Margaret J. Thomason

Excellent adherence to antiretrovirals in HIV+ Zambian children is compromised by disrupted routine, HIV Nondisclosure, and Paradoxical Income Effects

Introduction A better understanding of pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence in sub-Saharan Africa is necessary to develop interventions to sustain high levels of adherence. Methodology/Principal Findings Adherence among 96 HIV-infected Zambian children (median age 6, interquartile range [IQR] 2,9) initiating fixed-dose combination ART was measured prospectively (median 23 months; IQR 20,26) with caregiver report, clinic and unannounced home-based pill counts, and medication event monitoring systems (MEMS). HIV-1 RNA was determined at 48 weeks. Child and caregiver characteristics, socio-demographic status, and treatment-related factors were assessed as predictors of adherence. Median adherence was 97.4% (IQR 96.1,98.4%) by visual analog scale, 94.8% (IQR 86,100%) by caregiver-reported last missed dose, 96.9% (IQR 94.5,98.2%) by clinic pill count, 93.4% (IQR 90.2,96.7%) by unannounced home-based pill count, and 94.8% (IQR 87.8,97.7%) by MEMS. At 48 weeks, 72.6% of children had HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/ml. Agreement among adherence measures was poor; only MEMS was significantly associated with viral suppression (p = 0.013). Predictors of poor adherence included changing residence, school attendance, lack of HIV disclosure to children aged nine to 15 years, and increasing household income. Conclusions/Significance Adherence among children taking fixed-dose combination ART in sub-Saharan Africa is high and sustained over two years. However, certain groups are at risk for treatment failure, including children with disrupted routines, no knowledge of their HIV diagnosis among older children, and relatively high household income, possibly reflecting greater social support in the setting of greater poverty.

Nevirapine, stavudine and lamivudine pharmacokinetics in African children on paediatric fixed-dose combination tablets.

Objective:Triomune Baby and Junior have been developed in response to the urgent need for appropriate paediatric fixed-dose combination antiretroviral tablets, with higher nevirapine to stavudine and lamivudine ratios than adult tablets, in accordance with paediatric recommendations. We determined whether this ratio results in optimal exposure in the target population. Methods:Seventy-one Zambian children were treated with Triomune Baby or Junior dosed according to weight bands. After 4 weeks or more, a 12-h pharmacokinetic curve was recorded. Antiretroviral plasma concentrations were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results:Six children were excluded because of poor adherence. Of the remaining 65, 24 (37%) were female, 24 (37%) weighed less than 15 kg and most were malnourished. Mean (range) nevirapine C12h, Cmax and AUC12h of 6.0 (1.4, 16.9) mg/l, 10.0 (3.8, 22.5) mg/l and 94.4 (32.1, 232) mg/l per hour were higher than those reported in adults. Nevirapine C12h was subtherapeutic (< 3.0 mg/l) in four children (6%). Mean stavudine and lamivudine C12h, Cmax, AUC12h (< 0.015 mg/l, 0.45 mg/l, 1.05 mg/l per hour and 0.09 mg/l, 1.33 mg/l, 5.42 mg/l per hour) were comparable to adults. There was no evidence of a difference in nevirapine AUC12h across weight bands (P = 0.2), whereas the difference in stavudine (P = 0.0003) and lamivudine AUC12h (P = 0.01) was driven by the single weight band with unequal dosing. Conclusion:Nevirapine concentrations were higher but more variable than in adults; the pharmacokinetic parameters of stavudine and lamivudine were comparable to adults. As nevirapine underdosing is of greater concern than overdosing, the Triomune Baby and Junior ratio appears to be appropriate for children weighing 6 kg and over. Further research is required for children under 6 kg.

