Antiretroviral therapy with three nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in treatment-naive HIV-infected patients in Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)

Abstract

This study assesses the results of initial antiretroviral therapy with 3 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors over the first 12 months of treatment. Patients' general health improved significantly during the year, with a significant mean weight gain (from 59.3kg to 65.12kg) and a strong regression in the frequency of opportunistic infections over the study period, from 38% to 2% (P<0.0001). The mean CD4 T-cell count rose from 242.8 to 390.5cell/mm(3), for a mean increase of 147.7cells/mm(3). Accordingly, antiretroviral treatment with three nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors is effective and is a useful alternative in a country with limited resources.