Global HIV prevention, care and treatment services for children: a cross-sectional survey from the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium.

OBJECTIVES: To assess access children with HIV have to comprehensive HIV care services, to longitudinally evaluate the implementation and scale-up of services, and to use site services and clinical cohort data to explore whether access to these services influences retention in care. METHODS: A cross-sectional standardised survey was completed in 2014-2015 by sites providing paediatric HIV care across regions of the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium. We developed a comprehensiveness score based on the WHO's nine categories of essential services to categorise sites as 'low' (0-5), 'medium', (6-7) or 'high' (8-9). When available, comprehensiveness scores were compared with scores from a 2009 survey. We used patient-level data with site services to investigate the relationship between the comprehensiveness of services and retention. RESULTS: Survey data from 174 IeDEA sites in 32 countries were analysed. Of the WHO essential services, sites were most likely to offer antiretroviral therapy (ART) provision and counselling (n=173; 99%), co-trimoxazole prophylaxis (168; 97%), prevention of perinatal transmission services (167; 96%), outreach for patient engagement and follow-up (166; 95%), CD4 cell count testing (126; 88%), tuberculosis screening (151; 87%) and select immunisation services (126; 72%). Sites were less likely to offer nutrition/food support (97; 56%), viral load testing (99; 69%) and HIV counselling and testing (69; 40%). 10% of sites rated 'low', 59% 'medium' and 31% 'high' in the comprehensiveness score. The mean comprehensiveness of services score increased significantly from 5.6 in 2009 to 7.3 in 2014 (p<0.001; n=30). Patient-level analysis of lost to follow-up after ART initiation estimated the hazard was highest in sites rated 'low' and lowest in sites rated 'high'. CONCLUSION: This global assessment suggests the potential care impact of scaling-up and sustaining comprehensive paediatric HIV services. Meeting recommendations for comprehensive HIV services should remain a global priority.

Rubella antibodies in vertically and horizontally HIV-infected young adults vaccinated early in life and response to a booster dose in those with seronegative results.

BACKGROUND: Very limited data are available on the persistence of rubella antibodies in vertically HIV-infected individuals who were vaccinated early in life. METHODS: Prospective, cohort study on 4 groups of patients: 96 vertically HIV-1-infected individuals (v-HIV), 69 horizontally HIV-1-infected individuals (h-HIV), 93 healthy controls previously vaccinated for rubella (vac-CON) and 20 healthy controls with history of rubella disease (dis-CON). A blood sample was collected and rubella antibodies were analyzed by ELISA. Rubella antibodies above 10 IU/mL were considered protective. Individuals with seronegative results were offered an extra MMR vaccine dose and were tested at least 30 days afterwards. RESULTS: Time since previous rubella vaccination was similar in v-HIV, h-HIV and vac-CON (16, 11 and 11 years; p = 0.428). v-HIV and h-HIV were also comparable regarding median CD4 T cells (613 and 614 cells/mm3; p = 0.599) and percentage on ART (93.8% and 98.6%; p = 0.135) at study entry. v-HIV had less individuals on virological suppression (63.5%) compared to 85.5% in h-HIV (p < 0.001). Rubella seropositivity and antibodies were significantly lower in v-HIV compared to h-HIV (32.3% vs 65.5%, 4.3 IU/mL vs 21.1 IU/mL; p < 0.001). Time interval between the last rubella vaccine dose and study entry was associated with an increase of rubella seronegativity, with a 7% higher chance of seronegativity for each one-year increase. After an extra MMR dose, 40 out of 48 (83.3%) seronegative individuals responded, with no significant difference among groups considering rubella seropositivity and antibody levels. CONCLUSION: As vertically HIV-infected individuals reach adolescence and adulthood, assessment of vaccine antibodies can identify those who might benefit from an extra vaccine dose.

Predictors and Evolution of Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Perinatally HIV-Infected Adolescents in Brazil.