Strategies for Nevirapine Initiation in HIV-Infected Children Taking Pediatric Fixed-Dose Combination “ Baby Pills” in Zambia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND Fixed-dose combination scored dispersible stavudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine minitablets (Triomune Baby and Junior; Cipla Ltd) are simpler and cheaper than liquid formulations and have correct dose ratios for human immunodeficiency virus-infected children. However, they cannot be used for dose escalation (DE) of nevirapine. METHODS Children were randomized to initiate antiretroviral therapy with full-dose (FD) nevirapine (Triomune Baby or Junior in the morning and evening) versus DE (half-dose nevirapine for 14 days [Triomune in the morning and stavudine-lamivudine {Lamivir-S} in the evening], then FD), in accordance with World Health Organization weight-band dosing tables. The primary end point was nevirapine-related clinical or laboratory grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs). RESULTS In total, 211 children (median [interquartile range {IQR}] age, 5 [ 2-9 ] years; median [IQR] CD4 cell percentage, 13% [8%-18%]) were enrolled and followed up for a median (IQR) of 92 (68-116) weeks. There were 31 grade 3 or 4 AEs that were definitely/probably or uncertainly related to nevirapine in the FD group (18.0 per 100 child-years), compared with 29 in the DE group (16.5 per 100 child-years) (incidence rate ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.63–1.87; P = .74). All were asymptomatic; 11 versus 3 were single grade 3 or 4 elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, all of which resolved without a change in nevirapine dose or interruption. Thirteen (12%) FD versus 2 (2%) DE children had grade 1 (2 in FD) or grade 2 (11 in FD and 2 in DE) rashes. Three (2 in FD and 1 in DE) substituted efavirenz, 3 (FD) continued FD nevirapine, and 9 (8 in FD and 1 in DE) temporarily interrupted nevirapine, followed by successful DE. Predictors of nevirapine rash were older age (P = .003) and higher CD4 cell count for age (P = .03). Twenty-two children died (12 in FD and 10 in DE), 1 FD and 5 DE children at <4 weeks; none were considered to be drug related by independent review. CONCLUSIONS Rash was more frequent with FD nevirapine, but 88% had no clinical toxicity; elevated AST or ALT levels were transient and resolved spontaneously, suggesting that routine laboratory monitoring has limited value. Dual pediatric stavudine-lamivudine minitablets are preferred for safe and simple DE; if unavailable, initiating FD Triomune requires timely review for rash, which could be managed by temporary reduction to half-dose Triomune or efavirenz substitution. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials identifier: ISRCTN31084535 .

Enhanced Prophylaxis plus Antiretroviral Therapy for Advanced HIV Infection in Africa

BACKGROUND In sub‐Saharan Africa, among patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the rate of death from infection (including tuberculosis and cryptococcus) shortly after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is approximately 10%. METHODS In this factorial open‐label trial conducted in Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Kenya, we enrolled HIV‐infected adults and children 5 years of age or older who had not received previous ART and were starting ART with a CD4+ count of fewer than 100 cells per cubic millimeter. They underwent simultaneous randomization to receive enhanced antimicrobial prophylaxis or standard prophylaxis, adjunctive raltegravir or no raltegravir, and supplementary food or no supplementary food. Here, we report on the effects of enhanced antimicrobial prophylaxis, which consisted of continuous trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole plus at least 12 weeks of isoniazid–pyridoxine (coformulated with trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole in a single fixed‐dose combination tablet), 12 weeks of fluconazole, 5 days of azithromycin, and a single dose of albendazole, as compared with standard prophylaxis (trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole alone). The primary end point was 24‐week mortality. RESULTS A total of 1805 patients (1733 adults and 72 children or adolescents) underwent randomization to receive either enhanced prophylaxis (906 patients) or standard prophylaxis (899 patients) and were followed for 48 weeks (loss to follow‐up, 3.1%). The median baseline CD4+ count was 37 cells per cubic millimeter, but 854 patients (47.3%) were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. In the Kaplan–Meier analysis at 24 weeks, the rate of death with enhanced prophylaxis was lower than that with standard prophylaxis (80 patients [8.9% vs. 108 [12.2%]; hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 0.98; P=0.03); 98 patients (11.0%) and 127 (14.4%), respectively, had died by 48 weeks (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.99; P=0.04). Patients in the enhanced‐prophylaxis group had significantly lower rates of tuberculosis (P=0.02), cryptococcal infection (P=0.01), oral or esophageal candidiasis (P=0.02), death of unknown cause (P=0.03), and new hospitalization (P=0.03). However, there was no significant between‐group difference in the rate of severe bacterial infection (P=0.32). There were nonsignificantly lower rates of serious adverse events and grade 4 adverse events in the enhanced‐prophylaxis group (P=0.08 and P=0.09, respectively). Rates of HIV viral suppression and adherence to ART were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Among HIV‐infected patients with advanced immunosuppression, enhanced antimicrobial prophylaxis combined with ART resulted in reduced rates of death at both 24 weeks and 48 weeks without compromising viral suppression or increasing toxic effects. (Funded by the Medical Research Council and others; REALITY Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN43622374.)

