Antiretroviral Adherence, Elevated Viral Load, and Drug Resistance Mutations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected Women Initiating Treatment in Pregnancy: A Nested Case-control Study

Facilitators and barriers to infant post-natal HIV prophylaxis, a qualitative sub-study of the PROMISE-EPI trial in Lusaka, Zambia

Background

Infant post-natal prophylaxis (PNP) is used to prevent HIV transmission through breastfeeding. The WHO edited recommendations but so far there is no consensus on the duration of prophylaxis and the type of drug used depends on national guidelines. In Zambia, the national recommendations include a three-drug prophylaxis, composed of a dispersible combined tablet of zidovudine (AZT) and lamivudine (3TC) and an oral suspension of nevirapine (NVP) for 12 weeks or until the mother's viral load is <1,000 cp/mL. The PROMISE-EPI study, modified the PNP regimen to lamivudine only, initiated at 6 weeks and continued until 12 months to all HIV exposed uninfected infants of virally unsuppressed mothers. Our aim in this analysis was to identify barriers and facilitators to this extended PNP, the keystone toward an effective prevention.

Methods

Individual interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) were conducted with PROMISE-EPI participants who had received prophylaxis for their children from the national program up to 6 weeks and then lamivudine oral solution in PROMISE-EPI study. Health care providers and PROMISE-EPI staff were also interviewed. Sessions were recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated from local languages into English. An initial code-book was designed and then adapted on the basis of the emerging themes, to allow a descriptive thematic analysis.

Results

More barriers to PNP adherence were identified with triple drug prophylaxis than with lamivudine. These barriers were related to the formulation and bitter taste of AZT/3TC tablets. The ready to use formulation and sweet taste of lamivudine syrup were appreciated by mothers. Extended PNP proposed in the PROMISE-EPI study was globally well accepted and strategies were found to increase adherence. Adherence to lamivudine appeared to be better than the mothers' adherence to their own antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusion

Accompanying mothers living with HIV and giving them the choice of the PNP to prevent transmission via breastfeeding (type of PNP regimen and extended PNP in non-adherent mothers), may be one of the keys to reducing the burden of pediatric HIV acquisition in low and middle income countries.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Load Monitoring and Rate of Virologic Suppression Among Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2013-2020

Background

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) expansion and viral load as a treatment monitoring approach have increased the demand for viral load testing. Many hurdles affect the coverage, quality, and use of viral load results. Estimates of viral load monitoring and viral suppression rates are needed to assess the performance of ART programs and improve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) management outcomes.

Methods

People with HIV (PWH) viral load monitoring data were routinely collected in 84 health facilities in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), between 2013 and 2020. The number of PWH under ART, the number of participants with at least 1 viral load test result, the rate of viral suppression (defined as ≤1000 HIV ribonucleic acid copies per mL), and the mean turnaround time from sample collection to release of viral load test results were collected together with clinical data.

Results

A total of 14 057 PWH were included in the analysis. People with HIV were mainly enrolled after the "test and treat" implementation. The patients were followed for a median period of 27 months. The proportion of PWH with at least 1 available viral load largely increased in recent years. The delay from sample collection to release of viral load test results decreased overtime, from 35 days in 2018 to 16 days in 2020. Pregnancy and advanced HIV disease were associated with a lower chance of viral suppression.

Conclusions

There has been considerable success in increasing viral load access for all PWH under therapy in DRC. Nevertheless, viral load testing should be intensified with a particular effort to be made in groups at higher risk of viral failure.

Development and validation of a scoring system for the prediction of HIV drug resistance in Hubei province, China

Objective

The present study aimed to build and validate a new nomogram-based scoring system for the prediction of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR).

Design and methods

Totally 618 patients with HIV/AIDS were included. The predictive model was created using a retrospective set (N = 427) and internally validated with the remaining cases (N = 191). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to fit a model using candidate variables selected by Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The predictive model was first presented as a nomogram, then transformed into a simple and convenient scoring system and tested in the internal validation set.

