Cardiac effects of in-utero exposure to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-uninfected children born to HIV-infected mothers

Relationship between brain structural network integrity and emotional symptoms in youth with perinatally-acquired HIV

Perinatally acquired HIV infection (PHIV) currently affects approximately 1.7 million children worldwide. Youth with PHIV (YPHIV) are at increased risk for emotional and behavioral symptoms, yet few studies have examined relationships between these symptoms and brain structure. Previous neuroimaging studies in YPHIV report alterations within the salience network (SN), cognitive control network (CCN), and default mode network (DMN). These areas have been associated with social and emotional processing, emotion regulation, and executive function. We examined structural brain network integrity from MRI using morphometric similarity networks and graph theoretical measures of segregation (transitivity), resilience (assortativity), and integration (global efficiency). We examined brain network integrity of 40 YPHIV compared to 214 youths without HIV exposure or infection. Amongst YPHIV, we related structural brain network metrics to the Emotional Symptoms Index of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, 2nd edition. We also examined the relationship of inflammatory biomarkers in YPHIV to brain network integrity. YPHIV had significantly lower global efficiency in the SN, DMN, and the whole brain network compared to controls. YPHIV also demonstrated lower assortativity or resilience (i.e., network robustness) compared to controls in the DMN and whole brain network. Further, higher emotional symptom score was associated with higher global efficiency in the SN and lower global efficiency in the DMN, signaling more emotional challenges. A significant association was also found between several inflammatory and cardiac markers with structural network integrity. These findings suggest an impact of HIV on developing brain networks, and potential dysfunction of the SN and DMN in relation to network efficiency.

Cardio-Metabolic Health of Offspring Exposed in Utero to Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus and Anti-Retroviral Treatment: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) use during pregnancy continues to rise as it is known to decrease the likelihood of HIV transmission from mother to child. However, it is still unknown whether foetal exposure to (ART) may affect the foetal environment, predisposing the offspring to cardiometabolic risk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically review the cardio-metabolic effects of in utero exposure to HIV/ART on offspring.

METHODS

We carried out a systematic review and obtained literature from the Google scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Two independent reviewers evaluated the titles, abstracts, and full-length English contents. Data from the eligible studies were included.

RESULTS

The search yielded 7596 records. After assessing all of these records, 35 of the full-length articles were included in this systematic review. Several studies showed that low birth weight, small head circumference, and altered mitochondrial content were more common among HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children compared to HIV-unexposed uninfected children (HUU). A few studies demonstrated elevated triglyceride levels, lower levels of insulin, and increased blood pressure, oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction, cardiac damage, and myocardial dysfunction among HEU children compared with HUU children.

CONCLUSION

Most findings showed that there were cardio-metabolic health risk factors among HEU children, indicating that maternal exposure to HIV and ART may negatively affect foetal health, which may lead to cardio-metabolic morbidity later in life.

Cardiac remodeling from the fetus to adulthood

Prenatal cardiac remodeling refers to in utero changes in the fetal heart that occur as a response to an adverse intrauterine environment. In this article, we will review the main mechanisms leading to cardiac remodeling and dysfunction, summarizing and describing the major pathological conditions that have been reported to be related to this in utero plastic adaptive process. We will also recap the current evidence regarding the persistence of fetal cardiac remodeling and dysfunction, both in infancy and later in adult life. Moreover, we will discuss primary, secondary, and tertiary preventive measures and future clinical and research aspects.

Cardiovascular effects of intrauterine exposure to maternal HIV and antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopian infants followed from fetal life

OBJECTIVE

To assess cardiovascular effects of in-utero HIV and antiretroviral treatment (ART) exposure on offspring of HIV-positive mothers in Ethiopia.

DESIGN

HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnancies were identified from a prospective cohort of women recruited at their first antenatal care visit in Ethiopia, using a nested case-control design.

METHODS

Fetal standard ultrasound and echocardiography were performed at 2237 weeks of pregnancy to assess fetal biometry and cardiac structure. Postnatal cardiovascular evaluation, including echocardiography and vascular assessment, was performed at 6 months of age. Cardiovascular data were correlated to HIV serostatus, antiretroviral drug exposure and HIV-unrelated maternal characteristics.

