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OBJETIVO: Analisar o comportamento hemodinâmico do coração na revascularização do miocárdio sem a utilização da circulação extracorpórea, através da cateterização da artéria pulmonar com cateter de San-Ganz. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: No período de agosto de 1991 a junho de 1999, foram operados 616 pacientes portadores de angina do peito, que foram submetidos a revascularização do miocárdio sem a utilização da circulação extracorpórea. Em 18 pacientes foram estudados os parâmetros hemodinâmicos intra-operatórios. RESULTADOS: A freqüência cardíaca manteve-se elevada durante todos os momentos de posicionamento do coração (p=0,0007). O débito cardíaco ao longo do procedimento apresentou variação mínima nos diversos momentos de posicionamento do coração e exposição das artérias coronárias. Entretanto, com o coração na posição normal final, observou-se um aumento importante do débito cardíaco (p=0,010). A pressão arterial média apresentou-se diminuída em todos os momentos do procedimento de exposição das artérias coronárias (p=0,022). A pressão arterial pulmonar apresentou-se diminuída durante todos os momentos de mobilização (NS). A pressão capilar pulmonar oscilou bastante durante a exposição das coronárias (NS). A pressão venosa central comportou-se de maneira mais variada durante a exposição das artérias (NS). A resistência vascular sistêmica apresentou-se diminuída durante todo o procedimento (p=0,0001). A resistência vascular pulmonar apresentou-se diminuída em todos os momentos do procedimento (p=0,002). O "stroke volume" apresentou-se inalterado durante a anastomose da interventricular anterior e só se observaram diferenças estatísticas na coronária direita (p=0,002) e artéria circunflexa (p=0,0006) e seus ramos. O índice cardíaco apresentou-se diminuído durante o procedimento (p=0,0011). CONCLUSÕES: A) A técnica presente permite a mobilização máxima do coração sem indução de instabilidade hemodinâmica. B) A melhora de alguns parâmetros de hemodinâmica ao final do procedimento pode ser justificada: 1) devido à resposta à revascularização miocárdica; 2) decorrente da liberação de catecolaminas após a manipulação do coração nas diversas posições; 3) decorrente da liberação de mediadores vasoativos depois da tração prolongada do pericárdio. more...

The WHO recommends the use of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for primary cervical cancer (CC) screening because of its high sensitivity. However, triage is desirable to correctly identify HPV+ women who have high-grade lesions (CIN2+) and require treatment. The ANRS-12375 study was conducted in Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Cambodia to assess the performance, feasibility and benefits of different triage options for detecting CIN2+ lesions: partial (HPV16 and HPV16/18/45) and extended genotyping, visual inspection (VIA) alone and VIA combined with partial genotyping. VIA was performed by gynecologists. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic likelihood ratio (DLR) of each triage option for detecting CIN2+ lesions with histology as a reference standard were calculated. Of the 2253 women living with HIV (WLHIV) included, 932 (41%) were HPV+. A CIN2+ lesion was identified in 105 (13%) of the 777 participants with histopathology results. The sensitivity of VIA as a triage test for CIN2+ patients was 89%, while that for extended genotyping was 89%, that for HPV16/18/45 partial genotyping was 51%, and that for HPV16 partial genotyping was 36%. The specificities for these tests were 45%, 29%, 72%., and 85%, respectively. Combining VIA and/or partial genotyping positivity slightly increased the sensitivity (94%) at the cost of lower specificity (28%). There was significant intersite heterogeneity (p = .04). Among the three triage tests with a sensitivity ≥85%, the VIA had the highest specificity and positive likelihood ratio (p < .001). VIA and extended genotyping, whether independent or combined, are good triage options with high sensitivity for identifying WLHIV needing treatment for CIN2+., (© 2024 The Author(s). International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UICC.) more...

Objective: We studied the transition to dolutegravir-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) at HIV treatment clinics within the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA)., Design: Site-level survey conducted in 2020-2021 among HIV clinics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)., Methods: We assessed the status of dolutegravir rollout and viral load and drug resistance testing practices for persons on ART switching to dolutegravir-based regimens. We used generalized estimating equations to assess associations between clinic rollout of both first- and second-line dolutegravir-based ART regimens (dual rollout) and site-level factors., Results: Of 179 surveyed clinics, 175 (98%) participated; 137 (78%) from Africa, 30 (17%) from the Asia-Pacific, and 8 (5%) from Latin America. Most clinics (80%) were in low- or lower-middle-income countries, and there were a mix of primary-, secondary- and tertiary-level clinics. Ninety percent reported rollout of first-line dolutegravir, 59% of second-line, 94% of first- or second-line and 55% of dual rollout. The adjusted odds of dual rollout were higher among tertiary-level [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.00; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39-11.47] and secondary-level clinics (aOR 3.66; 95% CI 2.19-6.11) than in primary-level clinics. Over half (59%) of clinics that introduced first- or second-line dolutegravir-based ART required recent viral load testing before switching to dolutegravir, and 15% performed genotypic resistance testing at switch., Conclusions: Dolutegravir-based ART was rolled out at nearly all IeDEA clinics in LMICs, yet many switched persons to dolutegravir without recent viral load testing and drug resistance testing was rarely performed. Without such testing, drug resistance among persons switching to dolutegravir may go undetected., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.) more...

