Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus in antenatal care and maternity services, Mozambique.

OBJECTIVE: To pilot an intervention on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in an antenatal care and maternity unit in Maputo, Mozambique, during 2017-2019. METHODS: We included HBV in the existing screening programme (for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis) for pregnant women at their first consultation, and followed mother-child dyads until 9 months after delivery. We referred women who tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for further tests, including hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV viral load. According to the results, we proposed tenofovir for their own health or for PMTCT. We administered birth-dose HBV vaccine and assessed infant HBV status at 9 months. FINDINGS: Of 6775 screened women, 270 (4.0%) were HBsAg positive; in those for whom data were available, 24/265 (9.1%) were HBeAg positive and 14/267 (5.2%) had a viral load of > 200 000 IU/mL. Ninety-eight (36.3%) HBsAg-positive women were HIV coinfected, 97 of whom were receiving antiretroviral treatment with tenofovir. Among HIV-negative women, four had an indication for tenofovir treatment and four for tenofovir PMTCT. Of 217 exposed liveborn babies, 181 (83.4%) received birth-dose HBV vaccine, 160 (88.4%) of these < 24 hours after birth. At the 9-month follow-up, only one out of the 134 tested infants was HBV positive. CONCLUSION: Our nurse-led intervention highlights the feasibility of integrating PMTCT of HBV into existing antenatal care departments, essential for the implementation of the triple elimination initiative. Universal birth-dose vaccination is key to achieving HBV elimination.

Implementation of fixed-dose combination therapy for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among Syrian refugees in Lebanon: a qualitative evaluation.

BACKGROUND: We report findings of a qualitative evaluation of fixed-dose combination therapy for patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) attending Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinics in Lebanon. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and humanitarian actors are increasingly faced with the challenge of providing care for chronic diseases such as ASCVD in settings where health systems are disrupted. Secondary prevention strategies, involving 3-5 medications, are known to be effective for patients at risk of heart attack or stroke, but supply and adherence are challenging in humanitarian settings. Fixed dose combination therapy, combining two or more medications in one tablet, may be a strategy to address this. METHODS: The evaluation was nested within a prospective mixed-methods study in which eligible ASCVD patients were followed for 1 year during (i) 6 months of usual care then (ii) 6 months of fixed dose combination (FDC) therapy. After 1 year, we conducted in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of patients, MSF staff and external stakeholders. Interviews focused on acceptability and sustainability of the fixed dose therapy intervention. Interview data were analysed thematically, informed by thea Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Additional attention was paid to non-typical cases in order to test and strengthen analysis. RESULTS: Patients and health care providers were positive about the FDC intervention. For patients, acceptability was related to ease of treatment and trust in MSF staff, while, for staff, it was related to perceived improvements in adherence, having a good understanding of the medication and its use, and fitting well with their priorities for patient's wellbeing. External stakeholders were less familiar with FDC therapy. While external clinicals expressed concerns about treatment inflexibility, non-clinician stakeholder interviews suggested that cost-effectiveness would have a major influence on FDC therapy acceptability. Sustainability was tied to the future role of MSF care provision and coherence with the local health system. CONCLUSIONS: For patients and clinic staff, FDC was an acceptable treatment approach for secondary prevention of ASCVD disease in two MSF clinics in Lebanon. Sustainability is more complex and calls for better alignment of care with public systems.

Treatment Outcomes of Patients Switching From an Injectable Drug to Bedaquiline During Short Standardized Treatment for Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in Mozambique.

Bedaquiline was recommended by the World Health Organization as the preferred option in treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) with long regimens. However, no recommendation was given for the short MDR-TB regimen. Data from our small cohort of patients who switched from injectable drug to bedaquiline suggest that a bedaquiline-based short regimen is effective and safe.

