HIV and cART-Associated Dyslipidemia Among HIV-Infected Children

Abstract

Background: Persistent dyslipidemia in children is associated with risks of cardiovascular accidents and poor combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) outcome. We report on the first evaluation of prevalence and associations with dyslipidemia due to HIV and cART among HIV-infected Ethiopian children. Methods: 105 cART naïve and 215 treatment experienced HIV-infected children were enrolled from nine HIV centers. Demographic and clinical data, lipid profile, cART type, adherence to and duration on cART were recorded. Total, low density (LDLc) and high density (HDLc) cholesterol values >200 mg/dL, >130 mg/dL, <40 mg/dL, respectively; and/or, triglyceride values >150 mg/dL defined cases of dyslipidemia. Prevalence and predictors of dyslipidemia were compared between the two groups. Results: prevalence of dyslipidemia was significantly higher among cART experienced (70.2%) than treatment naïve (58.1%) children (p = 0.03). Prevalence of low HDLc (40.2% versus 23.4%, p = 0.006) and hypertriglyceridemia (47.2% versus 35.8%, p = 0.02) was higher among cART experienced than naïve children. There was no difference in total hypercholesterolemia and high LDLc levels. Nutrition state was associated with dyslipidemia among cART naïve children (p = 0.01). Conclusion: high prevalence of cART-associated dyslipidemia, particularly low HDLc and hypertriglyceridemia was observed among treatment experienced HIV-infected children. The findings underscore the need for regular follow up of children on cART for lipid abnormalities.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol as a factor affecting virus clearance in covid-19 patients

“…There is no literature on whether HDLC affects virus clearance in the human body. The decrease of HDLC was observed in HIV patients [ 25 , 26 ]. Whether SARS-CoV-2 has similar characteristics of HIV remains to be studied.…”

Rates and Correlates of Short Term Virologic Response among Treatment-Naïve HIV-Infected Children Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy in Ethiopia: A Multi-Center Prospective Cohort Study

“…The Efavirenz Pediatric Dose Optimization Study (EPDOS) originally enrolled 111 cART naïve HIV-infected children at seven HIV/AIDS treatment centers across two of the largest administrative regions in Ethiopia: Oromia and Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), whose combined populations exceed 55 million [23]. The centers in Oromia region were: Adama General Hospital, Asela Referral and Teaching Hospital, and Shashemene General Hospital; from SNNPR: Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Adare General Hospital, Otona Referral Hospital and Arbaminch General Hospital.…”

“…A total of 111 cART naïve HIV infected children were initially enrolled in the EPDOS cohort [23], but one participant did not participate in baseline viral load testing and subsequent follow-up (Figure 1). Follow up was therefore limited to the remaining 110 (99.1%) of participants.…”

Prevalence and Correlates of Pre-Treatment HIV Drug Resistance among HIV-Infected Children in Ethiopia

“…The present study comprised children who were originally screened for eligibility for inclusion in the Efavirenz Pediatric Dose Optimization Study (EPDOS) cohort. EPDOS enrolled cART naïve HIV-infected children at seven HIV/AIDS treatment centers across two of the largest administrative regions in Ethiopia: Oromia and Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), whose combined populations exceed 55 million [14]. The centers in Oromia region were: Adama General Hospital, Asela Referral and Teaching Hospital, and Shashemene General Hospital.…”

“…A total of 117 children were screened for EPDOS, of whom 111 were eventually enrolled [14]). The present study analyzed the baseline cross-section of a subset of the children originally screened for EPDOS; specifically, 93 (of 117; 79.5%) participants for whom a pre-cART sample was available or could newly be obtained.…”