Immunological response to highly active antiretroviral therapy following treatment for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV-1: a study in Côte d'Ivoire

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Information is currently limited on the long-term follow up of HIV-1 infected women who are on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) that contains nevirapine and lamivudine and who were previously exposed to antiretroviral drugs for the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied the 36-month immunological response to HAART in HIV-1 infected women in Côte d'Ivoire. The women were previously exposed to antiretroviral drug regimens for PMTCT, including single-dose nevirapine and/or short-course zidovudine with or without lamivudine. All HAART regimens included a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At 36 months: the median absolute increase in CD4+ T cell count was +359 cells/mm³(IQR: 210-466) in 200 women who had undergone 36-month follow-up visits; +359 cells/mm³(IQR: 222-491) in 88 women not exposed to PMTCT antiretrovirals; and +363 cells/mm³(IQR: 200-464) in 112 women exposed to at least one antiretroviral PMTCT regimen. Overall, 49 (19.8%) of the 247 women who initiated HAART met the immunological failure criteria at least once during follow up. The overall probability of immunological failure was 0.08 (95% CI: 0.12-0.15) at 12 months, and 0.21 (95% CI: 0.16-0.27) at 36 months. No difference was observed according to the presence or absence of resistance mutations to nevirapine or lamivudine in women tested at four weeks postpartum. In addition, at 36 months, 23% of women were lost to follow up, dead or had stopped their treatment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral regimen, initiated a year or more after PMTCT exposure and that includes nevirapine, remains a good option for at least the first 36 months of treatment.</p

Incidence and risk factors of severe adverse events with nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected women. MTCT-Plus program, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In resource-limited settings where nevirapine-containing regimen is the preferred regimen in women, data on severe adverse events (SAEs) according to CD4 cell count are limited. We estimated the incidence of SAEs according to CD4 cell count and identify their risk factors in nevirapine-treated women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All HIV-infected women who initiated nevirapine-containing regimen in the MTCT-Plus operational program in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, were eligible for this study. Laboratory and clinical (rash) SAEs were classified as grade 3 and 4. Cox models were used to identify factors associated with the occurrence of SAEs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From August 2003 to October 2006, 290 women initiated a nevirapine-containing regimen at a median CD4 cell count of 186 cells/mm³(IQR 124-266). During a median follow-up on treatment of 25 months, the incidence of all SAEs was 19.5/100 patient-years. The 24-month probability of occurrence of hepatotoxicity or rash was not different between women with a CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm³and women with a CD4 cell count ≤250 cells/mm³(8.3% <it>vs</it>. 9.9%, Log-rank test: p = 0.75). In a multivariate proportional hazard model, neither CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm³at treatment initiation nor initiation NVP-based regimen initiated during pregnancy were associated with the occurrence of SAEs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm³was not associated with a higher risk of severe hepatotoxicity and/or rash, as well as initiation of ART during pregnancy. Pharmacovogilance data as well as meta-analysis on women receiving NVP in these settings are needed for better information about NVP toxicity.</p

HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national study

BACKGROUND: The HIV epidemic remains an important public health challenge for the sub-Saharan region. Female Sex Workers (FSW) in this region are among the most vulnerable of the key population groups with HIV prevalence as high as twice that of the general population. The aim of this study was to estimate HIV prevalence and explore sexual risk behaviors among FSW in Togo. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a Respondent Driven Sampling method was conducted across the six regions of country among FSW in 2017. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to explore socio-demographic characteristics, sexual history, HIV knowledge, and sexual behaviors. HIV rapid tests were used to assess HIV infection. RESULTS: A total of 1,036 FSW, with a median age of 26 years old [interquartile range (IQR): 22-33], participated in the study, with 49.2% (n = 510) of them having reached secondary school. Median age at first sexual intercourse was 20 years old [IQR: 17-25] and estimated number of clients per week was of 5 [IQR: 3-10]. A total of 936 (95.6%) reported the use of a condom during last sexual intercourse with a client and 493 (47.6%) reported the use of a condom during their last sexual intercourse with a partner or husband. HIV prevalence was 13.2% [95% CI: 11.2 - 15.4], and was associated with age (being between 26 and 32 years old; aOR = 4.5; 95% CI: [2.4 - 9.1], p < 0.0001) and ≥ 33 years old; aOR = 6.4; 95% CI [3.5 - 12.7], p < 0.0001), education level (being in primary school or less; aOR = 1.7; 95% CI: [1.1-2.6]; p = 0.012) and the number of partners per week (more than 2 and 3 partners; aOR = 2.5; 95% CI [1.2-5.2]; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevalence and sexual risk behaviors remain high among FSW in Togo, despite prevention efforts aimed at curbing this trend. Other factors, such as access and availability of condoms, the social and legal environment in which FSW operate, should be considered for HIV prevention strategies in this population

High burden of self-reported sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Togo in 2021

