methods for delivery and monitoring of such therapy. We assessed adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a cohort of HIV-infected people in a home-based AIDS care programme that provides the therapy and other AIDS care, prevention, and support services in rural Uganda.

METHODS

HIV-infected individuals with advanced HIV disease or a CD4-cell count of less than 250 cells per muL were eligible for antiretroviral therapy. Adherence interventions included group education, personal adherence plans developed with trained counsellors, a medicine companion, and weekly home delivery of antiretroviral therapy by trained lay field officers. We analysed factors associated with pill count adherence (PCA) of less than 95%, medication possession ratio (MPR) of less than 95%, and HIV viral load of 1000 copies per mL or more at 6 months (second quarter) and 12 months (fourth quarter) of follow-up.

FINDINGS

987 adults who had received no previous antiretroviral therapy (median CD4-cell count 124 cells per muL, median viral load 217,000 copies per mL) were enrolled between July, 2003, and May, 2004. PCA of less than 95% was calculated for 0.7-2.6% of participants in any quarter and MPR of less than 95% for 3.3-11.1%. Viral load was below 1000 copies per mL for 894 (98%) of 913 participants in the second quarter and for 860 (96%) of 894 of participants in the fourth quarter. In separate multivariate models, viral load of at least 1000 copies per mL was associated with both PCA below 95% (second quarter odds ratio 10.6 [95% CI 2.45-45.7]; fourth quarter 14.5 [2.51-83.6]) and MPR less than 95% (second quarter 9.44 [3.40-26.2]; fourth quarter 10.5 [4.22-25.9]).

INTERPRETATION

Good adherence and response to antiretroviral therapy can be achieved in a home-based AIDS care programme in a resource-limited rural African setting. Health-care systems must continue to implement, evaluate, and modify interventions to overcome barriers to comprehensive AIDS care programmes, especially the barriers to adherence with antiretroviral therapy.