Impact of Motivational Enhanced Adherence Counseling and Point-of-Care Viral Load Monitoring on Viral Load Outcome in Women on Life-Long ART: A Randomized Pilot Study.

We piloted the combined effectiveness of point-of-care viral load monitoring plus motivational enhanced adherence counseling (intervention) compared with routine care (control) in women identified at risk of virologic failure in the PROMOTE study in Zimbabwe. In an unblinded randomized study, consenting women with last viral load ≥200 copies/ml and/or pill count outside 90-110% range were randomized 1 : 1 to receive the intervention or continue routine care, comprising laboratory-based VL monitoring and standard EAC, from trained nurses and counsellors. Viral load was measured 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after enrolment. We compared viral suppression <200 copies/ml at 6 and 12 months between the arms through Fisher's exact test and sought associated factors by logistic regression with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Between December 2018 and July 2019, 50 women were enrolled (25 intervention and 25 controls) and followed until November 2020. At entry, 60% of the women were virally suppressed, 52% intervention vs. 68% control arm. Viral suppression was balanced between the two arms (p value = 0.248). At month 6 post study entry (primary endpont), 64% of the women retained in care were virally suppressed, 54% intervention vs. 76% control arm (p value = 0.124). At month12 post study entry (secondary endpoint), 69% of the women retained in care were virally suppressed, 67% intervention vs. 71% control arm women (p value = 0.739). More intervention women completed all scheduled sessions by month 6. Control group women were more likely to be virally suppressed at both timepoints. Only 25% had treatment switch by 12 months. Despite intense adherence support and viral load monitoring, sustained viral suppression remained elusive in women identified at risk of viral failure. These findings highlight the continued need for effective adherence intervention for women with unsuppressed HIV viral loads, efficient treatment switch strategies, as well as drug level monitoring.

Brief Report: Impact of Antiretroviral Regimen on Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes in Women With HIV/ HBV Coinfection.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the impact of antenatal antiretroviral regimens (ARV) on pregnancy and infant outcomes in HIV/HBV coinfection. We compared outcomes among 3 antenatal antiretroviral regimens for pregnant women with HIV/HBV. METHODS: The PROMISE study enrolled ARV-naive pregnant women with HIV. Women with HBV were randomized to (no anti-HBV)-zidovudine (ZDV) + intrapartum nevirapine and 1 week of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (TDF-FTC); (3TC)-3TC + ZDV + LPV/r; or (FTC-TDF)-FTC + TDF + LPV/r. Pairwise group comparisons were performed with Fisher exact, t , or log rank tests. Adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) was a composite of low birth weight, preterm delivery, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, or congenital anomaly. RESULTS: Of 138 women with HIV/HBV, 42, 48, and 48 were analyzed in the no anti-HBV, 3TC, and FTC-TDF arms. Median age was 27 years. APOs trended lower in the no anti-HBV (26%) vs 3TC (38%), and FTC-TDF arms (35%), P ≥ 0.25). More infant deaths occurred among the FTC-TDF [6 (13%)] vs no anti-HBV [2 (5%)] and 3TC [3 (7%)] arms. There were no differences in time-to-death, HIV-free survival, birth or one-year WHO Z-score length-for-age, and head circumference. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was associated with an increased risk of APO, 48% vs 27% (odds ratio 2.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.19 to 6.67, post hoc ). CONCLUSION: With HBV/HIV coinfection, the risk of an APO was increased with maternal ARV compared with ZDV alone, although the differences were not statistically significant. Maternal HBeAg was associated with a significantly increased risk of APO. Infant mortality was highest with FTC + TDF + LPV/r. Early assessment of HBeAg could assist in identifying high-risk pregnancies for close monitoring.

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.

