Patients who were randomized to initiate antiretroviral therapy early had fewer new-onset AIDS events — especially tuberculosis — than those assigned to delayed therapy.
In the landmark HPTN 052 study, 1763 HIV-serodiscordant couples primarily in Africa, Brazil, Thailand, and India were randomly assigned to early or delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART). The main finding — that early ART reduced HIV transmission by 96% — was a milestone in HIV prevention trials (NEJM JW AIDS Clin Care Jul 19 2011). Now, investigators have examined clinical outcomes in the study participants.
ART was started when the CD4 count was 350 to 550 cells/mm3 (early group) or when either the CD4 count fell to ≤250 cells/mm3 or an AIDS-defining illness developed (deferred group). Primary events included death, WHO stage 4 HIV disease, tuberculosis (TB), and serious non-AIDS events (e.g., cardiovascular disease, malignancy). Secondary o…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)