BACKGROUND Loss to follow-up is high among HIV patients not yet receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Clinical trials have demonstrated the clinical efficacy of early ART; however, these trials may miss an important real-world consequence of providing ART at diagnosis: its impact on retention in care. METHODS AND FINDINGS We examined the effect of immediate (versus deferred) ART on retentio...

A2. This is a very interesting question. In antimicrobial research, the ability of an antibiotic to produce a three-log kill (decrease the bacterial load by three logs) is an important characteristic. In theory, if an antibiotic is able to produce a threelog kill, the host’s immune system can usually kill the remaining bacterial population. However, with an immunocompromised host, such as an HI...

OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated a cross-sectional relationship between antiretroviral adherence and HIV virological suppression. We assessed the predictive value of baseline adherence in determining long-term virological failure. DESIGN We assessed baseline adherence via an adherence questionnaire between administered to all consenting patients attending antiretroviral clinics in...

BACKGROUND Faith-based organisations have expanded antiretroviral therapy (ART) in community clinics across South Africa. Loss to follow-up (LTFU), however, limits the potential individual and population treatment benefits and optimal care. OBJECTIVE To identify patient characteristics associated with LTFU 6 months after starting ART in a large community clinic. METHODS Patients initiating ...

OBJECTIVES Early diagnosis of HIV-infected children remains a major challenge in Africa. Children who are hospitalised represent an opportunity for HIV diagnosis and appropriate treatment. We introduced HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) for hospitalised children and their caretakers in Mulago teaching hospital in Uganda to assess its feasibility. METHODS We analysed routine program data for c...

BACKGROUND Viral tropism plays a major role in HIV pathogenesis and may influence the activity of entry inhibitors. The impact of antiretroviral therapy use on the dynamics of viral tropism over time is still poorly understood. PATIENTS AND METHODS HIV co-receptor usage was determined longitudinally for over 5 years in 237 plasma specimens collected from 73 distinct HIV-1-infected drug-naive ...