Association of Maternal Viral Load and CD4 Count With Perinatal HIV-1 Transmission Risk During Breastfeeding in the PROMISE Postpartum Component.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding mothers with HIV infection not qualifying for antiretroviral therapy (ART) based on country-specific guidelines at the time of the Promoting Maternal-Infant Survival Everywhere trial and their uninfected neonates were randomized to maternal ART (mART) or infant nevirapine prophylaxis (iNVP) postpartum. HIV transmission proportions were similar (<1%) in the 2 arms. We assessed whether maternal viral load (MVL) and CD4 cell counts were associated with breastfeeding HIV transmission. METHODS: MVL was collected at entry (7-14 days postpartum) and at weeks 6, 14, 26, and 50 postpartum. CD4 cell counts were collected at entry and weeks 14, 26, 38, and 50 postpartum. Infant HIV-1 nucleic acid test was performed at weeks 1 and 6, every 4 weeks until week 26, and then every 12 weeks. The associations of baseline and time-varying MVL and CD4 cell counts with transmission risk were assessed using time-to-event analyses by randomized treatment arm. RESULTS: Two thousand four hundred thirty-one mother-infant pairs were enrolled in the study. Baseline MVL (P = 0.11) and CD4 cell counts (P = 0.51) were not significantly associated with infant HIV-1 infection. Time-varying MVL was significantly associated with infant HIV-1 infection {hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 13.96 (3.12 to 62.45)} in the mART arm but not in the iNVP arm [hazard ratio (95% CI): 1.04 (0.20 to 5.39)]. Time-varying CD4 cell counts were also significantly associated with infant HIV-1 infection [hazard ratio (95% CI): 0.18 (0.03 to 0.93)] in the mART arm but not in the iNVP arm [hazard ratio (95% CI): 0.38 (0.08 to 1.77)]. CONCLUSIONS: In women receiving mART, increased MVL and decreased CD4 cell counts during breastfeeding were associated with increased risk of infant HIV-1 infection.

Bone Mineral Density in Antiretroviral Therapy-Naïve HIV-1-Infected Young Adult -Women Using Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate or Nonhormonal Contraceptives in Uganda.

Most studies evaluating BMD in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected populations have focused on antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced patients. In this study, the association between HIV-1 and/or depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and BMD among untreated HIV-1-infected women in a resource-limited setting was assessed before long-term exposure to ART. The data were then compared with that of the 2005-2008 United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for non-Hispanic White and Black women. Women aged 18-35 years, recruited from health facilities in Kampala, Uganda, were classified based on their combination of HIV-1 status and DMPA use: (i) HIV-1-infected current DMPA users, (ii) HIV-1-infected previous DMPA users, (iii) HIV-1-infected nonhormonal-contraceptive users, and (iv) HIV-uninfected nonhormonal-contraceptive users. All HIV-1-infected women reported being ART-naïve at baseline. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck using DXA. Multivariate linear regression was used to assess the association between HIV-1 and/or DMPA and BMD Z-scores. Baseline data were analyzed for 452 HIV-1-infected (220 nonhormonal users, and 177 current and 55 previous DMPA users) and 69 HIV-1-uninfected nonhormonal-contraceptive users. The mean age was 26.1 years (SD, 4.2) with a median duration of DMPA use among current users of 24.0 months [medians (interquartile range), 12-48]. A higher proportion of HIV-1-infected previous (12.7%) or current DMPA users (20.3%) and nonhormonal users (15.0%) had low BMD (Z-score ≤-2 at any of the three sites) compared with age-matched HIV-1-uninfected women (2.9%). HIV-1 infection and DMPA use were independently associated with significantly lower mean BMD Z-scores at all sites, with the greatest difference being among HIV-1-infected current DMPA users (5.6%-8.0%) versus uninfected nonhormonal users. Compared with non-Hispanic White and Black women, the Ugandan local reference population had generally lower mean BMD at all sites. Newer treatment interventions are needed to mitigate BMD loss in HIV-1-infected women in resource-limited settings. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Hepatotoxicity and Liver-Related Mortality in Women of Childbearing Potential Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and High CD4 Cell Counts Initiating Efavirenz-Containing Regimens.