Results

The developed scoring system consisted of age (2 points), duration of ART (5 points), treatment adherence (4 points), CD4 T cells (1 point) and HIV viral load (1 point). With a cutoff value of 7.5 points, the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, PLR and NLR values were 0.812, 82.13%, 64.55%, 2.32 and 0.28, respectively, in the training set. The novel scoring system exhibited a favorable diagnostic performance in both the training and validation sets.

Conclusion

The novel scoring system can be used for individualized prediction of HIVDR patients. It has satisfactory accuracy and good calibration, which is beneficial for clinical practice.

Development and Validation of a New Comprehensive Assessment Scale of HIV-Related Psychological Distress in China: A Methodological Study

ABSTRACT

Instruments evaluating HIV-related psychological distress (HRPD) in people living with HIV may lack sensitivity to capture patients' psychological burden. We developed a comprehensive scale measuring HRPD and evaluated its psychometric properties. A mixed-method study was conducted from July 2021 to April 2022; it involved a literature review, semistructured interviews (n = 15), three rounds of panel discussions, two rounds of Delphi studies (n = 20), a pilot test (n = 20) to generate new scale items, and a cross-sectional survey (n = 659) to evaluate the psychometric properties of the HIV-related psychological distress scale. The scale contains 22 items across 4 subscales (i.e., disease-related distress, treatment adherence distress, identity distress, and disclosure distress). The confirmatory factor analysis revealed high goodness of fit (χ2/df = 2.412, comparative fit index = 0.916, incremental fit index = 0.917, and Tucker‒Lewis index = 0.902), showing that the HIV-related psychological distress scale is a reliable (Cronbach's α = 0.871 overall) and valid scale for evaluating HRPD in China and can be used to dynamically evaluate and monitor HRPD levels during patient follow-up.

Routine Antiretroviral Pharmacy Refill Information Can Predict Failure Postpartum in Previously Suppressed South African Women With HIV

Background

Detection of antiretrovirals (ARVs) in biological specimens is a reliable, objective way to measure adherence. However, routine ARV testing is not feasible in many high-burden settings. This study explored if pharmacy data could accurately predict HIV viremia postpartum in previously virally suppressed women.

Methods

South African women with HIV who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy and achieved viral suppression (VS; viral load [VL]≤50 copies/mL) were followed postpartum; during follow-up, plasma VL was measured and ARV adherence self-reported. A portion of samples were tested for the presence of ARV using mass spectrometry. Patient-level routine pharmacy data were used to classify if women should have the drug in hand for the past 7 days before the visit date. Logistic regressions were used to calculate associations between adherence and viral nonsuppression (VNS; VL > 50) or failure (VF; VL > 1000) at the first study visit of women who had ARV measured. Data for all women were examined for associations of self-reported adherence and drug in hand with VS and VF at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum.

Results

Women with no ARV detected were significantly more likely to have VNS (odds ratio [OR], 26.4). Having no drug in hand for 7 days was also predictive of VNS in these same women (OR, 7.0) and the full cohort (n = 572) at 3 (OR, 2.9), 6 (OR, 8.7), and 12 months (OR, 14.5). Similar results were seen for VF.

Conclusions

These data show that routine pharmacy data can act as a highly predictive mechanism for identifying patients at risk of VNS and VF due to nonadherence.

HIV stigma limits the effectiveness of PMTCT in Guinea: the ANRS 12344-DIAVINA study

BACKGROUND

Nearly half of HIV-infected children worldwide are born in West and Central African countries where access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programmes is still limited. WHO recommends reinforced antiretroviral prophylaxis for infants at high risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) but its implementation needs further investigation in the field.

METHODS

The prospective ANRS 12344-DIAVINA study evaluated the feasibility of a strategy combining early infant diagnosis (EID) and reinforced antiretroviral prophylaxis in high-risk infants as identified by interviews with mothers at Ignace Deen Hospital, Conakry, Guinea.