Pharmacokinetics and acceptability of once- versus twice-daily lamivudine and abacavir in HIV type-1-infected Ugandan children in the ARROW Trial.

BACKGROUND No data on once-daily dosing of nucleoside analogues in African children currently exist. We compared the pharmacokinetics (PK) of once- versus twice-daily lamivudine and abacavir treatment using the World Health Organization recommended weight band dosing of scored adult tablets. METHODS HIV type-1 (HIV-1)-infected Ugandan children aged 3-12 years receiving antiretroviral therapy that included lamivudine and abacavir twice daily (total 150+300 mg, 225+450 mg and 225/300+600 mg daily for 12-<20, 20-<25 and ≥25 kg, respectively) were enrolled in a crossover study. Plasma PK sampling (at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h after observed morning intake) was performed for the twice-daily regimen at steady-state. Children were then switched to once-daily treatment with PK sampling repeated 4 weeks later (with an additional 24 h sample). Acceptability questionnaires were completed at both time points. Daily area under the curve (AUC(0-24)) and maximum concentrations (C(max)) were compared by geometric mean ratios (GMRs). RESULTS A total of 41 HIV-1-infected children (median age of 7 years) and n=23, n=14 and n=4 in 12-<20, 20-<25 and ≥25 kg weight bands, respectively, were enrolled. Mean AUC(0-24) was 13.0 and 12.0 mg•h/l for once- and twice-daily lamivudine (GMR 1.09, 90% confidence intervals [CI] 0.98-1.20) and 15.3 and 15.6 mg•h/l for once- and twice-daily abacavir (GMR 0.98, 90% CI 0.89-1.08), respectively, with no difference in 3-6 versus 7-12 year olds. C(max) was 76% (lamivudine) and 64% (abacavir) higher on once-daily regimens. For both children and caregivers, once-daily dosing of lamivudine plus abacavir was highly acceptable and strongly preferred over twice-daily. CONCLUSIONS In children aged 3-12 years, AUC(0-24) of lamivudine and abacavir were bioequivalent on once- and twice-daily regimens. Once-daily dosing of abacavir and lamivudine could provide an alternative dosing strategy for HIV-1-infected children, with high acceptability and strong preference suggesting the potential for improved adherence.

Abacavir, zidovudine, or stavudine as paediatric tablets for African HIV-infected children (CHAPAS-3): an open-label, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial

Summary Background WHO 2013 guidelines recommend universal treatment for HIV-infected children younger than 5 years. No paediatric trials have compared nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Africa, where most HIV-infected children live. We aimed to compare stavudine, zidovudine, or abacavir as dual or triple fixed-dose-combination paediatric tablets with lamivudine and nevirapine or efavirenz. Methods In this open-label, parallel-group, randomised trial (CHAPAS-3), we enrolled children from one centre in Zambia and three in Uganda who were previously untreated (ART naive) or on stavudine for more than 2 years with viral load less than 50 copies per mL (ART experienced). Computer-generated randomisation tables were incorporated securely within the database. The primary endpoint was grade 2–4 clinical or grade 3/4 laboratory adverse events. Analysis was intention to treat. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN Registry number, 69078957. Findings Between Nov 8, 2010, and Dec 28, 2011, 480 children were randomised: 156 to stavudine, 159 to zidovudine, and 165 to abacavir. After two were excluded due to randomisation error, 156 children were analysed in the stavudine group, 158 in the zidovudine group, and 164 in the abacavir group, and followed for median 2·3 years (5% lost to follow-up). 365 (76%) were ART naive (median age 2·6 years vs 6·2 years in ART experienced). 917 grade 2–4 clinical or grade 3/4 laboratory adverse events (835 clinical [634 grade 2]; 40 laboratory) occurred in 104 (67%) children on stavudine, 103 (65%) on zidovudine, and 105 (64%), on abacavir (p=0·63; zidovudine vs stavudine: hazard ratio [HR] 0·99 [95% CI 0·75–1·29]; abacavir vs stavudine: HR 0·88 [0·67–1·15]). At 48 weeks, 98 (85%), 81 (80%) and 95 (81%) ART-naive children in the stavudine, zidovudine, and abacavir groups, respectively, had viral load less than 400 copies per mL (p=0·58); most ART-experienced children maintained suppression (p=1·00). Interpretation All NRTIs had low toxicity and good clinical, immunological, and virological responses. Clinical and subclinical lipodystrophy was not noted in those younger than 5 years and anaemia was no more frequent with zidovudine than with the other drugs. Absence of hypersensitivity reactions, superior resistance profile and once-daily dosing favours abacavir for African children, supporting WHO 2013 guidelines. Funding European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.