BACKGROUND: Severe hepatotoxicity in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) receiving efavirenz (EFV) has been reported. We assessed the incidence and risk factors of hepatotoxicity in women of childbearing age initiating EFV-containing regimens. METHODS: In the Promoting Maternal and Infant Survival Everywhere (PROMISE) trial, ART-naive pregnant women with HIV and CD4 count ≥ 350 cells/µL and alanine aminotransferase ≤ 2.5 the upper limit of normal were randomized during the antepartum and postpartum periods to antiretroviral therapy (ART) strategies to assess HIV vertical transmission, safety, and maternal disease progression. Hepatotoxicity was defined per the Division of AIDS Toxicity Tables. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed with covariates including participant characteristics, ART regimens, and timing of EFV initiation. RESULTS: Among 3576 women, 2435 (68%) initiated EFV at a median 121.1 weeks post delivery. After EFV initiation, 2.5% (61/2435) had severe (grade 3 or higher) hepatotoxicity with an incidence of 2.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-2.6) per 100 person-years. Events occurred between 1 and 132 weeks postpartum. Of those with severe hepatotoxicity, 8.2% (5/61) were symptomatic, and 3.3% (2/61) of those with severe hepatotoxicity died from EFV-related hepatotoxicity, 1 of whom was symptomatic. The incidence of liver-related mortality was 0.07 (95% CI, .06-.08) per 100 person-years. In multivariable analysis, older age was associated with severe hepatotoxicity (adjusted hazard ratio per 5 years, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.06-1.70]). CONCLUSIONS: Severe hepatotoxicity after EFV initiation occurred in 2.5% of women and liver-related mortality occurred in 3% of those with severe hepatotoxicity. The occurrence of fatal events underscores the need for safer treatments for women of childbearing age.

Antenatal Intracellular Concentrations of Tenofovir Diphosphate and Emtricitabine Triphosphate and Associations Between Tenofovir Diphosphate and Severe Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: IMPAACT-PROMISE (1077BF) Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the Promoting Maternal and Infant Survival Everywhere (PROMISE) trial, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) use was associated with moderate or severe adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes. This study characterized tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) and emtricitabine triphosphate (FTC-TP) concentrations in dried blood spots (DBS) and assessed association between severe adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes and TFV-DP concentration. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study of PROMISE trial arm-C women randomized to receive TDF, FTC, and ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r), who took at least 1 dose of TDF + FTC and had week-4 postrandomization DBS drawn before delivery. Cases, defined as severe adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes (very preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation, stillbirth ≥20 weeks of gestation, or infant death before 14 days-of-age), were matched to controls (1:2 ratio) by site and gestational age at entry. Week 4 and week 8 DBS samples were assayed for TFV-DP and FTC-TP by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Associations were tested using Wilcoxon rank test and conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 447 PROMISE arm-C women, 33 met case definitions, and overall, 22 cases and 44 controls were analyzed. Median (interquartile range) concentrations of TFV-DP at weeks 4 and 8 were 706 (375-1023) fmol/punch and 806 (414-1265) fmol/punch, respectively. Odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for severe adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcome with natural log of TFV-DP concentrations as the predictor were 1.27 (0.74 to 2.18) and 1.74 (0.66 to 4.60) at weeks 4 and 8, respectively. Median (interquartile range) concentrations of FTC-TP at weeks 4 and 8 were 0.27 (0.05-0.36) pmol/punch and 0.29 (0.05-0.40) pmol/punch, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TFV-DP concentrations in DBS appeared not to be associated with severe adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes, although sample size was limited.

