Short-course therapy with zidovudine plus lamivudine for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in Thailand

Reducing Hematologic Toxicity With Short Course Postexposure Prophylaxis With Zidovudine for HIV-1 Exposed Infants With Low Transmission Risk

Using retrospectively collected data from 383 infants born to HIV-1-infected mothers receiving antiretroviral therapy, we compared transmission rates and hematologic toxicity between infants receiving 2-week (short course) versus longer duration zidovudine postexposure prophylaxis. Short course resulted in lower hematologic toxicity without evidence of increased vertical transmission risk.

Conditional Cash Transfers to Increase Retention in PMTCT Care, Antiretroviral Adherence, and Postpartum Virological Suppression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background:

Novel strategies are needed to increase retention in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) services. We have recently shown that small, incremental cash transfers conditional on attending clinic resulted in increased retention along the PMTCT cascade. However, whether women who receive incentives to attend clinic visits are as adherent to antiretrovirals (ARV) as those who do not was unknown.

Objective:

To determine whether HIV-infected women who received incentives to remain in care were as adherent to antiretroviral treatment and achieved the same level of viral suppression at 6 weeks postpartum as those who did not receive incentives but also remained in care.

Methods:

Newly diagnosed HIV-infected women at ≤32 weeks gestational age were recruited at antenatal care clinics in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Women were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention or control group. The intervention group received compensation ($5, plus $1 increment at each subsequent visit) conditional on attending scheduled clinic visits and accepting offered PMTCT services, whereas the control group received usual care. The proportion of participants who remained in care, were fully adherent (took all their pills at each visit) or with undetectable viral load at 6 weeks postpartum were compared across group.

Results:

Among 433 women randomized (216 in intervention group and 217 in control group), 332 (76.7%) remained in care at 6 weeks postpartum, including 174 (80.6%) in the intervention group and 158 (72.8%) in the control group, (P = 0.04). Data on pill count were available for 297 participants (89.5%), including 156 (89.7%) and 141 (89.2%) in the intervention and control groups, respectively; 69.9% (109/156) and 68.1% (96/141) in the intervention and control groups had perfect adherence [risk difference, 0.02; 95% CI: −0.06 to 0.09]. Viral load results were available for 171 (98.3%) and 155 (98.7%) women in the intervention and control groups, respectively; 66.1% (113/171) in the intervention group and 69.7% (108/155) in the control group had an undetectable viral load (risk difference, −0.04; 95% CI: −0.14 to 0.07). Results were similar after adjusting for marital status, age, education, baseline CD4 count, viral load, gestational age, and initial ARV regimen.

Conclusions:

Although the provision of cash incentives to HIV-infected pregnant women led to higher retention in care at 6 weeks postpartum, among those retained in care, adherence to ARVs and virologic suppression did not differ by study group.

Antiretroviral therapy and mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy has facilitated the virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection in developed countries, reducing transmission rates to approximately 1 to 2%. In these settings, highly active antiretroviral therapy has also transformed pediatric HIV infection into a chronic disease; although there are associated costs in terms of side effects and the heavy pill burden. In less developed settings, easier-to-use adaptations of antiretroviral therapy regimens, such as short-course and single-dose antiretroviral strategies or neonatal postexposure prophylaxis can also substantially prevent mother-to-child transmission, although to a lesser degree than highly active antiretroviral therapy. However, postnatal transmission of infection through breastfeeding significantly reduces the longer-term efficacy of these strategies. Ongoing research is focusing on the use of antiretroviral therapy in the breastfeeding period.

Efficacy of telbivudine on interruption of hepatitis B virus vertical transmission: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common infections in the world. Vertical transmission is the main reason for the continued endemic infection rates, at least in Asia. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of telbivudine on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) interruption.

METHODS

Studies up to April 2012 were collected by searching Pubmed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, EBM Review, WangFang Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA in newborns and infants, maternal HBV DNA negative conversion and alanine trans.aminase (ALT) normalization and adverse events were analyzed.

