Background Despite increased access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), lung disease remains common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected (HIV+) adolescents. There is limited information on changes in lung function over time in perinatally HIV+ adolescents on HAART. The objective was to investigate the progression of spirometry findings over 2 years in HIV+ adolescents on HAART in a prospective cohort, the Cape Town Adolescent Antiretroviral Cohort (CTAAC). Methods HIV+ adolescents aged 9–14 years, with at least 6 months of HAART, and a comparator group of healthy HIV-uninfected (HIV–), age-matched controls were enrolled in CTAAC. Spirometry and bronchodilator testing were done at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months. Mixed-effect models were used to compute longitudinal changes in lung function. Results Five hundred fifteen HIV+ adolescents, mean age 12 (standard deviation [SD], 1.6) years, 50.4% male, and 110 HIV– adolescents, mean age 11.8 (SD, 1.8) years, 45.6% male, were tested at baseline; 477 (93%) HIV+ and 102 (93%) HIV– adolescents at 12 months; and 473 (92%) HIV+ and 97 (88%) HIV– adolescents at 24 months. Only 5.4% of the HIV+ adolescents had HIV viral load >10 000 copies/mL at baseline. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were lower in the HIV+ compared to the HIV– adolescents and tracked with no deterioration or catch-up over 2 years. Previous pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) or lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) was significantly associated with reduced FEV1 and FVC (P < .05 for both). Conclusions HIV+ adolescents had lower lung function over 2 years than HIV– adolescents. This study highlights the need for lung function surveillance and prevention of LRTIs and PTB in HIV+ adolescents.

Proteinuria and microalbuminuria appear to be uncommon in this population. Follow up of those with microalbuminuria may inform long-term outcomes and management of this growing population of HIV+ youth.

Introduction Chronic lung disease is common in perinatally HIV‐infected children as they increasingly surviving into adolescence. There are few data on the radiologic spectrum of disease in this population. Methods Contrasted high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was performed in ambulatory South African adolescents enrolled in a prospective study of perinatally‐infected adolescents aged 9 to 14 years established on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) and followed for 36 months. Consecutive participants with reduced lung function (defined by a forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] of <80% normal and/or lung diffusion capacity [DLCO] <80% normal] underwent HRCT. History, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Two radiologists blinded to clinical data and to each other, reported scans using standardized methodology; a third radiologist resolved discrepancies. Results Amongst 100 participants undergoing HRCT, median age was 13.8 years (12.8‐15.1). The median duration on cART was 8.4 years (IQR = 5.7‐9.8). Mosaic attenuation was the most common finding (73%). Of these 71 (91%) demonstrated associated air trapping radiologically consistent with bronchiolitis obliterans. Bronchiectasis occurred in 39% with significant correlation between extent of bronchiectasis and mosaic attenuation (r = 0.57, P < .001). Prior hospitaliszation for childhood pneumonia at any time before enrollment was associated with mosaic attenuation (OR = 3.9, 95%CI, [1.2‐12.5]); prior pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was associated with the combination of mosaic attenuation and bronchiectasis (OR = 4.9, 95%CI, [1.6‐15.7]). Most participants (86%) with mosaic attenuation had stage III or IV HIV disease at time of HIV diagnosis (OR = 3.6; [0.9‐14.9]). Inter observer agreement between the two readers was good for bronchiectasis (K = 0.71) and moderate for mosaic attenuation (K = 0.51). Discussion Despite well‐controlled HIV and long duration of cART, HRCT changes were common in perinatally HIV‐infected adolescents. There was a high prevalence of small airways disease with and without associated bronchiectasis. These changes were associated with prior pulmonary TB or prior severe pneumonia. Strategies to prevent and treat early life respiratory infection must be strengthened to reduce the burden of chronic lung disease in HIV‐infected adolescents.