High efficacy of first-line ART in a West African cohort, assessed by dried blood spot virological and pharmacological measurements.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the rate of viral success in HIV-infected patients on first-line ART by the assessment of dried blood spot (DBS) viral load (VL) and to assess the performance of DBS sampling for VL measurement, genotypic resistance and antiretroviral concentration determinations. METHODS: HIV-infected patients treated for >1 year with first-line ART in Niamey, Niger were included. VL based on nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) assay (limit of quantification <800 copies/mL) was measured on DBS capillary samples. Resistance genotype was assessed for all detectable VLs (limit of detection >100 copies/mL); antiretroviral concentrations were interpreted using standard plasma cut-offs after extrapolation of blood to plasma results. Median (IQR) results are presented. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighteen patients (61% women), aged 41 (34-46) years, with 138 (56-235) CD4 cells/mm3 at baseline were included. After 4 (2-6) years of follow-up under therapy, CD4 gain was +197 (98-372) cells/mm3; 81% had VL <800 copies/mL. Antiretroviral concentrations were adequate in 87% of patients and nevirapine/efavirenz concentrations were related to viral success (P < 0.001). DBS genotypic resistance amplification succeeded in 71% of failing patients: NRTI drug resistance mutations were identified in 73% including resistance to lamivudine/emtricitabine (67%), abacavir (30%) and tenofovir (21%); and NNRTI drug resistance mutations were identified in 82% including resistance to rilpivirine (39%) and etravirine (15%). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a good response after 4 years of first-line ART in Niger. Adherence was high, according to antiretroviral concentrations, and the majority of failures were explained by selection of drug resistance mutations detected in the DBS genotype. Using DBS might improve the assessment of ART failure in HIV-infected patients in low-income countries.

Family nutritional support improves survival, immune restoration and adherence in HIV patients receiving ART in developing country.

In developing countries, access to antiretroviral treatment for persons living with HIV is still in progress. Malnutrition represents another cause of acquired immunodeficiency and premature death. This evaluation program estimated the impact of family nutritional support during the first year of antiretroviral treatment in West Africa's sub-Sahara region. Family nutritional support was proposed to patients with CD-4 cell count <200 /mm3 and/or developing a WHO stage III/IV or with body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 and receiving antiretroviral treatment. Follow-up of 62 patients receiving support was compared to 118 patients who had only received antiretroviral treatment the year before. Average body mass index, CD-4 cell count were 20.7 and 20.5, 217 and 191/mm3 respectively in supported and control groups (NS). Twenty-two (36%) and 56 (48%) were WHO stage III/IV (NS) respectively in supported and control groups. One patient who received support and twelve controls died (Mortality Ratio=0.19; p<0.05). Increase in CD-4 cell count was around 1.7 times higher (+ 114 vs. + 68 CD-4 cells/mm3 respectively in supported and control groups; p<0.05) and observance was improved in supported group (p<0.005). The evolutions of WHO stage and body mass index were not different but the study period was short. Family nutritional support for persons living with HIV initiating antiretroviral treatment in a developing country showed a positive impact after six months. This family intervention could be integrated into AIDS interventions as an effective and comprehensive community-based primary care.