RESULTS

Seven clinical trials involving 644 pregnant women were included in this meta-analysis. Telbivudine resulted in lower HBsAg and HBV DNA seroprevalence in newborns and infants. When maternal viral load prior to delivery was higher than 103copies/mL, HBsAg or HBV DNA positivity had no statistical difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Telbivudine treatment has efficacy and safety on MTCT interruption during late pregnancy. In addition, we demonstrated benefit of telbivudine for mothers in terms of HBV DNA negative conversion and ALT normalization. Telbivudine treatment at the end of pregnancy should be considered in women with high viral load.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 mother-to-child transmission and prevention: successes and controversies

The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimated that an additional 370 000 new human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections occurred in children in 2009, mainly through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Intrapartum transmission contributes to approximately 20-25% of infections, in utero transmission to 5-10% and postnatal transmission to an additional 10-15% of cases. MTCT accounts for only a few hundred infected newborns in those countries in which services are established for voluntary counselling and testing of pregnant women, and a supply of antiretroviral drugs is available throughout pregnancy with recommendations for elective Caesarean section and avoidance of breastfeeding. The single-dose nevirapine regimen has provided the momentum to initiate MTCT programmes in many resource-limited countries; however, regimens using a combination of antiretroviral drugs are needed also to effectively reduce transmission via breastfeeding.

Antiretroviral pharmacology: special issues regarding pregnant women and neonates

Antiretrovirals may be used in pregnant women infected with the HIV and their newborns both for treatment of maternal HIV disease and for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. More than 25 antiretroviral agents in 5 classes have been approved, with new drugs and classes in development. This article reviews current knowledge of the pharmacology of these drugs during pregnancy and in the newborn period, highlighting those pharmacologic issues critical to the safe and effective use of antiretrovirals in these populations.

German-Austrian recommendations for HIV1-therapy in pregnancy and in HIV1-exposed newborn, update 2008

In Germany during the last years about 200-250 HIV1-infected pregnant women delivered a baby each year, a number that is currently increasing. To determine the HIV-status early in pregnancy voluntary HIV-testing of all pregnant women is recommended in Germany and Austria as part of prenatal care. In those cases, where HIV1-infection was known during pregnancy, since 1995 the rate of vertical transmission of HIV1 was reduced to 1-2%. - This low transmission rate has been achieved by the combination of anti-retroviral therapy of pregnant women, caesarean section scheduled before onset of labour, anti-retroviral post exposition prophylaxis in the newborn and refraining from breast-feeding by the HIV1-infected mother. To keep pace with new results in research, approval of new anti-retroviral drugs and changes in the general treatment recommendations for HIV1-infected adults, in 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2005 an interdisciplinary consensus meeting was held. Gynaecologists, infectious disease specialists, paediatricians, pharmacologists, virologists and members of the German AIDS Hilfe (NGO) were participating in this conference to update the prevention strategies. A fifth update became necessary in 2008. The updating process was started in January 2008 and was terminated in September 2008. The guidelines provide new recommendations on the indication and the starting point for HIV-therapy in pregnancies without complications, drugs and drug combinations to be used preferably in these pregnancies and updated information on adverse effects of anti-retroviral drugs. Also the procedures for different scenarios and risk constellations in pregnancy have been specified again. - With these current guidelines in Germany and Austria the low rate of vertical HIV1-transmission should be further maintained.

Early assessment of the implementation of a national programme for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Cameroon and the effects of staff training: a survey in 70 rural health care facilities

OBJECTIVES

To assess the availability of equipment and the staff's knowledge to prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) in rural healthcare facilities recently covered by the national PMTCT programme in Cameroon.

METHODS

In eight districts inventories of antiviral drugs and HIV test kits were made on site, using a standardised check-list. Knowledge of HIV and PMTCT was evaluated with a multiple-choice (MC) questionnaire based on typical clinical PMTCT cases. Staff participated subsequently in a 2-day training on HIV/AIDS and the Cameroon PMTCT guidelines. Immediately after training and after 7 months, retention of knowledge was tested with the same questions but in different order and layout.

