Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Remdesivir in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women with COVID-19: Results from IMPAACT 2032.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant people with COVID-19 experience higher risk for severe disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes, but no pharmacokinetic (PK) data exist to support dosing of COVID-19 therapeutics during pregnancy. We report PK and safety data for intravenous remdesivir in pregnancy. METHODS: IMPAACT 2032 was a phase IV prospective, open-label, non-randomized opportunistic study of hospitalized pregnant and non-pregnant women receiving intravenous remdesivir as part of clinical care. Intensive PK sampling was performed on infusion days 3, 4, or 5 with collection of plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Safety data were recorded from first infusion through 4 weeks post-last infusion and at delivery. Geometric mean ratios (GMR) (90% confidence intervals [CI]) of PK parameters between pregnant and non-pregnant women were calculated. RESULTS: Fifty-three participants initiated remdesivir (25 pregnant; median (IQR) gestational age 27.6 (24.9, 31.0) weeks). Plasma exposures of remdesivir, its two major metabolites (GS-704277 and GS-441524), and the free remdesivir fraction were similar between pregnant and non-pregnant participants. Concentrations of the active triphosphate (GS-443902) in PBMCs increased 2.04-fold (90% CI 1.35, 3.03) with each additional infusion in non-pregnant versus pregnant participants. Three adverse events in non-pregnant participants were related to treatment (one Grade 3; two Grade 2 resulting in treatment discontinuation). There were no treatment-related adverse pregnancy outcomes or congenital anomalies detected. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma remdesivir PK parameters were comparable between pregnant and non-pregnant women, and no safety concerns were identified based on our limited data. These findings suggest no dose adjustments are indicated for intravenous remdesivir during pregnancy.

Weight Changes and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes With Dolutegravir- and Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate-Containing Antiretroviral Treatment Regimens During Pregnancy and Postpartum.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated associations between antepartum weight change and adverse pregnancy outcomes and between antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens and week 50 postpartum body mass index in IMPAACT 2010. METHODS: Women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 in 9 countries were randomized 1:1:1 at 14-28 weeks' gestational age (GA) to start dolutegravir (DTG) + emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) versus DTG + FTC/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) versus efavirenz (EFV)/FTC/TDF. Insufficient antepartum weight gain was defined using Institute of Medicine guidelines. Cox-proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association between antepartum weight change and adverse pregnancy outcomes: stillbirth (≥20 weeks' GA), preterm delivery (<37 weeks' GA), small size for GA (<10th percentile), and a composite of these endpoints. RESULTS: A total of 643 participants were randomized: 217 to the DTG + FTC/TAF, 215 to the DTG + FTC/TDF, and 211 to the EFV/FTC/TDF arm. Baseline medians were as follows: GA, 21.9 weeks; HIV RNA, 903 copies/mL; and CD4 cell count, 466/µL. Insufficient weight gain was least frequent with DTG + FTC/TAF (15.0%) versus DTG + FTC/TDF (23.6%) and EFV/FTC/TDF (30.4%). Women in the DTG + FTC/TAF arm had the lowest rate of composite adverse pregnancy outcome. Low antepartum weight gain was associated with higher hazard of composite adverse pregnancy outcome (hazard ratio, 1.44 [95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.00]) and small size for GA (1.48 [.99-2.22]). More women in the DTG + FTC/TAF arm had a body mass index ≥25 (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) at 50 weeks postpartum (54.7%) versus the DTG + FTC/TDF (45.2%) and EFV/FTC/TDF (34.2%) arms. CONCLUSIONS: Antepartum weight gain on DTG regimens was protective against adverse pregnancy outcomes typically associated with insufficient weight gain, supportive of guidelines recommending DTG-based ART for women starting ART during pregnancy. Interventions to mitigate postpartum weight gain are needed.

Infants Receiving Very Early Antiretroviral Therapy Have High CD4 Counts in the First Year of Life.

We followed 54 infants with in utero HIV after initiating very early antiretroviral treatment. At weeks 24 and 48, ≥80% had CD4 ≥1500 cells/mm3 and CD4% ≥25%. Routine Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis in the first year of life may not be necessary for all very early treated infants. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02140255.

