HIV-negative Pregnant Women Research Articles

Analysis of the catastrophic health expenditure of HIV-positive maternal households in high AIDS endemic areas in Liangshan prefecture

Objective: To analysis the income and expenditure of HIV-positive pregnant women and the catastrophic health expenditure of their households in high AIDS endemic areas in Liangshan prefecture. Methods: From December 2018 to January 2019, a total of 250 pregnant women were recruited from 2 of 17 counties in Liangshan Prefecture, including 133 HIV-positive pregnant women and 117 HIV-negative pregnant women. The data, including basic information of pregnant women, basic information of the family, annual family income in 2017, annual family health expenditure in 2017, and maternal and child-related expenditure in 2017, were collected for analyzing the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure in the family. Results: The average annual income and average annual health expenditure of HIV-positive pregnant women households were 7 000 CNY and 2 000 CNY, while those of HIV-negative pregnant women households were 10 000 CNY and 3 000 CNY, respectively. Based on the criteria of 15%, 25% and 40%, the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure of HIV-positive pregnant households was 39.10%, 33.83% and 27.82%, with average differences of 34.84%, 31.17% and 26.65%, respectively, while that of HIV-negative pregnant women households was 38.46%, 33.33% and 23.93%, with average differences of 31.68%, 28.35% and 24.22%, respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of catastrophic health expenditure of pregnant households in high AIDS endemic areas in Liangshan prefecture is high. The incidence of HIV-positive families is slightly higher than that of HIV-negative families. We suggest that medical insurance compensation in Liangshan prefecture should be improved to reduce the impact of catastrophic health expenditure.

Expression of plasma nuclear factor-kappa B cells (NF-κB) and Inhibitory subunit kappa B alpha (IκB-α) in HIV-associated pre-eclampsia

ABSTRACT Objective:To investigate the expression of plasma NF-κB and the inhibitory subunit IκB-α in HIV-associated pre-eclampsia. Method: This retrospective study examined plasma NF-κB and IκB-α expression expressed as Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI) in normotensive (n = 32) and pre-eclamptic (n = 34) pregnant women stratified by HIV status. Results: A significant decrease in the level of plasma NF-κB expression between pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women was observed, irrespective of HIV status (MFI = 82.8 vs 134.3; p = 0.03). Similarly, a significant decline in the level of plasma IκB-α expression was noted in the pre-eclamptic compared to normotensive pregnant women, irrespective of HIV status (MFI = 91.2 vs 120.1; p = 0.04). Plasma NF-κB (p = 0.7) and IκB-α (p = 0.8) expression was similar between HIV positive and HIV negative pregnant women, irrespective of pregnancy type. Conclusion: This study demonstrates decreased plasma NF-κB and IκB-α expression in preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnant women irrespective of HIV status.

24-Month HIV-free survival among HIV-exposed Infants in Lesotho: the PEAWIL cohort study.

IntroductionFollowing the implementation of the provision of lifelong antiretroviral therapy to all HIV‐positive pregnant or breastfeeding women for prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV by the Kingdom of Lesotho in 2013, we assessed the effectiveness of this approach by evaluating 24‐month HIV‐free survival among HIV‐exposed infants (HEIs).MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational cohort study that enrolled HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative pregnant women, with follow‐up of women and their infants for 24 months after delivery. Participant recruitment started in June 2014 and follow‐up ended in September 2018. Trained nurses collected study information through patient interviews and chart abstraction at enrolment and every three to six months thereafter. Maternal HIV testing, infant mortality, HIV transmission and HIV‐free survival rates were computed using Kaplan–Meier estimation. Cox regression hazard models were used to identify factors associated with infant HIV infection and death.ResultsBetween June 2014 and February 2016, we enrolled 653 HIV‐positive and 941 HIV‐negative pregnant women. Twenty‐seven HIV‐negative women acquired HIV during follow‐up. Ultimately, 634 liveborn HEI (382 (52%) male, 303 (48%) female, 3 missing) and 839 who remained HIV‐unexposed (HUIs) (409 (49.0%) male, 426 (51.0%) female, 4 missing) were followed; 550 HEIs and 701 HUIs completed the 24‐month follow‐up period. Of 607 (95.7%) HEIs who were tested for HIV at least once during follow‐up, 17 were found to be HIV‐positive. Two (9.5%) of 21 infants born to mothers who acquired HIV infection during follow‐up were HIV‐positive compared to 15 (2.4%) of 613 HEI born to women with known HIV infection. The risk of HIV transmission from HIV‐positive mothers to their infants by 24 months of age was 2.9% (95% CI: 1.8 to 4.7). The estimated 24‐month mortality rate among HEIs was 6.0% (95% CI: 4.4 to 8.2) compared to 3.8% (95% CI: 2.6 to 5.3) among HUIs (Log‐rank p = 0.065). HIV‐free survival at 24 months was 91.8% (95% CI: 89.2 to 93.7). Lower maternal age and birth weight were independently associated with increased HIV infection or death of infants.ConclusionsThe implementation of lifelong ART for PMTCT in the Lesotho public health system resulted in low HIV transmission, but survival of HEI remains lower than their HIV uninfected counterparts.

