Effect of Dolutegravir-Based First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy on Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Among HIV-Exposed Infants in Ethiopia: a Before-and-After Study

Wolde Facha,1 Takele Tadesse,1 Eskinder Wolka,1 Ayalew Astatkie2 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Wolde Facha, Tel +251912025928, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Currently, Dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens are administered to women on Option B plus to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the virus. However, its effect on reducing MTCT of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among HIV-exposed infants over the previously used Efavirenz (EFV)-based regimen is unknown.Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of DTG-based and EFV-based regimens on the MTCT of HIV among HIV-exposed infants in Ethiopia.Methods: An uncontrolled before-and-after study design was conducted among 958 mother-infant pairs (479 on EFV-based and 479 on DTG-based regimens) enrolled in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) care from September 2015 to February 2023. The outcome variable was the HIV infection status among the exposed infants. A log-binomial model was employed, and the proportion was computed to compare the incidence of MTCT of HIV in both groups. The risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to assess the predictor variables.Results: Mothers on DTG-based regimens were approximately 44% (adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 0.56; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.70) less likely to transmit HIV to their infants than those on EFV-based regimens. In addition, poor or fair adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) (aRR: 5.82; 95% CI: 3.41, 9.93), home delivery (aRR: 3.61; 95% CI: 2.32, 5.62), mixed feeding practice (aRR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.45, 2.3) and not receiving antiretroviral prophylaxis (aRR: 3.26; 95% CI: 1.6, 6.64) were found to increase the risk of MTCT of HIV infection, whereas older maternal age (aRR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.9, 0.96) was a protective factor.Conclusion: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV was less frequently observed in mother-infant pairs exposed to the DTG-based regimens as compared to those exposed to the EFV-based regimens. Thus, DTG-based first-line ART regimens supplementation should be sustained to achieve global and national targets for zero new infections in HIV-exposed infants.Keywords: mother-to-child transmission, ART, dolutegravir, HIV-exposed infants, before-and-after, Ethiopi

A relevant in vitro rat model for the evaluation of blood-brain barrier translocation of nanoparticles

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