Background: After antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, people with HIV (PWH) treated for tuberculosis (TB) may develop TB-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS). Integrase inhibitors, by providing a faster HIV-RNA decline than efavirenz, might increase the risk for this complication. We sought to assess incidence and determinants of TB-IRIS in PWH with TB on raltegravir- or efavirenz-based ART., Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the Reflate TB 2 trial, which randomized ART-naive PWH on standard TB treatment, to receive raltegravir- or efavirenz-based ART. The primary objective was to evaluate the incidence of TB-IRIS. Incidence rate ratio comparing TB-IRIS incidence in each arm was calculated. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare TB-IRIS-free survival probabilities by ART arm. Cox regression models were fitted to analyze baseline characteristics associated with TB-IRIS., Results: Of 460 trial participants, 453 from Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire, Mozambique, and Vietnam were included in this analysis. Baseline characteristics were median age 35 years (interquartile range [IQR], 29-43), 40% female, 69% pulmonary TB only, median CD4, 102 (IQR, 38-239) cells/mm³, and median HIV RNA, 5.5 (IQR, 5.0-5.8) log copies/mL. Forty-eight participants developed TB-IRIS (incidence rate, 24.7/100 PY), 19 cases in the raltegravir arm and 29 in the efavirenz arm (incidence rate ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval .35-1.10). Factors associated with TB-IRIS were: CD4 ≤ 100 cells/μL, HIV RNA ≥500 000 copies/mL, and extrapulmonary/disseminated TB., Conclusions: We did not demonstrate that raltegravir-based ART increased the incidence of TB-IRIS compared with efavirenz-based ART. Low CD4 counts, high HIV RNA, and extrapulmonary/disseminated TB at ART initiation were associated with TB-IRIS., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. J. M. M. has acted as a consultant, participated in advisory boards, has received speaker fees, and has been an investigator for clinical trials for ViiV Healthcare, Gilead Sciences, and Merck. He has also received research grants from Gilead Sciences. C. D. participated in advisory boards for ViiV Healthcare, Gilead Sciences, BMS, and Merck, and has also received research grants from Gilead and MAD. All other authors report no potential conflicts., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.) more...

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading infectious cause of death globally. It is the most common opportunistic infection in people living with HIV, and the most common cause of their morbidity and mortality. Following TB treatment, surviving individuals may be at risk for post-TB lung disease. The TB Sentinel Research Network (TB-SRN) provides a platform for coordinated observational TB research within the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium., Methods and Analysis: This prospective, observational cohort study will assess treatment and post-treatment outcomes of pulmonary TB (microbiologically confirmed or clinically diagnosed) among 2600 people aged ≥15 years, with and without HIV coinfection, consecutively enrolled at 16 sites in 11 countries, across 6 of IeDEA's global regions. Data regarding clinical and sociodemographic factors, mental health, health-related quality of life, pulmonary function, and laboratory and radiographic findings will be collected using standardised questionnaires and data collection tools, beginning from the initiation of TB treatment and through 12 months after the end of treatment. Data will be aggregated for proposed analyses., Ethics and Dissemination: Ethics approval was obtained at all implementing study sites, including the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Human Research Protections Programme. Participants will provide informed consent; for minors, this includes both adolescent assent and the consent of their parent or primary caregiver. Protections for vulnerable groups are included, in alignment with local standards and considerations at sites. Procedures for requesting use and analysis of TB-SRN data are publicly available. Findings from TB-SRN analyses will be shared with national TB programmes to inform TB programming and policy, and disseminated at regional and global conferences and other venues., Competing Interests: Competing interests: AHS receives grants to her institution from ViiV Healthcare and Gilead Sciences., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.) more...

Objective: We sought to compare virologic outcomes on antiretroviral therapy (ART) between people with HIV (PWH) also treated for tuberculosis in the different countries who participated to two randomized trials., Design: Pooled analysis of two randomized clinical trials., Methods: In the phase II Reflate TB and phase III Reflate TB2 trials conducted in Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire, Mozambique and Vietnam, ART-naïve PWH treated for tuberculosis were randomized to receive raltegravir or efavirenz. We assessed country differences in baseline characteristic using Wilcoxon tests and chi-square, or Fisher's exact test. We used logistic regression to analyze determinants of virologic success, defined as week-48 plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/ml., Results: Of 550 participants (140 from Brazil, 170 from Côte d'Ivoire, 129 from Mozambique and 111 from Vietnam) with median baseline HIV-1 RNA of 5.4 log 10  copies/ml, 362 (65.8%) achieved virologic success at week 48. Virologic success rates were: 105/140 (75.0%) in Brazil, 99/170 (58.2%) in Côte d'Ivoire, 84/129 (65.1%) in Mozambique and 74/111 (66.7%) in Vietnam ( P  = 0.0233). Baseline HIV-1 RNA, but not the country, was independently associated with virologic success: baseline HIV-1 RNA ≥500 000 copies/ml (reference), HIV RNA <100 000 copies/ml odds ratio 3.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.94; 5.01] and HIV-1 RNA 100 000-499 999 copies/ml odds ratio: 1.80 (95% CI 1.19; 2.73). Overall, 177/277 (63.9%) patients treated with raltegravir and 185/273 (67.9%) patients treated with efavirenz had a plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/ml at week 48., Conclusions: Virologic response to antiretroviral therapy in PWH with TB varied across countries but was mainly driven by levels of pretreatment HIV-1 RNA., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.) more...