Cost-effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine for malaria during pregnancy: an analysis using efficacy results from Uganda and Kenya, and pooled data

SummaryBackgroundPrevention of malaria infection during pregnancy in HIV-negative women currently relies on the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets together with intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP). Increasing sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance in Africa threatens current prevention of malaria during pregnancy. Thus, a replacement for IPTp-SP is urgently needed, especially for locations with high sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance. Dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine is a promising candidate. We aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (IPTp-DP) versus IPTp-SP to prevent clinical malaria infection (and its sequelae) during pregnancy.MethodsWe did a cost-effectiveness analysis using meta-analysis and individual trial results from three clinical trials done in Kenya and Uganda. We calculated disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) arising from stillbirths, neonatal death, low birthweight, mild and moderate maternal anaemia, and clinical malaria infection, associated with malaria during pregnancy. Cost estimates were obtained from data collected in observational studies, health-facility costings, and from international drug procurement databases. The cost-effectiveness analyses were done from a health-care provider perspective using a decision tree model with a lifetime horizon. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses using appropriate parameter ranges and distributions were also done. Results are presented as the incremental cost per DALY averted and the likelihood that an intervention is cost-effective for different cost-effectiveness thresholds.FindingsCompared with three doses of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine, three doses of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine, delivered to a hypothetical cohort of 1000 pregnant women, averted 892 DALYs (95% credibility interval 274 to 1517) at an incremental cost of US$7051 (2653 to 13 038) generating an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $8 (2 to 29) per DALY averted. Compared with monthly doses of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine, monthly doses of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine averted 534 DALYS (−141 to 1233) at a cost of $13 427 (4994 to 22 895), resulting in an ICER of $25 (−151 to 224) per DALY averted. Both results were highly robust to most or all variations in the deterministic sensitivity analysis.InterpretationOur findings suggest that among HIV-negative pregnant women with high uptake of long-lasting insecticidal nets, IPTp-DP is cost-effective in areas with high malaria transmission and high sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance. These data provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence on the cost-effectiveness of IPTp-DP. Nevertheless, before a policy change is advocated, we recommend further research into the effectiveness and costs of different regimens of IPTp-DP in settings with different underlying sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance.FundingMalaria in Pregnancy Consortium, which is funded through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to the Liverpool School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Factors associated with sub-microscopic placental malaria and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes among HIV-negative women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a cohort study

