Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains a challenge in most resource-limited settings, particularly in Africa. Single-dose and short-course antiretroviral (ARV) regimens are only partially effective and have failed to achieve wide coverage despite their apparent simplicity. More potent ARV combinations are restricted to pregnant w...

The spectrum of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease and reverse transcriptase (RT) mutations selected by antiretroviral (ARV) drugs requires ongoing reassessment as ARV treatment patterns evolve and increasing numbers of protease and RT sequences of different viral subtypes are published. Accordingly, we compared the prevalences of protease and RT mutations in HIV-1 group M seq...

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to explore the factors surrounding modification of the first antiretroviral (ARV) regimen where drug switch occurred 3 months or more after initiation. Reference was made to the British HIV Association (BHIVA) guidelines on HIV management. METHODS A case note and questionnaire-based audit was carried out. RESULTS Toxicity was the single most important rea...

OBJECTIVE To study the progress and challenges with regard to universal antiretroviral (ARV) access in Free State Province, South Africa. METHODS Data from the first 4 years of the public sector ARV roll-out and selected health system indicators were used. Data were collected from the public sector ARV database in Free State Province for new patients on ARVs, average waiting times and median ...

BACKGROUND Food insecurity is emerging as an important barrier to antiretroviral (ARV) adherence in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere, but little is known about the mechanisms through which food insecurity leads to ARV non-adherence and treatment interruptions. METHODOLOGY We conducted in-depth, open-ended interviews with 47 individuals (30 women, 17 men) living with HIV/AIDS recruited from AI...

Introduction: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) leads to reconstitution of immune responses in HIV-infected patients. This may reveal an syndrome (IRS). While tuberculosis is the most common manifestation IRS southern countries, other more serious conditions such as Kaposi's disease it. Observation: We report a case revealing restoration with aim contributing better management. The p...

Out-of-pocket costs are defined as direct and indirect when accessing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment at healthcare centers that aren’t subsidized by the government. While ARV can be accessed for free, diagnostic tests, consultation, opportunistic infections main factor behind low number of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) post-diagnosis. This study aims to understand PLWHA’s behaviors relate...

OBJECTIVES In Lagos, Nigeria, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) commenced free antiretroviral treatment (ART) in a hospital-based clinic. We performed a cross-sectional study to compare factors associated with raised viral load between patients with ("experienced") and without ("naïve") prior antiretroviral (ARV) exposure at commencement of ART at the clinic. We al...

Introduction: In resource-limited countries, the number of available antiretroviral (ARV) drugs is relatively limited. Hence, caregivers face some caution and constraints in the changes of ARV treatment (ART) in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Our objective was to calculate the incidence, to describe the main causes and to identify the predictive factors of the first change of ARV treatment in ...

INTRODUCTION The impact of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy on immunological and growth parameters in HIV-positive children in Pakistan has not been reported to date. METHODOLOGY A retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with HIV at the Sindh AIDS Control Proigramme (SACP) and registered at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, between January 2005 and 2013 was conducted, evaluating clinical...