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Leeme TB, Mine M, Lechiile K, Mulenga F, Mosepele M, Mphoyakgosi T, Muthoga C, Ngidi J, Nkomo B, Ramaabya D, Tau M, Tenforde MW, Hayes R, Jarvis JN. Utility of CD4 count measurement in the era of universal antiretroviral therapy: an analysis of routine laboratory data in Botswana. HIV Med 2020; 22:1-10. [PMID: 32876378 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES National guidelines in Botswana recommend baseline CD4 count measurement and both CD4 and HIV viral load (VL) monitoring post-antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. We evaluated the utility of CD4 count measurement in Botswana in the era of universal ART. METHODS CD4 and VL data were analysed for HIV-infected adults undergoing CD4 count measurement in 2015-2017 at the Botswana Harvard HIV-Reference Laboratory. We determined (1) the proportion of individuals with advanced HIV disease (CD4 count < 200 cells/µL) at initial CD4 assessment, (2) the proportion with an initial CD4 count ≥ 200 cells/µL experiencing a subsequent decline in CD4 count to < 200 cells/µL, and (3) the proportion of these immunologically failing individuals who had virological failure. Logistic regression modelling examined factors associated with advanced HIV disease. CD4 count trajectories were assessed using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) regression. RESULTS Twenty-five per cent (3571/14 423) of individuals with an initial CD4 assessment during the study period had advanced HIV disease at baseline. Older age [≥ 35 years; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-2.1] and male sex were associated with advanced HIV disease. Fifty per cent (7163/14 423) of individuals had at least two CD4 counts during the study period. Of those with an initial CD4 count ≥ 200 cells/µL, 4% (180/5061) experienced a decline in CD4 count to < 200 cells/µL; the majority of CD4 count declines were in virologically suppressed individuals and transient. CONCLUSIONS One-quarter of HIV-positive individuals in Botswana still present with advanced HIV disease, highlighting the importance of baseline CD4 count measurement to identify this at-risk population. Few with a baseline CD4 count ≥ 200 cells/µL experienced a drop below 200 cells/µL, suggesting limited utility for ongoing CD4 monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- T B Leeme
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - M Mine
- National Health Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - K Lechiile
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - F Mulenga
- National Health Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - M Mosepele
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - C Muthoga
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.,Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Gaborone
| | - J Ngidi
- National Health Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - B Nkomo
- Ministry of Health and Wellness, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - D Ramaabya
- Ministry of Health and Wellness, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - M Tau
- Ministry of Health and Wellness, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - R Hayes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - J N Jarvis
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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