RESULTS

6493 women were admitted for delivery, 6141 (94.6%) accepted HIV testing and 114 (1.9%) were HIV positive. Among these, 51 high-risk women and their 56 infants were included. At birth, a blood sample was collected for infant EID and reinforced antiretroviral prophylaxis was initiated in 48/56 infants (86%, 95% CI 77%-95%). Iron supplementation was given to 35% of infants for non-severe anaemia. Retrospective measurement of maternal plasma viral load (pVL) at delivery revealed that 52% of women had pVL < 400 copies/mL attributable to undisclosed HIV status and/or antiretroviral intake. Undisclosed HIV status was associated with self-stigmatization (85% versus 44%, P = 0.02). Based on the results of maternal pVL at delivery, 'real' high-risk infants were more frequently lost to follow-up (44% versus 8%, P < 0.01) in comparison with low-risk infants, and this was associated with mothers' stigmatization (69% versus 31%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Reinforced antiretroviral prophylaxis and EID at birth are widely feasible. However, mothers' self-disclosure of HIV status and antiretroviral intake do not allow adequate evaluation of MTCT risk, which argues for maternal pVL measurement near delivery. Furthermore, actions against stigmatization are crucial to improve PMTCT.

Retention in care and viral suppression in the PMTCT continuum at a large referral facility in western Kenya

Medical records of pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV and their infants attending a large referral facility in Kenya from 2015 to 2019 were analyzed to identify characteristics associated with retention in care and viral suppression. Women were stratified based on the timing of HIV care enrollment: known HIV-positive (KHP; enrolled pre-pregnancy) and newly HIV-positive (NHP; enrolled during pregnancy). Associations with retention at 18 months postpartum and viral suppression (< 1000 copies/mL) were determined. Among 856 women (20% NHP), retention was 83% for KHPs and 53% for NHPs. Viral suppression was 88% for KHPs and 93% for NHPs, but 19% of women were missing viral load results. In a competing risk model, viral suppression increased by 18% for each additional year of age but was not associated with other factors. Overall, 1.9% of 698 infants with ≥ 1 HIV test result were HIV-positive. Tailored interventions are needed to promote retention and viral load testing, particularly for NHPs, in the PMTCT continuum.

The National Evaluation of Malawi's PMTCT Program (NEMAPP) study: 24-month HIV-exposed infant outcomes from a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Data on long-term HIV-free survival in breastfeeding, HIV-exposed infants (HEIs) are limited. The National Evaluation of Malawi's Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Program (NEMAPP), conducted between 2014 and 2018, evaluated mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and infant outcomes up to 24 months postpartum.

METHODS

We enrolled a nationally representative cohort of HEIs at 54 health facilities across four regional strata in Malawi and used multivariable Cox regression analysis to investigate the risk of adverse outcomes (HIV transmission, infant death and loss to follow-up) to 24 months postpartum. Models, controlling for survey design, were fitted for the total cohort (n = 3462) and for a subcohort that received maternal viral load (VL) monitoring (n = 1282).

RESULTS

By 24 months, in 3462 HEIs, weighted cumulative MTCT was 4.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.7-6.4%], 1.3% (95% CI 0.8-2.2%) of HEIs had died, 26.2% (95% CI 24.0-28.6%) had been lost to follow-up and 67.5% (95% CI 65.0-70.0%) were alive and HIV-free. Primiparity [weighted adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.2; parity 2-3: weighted aHR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2-1.9], the mother not disclosing her HIV status to her partner (no disclosure: weighted aHR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.6; no partner: weighted aHR 0.7; 95% CI 0.5-0.9), unknown maternal ART start (weighted aHR 2.0; 95% CI 1.0-3.9) and poor adherence (missed ≥ 2 days of ART in the last month: weighted aHR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2-2.2; not on ART: weighted aHR 1.7; 95% CI 1.0-2.7) were associated with adverse outcomes by 24 months. In the subcohort analysis, risk of HIV transmission or infant death was higher among HEIs whose mothers started ART post-conception (during pregnancy: weighted aHR 3.2; 95% CI 1.3-7.7; postpartum: weighted aHR 12.4; 95% CI 1.5-99.6) or when maternal viral load at enrolment was > 1000 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL (weighted aHR 15.7; 95% CI 7.8-31.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Infant positivity and infant mortality at 24 months were low for a breastfeeding population. Starting ART pre-conception had the greatest impact on HIV-free survival in HEIs. Further population-level reduction in MTCT may require additional intervention during breastfeeding for women new to PMTCT programmes. Pre-partum diagnosis and linkage to ART, followed by continuous engagement in care during breastfeeding can further reduce MTCT but are challenging to implement.