BackgroundMalaria infection during pregnancy has negative health consequences for both mothers and offspring. Sub-microscopic malaria infection during pregnancy is common in most African countries. We sought to identify factors associated with sub-microscopic placental malaria, and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes among HIV-negative pregnant women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.MethodsWe recruited a cohort of pregnant women during their first trimester and assessed for the occurrence of placental malaria and pregnancy outcomes. The follow-up was done monthly from recruitment until delivery. Histopathology placental malaria positive results were defined as the presence of malaria pigment or parasitized erythrocytes on the slide (histology-positive (HP)), and the sub-microscopic placental infection was defined as positive Plasmodium falciparum DNA by polymerase chain reaction (DNA PCR) amplification in a negative histopathology test. Adverse pregnancy outcomes investigated included low birth weight (birth weight below 2.5 kg), prematurity (live birth below 37 weeks), and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) (live born with a birth weight below 10th percentile for gestational age and sex). Weighted baseline category logit, log-binomial, and log-Poisson models were used to assess factors associated with placental malaria, and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes.ResultsAmong 1115 women who had histopathology and DNA PCR performed, 93 (8%) had HP placental infection, and 136 (12%) had the sub-microscopic placental infection. The risk of sub-microscopic placental malaria was greater in women who did not use mosquito prevention methods such as bed nets, fumigation, or mosquito coils (odds ratio (OR) = 1.75; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–2.92; P = 0.03) and in women who were anemic (OR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.20–2.11; P = 0.001). Women who were underweight had reduced odds of sub-microscopic placental malaria infection (OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.17–0.62; P = 0.001). Women who were overweight/obese had 1.48 times higher the odds of HP placental malaria compared to normal weight (OR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.03–2.11; P = 0.03). HP placental malaria infection was associated with an increased risk of SGA births (RR = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.98–1.72, P = 0.07). In contrast, the sub-microscopic infection was associated with a reduced risk of SGA births (RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.43–0.88, P = 0.01). Placental malaria was not associated with low birth weight or prematurity.ConclusionMalaria prevention methods and maternal nutrition status during early pregnancy were important predictors of sub-microscopic placental malaria. More research is needed to understand sub-microscopic placental malaria and the possible mechanisms mediating the association between placental malaria and SGA.

Maternal dietary diversity and dietary quality scores in relation to adverse birth outcomes in Tanzanian women

Preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age (SGA), and low birth weight (LBW) are risk factors for morbidity and mortality among infants. High-quality maternal diets during pregnancy may protect against these adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the association of maternal dietary diversity and quality during pregnancy with birth outcomes among women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We analyzed data from 7553 HIV-negative pregnant women enrolled in a multivitamin trial at 12-27 weeks of gestation. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recalls. Dietary diversity scores (DDS; range: 0-10) were computed as the number of food groups consumed by women, using FAO's Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women index. The Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS; range: 0-42) assessed maternal diet quality based on consumption of 21 healthy and unhealthy food groups. Log binomial regression methods were used to assess associations of DDS and PDQS with PTB, SGA, LBW, and fetal loss. In the previous 24 h, 99.9% of all women had consumed cereal and staples, 57.9% meats, 4.7% eggs, and 0.5% nuts and seeds. Median DDS was 3.0 (IQR: 2.5-3.5). For the PDQS, all women consumed ≥4 servings/wk of green leafy vegetables and refined grains. Higher DDS was associated with lower risk of SGA (RR highest compared with lowest quintile: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.89). Higher PDQS was associated with lower risk of PTB (RR highest compared with lowest quintile: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.66), LBW (RR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.70), and fetal loss (RR: 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34, 0.82). PDQS was inversely associated with PTB, LBW, and fetal loss, and DDS was inversely associated with SGA. These findings suggest that in addition to dietary diversity, diet quality should be considered as important in understanding dietary risk factors for poor birth outcomes.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00197548.

Detecting tuberculosis in pregnant and postpartum women in Eswatini.

BackgroundTuberculosis diagnosis in pregnancy is complex because tuberculosis symptoms are often masked by physiological symptoms of pregnancy. Untreated tuberculosis in pregnant and postpartum women may lead to maternal morbidity and low birth weight. Tuberculosis in HIV-positive pregnant women increases the risk of maternal and infant mortality.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine tuberculosis prevalence stratified by HIV status and identify screening algorithms that maximise detection of active tuberculosis among pregnant and postpartum women in Eswatini.MethodsWomen were enrolled at antenatal and postnatal clinics in Eswatini for tuberculosis screening and diagnostic investigations from 01 April to 30 November 2015 in a cross-sectional study. Sputum samples were collected from all participants for tuberculosis diagnostic tests (smear microscopy, GeneXpert, MGIT culture). Blood and urine samples were collected from HIV-positive women for cluster-of-differentiation-4 cell count, interferon gamma release assay and tuberculosis lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan tests.ResultsWe enrolled 990 women; 52% were pregnant and 47% were HIV-positive. The prevalence of tuberculosis among HIV-positive pregnant women was 5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2–7) and among postpartum women it was 1% (95%CI: -1–3). Tuberculosis prevalence was 2% (95%CI: 0–3) in HIV-negative pregnant women and 1% (95%CI: -1–2) in HIV-negative postpartum women. The national tuberculosis symptom screening tool failed to identify women who tested tuberculosis-culture positive.ConclusionRoutine tuberculosis symptom screening alone is insufficient to rule out tuberculosis in pregnant and postpartum women. Only sputum culture maximised the detection of tuberculosis, indicating a need to balance access and cost in developing countries.

Maternal Dietary Diversity and Dietary Quality Scores in Relation to Adverse Birth Outcomes in Tanzanian Women

Abstract Objectives Preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA) and low birth weight (LBW) are risk factors for morbidity and mortality among infants. High-quality maternal diets during pregnancy may protect against these adverse birth outcomes. The objective of this research is to prospectively examine the association of maternal dietary diversity and quality during pregnancy with birth outcomes among women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods We analyzed data from 7553 HIV-negative pregnant women enrolled in a multivitamin trial at 12–27 weeks gestation. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recalls. Log binomial regression methods were used to assess associations of Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) and Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS) with preterm, SGA, LBW, fetal loss, very preterm, severe SGA and very low birth weight (VLBW). Results In the previous 24 hours, 99.9% of women reported consuming grains, roots and tubers, 57.9% meats, 4.7% eggs and 0.5% nuts and seeds. Median MDD-W score was 3.0 ± 1.0. For the PDQS, women consumed at least 4 servings/week of green leafy vegetables (100%) and other vegetables (64.7%) and consumption of refined grains was high (99.6%). Higher MDD-W scores were associated with lower risk of SGA (RR highest vs. lowest quintile 0.74, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.89). Higher PDQS scores were associated with lower risk of preterm birth (RR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.67); LBW (RR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.71); fetal loss (RR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34,0.82), very preterm (RR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.64) and VLBW (RR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.92) comparing women in highest vs. lowest quintiles. Conclusions PDQS was inversely associated with preterm, very preterm, LBW, VLBW and fetal loss, and MDD-W was inversely associated with SGA. These findings suggest that in addition to diet diversity, diet quality should be considered as important in understanding dietary risk factors for poor birth outcomes. Funding Sources This work has been supported by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development. Co-authors were supported by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institutes of Health.

Changes in the Vα7.2+ CD161++ MAIT cell compartment in early pregnancy are associated with preterm birth in HIV-positive women.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB), despite viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are an immune cell subset involved in antimicrobial immunity at mucosal surfaces. MAIT cells have been found at the maternal-foetal interface, and MAIT cells are typically depleted early in HIV infection. We aimed to investigate changes in MAIT cells in relation to maternal HIV/ART status and PTB. We conducted flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood samples from 47 HIV-positive (HIV+) and 45 HIV-negative (HIV-) pregnant women enrolled in a prospective pregnancy cohort study in Soweto, South Africa. Frequencies of Vα7.2+ CD161++ MAIT cells and proportions of CD4+ , CD8+ and double-negative MAIT cells were compared between women with and without HIV infection, and between women with and without PTB or spontaneous preterm labour (Sp-PTL). Although overall MAIT cell frequencies were the same between HIV+ and HIV- patients, HIV+ patients had a higher proportion of CD8+ MAIT cells in the first two trimesters. Women with PTB and Sp-PTL also had a higher proportion of CD8+ MAIT cells in the first trimester compared to women without these outcomes. The association between changes in MAIT cell subsets and PTB/Sp-PTL was present in both HIV+ and HIV- women, and an additive effect on MAIT cell subsets was seen in women with both HIV infection and PTB. Interactions between HIV-related and pregnancy-related changes in MAIT cell subsets and distribution may lead to imbalances in peripheral MAIT cell subsets in early pregnancy. This may contribute to the increased risk of PTB in HIV+ patients by altering the overall functionality of the peripheral MAIT cell compartment.

Screening and treatment of tuberculosis among pregnant women in Stockholm, Sweden, 2016-2017.