BACKGROUND: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) remain a public health challenge, especially for Female Sex Workers (FSW) who are particularly vulnerable. In sub-Saharan Africa where the overlapping epidemics of STI and HIV are concentrated among key populations, epidemiological data are needed in order to better understand STI trends in this population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of self-reported STI symptoms and their risk factors among FSW in Togo in 2021. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was completed in June and July 2021 among FSW in two cities of Togo: in Lomé (capital city, south of Togo) and in Kara (north of Togo). A snowball sampling method was used and after consent, a standardized questionnaire was administered by trained research staff to collect information on STI. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with self-reported STI. RESULTS: A total of 447 FSW, 300 in Lomé and 147 in Kara participated in this study. Median age was 30 [IQR: 24-38] and STI symptoms in the previous 12 months were reported by 191 FSW [42.7%, 95% CI: (38.1-47.5)], among whom 116 (60.7%) sought medical care. The most common reported symptoms were abnormal vaginal discharge (n = 78; 67.2%) and vaginal itching (n = 68; 58.6%). Current STI symptoms (at the time of the survey) were reported by 88 FSW (19.7%). In multivariable logistic regression, self-reported STI symptoms in the previous 12 months was negatively associated with living in the Lomé and older age and positively associated with having more than 15 clients in the previous week and being victim of violence. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study reveal that the self-reported STI burden is relatively high among FSW Togo. Additional strategies are needed at the structural, medical, political and social levels to curb this trend and effectively aim at the elimination of STI epidemics by the year 2030

PLoS One

BACKGROUND: In Cote d'Ivoire, people living with HIV (PLHIV) have free access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and cotrimoxazole. Yet, they may use other medications to treat non-HIV diseases. Scarce data are available regarding the use of non-HIV medications in Africa. This study describes the use of non-HIV medications and identifies the factors associated with their use by PLHIV on ART in Cote d'Ivoire. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six HIV clinics in 2016. HIV-1-infected adults receiving ART for at least one year were eligible. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect demographics, HIV characteristics and medication use data. Associated factors were identified using a multivariate adjusted Poisson regression. RESULTS: A total of 1,458 participants (74% women) were enrolled. The median age was 44 years, and the median duration of ART was 81 months. A total of 696 (48%) participants reported having used at least one non-HIV medication. Among the 1,519 non-HIV medications used, 550 (36%) had not been prescribed and 397 (26%) were from the nervous system class. Individuals who were more likely to report the use of at least one non-HIV medication included those who had been treated in an Abidjan HIV clinic, had a high school education level, had a monthly income between 152 and 304 euros, had a poor perceived health status, had WHO advanced clinical stage, had used traditional medicine products and had not used cotrimoxazole. CONCLUSION: Almost half PLHIV on ART reported using non-HIV medication. Further research is needed to assess whether the use of non-HIV medication is appropriate given about a third of those medications are not being prescribed

Feasibility and acceptability of rapid HIV screening in a labour ward in Togo

Background: HIV screening in a labour ward is the last opportunity to initiate an antiretroviral prophylaxis among pregnant women living with HIV to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. Little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of HIV screening during labour in West Africa. Findings: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the labour ward at the Tokoin Teaching Hospital in Lom&#x00E9; (Togo) between May and August 2010. Pregnant women admitted for labour were randomly selected to enter the study and were interviewed on the knowledge of their HIV status. Clinical and biological data were collected from the individual maternal health chart. HIV testing or re-testing was systematically proposed to all pregnant women. Among 1530 pregnant women admitted for labour, 508 (32.2%) were included in the study. Information on HIV screening was available in the charts of 359 women (71%). Overall, 467 women accepted HIV testing in the labour ward (92%). The HIV prevalence was 8.8% (95% confidence interval: 6.4 to 11.7%). Among the 41 women diagnosed as living with HIV during labour, 34% had not been tested for HIV during pregnancy and were missed opportunities. Antiretroviral prophylaxis had been initiated antenatally for 24 women living with HIV and 17 in the labour room. Conclusions: This study is the first to show in West Africa that HIV testing in a labour room is feasible and well accepted by pregnant women. HIV screening in labour rooms needs to be routinely implemented to reduce missed opportunities for intervention aimed at HIV care and prevention, especially PMTCT

A community-based healthcare package combining testing and prevention tools, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), immediate HIV treatment, management of hepatitis B virus, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), targeting female sex workers (FSWs) in Cote d'Ivoire: the ANRS 12381 PRINCESSE project

BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended by the WHO for HIV prevention among female sex workers (FSWs). A study conducted in 2016-2017 in Côte d'Ivoire showed that if PrEP is acceptable, FSWs also have many uncovered sexual health needs. Based on this evidence, the ANRS 12381 PRINCESSE project was developed in collaboration with a community-based organization. The main objective is to develop, document, and analyze a comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare package among FSWs in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS: PRINCESSE is an open, single-arm interventional cohort of 500 FSWs in San Pedro (Côte d'Ivoire) and its surroundings. Recruitment started on November 26th, 2019 and is ongoing; the cohort is planned to last at least 30 months. The healthcare package (including HIV, hepatitis B, and sexually transmitted infection management, pregnancy screening, and contraception) is available both at mobile clinics organized for a quarterly follow-up (10 intervention sites, each site being visited every two weeks) and at a fixed clinic. Four waves of data collection were implemented: (i) clinical and safety data; (ii) socio-behavioral questionnaires; (iii) biological data; and (iv) in-depth interviews with female participants. Four additional waves of data collection are scheduled outside the cohort itself: (i) the medical and activity records of Aprosam for the PRINCESSE participants; (ii) the medical records of HIV+ FSW patients not participating in the PRINCESSE cohort, and routinely examined by Aprosam; (iii) in-depth interviews with key informants in the FSW community; and (iv) in-depth interviews with PRINCESSE follow-up actors. DISCUSSION: The PRINCESSE project is one of the first interventions offering HIV oral PrEP as part of a more global sexual healthcare package targeting both HIV- and HIV+ women. Second, STIs and viral hepatitis B care were offered to all participants, regardless of their willingness to use PrEP. Another innovation is the implementation of mobile clinics for chronic/quarterly care. In terms of research, PRINCESSE is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary project combining clinical, biological, epidemiological, and social specific objectives and outcomes to document the operational challenges of a multidisease program in real-life conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The PRINCESSE project was registered on the Clinicaltrial.gov website ( NCT03985085 ) on June 13, 2019

PLoS One

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death in the world, mainly occurring in low-and-middle income countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors among university students at a National Polytechnic Institute in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of the National Polytechnic Institute of Côte d'Ivoire. Sample was selected using a non-probabilistic convenient sampling method. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and capillary blood glucose were measured. A logistic regression model allowed to determine factors associated with hypertension. RESULTS: A total of 2,030 students, 79.7% males and 20.3% females, with a median age of 20 years (IQR = [19-22]) participated in the study. On hypertension knowledge, 96.9% (n = 1,968) of students reported having heard of hypertension; salty foods were reported by more than a third as a cause of hypertension (n = 734; 37.3%), while 114 (5.8%) and 157 (8.0%) selected tobacco and alcohol as causes of hypertension, respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 6.0%, higher in males (6.8%) compared to females (2.7%) (p < 0.001). As for CVD risk factors, 148 (7.3%) were overweight or obese; 44.0% of males and 36.6% of females reported alcohol consumption. In multivariate analysis, being a female (OR = 4.16; CI 95% = [1.96-9.09]; p<0.001), being 25 years old and older (OR = 3.34; CI 95% = [2.01-5.55]; p = 0.001), tobacco use (OR = 2.65; CI 95% = [1.41-4.96]; p = 0.002), being overweight or obese (OR = 3.75; CI 95% = [2.13-6.59]; p<0,001) and having abnormal waist circumference (OR = 6.24; CI 95% = [1.99-19.51]; p = 0.002) were significantly associated with high blood pressure. CONCLUSION: CVD risk factors are prominent among young adults in Côte d'Ivoire. Appropriate behavioural health interventions promoting a healthy lifestyle for young adults should be urgently implemented for CVD burden reduction

PLoS One

Introduction The long-term prognosis of HIV-2-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) is still challenging, due to the intrinsic resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) and the suboptimal response to some protease inhibitors (PI). The objective was to describe the 5-years outcomes among HIV-2 patients harboring drug-resistant viruses. Methods A clinic-based cohort of HIV-2-patients experiencing virologic failure, with at least one drug resistance mutation was followed from January 2012 to August 2017 in Côte d’Ivoire. Follow-up data included death, lost to follow-up (LTFU), immuno-virological responses. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to estimate survival rates. Results A total of 31 HIV-2 patients with virologic failure and with at least one drug resistance mutation were included. Two-third of them were men, 28(90.3%) were on PI-based ART-regimen at enrolment and the median age was 50 years (IQR = 46–54). The median baseline CD4 count and viral load were 456 cells/mm3 and 3.7 log10 c/mL respectively, and the participants have been followed-up in median 57 months (IQR = 24–60). During this period, 21 (67.7%) patients switched at least one antiretroviral drug, including two (6.5%) and three (9.7%) who switched to a PI-based and an integrase inhibitor-based regimen respectively. A total of 10(32.3%) patients died and 4(12.9%) were LTFU. The 36 and 60-months survival rates were 68.5% and 64.9%, respectively. Among the 17 patients remaining in care, six(35.3%) had an undetectable viral load (2. Conclusions The 36-months survival rate among ART-experienced HIV-2 patients with drug-resistant viruses is below 70%,lower than in HIV-1. There is urgent need to improve access to second-line ART for patients living with HIV-2 in West Afric