Prevalence and Persistence of Varicella Antibodies in Previously Immunized Children and Youth With Perinatal HIV-1 Infection.

BACKGROUND: Two doses of live-attenuated varicella-zoster vaccine are recommended for human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-infected children with CD4% ≥ 15%. We determined the prevalence and persistence of antibody in immunized children with perinatal HIV (PHIV) and their association with number of vaccinations, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), and HIV status. METHODS: The Adolescent Master Protocol is an observational study of children with PHIV and perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (PHEU) children conducted at 15 US sites. In a cross-sectional analysis, we tested participants' most recent stored sera for varicella antibody using whole-cell and glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seropositivity predictors were identified using multivariable logistic regression models and C statistics. RESULTS: Samples were available for 432 children with PHIV and 221 PHEU children; 82% of children with PHIV and 97% of PHEU children were seropositive (P < .001). Seropositivity after 1 vaccine dose among children with PHIV and PHEU children was 100% at <3 years (both), 73% and 100% at 3-<7 years (P < .05), and 77% and 97% at ≥ 7 years (P < .01), respectively. Seropositivity among recipients of 2 vaccine doses was >94% at all intervals. Independent predictors of seropositivity among children with PHIV were receipt of 2 vaccine doses, receipt of 1 dose while on ≥ 3 months of cART, compared with none (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 14.0 and 2.8, respectively; P < .001 for overall dose effect), and in those vaccinated ≥ 3 years previously, duration of cART (aOR: 1.29 per year increase, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Humoral immune responses to varicella vaccine are best achieved when children with PHIV receive their first dose ≥ 3 months after cART initiation and maintained by completion of the 2-dose series and long-term cART use.

Antiretroviral Drug Resistance Among Children and Youth in the United States With Perinatal HIV.

Among 234 US youths with perinatal human immunodeficiency virus, 75% had antiretroviral resistance, substantially higher than that of the reference laboratory overall (36%-44%). Resistance to newer antiretrovirals and to all antiretrovirals in a class was uncommon. The only factor independently associated with future resistance was a higher peak viral load.

Pregnancy outcomes in young women with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus-1.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to review pregnancy and neonatal outcomes among perinatally infected pregnant patients at our institution. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of maternal and neonatal records for all 10 perinatally infected adolescents between 1997 and 2007 was performed. Demographics, CD4 and viral load, antiretroviral treatment, medical comorbidities, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status were abstracted. RESULTS: The median age at first pregnancy was 18.5 years and 70% were African American. The most common comorbidities were hematologic abnormalities (70%) and cervical dysplasia/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (80%). Initial median CD4 and viral load were 317 cells/mm(3) and 8780 copies/mL, respectively. The median gestational age at delivery was 38 weeks. The most common obstetrical complications were preeclampsia (23%) and premature rupture of membranes/preterm delivery (31%). The cesarean delivery (CD) rate was 62%, with HIV as the indication in 75%. All infants were born alive; 1 was HIV infected. CONCLUSION: Despite high rates of STIs, CD, preterm delivery, and hypertensive disorders, perinatal outcomes were favorable.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus-infected young adult.

Perinatally infected children represent a large proportion of the youth living with human immunodeficiency virusinfection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Because of nonadherence to treatment, an increasing number of perinatally acquired HIV-infected adolescents and young adults are showing virologic failure and immune suppression. We report a case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy secondary to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a perinatally HIV-infected young adult, occurred shortly after the revision of an antiretroviral regimen. The patient showed marked improvement with the combination of corticosteroid and antiretroviral treatment.

Immunogenicity, safety, and predictors of response after a pneumococcal conjugate and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine series in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: The immunogenicity and safety of 2 doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and 1 dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) were evaluated in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: Children 2 to <19 years, receiving stable HAART for > or =3-6 months, with HIV RNA PCR <30,000-60,000 copies/mL, received 2 doses of PCV and 1 dose of PPV at sequential 8-week intervals. Antibodies to pneumococcal serotypes (STs) 1 (PPV only) and 6B, 14, 19F, and 23F (PCV and PPV) were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-three subjects were enrolled, of whom 225 met criteria for inclusion in the primary dataset. Antibody concentrations were low at entry, despite previous PPV in 75%. After vaccination, 76%-96% had concentrations > or =0.5 microg/mL and 62-88% > or =1.0 microg/mL to the 5 STs (geometric mean concentrations [GMCs] = 1.44-4.25 microg/mL). Incremental gains in antibody concentration occurred with each vaccine dose. Predictors of response included higher antibody concentration at entry, higher immune stratum (based on nadir CD4% before HAART and CD4% at screening), lower entry viral RNA, longer duration of the entry HAART regimen, and age <7 years. Response was more consistently related to screening CD4% than nadir CD4%. Seven percent had vaccine-related grade 3 events, most of which were local reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Two PCVs and 1 PPV were immunogenic and safe in HIV-infected children 2 to <19 years who were receiving HAART. Responses were suggestive of functional immune reconstitution. Immunologic status based on nadir and, especially, current CD4% and control of HIV viremia were independent determinants of response.

Nucleoside-analogue reverse-transcriptase inhibitors plus nevirapine, nelfinavir, or ritonavir for pretreated children infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

The relative potency and tolerability of multidrug regimens used to treat infants and children infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are largely unknown. In Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group (PACTG) Protocol 377, 181 infants and children were assigned to receive stavudine (d4T) plus nevirapine (NVP) and ritonavir (RTV); d4T plus lamivudine (3TC) and nelfinavir (NFV); d4T plus NVP and NFV; or d4T plus 3TC, NVP, and NFV. Eleven additional children received d4T and NVP plus NFV given twice daily. All subjects had not previously received protease inhibitors or nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors and all had been immunologically stable while receiving reverse-transcriptase inhibitor therapy. After 48 weeks of therapy, 17 (41%) of 41 subjects receiving d4T-NVP-RTV, 13 (30%) of 44 receiving d4T-NVP-NFV, 21 (42%) of 50 receiving d4T-3TC and NFV (3 times daily), and 22 (52%) of 42 receiving d4T-3TC-NVP-NFV were still receiving their assigned therapy and had HIV-1 RNA suppression to

Sexual behaviors and procreational intentions of adolescents and young adults with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus infection: experience of an urban tertiary center.

PURPOSE: To assess sexual knowledge, behaviors, and procreational intentions of adolescents and young adults with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (PNA HIV) infection. Increasingly, children with PNA HIV infection survive to adolescence and become sexually active. Understanding their procreational intentions could aid in designing reproductive health and secondary prevention programs. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of adolescents and young adults with PNA HIV infection at an urban tertiary center was conducted. From June 2003 through September 2004, participants completed a questionnaire that inquired about their sexual knowledge and behaviors. Participants aware of their diagnoses also completed items regarding procreational intentions. RESULTS: Seventy-four percent (57/77) of eligible participants completed the survey. Thirty-three percent (19/57) of participants reported having had penile-vaginal intercourse, 89.4% of them after learning of their HIV status. Fifty percent (5/10) of sexually active female participants had been pregnant. Among the 50 participants who were aware of their diagnosis, 70% (n = 35) expressed intent to have children. A majority of those aware of the risk of maternal-to-child transmission (MTCT) (71.1%) expressed intent to procreate. Participants who perceived MTCT as low were more likely to express intent to procreate than those who perceived the risk of MTCT as high. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with PNA HIV infection are becoming sexually active and express intent to have children. This has important implications for secondary prevention of HIV infection. These adolescents need innovative intervention programs offering reproductive health education including procreational choices and considerations.