Diagnostic value of the urine lipoarabinomannan assay in HIV-positive, ambulatory patients with CD4 below 200 cells/µl in 2 low-resource settings: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend the use of the lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan assay (LAM) in HIV-positive, ambulatory patients with signs and symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) only if they are seriously ill or have CD4 count ≤ 100 cells/µl. We assessed the diagnostic yield of including LAM in TB diagnostic algorithms in HIV-positive, ambulatory patients with CD4 < 200 cells/µl, as well as the risk of mortality in LAM-positive patients who were not diagnosed using other diagnostic tools and not treated for TB. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a prospective observational study including HIV-positive adult patients with signs and symptoms of TB and CD4 < 200 cells/µl attending 6 health facilities in Malawi and Mozambique. Patients were included consecutively from 18 September 2015 to 27 October 2016 in Malawi and from 3 December 2014 to 22 August 2016 in Mozambique. All patients had a clinical exam and LAM, chest X-ray, sputum microscopy, and Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Xpert) requested. Culture in sputum was done for a subset of patients. The diagnostic yield was defined as the proportion of patients with a positive assay result among those with laboratory-confirmed TB. For the 456 patients included in the study, the median age was 36 years (IQR 31-43) and the median CD4 count was 50 cells/µl (IQR 21-108). Forty-five percent (205/456) of the patients had laboratory-confirmed TB. The diagnostic yields of LAM, microscopy, and Xpert were 82.4% (169/205), 33.7% (69/205), and 40.0% (84/205), respectively. In total, 50.2% (103/205) of the patients with laboratory-confirmed TB were diagnosed only through LAM. Overall, the use of LAM in diagnostic algorithms increased the yield of algorithms with microscopy and with Xpert by 38.0% (78/205) and 34.6% (71/205), respectively, and, specifically among patients with CD4 100-199 cells/µl, by 27.5% (14/51) and 29.4% (15/51), respectively. LAM-positive patients not diagnosed through other tools and not treated for TB had a significantly higher risk of mortality than LAM-positive patients who received treatment (adjusted risk ratio 2.57, 95% CI 1.27-5.19, p = 0.009). Although the TB diagnostic conditions in the study sites were similar to those in other resource-limited settings, the added value of LAM may depend on the availability of microscopy or Xpert results. CONCLUSIONS: LAM has diagnostic value for identifying TB in HIV-positive patients with signs and symptoms of TB and advanced immunodeficiency, including those with a CD4 count of 100-199 cells/µl. In this study, the use of LAM enabled the diagnosis of TB in half of the patients with confirmed TB disease; without LAM, these patients would have been missed. The rapid identification and treatment of TB enabled by LAM may decrease overall mortality risk for these patients.

Correction: High burden of cryptococcal antigenemia and meningitis among patients presenting at an emergency department in Maputo, Mozambique.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250195.].

Fixed dose combination drugs for cardiovascular disease in a prolonged humanitarian crisis in Lebanon: an implementation study.

OBJECTIVES: This pre-post implementation study evaluated the introduction of fixed dose combination (FDC) medications for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) secondary prevention into routine care in a humanitarian setting. SETTING: Two Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) primary care clinics serving Syrian refugee and host populations in north Lebanon. PARTICIPANTS: Consenting patients ≥18 years with existing ASCVD requiring secondary prevention medication were eligible for study enrolment. Those with FDC contraindication(s) or planning to move were excluded. Of 521 enrolled patients, 460 (88.3%) were retained at 6 months, and 418 (80.2%) switched to FDC. Of these, 84% remained on FDC (n=351), 8.1% (n=34) discontinued and 7.9% (n=33) were lost to follow-up by month 12. INTERVENTIONS: Eligible patients, enrolled February-May 2019, were switched to Trinomia FDC (atorvastatin 20 mg, aspirin 100 mg, ramipril 2.5/5/10 mg) after 6 months' usual care. During the study, the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic crisis and clinic closures occurred. OUTCOME MEASURES: Descriptive and regression analyses compared key outcomes at 6 and 12 months: medication adherence, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) control. We performed per-protocol, intention-to-treat and secondary analyses of non-switchers. RESULTS: Among 385 switchers remaining at 12 months, total adherence improved 23%, from 63% (95% CI 58 to 68) at month 6, to 86% (95% CI 82 to 90) at month 12; mean non-HDL-C levels dropped 0.28 mmol/L (95% CI -0.38 to -0.18; p<0.0001), from 2.39 (95% CI 2.26 to 2.51) to 2.11 mmol/L (95% CI 2.00 to 2.22); mean SBP dropped 2.89 mm Hg (95% CI -4.49 to -1.28; p=0.0005) from 132.7 (95% CI 130.8 to 134.6) to 129.7 mm Hg (95% CI 127.9 to 131.5). Non-switchers had smaller improvements in adherence and clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Implementing an ASCVD secondary prevention FDC improved adherence and CVD risk factors in MSF clinics in Lebanon, with potential for wider implementation by humanitarian actors and host health systems.

Hepatitis C treatment program in Maputo, Mozambique, the challenge of genotypes and key populations: A 5-year retrospective analysis of routine programmatic data.

