Triple-Drug ART for MTCT Prevention: Safe for Moms, Too

The risk for HIV disease progression was not elevated in women who received a limited course of triple-drug ART for MTCT prophylaxis, compared with women who received shorter-course prophylaxis containing fewer drugs.

Triple-drug antiretroviral therapy (ART) is efficacious for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV when initiated during pregnancy and continued postpartum through breast-feeding. However, concern exists, based in part on the results of the SMART study (JW AIDS Clin Care Nov 29 2006), about whether the cessation of ART after such prolonged use might negatively affect women's long-term health.

In the Kesho Bora study, about 800 pregnant, HIV-infected, ART-naive women in Africa with CD4 counts between 200 and 500 cells/mm³ were randomized to initiate one of two MTCT prevention regimens at 28 to 34 weeks' gestation:

Triple-drug ART (AZT/3TC + lopinavir/ritonavir) until cessation of breast-feeding
AZT alone until delivery, si…

Reviewing Author

Sonia Nagy Chimienti, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Sonia Nagy Chimienti, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Triple-Drug ART for MTCT Prevention: Safe for Moms, Too

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Reviewing Author