Introduction: Interruptions in treatment pose risks for people with HIV (PWH) and threaten progress in ending the HIV epidemic; however, the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on HIV service delivery across diverse settings is not broadly documented., Methods: From September 2020 to March 2021, the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) research consortium surveyed 238 HIV care sites across seven geographic regions to document constraints in HIV service delivery during the first year of the pandemic and strategies for ensuring care continuity for PWH. Descriptive statistics were stratified by national HIV prevalence (<1%, 1-4.9% and ≥5%) and country income levels., Results: Questions about pandemic-related consequences for HIV care were completed by 225 (95%) sites in 42 countries with low (n = 82), medium (n = 86) and high (n = 57) HIV prevalence, including low- (n = 57), lower-middle (n = 79), upper-middle (n = 39) and high- (n = 50) income countries. Most sites reported being subject to pandemic-related restrictions on travel, service provision or other operations (75%), and experiencing negative impacts (76%) on clinic operations, including decreased hours/days, reduced provider availability, clinic reconfiguration for COVID-19 services, record-keeping interruptions and suspension of partner support. Almost all sites in low-prevalence and high-income countries reported increased use of telemedicine (85% and 100%, respectively), compared with less than half of sites in high-prevalence and lower-income settings. Few sites in high-prevalence settings (2%) reported suspending antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic services, and many reported adopting mitigation strategies to support adherence, including multi-month dispensing of ART (95%) and designating community ART pick-up points (44%). While few sites (5%) reported stockouts of first-line ART regimens, 10-11% reported stockouts of second- and third-line regimens, respectively, primarily in high-prevalence and lower-income settings. Interruptions in HIV viral load (VL) testing included suspension of testing (22%), longer turnaround times (41%) and supply/reagent stockouts (22%), but did not differ across settings., Conclusions: While many sites in high HIV prevalence settings and lower-income countries reported introducing or expanding measures to support treatment adherence and continuity of care, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in disruptions to VL testing and ART supply chains that may negatively affect the quality of HIV care in these settings., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of the International AIDS Society published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International AIDS Society.) more...

Background: In people with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] presenting with advanced disease, rates of virologic success may be lower than expected. The Reflate TB2 trial did not show non-inferiority of raltegravir versus efavirenz in people with HIV (PWH) treated for tuberculosis. We aimed to identify factors associated with virologic success and higher adherence in the trial., Methods: In this analysis, we included participants enrolled in the Reflate TB2 trial with adherence data available. The primary outcome was virologic success (HIV-1 ribonucleic acid [RNA] <50 copies/mL) at week 48, and the secondary outcome was adherence as assessed by the pill count adherence ratio. We used logistic regression to study determinants of virologic success and optimal adherence in 2 separate analyses., Results: Four hundred forty-four participants were included in the present analysis. Over the 48-week follow-up period, 290 of 444 (65%) participants had a pill count adherence ratio ≥95%. At week 48, 288 of 444 (65%) participants were in virologic success. In the multivariate analysis, female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-2.72; P = .0084), lower baseline HIV-1 RNA levels (<100 000; aOR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.33-3.96; P = .0087), and pill count adherence ratio ≥95% (aOR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.56-3.62; P < .0001) were independently associated with virologic success. Antiretroviral pill burden was the only factor associated with pill count adherence ratio ≥95% (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, .71-.92; P = .0018)., Conclusions: In PWH with tuberculosis receiving raltegravir or efavirenz-based regimens, female sex, optimal adherence, and baseline HIV-1 RNA <100 000 copies/mL were associated with virologic success, and the number of antiretroviral tablets taken daily was a strong predictor of adherence., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.) more...

Introduction: The majority of adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) reside in sub-Saharan Africa, with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs to be met. The health care facilities and professionals involved have a major role to assume in the quality of SRH services offered to these teenagers., Objective: To investigate the SRH services offered to ALHIV subjects in pediatric facilities in Abidjan, Ivory-Coast., Methods: In 2019 we conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study using qualitative and quantitative methods in three pediatric facilities caring for ALHIV subjects (CIRBA, CTAP and CePReF) and participating in the IeDEA (International epidemiologic databases to Evaluate AIDS project) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. This study included: (1) an inventory of SRH services, using a questionnaire and direct observation, describing their adaptation to the teenagers' needs and their inclusion in provision of care; (2 an assessment by means of semi-structured interviews of 14 health professionals' perceptions of the SRH needs of the ALHIV subjects with whom they worked. Quantitative data were expressed in percentages and qualitative data from the interviews were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis., Results: The care provided in the three facilities was poorly adapted to the teenagers' needs. Few SRH services were effectively provided to the ALHIV subjects in the different centers. The services essentially consisted in condom distribution and organization of SRH-based focus groups. Exceptionally, hormonal contraception was offered to teenage girls. Barriers to the services were largely due to poorly equipped facilities, particularly in terms of SRH offer, health professionals' experience, and support provided for ALHIV subjects and their parents. The health professionals were desirous of SRH skill-building programs enabling them to deliver optimal, adequately contextualized SRH services to the teenagers., Conclusions: In pediatric programs addressed to ALHIV subjects in three Abidjan facilities, the teenagers' SRH needs remain unmet. It is urgently necessary to strengthen the health facilities by means of improved equipment, enhanced awareness of teenagers' needs, and training programs enabling the health professionals to provide more adapted sexual and reproductive health services., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.) more...

