Introduction Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces the incidence of acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in men who have sex with men and is a promising approach for preventing HIV-1 in heterosexual populations. Methods We conducted a randomized, three-arm trial of oral antiretroviral PrEP among heterosexual couples from Kenya and Uganda in which one member was HIV-1 seronegative and the other HIV-1 seropositive. Seronegative partners were randomly assigned to once-daily tenofovir (TDF), combination emtricitabine/tenofovir (FTC/TDF), or matching placebo and followed monthly for up to 36 months. At enrollment, HIV-1 seropositive partners were not eligible for antiretroviral therapy under national guidelines. All couples received standard HIV-1 treatment and prevention services, including individual and couples risk-reduction counseling and condoms. Results 4758 couples were enrolled; for 62%, the HIV-1 seronegative partner was male. For HIV-1 seropositive participants, the median CD4 count was 495 cells/μL (interquartile range 375–662). Of 82 post-randomization HIV-1 infections, 17 were among those assigned TDF (incidence 0.65 per 100 person-years), 13 among those assigned FTC/TDF (incidence 0.50 per 100 person-years), and 52 among those assigned placebo (incidence 1.99 per 100 person-years), indicating a 67% relative reduction in HIV-1 incidence for TDF (95% CI 44 to 81, p<0.001) and 75% for FTC/TDF (95% CI 55 to 87, p<0.001). HIV-1 protective effects of FTC/TDF and TDF were not significantly different (p=0.23), and both study medications significantly reduced HIV-1 incidence in both men and women. The rate of serious medical events was similar across the study arms. Conclusions Oral TDF and FTC/TDF provided substantial protection against HIV-1 acquisition in heterosexual men and women, with comparable efficacy of TDF and FTC/TDF. (Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00557245)

Jessica Haberer and colleagues investigate the association between high adherence to antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV transmission in a substudy of serodiscordant couples participating in a clinical trial. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary

SUMMARY Background Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), using daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or TDF in combination with emtricitabine (FTC/TDF), has been demonstrated to be efficacious for HIV-1 prevention. While the use of multiple antiretroviral agents is essential for effective HIV-1 treatment, multiple agents may not be required for effective prophylaxis. The relative efficacy of single-agent TDF versus combination FTC/TDF PrEP has not been directly assessed. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled three-arm trial of daily oral TDF and FTC/TDF PrEP among HIV-1 uninfected members of heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant couples from Kenya and Uganda. After an interim review, the trial’s placebo arm was discontinued due to demonstration of PrEP efficacy, and the results of each active PrEP agent compared to placebo were reported (TDF 67%, FTC/TDF 75%). Thereafter, the active arms were continued, and participants initially randomized to placebo were offered re-randomization to TDF or FTC/TDF PrEP. Findings 4410 couples received TDF or FTC/TDF PrEP and were followed for HIV-1 acquisition. Of 52 incident HIV-1 infections, 31 were among those assigned TDF (incidence 0.71 per 100 person-years) and 21 were among those assigned FTC/TDF (incidence 0.48 per 100 person-years); for comparison, HIV-1 incidence in the placebo arm prior to its discontinuation was 2.00 per 100 person-years. HIV-1 prevention efficacy for FTC/TDF compared to TDF alone was not statistically significantly different: HR 0.67, 95% 0.39–1.17, p=0.16. Detection of tenofovir in plasma samples, compared to no detection and as measured in seroconverters and a subset of non-seroconverters, was associated with an 85% relative risk reduction in HIV-1 acquisition for the TDF arm and 93% for the FTC/TDF arm (both p<0.0001). Interpretation These results do not rule out the potential for a modest difference in HIV-1 protection for TDF compared to FTC/TDF, but they demonstrate that once-daily oral TDF or FTC/TDF both provide high protection against HIV-1 acquisition among heterosexual men and women.

