BACKGROUND: Little is known about the integration of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment in pediatric populations. METHODS: Prospective cohort of 31 HIV-infected children aged 3-18 years initiating anti-tuberculosis treatment at five primary health care (PHC) clinics in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to describe survival, clinical and immunological outcomes of nurse-centered integrated TB-HIV treatment. RESULTS: Almost all of the children (87.1%) were diagnosed with HIV during TB diagnosis. Most (87.0%) were successfully treated for TB. Two (6.5%) died during anti-tuberculosis treatment; both presented with low CD4 counts (36 and 59 cells/mm(3) compared to a median of 228 cells/mm(3) in the entire cohort). Most (74.2%) initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) during anti-tuberculosis treatment. Overall, a median CD4 count increase of 106 cells/mm(3) was observed (P = 0.014), an increase of 113 cells/mm(3) among children on ART and of 71.5 cells/mm(3) in those not on ART (P = 0.78). Median body mass index increase during anti-tuberculosis treatment was 2.1 kg/m(2) overall (P = 0.002), 2.2 kg/m(2) among children on ART and 0.72 kg/m(2) in those not on ART (P = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Integrated, nurse-centered, pediatric TB-HIV treatment at the PHC level in highly resource-limited settings is feasible and effective in achieving successful outcomes, including high ART uptake, low mortality, and immunological and clinical improvement.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the integration of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment in pediatric populations. METHODS: Prospective cohort of 31 HIV-infectedchildren aged 3-18 years initiating anti-tuberculosis treatment at five primary health care (PHC) clinics in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to describe survival, clinical and immunological outcomes of nurse-centered integrated TB-HIV treatment. RESULTS: Almost all of the children (87.1%) were diagnosed with HIV during TB diagnosis. Most (87.0%) were successfully treated for TB. Two (6.5%) died during anti-tuberculosis treatment; both presented with low CD4 counts (36 and 59 cells/mm(3) compared to a median of 228 cells/mm(3) in the entire cohort). Most (74.2%) initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) during anti-tuberculosis treatment. Overall, a median CD4 count increase of 106 cells/mm(3) was observed (P = 0.014), an increase of 113 cells/mm(3) among children on ART and of 71.5 cells/mm(3) in those not on ART (P = 0.78). Median body mass index increase during anti-tuberculosis treatment was 2.1 kg/m(2) overall (P = 0.002), 2.2 kg/m(2) among children on ART and 0.72 kg/m(2) in those not on ART (P = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Integrated, nurse-centered, pediatric TB-HIV treatment at the PHC level in highly resource-limited settings is feasible and effective in achieving successful outcomes, including high ART uptake, low mortality, and immunological and clinical improvement.
Authors: Loukia Aketi; Pierre M Tshibassu; Patrick K Kayembe; Faustin Kitetele; Samuel Edidi; Mathilde B Ekila; Roger Wumba; François B Lepira; Michel N Aloni Journal: Pathog Glob Health Date: 2015-07-17 Impact factor: 2.894
Authors: Brianna L Smith; Sara Zizzo; Anouk Amzel; Sarah Wiant; Molly C Pezzulo; Sarah Konopka; Rachel Golin; Alexandra C Vrazo Journal: Int J MCH AIDS Date: 2018