Introduction: Sex differences have already been reported in sub-Saharan Africa for attrition and immunological response after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, but follow-up was usually limited to the first two to three years after ART initiation. We evaluated sex differences on the same outcomes in the 10 years following ART initiation in West African adults., Methods: We used cohort data of patients included in the IeDEA West Africa collaboration, who initiated ART between 2002 and 2014. We modelled no-follow-up and 10-year attrition risks, and immunological response by sex using logistic regression analysis, survival analysis with random effect and linear mixed models respectively., Results: A total of 71,283 patients (65.8% women) contributed to 310,007 person-years of follow-up in 16 clinics in eight West African countries. The cumulative attrition incidence at 10-year after ART initiation reached 75% and 68% for men and women respectively. Being male was associated with an increased risk of no follow-up after starting ART (5.1% vs. 4.0%, adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.25 [95% CI: 1.15 to 1.35]) and of 10-year attrition throughout the 10-year period following ART initiation: adjusted Hazard Ratios were 1.22 [95% CI: 1.17 to 1.27], 1.08 [95% CI: 1.04 to 1.12] and 1.04 [95% CI: 1.01 to 1.08] during year 1, years 2 to 4 and 5 to 10 respectively. A better immunological response was achieved by women than men: monthly CD4 gain was 30.2 and 28.3 cells/mL in the first four months and 2.6 and 1.9 cells/μL thereafter. Ultimately, women reached the average threshold of 500 CD4 cells/μL in their sixth year of follow-up, whereas men failed to reach it even at the end of the 10-year follow-up period. The proportion of patients reaching the threshold was much higher in women than in men after 10 years since ART initiation (65% vs. 44%)., Conclusions: In West Africa, attrition is unacceptably high in both sexes. Men are more vulnerable than women on both attrition and immunological response to ART in the 10 years following ART initiation. Innovative tracing strategies that are sex-adapted are needed for patients in care to monitor attrition, detect early high-risk groups so that they can stay in care with a durably controlled infection., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of the International AIDS Society published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International AIDS Society.) more...

Introduction: Evidence on childbearing desire and reproductive behaviors in women living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is scarce, particularly in West Africa. We investigated the prevalence and associated factors of childbearing desire in HIV-infected women in care in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and explored whether such desires were translated into behaviors related to contraceptive use and communication with health personnel., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two HIV-care facilities in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire in 2015. Eligible women were non-pregnant, non-menopausal, aged 18-49 years and diagnosed as HIV-infected. The outcomes were childbearing desire, prevalence of modern contraceptive use, unmet needs for family planning and intention of the last pregnancy since HIV diagnosis. Women wishing to conceive immediately were asked whether they had discussed their desire with HIV healthcare workers. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between the outcomes and women's characteristics., Results: Of 1,631 women, 80% declared having childbearing desire. No association was found between women's childbearing desire and ART status or its duration. In multivariate models, younger age, being in a stable relationship and having no or only one child were significantly associated with increased childbearing desire. Of the women wishing to conceive immediately (n = 713), only 43% reported having had fertility-related dialogue with healthcare provider. Among sexually active women wanting to avoid or delay pregnancy (n = 650), unmet needs for family planning was 40%. Regarding the last pregnancy since HIV diagnosis, one in three women reported not having wanted a baby at that time., Conclusions: Pregnancy desire in women living with HIV in Abidjan was extremely high. Integration of safe conception strategies as well as improvement of contraceptive uptake among women in need of family planning are of utmost importance to ensure optimal conception and to avoid transmission of HIV to the male partner or to the forthcoming child., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. more...

We estimated tuberculosis incidence during the first year on antriretroviral therapy without isoniazid-preventive treatment in 6938 West African HIV-infected adults at 3.33 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI, 2.85-3.80). In multivariate Poisson models, sites in Cote d'Ivoire, male gender, low body mass index, low hemoglobin, low CD4 count, and young age were significantly associated with higher incidence., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.) more...

