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Costa B, Gouveia MJ, Vale N. Safety and Efficacy of Antiviral Drugs and Vaccines in Pregnant Women: Insights from Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Integration of Viral Infection Dynamics. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:782. [PMID: 39066420 PMCID: PMC11281481 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12070782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Addressing the complexities of managing viral infections during pregnancy is essential for informed medical decision-making. This comprehensive review delves into the management of key viral infections impacting pregnant women, namely Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus/Hepatitis C Virus (HBV/HCV), Influenza, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). We evaluate the safety and efficacy profiles of antiviral treatments for each infection, while also exploring innovative avenues such as gene vaccines and their potential in mitigating viral threats during pregnancy. Additionally, the review examines strategies to overcome challenges, encompassing prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine research, regulatory considerations, and safety protocols. Utilizing advanced methodologies, including PBPK modeling, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and causal inference, we can amplify our comprehension and decision-making capabilities in this intricate domain. This narrative review aims to shed light on diverse approaches and ongoing advancements, this review aims to foster progress in antiviral therapy for pregnant women, improving maternal and fetal health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Costa
- PerMed Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Health Information and Decision (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Parasite Biology and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 4000-055 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Maria João Gouveia
- Centre for Parasite Biology and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 4000-055 Porto, Portugal;
- Center for the Study in Animal Science (CECA/ICETA), University of Porto, 4051-401 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- PerMed Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Health Information and Decision (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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Mupambireyi Z, Cowan FM, Chappell E, Chimwaza A, Manika N, Wedderburn CJ, Gannon H, Gibb T, Heys M, Fitzgerald F, Chimhuya S, Gibb D, Ford D, Mushavi A, Bwakura-Dangarembizi M. "Getting pregnant during COVID-19 was a big risk because getting help from the clinic was not easy": COVID-19 experiences of women and healthcare providers in Harare, Zimbabwe. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002317. [PMID: 38190418 PMCID: PMC10773929 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated measures may have disrupted delivery of maternal and neonatal health services and reversed the progress made towards dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis in Zimbabwe. This qualitative study explores the impact of the pandemic on the provision and uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services from the perspectives of women and maternal healthcare providers. Longitudinal in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 pregnant and breastfeeding women aged 20-39 years living with HIV and 20 healthcare workers in two maternity polyclinics in low-income suburbs of Harare, Zimbabwe. Semi-structured interviews were held after the second and third waves of COVID-19 in March and November 2021, respectively. Data were analysed using a modified grounded theory approach. While eight antenatal care contacts are recommended by Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care, women reported only being able to access two contacts. Although HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART) refills and syphilis screening services were accessible at first contact, other services such as HIV-viral load monitoring and enhanced adherence counselling were not available for those on ART. Closure of clinics and shortened operating hours during the second COVID-19 wave resulted in more antenatal bookings occurring later during pregnancy and more home deliveries. Six of the 20 (33%) interviewed women reported giving birth at home, assisted by untrained traditional midwives as clinics were closed. Babies delivered at home missed ART prophylaxis and HIV testing at birth despite being HIV-exposed. Although women faced multiple challenges, they continued to attempt to access services after delivery. These findings underline the importance of investing in robust health systems that can respond to emergency situations to ensure continuity of essential HIV prevention, treatment, and care services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zivai Mupambireyi
- Department of Children and Adolescents Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Frances M. Cowan
- Department of Children and Adolescents Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Chappell
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anesu Chimwaza
- Department of AIDS/Tuberculosis, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Ngoni Manika
- Department of AIDS/Tuberculosis, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Hannah Gannon
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Gibb
- Picturing Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Heys
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Felicity Fitzgerald
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simbarashe Chimhuya
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Diana Gibb
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Ford
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Mushavi
- Department of AIDS/Tuberculosis, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Mutsa Bwakura-Dangarembizi
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Nakyanzi A, Naddunga F, Bulterys MA, Mujugira A, Wyatt MA, Kamusiime B, Nalumansi A, Kasiita V, Peacock S, Celum CL, Ware NC. " It Soothes Your Heart": A Multimethod Study Exploring Acceptability of Point-of-Care Viral Load Testing among Ugandan Pregnant and Postpartum Women Living with HIV. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 14:72. [PMID: 38201381 PMCID: PMC10795616 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical for achieving viral suppression and preventing onward HIV transmission. ART continuation can be challenging for pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV), which has critical implications for risk of vertical HIV transmission. Point-of-care viral load (POC VL) testing has been associated with improved treatment and retention outcomes. We sought to explore acceptability of POC VL testing among Ugandan PWLHIV during pregnancy and postpartum. METHODS This multimethod analysis drew on quantitative and qualitative data collected between February and December 2021. Quantitatively, we used an intent-to-treat analysis to assess whether randomization to clinic-based POC VL testing during pregnancy and infant testing at delivery was associated with improved viral suppression (≤50 copies/mL) by 3 months postpartum compared to standard-of-care (SOC) VL testing through a central laboratory, adjusting for factorial randomization for the male partner testing strategy. Additionally, a subset of 22 PWLHIV in the POC VL arm participated in in-depth qualitative interviews. We inductively analyzed transcripts to develop categories representing concepts that characterized women's perceptions of POC VL testing during pregnancy and at delivery and ways that POC VL testing may have impacted their ART adherence and viral suppression. Key themes around women's perceptions of POC VL testing were then organized into main categories. RESULTS Overall, 151 PWLHIV were enrolled into the study, 77 (51%) of whom were randomized to receive POC VL testing during pregnancy and at delivery. Women reported in qualitative interviews that POC VL testing had (1) motivated their ART adherence during pregnancy and postpartum and that they felt this testing method had (2) helped them protect their infants from acquiring HIV and (3) improved their emotional wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS POC VL testing was highly acceptable among Ugandan PWLHIV and was viewed as an important tool that women believed improved their ART adherence, gave them information necessary to protect their infants from vertical HIV acquisition, and improved their emotional wellbeing. These findings support the global scale-up of POC VL testing in settings with high HIV burden, especially for PWLHIV who may be at risk of treatment disruptions or loss to follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Nakyanzi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda; (F.N.); (A.M.); (B.K.); (A.N.); (V.K.)
| | - Faith Naddunga
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda; (F.N.); (A.M.); (B.K.); (A.N.); (V.K.)
| | - Michelle A. Bulterys
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.A.B.); (S.P.); (C.L.C.)
| | - Andrew Mujugira
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda; (F.N.); (A.M.); (B.K.); (A.N.); (V.K.)
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.A.B.); (S.P.); (C.L.C.)
| | - Monique A. Wyatt
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.A.W.); (N.C.W.)
- Harvard Global, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Brenda Kamusiime
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda; (F.N.); (A.M.); (B.K.); (A.N.); (V.K.)
| | - Alisaati Nalumansi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda; (F.N.); (A.M.); (B.K.); (A.N.); (V.K.)
| | - Vicent Kasiita
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda; (F.N.); (A.M.); (B.K.); (A.N.); (V.K.)
| | - Sue Peacock
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.A.B.); (S.P.); (C.L.C.)
| | - Connie L. Celum
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.A.B.); (S.P.); (C.L.C.)
- Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Norma C. Ware
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.A.W.); (N.C.W.)
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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