Swedish National tuberculosis (TB) guidelines recommend screening of active and latent TB (LTBI) among pregnant women (PW) from high-endemic countries or with previous exposure to possibly improve early detection and treatment.We evaluated cascade of care of a newly introduced TB screening programme of pregnant women in Stockholm county in 2016-2017. The algorithm included clinical data and Quantiferon (QFT) at the Maternal Health Care clinics and referral for specialist care upon positive test or TB symptoms.About 29 000 HIV-negative pregnant women were registered yearly, of whom 11% originated from high-endemic countries. In 2016, 72% of these were screened with QFT, of which 22% were QFT positive and 85% were referred for specialist care. In 2017, corresponding figures were 64%, 19% and 96%, respectively. The LTBI treatment rate among all QFT-positive pregnant women increased from 24% to 37% over time. Treatment completion with mainly rifampicin post-partum was 94%. Of the 69 registered HIV-positive pregnant women, 78% originated from high-endemic countries. Of these, 72% where screened with QFT and 15% were positive, but none was treated for LTBI. 9 HIV-negative active pulmonary TB cases were detected (incidence: 215/100 000). None had been screened for TB prior to pregnancy and only one had sought care due to symptoms.Systematic TB screening of pregnant women in Stockholm was feasible with a high yield of unknown LTBI and mostly asymptomatic active TB. Optimised routines improved referrals to specialist care. Treatment completion of LTBI was very high. Our findings justify TB screening of this risk group for early detection and treatment.

Effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on some specific clotting profile in Human Immunodeficiency Virus -(HIV) positive pregnant women.

Background:In many developing countries with a significant proportion of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients are women of child-bearing age and would require antiretroviral therapy. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on some specific clotting profile in HIV-positive pregnant women.Subjects and Methods:This study comprised 150 patients consisting of 50 blood samples from pregnant women on HAART as test subjects, 50 pregnant HIV-positive women that were not on HAART as test subjects, and 50 pregnant HIV-negative women which served as controls. The test subjects were attending the prevention of mother-to-child transmission Clinic at the Central Hospital, Benin City. Specific clotting factors assayed were factors 11, V, V11, V111, 1X, X, X1, and X11. All were done using ELISA methods.Results:Factors 11 and V were reduced significantly in HIV-infected pregnant women on HAART and those not on HAART (P < 0.05) when compared with HIV-negative pregnant women. A significant increase in factors V11, V111, 1X, X, and X11 were observed in HIV-positive patients on HAART and those not on HAART when compared with HIV-negative pregnant women (P < 0.05). However, when HIV-positive patients on HAART were compared to HIV-positive women not on HAART, no statistical difference were observed (P > 0.005).Conclusion:There are changes in clotting profile of HIV-positive women on HAART and on those not on HAART and these changes are not due to the administration of antiretroviral therapy.

The Seroprevalence of Zika Virus Infection among HIV Positive and HIV Negative Pregnant Women in Jos, Nigeria

The Seroprevalence of Zika Virus Infection among HIV Positive and HIV Negative Pregnant Women in Jos, Nigeria

Combination Partner HIV Testing Strategies for HIV-positive and HIV-negative Pregnant Women

Combination Partner HIV Testing Strategies for HIV-positive and HIV-negative Pregnant Women

Evaluating mild cachexia syndrome in the HIV-positive pregnant woman

Background Immune activation and inflammation are common symptoms throughout HIV infection and lead to elevated circulating concentrations of cachectic cytokines. Aims To evaluate cachexia-like symptoms among HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women, and investigate whether cachexic mechanisms may contribute to impaired HIV-exposed fetal and infant growth. Methods Pregnant women (n=114; 39% HIV-positive) were prospectively enrolled from an antenatal clinic in semi-rural Tanzania. Maternal cachexia-associated plasma cytokines and hormones, and clinical and anthropometric data were assessed. Cachexia scores were quantified using a novel adaptation of a validated cachexia scoring system. Infant growth anthropometry was measured at birth and after 6 months. Results Maternal cachexia score was inversely associated with infant birth weight, birth length, and weight-for-age z-score at 6 months. Conclusions Symptoms consistent with a mild cachectic state were associated with poorer infant outcomes. This effect was greater for HIV-exposed infants. A better understanding of the maternal cachexia burden and implications for maternal and infant health in HIV, other infections, and inflammatory conditions is needed.