Background: In resource-constrained settings, many people with HIV (PWH) are treated for tuberculosis (TB) without bacteriologic testing. Their mortality compared with those with bacteriologic testing is uncertain., Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study among PWH ≥15 years of age initiating TB treatment at sites affiliated with 4 International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS consortium regions from 2012 to 2014: Caribbean, Central and South America, and Central, East, and West Africa. The exposure of interest was the TB bacteriologic test status at TB treatment initiation: positive, negative, or no test result. The hazard of death in the 12 months after TB treatment initiation was estimated using a Cox proportional hazard model. Missing covariate values were multiply imputed., Results: In 2091 PWH, median age 36 years, 53% had CD4 counts ≤200 cells/mm 3 , and 52% were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at TB treatment initiation. The adjusted hazard of death was higher in patients with no test compared with those with positive test results (hazard ratio [HR], 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-2.26). The hazard of death was also higher among those with negative compared with positive tests but was not statistically significant (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.91-1.81). Being on ART, having a higher CD4 count, and tertiary facility level were associated with a lower hazard for death., Conclusions: There was some evidence that PWH treated for TB with no bacteriologic test results were at higher risk of death than those with positive tests. Research is needed to understand the causes of death in PWH treated for TB without bacteriologic testing., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.) more...

Background: Approximately 8% of HIV-infected individuals are co-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Knowledge of HBV status is important to guide optimal selection of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and monitor/prevent liver-related complications. We describe changes in testing practices and management of HBV infection over a 3-year period in HIV clinics across SSA., Methods: A medical chart review was conducted in large urban HIV treatment centers in Côte d'Ivoire (3 sites), Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Uganda and Zambia (1 site each). Of the patients who started ART between 2010 and 2012, 100 per year were randomly selected from each clinic. Demographic, clinical and laboratory information as well as individual treatment histories were collected using a standardized questionnaire. We examined changes over time in the proportion of patients screened for HBV infection (HBV surface antigen [HBsAg]-positivity), identified predictors of HBV testing using logistic regression, and assessed the proportion of patients initiating a tenofovir (TDF)-containing ART regimen., Results: Overall, 3579 charts of patients initiating ART (64.4% female, median age 37 years) were reviewed in 12 clinics. The proportion of patients screened for HBsAg increased from 17.8% in 2010 to 24.4% in 2012 overall, and ranged from 0.7% in Kenya to 96% in South Africa. In multivariable analyses, age and region were associated with HBsAg screening. Among 759 individuals tested, 88 (11.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.4-14.1) were HBV-infected, of whom 71 (80.7%) received a TDF-containing ART regimen. HBsAg-positive individuals were twice as likely to receive a TDF-containing first-line ART regimen compared to HBsAg-negative patients (80.7% vs. 40.3%, p < 0.001). The proportion of patients on TDF-containing ART increased from 57.9% in 2010 to 90.2% in 2012 in HIV/HBV-co-infected patients (Chi-2 test for trend: p = 0.01). Only 114 (5.0%) patients were screened for anti-HCV antibodies and one of them (0.9%, 95% CI 0.02-4.79) had a confirmed HCV infection., Conclusions: The systematic screening for HBV infection in HIV-positive patients before ART initiation was limited in most African countries and its uptake varied widely across clinics. Overall, the prescription of TDF increased over time, with 90% of HIV/HBV-coinfected patients receiving this drug in 2012. more...

Background: We aimed to describe changes in hepatitis B screening practices over a 3-year period among HIV-infected patients in West Africa., Methods: A medical chart review was conducted in urban HIV treatment centers in Ivory Coast (3 sites), Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Togo (1 site each). Among patients who started antiretroviral treatment between 2010 and 2012, 100 per year were randomly selected from each clinic. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data was collected using a standardized questionnaire. We assessed changes in the proportion of patients screened over time and identified predictors of screening in a multivariable logistic regression., Results: A total of 2097 patients were included (median age: 37 years, 65.4% of women). Overall, 313 (14.9%) patients had been screened for hepatitis B, with an increase from 10.6% in 2010 to 18.9% in 2012 (P<0.001) and substantial differences across countries. In multivariable analysis, being aged over 45 years (adjusted odds ratio: 1.34 [1.01-1.77]) and having an income-generating activity (adjusted odds ratio: 1.82 [1.09-3.03]) were associated with screening for hepatitis B infection. Overall, 62 HIV-infected patients (19.8%, 95% confidence interval: 15.5-24.7) were HBsAg-positive and 82.3% of them received a tenofovir-containing drug regimen., Conclusion: Hepatitis B screening among HIV-infected patients was low between 2010 and 2012. The increasing availability of HBsAg rapid tests and tenofovir in first-line antiretroviral regimen should improve the rates of hepatitis B screening., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.) more...