Machine Learning Algorithms Using Routinely Collected Data Do Not Adequately Predict Viremia to Inform Targeted Services in Postpartum Women Living With HIV

BACKGROUND

Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) among postpartum women with HIV is essential for optimal health and prevention of perinatal transmission. However, suboptimal adherence with subsequent viremia is common, and adherence challenges are often underreported. We aimed to predict viremia to facilitate targeted adherence support in sub-Saharan Africa during this critical period.

METHODS

Data are from PROMISE 1077BF/FF, which enrolled perinatal women between 2011 and 2014. This analysis includes postpartum women receiving ART per study randomization or country-specific criteria to continue from pregnancy. We aimed to predict viremia (single and confirmed events) after 3 months on ART at >50, >400, and >1000 copies/mL within 6-month intervals through 24 months. We built models with routine clinical and demographic data using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and SuperLearner (which incorporates multiple algorithms).

RESULTS

Among 1321 women included, the median age was 26 years and 96% were in WHO stage 1. Between 0 and 24 months postpartum, 42%, 31%, and 28% of women experienced viremia >50, >400, and >1000 copies/mL, respectively, at least once. Across models, the cross-validated area under the receiver operating curve ranged from 0.74 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72 to 0.76] to 0.78 (95% CI: 0.76 to 0.80). To achieve 90% sensitivity predicting confirmed viremia >50 copies/mL, 64% of women would be classified as high risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Using routinely collected data to predict viremia in >1300 postpartum women with HIV, we achieved moderate model discrimination, but insufficient to inform targeted adherence support. Psychosocial characteristics or objective adherence metrics may be required for improved prediction of viremia in this population.

Impact of pre-existing drug resistance on risk of virological failure in South Africa

OBJECTIVES

There is conflicting evidence on the impact of pre-existing HIV drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in patients infected with non-B subtype virus.

METHODS

We performed a case-cohort substudy of the AIDS Drug Resistance Surveillance Study, which enrolled South African patients initiating first-line efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir. Pre-ART DRMs were detected by Illumina sequencing of HIV pol and DRMs present at <20% of the viral population were labelled as minority variants (MVs). Weighted Cox proportional hazards models estimated the association between pre-ART DRMs and risk of virological failure (VF), defined as confirmed HIV-1 RNA ≥1000 copies/mL after ≥5 months of ART.

RESULTS

The evaluable population included 178 participants from a randomly selected subcohort (16 with VF, 162 without VF) and 83 additional participants with VF. In the subcohort, 16% of participants harboured ≥1 majority DRM. The presence of any majority DRM was associated with a 3-fold greater risk of VF (P = 0.002), which increased to 9.2-fold (P < 0.001) in those with <2 active drugs. Thirteen percent of participants harboured MV DRMs in the absence of majority DRMs. Presence of MVs alone had no significant impact on the risk of VF. Inclusion of pre-ART MVs with majority DRMs improved the sensitivity but reduced the specificity of predicting VF.

CONCLUSIONS

In a South African cohort, the presence of majority DRMs increased the risk of VF, especially for participants receiving <2 active drugs. The detection of drug-resistant MVs alone did not predict an increased risk of VF, but their inclusion with majority DRMs affected the sensitivity/specificity of predicting VF.

Undisclosed exposure to antiretrovirals prior to treatment initiation: An exploratory analysis

Background

The proportion of individuals with a history of exposure ('pre-exposure') to antiretrovirals (ARVs) prior to formal initiation into antiretroviral treatment (ART) is unknown.