Neurodevelopmental effects of ante-partum and post-partum antiretroviral exposure in HIV-exposed and uninfected children versus HIV-unexposed and uninfected children in Uganda and Malawi: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding substantially decreases the risk of HIV transmission from mothers to infants, but its effects on the child's neurodevelopment are unknown. This study compared neurodevelopmental outcomes of ante-partum and post-partum antiretroviral exposure in HIV-exposed and uninfected children with HIV-unexposed and uninfected children at ages 12, 24, 48, and 60 months. METHODS: For this study, a prospective cohort of HIV-exposed and uninfected children was identified from two research sites in the PROMISE-BF trial (at Blantyre, Malawi, and Kampala, Uganda), in which pregnant HIV-infected mothers were randomly assigned to triple antiretroviral prophylaxis (lopinavir-ritonavir plus either lamivudine and zidovudine or emtricitabine and tenofovir), versus zidovudine alone. Post partum, the mother-infant pairs were randomly assigned to maternal triple antiretroviral treatment or infant nevirapine during breastfeeding. HIV-unexposed and uninfected children matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic background were enrolled at vaccination and well-child clinics at the study sites. We included only children without a history of documented brain infection or injury or substantial malnutrition, and whose mothers were randomly assigned and maintained within their assigned ante-partum and post-partum phases throughout their treatment arm periods. Primary outcomes were the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) cognitive composite score at age 12 months, 24 months, and 48 months; and the mental processing index for the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, second edition (KABC-II) global score at 48 months and 60 months. Repeated measures were analysed using a linear mixed-effects model controlling for data collection site. FINDINGS: Between Aug 23, 2013, and Dec 17, 2014, we co-enrolled 861 children. For MSEL assessments, 738 were eligible for inclusion at age 12 months, 790 at age 24 months, and 692 at age 48 months. For KABC-II assessments, 685 were eligible for inclusion at age 48 months and 445 at age 60 months. There were no differences in MSEL cognitive composite scores according to exposure at age 12 and 24 months (p=0·19 and 0·24, respectively, for comparison of all groups). At 48 months, MSEL cognitive composite scores were worse for children of mothers who did not remain on triple antiretroviral treatment throughout both the ante-partum and post-partum treatment phases (adjusted means 80·64 [95% CI 77·74-83·54] and 81·34 [78·19-84·48], respectively), compared with those who did remain on triple treatment (adjusted mean 85·93, 95% CI 83·05-88·80; p=0·0486 for the comparison of all groups). The KABC-II composite scores (mental processing index) did not differ at 48 or 60 months according to exposure (p=0·81 and 0·89, respectively, for comparison of all groups). Scores for MSEL and KABC-II for children of mothers on triple antiretrovirals in both the ante-partum and post-partum treatment phases were similar to those for children in the HIV-unexposed and uninfected reference group at all timepoints. INTERPRETATION: Maternal triple antiretroviral exposure during both the ante-partum and post-partum phases did not result in greater developmental risks for the mothers' HIV-exposed and uninfected children through age 60 months, compared with children who were HIV-unexposed and uninfected. This might be because ante-partum triple antiretroviral protection of the health of mothers with HIV during pregnancy might be neuroprotective for the child, and when continued post partum, could enhance the quality of caregiving for the child through better clinical care for the mother. FUNDING: National Institutes of Health and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Tenofovir concentrations in hair strongly predict virologic suppression in breastfeeding women.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence is often suboptimal in the perinatal period. We measured hair tenofovir (TFV) concentrations as a metric of adherence in postpartum women to understand patterns and predictors of adherence throughout this critical period. In addition, we examined the association between hair TFV concentrations and virologic outcomes. METHODS: Between 12/2012 and 09/2016, hair samples were collected longitudinally from delivery through breastfeeding from women on ART in the Promoting Maternal and Infant Survival Everywhere study (NCT01061151) in sub-Saharan Africa. Hair TFV levels were measured using validated methods. Using generalized estimating equations, we estimated the association between hair TFV levels and virologic suppression (<400 copies/ml) over time and assessed predictors of hair TFV levels. RESULTS: Hair TFV levels were measured at 370 visits in 71 women from delivery through a median of 14 months (interquartile range 12-15) of breastfeeding. Levels ranged from below detection (0.002) to 1.067 ng/mg (geometric mean: 0.047). After at least 90 days on ART, 69 women had at least one viral load measured (median 5 measures, range 1-9); 18 (26%) experienced viremia at least once. Each doubling of TFV level more than doubled odds of concurrent virologic suppression [odds ratio 2.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44-3.84, P = 0.0006] and was associated with 1.43 times the odds of future suppression (95% CI: 0.75-2.73, P = 0.28). Relative to the first 3 months after delivery, hair levels were highest in months 6-12 (1.42-fold higher, 95% CI: 1.09-1.85, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Hair TFV levels strongly predicted concurrent virologic suppression among breastfeeding women. Objective adherence metrics can supplement virologic monitoring to optimize treatment outcomes in this important transition period.