RESULTS

Fetuses from 29 HIV-positive and 67 HIV-negative women paired by gestational age at scan were included. Among HIV-positive women, 25 were on ART before conception, and 4 initiated ART during pregnancy. Estimated fetal weight was similar in both groups [mean 1873 g (standard deviation; SD 569) vs. 1839 g (SD 579) P = 0.79, respectively]. Fetal cardiac morphometry was similar with regard to maternal HIV serostatus: cardiothoracic ratio mean 0.26 (SD 0.05) vs. 0.25 (SD 0.06), P = 0.48; and septal wall thickness mean 4.03 mm (SD 0.58) vs. 3.98 mm (SD 0.70), P = 0.94. No significant cardiovascular differences were detected postnatally according to maternal HIV serostatus: septal wall thickness mean 5.46 mm (SD 0.65) vs. 5.49 (SD 0.89); P = 0.896; isovolumic relaxation time 55.08 ms (SD 6.57) vs. 56.56 (SD 6.74); P = 0.359.

CONCLUSION

In offspring of Ethiopian women, intrauterine exposure to HIV and ART were not associated with cardiovascular changes from fetal life up to infanthood.

Cardiac remodeling and hypertension in HIV uninfected infants exposed in utero to antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND

We aimed to assess the postnatal pattern of cardiovascular remodeling associated with intrauterine exposure to maternal HIV and antiretroviral treatment (ART).

METHODS

Prospective cohort including 34 HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants and 53 non-HIV-exposed infants evaluated from fetal life up to 6 months postnatally. A cardiovascular evaluation was performed including echocardiography, blood pressure and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) measurement.

RESULTS

ART regimens during pregnancy included two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Abacavir+Lamivudine (32.4%), Emtricitabine+Tenofovir (41.2%) and Zidovudine+Lamivudine (20.6%)). At 6 months of age, HIV-exposed uninfected infants showed thicker myocardial walls (septal wall thickness mean 5.02 mm (SD 0.85) vs 3.98 mm (0.86); p<0.001) and relative systolic dysfunction with decreased mitral ring displacement (8.57 mm (2.03) vs 10.34 mm (1.84); p=0.002) and decreased tricuspid S' (9.71 cm/s (1.94) vs 11.54 cm/s (2.07); p=0.003) together with relative diastolic dysfunction showed by prolonged left isovolumic relaxation time (58.57 ms (13.79) vs 47.94 (7.39); p<0.001). Vascular assessment showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (102 mmHg (16.1) vs 80 mmHg (13.9); p<0.001 and 64 mmHg (14.4) vs 55 mmHg (10.2); p=0.045 respectively), with 50% of HIV-exposed children meeting criteria for hypertension vs 3.77% of the non-HIV-exposed group (p<0.001) and thicker mean cIMT in the HIV-exposed group (0.62 µm (0.09) vs 0.51 µm (0.09); p=0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Subclinical cardiac impairment together with higher blood pressure and thicker cIMT were observed in HIV-exposed infants at 6 months of age. Half of them presented hypertension. Our findings support a possible increased cardiovascular risk in HIV uninfected infants exposed in utero to ART.

Contemporary Issues in Pregnancy (and Offspring) in the Current HIV Era

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced mother to child transmission of HIV, data continue to mount that infants exposed to HIV in utero but are not infected (HEU) have serious negative health consequences compared to unexposed infants. This review evaluates recent literature on contemporary issues related to complications seen in pregnant women with HIV and their offspring.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current studies show that HEU infants are at a high risk of adverse outcomes, including premature birth, poor growth, neurodevelopmental impairment, immune dysfunction, infectious morbidity, and death. Etiologies for the observed clinical events and subclinical alterations are complex and multifactorial, and the long-term consequences of many findings are yet unknown. HEU infants have an unacceptable rate of morbidity and mortality from perinatal HIV and ART exposure, even in the modern ART era. Continual monitoring and reporting is imperative to protect this vulnerable population in our everchanging landscape of HIV treatment and prevention.

Early cardiac dysfunction in children and young adults with perinatally acquired HIV

OBJECTIVE

To define the prevalence of early cardiac dysfunction in children and young adults with perinatally acquired HIV and predictors of cardiac function.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional design.

METHODS

Early cardiac dysfunction was defined as left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain z-score less than -2 or myocardial performance index at least 0.5 with normal LV ejection fraction. Regression models were fitted to assess the relationship between measures of cardiac function and HIV RNA levels, clinical variables, and markers of inflammation.

RESULTS

Six hundred and forty-three individuals (mean age 14.1 ± 5.2 years) were enrolled. The average time on combination antiretroviral treatment was 6.8 ± 3.6 years. Nearly 28% of individuals met criteria for early cardiac dysfunction. Individuals with early cardiac dysfunction were older (15.3 vs. 13.5 years, P < 0.001), had more frequently detectable HIV RNA (52.5 vs. 41.7%, P = 0.018), were more likely exposed to azidothymidine or zidovudine (ZDV) (55.6 vs. 41.2%, P = 0.002), and had higher median level of plasma IL-6 concentrations (1.00 vs. 0.88 pg/ml, P = 0.011). Multivariable models show LV ejection fraction negatively associated with HIV RNA levels [β -0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.33, -0.03] and ZDV exposure (β -1.75; 95% CI -2.62, -0.88) and positively associated with proportion of life on combination antiretroviral treatment (β 2.65; 95% CI 0.90, 4.41). Higher myocardial performance index was positively associated with serum inflammation marker (IL-6 β 0.01; 95% CI 0.0001, 0.001). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain was not significantly associated with clinical and laboratory variables of interest.

