1. Evaluation of HIV-1 DNA levels among adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV-1 in Yaounde, Cameroon: A contribution to paediatric HIV cure research in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Author
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Ka'e, AC, Santoro, MM, Duca, L, Chenwi, CA, Ngoufack Jagni Semengue, E, Nka, AD, Etame, N-K, Togna Pabo, WL, Beloumou, G, Mpouel, ML, Djupsa, S, Takou, D, Sosso, SM, Tchidjou, HK, Colizzi, V, Halle-Ekane, G-E, Perno, C-F, Lewin, S, Jones, RB, Tiemessen, CT, Ceccherini-Silberstein, F, Fokam, J, Ka'e, AC, Santoro, MM, Duca, L, Chenwi, CA, Ngoufack Jagni Semengue, E, Nka, AD, Etame, N-K, Togna Pabo, WL, Beloumou, G, Mpouel, ML, Djupsa, S, Takou, D, Sosso, SM, Tchidjou, HK, Colizzi, V, Halle-Ekane, G-E, Perno, C-F, Lewin, S, Jones, RB, Tiemessen, CT, Ceccherini-Silberstein, F, and Fokam, J
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: With the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), most children living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are growing toward adolescence, with scarcity of evidence on the size of viral reservoirs to enhance paediatric cure research strategies. This study aims to compare HIV-1 proviral DNA levels according to virological response among adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV-1 (ALPHIV) and identify associated-factors in the Cameroonian context. METHODS: In this observational cohort study, HIV-1 RNA viremia and CD4+ T-cell count were assessed through RT-PCR and flow cytometry respectively at three time-points over 18 months of observation. At the third time-point, 80 randomly-selected participants were classified as with viremia (≥50 HIV-1 copies/mL; n = 40) or without viremia (<50 HIV-1 copies/mL; n = 40); immune-competent (≥500 CD4+ T cells/mm3) or immunocompromised (<500 CD4+ T cells/mm3). Among these participants, total HIV-1 DNA load was quantified through droplet digital PCR using Bio-Rad QX200. RESULTS: Of the 80 randomly-selected adolescents, median [IQR] age was 15 (13-17) years, 56.2% were female, duration on ART was 9.3 [5.4-12.2] years. Among the 40 viremic ones (median viremia 7312 [283-71482]) HIV-1 copies/ml, 75.0% (30/40) were in virological failure (≥1000 HIV-1 copies/ml), while median of CD4 T cells were 494 [360-793] cell/mm3 with 48.8% (39/80) immunocompromised. No significant variation in HIV-1 RNA viremia and CD4 T cell count was observed between the three time-points, and 13.7% (11/80) adolescents remained aviremic and immune-competent throughout (stable adolescents). A positive and moderate correlation (r = 0.59; p < 0.001) was found between HIV-1 DNA levels and HIV- 1 RNA viremia. Regarding the CD4 T cell count, a negative and weak correlation (r = -0.28; p = 0.014) was found with HIV-1 DNA loads only among adolescents with viremia. Starting ART within the first year of life, ART for over 9 years and aviremia appear as pr
- Published
- 2024