Background and Aims: Hepatitis C (HCV) programs face challenges, especially linked to key populations to achieve World Health Organization (WHO) goals of eliminating hepatitis. Médecins Sans Frontières and Mozambique's Ministry of Health first implemented HCV treatment in Maputo, in 2016 and harm reduction activities in 2017. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed routine data of patients enrolled between December 2016 and July 2021. Genotyping was systematically requested up to 2018 and subsequently in cases of treatment failure. Sustainable virological response was assessed 12 weeks after the end of treatment by sofosbuvir-daclatasvir or sofosbuvir-velpatasvir. Results: Two hundred and two patients were enrolled, with 159 (78.71%) males (median age: 41 years [interquartile range (IQR): 37.10, 47.00]). Risk factors included drug use (142/202; 70.29%). One hundred and eleven genotyping results indicated genotype 1 predominant (87/111; 78.37%). Sixteen patients presented genotype 4, with various subtypes. The people who used drugs and HIV coinfected patients were found more likely to present a genotype 1. Intention-to-treat analysis showed 68.99% (89/129) cure rate among the patients initiated and per-protocol analysis, 88.12% (89/101) cure rate. Nineteen patients received treatment integrated with opioid substitution therapy, with a 100% cure rate versus 59.37% (38/64) for initiated ones without substitution therapy (p < 0.001). Among the resistance testing performed, NS5A resistance-associated substitutions were found in seven patients among the nine tested patients and NS5B ones in one patient. Conclusion: We found varied genotypes, including some identified as difficult-to-treat subtypes. People who used drugs were more likely to present genotype 1. In addition, opioid substitution therapy was key for these patients to achieve cure. Access to second-generation direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and integration of HCV care with harm reduction are crucial to program effectiveness.

Corrigendum to "Snakebite envenoming in humanitarian crises and migration: A scoping review and the Médecins Sans Frontières experience" [Toxicon: X 13 (March 2022) 100089].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100089.].

Snakebite envenoming in humanitarian crises and migration: A scoping review and the Médecins Sans Frontières experience.

Snakebite envenoming is a public health concern in many countries affected by humanitarian crises. Its magnitude was recognized internationally but associations between snakebite peaks and humanitarian crises were never clearly established or analysed. This scoping review searched any available evidence of this hypothesized association between snakebite types of crises, through PubMed/Medline by two researchers. The search also included hand searching, and reports from humanitarian organizations working in this area. The scoping review yielded 41 results. None described a robust epidemiological link or evidence of causality. There is an evidence gap regarding our research question. Several publications however point or hint towards the occurrence of snakebite outbreaks during conflict, displacement, floods, and migration of impoverished agricultural workers. Non-systematic screening yielded another 11 publications (52 in total). We found Médecins Sans Frontières routine reports showing that 6469 patients were admitted in 2019 throughout its projects in 17 countries. The impact of snakebite was the highest in four countries particularly affected by humanitarian crises, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, and Yemen, with some hospitals receiving more than 1000 annual admissions. Time correlations with conflict and events are shown in Figures. We found no published epidemiological data formally showing any associations between humanitarian crises and snakebite incidence. However, the search publications showing peaks during crises, and monitoring curves in four countries point towards an increased risk during humanitarian crises. We call for urgent population-based studies and surveillance. Stakeholders should consider upgrading snakebite care and antivenom supply during humanitarian crises in snakebite-endemic countries.

High burden of cryptococcal antigenemia and meningitis among patients presenting at an emergency department in Maputo, Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcal meningitis is a leading cause of HIV-related mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, however, screening for cryptococcal antigenemia has not been universally implemented. As a result, data concerning cryptococcal meningitis and antigenemia are sparse, and in Mozambique, the prevalence of both are unknown. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of routinely collected data from a point-of-care cryptococcal antigen screening program at a public hospital in Maputo, Mozambique. HIV-positive patients admitted to the emergency department underwent CD4 count testing; those with pre-defined abnormal vital signs or CD4 count ≤ 200 cells/µL received cryptococcal antigen testing and lumbar punctures if indicated. Patients with CM were admitted to the hospital and treated with liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine; their 12-week outcomes were ascertained through review of medical records or telephone contact by program staff made in the routine course of service delivery. RESULTS: Among 1,795 patients screened for cryptococcal antigenemia between March 2018-March 2019, 134 (7.5%) were positive. Of patients with cryptococcal antigenemia, 96 (71.6%) were diagnosed with CM, representing 5.4% of all screened patients. Treatment outcomes were available for 87 CM patients: 24 patients (27.6%) died during induction treatment and 63 (72.4%) survived until discharge; of these, 38 (60.3%) remained in care, 9 (14.3%) died, and 16 (25.3%) were lost-to follow-up at 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia and meningitis among patients screened at an emergency department in Maputo, Mozambique. High mortality during and after induction therapy demonstrate missed opportunities for earlier detection of cryptococcal antigenemia, even as point-of-care screening and rapid assessment in an emergency room offer potential to improve outcomes.