PURPOSE: Antiretroviral therapy medication adherence is a complex phenomenon influenced by multiple factors. This study examines its evolution and predictors among perinatally HIV-infected youths in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: During a 1-year longitudinal cohort study, perinatally HIV-infected youths aged 13-21 years taking antiretroviral therapy were recruited in hospitals and HIV/AIDS reference centers. Data were collected at baseline and after 12 months. Variables assessed were adherence, self-efficacy regarding medication intake, social support, stress level, depression, CD4 cell count, viral load, and symptoms. Adherence was defined as taking ≥95% of prescribed HIV medication in the past 7 days. Generalized estimating equation and analysis of variance methods were used. RESULTS: A total of 268 adolescents participated in the study (59% female; mean age of 16 years). At baseline, 63.06% of the sample was adherent to their HIV medication, and 52.99% had an undetectable viral load. All participants, regardless of adherence, reported: low levels of stress and symptoms of depression; high perception of medication self-efficacy and social support; and a mean of 6.8 symptoms related to their HIV medication. Predictors of adherence were: high perception of medication self-efficacy (odds ratio = 2.81; 95% confidence interval: 1.94-4.05) and low number of reported medication side effects (odds ratio = .97; 95% confidence interval: .95-.99]. Between baseline and follow-up, 49.6% remained adherent, 22.3% remained nonadherent, and the adherence level changed over time for 28.2%. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the need to develop interventions to enhance self-efficacy toward medication and to help youth better manage HIV medication symptoms.

Adolescents growing with HIV/AIDS: experiences of the transition from pediatrics to adult care

Abstract The main objective of this work is to describe the formation of the Transition Adolescent Clinic (TAC) and understand the process of transitioning adolescents with HIV/AIDS from pediatric to adult care, from the vantage point of individuals subjected to this process. A qualitative method and an intentional sample selected by criteria were adopted for this investigation, which was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. An in-depth semi-structured interview was conducted with sixteen HIV-infected adolescents who had been part of a transitioning protocol. Adolescents expressed the need for more time to become adapted in the transition process. Having grown up under the care of a team of health care providers made many participants have reluctance toward transitioning. Concerns in moving away from their pediatricians and feelings of disruption, abandonment, or rejection were mentioned. Participants also expressed confidence in the pediatric team. At the same time they showed interest in the new team and expected to have close relationships with them. They also ask to have previous contacts with the adult health care team before the transition. Their talks suggest that they require slightly more time, not the time measured in days or months, but the time measured by constitutive experiences capable of building an expectation of future. This study examines the way in which the adolescents feel, and help to transform the health care transition model used at a public university. Listening to the adolescents’ voices is crucial to a better understanding of their needs. They are those who can help the professionals reaching alternatives for a smooth and successful health care transition.

Adolescents growing with HIV/AIDS: experiences of the transition from pediatrics to adult care.

The main objective of this work is to describe the formation of the Transition Adolescent Clinic (TAC) and understand the process of transitioning adolescents with HIV/AIDS from pediatric to adult care, from the vantage point of individuals subjected to this process. A qualitative method and an intentional sample selected by criteria were adopted for this investigation, which was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. An in-depth semi-structured interview was conducted with sixteen HIV-infected adolescents who had been part of a transitioning protocol. Adolescents expressed the need for more time to become adapted in the transition process. Having grown up under the care of a team of health care providers made many participants have reluctance toward transitioning. Concerns in moving away from their pediatricians and feelings of disruption, abandonment, or rejection were mentioned. Participants also expressed confidence in the pediatric team. At the same time they showed interest in the new team and expected to have close relationships with them. They also ask to have previous contacts with the adult health care team before the transition. Their talks suggest that they require slightly more time, not the time measured in days or months, but the time measured by constitutive experiences capable of building an expectation of future. This study examines the way in which the adolescents feel, and help to transform the health care transition model used at a public university. Listening to the adolescents' voices is crucial to a better understanding of their needs. They are those who can help the professionals reaching alternatives for a smooth and successful health care transition.

Renal abnormalities in a cohort of HIV-infected children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of renal abnormalities and the evolution of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- infected children and adolescents followed up in an infectious disease outpatient pediatric clinic. METHODS: We performed a cohort study of 115 children and adolescents. Outcomes of two evaluations for urinalysis, microalbuminuria/urinary creatinine ratio, urinary retinol-binding protein (uRBP) concentration, and estimated GFR (eGFR) were obtained for each patient, with an average interval of 6 months between evaluations. These changes were correlated with gender, age, race, body mass index (BMI), height-for-age (H/A) percentile, clinical and immunological classification of HIV infection, use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV viral load (VL), and CD4+ T-lymphocyte count. RESULTS: Mean patient age at the time of inclusion in the study was 12.6 ± 3.2 years; 50.4 % were male, 81.7 % had acquired immune defeciency syndrome (AIDS), 80.9 % had CD4+ < 500 cells/mm(3), and 87.8 % were on ART. Urinary changes included hematuria (11.3 %), proteinuria (7 %), and microalbuminuria (11.6 %); uRBP was present in 3.8 %; and mean eGFR was 163 ± 32 ml/min/1.73 m(2). CONCLUSIONS: The subclinical renal abnormalities found in this study may indicate early manifestations of a broad spectrum of renal dysfunction associated with HIV and involves the decision to initiate or modify ART.