RESULTS

Sixty two peripheral nurse-led clinics and the eight district hospitals were assessed. Whereas all district hospitals presented complete equipment, only six of the peripheral clinics (10%) were equipped with both complete testing materials and a full set of drugs to provide PMTCT. Thirty six peripheral facilities (58%) possessed full equipment for HIV-testing and 8 (13%) stocked all PMTCT drugs. Of 137 nurses, 102 (74%) agreed to the two knowledge tests. Fewer than 66% knew that HIV-diagnosis requires positive results in two different types of rapid tests and only 19% chose the right recommendation on infant-feeding for HIV-positive mothers. Correct answers on drug regimens in different PMTCT settings varied from 25% to 56%. All percentages of correct answers improved greatly with training (P < 0.001) and retention remained high 7 months after training (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission programmes in settings such as rural Cameroon need to be adapted to the special needs of peripheral nurse-led clinics. Appropriate short training may considerably improve nurses' competence in PMTCT. Other important components are regular supervision and measures to guarantee supply of equipment in rural areas.

Awareness and attitudes about HIV among pregnant women in Aksu, northwest China

The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has a firmly established HIV epidemic among its intravenous drug user (IDU) population. Local sex workers were also found to be positive in 1998. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and attitudes among consecutively selected pregnant women was conducted November 2005 in Aksu Prefecture, north-western China, with a population on 2 million with about 25 000 pregnancies per year. A total of 291 pregnant women participated. We found a limited knowledge on mother-to child transmission with several misconceptions. The AIDS campaigns have been successful in making all the women aware of HIV as a sexually transmitted disease. However, the common belief that social contact causes transmission gives a high risk that patients are stigmatized. Obviously, it is important to design HIV information strategies that target pregnant women in north-western China.

Biomedical interventions to prevent HIV infection: evidence, challenges, and way forward

Intensive research efforts for more than two decades have not yet resulted in an HIV vaccine of even moderate effectiveness. However, some progress has been made with other biomedical interventions, albeit on the basis of inconsistent levels of evidence. The male condom, if used correctly and consistently, has been proven in observational studies to be very effective in blocking HIV transmission during sexual intercourse; and, in three randomised trials, male circumcision was protective against HIV acquisition among men. Treatment of sexually transmitted infections, a public health intervention in its own right, has had mixed results, depending in part on the epidemic context in which the approach was assessed. Finally, oral and topical antiretroviral compounds are being assessed for their role in reduction of HIV transmission during sexual intercourse. Research on biomedical interventions poses formidable challenges. Difficulties with product adherence and the possibility of sexual disinhibition are important concerns. Biomedical interventions will need to be part of an integrative package that includes biomedical, behavioural, and structural interventions. Assessment of such multicomponent approaches with moderate effects is difficult. Issues to be considered include the nature of control groups and the effect of adherence on the true effectiveness of the intervention.

Maternal 12-month response to antiretroviral therapy following prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV type 1, Ivory Coast, 2003-2006

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to study the response to antiretroviral treatment among women exposed to single-dose nevirapine (NVP) and/or short-course zidovudine (ZDV; with or without lamivudine [3TC]) for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

METHODS

All HIV type 1-infected women who initiated antiretroviral treatment with stavudine or ZDV, 3TC, and NVP or efavirenz were eligible for the MTCT-Plus program in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Exposed women had received either single-dose NVP alone or short-course ZDV (with or without 3TC) plus single-dose NVP during previous pregnancy. Genotypic resistance testing was performed at week 4 after delivery. Virologic failure was defined as a plasma HIV RNA level >500 copies/mL 12 months after initiation of antiretroviral treatment.