Importance Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and combination tenofovir disoproxil fumarate / emtricitabine, is efficacious for prevention of HIV acquisition. PrEP could reduce periconception HIV risk, but the effect on pregnancy outcomes is not well defined. Objective To assess pregnancy incidence and outcomes among women using PrEP during the periconception period. Design Randomized trial among 1785 HIV serodiscordant heterosexual couples (the Partners PrEP Study) in which the female partner was HIV uninfected that demonstrated that PrEP was efficacious for HIV prevention, conducted between July 2008 and June 2013 at 9 sites in Kenya and Uganda. Intervention Daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) (n=598), combination tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) (n=566), or placebo (n=621) through July 2011, when PrEP demonstrated efficacy for HIV prevention; thereafter, participants continued receiving active PrEP, without placebo. Pregnancy testing occurred monthly and study medication was discontinued upon pregnancy detection. Main Outcomes Pregnancy incidence, birth outcomes (pregnancy loss, preterm birth, congenital anomalies), infant growth. Results A total of 431 pregnancies occurred. Pregnancy incidence was 10.0 per 100 person-years among women assigned placebo, 11.9 among those assigned TDF (incidence difference 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.1–4.9, p=0.22 versus placebo), and 8.8 among those assigned TDF-FTC (incidence difference −1.3, 95% CI −4.1–1.5, p=0.39 versus placebo). Prior to discontinuation of the placebo treatment group in July 2011, the occurrence of pregnancy loss (96 of 288 pregnancies), was 42.5% for women receiving TDF-FTC compared with 32.3% for those receiving placebo (difference for TDF-FTC versus placebo 10.2%, 95% CI −5.3–25.7, p=0.16) and was 27.7% for those receiving TDF alone (difference versus placebo −4.6%, 95% CI −18.1–8.9, p=0.46). After July 2011, the frequency of pregnancy loss (52 of 143 pregnancies) was 37.5% for TDF-FTC and 36.7% for TDF alone (difference 0.8%, 95% CI −16.8–18.5, p=0.92). Preterm birth and congenital anomalies did not differ significantly for those who received PrEP versus placebo. Infants born to women randomized to PrEP had growth throughout the first year of life not statistically different than placebo and with point estimates that did not suggest growth restriction. Conclusions and Relevance Among HIV serodiscordant heterosexual African couples, differences in pregnancy incidence, birth outcomes, and infant growth were not statistically different for women receiving PrEP with TDF alone or combination TDF-FTC compared to placebo at the time of conception. Given that PrEP was discontinued when pregnancy was detected and that confidence intervals for the birth outcomes were wide, definitive statements about safety of PrEP in the periconception period cannot be made. These results should be discussed with HIV uninfected women receiving PrEP who are considering bec...

BackgroundCommunity-drug distribution point is a care model for stable patients in the community designed to make ART delivery more efficient for the health system and provide appropriate support to encourage long-term retention of patients. We examined program retention among ART program participants in rural Uganda, which has used a community-based distribution model of ART delivery since 2004.MethodsWe analyzed data of all patients >18 years who initiated ART in Jinja, Ugandan site of The AIDS Support Organization between January 1, 2004 and July 31, 2009. Participants attended clinic or outreach visits every 2–3 months and had CD4 cell counts measured every 6 months. Retention to care was defined as any patient with at least one visit in the 6 months before June 1, 2013. We then identified participants with at least one visit in the 6 months before June 1, 2013 and examined associations with mortality and lost-to-follow-up (LTFU). Participants with >4 years of follow up during August, 2012 to May, 2013 had viral load conducted, since no routine viral load testing was available.ResultsA total of 3345 participants began ART during 2004–2009. The median time on ART in June 2013 was 5.69 years. A total of 1335 (40 %) were residents of Jinja district and 2005 (60 %) resided in outlying districts. Of these, 2322 (69 %) were retained in care, 577 (17 %) died, 161 (5 %) transferred out and 285 (9 %) were LTFU. Factors associated with mortality or LTFU included male gender, [Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) = 1.56; 95 % CI 1.28–1.9], CD4 cell count <50 cells/μL (AHR = 4.09; 95 % CI 3.13–5.36) or 50–199 cells/μL (AHR = 1.86; 95 % CI 1.46–2.37); ART initiation and WHO stages 3 (AHR = 1.35; 95 % CI 1.1–1.66) or 4 (AHR = 1.74; 95 % CI 1.23–2.45). Residence outside of Jinja district was not associated with mortality/LTFU (p value = 0.562). Of 870 participants who had VL tests, 756 (87 %) had VLs <50 copies/mL.ConclusionCommunity-based ART distribution systems can effectively mitigate the barriers to program retention and result in good rates of virologic suppression.