CONCLUSION

Over one-quarter of children and young adults living with HIV demonstrated evidence of cardiac dysfunction, which may be associated with increasing levels of systemic inflammation.

Myocardial peak systolic velocity-a tool for cardiac screening of HIV-exposed uninfected children

HIV-uninfected children exposed prenatally to the virus and to prophylactic antiretroviral therapy are at an uncertain risk of long-term myocardial dysfunction. This study aimed to analyse the structure and function of their ventricles and to identify potential screening tools for this at-risk population. One hundred and fifteen children (77 exposed vs 38 controls) aged between 2.7 and 16.2 years were included. An echocardiographic study was performed where both ventricles' dimensions and systolic functions were evaluated. In the left ventricle, parameters related to diastolic function were also analysed. Tissue Doppler values were determined in the basal state and after passive leg raising. Serologic analysis of amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was carried out. The two groups had identical ventricular sizes and left ventricular diastolic functions. However, contractility assessed by myocardial peak systolic velocity was significantly inferior in the exposed group. These systolic echocardiographic differences were present despite similar values of NT-proBNP in both groups.Conclusion: HIV-exposed uninfected children may be vulnerable to ventricular systolic dysfunction at long term. Cardiovascular surveillance and periodic monitoring of biventricular function are therefore recommended. Myocardial peak systolic velocity may be a useful screening tool for this purpose.What is Known:• Previous studies on HIV-exposed uninfected children subjected prenatally to antiretroviral therapy have alerted to potential long-term cardiovascular toxicity effects on the left ventricle.What is New:• The study gives new insights on ventricular function and morphology in HIV-exposed uninfected children.• Myocardial peak systolic velocities are significantly inferior in this paediatric sub-group, therefore long-term cardiac surveillance is recommended.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell transcriptomes reveal an over-representation of down-regulated genes associated with immunity in HIV-exposed uninfected infants

HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants are disproportionately at a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, as compared to HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) infants. Here, we used transcriptional profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to determine immunological signatures of in utero HIV exposure. We identified 262 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HEU compared to HUU infants. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified six modules that had significant associations with clinical traits. Functional enrichment analysis on both DEGs and the six significantly associated modules revealed an enrichment of G-protein coupled receptors and the immune system, specifically affecting neutrophil function and antibacterial responses. Additionally, malaria pathogenicity genes (thrombospondin 1-(THBS 1), interleukin 6 (IL6), and arginine decarboxylase 2 (ADC2)) were down-regulated. Of interest, the down-regulated immunity genes were positively correlated to the expression of epigenetic factors of the histone family and high-mobility group protein B2 (HMGB2), suggesting their role in the dysregulation of the HEU transcriptional landscape. Overall, we show that genes primarily associated with neutrophil mediated immunity were repressed in the HEU infants. Our results suggest that this could be a contributing factor to the increased susceptibility to bacterial infections associated with higher morbidity and mortality commonly reported in HEU infants.

Birth Defects After Exposure to Efavirenz-Based Antiretroviral Therapy at Conception/First Trimester of Pregnancy: A Multicohort Analysis

BACKGROUND

To investigate the association between efavirenz (EFV) use during conception or first trimester (T1) of pregnancy and the occurrence of birth defects.

SETTING

Seven observational studies of pregnant HIV-positive women across 13 European countries and Thailand.

METHODS

Individual-level data were pooled on singleton pregnancies included in participating cohorts in 2002-2015. Birth defects were coded according to ICD-10 and the EUROCAT classification. We performed mixed-effects logistic regression models to assess the association between EFV exposure in utero and likelihood of birth defects.

RESULTS

We included 24,963 live births from 21,093 women. At conception, 30.2% (7537) women were on a non-EFV-based regimen, 4.8% (1200) on EFV, and 65% (16,226) were unexposed to antiretroviral therapy (ART). There were 412 infants with ≥1 birth defect, a prevalence of 1.65% (95% confidence interval: 1.50 to 1.82). Limb/musculoskeletal and congenital heart defects were the most common defects reported. Birth defects were present in 2.4%, 1.6%, and 1.3% of infants exposed to non-EFV, EFV, and unexposed to ART during conception/T1 (P = 0.135), respectively. The association between exposure to ART during conception/T1 and birth defects remained nonsignificant in adjusted analyses, as did exposure to EFV versus non-EFV (adjusted odds ratio 0.61; 95% confidence interval: 0.36 to 1.03, P = 0.067). Among the 21 birth defects in 19 infants on EFV, no neural tube defects were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of birth defects after exposure to EFV-based compared with non-EFV-based ART in conception/T1 was not statistically different in this multicohort study, and even lower. EFV is at least as safe as other ART drugs currently recommended for antenatal use.