Outcomes of AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma in Mozambique after treatment with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a common HIV-associated malignancy frequently associated with poor outcomes. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in major cities of Mozambique. Antiretroviral therapy is the cornerstone of KS treatment, but many patients require cytotoxic chemotherapy. The traditional regimen in Mozambique includes conventional doxorubicin, bleomycin and vincristine, which is poorly tolerated. In 2016, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin was introduced at a specialized outpatient center in Maputo, Mozambique. METHODS: We performed a prospective, single-arm, open-label observational study to demonstrate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of treatment with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in patients with AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS) in a low-resource setting. Chemotherapy-naïve adults with AIDS-associated KS (T1 or T0 not responding to 6 months of antiretroviral therapy) were eligible if they were willing to follow up for 2 years. Patients with Karnofsky scores < 50 or contraindications to PLD were excluded. One hundred eighty-three patients were screened and 116 participants were enrolled. Patients received PLD on three-week cycles until meeting clinical stopping criteria. Follow-up visits monitored HIV status, KS disease, side effects of chemotherapy, mental health (PHQ-9) and quality of life (SF-12). Primary outcome measures included vital status and disease status at 6, 12, and 24 months after enrollment. RESULTS: At 24 months, 23 participants (20%) had died and 15 (13%) were lost to follow-up. Baseline CD4 < 100 was associated with death (HR 2.7, 95%CI [1.2-6.2], p = 0.016), as was T1S1 disease compared to T1S0 disease (HR 2.7, 95%CI [1.1-6.4], p = 0.023). Ninety-two participants achieved complete or partial remission at any point (overall response rate 80%), including 15 (13%) who achieved complete remission. PLD was well-tolerated, and the most common AEs were neutropenia and anemia. Quality of life improved rapidly after beginning PLD. DISCUSSION: PLD was safe, well-tolerated and effective as first-line treatment of KS in Mozambique. High mortality was likely due to advanced immunosuppression at presentation, underscoring the importance of earlier screening and referral for KS.

HIV infection in Eastern and Southern Africa: Highest burden, largest challenges, greatest potential.

BACKGROUND: The burden of HIV is especially concerning for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), as despite expansion of test-and-treat programmes, this region continues to experience significant challenges resulting from high rates of morbidity, mortality and new infections. Hard-won lessons from programmes on the ground in ESA should be shared. OBJECTIVES: This report summarises relevant evidence and regional experts' recommendations regarding challenges specific to ESA. METHOD: This commentary includes an in-depth review of relevant literature, progress against global goals and consensus opinion from experts. RESULTS: Recommendations include priorities for essential research (surveillance data collection, key and vulnerable population education and testing, in-country testing trials and evidence-based support services to improve retention in care) as well as research that can accelerate progress towards the prevention of new infections and achieving ambitious global goals in ESA. CONCLUSION: The elimination of HIV in ESA will require continued investment, commitment to evidence-based programmes and persistence. Local research is critical to ensuring that responses in ESA are targeted, efficient and evaluated.

Cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected patients: a longitudinal study in Cambodia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of diagnosis of cryptococcosis among HIV-infected patients in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at programme entry, to investigate associated risk factors, and to determine the incidence of cryptococcal meningitis. METHODS: We analysed individual monitoring data from 11,970 HIV-infected adults enrolled between 1999 and 2008. We used Kaplan-Meier naïve methods to estimate survival and retention in care and multiple logistic regression to investigate associations with individual-level factors. RESULTS: Cryptococcal meningitis was diagnosed in 12.0% of the patients: 1066 at inclusion and 374 during follow-up. Incidence was 20.3 per 1000 person-years and decreased over time. At diagnosis, median age was 33 years, median CD4 cell count was 8 cells/µl, and 2.4% of patients were receiving combined antiretroviral therapy; 38.7% died and 34.6% were lost to follow-up. Of 750 patients alive and in care after 3 months of diagnosis, 85.9% received secondary cryptococcal meningitis prophylaxis and 13.7% relapsed in median 5.7 months [interquartile range 4.1-8.8] after cryptococcal meningitis diagnosis (relapse incidence=5.7 per 100 person-years; 95%CI 4.7-6.9). Cryptococcal meningitis was more common in men at programme entry (adjusted OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.67-3.00) and fell with higher levels of CD4 cell counts (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Cryptococcal meningitis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Cambodian HIV-infected patients. Our findings highlight the importance of increasing early access to HIV care and cryptococcal meningitis prophylaxis and of improving its diagnosis in resource-limited settings.