Prevalence of neurotoxicity symptoms among postpartum women on isoniazid preventive therapy and efavirenz-based treatment for HIV: an exploratory objective of the IMPAACT P1078 randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: This exploratory analysis investigates the prevalence and risk factors of neurocognitive toxicity in postpartum women on HIV treatment in response to a concern of an Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT)/Efavirenz interaction. TRIAL DESIGN: Pregnant women on HIV treatment from countries with high TB prevalence were randomized in IMPAACT P1078 to 28 weeks of IPT started either during pregnancy or at 12 weeks postpartum. Partway through study implementation, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9, the cognitive complaint questionnaire, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index were added to evaluate depression, cognitive function, and sleep quality at postpartum weeks. Screening for peripheral neuropathy was conducted throughout the study. METHODS: We summarized percentages of women with depression symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, poor sleep quality and peripheral neuropathy and assessed the association of 11 baseline risk factors of neurotoxicity using logistic regression, adjusted for gestational age stratum. RESULTS: Of 956 women enrolled, 749 (78%) had at least one neurocognitive evaluation. During the postpartum period, the percentage of women reporting at least mild depression symptoms, cognitive complaint and poor sleep quality peaked at 13%, 8% and 10%, respectively, at 12 weeks, and the percentage of women reporting peripheral neuropathy peaked at 13% at 24 weeks. There was no evidence of study arm differences in odds of all four neurotoxic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Timing of IPT initiation and EFV use were not associated with symptoms of neurotoxicity. Further study is advised to formally assess risk factors of neurotoxicity.

Evaluation of Recombinant Live-Attenuated Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccines RSV/ΔNS2/Δ1313/I1314L and RSV/276 in RSV-Seronegative Children.

BACKGROUND: This United States-based study compared 2 candidate vaccines: RSV/ΔNS2/Δ1313/I1314L, attenuated by NS2 gene-deletion and temperature-sensitivity mutation in the polymerase gene; and RSV/276, attenuated by M2-2 deletion. METHODS: RSV-seronegative children aged 6-24 months received RSV/ΔNS2/Δ1313/I1314L (106 plaque-forming units [PFU]), RSV/276 (105 PFU), or placebo intranasally. Participants were monitored for vaccine shedding, reactogenicity, and RSV serum antibodies, and followed over the subsequent RSV season. RESULTS: Enrollment occurred September 2017 to October 2019. During 28 days postinoculation, upper respiratory illness and/or fever occurred in 64% of RSV/ΔNS2/Δ1313/I1314L, 84% of RSV/276, and 58% of placebo recipients. Symptoms were generally mild. Cough was more common in RSV/276 recipients than RSV/ΔNS2/Δ1313/I1314L (48% vs 12%; P = .012) or placebo recipients (17%; P = .084). There were no lower respiratory illness or serious adverse events. Eighty-eight and 96% of RSV/ΔNS2/Δ1313/I1314L and RSV/276 recipients were infected with vaccine (shed vaccine and/or had ≥4-fold rises in RSV antibodies). Serum RSV-neutralizing titers and anti-RSV F IgG titers increased ≥4-fold in 60% and 92% of RSV/ΔNS2/Δ1313/I1314L and RSV/276 vaccinees, respectively. Exposure to community RSV during the subsequent winter was associated with strong anamnestic RSV-antibody responses. CONCLUSIONS: Both vaccines had excellent infectivity and were well tolerated. RSV/276 induced an excess of mild cough. Both vaccines were immunogenic and primed for strong anamnestic responses. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT03227029 and NCT03422237.