Screening for HIV Infection in Pregnant Women: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force

IMPORTANCE

Prenatal screening for HIV can inform use of interventions to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) previously found strong evidence that prenatal HIV screening reduced risk of mother-to-child transmission. The previous evidence review was conducted in 2012.

OBJECTIVE

To update the 2012 review on prenatal HIV screening to inform the USPSTF.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 2012 to June 2018, with surveillance through January 2019.

STUDY SELECTION

Pregnant persons 13 years and older; randomized clinical trials and cohort studies of screening vs no screening; risk of mother-to-child transmission or maternal or infant harms associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy; screening yield at different intervals or in different risk groups.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

One investigator abstracted data; a second checked accuracy. Two investigators independently rated study quality.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Mother-to-child transmission; harms of screening and treatment; screening yield.

RESULTS

Sixty-two studies were included in this review, including 29 new studies. There remains no direct evidence on effects of prenatal screening vs no screening on risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission, maternal or infant clinical outcomes, or the yield of repeat or alternative screening strategies. New evidence confirms that combination ART is highly effective at reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission, with some new cohort studies reporting rates of mother-to-child transmission less than 1% when combination ART was started early in pregnancy (when begun in first trimester, 0%-0.4%; when begun after first trimester, or at any time if timing of ART initiation not reported, 0.4%-2.8%). New evidence on harms of ART was also largely consistent with the previous review. Evidence from primarily observational studies found prenatal combination ART with a boosted protease inhibitor associated with increased risk of preterm delivery (range, 14.4%-26.1%). For other birth outcomes (low birth weight, small for gestational age, stillbirth, birth defects, neonatal death), results were mixed and depended on the specific antiretroviral drug or drug regimen given and timing of prenatal therapy.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Combination ART was highly effective at reducing risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission. Use of certain ART regimens during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of harms that may be mitigated by selection of ART regimen. The 2012 review found that avoidance of breastfeeding and cesarean delivery in women with viremia also reduced risk of transmission and that prenatal screening accurately diagnosed HIV infection.

Cardiac and mitochondrial function in HIV-uninfected fetuses exposed to antiretroviral treatment

Background

Mitochondrial toxicity related to maternal combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) may have an impact on the heart of HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) fetuses. Our objective was to evaluate fetal cardiovascular and mitochondrial biomarkers in HIV pregnancies.

Methods

Prospective cohort including 47 HIV-infected and 47 non HIV-infected pregnancies. Fetal echocardiography was performed at 26–32 weeks of pregnancy. Umbilical cord blood and placental tissue were collected to study mitochondrial DNA content (mtDNA) (ratio 12SrRNA/RNAseP) and mitochondrial function (cytochrome c oxidase, COX, enzymatic activity) normalized by mitochondrial content (citrate synthase, CS).

Results

HEU fetuses showed hypertrophic hearts (left myocardial wall thickness: HIV mean 3.21 mm (SD 0.81) vs. non-HIV 2.72 (0.42), p = 0.012), with signs of systolic and diastolic dysfunction (isovolumic relaxation time: HIV 52.2 ms (8.85) vs. non-HIV 42.5 ms (7.30); p<0.001). Cord blood mitochondrial content was significantly increased in HIV-exposed fetuses (CS activity: HIV 82.9 nmol/min.mg of protein (SD 40.5) vs. non-HIV 56.7 nmol/min.mg of protein (28.4); p = 0.007), with no differences in mtDNA content and COX activity. Both myocardial and mitochondrial mass parameters were significantly associated with zidovudine exposure.

Conclusions

HEU fetuses showed signs of increased myocardial and mitochondrial mass associated with maternal zidovudine treatment, suggesting a fetal adaptive response to cART toxicity.

Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure in Patients With HIV Infection

With the advent and widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the epidemiology of cardiomyopathy and heart failure (HF) associated with HIV infection is changing. Near-normal life expectancy in contemporary HIV-infected populations has been associated with prolonged exposure to increased cardiometabolic burden and chronic immune activation and systemic inflammation. Therefore, the pre-ART phenotype of HIV-associated cardiomyopathy with overt left ventricular systolic dysfunction and poor prognosis has been replaced over time by cardiomyopathy with a more insidious course, more frequent ischemic background, and highly prevalent left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Patients with HIV are more prone to development of coronary artery disease and development of HF after myocardial infarction. The role of ongoing immune activation and systemic inflammation, despite highly active ART (HAART), appears to be central in this process. The role of HAART toxicity is controversial, as HAART itself appears to be protective for the development of HF, but recent data suggest that protease inhibitors might adversely affect the course of HIV-associated HF. Because of these unique features, the optimal therapeutic approach for HIV-associated cardiomyopathy remains unknown. The current therapeutic approaches are an extrapolation from noninfected populations. Importantly, the significance of the highly prevalent diastolic abnormalities among HIV-infected patients is not known. Therefore, further research is needed to identify its prognostic implications. Considering the prevalence of structural and functional cardiac abnormalities in HIV-infected persons and the lack of evidence on how to best screen and treat these patients, systematic research on this topic is a public health priority.

Cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers in perinatally HIV-infected and HIV-exposed uninfected children

OBJECTIVES

To compare distributions of serum cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers between perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) and perinatally HIV-exposed uninfected (PHEU) children, to evaluate their associations with echocardiographic measures, and among PHIV youth, with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV disease severity measures.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of temporally paired serum samples for biomarkers and echocardiograms in a prospective multicenter cohort study of PHIV and PHEU youth.

METHODS

Serum samples were analyzed among 402 youth in the PHACS Adolescent Master Protocol (AMP) for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-T (hs-cTnT, a cardiomyocyte injury marker), N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP, a myocardial stress marker), and inflammatory markers [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and soluble TNF receptor II (sTNF-RII)]. Echocardiograms were centrally measured and parameters converted to z cores to account for differences in age and body size.

RESULTS

Compared with PHEU (N = 156), PHIV youth (N = 246) more often had detectable hs-cTnT and higher levels of sTNF-RII and IL-18. Higher inflammatory biomarkers were generally associated with higher left ventricular (LV) wall stress and lower LV function and LV mass in the two groups. Among PHIV youth, the biomarkers were more strongly associated with current rather than historical immunologic and virologic status.

CONCLUSION

PHEU and PHIV have modest, significant differences in serum levels of specific inflammatory and active myocardial injury biomarkers. Higher biomarker levels were associated with lower LV mass and shifts in LV structure. Further study is warranted on the longitudinal role of cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers for targeting interventions among PHIV and PHEU youth.

Complications of Treatment in Youth with HIV

While combination antiretroviral therapy allows HIV-infected patients to have life expectancies similar to that of the general population, it may also contribute to the development of co-morbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Such complications could compromise long-term quality of life, especially in HIV-infected youth whose lifetime cumulative exposure to antiretrovirals is likely to be many decades. Recent studies continue to demonstrate abnormalities associated with antiretroviral therapy, although clinical manifestations are rare in this younger population, especially with modern antiretrovirals. The purpose of this paper is to review the most recent literature on complications of treatment in youth with HIV.

Fetal Metabolic Stress Disrupts Immune Homeostasis and Induces Proinflammatory Responses in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1- and Combination Antiretroviral Therapy-Exposed Infants

Increased morbidity and fetal growth restriction are reported in uninfected children born to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected women treated with antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. Viruses and/or pharmacological interventions such as ARVs can induce metabolic stress, skewing the cell's immune response and restricting (cell) growth. Novel metabolomic techniques provided the opportunity to investigate the impact of fetal HIV-1 and combination ARV therapy (cART) exposure on the infants' immune metabolome. Peroxidized lipids, generated by reactive oxygen species, were increased in cART/HIV-1-exposed infants, indicating altered mitochondrial functioning. The lipid metabolism was further dysregulated with increased triglyceride species and a subsequent decrease in phospholipids in cART/HIV-1-exposed infants compared to control infants. Proinflammatory immune mediators, lysophospholipids as well as cytokines such as CXCL10 and CCL3, were increased whereas anti-inflammatory metabolites from the cytochrome P450 pathway were reduced in cART/HIV-1-exposed infants. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the fetal metabolism is impacted by maternal factors (cART and HIV-1) and skews physiological immune responses toward inflammation in the newborn infant.

Health and survival of HIV perinatally exposed but uninfected children born to HIV-infected mothers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The number of HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) infants exposed to both HIV and multiple antiretroviral drugs in utero and during prolonged breastfeeding is increasing in low-income countries where HIV prevalence is the highest. We review recent evidence on the effects of perinatal/postnatal exposure to maternal HIV and combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) on health outcomes of HEU children (mitochondrial and metabolic toxicity, adverse pregnancy outcomes, neurodevelopment, growth, infectious morbidity, and mortality).