Comparative effects of three methods of promoting breastfeeding among human immunodeficiency virus-infected women in Uganda: a parallel randomized clinical trial.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the comparative effects of three breastfeeding promotion interventions on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and any breastfeeding (BF) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women in Uganda. Methods: Between February 2012 and February 2013, 218 HIV-infected pregnant mothers were randomly assigned to (A) standard care (n=73), (B) enhanced family/peer support (n=72) or (C) enhanced nutrition education (n=73). Results: The prevalence (%) of EBF/BF did not differ between intervention arms at the sixth (A, 85/92; B, 84/91; C, 87/89) and ninth (A, 17/91; B, 18/89; C, 16/87) postpartum month assessments (p>0.05). However, the risk of early BF cessation differed between intervention arms depending on the mother's level of formal education (p=0.04). Among women with no formal education, the risk of early BF cessation was 88% (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.12 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.05-0.30]) and 93% (aHR 0.07 [95% CI 0.03-0.18]) lower in arms B and C, respectively, than in arm A (p<0.01). HIV status disclosure to a partner was associated with a higher risk of early EBF (p=0.03) and BF (p=0.04) cessation. Conclusions: In resource-limited settings, enhanced (vs standard care) EBF promotion interventions may not differentially influence EBF but reduce the risk of early BF cessation among women with no formal education. Targeted enhanced interventions among women with no formal education and a mother's partner may be critical to reducing the risk of early EBF/BF cessation.

What is new in perinatal HIV prevention?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to describe recent clinical trial, laboratory and observational findings that highlight both the progress that can be achieved in elimination of new pediatric infections in international clinical trial settings among HIV-infected breastfeeding women while also describing recent safety concerns related to currently used antiretroviral regimens. The article will also address the ongoing adherence challenges for HIV-infected mothers in taking their antiretroviral drugs. This information is timely and relevant as new regimens are being considered for both prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and HIV treatment options worldwide. RECENT FINDINGS: The main themes described in this article include both efficacy of different antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens currently being rolled out internationally for PMTCT as well as safety findings from recent research including a large multisite international trial, PROMISE. SUMMARY: The findings from the IMPAACT PROMISE trial as well as other recent trial and observational findings suggest that while progress has been steady in reducing PMTCT worldwide, the goal of virtual elimination of pediatric HIV worldwide will require careful attention to optimizing safety of new regimens which are less dependent on maternal daily ART adherence and safer in preventing certain toxicities.

Multicountry Validation of SAMBA - A Novel Molecular Point-of-Care Test for HIV-1 Detection in Resource-Limited Setting.