Objectives

This study describes the detection of ARVs in plasma and/or hair, of persons who self-reported no pre-exposure to ART at their first-time initiation onto ART in three clinics in the province of Limpopo, South Africa (SA).

Method

Concentrations of tenofovir (TDF), emtricitabine (FTC) and efavirenz (EFV) in the plasma and hair of individuals initiating ART were analysed using a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Next generation sequences of HIV polymerase gene were analysed with Geneious software 11.15, and drug resistance (DR) mutations were determined according to the Stanford HIV Drug-Resistance database. Participants' demographic data were collected on a structured questionnaire. Data that describe prior exposure to ARV were also collected by this self-reporting method.

Results

Paired blood and hair samples were collected from 77 individuals newly initiated onto ART from 2017 to 2019. We detected at least one of the drugs in the plasma or hair of 41/77 (53.2%) patients who responded with a 'no' to the question 'have you received ARVs before initiation onto ART?' Thirty-one participants (n = 31/77, 40.3%) had TDF in either plasma or hair. Emtricitabine and EFV were found in the plasma or hair of 12/77 (15.6%) and 25/77 (32.4%) of participants respectively. Six (n = 6/77, 7.792%) had all three ARVs in plasma or hair. Prevalence of DR mutations at the > 5% significance threshold level in those known to have had ARV-exposure determined by LC-MS/MS prior to ART-initiation was not significant (χ² = 0.798; p = 0.372), when compared to those who had no prior exposure but still showed DR.

Conclusion

Antiretroviral levels in the hair of individuals initiating treatment imply prolonged prior-exposure to that ARV. The presence of ARV in plasma and hair of persons living with HIV (PLWH) who deny ARV-use, requires an explanation. A larger study at multiple sites and regular DR surveillance of ART-naïve PLWH will be necessary to confirm the generalisability of these findings to the wider South African population.

Early post-partum viremia predicts long-term non-suppression of viral load in HIV-positive women on ART in Malawi: Implications for the elimination of infant transmission

Background

Long-term viral load (VL) suppression among HIV-positive, reproductive-aged women on ART is key to eliminating mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) but few data exist from sub-Saharan Africa. We report trends in post-partum VL in Malawian women on ART and factors associated with detectable VL up to 24 months post-partum.

Methods

1–6 months post-partum mothers, screened HIV-positive at outpatient clinics in Malawi, were enrolled (2014–2016) with their infants. At enrollment, 12- and 24-months post-partum socio-demographic and PMTCT indicators were collected. Venous samples were collected for determination of maternal VL (limit of detection 40 copies/ml). Results were returned to clinics for routine management.

Results

596/1281 (46.5%) women were retained in the study to 24 months. Those retained were older (p<0.01), had higher parity (p = 0.03) and more likely to have undetectable VL at enrollment than those lost to follow-up (80.0% vs 70.2%, p<0.01). Of 590 women on ART (median 30.1 months; inter-quartile range 26.8–61.3), 442 (74.9%) with complete VL data at 3 visits were included in further analysis. Prevalence of detectable VL at 12 and 24 months was higher among women with detectable VL at enrollment than among those with undetectable VL (74 detectable VL results/66 women vs. 19/359; p<0.001). In multivariable analysis (adjusted for age, parity, education, partner disclosure, timing of ART start and self-reported adherence), detectable VL at 24 months was 9 times more likely among women with 1 prior detectable VL (aOR 9.0; 95%CI 3.5–23.0, p<0.001) and 226 times more likely for women with 2 prior detectable VLs (aOR 226.4; 95%CI 73.0–701.8, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Detectable virus early post-partum strongly increases risk of ongoing post-partum viremia. Due to high loss to follow-up, the true incidence of detectable VL over time is probably underestimated. These findings have implications for MTCT, as well as for the mothers, and call for intensified VL monitoring and targeted adherence support for women during pregnancy and post-partum.