Systematic, Point-of-Care Urine Lipoarabinomannan (Alere TB-LAM) Assay for Diagnosing Tuberculosis in Severely Immunocompromised HIV-Positive Ambulatory Patients.

Point-of-care urine-lipoarabinomannan (LAM) Alere Determine TB-LAM assay has shown utility diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) in HIV-positive, severely immunocompromised, TB-symptomatic patients. We assessed LAM results in severely immunocompromised patients, who had LAM systematically performed at new or follow-up HIV consultations. This was a prospective, observational study on consecutive ambulatory, > 15-year-old HIV-positive patients with CD4 < 100 cells/µL in Mozambique. Clinical assessments and LAM were performed for all and microscopy, Xpert, sputum culture, and chest X-ray for LAM-positive participants. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Of 360 patients, half were ART-naive. Lipoarabinomannan positivity was 11.9% (43/360), higher among symptomatic patients compared with asymptomatic: 18.5% (30/162), and 6.6% (13/198), respectively, P = 0.001. Tuberculosis was bacteriologically confirmed in 6/35 LAM-positive patients (2 of them asymptomatic). Lipoarabinomannan positivity was associated with higher risk of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.3-15.6, P = 0.015). Systematic urine-LAM allows for rapid TB treatment initiation in severely immunocompromised HIV ambulatory patients and identifies patients at a higher risk of death.

Bedaquiline overdose: A case report.

We present a case report describing outcomes in a 21 year old HIV-negative man who received treatment with bedaquiline. Due to error, dosage received comprised 4 pills of 100 mg every second day in the 60 days following the first two weeks of 4 pills of 100 mg every day. On detection, treatment was continued as per standard dosing of 200 mg given three times per week, with enhanced monitoring of ECG and liver function. The man was asymptomatic, with no signs of jaundice, abdominal pain, or abnormal heart rhythm. Toxic effects at this dosage were therefore not observed.

'I saw it as a second chance': A qualitative exploration of experiences of treatment failure and regimen change among people living with HIV on second- and third-line antiretroviral therapy in Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique.

Increasing numbers of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing failure of first-line antiretroviral therapy and transitioning onto second-line regimens. However, there is a dearth of research on their treatment experiences. We conducted in-depth interviews with 43 PLHIV on second- or third-line antiretroviral therapy and 15 HIV health workers in Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique to explore patients' and health workers' perspectives on these transitions. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated into English. Data were coded inductively and analysed thematically. In all settings, experiences of treatment failure and associated episodes of ill-health disrupted daily social and economic activities, and recalled earlier fears of dying from HIV. Transitioning onto more effective regimens often represented a second (or third) chance to (re-)engage with HIV care, with patients prioritising their health over other aspects of their lives. However, many patients struggled to maintain these transformations, particularly when faced with persistent social challenges to pill-taking, alongside the burden of more complex regimens and an inability to mobilise sufficient resources to accommodate change. Efforts to identify treatment failure and support regimen change must account for these patients' unique illness and treatment histories, and interventions should incorporate tailored counselling and social and economic support.

Extremely low hepatitis C prevalence among HIV co-infected individuals in four countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

: A multicentric, retrospective case-series analysis (facility-based) in five sites across Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Uganda screened HIV-positive adults for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies using Oraquick rapid testing and viral confirmation (in three sites). The results reveal a substantially lower prevalence than previously reported for these countries, suggesting that targeted integration of HCV screening in African HIV programs may be more impactful than routine screening.

Feasibility of using Determine TB-LAM to diagnose tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients in programmatic conditions: a multisite study.

