Bock P, Jennings K, Vermaak R, Cox H, Meintjes G, Fatti G, Kruger J, De Azevedo V, Maschilla L, Louis F, Gunst C, Grobbelaar N, Dunbar R, Limbada M, Floyd S, Grimwood A, Ayles H, Hayes R, Fidler S, Beyers N. Incidence of Tuberculosis Among HIV-Positive Individuals Initiating Antiretroviral Treatment at Higher CD4 Counts in the HPTN 071 (PopART) Trial in South Africa. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2018, 77: 93-101. PMC5720907
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) guidelines recommend life-long ART for all HIV-positive individuals. This study evaluated tuberculosis (TB) incidence on ART in a cohort of HIV-positive individuals starting ART regardless of CD4 count in a programmatic setting at 3 clinics included in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in South Africa. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of HIV-positive individuals aged >/=18 years starting ART, between January 2014 and November 2015, was conducted. Follow-up was continued until 30 May 2016 or censored on the date of (1) incident TB, (2) loss to follow-up from HIV care or death, or (3) elective transfer out; whichever occurred first. RESULTS: The study included 2423 individuals. Median baseline CD4 count was 328 cells/muL (interquartile range 195-468); TB incidence rate was 4.41/100 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.62 to 5.39). The adjusted hazard ratio of incident TB was 0.27 (95% CI: 0.12 to 0.62) when comparing individuals with baseline CD4 >500 and 500 cells/muL, there were no incident TB cases in the first 3 months of follow-up. Adjusted hazard of incident TB was also higher among men (adjusted hazard ratio 2.16; 95% CI: 1.41 to 3.30). CONCLUSIONS: TB incidence after ART initiation was significantly lower among individuals starting ART at CD4 counts above 500 cells/muL. Scale-up of ART, regardless of CD4 count, has the potential to significantly reduce TB incidence among HIV-positive individuals. However, this needs to be combined with strengthening of other TB prevention strategies that target both HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals.