Virological profile of pregnant HIV positive women with high levels of CD4 count in low income settings: Can viral load help as eligibility criteria for maternal triple ARV prophylaxis (WHO 2010 option B)?

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to determine HIV-1 RNA load profile during pregnancy and assess the eligibility for the maternal triple antiretroviral prophylaxis. It was an observational cohort of pregnant HIV positive women ignorant of antiretroviral therapy with CD4 cell count of > 350/mm(3) METHODS: Routine CD4 cell count assessment in HIV positive pregnant women completed by non exclusive measurement of the viral load by PCR /ARN in those with CD4 cell count > 350/mm(3). Exclusion criteria: highly active antiretroviral therapy prior to pregnancy. RESULTS: Between January and December 2010, CD4 cell count was systematically performed in all pregnant women diagnosed as HIV-infected (n=266) in a referral center of 25 antenatal clinics. 63% (N=170) had CD4 cell count > 350/mm(3), median: 528 (IQR: 421-625). 145 underwent measurement of viral load by PCR/RNA at a median gestational of 23 weeks of pregnancy (IQR: 19-28). Median viral load 4.4 log(10)/ml, IQR (3.5-4.9).19/145(13%) had an undetectable viral load of = 1.8 log(10)/ml. 89/145(61%) had a viral load of = 4 log(10)/ml and were eligible for maternal triple ARV prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: More than 6 in 10 pregnant HIV positive women with CD4 cell count of > 350/mm(3) may require triple antiretroviral for prophylaxis of MTCT. Regardless of cost, such results are conclusive and may be considered in HIV high burden countries for universal access to triple antiretroviral prophylaxis in order to move towards virtual elimination of HIV MTCT

Inflammatory profile of vertically HIV-1 infected adolescents receiving ART in Cameroon: a contribution toward optimal pediatric HIV control strategies

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the lifespan of people living with HIV. However, their immune system remains in a state of sustained activation/inflammation, which favors viral replication and depletion of helper T-cells with varying profiles according to ART-response. We herein sought to ascertain the inflammatory profile of adolescents living with perinatal HIV-1 infection (ALPHI) receiving ART in an African context. In this cross-sectional and comparative study among ART-experienced ALPHI in Yaoundé-Cameroon, HIV-1 RNA was measured by Abbott Real-time PCR; CD4 cells were enumerated using flow cytometry; serum cytokines were measured by ELISA; HIV-1 proviral DNA was genotyped by Sanger-sequencing; and archived drug resistance mutations (ADRMs) were interpreted using Stanford HIVdb.v9.0.1. Overall, 73 adolescents were enrolled (60 ALPHI and 13 HIV-1 negative peers) aged 15 (13-18) years; 60.00% were female. ART median duration was 92 (46-123) months; median viral load was 3.99 (3.17-4.66) RNA Log10 (copies)/mL and median CD4 count was 326 (201-654) cells/mm3. As compared to HIV-negative adolescents, TNFα was highly expressed among ALPHI (p<0.01). Following a virological response, inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ and IL-12), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) and inflammation-related cytokines (IL-6 and IL-1β) were highly expressed with viral suppression (VS) vs. virological failure (VF), while the chemokine CCL3 was highly expressed with VF (p<0.01). Regarding the immune response, the inflammatory cytokine TNFα was highly expressed in those that are immunocompetent (CD4≥500 cell/mm3) vs. immunocompromised (CD4<500 cell/mm3), p ≤ 0.01; while chemokine CCL2 was highly expressed in the immunocompromised (p<0.05). In the presence of ADRMs, IL-4 and CCL3 were highly expressed (p=0.027 and p=0.043 respectively). Among ART-experienced ALPHI in Cameroon, the TNFα cytokine was found to be an inflammatory marker of HIV infection; IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 are potential immunological markers of VS and targeting these cytokines in addition to antiretroviral drugs may improve management. Moreover, CCL3 and CCL2 are possible predictors of VF and/or being immunocompromised and could serve as surrogates of poor ART response

Inflammatory profile of vertically HIV-1 infected adolescents receiving ART in Cameroon: a contribution toward optimal pediatric HIV control strategies

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the lifespan of people living with HIV. However, their immune system remains in a state of sustained activation/inflammation, which favors viral replication and depletion of helper T-cells with varying profiles according to ART-response. We herein sought to ascertain the inflammatory profile of adolescents living with perinatal HIV-1 infection (ALPHI) receiving ART in an African context. In this cross-sectional and comparative study among ART-experienced ALPHI in Yaoundé-Cameroon, HIV-1 RNA was measured by Abbott Real-time PCR; CD4 cells were enumerated using flow cytometry; serum cytokines were measured by ELISA; HIV-1 proviral DNA was genotyped by Sanger-sequencing; and archived drug resistance mutations (ADRMs) were interpreted using Stanford HIVdb.v9.0.1. Overall, 73 adolescents were enrolled (60 ALPHI and 13 HIV-1 negative peers) aged 15 (13-18) years; 60.00% were female. ART median duration was 92 (46-123) months; median viral load was 3.99 (3.17-4.66) RNA Log10 (copies)/mL and median CD4 count was 326 (201-654) cells/mm3. As compared to HIV-negative adolescents, TNFα was highly expressed among ALPHI (p<0.01). Following a virological response, inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ and IL-12), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) and inflammation-related cytokines (IL-6 and IL-1β) were highly expressed with viral suppression (VS) vs. virological failure (VF), while the chemokine CCL3 was highly expressed with VF (p<0.01). Regarding the immune response, the inflammatory cytokine TNFα was highly expressed in those that are immunocompetent (CD4≥500 cell/mm3) vs. immunocompromised (CD4<500 cell/mm3), p ≤ 0.01; while chemokine CCL2 was highly expressed in the immunocompromised (p<0.05). In the presence of ADRMs, IL-4 and CCL3 were highly expressed (p=0.027 and p=0.043 respectively). Among ART-experienced ALPHI in Cameroon, the TNFα cytokine was found to be an inflammatory marker of HIV infection; IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 are potential immunological markers of VS and targeting these cytokines in addition to antiretroviral drugs may improve management. Moreover, CCL3 and CCL2 are possible predictors of VF and/or being immunocompromised and could serve as surrogates of poor ART response

Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight after In Utero Exposure to Antiretrovirals Initiated during Pregnancy in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND:Effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on birth outcomes remain controversial. OBJECTIVE:To assess the impact of antenatal exposure to ART on the occurrence of preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). METHODS:A cross-sectional study conducted at the Essos Hospital Center in Yaounde from 2008 to 2011 among HIV vertically exposed infants with two distinct maternal antiretroviral experiences: monotherapy group (Zidovudine, ZDV) and the combination ART group (cART). Mothers already receiving cART before pregnancy were ineligible. In both groups, events of PTB (<37 weeks) and LBW (<2,500g) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression; with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS:Of the 760 infants, 481 were born from cART-exposed mothers against 279 from maternal-ZDV. Median maternal CD4 count was 378 [interquartile range (IQR): 253-535] cells/mm3. Median duration of ART at onset of delivery was 13 [IQR: 10-17] weeks. In the cART-group, 64.9% (312/481) of mothers were exposed to Zidovudine/Lamuvidine/Nevirapine and only 2% (9/481) were on protease inhibitor-based regimens. Events of PTB were not significantly higher in the cART-group compared to the ZDV-group (10.2% vs. 6.4% respectively, p = 0.08), while onsets of LBW were significantly found in the cART-group compared to ZDV-group (11.6% vs. 7.2% respectively, p = 0.05). Other factors (parity, maternal age at delivery or CD4 cell count) were not associated with PTB. CONCLUSION:cART, initiated during pregnancy, would be an independent factor of LBW. In the era of option B+ (lifelong ART to all HIV-pregnant women), further studies would guide towards measures limiting onsets of LBW

Immuno-virological response and associated factors amongst HIV-1 vertically infected adolescents in Yaoundé-Cameroon.