Efficacy and safety of dolutegravir with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate HIV antiretroviral therapy regimens started in pregnancy (IMPAACT 2010/VESTED): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy is important for both maternal health and prevention of perinatal HIV-1 transmission; however adequate data on the safety and efficacy of different ART regimens that are likely to be used by pregnant women are scarce. In this trial we compared the safety and efficacy of three antiretroviral regimens started in pregnancy: dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate; dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate; and efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. METHODS: This multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled, phase 3 trial was done at 22 clinical research sites in nine countries (Botswana, Brazil, India, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, the USA, and Zimbabwe). Pregnant women (aged ≥18 years) with confirmed HIV-1 infection and at 14-28 weeks' gestation were eligible. Women who had previously taken antiretrovirals in the past were excluded (up to 14 days of ART during the current pregnancy was permitted), as were women known to be pregnant with multiple fetuses, or those with known fetal anomaly or a history of psychiatric illness. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) using a central computerised randomisation system. Randomisation was done using permuted blocks (size six) stratified by gestational age (14-18, 19-23, and 24-28 weeks' gestation) and country. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either once-daily oral dolutegravir 50 mg, and once-daily oral fixed-dose combination emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate 25 mg; once-daily oral dolutegravir 50 mg, and once-daily oral fixed-dose combination emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg; or once-daily oral fixed-dose combination of efavirenz 600 mg, emtricitabine 200 mg, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of participants with viral suppression, defined as an HIV-1 RNA concentration of less than 200 copies per mL, at or within 14 days of delivery, assessed in all participants with an HIV-1 RNA result available from the delivery visit, with a prespecified non-inferiority margin of -10% in the combined dolutegravir-containing groups versus the efavirenz-containing group (superiority was tested in a pre-planned secondary analysis). Primary safety outcomes, compared pairwise among treatment groups, were the occurrence of a composite adverse pregnancy outcome (ie, either preterm delivery, the infant being born small for gestational age, stillbirth, or spontaneous abortion) in all participants with a pregnancy outcome, and the occurrence of grade 3 or higher maternal and infant adverse events in all randomised participants. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03048422. FINDINGS: Between Jan 19, 2018, and Feb 8, 2019, we enrolled and randomly assigned 643 pregnant women: 217 to the dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate group, 215 to the dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group, and 211 to the efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group. At enrolment, median gestational age was 21·9 weeks (IQR 18·3-25·3), the median HIV-1 RNA concentration among participants was 902·5 copies per mL (152·0-5182·5; 181 [28%] of 643 participants had HIV-1 RNA concentrations of <200 copies per mL), and the median CD4 count was 466 cells per µL (308-624). HIV-1 RNA concentrations at delivery were available for 605 (94%) participants. Of these, 395 (98%) of 405 participants in the combined dolutegravir-containing groups had viral suppression at delivery compared with 182 (91%) of 200 participants in the efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group (estimated difference 6·5% [95% CI 2·0 to 10·7], p=0·0052; excluding the non-inferiority margin of -10%). Significantly fewer participants in the dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate group (52 [24%] of 216) had a composite adverse pregnancy outcome than those in the dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group (70 [33%] of 213; estimated difference -8·8% [95% CI -17·3 to -0·3], p=0·043) or the efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group (69 [33%] of 211; -8·6% [-17·1 to -0·1], p=0·047). The proportion of participants or infants with grade 3 or higher adverse events did not differ among the three groups. The proportion of participants who had a preterm delivery was significantly lower in the dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate group (12 [6%] of 208) than in the efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group (25 [12%] of 207; -6·3% [-11·8 to -0·9], p=0·023). Neonatal mortality was significantly higher in the efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group (ten [5%] of 207 infants) than in the dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate group (two [1%] of 208; p=0·019) or the dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group (three [2%] of 202; p=0·050). INTERPRETATION: When started in pregnancy, dolutegravir-containing regimens had superior virological efficacy at delivery compared with the efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate regimen. The dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate regimen had the lowest frequency of composite adverse pregnancy outcomes and of neonatal deaths. FUNDING: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Institute of Mental Health.

Isoniazid Preventive Therapy in HIV-Infected Pregnant and Postpartum Women.

BACKGROUND: The safety, efficacy, and appropriate timing of isoniazid therapy to prevent tuberculosis in pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who are receiving antiretroviral therapy are unknown. METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, noninferiority trial, we randomly assigned pregnant women with HIV infection to receive isoniazid preventive therapy for 28 weeks, initiated either during pregnancy (immediate group) or at week 12 after delivery (deferred group). Mothers and infants were followed through week 48 after delivery. The primary outcome was a composite of treatment-related maternal adverse events of grade 3 or higher or permanent discontinuation of the trial regimen because of toxic effects. The noninferiority margin was an upper boundary of the 95% confidence interval for the between-group difference in the rate of the primary outcome of less than 5 events per 100 person-years. RESULTS: A total of 956 women were enrolled. A primary outcome event occurred in 72 of 477 women (15.1%) in the immediate group and in 73 of 479 (15.2%) in the deferred group (incidence rate, 15.03 and 14.93 events per 100 person-years, respectively; rate difference, 0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], -4.77 to 4.98, which met the criterion for noninferiority). Two women in the immediate group and 4 women in the deferred group died (incidence rate, 0.40 and 0.78 per 100 person-years, respectively; rate difference, -0.39; 95% CI, -1.33 to 0.56); all deaths occurred during the postpartum period, and 4 were from liver failure (2 of the women who died from liver failure had received isoniazid [1 in each group]). Tuberculosis developed in 6 women (3 in each group); the incidence rate was 0.60 per 100 person-years in the immediate group and 0.59 per 100 person-years in the deferred group (rate difference, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.94 to 0.96). There was a higher incidence in the immediate group than in the deferred group of an event included in the composite adverse pregnancy outcome (stillbirth or spontaneous abortion, low birth weight in an infant, preterm delivery, or congenital anomalies in an infant) (23.6% vs. 17.0%; difference, 6.7 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.8 to 11.9). CONCLUSIONS: The risks associated with initiation of isoniazid preventive therapy during pregnancy appeared to be greater than those associated with initiation of therapy during the postpartum period. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; IMPAACT P1078 TB APPRISE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01494038.).

Using a Composite Maternal-Infant Outcome Measure in Tuberculosis-Prevention Studies Among Pregnant Women.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB-)-preventive therapy (TPT) among pregnant women reduces risk of TB in mothers and infants, but timing of initiation should consider potential adverse effects. We propose an analytical approach to evaluate the risk-benefit of interventions. METHODS: A novel outcome measure that prioritizes maternal and infant events was developed with a 2-stage Delphi survey, where a panel of stakeholders assigned scores from 0 (best) to 100 (worst) based on perceived desirability. Using data from TB APPRISE, a trial among pregnant women living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLWH) that randomized the timing of initiation of isoniazid, antepartum versus postpartum, was evaluated. RESULTS: The composite outcome scoring/ranking system categorized mother-infant paired outcomes into 8 groups assigned identical median scores by stakeholders. Maternal/infant TB and nonsevere adverse pregnancy outcomes were assigned similar scores. Mean (SD) composite outcome scores were 43.7 (33.0) and 41.2 (33.7) in the antepartum and postpartum TPT initiation arms, respectively. However, a modifying effect of baseline antiretroviral regimen was detected (P = .049). When women received nevirapine, composite scores were higher (worse outcomes) in the antepartum versus postpartum arms (adjusted difference, 14.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4-26.2; P = .02), whereas when women received efavirenz there was no difference by timing of TPT (adjusted difference, .62; 95% CI, -3.2-6.2; P = .53). CONCLUSIONS: For TPT, when used by otherwise healthy persons, preventing adverse events is paramount from the perspective of stakeholders. Among pregnant WLWH in high-TB-burden regions, it is important to consider the antepartum antiretroviral regimen taken when deciding when to initiate TPT. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01494038 (IMPAACT P1078).

Safety and Efficacy of Starting Antiretroviral Therapy in the First Week of Life.

BACKGROUND: Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for infants with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, few antiretroviral options are available for neonates. METHODS: The Early Infant Treatment Study in Botswana tested HIV-exposed infants within 96 hours of birth, and HIV-infected infants started nevirapine (NVP) 6 mg/kg twice daily, zidovudine (ZDV), and lamivudine (3TC) at age < 7 days. NVP trough concentrations were tested at 1 and 2 weeks. NVP was switched to ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r) at week 2, 3, 4, or 5 according to delivery gestational age. RESULTS: Forty HIV-infected infants started ART at median age 2 days (range, 1-5 days). NVP trough concentrations were highly variable and below therapeutic target (3000 ng/mL) for 50% of 2-week measurements; concentrations did not correlate with viral decline at weeks 2, 4, or 12. Two deaths unrelated to ART occurred through 24 weeks. Only 1 unscheduled treatment modification was required. Within 4 weeks of transition to LPV/r, 9 (22.5%) had transient HIV RNA increases, likely due to poor LPV/r palatability. At 12 weeks, 22 (55%) of 40 were <40 copies/mL (93% <400 copies/mL); by 24 weeks, 27 of 38 (71%) were < 40 copies/mL (84% < 400 copies/mL). HIV-1 RNA response at 12 and 24 weeks did not differ by baseline HIV RNA or other factors. CONCLUSIONS: NVP/ZDV/3TC started in the first week of life was safe and effective, even when trough NVP levels were below target. Transient viral increases occurred following transition to LPV/r, but by 12 and 24 weeks most children achieved and maintained viral suppression. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02369406.

Viral Reservoir in Early-Treated Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Children and Markers for Sustained Viral Suppression.

BACKGROUND: The impact of very early infant treatment on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoir, and markers for treatment success, require study. METHODS: The Early Infant Treatment Study (EIT) enrolled 40 children living with HIV started on antiretroviral treatment (ART) at <7 days of age, with 23 who had started treatment between 30-365 days to serve as controls. Quantitative HIV DNA was evaluated every 1-3 months in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. 84-week repeat qualitative whole blood DNA polymerase chain reaction and dual enzyme immunosorbent assay were performed. RESULTS: Median quantitative cell-associated DNA after at least 84 weeks was significantly lower among the first 27 EIT children tested than among 10 controls (40.8 vs 981.4 copies/million cells; P < .001) and correlated with pre-ART DNA. Median DNA after 84 weeks did not differ significantly by negative or positive serostatus at 84 weeks (P = .94), and appeared unaffected by periods of unsuppressed plasma RNA from 24-84 weeks (P = .70). However, negative 84-week serostatus was 67% predictive for sustained RNA suppression, and positive serostatus was 100% predictive for viremia. Loss of qualitative DNA positivity at 84 weeks was 73% predictive for sustained suppression, and persistent positivity was 77% predictive for viremia. CONCLUSIONS: Lower viral reservoir was associated with starting ART at <1 week. Negative serostatus and qualitative DNA were useful markers of sustained viral suppression from 24-84 weeks.