RECENT FINDINGS

Several studies have reported ART-associated mitochondrial toxicity and metabolic disorders with conflicting results on adverse pregnancy outcomes, underscoring the need to conduct further investigations on these questions. Studies about congenital abnormalities report no significant differences between HEU exposed to ART and HIV-unexposed (HUU) children. Updated French data showed no significant difference in cancer incidence between HEU cART-exposed children and the general paediatric population. Furthermore, HEU children exposed to maternal cART have modest but significant impairment of development and a higher risk of growth impairment. Finally, HEU have higher risks of infections (mainly low respiratory tract infections and diarrhoea) and malaria than HUU children, particularly in children not breastfed or after early weaning. Higher mortality risk from infectious disease is reported in HEU compared to HUU children.

SUMMARY

As we move toward the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HEU children are an emerging population whose health outcomes remain to be fully described. Future large cohorts of HEU children using careful comparison groups of HUU in the post-ART era are needed to better understand their long-term health outcomes.

Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1-Positive Mothers: Neurological Implications in Virus-Free Children

Since the worldwide introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in human immunodeficiency virus type 1, HIV-1-positive mothers, together with HIV-1 testing prior to pregnancy, caesarian birth and breastfeeding cessation with replacement feeding, a reduction of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) has been observed in the last few years. As such, an increasing number of children are being exposed in utero to ART. Several questions have arisen concerning the neurological effects of ART exposure in utero, considering the potential effect of antiretroviral drugs on the central nervous system, a structure which is in continuous development in the fetus and characterized by great plasticity. This review aims at discussing the possible neurological impairment of children exposed to ART in utero, focusing attention on the drugs commonly used for HIV-1 MTCT prevention, clinical reports of ART neurotoxicity in children born to HIV-1-positive mothers, and neurologic effects of protease inhibitors (PIs), especially ritonavir-“boosted” lopinavir (LPV/r) in cell and animal central nervous system models evaluating the potential neurotoxic effect of ART. Finally, we present the findings of a meta-analysis to assess the effects on the neurodevelopment of children exposed to ART in utero.

Genetically determined ancestry is more informative than self-reported race in HIV-infected and -exposed children

The Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS), the largest ongoing longitudinal study of perinatal HIV-infected (PHIV) and HIV-exposed, uninfected (PHEU) children in the United States, comprises the Surveillance Monitoring of Antiretroviral Therapy [ART] Toxicities (SMARTT) Study in PHEU children and the Adolescent Master Protocol (AMP) that includes PHIV and PHEU children ≥7 years. Although race/ethnicity is often used to assess health outcomes, this approach remains controversial and may fail to accurately reflect the backgrounds of ancestry-diverse populations as represented in the PHACS participants.In this study, we compared genetically determined ancestry (GDA) and self-reported race/ethnicity (SRR) in the PHACS cohort. GDA was estimated using a highly discriminative panel of 41 single nucleotide polymorphisms and compared to SRR. Because SRR was similar between the PHIV and PHEU, and between the AMP and SMARTT cohorts, data for all unique 1958 participants were combined.According to SRR, 63% of study participants identified as Black/African-American, 27% White, and 34% Hispanic. Using the highest percentage of ancestry/ethnicity to identify GDA, 9.5% of subjects were placed in the incorrect superpopulation based on SRR. When ≥50% or ≥75% GDA of a given superpopulation was required, 12% and 25%, respectively, of subjects were placed in the incorrect superpopulation based on SRR, and the percent of subjects classified as multiracial increased. Of 126 participants with unidentified SRR, 71% were genetically identified as Eurasian.GDA provides a more robust assessment of race/ethnicity when compared to self-report, and study participants with unidentified SRR could be assigned GDA using genetic markers. In addition, identification of continental ancestry removes the taxonomic identification of race as a variable when identifying risk for clinical outcomes.

Mitochondrial compromise in 3-year old patas monkeys exposed in utero to human-equivalent antiretroviral therapies