Background: Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis has an antimalarial effect which could have an additional protective effect against malaria in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We measured the incidence and associated factors of malaria in HIV-infected children on ART and/or cotrimoxazole in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire., Methods: All HIV-infected children <16 years, followed-up in the IeDEA West-African paediatric cohort (pWADA) in Abidjan, were prospectively included from May to August 2012, the rainy season. Children presenting signs suggesting malaria had a thick blood smear and were classified as confirmed or probable malaria. We calculated incidence density rates (IR) per 100 child-years (CY). Risk factors were assessed using a Poisson regression model., Results: Overall, 1117 children were included, of whom 89 % were ART-treated and 67 % received cotrimoxazole. Overall, there were 51 malaria events occurring in 48 children: 28 confirmed and 23 probable; 94 % were uncomplicated malaria. The overall IR of malaria (confirmed and probable) was 18.3/100 CY (95 % CI: 13.3-23.4), varying from 4.2/100 CY (95 % CI: 1.1-7.3) in children on ART and cotrimoxazole to 57.3/100 CY (95 % CI: 7.1-107.6) for those receiving no treatment at all. In univariate analysis, age < 5 years was significantly associated with a 2-fold IR of malaria compared to age >10 years (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 2.18, 95 % CI: 1.04-4.58). Adjusted for severe immunodeficiency, cotrimoxazole reduced significantly the IR of first malarial episode (adjusted IRR [aIRR] = 0.13, 95 % CI: 0.02-0.69 and aIRR = 0.05, 95 % CI:0.02-0.18 in those off and on ART respectively). Severe immunodeficiency increased significantly the malaria IR (aIRR = 4.03, 95 % CI: 1.55-10.47). When considering the IR of confirmed malaria only, this varied from 2.4/100 CY (95 % CI: 0.0-4.8) in children on ART and cotrimoxazole to 34.4/100 CY (95 % CI: 0.0-73.3) for those receiving no treatment at all. In adjusted analyses, the IR of malaria in children on both cotrimoxazole and ART was significantly reduced (aIRR = 0.05, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.24) compared to those receiving no treatment at all., Conclusions: Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis was strongly protective against the incidence of malaria when associated with ART in HIV-infected children. Thus, these drugs should be provided as widely and durably as possible in all HIV-infected children <5 years of age. more...

Background: The causes of severe morbidity in health facilities implementing Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) programmes are poorly documented in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to describe severe morbidity among HIV-infected patients after ART initiation, based on data from an active surveillance system established within a network of specialized care facilities in West African cities., Methods: Within the International epidemiological Database to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA)--West Africa collaboration, we conducted a prospective, multicenter data collection that involved two facilities in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and one in Cotonou, Benin. Among HIV-infected adults receiving ART, events were recorded using a standardized form. A simple case-definition of severe morbidity (death, hospitalization, fever>38°5C, Karnofsky index<70%) was used at any patient contact point. Then a physician confirmed and classified the event as WHO stage 3 or 4 according to the WHO clinical classification or as degree 3 or 4 of the ANRS scale., Results: From December 2009 to December 2011, 978 adults (71% women, median age 39 years) presented with 1449 severe events. The main diagnoses were: non-AIDS-defining infections (33%), AIDS-defining illnesses (33%), suspected adverse drug reactions (7%), other illnesses (4%) and syndromic diagnoses (16%). The most common specific diagnoses were: malaria (25%), pneumonia (13%) and tuberculosis (8%). The diagnoses were reported as syndromic in one out of five events recorded during this study., Conclusions: This study highlights the ongoing importance of conventional infectious diseases among severe morbid events occurring in patients on ART in ambulatory HIV care facilities in West Africa. Meanwhile, additional studies are needed due to the undiagnosed aspect of severe morbidity in substantial proportion. more...

Introduction: West Africa is characterized by the circulation of HIV-1 and HIV-2. The laboratory diagnosis of these two infections as well as the choice of a first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) is challenging, considering the limited access to second-line regimens. This study aimed at confirming the classification of HIV-2 and HIV-1&2 dually reactive patients followed up in the HIV-2 cohort of the West African Database to evaluate AIDS collaboration., Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to December 2012 in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali among patients classified as HIV-2 or HIV-1&2 dually reactive according to the national HIV testing algorithms. A 5-ml blood sample was collected from each patient and tested in a single reference laboratory in Côte d'Ivoire (CeDReS, Abidjan) with two immuno-enzymatic tests: ImmunoCombII® (HIV-1&2 ImmunoComb BiSpot - Alere) and an in-house ELISA test, approved by the French National AIDS and hepatitis Research Agency (ANRS)., Results: A total of 547 patients were included; 57% of them were initially classified as HIV-2 and 43% as HIV-1&2 dually reactive. Half of the patients had CD4≥500 cells/mm(3) and 68.6% were on ART. Of the 312 patients initially classified as HIV-2, 267 (85.7%) were confirmed as HIV-2 with ImmunoCombII® and in-house ELISA while 16 (5.1%) and 9 (2.9%) were reclassified as HIV-1 and HIV-1&2, respectively (Kappa=0.69; p<0.001). Among the 235 patients initially classified as HIV-1&2 dually reactive, only 54 (23.0%) were confirmed as dually reactive with ImmunoCombII® and in-house ELISA, while 103 (43.8%) and 33 (14.0%) were reclassified as HIV-1 and HIV-2 mono-infected, respectively (kappa= 0.70; p<0.001). Overall, 300 samples (54.8%) were concordantly classified as HIV-2, 63 (11.5%) as HIV-1&2 dually reactive and 119 (21.8%) as HIV-1 (kappa=0.79; p<0.001). The two tests gave discordant results for 65 samples (11.9%)., Conclusions: Patients with HIV-2 mono-infection are correctly discriminated by the national algorithms used in West African countries. HIV-1&2 dually reactive patients should be systematically investigated, with a standardized algorithm using more accurate tests, before initiating ART as at least 4 out of 10 of them could initiate an effective first-line ART for HIV-1 and optimize their second-line treatment options. more...