INTRODUCTION: Early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection and the prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy are critical to achieving a reduction in the morbidity and mortality of infected infants. The Simple AMplification-Based Assay (SAMBA) HIV-1 Qual Whole Blood Test was developed specifically for early infant diagnosis and prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs implemented at the point-of-care in resource-limited settings. METHODS: We have evaluated the performance of this test run on the SAMBA I semiautomated platform with fresh whole blood specimens collected from 202 adults and 745 infants in Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Results were compared with those obtained with the Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan (CAP/CTM) HIV-1 assay as performed with fresh whole blood or dried blood spots of the same subjects, and discrepancies were resolved with alternative assays. RESULTS: The performance of the SAMBA and CAP/CTM assays evaluated at 5 laboratories in the 3 countries was similar for both adult and infant samples. The clinical sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the SAMBA test were 100%, 99.2%, 98.7%, and 100%, respectively, with adult samples, and 98.5%, 99.8%, 99.7%, and 98.8%, respectively, with infant samples. DISCUSSION: Our data suggest that the SAMBA HIV-1 Qual Whole Blood Test would be effective for early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in infants at point-of-care settings in sub-Saharan Africa.

Benefits and Risks of Antiretroviral Therapy for Perinatal HIV Prevention.

BACKGROUND: Randomized-trial data on the risks and benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) as compared with zidovudine and single-dose nevirapine to prevent transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in HIV-infected pregnant women with high CD4 counts are lacking. METHODS: We randomly assigned HIV-infected women at 14 or more weeks of gestation with CD4 counts of at least 350 cells per cubic millimeter to zidovudine and single-dose nevirapine plus a 1-to-2-week postpartum "tail" of tenofovir and emtricitabine (zidovudine alone); zidovudine, lamivudine, and lopinavir-ritonavir (zidovudine-based ART); or tenofovir, emtricitabine, and lopinavir-ritonavir (tenofovir-based ART). The primary outcomes were HIV transmission at 1 week of age in the infant and maternal and infant safety. RESULTS: The median CD4 count was 530 cells per cubic millimeter among 3490 primarily black African HIV-infected women enrolled at a median of 26 weeks of gestation (interquartile range, 21 to 30). The rate of transmission was significantly lower with ART than with zidovudine alone (0.5% in the combined ART groups vs. 1.8%; difference, -1.3 percentage points; repeated confidence interval, -2.1 to -0.4). However, the rate of maternal grade 2 to 4 adverse events was significantly higher with zidovudine-based ART than with zidovudine alone (21.1% vs. 17.3%, P=0.008), and the rate of grade 2 to 4 abnormal blood chemical values was higher with tenofovir-based ART than with zidovudine alone (2.9% vs. 0.8%, P=0.03). Adverse events did not differ significantly between the ART groups (P>0.99). A birth weight of less than 2500 g was more frequent with zidovudine-based ART than with zidovudine alone (23.0% vs. 12.0%, P<0.001) and was more frequent with tenofovir-based ART than with zidovudine alone (16.9% vs. 8.9%, P=0.004); preterm delivery before 37 weeks was more frequent with zidovudine-based ART than with zidovudine alone (20.5% vs. 13.1%, P<0.001). Tenofovir-based ART was associated with higher rates than zidovudine-based ART of very preterm delivery before 34 weeks (6.0% vs. 2.6%, P=0.04) and early infant death (4.4% vs. 0.6%, P=0.001), but there were no significant differences between tenofovir-based ART and zidovudine alone (P=0.10 and P=0.43). The rate of HIV-free survival was highest among infants whose mothers received zidovudine-based ART. CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal ART resulted in significantly lower rates of early HIV transmission than zidovudine alone but a higher risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; PROMISE ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01061151 and NCT01253538 .).

Mother-to-Child HIV-1 Transmission Events Are Differentially Impacted by Breast Milk and Its Components from HIV-1-Infected Women.