RESULTS

Among 247 women who received antiretroviral treatment, 109 (44%) were unexposed; 81 had received short-course ZDV with 3TC, as well as single-dose NVP; 5 had received short-course ZDV plus 3TC; 50 had received short-course ZDV plus single-dose NVP; and 2 had received single-dose NVP alone. No ZDV mutation was detected in the 115 women whose specimens were available for genotypic testing; 11 (15.1%) of 73 women with 3TC exposure who were tested after delivery had 3TC resistance mutations. Three (4.3%) of 69 women exposed to short-course ZDV and 3TC plus single-dose NVP and 16 (38.1%) of 42 women exposed to short-course ZDV plus single-dose NVP had NVP resistance mutations. Antiretroviral treatment was initiated a median of 21 months after the intervention to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (median CD4(+) T lymphocyte count, 188 cells/mm(3)). Month 12 virologic failure was identified in 42 (19.2%) of 219 women for whom data were available, and multivariate analysis revealed that it was associated with poor adherence to treatment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 12.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0-53.9), postpartum 3TC resistance mutations (aOR, 6.9; 95% CI, 1.1-42.9), and a baseline CD4(+) T lymphocyte count <200 cells/mm(3) (aOR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2-0.8). NVP resistance was not associated with virological failure (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.5-6.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found that poor adherence and 3TC resistance acquired after the intervention to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection were associated with virologic failure in women who initiated antiretroviral treatment.

Mitochondrial disease in the offspring as a result of antiretroviral therapy

Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) have substantially lowered the risk of the mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Evidence of mitochondrial toxicity in vitro, in animal models and in adult HIV-infected patients, has raised concern about the perinatal safety of these antiretrovirals. In zidovudine-exposed, but HIV-uninfected infants, transient anaemia and additional long-term blood abnormalities (neutropenia, thrombopenia and lymphopenia) and hyperlactatemia have been documented. The overall risk of mortality and congenital abnormalities does not appear to be increased, but rare mitochondrial events cannot be excluded for lack of statistical power. French data suggest an above background incidence of mitochondrial symptomatology. Preclinical data demonstrate zidovudine also to be a carcinogen. Long-term systematic follow-up of exposed babies in large cohorts is needed, as are randomised trials with NRTIs carrying a lower risk of mitochondrial toxicity.

Clinically Significant Anemia in HIV-Infected Pregnant Women in India Is Not a Major Barrier to Zidovudine Use for Prevention of Maternal-to-Child Transmission

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of anemia (serum hemoglobin <10 g/dL) and assess zidovudine use and toxicity in HIV-positive pregnant women in India.

METHODS

From 2002 through 2006, 24,105 pregnant women in Pune were screened for HIV and anemia. As part of an infant prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) trial, enrolled HIV-positive women (n = 467) were assessed for anemia and associated outcomes, comparing women receiving zidovudine for >or=2 weeks versus no zidovudine.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anemia was 38.7% in HIV-positive women. Anemic women were as likely as nonanemic women to receive zidovudine. At delivery, regardless of anemia status at enrollment, women receiving >or=2 weeks of zidovudine were 70% less likely to be anemic compared with women receiving no zidovudine (odds ratio = 0.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.14 to 0.57; P < 0.01), received iron and folic acid supplements for longer periods, and had no increased adverse delivery or newborn birth outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of HIV-positive pregnant women in India present for antenatal care with anemia. With concurrent iron and folic acid supplementation, however, zidovudine use is not associated with persistent or worsening anemia or associated adverse outcomes. In Indian community settings, all pregnant HIV-positive women should receive early anemia treatment. Mild anemia should not limit zidovudine use for PMTCT in India.

High prevalence of cervical squamous cell abnormalities among HIV-infected women with immunological AIDS-defining illnesses

AIM

To assess the results of Pap smear at postpartum scheduled visit, especially the prevalence of squamous cell abnormalities including association with CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count (CD4(+) count) levels at delivery among HIV-infected women between the years 1996 and 2004.

METHODS

As part of the research and implementation programs of short course antiretroviral regimens for the prevention of mother to child perinatal HIV transmission in HIV-infected pregnant women delivered at Siriraj hospital, CD4(+) count at delivery and Pap smear at postpartum were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 636 women, 13.3% had squamous cell abnormalities. Seventy-seven cases (90.6%) of squamous cell abnormalities were low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. The prevalence of squamous epithelial cell abnormalities detected by Pap smear, was higher in women whose CD4(+) count at delivery was < 200 cells/microL than in women whose CD4(+) count at delivery was > or = 200 cells/microL, with a significant difference (21.2%vs 12.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

All HIV-infected pregnant women should be evaluated for clinical and immunological status during the antepartum period. Pelvic examination and Pap smear should be considered as a part of this evaluation. They should receive comprehensive health-care services that continue after pregnancy, including postpartum gynecologic examination and Pap smear. Women with normal cervical cytological findings but low CD4(+) count should be offered an antenatal Pap smear and long-term follow-up including a 6-monthly Pap smear.