Limited studies have reported the outcomes of lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) amongst adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) in resource-limited settings (RLS), thus classifying this population as underserved. We therefore aimed to ascertain the immunological and virological responses, and associated factors amongst Cameroonian ALWHIV.A cross-sectional and observational study was conducted from January through May 2016 at the National Social Insurance Fund Health Centre in Yaoundé-Cameroon. Immunological and virological responses were evaluated using CD4 cell count and viral load respectively, with viral suppression (VS) defined as <50 copies/ml. Adherence was evaluated using self-reported missing doses during the past 14 days. Data were analyzed using R v.3.3.0, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.Of the 145 ALWHIV on ART enrolled in the study, 52% were female, median age [interquartile (IQR)] was 13 [11-16] years, median [IQR] time-on-ART was 7 [5-10] years, 48% were orphans, 92% were on first-line ART and 36% were adherent to ART. Following ART response, 79% (114/145) had CD4 ≥500/mm3, 71.0% (103/145) were on VS of whom 52.4% (76/145) had a sustained VS. Duration of ART was associated with immune restoration (Odd Ratio 3.73 [1.26-12.21]) but not with virological response. Risks of poor adherence were greater in orphans of both parents (p = 0.078).In this urban setting of Cameroon, ALWHIV receiving ART show favorable immunological and virological response in a medium run. For long-term ART success, implementing a close monitoring of adherence and risks of viral rebound would be highly relevant, especially for orphans of both parents

Outcomes of protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy amongst children and associated-factors in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND:There are limited data on protease inhibitor (PI)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) amongst children in resource-limited settings, for informing on optimal paediatric regimens. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate therapeutic response to PI-based ART amongst HIV-infected Cameroonian children. METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted amongst children aged 2-18 years receiving a PI-based ART at the Essos Hospital Centre (EHC), Yaounde, Cameroon. Primary end points were therapeutic success on PI-based ART, defined as clinical success (WHO I/II clinical stage), immunological success (CD4 ≥ 500/mm3) and viral suppression (viral load [VL]<1000 copies/ml). Factors associated with therapeutic success were assessed in uni- and multivariate analysis using SPSS software v.2.0; with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS:A total of 71 eligible children on PI-based ART were enrolled (42 on initial and 29 on substituted regimens), with a median age of 8 [IQR: 5-12] years and mean duration on ART of 7 years. Following therapeutic responses, all (100%) experienced clinical success, 95.2% experienced immunological success (91.7% on initial and 97.2% on substituted PI/r-based regimens) and 74.7% viral suppression. In univariate analysis, viral suppression was associated with: younger age (p<0.0001), living with parents as opposed to guardians (p = 0.049), and the educational level (p<0.0001). In multivariate analysis, only the age ranges of 10-14 years (OR: 0.22 [0.07-0.73]) and 15-18 years (OR: 0.08 [0.02-0.57]), were determinants of poor viral suppression. CONCLUSION:Among these Cameroonian children, PI-based ART confers favourable clinical and immunological outcomes. The poor rate of viral suppression was mainly attributed to adolescence (10-18 years)

Bivariate and multivariate analysis between maternal characteristics and low birth weight, Essos Hospital Center, 2008 to 2011, Cameroon.

<p>Bivariate and multivariate analysis between maternal characteristics and low birth weight, Essos Hospital Center, 2008 to 2011, Cameroon.</p

Description and comparison of maternal and infants characteristics according to type of antiretroviral exposure during pregnancy, 2008 to 2011, Cameroon.

<p>Description and comparison of maternal and infants characteristics according to type of antiretroviral exposure during pregnancy, 2008 to 2011, Cameroon.</p

Bivariate and multivariate analysis between maternal characteristics and premature birth, 2008 to 2011, Cameroon.

<p>Bivariate and multivariate analysis between maternal characteristics and premature birth, 2008 to 2011, Cameroon.</p