Despite having access to antiretroviral treatment (ART), teenagers with prenatally acquired HIV (APHIV) had a fourfold increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease, according to a report conducted by South African researchers .
Between July 2013 and October 2018, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) unit at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital conducted the research.
Between July 2013 and March 2015, youth aged nine to fourteen who had been on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for more than six months in public sector treatment, as well as age-matched HIV-negative teens, were enrolled and monitored. On October 31, 2018, the data was censored.
“These results also show that tuberculosis is widespread among APHIV patients and remains a significant cause of morbidity. In our research, the prevalence of tuberculosis in APHIV adolescents was very large, at 2.2/100PY, relative to 0.3/100PY in HIV-negative adolescents “According to Lisa Frigati, the study’s Lead Author.
Heather Zar, Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and Director of the University of Cape Town’s School of Child and Adolescent Health, praised the study.
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She said that it demonstrated the importance of rigorous TB testing for HIV-positive teenagers, including rapid molecular diagnostics and community.
“TB mitigation methods, such as TB preventive counseling, and strategies to increase medication completion can also be improved.
These results also highlight the importance of integrating HIV and tuberculosis adolescent programs “Zar said.
SOURCE: ATLFMONLINE