Background: Determine TB-LAM is a urine-based point-of-care assay for diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Objective: To assess the feasibility of using LAM to diagnose TB in adult HIV-positive patients in resource-limited settings. Methods: We performed a multi-centric mixed-methods cross-sectional descriptive study in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Mozambique. We used the study and program monitoring tools to estimate user workload, turn-around time (TAT), and proportion of patients with LAM and sputum-based results. We conducted semi-structured interviews to assess the user acceptability of the LAM. Results: The duration of the LAM testing activity per patient was 27 min (IQR 26-29); staff continued with other duties whilst waiting for the result. More patients had a LAM versus a sputum-based result: 168/213 (78.9%) vs 77/213 (36.1%), p < 0.001 in DRC; 691/695 (99.4%) vs 429/695 (61.7%), p < 0.001 in Malawi; and 646/647 (99.8%) vs 262/647 (40.5%), p < 0.001 in Mozambique. The median TAT in minutes when LAM was performed in the consultation room was 75 (IQR 45-188) in DRC, 29 (IQR 27-39) in Malawi, and 36 (IQR 35-41) in Mozambique. In comparison, the overall median TAT for sputum-based tests (smear or GeneXpert) was 2 (IQR 1-3) days. The median time to the first anti-TB drug dose for LAM-positive patients was 155 (IQR 90-504) minutes in DRC and 90 (IQR 60-117) minutes in Mozambique. The overall inter-reader agreement for the interpretation of the LAM result as positive or negative was 98.9%, kappa 0.97 (95%CI 0.96-0.99). Overall, LAM users found the test easy to perform. Major concerns were use of the reading card and the prior requirement of CD4 results before LAM testing. Conclusion: It is feasible to implement the LAM test in low resource settings. The short TAT permitted same day initiation of TB treatment for LAM-positive patients.

HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma in Maputo, Mozambique: outcomes in a specialized treatment center, 2010-2015.

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a common HIV-associated malignancy associated with disability, pain and poor outcomes. The cornerstone of its treatment is antiretroviral therapy, but advanced disease necessitates the addition of chemotherapy. In high-income settings, this often consists of liposomal anthracyclines, but in Mozambique, the first line includes conventional doxorubicin, bleomycin and vincristine, which is poorly-tolerated. Médecins Sans Frontières supports the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a specialized HIV and KS treatment center at the Centro de Referencia de Alto Maé in Maputo. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data collected on patients enrolled at the CRAM between 2010 and 2015, extracting routinely-collected clinical information from patient care databases. KS treatment followed national guidelines, and KS staging followed AIDS Clinical Trials Group and MOH criteria. Baseline description of the cohort and patient outcomes was performed. Risk factors for negative outcomes (death or loss to follow-up) were explored using Cox regression. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2015, 1573 patients were enrolled, and 1210 began chemotherapy. A majority were young adult males. At enrollment, CD4 was < 200 cells/µl in 45% of patients. Among patients receiving chemotherapy, 78% received combination doxorubicin-bleomycin-vincristine. Among patients receiving chemotherapy, 43% were lost to follow-up and 8% were known to have died. In multivariate regression, the only risk factors identified with poor outcomes were CD4 < 100 cells/µl at enrollment (Risk ratio 1.5, 95%CI 1.1-2.1, p = 0.02 and having S1 disease (RR 1.7, 95%CI 1.2-2.3, p = 0.001). DISCUSSION: We describe a large cohort of patients receiving care for HIV-associated KS in a specialized clinic in an urban setting. Outcomes were nonetheless unsatisfactory. Efforts should be made to decrease late referrals and entry into care and to increase access to more effective and better-tolerated treatments like liposomal doxorubicin.

Journey towards universal viral load monitoring in Maputo, Mozambique: many gaps, but encouraging signs.

Introduction: Viral load (VL) monitoring for people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is extremely challenging in resource-limited settings. We assessed the VL testing scale-up in six Médecins Sans Frontières supported health centres in Maputo, Mozambique, during 2014-15. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, routine programme data were used to describe VL testing uptake and results, and multi-variate logistical regression to estimate predictors of VL testing uptake and suppression. Results: Uptake of a first VL test was 40% (17 236/43 579). Uptake of a follow-up VL test for patients with a high first VL result was 35% (1095/3100). Factors associated with a higher uptake included: age below 15 years, longer time on ART and attending tailored service delivery platforms. Virological suppression was higher in pregnant/breastfeeding women and in community ART Group members. Patients with a high first VL result (18%; 3100/17 236) were mostly younger, had been on ART longer or had tuberculosis. Out of 1095 attending for a follow-up VL test, 678 (62%) had virological failure. Of those, less than one-third had started second line ART. Conclusion: This was the first study describing the uptake and results of VL testing scale-up in Mozambique. Identified gaps show patient and programmatic challenges. Where service delivery was customized to patient needs, VL monitoring was more successful.