Unintended pregnancy and viral suppression in pregnant women living with HIV

BACKGROUND

Approximately half of pregnancies in the United States are unintended; the likelihood of unintended pregnancy may be even higher for women living with HIV. Women with unintended pregnancies often have worse obstetrical outcomes than women who planned their pregnancies, although the relationship of unintended pregnancy to outcomes among women living with HIV in the United States is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine whether pregnancy intendedness among women living with HIV attending a specialty obstetrical clinic was associated with achievement of maternal viral suppression by delivery, a key component of preventing perinatal transmission of HIV.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women living with HIV who received prenatal care and had a live-born infant at a single tertiary center (2007-2014). Women were asked as part of routine clinical care whether they intended their current pregnancy. Women who expressed at their initial obstetrician visit that their pregnancy was mistimed or undesired were determined to have an unintended pregnancy. Women were considered virally suppressed when the HIV RNA viral load was <20 copies/mL. We examined whether pregnancy intendedness was associated with whether the viral load was undetectable at the time of delivery. We also determined whether women with unintended pregnancies were less likely to be on antiretroviral therapy at the time of entry to prenatal care. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and chi-square tests were used for bivariable analyses, and logistic and linear regression were used for multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 215 women who met inclusion criteria, 201 (93.5%) had complete data on pregnancy intendedness. Of these 201 women, 137 (68.2%) had an unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy was associated with lower odds of viral suppression at delivery (95.3% of women with planned pregnancies were virally suppressed at delivery compared with 76.6% of women with unplanned pregnancies; adjusted odds ratio, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.05-0.89, after adjusting for potential confounders). In this study, 48.9% of women with unintended pregnancies presented later in pregnancy for prenatal care (after the first trimester) compared with 21.9% of women with intended pregnancies (P<.001). Women with unintended pregnancies were also less likely to be on antiretroviral therapy before entry to prenatal care (20.4% of women with unintended pregnancies vs 50.0% of women with intended pregnancies; adjusted odds ratio, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15-0.81; P<.001).

CONCLUSION

Among pregnant women living with HIV, women with an unintended pregnancy were less likely to be on antiretroviral therapy before initiating prenatal care and were less likely to be virally suppressed at the time of delivery.

Potential challenges to sustained viral load suppression in the HIV treatment programme in South Africa: a narrative overview

Background

South Africa, with one of the highest HIV prevalences in the world, introduced the universal test and treat (UTT) programme in September 2016. Barriers to sustained viral suppression may include drug resistance in the pre-treated population, non-adherence, acquired resistance; pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and concurrent use of alternative treatments.

Objective

The purpose of this review is to highlight potential challenges to achieving sustained viral load suppression in South Africa (SA), a major expectation of the UTT initiative.

Methodology

Through the PRISMA approach, published articles from South Africa on transmitted drug resistance; adherence to ARV; host genetic factors in drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and interactions between ARV and herbal medicine were searched and reviewed.

Results

The level of drug resistance in the pre-treated population in South Africa has increased over the years, although it is heterogeneous across and within Provinces. At least one study has documented a pre-treated population with moderate (> 5%) or high (> 15%) levels of drug resistance in eight of the nine Provinces. The concurrent use of ARV and medicinal herbal preparation is fairly common in SA, and may be impacting negatively on adherence to ARV. Only few studies have investigated the association between the genetically diverse South African population and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ARVs.

Conclusion

The increasing levels of drug resistant viruses in the pre-treated population poses a threat to viral load suppression and the sustainability of first line regimens. Drug resistance surveillance systems to track the emergence of resistant viruses, study the burden of prior exposure to ARV and the parallel use of alternative medicines, with the goal of minimizing resistance development and virologic failure are proposed for all the Provinces of South Africa. Optimal management of the different drivers of drug resistance in the pre-treated population, non-adherence, and acquired drug resistance will be beneficial in ensuring sustained viral suppression in at least 90% of those on treatment, a key component of the 90-90-90 strategy.