Individual and Composite Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in a Randomized Trial on Isoniazid Preventative Therapy Among Women Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

BACKGROUND: International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) P1078, a randomized noninferiority study designed to compare the safety of starting isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) in women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) either during pregnancy or after delivery, showed that IPT during pregnancy increased the risk of composite adverse pregnancy outcomes, but not individual outcomes. Many known factors are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes: these factors' associations and effect modifications with IPT and pregnancy outcomes were examined. METHODS: Pregnant women living with HIV from 8 countries with tuberculosis incidences >60/100 000 were randomly assigned to initiate 28 weeks of IPT either during pregnancy or at 12 weeks after delivery. Using univariable and multivariable logistic regression and adjusting for factors associated with pregnancy outcomes, composite and individual adverse pregnancy outcome measures were analyzed. RESULTS: This secondary analysis included 925 mother-infant pairs. All mothers were receiving antiretrovirals. The adjusted odds of fetal demise, preterm delivery (PTD), low birth weight (LBW), or a congenital anomaly (composite outcome 1) were 1.63 times higher among women on immediate compared to deferred IPT (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-2.31). The odds of fetal demise, PTD, LBW, or neonatal death within 28 days (composite outcome 2) were 1.62 times higher among women on immediate IPT (95% CI, 1.14-2.30). The odds of early neonatal death within 7 days, fetal demise, PTD, or LBW (composite outcome 3) were 1.74 times higher among women on immediate IPT (95% CI, 1.22-2.49). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed higher risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with the initiation of IPT during pregnancy, after adjusting for known risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Live-Attenuated Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine With M2-2 Deletion and With Small Hydrophobic Noncoding Region Is Highly Immunogenic in Children.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading viral cause of severe pediatric respiratory illness, and vaccines are needed. Live RSV vaccine D46/NS2/N/ΔM2-2-HindIII, attenuated by deletion of the RSV RNA regulatory protein M2-2, is based on previous candidate LID/ΔM2-2 but incorporates prominent differences from MEDI/ΔM2-2, which was more restricted in replication in phase 1. METHODS: RSV-seronegative children aged 6-24 months received 1 intranasal dose (105 plaque-forming units [PFUs] of D46/NS2/N/ΔM2-2-HindIII [n = 21] or placebo [n = 11]) and were monitored for vaccine shedding, reactogenicity, RSV-antibody responses and RSV-associated medically attended acute respiratory illness (RSV-MAARI) and antibody responses during the following RSV season. RESULTS: All 21 vaccinees were infected with vaccine; 20 (95%) shed vaccine (median peak titer, 3.5 log10 PFUs/mL with immunoplaque assay and 6.1 log10 copies/mL with polymerase chain reaction). Serum RSV-neutralizing antibodies and anti-RSV fusion immunoglobulin G increased ≥4-fold in 95% and 100% of vaccines, respectively. Mild upper respiratory tract symptoms and/or fever occurred in vaccinees (76%) and placebo recipients (18%). Over the RSV season, RSV-MAARI occurred in 2 vaccinees and 4 placebo recipients. Three vaccinees had ≥4-fold increases in serum RSV-neutralizing antibody titers after the RSV season without RSV-MAARI. CONCLUSIONS: D46/NS2/N/ΔM2-2-HindIII had excellent infectivity and immunogenicity and primed vaccine recipients for anamnestic responses, encouraging further evaluation of this attenuation strategy. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT03102034 and NCT03099291.

African Multi-Site 2-Year Neuropsychological Study of School-Age Children Perinatally Infected, Exposed, and Unexposed to Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

BACKGROUND: Children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at neuropsychological risk for cognitive and motor dysfunction. However, few prospective, multi-site studies have evaluated neuropsychological outcomes longitudinally among perinatally infected African children who received early antiretroviral treatment (ART). METHODS: We enrolled 611 children aged 5 to 11 years at 6 sites (South Africa [3], Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda). Of these, there were 246 children living with HIV (HIV+) who were initiated on ART before 3 years of age in a prior clinical trial comparing nevirapine to lopinavir/ritonavir (International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Clinical Trials [IMPAACT] P1060); 183 age-matched, exposed but uninfected (HEU) children; and 182 unexposed and uninfected (HUU) children. They were compared across 3 assessment time points (Weeks 0, 48, and 96) on cognitive ability (Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, second edition [KABC-II]), attention/impulsivity (Tests of Variables of Attention [TOVA]), motor proficiency (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test, second edition [BOT-2]), and on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). The cohorts were compared using linear mixed models, adjusting for site, child's age and sex, and selected personal/family control variables. RESULTS: The HIV+ cohort performed significantly worse than the HEU and HUU cohorts for all KABC-II, TOVA, and BOT-2 performance outcomes across all 3 time points (P values < .001). The HUU and HEU cohorts were comparable. For the KABC-II planning/reasoning subtests, the HIV+ children showed less improvement over time than the HUU and HEU groups. The groups did not differ significantly on the BRIEF. CONCLUSIONS: Despite initiation of ART in early childhood and good viral suppression at the time of enrollment, the HIV+ group had poorer neuropsychological performance over time, with the gap progressively worsening in planning/reasoning. This can be debilitating for self-management in adolescence.