Study protocol: becoming and being a mother living with HIV - a multicentre longitudinal mixed methods study among pregnant women living with HIV, non-pregnant women living with HIV and pregnant women not living with HIV in a high-income setting (the 2B MOM study)

IntroductionThe success of combination antiretroviral therapy has decreased the risk of perinatal HIV transmission and normalised pregnancy in women living with HIV (WLWH). Despite these advances, WLWH still face complex...

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and risk of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in pregnant women: A meta-analysis on cohort studies.

Maternal HIV infection is related to several perinatal adverse outcomes. This study is aimed at establishing whether maternal HIV infection is associated with the development of pre-eclampsia (PE) and eclampsia. We comprehensively searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Embase databases for relevant studies published up to 20 November 2018, without time and language restrictions. We have limited our literature searches to observational studies in humans. We applied a random-effects model to calculate the relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the meta-analyses. We also systematically reviewed eligible studies to determine the effects of HIV infection on imbalance of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors, which are effective in increased risk of PE or eclampsia. We identified a total of 11,186 publications, out of which 22 eligible studies (11 prospective and 11 retrospective cohort studies) comprising 90,514 HIV-positive and 66,085,278 HIV-negative pregnant women were included in meta-analysis. Results of the meta-analyses suggested that maternal HIV infection is not significantly associated with the development of PE (RR, 1.04; 95%CI, 0.89-1.21) and eclampsia (RR, 1.05; 95%CI, 0.63-1.75). Six studies were included to understand the effects of HIV infection on imbalance of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. All six studies demonstrated that HIV infection had no significant effect on expression levels of these factors in pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Our study showed that maternal HIV infection was not significantly associated with increased or reduced risks of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. More well-designed studies with large sample size and well defined outcomes are recommended to confirm or refute the present findings.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus, HIV and HBV coinfection and associated factors in pregnant women attending antenatal care at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Objectives: To explore the prevalence and associated socio-demographic factors of hepatitis B in HIV positive and HIV negative pregnant women attending antenatal care at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.&#x0D; Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study with a total of 316 (158 HIV negative and 158 HIV positive) pregnant women, aged 16-46years. Participants were recruited from the antenatal ward using convenient sampling method from women with a known and documented HIV status. A structured questionnaire was administered for sociodemographic data and bloods for HBsAg screening were collected. Data collection was done between 15th Dec 2016 and 30th May, 2017. The relationship between study variables and presence of HBV and HBV/HIV coinfection was examined using logistic regression. The selection for entry into the logistic regression model was considered at level p&lt;0.05.&#x0D; Results: Of the 316 study participants 11(3.5%) tested positive for HBsAg. There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of HBV in the HIV negative and HIV positive pregnant women (3.8% and 3.2% respectively, P=0.76). Similarly, there was no association between the age, marital status, parity, residence, religion, education level or form of employment with HBV infection. Being on combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) had a 91% reduced odds for HBV co-infection[OR = 0.09, CI = 0.01 – 0.63, P = 0.02]&#x0D; Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of HBV between the HIV positive and HIV negative pregnant women. However, HIV antiretroviral treatment seems to have a protective effect on acquisition of HBV infection. Therefore, regardless of their HIV status or socio-demographic characteristics, all pregnant women should routinely be screened for HBV so that babies born to high risk mothers can receive the birth doses of HBV vaccine and immunoglobulins to prevent transmission to newborns.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus, HIV and HBV coinfection and associated factors in pregnant women attending antenatal care at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Objectives: To explore the prevalence and associated socio-demographic factors of hepatitis B in HIV positive and HIV negative pregnant women attending antenatal care at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.&#x0D; Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study with a total of 316 (158 HIV negative and 158 HIV positive) pregnant women, aged 16-46years. Participants were recruited from the antenatal ward using convenient sampling method from women with a known and documented HIV status. A structured questionnaire was administered for sociodemographic data and bloods for HBsAg screening were collected. Data collection was done between 15th Dec 2016 and 30th May, 2017. The relationship between study variables and presence of HBV and HBV/HIV coinfection was examined using logistic regression. The selection for entry into the logistic regression model was considered at level p&lt;0.05.&#x0D; Results: Of the 316 study participants 11(3.5%) tested positive for HBsAg. There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of HBV in the HIV negative and HIV positive pregnant women (3.8% and 3.2% respectively, P=0.76). Similarly, there was no association between the age, marital status, parity, residence, religion, education level or form of employment with HBV infection. Being on combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) had a 91% reduced odds for HBV co-infection[OR = 0.09, CI = 0.01 – 0.63, P = 0.02]&#x0D; Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of HBV between the HIV positive and HIV negative pregnant women. However, HIV antiretroviral treatment seems to have a protective effect on acquisition of HBV infection. Therefore, regardless of their HIV status or socio-demographic characteristics, all pregnant women should routinely be screened for HBV so that babies born to high risk mothers can receive the birth doses of HBV vaccine and immunoglobulins to prevent transmission to newborns.

