Introduction: The objective of the study was to determine HIV-1 RNA load profile during pregnancy and assess the eligibility for the maternal triple antiretroviral prophylaxis. It was an observational cohort of pregnant HIV positive women ignorant of antiretroviral therapy with CD4 cell count of > 350/mm3 Methods: Routine CD4 cell count assessment in HIV positive pregnant women completed by non exclusive measurement of the viral load by PCR /ARN in those with CD4 cell count > 350/mm3. Exclusion criteria: highly active antiretroviral therapy prior to pregnancy. Results: Between January and December 2010, CD4 cell count was systematically performed in all pregnant women diagnosed as HIV-infected (n=266) in a referral center of 25 antenatal clinics. 63% (N=170) had CD4 cell count > 350/mm3, median: 528 (IQR: 421-625). 145 underwent measurement of viral load by PCR/RNA at a median gestational of 23 weeks of pregnancy (IQR: 19-28). Median viral load 4.4log10/ml, IQR (3.5-4.9).19/145(13%) had an undetectable viral load of=1.8log10/ml. 89/145(61%) had a viral load of 4.4 log10/ml and were eligible for maternal triple ARV prophylaxis. Conclusion: More than 6 in 10 pregnant HIV positive women with CD4 cell count of > 350/mm3 may require triple antiretroviral for prophylaxis of MTCT. Regardless of cost, such results are conclusive and may be considered in HIV high burden countries for universal access to triple antiretroviral prophylaxis in order to move towards virtual elimination of HIV MTCT. © Anne Esther Njom Nlend et al.
The study population was an observational cohort of pregnant HIV positive women. Pregnant women with350/mm3. Maternal baseline serum samples were quantified for HIV-1 RNA load using real Time reverse transcriptase PCR (Generic HIV viral load, Biocentrics). All the samples were analyzed with the Laboratoire Centre Pasteur in Yaoundé acting as service provider at a unit cost of 30US$. ZDV was started for all the others non eligible for triple antiretroviral treatment at 14 weeks of pregnancy, while waiting for the result of the viral load. The following qualitative variables were considered: maternal age, WHO clinical stages. Quantitative variables included: CD4 cell count and HIV Viral load. Viral load values were log10 transformed and stored in an Excel sheet form. A threshold of≤1.8 log10 was considered as undetectable viral load. For this descriptive analysis we considered (frequency, percentage, medians with their quartile). A confidence interval of 95% was considered as the margin for percentage accuracy. All interventions within this project were implemented under the supervision of the District Office of the Ministry of Public Health. Data collection and monitoring of the intervention was part of the routine activities of the Health District. Free measurement of HIV1 RNA viral load was offered to all the eligible mothers at the referral center where all activities were coordinated by the Center for HAART treatment and the local board in charge of fighting against HIV and AIDS.
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