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Botswana: an ethical perspective on mandatory testing

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV represents a particularly dramatic aspect of the HIV epidemic with an estimated 600,000 newborns infected yearly, 90% of them living in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, an estimated 5.1 million children worldwide have been infected with HIV. MTCT is responsible for 90% of these infections. Two-thirds of the MTCT are believed to occur during pregnancy and delivery, and about one-third through breastfeeding. As the number of women of child bearing age infected with HIV rises, so does the number of infected children. It is apparent that voluntary testing in Botswana has made some valuable inroads in decreasing perinatal HIV transmission, but the statistics showing the increased rate of HIV infection among women 15-24 years of age are not very promising. After reviewing all the pertinent scientific data it is clear that mandatory HIV testing of all pregnant women in conjunction with the implementation of a full package of interventions would save thousands of lives -- mothers, newborns and others who could be infected as a result of these women not being aware of their HIV status. If the protection and preservation of human life is a priority in Botswana, then it is time to allow for mandatory HIV testing of all pregnant women, before it is too late for those who are the most vulnerable. To do less would be medically inappropriate and ethically irresponsible.

Perinatally Acquired HIV-1 Infection: Prevention and Evaluation of HIV-Exposed Infants

Perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the primary cause of pediatric HIV infections. In recent years, perinatal HIV-1 transmission rates in the United States have declined markedly because of several factors that include enhanced voluntary counseling and HIV-1 testing (VCT) for pregnant women, widespread use of antiretroviral prophylaxis or combination antiretroviral therapy, avoidance of breastfeeding, and elective cesarean delivery. However, perinatal transmission of HIV-1 still occurs, and 300 to 400 infected infants are born annually, primarily because of missed prevention opportunities. The pediatrician plays a vital role in the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV-1 by identifying newborns born to infected mothers who were not tested during pregnancy, administering antiretroviral prophylaxis, and ensuring follow-up to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in early infancy. This article reviews recent advances in the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV-1, discusses evaluation and treatment of infants exposed to HIV-1, and highlights certain unique features of HIV-1 infections in infants, with a focus on early diagnosis, clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis.

Lack of resistant mutation development after receiving short-course zidovudine plus lamivudine to prevent mother-to-child transmission

A short-course regimen of zidovudine plus lamivudine starting from 34 weeks' gestation in pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child HIV infection, and discontinued after delivery, was evaluated for the development of resistance at 6 weeks postpartum. No resistant mutation was found in 32 women. One of the three infected infants carried the M184V and K219Q mutations.

Evaluating Programs to Prevent Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission in Two Large Bangkok Hospitals, 1999-2001

The 2 largest maternity hospitals in Bangkok implemented comprehensive programs to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in 1998. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of post-partum HIV-infected women in 1999 through 2001 to evaluate these programs. Women were given structured interviews at 0 to 3 days, 1 month, and 2 months postpartum. Medical records of women and their newborns were reviewed. Of 488 enrolled women, 443 (91%) had antenatal care: 391 (88%) at study hospitals and 52 (12%) elsewhere. The HIV diagnosis was first known before pregnancy for 61 (13%) women, during pregnancy for 357 (73%) women, during labor for 22 (5%) women, and shortly after delivery for 48 (10%) women. Antenatal zidovudine (ZDV) was used by 347 (71%) women, and intrapartum ZDV was used by 372 (76%) women. Twelve (55%) of the 22 women who first learned of their HIV infection during labor took intrapartum ZDV. All 495 newborn infants started prophylactic ZDV; the first dose was given within 12 hours for 491 (99%) children. Ten (2%) children were breast-fed at least once by their mother, and 10 (2%) were breast-fed at least once by someone else. Although uptake of services was high, inconsistent antenatal care, fear of stigmatization, and difficulty in disclosing HIV status prevented some women from using services.