Antiretroviral (ARV) drug therapy, given during pregnancy for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), induces fetal mitochondrial dysfunction in some children. However, the persistence/reversibility of that dysfunction is unclear. Here we have followed Erythrocebus patas (patas) monkey offspring for up to 3 years of age (similar in development to a 15-year old human) after exposure of the dams to human-equivalent in utero ARV exposure protocols. Pregnant patas dams (3-5/exposure group) were given ARV drug combinations that included zidovudine (AZT)/lamivudine (3TC)/abacavir (ABC), or AZT/3TC/nevirapine (NVP), for the last 10 weeks (50%) of gestation. Infants kept for 1 and 3 years also received drug for the first 6 weeks of life. In offpsring at birth, 1 and 3 years of age mitochondrial morphology, examined by electron microscopy (EM), was compromised compared to the unexposed controls. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), measured by hybrid capture chemiluminescence assay (HCCA) was depleted in hearts of patas exposed to AZT/3TC/NVP at all ages (P < 0.05), but not in those exposed to AZT/3TC/ABC at any age. Compared to unexposed controls, mitochondrial reserve capacity oxygen consumption rate (OCR by Seahorse) in cultured bone marrow mesenchymal fibroblasts from 3-year-old patas offspring was ∼50% reduced in AZT/3TC/ABC-exposed patas (P < 0.01), but not in AZT/3TC/NVP-exposed patas. Overall the data show that 3-year-old patas sustain persistent mitochondrial dysfunction as a result of perinatal ARV drug exposure. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:526-534, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Zidovudine treatment in HIV-infected pregnant women is associated with fetal cardiac remodelling

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cardiac structure and function of the fetuses of pregnant women with HIV infection on combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) and the HIV-related and nonrelated determinants of abnormal findings.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study including 42-noninfected fetuses from HIV pregnant women on cART and 84 fetuses from non-HIV-infected women.

METHODS

Fetal echocardiography was performed at 26-32 weeks of pregnancy to assess cardiac structure and function. The impact of maternal and perinatal factors on fetal cardiac remodelling was evaluated by multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

Fetuses from HIV pregnant women on cART presented larger hearts and pericardial effusion together with thicker myocardial septal walls (mean 3.56 mm (SD 0.88) vs non-HIV mean 2.75 mm (SD 0.77); P = 0.002) and smaller left ventricular cavities (10.81 mm (SD 2.28) vs 12.3 mm (SD 2.54); P = 0.033). Fetuses from HIV women also presented signs of systolic (mitral systolic annular peak velocity 5.85 cm/s (SD 0.77) vs non-HIV 6.25 cm/s (SD 0.97); P = 0.007) and diastolic (isovolumic relaxation time 52 ms (SD 8.91) vs non-HIV 45 ms (SD 7.98); P < 0.001) dysfunction. In the multivariate analysis, maternal treatment with zidovudine was the only factor significantly associated with fetal cardiac changes (P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

Fetuses from HIV-infected mothers on cART have cardiac remodelling and dysfunction, which might explain the cardiovascular changes described in childhood. Fetal cardiac remodelling was essentially associated with maternal treatment with zidovudine which challenges its use during pregnancy.

The PHACS SMARTT Study: Assessment of the Safety of In Utero Exposure to Antiretroviral Drugs

The Surveillance Monitoring for ART Toxicities (SMARTT) cohort of the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study includes over 3,500 HIV-exposed but uninfected infants and children at 22 sites in the US, including Puerto Rico. The goal of the study is to determine the safety of in utero exposure to antiretrovirals (ARVs) and to estimate the incidence of adverse events. Domains being assessed include metabolic, growth and development, cardiac, neurological, neurodevelopmental (ND), behavior, language, and hearing. SMARTT employs an innovative trigger-based design as an efficient means to identify and evaluate adverse events. Participants who met a predefined clinical or laboratory threshold (trigger) undergo additional evaluations to define their case status. After adjusting for birth cohort and other factors, there was no significant increase in the likelihood of meeting overall case status (case in any domain) with exposure to combination ARVs (cARVs), any ARV class, or any specific ARV. However, several individual ARVs were significantly associated with case status in individual domains, including zidovudine for a metabolic case, first trimester stavudine for a language case, and didanosine plus stavudine for a ND case. We found an increased rate of preterm birth with first trimester exposure to protease inhibitor-based cARV. Although there was no overall increase in congenital anomalies with first trimester cARV, a significant increase was seen with exposure to atazanavir, ritonavir, and didanosine plus stavudine. Tenofovir exposure was associated with significantly lower mean whole-body bone mineral content in the newborn period and a lower length and head circumference at 1 year of age. With ND testing at 1 year of age, specific ARVs (atazanavir, ritonavir-boosted lopinavir, nelfinavir, and tenofovir) were associated with lower performance, although all groups were within the normal range. No ARVs or classes were associated with lower performance between 5 and 13 years of age. Atazanavir and saquinavir exposure were associated with late language emergence at 1 year, but not at 2 years of age. The results of the SMARTT study are generally reassuring, with little evidence for serious adverse events resulting from in utero ARV exposure. However, several findings of concern warrant further evaluation, and new ARVs used in pregnancy need to be evaluated.

Cardiac Effects of Antiretroviral-Naïve versus Antiretroviral-Exposed HIV Infection in Children

BACKGROUND

Cardiac involvement in HIV infected children has been frequently reported, but whether this is due to HIV infection itself or to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is unknown.