Background: Facing the dual burden of invasive cervical cancer and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, the identification of preventable determinants of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) in HIV-infected women is of paramount importance., Methods: A cervical cancer screening based on visual inspection methods was proposed to HIV-infected women in care in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Positively screened women were referred for a colposcopy to a gynaecologist who performed directed biopsies., Results: Of the 2,998 HIV-infected women enrolled, 132 (4.4%) CIN of any grade (CIN+) were identified. Women had been followed-up for a median duration of three years [IQR: 1-5] and 76% were on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Their median most recent CD4 count was 452 [IQR: 301-621] cells/mm3. In multivariate analysis, CIN+ was associated with a most recent CD4 count >350 cells/mm3 (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2-0.6) or ≥200-350 cells/mm3 (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4-1.0) (Ref: <200 cells/mm3 CD4) (p<10-4)., Conclusions: The presence of CIN+ is less common among HIV-infected women with limited or no immune deficiency. Despite the potential impact of immunological recovery on the reduction of premalignant cervical lesions through the use of ART, cervical cancer prevention, including screening and vaccination remains a priority in West Africa while ART is rolled-out. more...

Background: We describe severe morbidity and health care resource utilization (HCRU) among HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire., Methods: All HIV-infected children enrolled in an HIV-care program (2004-2009) were eligible for ART initiation until database closeout, death, ART interruption, or loss to follow-up. We calculated incidence rates (IRs) of density per 100 child-years (CYs) for severe morbidity, HCRU (outpatient care and inpatient care), and associated factors using frailty models with a Weibull distribution., Results: Of 332 children with a median age of 5.7 years and median follow-up of 2.5 years, 65.4% were severely immunodeficient by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, and all received cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. We recorded 464 clinical events in 228 children; the overall IR was 57.6/100 CYs [95% confidence interval (CI): 52.1 to 62.5]. Severe morbidity was more frequent in children on protease inhibitor (PI)-based ART compared to those on other regimens [adjusted hazards ratio (aHR): 1.83; 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.47] and to those moderately/severely immunodeficient compared to those not (aHR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.18 and aHR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.81 to 3.55, respectively). Of the 464 events, 371 (80%) led to outpatient care (IR: 45.6/100 CYs) and 164 (35%) to inpatient care (IR: 20.2/100 CYs). In adjusted analyses, outpatient care was significantly less frequent in children older than 10 years compared with children younger than 2 years (aHR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.78) and in those living furthest from clinics compared with those living closest (aHR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.90). Both inpatient and outpatient HCRU were negatively associated with cotrimoxazole prophylaxis., Conclusions: Despite ART, HIV-infected children still require substantial utilization of health care services. more...

Objective: To investigate deaths and losses to follow-up in a programme designed to scale up antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected children in Côte d'Ivoire., Methods: Between 2004 and 2007, HIV-exposed children at 19 centres were offered free HIV serum tests (polymerase chain reaction tests in those aged < 18 months) and ART. Computerized monitoring was used to determine: (i) the number of confirmed HIV infections, (ii) losses to the programme (i.e. death or loss to follow-up) before ART, (iii) mortality and loss-to-programme rates during 12 months of ART, and (iv) determinants of mortality and losses to the programme., Findings: The analysis included 3876 ART-naïve children. Of the 1766 with HIV-1 infections (17% aged < 18 months), 124 (7.0%) died, 52 (2.9%) left the programme, 354 (20%) were lost to follow-up before ART, 259 (15%) remained in care without ART, and 977 (55%) started ART (median age: 63 months). The overall mortality rate during ART was significantly higher in the first 3 months than in months 4-12: 32.8 and 6.9 per 100 child-years of follow-up, respectively. Loss-to-programme rates were roughly double mortality rates and followed the same trend with duration of ART. Independent predictors of 12-month mortality on ART were pre-ART weight-for-age z-score < -2, percentage of CD4+ T lymphocytes < 10, World Health Organization HIV/AIDS clinical stage 3 or 4, and blood haemoglobin < 8 g/dl., Conclusion: The large-scale programme to scale up paediatric ART in Côte d'Ivoire was effective. However, ART was often given too late, and early mortality and losses to programme before and just after ART initiation were major problems. more...

Background: In resource-limited settings where nevirapine-containing regimen is the preferred regimen in women, data on severe adverse events (SAEs) according to CD4 cell count are limited. We estimated the incidence of SAEs according to CD4 cell count and identify their risk factors in nevirapine-treated women., Methods: All HIV-infected women who initiated nevirapine-containing regimen in the MTCT-Plus operational program in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, were eligible for this study. Laboratory and clinical (rash) SAEs were classified as grade 3 and 4. Cox models were used to identify factors associated with the occurrence of SAEs., Results: From August 2003 to October 2006, 290 women initiated a nevirapine-containing regimen at a median CD4 cell count of 186 cells/mm3 (IQR 124-266). During a median follow-up on treatment of 25 months, the incidence of all SAEs was 19.5/100 patient-years. The 24-month probability of occurrence of hepatotoxicity or rash was not different between women with a CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm3 and women with a CD4 cell count 250 cells/mm3 at treatment initiation nor initiation NVP-based regimen initiated during pregnancy were associated with the occurrence of SAEs., Conclusion: CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm3 was not associated with a higher risk of severe hepatotoxicity and/or rash, as well as initiation of ART during pregnancy. Pharmacovogilance data as well as meta-analysis on women receiving NVP in these settings are needed for better information about NVP toxicity. more...