Advances in the prevention of vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus

The major mode of acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for children is through mother-to-child transmission, which can occur during pregnancy or labor and delivery, or postnatally through breastfeeding. In resource-rich countries, mother-to-child HIV transmission has decreased to less than 2 percent after recommendations for universal prenatal HIV counseling and testing, antiretroviral prophylaxis and elective cesarean delivery, and avoidance of breastfeeding were implemented. In resource-limited settings, effective, shorter, and less expensive antiretroviral prophylaxis interventions also have been identified, but implementation has been slower, and continued transmission through breastfeeding remains a significant problem. This review summarizes recent advances made in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the United States and other resource-rich countries, as well as progress in resource-limited countries.

Elective cesarean delivery plus short-course lamivudine and zidovudine for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of elective cesarean delivery plus a lamivudine-zidovudine prophylaxis regimen on non-breastfeeding mothers with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and their infants.

STUDY DESIGN

Forty-six antiretroviral-naïve, pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 were included. The prophylactic regimen was a lamivudine-zidovudine tablet (150 mg/300 mg) twice daily from week 34 of pregnancy until cesarean delivery at week 38 of gestation, preoperative intravenous zidovudine, and neonatal zidovudine syrup for 4 weeks.

RESULTS

At weeks 34 and 38 of gestation, the median maternal viral loads were, respectively, 3.65 log(10) copies/mL (range, 2.34-4.70 log(10) copies/mL) and 2.51 log(10) copies/mL (range, 2.04-3.66 log(10) copies/mL; P<.001), respectively; the viral reduction was 1.12 log(10) copies/mL (range, -0.16-2.60 log(10) copies/mL), and the CD4(+) cell counts increased from 335 cells/mm(3) (range, 57-974 cells/mm(3)) to 420 cells/mm(3) (range, 84-1,083 cells/mm(3); P=.002). No mother or infant had a serious adverse event. Two infants were infected (4.3%; 95% CI, 0.5%-15.7%); 1 infant had intrapartum infection.

CONCLUSION

Elective cesarean delivery plus short-course lamivudine-zidovudine is safe but does not eliminate mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

A pilot study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the administration of AZT/3TC fixed dose combination to HIV infected pregnant women and their infants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of zidovudine and lamivudine (AZT/3TC) given to HIV infected pregnant women and their infants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

METHODS

This open label phase II study enrolled 40 HIV infected antiretroviral naive women >or=20 weeks gestation, CD4 <500 cells x10(6)/l, from two public hospitals.

TREATMENT

fixed dose AZT 300 mg/3TC 150 mg by mouth every 12 hours until labour; AZT 300 mg by mouth every 3 hours until delivery; infants: AZT 4 mg/kg every 12 hours plus 3TC 2 mg/kg every 12 hours for 6 weeks. Blood haematology and chemistry were monitored; adherence evaluated by pills count; efficacy measured by changes in lymphocyte (CD4) and viral load, and by HIV RNA-PCR tests performed at birth, 6 and 12 weeks, to diagnose infant infection. No women breast fed.

RESULTS

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS

mean age 24.48 (SD 3.5) years; gestational age 24.5 (4.5) weeks; AZT/3TC duration 14.4 (4.4) weeks; vaginal delivery: 11/39; caesarean section: 28/39. Entry and pre-labour CD4: 310/486 cells x10(6)/l (p<0.001); entry and pre-labour viral load: 53 818/2616 copies/ml (p<0.001). Thirty nine women tolerated treatment with >80% adherence; one was lost to follow up. Five newborns were excluded from 3TC receipt. All 39 babies were uninfected. Haematological toxicity in newborns was common: anaemia in 27; neutropenia in five (two severe); platelets counts <100000 in two. All values recovered on study completion.

CONCLUSIONS

Fixed dose AZT/3TC is well accepted, gives improvements in CD4 and viral load; no infants were HIV infected. Haematological toxicity in infants needs careful monitoring.