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Background: Seizures are relatively common among children with HIV in low- and middle-income countries and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) may reduce this risk by decreasing rates of central nervous system infections and HIV encephalopathy., Methods: We conducted a prospective, unmatched case-control study. We enrolled children with new-onset seizure from University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia and 2 regional hospitals in rural Zambia. Controls were children with HIV and no history of seizures. Recruitment took place from 2016 to 2019. Early treatment was defined as initiation of ART before 12 months of age, at a CD4 percentage >15% in children aged 12-60 months or a CD4 count >350 cells/mm 3 for children aged 60 months or older. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between potential risk factors and seizures., Results: We identified 73 children with new-onset seizure and compared them with 254 control children with HIV but no seizures. Early treatment with ART was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of seizures [odds ratio (OR) 0.04, 95% confidence interval: 0.02 to 0.09; P < 0.001]. Having an undetectable viral load at the time of enrollment was strongly protective against seizures (OR 0.03, P < 0.001), whereas history of World Health Organization Stage 4 disease (OR 2.2, P = 0.05) or CD4 count <200 cells/mm 3 (OR 3.6, P < 0.001) increased risk of seizures., Conclusions: Early initiation of ART and successful viral suppression would likely reduce much of the excess seizure burden in children with HIV., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Interactions between enzyme-inducing anti-seizure medications (EI-ASMs) and antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) can lead to decreased ARV levels and may increase the likelihood of viral resistance. We conducted a study to determine if co-usage of ARVs and EI-ASMs is associated with ARV-resistant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among people living with HIV in Zambia., Methods: Eligible participants were ≥18 years of age and concurrently taking ASMs and ARVs for at least 1 month of the prior 6-month period. Data were obtained regarding medication and HIV history. CD4 counts, plasma viral loads (pVLs), and HIV genotype and resistance profile in participants with a pVL >1000 copies/mL were obtained. Pearson's test of independence was used to determine whether treatment with EI-ASM was associated with pVL >1000/mL copies., Results: Of 50 participants, 41 (82%) were taking carbamazepine (37 on monotherapy), and all had stable regimens in the prior 6 months. Among the 13 ARV regimens used, 68% had a tenofovir/lamivudine backbone. The majority (94%) were on a stable ARV regimen for >6 months. Median CD4 nadir was 205 cells/mm 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 88-389), and 60% of participants had commenced ARV treatment before advanced disease occurred. Mean CD4 count at enrollment was 464 cells/mm 3 (SD 226.3). Seven participants (14%) had a CD4 count <200 cells/mm 3 . Four (8%) had a pVL >1000 copies/mL; all were on carbamazepine. Three participants with elevated pVL had a CD4 count <200 cells/mm 3 . None had documented adherence concerns by providers; however, two had events concerning for clinical failure. HIV genotype testing showed mutations in three participants. Carbamazepine was not found to correlate with elevated pVL (P = .58)., Significance: EI-ASMs are commonly used in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite concurrent use of EI-ASMs and ARVs, the majority of participants showed CD4 counts >200 cells/mm 3 and were virally suppressed. Carbamazepine was not associated with an increased risk of virological failure or ARV-resistant HIV., (© 2020 International League Against Epilepsy.)