Impaired bone mineral accrual in prepubertal HIV-infected children: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bone mass accrual and determine the influence of clinical, anthropometric, dietary and biochemical parameters on bone mass. METHODS: A cohort study including 35 prepubertal HIV-infected children, between 7 and 12 years, attended at a referral center. At time 1 (T1) and time 2 (T2), patients were assessed according to clinical, anthropometric, dietary, biochemical parameters and bone mineral density (BMD). At T2, patients were divided into prepubertal and pubertal. RESULTS: Despite the increase in bone mass absolute values, there was no improvement in lumbar spine BMD (LSBMD) Z-score (p=0.512) and worsening in total body BMD (TBMD) Z-score (p=0.040). Pubertal patients (n=19) showed higher bone mineral content (BMC) (p=0.001), TBMD (p=0.006) and LSBMD (p=0.002) compared to prepubertal patients. After multivariate linear regression analysis, the predictors of bone mass in T1 were age, BMI and HA Z-scores for BMC; BMI Z-score, adequate serum magnesium concentration and dietary calcium intake for TBMD; adequate serum concentration of magnesium, BMI and HA Z-scores for LSBMD. In T2, age, total body fat and lean body mass (kg) for BMC; BMI Z-score and puberty for TBMD; dietary fat intake, BMI Z-score for BMD and puberty for LSBMD. CONCLUSION: HIV-infected children have compromised bone mass and the presence of puberty seems to provide suitability of these parameters. Adequate intake of calcium and fat appears to be protective for proper bone mass accumulation factor, as well as monitoring nutritional status and serum magnesium concentration.

Variability of HIV-1 genomes among children and adolescents from São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Genetic variability is a major feature of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and considered the key factor to frustrating efforts to halt the virus epidemic. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic variability of HIV-1 strains among children and adolescents born from 1992 to 2009 in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODOLOGY: Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 51 HIV-1-positive children and adolescents on ART followed between September 1992 and July 2009. After extraction, the genetic materials were used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the viral near full length genomes (NFLGs) from 5 overlapped fragments. NFLGs and partial amplicons were directly sequenced and data were phylogenetically inferred. RESULTS: Of the 51 samples studied, the NFLGs and partial fragments of HIV-1 from 42 PBMCs and 25 plasma were successfully subtyped. Results based on proviral DNA revealed that 22 (52.4%) patients were infected with subtype B, 16 (38.1%) were infected with BF1 mosaic variants and 4 (9.5%) were infected with sub-subtype F1. All the BF1 recombinants were unique and distinct from any previously identified unique or circulating recombinant forms in South America. Evidence of dual infections was detected in 3 patients coinfected with the same or distinct HIV-1 subtypes. Ten of the 31 (32.2%) and 12 of the 21 (57.1%) subjects with recovered proviral and plasma, respectively, protease sequences were infected with major mutants resistant to protease inhibitors. The V3 sequences of 14 patients with available sequences from PBMC/or plasma were predicted to be R5-tropic virus except for two patients who harbored an X4 strain. CONCLUSIONS: The high proportion of HIV-1 BF1 recombinant, coinfection rate and vertical transmission in Brazil merits urgent attention and effective measures to reduce the transmission of HIV among spouses and sex partners.

Rubella immunization in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected children: cause for concern in vaccination strategies.

BACKGROUND: HIV infection can have important although sometimes unexpected consequences, such as contributing to enlargement of the pool of rubella-susceptible children. METHODS: At the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil, we assessed response to rubella immunization at 15 months of age in 15 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV)-infected children, 20 seroreverted children (SR) and 18 healthy control children born to HIV-seronegative mothers (CON). Blood samples were collected before and 3 months after vaccination. All HIV-infected children had started highly active antiretroviral therapy during their first 6 months of life. Serum samples were tested with a rubella IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULTS: HIV children in immunologic categories 2/3 had lower rubella antibody titers (geometric mean, 33 IU/mL) than those from CON (125 IU/mL) and SR group (236 IU/mL) (Tukey, P = 0.01). Antibody values after vaccination were positively associated with CD4 T cell numbers and negatively associated with HIV viral load assessed immediately before vaccination. The percentage of children with protective antibodies after vaccination (above 10.0 IU/mL) was also significantly different among groups (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.013): CON, 94%; SR, 100%; HIV category 1, 100%; HIV category 2/3, 62%. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected children with a preserved immune system at measles-mumps-rubella immunization can have a good response to rubella vaccine. In contrast, those in more advanced categories for HIV infection respond poorly.