Objectives: To describe a family-focused approach to HIV care and treatment and report on the first 2 years experience of implementing the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)-plus program in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire., Program: The MTCT-plus initiative aims to enroll HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women in comprehensive HIV care and treatment for themselves and their families., Main Outcomes: Between August 2003 and August 2005, 605 HIV-infected pregnant or postpartum women and 582 HIV-exposed infants enrolled. Of their 568 male partners reported alive, 52% were aware of their wife's HIV status and 30% were tested for HIV; 53% of these tested partners were found to be HIV-infected and 78% enrolled into the program. Overall only 10% of the women enrolled together with their infected partner. On the other hand, the program involved half of the seronegative men who came for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) in the care of their families. Of 1624 children <15 years reported alive by their mothers (excluding the last newborn infants of the most recent pregnancy systematically screened for HIV), only 10.8% were brought in for HIV testing, of whom 12.3% were found to be HIV-infected. LESSONS LEARNED AND CHALLENGES: The family-focused model of HIV care pays attention to the needs of families and household members. The program was successful in enrolling HIV women, their partners and infants in continuous follow-up. However engaging partners and family members of newly enrolled women into care involves numerous challenges such as disclosure of HIV status by women to their partners and family members. Further efforts are required to understand barriers for families accessing HIV services as strategies to improve partner involvement and provide access to care for other children in the households are needed in this West African urban setting. more...

Objective: To assess the rates and determinants of mortality, loss to follow-up and immunological failure in a nongovernmental organization-implemented program of access to antiretroviral treatment in Côte d'Ivoire., Methods: In each new treatment center, professionals were trained in HIV care, and a computerized data system was implemented. Individual patient and program level determinants of survival, loss to follow-up and immunological failure were assessed by multivariate analysis., Results: Between May 2004 and February 2007, 10,211 patients started antiretroviral treatment in 19 clinics (median preantiretroviral treatment CD4 cell count, 123 cells/microl; initial regimen zidovudine-lamivudine-efavirenz, 20%; stavudine-lamivudine-efavirenz, 22%; stavudine-lamivudine-nevirapine, 52%). At 18 months on antiretroviral treatment, the median gain in CD4 cell count was +202 cells/microl, the probability of death was 0.15 and the probability of being loss to follow-up was 0.21. In addition to the commonly reported determinants of impaired outcomes (low CD4 cell count, low BMI, low hemoglobin, advanced clinical stage, old age and poor adherence), two factors were also shown to independently jeopardize prognosis: male sex (men vs. women: hazard ratio = 1.52 for death, 1.27 for loss to follow-up, 1.31 for immunological failure); and attending a recently opened clinic (inexperienced vs. experienced centers: hazard ratio = 1.40 for death, 1.58 for loss to follow-up). None of the three outcomes was associated with the drug regimen., Discussion: In this rapidly scaling-up program, survival and immune reconstitution were good; women and patients followed up in centers with longer experience had better outcomes; outcomes were similar in zidovudine/stavudine-based regimens and in efavirenz/nevirapine-based regimens. Decreasing the rate of loss to follow-up should now be the top priority in antiretroviral treatment rollout. more...

Background: Highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) has only been recently recommended for HIV-infected pregnant women requiring treatment for their own health in resource-limited settings. However, there are few documented experiences from African countries. We evaluated the short-term (4 wk) and long-term (12 mo) effectiveness of a two-tiered strategy of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) in Africa: women meeting the eligibility criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) received HAART, and women with less advanced HIV disease received short-course antiretroviral (scARV) PMTCT regimens., Methods and Findings: The MTCT-Plus Initiative is a multi-country, family-centred HIV care and treatment program for pregnant and postpartum women and their families. Pregnant women enrolled in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire received either HAART for their own health or short-course antiretroviral (scARV) PMTCT regimens according to their clinical and immunological status. Plasma HIV-RNA viral load (VL) was measured to diagnose peripartum infection when infants were 4 wk of age, and HIV final status was documented either by rapid antibody testing when infants were aged > or = 12 mo or by plasma VL earlier. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the rate of HIV transmission and HIV-free survival. Between August 2003 and June 2005, 107 women began HAART at a median of 30 wk of gestation, 102 of them with zidovudine (ZDV), lamivudine (3TC), and nevirapine (NVP) and they continued treatment postpartum; 143 other women received scARV for PMTCT, 103 of them with sc(ZDV+3TC) with single-dose NVP during labour. Most (75%) of the infants were breast-fed for a median of 5 mo. Overall, the rate of peripartum HIV transmission was 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3%-4.2%) and the cumulative rate at 12 mo was 5.7% (95% CI 2.5%-9.0%). The overall probability of infant death or infection with HIV was 4.3% (95% CI 1.7%-7.0%) at age week 4 wk and 11.7% (95% CI 7.5%-15.9%) at 12 mo., Conclusions: This two-tiered strategy appears to be safe and highly effective for short- and long-term PMTCT in resource-constrained settings. These results indicate a further benefit of access to HAART for pregnant women who need treatment for their own health. more...