Toward Earlier Inclusion of Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Tuberculosis Drug Trials: Consensus Statements From an International Expert Panel.

Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in women of childbearing age (15-44 years). Despite increased tuberculosis risk during pregnancy, optimal clinical treatment remains unclear: safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic data for many tuberculosis drugs are lacking, and trials of promising new tuberculosis drugs exclude pregnant women. To advance inclusion of pregnant and postpartum women in tuberculosis drug trials, the US National Institutes of Health convened an international expert panel. Discussions generated consensus statements (>75% agreement among panelists) identifying high-priority research areas during pregnancy, including: (1) preventing progression of latent tuberculosis infection, especially in women coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus; (2) evaluating new agents/regimens for treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; and (3) evaluating safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of tuberculosis drugs already in use during pregnancy and postpartum. Incorporating pregnant women into clinical trials would extend evidence-based tuberculosis prevention and treatment standards to this special population.

Clinical Case Definitions for Classification of Intrathoracic Tuberculosis in Children: An Update.

Consensus case definitions for childhood tuberculosis have been proposed by an international expert panel, aiming to standardize the reporting of cases in research focusing on the diagnosis of intrathoracic tuberculosis in children. These definitions are intended for tuberculosis diagnostic evaluation studies of symptomatic children with clinical suspicion of intrathoracic tuberculosis, and were not intended to predefine inclusion criteria into such studies. Feedback from researchers suggested that further clarification was required and that these case definitions could be further improved. Particular concerns were the perceived complexity and overlap of some case definitions, as well as the potential exclusion of children with acute onset of symptoms or less severe disease. The updated case definitions proposed here incorporate a number of key changes that aim to reduce complexity and improve research performance, while maintaining the original focus on symptomatic children suspected of having intrathoracic tuberculosis. The changes proposed should enhance harmonized classification for intrathoracic tuberculosis disease in children across studies, resulting in greater comparability and the much-needed ability to pool study results.

Nevirapine versus ritonavir-boosted lopinavir for HIV-infected children.

BACKGROUND: Nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy is the predominant (and often the only) regimen available for children in resource-limited settings. Nevirapine resistance after exposure to the drug for prevention of maternal-to-child human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission is common, a problem that has led to the recommendation of ritonavir-boosted lopinavir in such settings. Regardless of whether there has been prior exposure to nevirapine, the performance of nevirapine versus ritonavir-boosted lopinavir in young children has not been rigorously established. METHODS: In a randomized trial conducted in six African countries and India, we compared the initiation of HIV treatment with zidovudine, lamivudine, and either nevirapine or ritonavir-boosted lopinavir in HIV-infected children 2 to 36 months of age who had no prior exposure to nevirapine. The primary end point was virologic failure or discontinuation of treatment by study week 24. RESULTS: A total of 288 children were enrolled; the median percentage of CD4+ T cells was 15%, and the median plasma HIV type 1 (HIV-1) RNA level was 5.7 log(10) copies per milliliter. The percentage of children who reached the primary end point was significantly higher in the nevirapine group than in the ritonavir-boosted lopinavir group (40.8% vs. 19.3%; P<0.001). Among the nevirapine-treated children with virologic failure for whom data on resistance were available, more than half (19 of 32) had resistance at the time of virologic failure. In addition, the time to a protocol-defined toxicity end point was shorter in the nevirapine group (P=0.04), as was the time to death (P=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes were superior with ritonavir-boosted lopinavir among young children with no prior exposure to nevirapine. Factors that may have contributed to the suboptimal results with nevirapine include elevated viral load at baseline, selection for nevirapine resistance, background regimen of nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, and the standard ramp-up dosing strategy. The results of this trial present policymakers with difficult choices. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and others; P1060 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00307151.).