Perceptions of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Young Pregnant Women from Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Young sub-Saharan women are at particularly high risk of HIV acquisition during pregnancy and the postpartum period and would potentially benefit from preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). From June to August 2016, we interviewed 187 HIV negative pregnant women 18-24 years old in Tugela Ferry, Kwazulu-Natal province, a rural and among the poorest subdistricts in South Africa. Demographic data, HIV and PrEP knowledge, HIV risk, and readiness for oral tenofovir-based PrEP were collected using an information-motivation-behavior model-formatted instrument. Mean age was 20.3 years, 179 (95.7%) were unemployed, and 137 (73.3%) reported sex with one partner in the last month. Most were concerned that their sexual partner (95.2%) potentially had HIV or had other sexual partners in the last month (36.4%). Despite this, only 7 (3.7%) women reported that condoms had been used consistently during sex; most (97.3%) felt powerless to negotiate condom use with their partner. There was widespread interest in taking PrEP (97.3%), and most women (>97%) reported possessing the skills to take pills regularly, would commit to monthly visits, and were motivated to remain HIV negative to take care of their families. Young pregnant rural South African women are cognizant of their HIV risk and interested in prevention. Impending motherhood may portend increased interest in HIV prevention. We identified three potential obstacles to successful PrEP rollout among young pregnant women: hesitation about PrEP effectiveness (46%), perceived HIV stigma (53.5%), and risk compensation through decreased condom use (9.6%). Comparative studies of motivations, skills, and rates of initiation and adherence among pregnant and nonpregnant women are needed to inform optimal implementation efforts.

Dynamics of leukocyte telomere length in pregnant women living with HIV, and HIV-negative pregnant women: A longitudinal observational study.

BackgroundHIV-mediated inflammation and immune activation can accelerate telomere attrition. In addition, antiretrovirals can inhibit telomerase, possibly shortening telomeres. We examined the longitudinal dynamics of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) during pregnancy in a unique cohort of women living with HIV (WLWH) treated with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), and HIV-negative control women.MethodsBlood was collected at three visits during pregnancy, at 13–23, >23–30, and >30–40 weeks of gestation, and for WLWH only, at 6 weeks post-partum. LTL was measured by qPCR and both cross-sectional and longitudinal (MANOVA) models were used to examine possible predictors of LTL among participants who attended all three visits during pregnancy.ResultsAmong WLWH (n = 64) and HIV-negative women (n = 41), within participant LTL were correlated throughout pregnancy (p<0.001). LTL was shorter among WLWH at first visit, but this difference waned by the second visit. WLWH who discontinued cART post-partum experienced a decrease in LTL. Longitudinally, LTL was similar in both groups and increased as gestation progressed, a change that was more pronounced among women under 35 years. Among WLWH, both smoking throughout pregnancy (p = 0.04) and receiving a ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor-based regimen (p = 0.03) were independently associated with shorter LTL.ConclusionsLTL increases as pregnancy progresses; the reasons for this are unknown but may relate to changes in blood volume, hormones, and/or cell subset distribution. While our observations need confirmation in an independent cohort, our data suggest that although some cART regimens may influence LTL, being on cART appears overall protective and that stopping cART post-partum may negatively impact LTL. The effect of smoking on LTL is clearly negative, stressing the importance of smoking cessation.