Pharmacokinetics of nevirapine in HIV-infected infants weighing 3 kg to less than 6 kg taking paediatric fixed dose combination tablets.

Objectives:To evaluate pharmacokinetics of nevirapine, lamivudine and stavudine in HIV-infected Zambian infants receiving fixed dose combination (FDC) antiretroviral tablets (Triomune Baby). Design:Phase I/II study. Methods:Sixteen HIV-infected children at least 1 month, weighing 3 kg to less than 6 kg were enrolled. Blood was sampled at t = 0, 2, 6 and 12 h after observed intake of one FDC tablet (50 mg nevirapine, 6 mg stavudine, 30 mg lamivudine) 4 weeks after starting treatment. Safety and viral load response over 48 weeks were determined. Results:The median [interquartile range (IQR)] age, body weight and daily nevirapine dose in 15 included children (eight girls) were 4.8 (4.2, 8.4) months, 5.3 (4.3, 5.5) kg and 348 (326 385) mg/m2, respectively. The median (IQR) nevirapine area under the concentration–time curve (AUC0–12 h), Cmax and C12 h were 70 (56, 104) h mg/l, 7.5 (6.2, 10) mg/l, and 4.3 (2.9, 6.9) mg/l, respectively. Values were on average higher than reported in adults, but approximately 20% lower than previously reported in children weighing at least 6 kg. Four of 15 (27%) children had a subtherapeutic nevirapine C12 h (defined as <3.0 mg/l) compared to only three of 63 (5%) children weighing at least 6 kg (P = 0.02), whereas children aged less than 5 months [three of six (50%)] may have the highest risk for subtherapeutic nevirapine C12 h (P = 0.24). No association was found between viral load values and nevirapine plasma pharmacokinetic parameters (P > 0.3). Stavudine–lamivudine pharmacokinetic parameters were broadly comparable to heavier children. Conclusion:Exposure to nevirapine in African, HIV-infected infants with low body weight taking FDC tablets appears on average to be adequate, but due to large intersubject variability a relatively high proportion had subtherapeutic nevirapine C12 h levels, particularly those aged less than 5 months.

Transfusion and Treatment of severe anaemia in African children (TRACT): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundIn sub-Saharan Africa, where infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies are common, severe anaemia is a common cause of paediatric hospital admission, yet the evidence to support current treatment recommendations is limited. To avert overuse of blood products, the World Health Organisation advocates a conservative transfusion policy and recommends iron, folate and anti-helminthics at discharge. Outcomes are unsatisfactory with high rates of in-hospital mortality (9–10 %), 6-month mortality and relapse (6 %). A definitive trial to establish best transfusion and treatment strategies to prevent both early and delayed mortality and relapse is warranted.Methods/DesignTRACT is a multicentre randomised controlled trial of 3954 children aged 2 months to 12 years admitted to hospital with severe anaemia (haemoglobin < 6 g/dl). Children will be enrolled over 2 years in 4 centres in Uganda and Malawi and followed for 6 months. The trial will simultaneously evaluate (in a factorial trial with a 3 x 2 x 2 design) 3 ways to reduce short-term and longer-term mortality and morbidity following admission to hospital with severe anaemia in African children.The trial will compare: (i) R1: liberal transfusion (30 ml/kg whole blood) versus conservative transfusion (20 ml/kg) versus no transfusion (control). The control is only for children with uncomplicated severe anaemia (haemoglobin 4–6 g/dl); (ii) R2: post-discharge multi-vitamin multi-mineral supplementation (including folate and iron) versus routine care (folate and iron) for 3 months; (iii) R3: post-discharge cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for 3 months versus no prophylaxis. All randomisations are open. Enrolment to the trial started September 2014 and is currently ongoing. Primary outcome is cumulative mortality to 4 weeks for the transfusion strategy comparisons, and to 6 months for the nutritional support/antibiotic prophylaxis comparisons. Secondary outcomes include mortality, morbidity (haematological correction, nutritional and infectious), safety and cost-effectiveness.DiscussionIf confirmed by the trial, a cheap and widely available ‘bundle’ of effective interventions, directed at immediate and downstream consequences of severe anaemia, could lead to substantial reductions in mortality in a substantial number of African children hospitalised with severe anaemia every year, if widely implemented.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN84086586, Approved 11 February 2013