Breast milk is a vehicle of infection and source of protection in post-natal mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission (MTCT). Understanding the mechanism by which breast milk limits vertical transmission will provide critical insight into the design of preventive and therapeutic approaches to interrupt HIV-1 mucosal transmission. However, characterization of the inhibitory activity of breast milk in human intestinal mucosa, the portal of entry in postnatal MTCT, has been constrained by the limited availability of primary mucosal target cells and tissues to recapitulate mucosal transmission ex vivo. Here, we characterized the impact of skimmed breast milk, breast milk antibodies (Igs) and non-Ig components from HIV-1-infected Ugandan women on the major events of HIV-1 mucosal transmission using primary human intestinal cells and tissues. HIV-1-specific IgG antibodies and non-Ig components in breast milk inhibited the uptake of Ugandan HIV-1 isolates by primary human intestinal epithelial cells, viral replication in and transport of HIV-1- bearing dendritic cells through the human intestinal mucosa. Breast milk HIV-1-specific IgG and IgA, as well as innate factors, blocked the uptake and transport of HIV-1 through intestinal mucosa. Thus, breast milk components have distinct and complementary effects in reducing HIV-1 uptake, transport through and replication in the intestinal mucosa and, therefore, likely contribute to preventing postnatal HIV-1 transmission. Our data suggests that a successful preventive or therapeutic approach would require multiple immune factors acting at multiple steps in the HIV-1 mucosal transmission process.

HIV monoclonal antibodies: a new opportunity to further reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Yegor Voronin and colleagues explore how monoclonal antibodies against HIV could provide a new opportunity to further reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV and propose that new interventions should consider issues related to implementation, feasibility, and access. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of tenofovir in HIV-infected women during labor and their infants during the first week of life.

BACKGROUND: Data describing the pharmacokinetics and safety of tenofovir in neonates are lacking. METHODS: The HIV Prevention Trials Network 057 protocol was a phase 1, open-label study of the pharmacokinetics and safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in HIV-infected women during labor and their infants during the first week of life with 4 dosing cohorts: maternal 600 mg doses/no infant dosing; no maternal dosing/infant 4 mg/kg doses on days 0, 3, and 5; maternal 900 mg doses/infant 6 mg/kg doses on days 0, 3, and 5; maternal 600 mg doses/infant 6 mg/kg daily for 7 doses. Pharmacokinetic sampling was performed on cohort 1 and 3 mothers and all infants. Plasma, amniotic fluid, and breast milk tenofovir concentrations were determined by liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric assay. The pharmacokinetic target was for infant tenofovir concentration throughout the first week of life to exceed 50 ng/mL, the median trough tenofovir concentration in adults receiving standard chronic TDF dosing. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two mother-infant pairs from Malawi and Brazil were studied. Tenofovir exposure in mothers receiving 600 and 900 mg exceeded that in nonpregnant adults receiving standard 300 mg doses. Tenofovir elimination in the infants was equivalent to that in older children and adults, and trough tenofovir plasma concentrations exceeded 50 ng/mL in 74%-97% of infants receiving daily dosing. CONCLUSIONS: A TDF dosing regimen of 600 mg during labor and daily infant doses of 6 mg/kg maintains infant tenofovir plasma concentration above 50 ng/mL throughout the first week of life and should be used in the studies of TDF efficacy for HIV prevention of mother-to-child transmission and early infant treatment.

Noninferiority of a task-shifting HIV care and treatment model using peer counselors and nurses among Ugandan women initiated on ART: evidence from a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the noninferiority of a task-shifting HIV treatment model relying on peer counselors and nurses compared with a physician-centered model among HIV-1-positive women initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at a prevention of mother-to-child transmission clinic in Mulago Hospital, Uganda. METHODS: HIV-1-infected ART eligible naive women were randomized to either nurse-peer (intervention) or doctor-counselor (standard model) arm. The primary endpoint was virologic success defined attaining a viral load < 400 RNA copies per milliliter 6-12 months after ART initiation. Noninferiority was defined as the lower 95% confidence limit for the difference in proportions with virologic success being less than 10%. Secondary outcomes included immunologic success (mean CD4 count increase from baseline) and pill count. RESULTS: Data on 85 participants were analyzed (n = 45 in the intervention and n = 40 in the standard model). The proportion of participants with virologic success was similar in the standard and intervention models [91% versus 88% respectively; difference, 3%; 95% confidence interval (CI): -11% to 12%]. Probability of viral detection at 6-12 months' time point was similar in the 2 models (log-rank test P = 0.73). Immunologic and pill count indicators were also similar in the intervention and standard models, with mean CD4 increase of 217 versus 206 cells per microliter (difference, 11; 95% CI: -60 to 82 cells/µL) and pill counts of 99.8% versus 99.7% (difference, 0.0; 95% CI: -5% to 5%) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses and peer counselors were not inferior in providing ART follow-up care to postpartum women, an approach that may help deliver treatment to many more HIV-infected people.

