Co-trimoxazole is effective prophylaxis for people with HIV infection in Africa

Abstract

QuestionWhat are the effects of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis on mortality, morbidity, viral load and CD4 cell count in people with HIV infection in Africa?Study designCross sectional time series.Main resultsDaily co-trimoxazole (800 mg trimethoprim, 160 mg sulphamethoxazole) prophylaxis significantly reduced mortality, morbidity, annual mean rate of increase of viral load and annual mean rate of decline of CD4 cell count from baseline (before co-trimoxazole prophylaxis; see Results tables 1 and 2).Authors’ conclusionsIn people with HIV infection, daily co-trimoxazole prophylaxis reduces mortality, morbidity, viral load increase and CD4 cell count decrease. It is a readily available, effective intervention for people with HIV infection in Africa.