Early time-limited antiretroviral therapy versus deferred therapy in South African infants infected with HIV: results from the children with HIV early antiretroviral (CHER) randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Interim results from the children with HIV early antiretroviral (CHER) trial showed that early antiretroviral therapy (ART) was life-saving for infants infected with HIV. In view of the few treatment options and the potential toxicity associated with lifelong ART, in the CHER trial we compared early time-limited ART with deferred ART. METHODS: CHER was an open-label randomised controlled trial of HIV-infected asymptomatic infants younger than 12 weeks in two South African trial sites with a percentage of CD4-positive T lymphocytes (CD4%) of 25% or higher. 377 infants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: deferred ART (ART-Def), immediate ART for 40 weeks (ART-40W), or immediate ART for 96 weeks (ART-96W), with subsequent treatment interruption. The randomisation schedule was stratified by clinical site with permuted blocks of random sizes to balance the numbers of infants allocated to each group. Criteria for ART initiation in the ART-Def group and re-initiation after interruption in the other groups were CD4% less than 25% in infancy; otherwise, the criteria were CD4% less than 20% or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention severe stage B or stage C disease. Combination therapy of lopinavir-ritonavir, zidovudine, and lamivudine was the first-line treatment regimen at ART initiation and re-initiation. The primary endpoint was time to failure of first-line ART (immunological, clinical, or virological) or death. Comparisons were done by intention-to-treat analysis, with use of time-to-event methods. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00102960. FINDINGS: 377 infants were enrolled, with a median age of 7·4 weeks, CD4% of 35%, and HIV RNA log 5·7 copies per mL. Median follow-up was 4·8 years; 34 infants (9%) were lost to follow-up. Median time to ART initiation in the ART-Def group was 20 weeks (IQR 16-25). Time to restarting of ART after interruption was 33 weeks (26-45) in ART-40W and 70 weeks (35-109) in ART-96W; at the end of the trial, 19% of patients in ART-40W and 32% of patients in ART-96W remained off ART. Proportions of follow-up time spent on ART were 81% in the ART-Def group, 70% in the ART-40W group, and 69% in the ART-96W group. 48 (38%) of 125 children in the ART-Def group, 32 (25%) of 126 in the ART-40W group, and 26 (21%) of 126 in the ART-96W group reached the primary endpoint. The hazard ratio, relative to ART-Def, was 0·59 (95% CI 0·38-0·93, p=0·02) for ART-40W and 0·47 (0·27-0·76, p=0·002) for ART-96W. Three children in ART-Def, three in ART-40W, and one in ART-96W switched to second-line ART. INTERPRETATION: Early time-limited ART had better clinical and immunological outcomes than deferred ART, with no evidence of excess disease progression during subsequent treatment interruption and less overall ART exposure than deferred ART. Longer time on primary ART permits longer subsequent interruption, with marginally better outcomes. FUNDING: US National Institutes of Health.

Primary isoniazid prophylaxis against tuberculosis in HIV-exposed children.

BACKGROUND: The dual epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis is a major cause of sickness and death in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of preexposure isoniazid prophylaxis against tuberculosis in HIV-infected children and uninfected children exposed to HIV during the perinatal period. METHODS: We randomly assigned 548 HIV-infected and 804 HIV-uninfected infants (91 to 120 days of age) to isoniazid (10 to 20 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) or matching placebo for 96 weeks. All patients received bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination against tuberculosis within 30 days after birth. HIV-infected children had access to antiretroviral therapy. The primary outcome measures were tuberculosis disease and death in HIV-infected children and latent tuberculosis infection, tuberculosis disease, and death in HIV-uninfected children within 96 to 108 weeks after randomization. RESULTS: Antiretroviral therapy was initiated in 98.9% of HIV-infected children during the study. Among HIV-infected children, protocol-defined tuberculosis or death occurred in 52 children (19.0%) in the isoniazid group and 53 (19.3%) in the placebo group (P=0.93). Among HIV-uninfected children, there was no significant difference in the combined incidence of tuberculosis infection, tuberculosis disease, or death between the isoniazid group (39 children, 10%) and the placebo group (45 children, 11%; P=0.44). The rate of tuberculosis was 121 cases per 1000 child-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 95 to 153) among HIV-infected children as compared with 41 per 1000 child-years (95% CI, 31 to 52) among HIV-uninfected children. There were no significant differences in clinical or severe laboratory toxic effects between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Primary isoniazid prophylaxis did not improve tuberculosis-disease-free survival among HIV-infected children or tuberculosis-infection-free survival among HIV-uninfected children immunized with BCG vaccine. Despite access to antiretroviral therapy, the burden of tuberculosis remained high among HIV-infected children. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and Secure the Future; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00080119.).

HIV-1 reservoir size after neonatal antiretroviral therapy and the potential to evaluate antiretroviral-therapy-free remission (IMPAACT P1115): a phase 1/2 proof-of-concept study.