Operational issues and barriers to implementation of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Over the past 10 years substantial progress has been made in the implementation of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In spite of this, new pediatric infections remain unacceptably high, contributing the majority (>90%) of the estimated 390,000 infections globally in 2010; and yet prolonged breastfeeding remains the norm and crucial to overall infant survival. However, there is reason for optimism given the 2010 World Health Organization PMTCT recommendations: to start HIV infected pregnant women with CD4 cell counts less than 350 cells/mm(3) on lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART); and for mothers not eligible for ART to provide efficacious maternal and/or infant PMTCT antiretroviral (ARV) regimens to be taken during pregnancy, labor/delivery and through breastfeeding. Current attention is on whether to extend maternal ARVs for life once triple ARV PMTCT regimens are started. To dramatically reduce new pediatric infections, individual countries need to politically commit to rapid scale-up of a multi-pronged PMTCT effort: including primary prevention to reduce HIV incidence among women of reproductive age; increased access to family planning services; HIV screening of all pregnant and breastfeeding women followed by ART or ARVs for PMTCT; and comprehensive care for HIV affected families. Efforts to achieve population-level success in SSA need to critically address operational issues and challenges to implementation (health system) and utilization (social, economic and cultural barriers), at the country, health centre and client level that have led to the relatively slow progress in the scale-up of PMTCT strategies.

CD4, viral load response, and adherence among antiretroviral-naive breast-feeding women receiving triple antiretroviral prophylaxis for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Kisumu, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Health benefits and survival of an exclusively breast-fed infant is dependent on the mother's health; thus, the need for antiretroviral (ARV) intervention for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). Achieving maternal health benefits from these regimens requires adherence to the treatments and close monitoring. We evaluated virologic, immunologic responses, and adherence among women receiving maternal triple ARV prophylaxis consisting of lamivudine/zidovudine and nevirapine or nelfinavir in the Kisumu Breastfeeding Study. METHODS: We analyzed baseline demographic data, trends in CD4 count, and viral load (VL) at enrollment (32-34 weeks gestation), delivery, 14 and 24 weeks postpartum among 434 women who remained in the study at 24 weeks postpartum. Adherence rates were determined using pill counts reinforced by self-report and drug calendar. We dichotomized adherence as ≥95% versus <95%. RESULTS: Among the 434 women, 84% (n = 366) had adherence ≥95%. The proportion of women with undetectable VL (<400 copies/mL) increased from 6% at baseline to 79%, and that of those with CD4 count <250 cells per microliter decreased from 23% (100) at baseline to 5% (22) at 24 weeks postpartum. In discrete-survival model, time to achieving VL suppression was associated with baseline VL <5.0 log copies per milliliter, parity ≥2, and use of nelfinavir- versus nevirapine-based ARV. Association between undetectable VL with duration of therapy (P < 0.0001) and adherence with suppression of VL (P = 0.001) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: High baseline VL and short exposure to ARVs for PMTCT are risk factors for failing to achieve undetectable VL. These findings support the new WHO guidelines for early initiation of ARV prophylaxis for PMTCT for maximal reduction of maternal VL.