Journal Article

18-Month Effectiveness of Short-Course Antiretroviral Regimens Combined with Alternatives to Breastfeeding to Prevent HIV Mother-to-Child Transmission

Leroy, Valériane, Rouet, François, Dabis, François, Becquet, Renaud, Dequae-Merchadou, Laurence, Horo, Appolinaire, Timité-Konan, Marguerite, Ekouevi, Didier K., Tonwe-Gold, Besigin, Sakarovitch, Charlotte, Rouzioux, Christine, Viho, Ida

2008

Overview

We assessed the 18-month effectiveness of short-course (sc) antiretroviral peripartum regimens combined with alternatives to prolonged breastfeeding to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. HIV-1 infected pregnant women received from >/=32-36 weeks of gestation scZidovudine (ZDV)+/-Lamivudine (3TC)+single-dose Nevirapine (sdNVP) at delivery within the ANRS 1201/1202 DITRAME-Plus cohort (2001-2003). Neonates received a sdNVP+7-day ZDV prophylaxis. Two infant-feeding interventions were systematically offered free of charge: formula-feeding or exclusive shortened breastfeeding with early cessation from four months. The reference group was the ANRS 049a DITRAME cohort (1994-2000) exposed to scZDV from 36 weeks, then to prolonged breastfeeding. Pediatric HIV infection was defined by a positive plasma HIV-1 RNA at any age, or if aged >/=18 months, a positive HIV-1 serology. Turnbull estimates of cumulative transmission risks (CTR) and effectiveness (HIV-free survival) were compared by exposure group using a Cox model. Among 926 live-born children enrolled, 107 (11.6%) were HIV-infected at 18 months. CTRs were 22.3% (95% confidence interval[CI]:16-30%) in the 238 ZDV long-term breastfed reference group, 15.9% (CI:10-27%) in the 169 ZDV+sdNVP shortened breastfed group; 9.4% (CI:6-14%) in the 195 ZDV+sdNVP formula-fed group; 6.8% (CI:4-11%) in the 198 ZDV+3TC+sdNVP shortened breastfed group, and 5.6% (CI:2-10%) in the 126 ZDV+3TC+sdNVP formula-fed group. Each combination had a significantly higher effectiveness than the ZDV long-term breastfed group except for ZDV+sdNVP shortened breastfed children, ranging from 51% (CI:20-70%) for ZDV+sdNVP formula fed children to 63% (CI:40-80%) for ZDV+3TC+NVPsd shortened breastfed children, after adjustment for maternal eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART), home delivery and low birth-weight. Substantial MTCT risk reductions are reachable in Africa, even in short-term breastfed children. The two sc antiretroviral combinations associated to any of the two infant feeding interventions, formula-feeding and shortened breastfeeding, reduce significantly MTCT with long-term benefit until age 18 months and without increasing mortality.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Africa / Analysis / Anti-HIV Agents - administration & dosage / Antiretroviral agents / Antiretroviral drugs / Antiretroviral therapy / Breast Feeding / Breastfeeding & lactation / Children / Confidence intervals / Disease transmission / Drug Therapy, Combination / Feeding / Female / Gestation / Health risks / Highly active antiretroviral therapy / HIV / HIV infections / HIV Infections - mortality / HIV Infections - prevention & control / HIV Infections - transmission / Human immunodeficiency virus / Humans / Infant / Infant, Newborn / Infants / Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical - prevention & control / Infectious Diseases/HIV Infection and AIDS / Lamivudine / Life Sciences / Neonates / Nevirapine / Pediatrics and Child Health / Pregnancy / Prevention / Prophylaxis / Proportional Hazards Models / Public Health and Epidemiology/Infectious Diseases / Public Health and Epidemiology/Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health / Ribonucleic acid / RNA / Santé publique et épidémiologie / Serology / Survival Rate / Treatment Outcome / Weight reduction / Womens health / Zidovudine