ART Adherence, Resistance, and Long-term HIV Viral Suppression in Postpartum Women

HIV+ South African women who achieved viral suppression during routine antenatal care, but later experienced a viremic episode (viral load >1000 copies/mL), were examined for presence of antiretrovirals and classified as "nonadherers" or "suboptimal adherers." Women were tested for drug resistance mutations (DRMs) at several time points and underwent viral load testing 36-60 months postpartum. Suboptimal adherers were more likely to have DRM detected during their viremic episode (P = .03) and at a subsequent viremic time point (P = .05). There was no difference in levels of viral suppression 36-60 months later in women with DRM detected vs women who had no evidence of DRM (P = .5).

The relative contributions of HIV drug resistance, nonadherence and low-level viremia to viremic episodes on antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa

INTRODUCTION

To achieve viral suppression among more than 90% of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART), improved understanding is warranted of the modifiable causes of HIV viremic episodes. We assessed the relative contributions of drug-resistance, nonadherence and low-level viremia (LLV) (viral load 50-999 cps/ml) on viremic episodes in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

In a multicountry adult cohort initiating nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based first-line ART, viremic episodes (viral load ≥1000 cps/ml) were classified as first, viral nonsuppression at 12 months; second, virological rebound at 24 months (after initial viral suppression at 12 months); third, failure to achieve viral resuppression at 24 months (after viremic episode at 12 months). We used adjusted odds ratios from multivariable logistic regression to estimate attributable fractions for each risk factor.

RESULTS

Of 2737 cohort participants, 1935 had data on pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) and at least 1 viral load outcome. Viral nonsuppression episodes [173/1935 (8.9%)] were attributable to nonadherence in 30% (35% in men vs. 24% in women) and to PDR to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in 10% (15% in women vs. 6% in men). Notably, at contemporary PDR prevalences of 10-25%, PDR would explain 13-30% of viral nonsuppression. Virological rebound episodes [96/1515 (6.3%)] were mostly attributable to LLV (29%) and nonadherence (14%), and only rarely to PDR (1.1%). Failures to achieve viral resuppression [66/81 (81.5%)] were mostly attributable to the presence of acquired drug resistance (34%) and only rarely to nonadherence (2.4%).

CONCLUSION

Effective adherence interventions could substantially reduce viral nonsuppression (especially in men) and virological rebound (especially during LLV), but would have limited effect on improving viral resuppression. Alternative ART regimens could circumvent PDR and acquired resistance.

Population-level viral suppression among pregnant and postpartum women in a universal test and treat trial

OBJECTIVE(S)

We sought to determine whether universal 'test and treat' (UTT) can achieve gains in viral suppression beyond universal antiretroviral treatment (ART) eligibility during pregnancy and postpartum, among women living with HIV.

DESIGN

A community cluster randomized trial.

METHODS

The SEARCH UTT trial compared an intervention of annual population testing and universal ART with a control of baseline population testing with ART by country standard, including ART eligibility for all pregnant/postpartum women, in 32 communities in Kenya and Uganda. When testing, women were asked about current pregnancy and live births over the prior year and, if HIV-infected, had their viral load measured. Between arms, we compared population-level viral suppression (HIV RNA <500 copies/ml) among all pregnant/postpartum HIV-infected women at study close (year 3). We also compared year-3 population-level viral suppression and predictors of viral suppression among all 15 to 45-year-old women by arm.

RESULTS

At baseline, 92 and 93% of 15 to 45-year-old women tested for HIV: HIV prevalence was 12.6 and 12.3%, in intervention and control communities, respectively. Among HIV-infected women self-reporting pregnancy/live birth, prevalence of viral suppression was 42 and 44% at baseline, and 81 and 76% (P = 0.02) at year 3, respectively. Among all 15 to 45-year-old HIV-infected women, year-3 population-level viral suppression was higher in intervention (77%) versus control (68%; P < 0.001). Pregnancy/live birth was a predictor of year-3 viral suppression in control (P = 0.016) but not intervention (P = 0.43). Younger age was a risk factor for nonsuppression in both arms.

CONCLUSION

The SEARCH intervention resulted in higher population viral suppression among pregnant/postpartum women than a control of baseline universal testing with ART eligibility for pregnant/postpartum women.