BACKGROUND: Infants born with HIV-1 require lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). We aimed to assess whether very early ART in neonates might restrict HIV-1 reservoirs, an important step towards ART-free remission. METHODS: IMPAACT P1115 is an ongoing, phase 1/2, proof-of-concept study in which infants were enrolled at 30 research clinics in 11 countries (Brazil, Haiti, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, the USA, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) into two cohorts. Infants at least 34 weeks' gestational age at high risk for in-utero HIV-1 with either untreated maternal HIV-1 (cohort 1) or who were receiving pre-emptive triple antiretroviral prophylaxis outside of the study (maternal ART permissible; cohort 2) were included. All infants initiated treatment within 48 h of life. Cohort 1 initiated three-drug nevirapine-based ART, and cohort 2 initiated three-drug nevirapine-based prophylaxis then three-drug nevirapine-based ART following HIV diagnosis by age 10 days. We added twice-daily coformulated oral ritonavir 75 mg/m2 and lopinavir 300 mg/m2 from 14 days of life and 42 weeks postmenstrual age. We discontinued nevirapine 12 weeks after two consecutive plasma HIV-1 RNA levels below limit of detection. We tracked virological suppression, safety outcomes, and meeting a predetermined biomarker profile at age 2 years (undetectable RNA since week 48, HIV-1 antibody-negative, HIV-1 DNA not detected, and normal CD4 count and CD4 percentage) to assess qualification for analytical treatment interruption. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02140255. FINDINGS: Between Jan 23, 2015, and Dec 14, 2017, 440 infants were included in cohort 1 and 20 were included in cohort 2. 54 of these infants (34 from cohort 1 and 20 from cohort 2) had confirmed in-utero HIV-1 and were enrolled to receive study ART. 33 (61%) of 54 infants were female and 21 (39%) were male. The estimated probability of maintaining undetectable plasma RNA through to 2 years was 33% (95% CI 17-49) in cohort 1 and 57% (28-78) in cohort 2. Among infants maintaining protocol-defined virological control criteria through to study week 108, seven of 11 (64%, 95% CI 31-89) in cohort 1 and five of seven (71%, 29-96) in cohort 2 had no detected HIV-1 DNA. Ten of 12 (83%, 52-100) in cohort 1 and all seven (100%, 59-100) in cohort 2 tested HIV-1 antibody-negative at week 108. Among 54 infants initiated on very early ART, ten (19%; six in cohort 1 and four in cohort 2) met all criteria for possible analytical treatment interruption. Reversible grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 15 (44%) of 34 infants in cohort 1 and seven (35%) of 20 infants in cohort 2. INTERPRETATION: Very early ART for in-utero HIV-1 can achieve sustained virological suppression in association with biomarkers indicating restricted HIV-1 reservoirs by age 2 years, which might enable potential ART-free remission. FUNDING: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Institute of Mental Health.

Antiretroviral treatment for children with peripartum nevirapine exposure.

BACKGROUND: Single-dose nevirapine is the cornerstone of the regimen for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in resource-limited settings, but nevirapine frequently selects for resistant virus in mothers and children who become infected despite prophylaxis. The optimal antiretroviral treatment strategy for children who have had prior exposure to single-dose nevirapine is unknown. METHODS: We conducted a randomized trial of initial therapy with zidovudine and lamivudine plus either nevirapine or ritonavir-boosted lopinavir in HIV-infected children 6 to 36 months of age, in six African countries, who qualified for treatment according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Results are reported for the cohort that included children exposed to single-dose nevirapine prophylaxis. The primary end point was virologic failure or discontinuation of treatment by study week 24. Enrollment in this cohort was terminated early on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring board. RESULTS: A total of 164 children were enrolled. The median percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes was 19%; a total of 56% of the children had WHO stage 3 or 4 disease. More children in the nevirapine group than in the ritonavir-boosted lopinavir group reached a primary end point (39.6% vs. 21.7%; weighted difference, 18.6 percentage-points; 95% confidence interval, 3.7 to 33.6; nominal P=0.02). Baseline resistance to nevirapine was detected in 18 of 148 children (12%) and was predictive of treatment failure. No significant between-group differences were seen in the rate of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among children with prior exposure to single-dose nevirapine for perinatal prevention of HIV transmission, antiretroviral treatment consisting of zidovudine and lamivudine plus ritonavir-boosted lopinavir resulted in better outcomes than did treatment with zidovudine and lamivudine plus nevirapine. Since nevirapine is used for both treatment and perinatal prevention of HIV infection in resource-limited settings, alternative strategies for the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child, as well as for the treatment of HIV infection, are urgently required. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00307151.).