HIV Treatment as Prevention

Studies from 2010 highlighted the role of antiretroviral therapy in reducing HIV transmission rates, but much remains to be learned.

The past year has been remarkable for HIV prevention, beginning with the first-ever positive microbicide trial (JW AIDS Clin Care Jul 26 2010) and ending with proof of concept for oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (JW AIDS Clin Care Nov 23 2010). And in the midst of it all was some intriguing evidence on the potential for HIV treatment to reduce HIV transmission rates.

In Africa, investigators studied more than 3000 HIV-serodiscordant couples and found that the rate of HIV transmission was reduced 92% if the HIV-infected partner was receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared to if he or she was not (transmission rate, 0.37 vs. 2.24 per 100 person-years). A total of 103 new infections occurred in the study population, only one of which was a…

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Charles B. Hicks, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardGilead Sciences; ViiV; Merck

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc.

Grant / Research supportNIH; Department of Health and Human Services

Charles B. Hicks, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardGilead Sciences; ViiV; Merck

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc.

Grant / Research supportNIH; Department of Health and Human Services

HIV Treatment as Prevention

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