Prevalence of lipodystrophy and metabolic abnormalities in HIV-infected African children after 3 years on first-line antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Most pediatric lipodystrophy data come from high-income/middle-income countries, but most HIV-infected children live in sub-Saharan Africa, where lipodystrophy studies have predominantly investigated stavudine-based regimens. Methods: Three years after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, body circumferences and skinfold thicknesses were measured (n = 590), and fasted lipid profile assayed (n = 325), in children from 2 ARROW trial centres in Uganda/Zimbabwe. Analyses compared randomization to long-term versus short-term versus no zidovudine from ART initiation [unadjusted; latter 2 groups receiving abacavir+lamivudine+non-nucleoside-reverse-transciptase-inhibitor (nNRTI) long-term], and nonrandomized (confounder-adjusted) receipt of nevirapine versus efavirenz. Results: Body circumferences and skinfold thicknesses were similar regardless of zidovudine exposure (P > 0.1), except for subscapular and supra-iliac skinfolds-for-age which were greater with long-term zidovudine (0.006 < P < 0.047). Circumferences/skinfolds were also similar with efavirenz and nevirapine (adjusted P > 0.09; 0.02 < P < 0.03 for waist/waist-hip-ratio). Total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, HDL/triglyceride-ratio (P < 0.0001) and triglycerides (P = 0.01) were lower with long-term zidovudine. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol was higher with efavirenz than nevirapine (P < 0.001). Most lipids remained within normal ranges (75% cholesterol, 85% LDL and 100% triglycerides) but more on long-term zidovudine (3 NRTI) had abnormal HDL-cholesterol (88% vs. 40% short/no-zidovudine, P < 0.0001). Only 8/579(1.4%) children had clinical fat wasting (5 grade 1; 3 grade 2); 2(0.3%) had grade 1 fat accumulation. Conclusions: Long-term zidovudine-based ART is associated with similar body circumferences and skinfold thicknesses to abacavir-based ART, with low rates of lipid abnormalities and clinical lipodystrophy, providing reassurance where national programs now recommend long-term zidovudine. Efavirenz and nevirapine were also similar; however, the higher LDL observed with efavirenz and lower HDL observed with zidovudine suggests that zidovudine+lamivudine+efavirenz should be investigated in future.

Causes and Timing of Mortality and Morbidity Among Late Presenters Starting Antiretroviral Therapy in the REALITY Trial

Abstract Background In sub-Saharan Africa, 20%–25% of people starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) have severe immunosuppression; approximately 10% die within 3 months. In the Reduction of EArly mortaLITY (REALITY) randomized trial, a broad enhanced anti-infection prophylaxis bundle reduced mortality vs cotrimoxazole. We investigate the contribution and timing of different causes of mortality/morbidity. Methods Participants started ART with a CD4 count <100 cells/µL; enhanced prophylaxis comprised cotrimoxazole plus 12 weeks of isoniazid + fluconazole, single-dose albendazole, and 5 days of azithromycin. A blinded committee adjudicated events and causes of death as (non–mutually exclusively) tuberculosis, cryptococcosis, severe bacterial infection (SBI), other potentially azithromycin-responsive infections, other events, and unknown. Results Median pre-ART CD4 count was 37 cells/µL. Among 1805 participants, 225 (12.7%) died by week 48. Fatal/nonfatal events occurred early (median 4 weeks); rates then declined exponentially. One hundred fifty-four deaths had single and 71 had multiple causes, including tuberculosis in 4.5% participants, cryptococcosis in 1.1%, SBI in 1.9%, other potentially azithromycin-responsive infections in 1.3%, other events in 3.6%, and unknown in 5.0%. Enhanced prophylaxis reduced deaths from cryptococcosis and unknown causes (P < .05) but not tuberculosis, SBI, potentially azithromycin-responsive infections, or other causes (P > .3); and reduced nonfatal/fatal tuberculosis and cryptococcosis (P < .05), but not SBI, other potentially azithromycin-responsive infections, or other events (P > .2). Conclusions Enhanced prophylaxis reduced mortality from cryptococcosis and unknown causes and nonfatal tuberculosis and cryptococcosis. High early incidence of fatal/nonfatal events highlights the need for starting enhanced-prophylaxis with ART in advanced disease. Clinical Trials Registration ISRCTN43622374.