METHODS

This cross sectional study involved 114 vertically-acquired HIV-infected (56 ART-naive, 58 ART-exposed) and 51 healthy children in Jakarta, Indonesia. Echocardiography was performed to measure dimensions of the left ventricle (LV) and systolic functions. We applied general linear modeling to evaluate the associations between HIV infection/treatment status and cardiac parameters with further adjustment for potential confounders or explanatory variables. Findings are presented as (adjusted) mean differences between each of the two HIV groups and healthy children, with 95% confidence intervals and p values.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy children, ART-naïve HIV-infected children did not show significant differences in age-and-height adjusted cardiac dimensions apart from larger LV internal diameter (difference 2.0 mm, 95%CI 0.2 to 3.7), whereas ART exposed HIV infection showed thicker LV posterior walls (difference = 1.1 mm, 95%CI 0.5 to 1.6), larger LV internal diameter (difference = 1.7 mm, 95%CI 0.2 to 3.2) and higher LV mass (difference = 14.0 g, 7.4 to 20.5). With respect to systolic function, reduced LV ejection fraction was seen in both ART-naïve HIV infected (adjusted difference = -6.7%, -11.4 to -2.0) and, to a lesser extent, in ART-exposed HIV infected children (difference = -4.5%, -8.5 to -0.4). Inflammation level seemed to be involved in most associations in ART-exposed HIV-infected, but few, if any, for decreased function in the ART-naive ones, whereas lower hemoglobin appeared to partially mediate chamber dilation in both groups and reduced function, mainly in ART-exposed children.

CONCLUSIONS

ART-naive HIV infected children have a substantial decrease in cardiac systolic function, whereas the ART-exposed have thicker ventricular walls with larger internal diameter and higher mass, but less functional impairment.

Paediatric HIV: Progress on Prevention, Treatment and Cure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides an update on current developments with prevention, treatment and cure strategies in the field of pediatric HIV.

RECENT FINDINGS/SUMMARY

There has been tremendous progress in the prevention and treatment of pediatric HIV infection. With new strategies for prevention of mother-to-child transmission, we are growing ever closer towards elimination of pediatric HIV, though challenges with retention of pregnant woman and their HIV-exposed infants remain. Ongoing vigilance regarding the potential hazards of in utero ART exposure to infants continues with no significant alarms yet identified. Though cure has not been achieved, evidence of the impact of early treatment on reducing HIV-1 reservoir size with subsequent prolonged remission has enlivened efforts to rapidly identify and treat HIV-infected newborns. There is an increasing array of treatment options for pediatric patients and reassuring evidence regarding long-term complications of ART. Unfortunately, despite evidence suggesting the benefit of early treatment, timely identification and treatment of children remains a challenge. Better strategies for effective case-finding and engagement in care are urgently needed in addition to an improved understanding of how to retain HIV-positive children and adolescents on treatment. However, further emboldened by recent international commitments and robust global support, the future is hopeful.

In utero exposure to zidovudine and heart anomalies in the ANRS French perinatal cohort and the nested PRIMEVA randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral (ARV) regimens during pregnancy are highly effective in preventing mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Congenital heart defects (CHDs) and anomalies in cardiac function have been reported in zidovudine (ZDV)-exposed uninfected children. We explored these associations in a large observational cohort and a randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

Since 1986, the French Perinatal Cohort prospectively enrolled all HIV-infected women in 90 centers and collected follow-up on their children through 2 years of age. All CHDs were reviewed by a specialist blinded to exposures. Additionally, in a randomized trial (PRIMEVA ANRS 135) of 2 ARV regimens during pregnancy, 1 of which was without nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, infants had a specific follow-up including echocardiography at 1 month and 12 months.

RESULTS

Among 12 888 children included, ZDV exposure in the first trimester was significantly associated with CHD (1.5% vs 0.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.2 [95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.7]; P < .001). This association was significant for ventricular septal defects (1.1% vs 0.6%; P = .001) and other CHDs (0.31% vs 0.11%; P = .02). In the randomized trial, among 50 infants, girls (but not boys) exposed in utero to ZDV/lamivudine/ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r) had a higher left ventricular shortening fraction at 1 month (40% vs 36%; P = .008), and an increased posterior wall thickness at 1 year (5.4 mm vs 4.4 mm; P = .01) than the LPV/r group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms a specific association between in utero exposure to ZDV and CHDs, and a long-lasting postnatal myocardial remodeling in girls. A potential common mechanism, including the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction, must be explored, and long-term consequences on cardiac function warrant specific attention.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

NCT00424814.