Directly observed antiretroviral therapy to reduce genital tract and plasma HIV-1 RNA in women with poor adherence

AIDS. 2003 Sep 5;17(13):1990-3. doi: 10.1097/00002030-200309050-00021.

Abstract

Six women with substance abuse and poor adherence histories received daily antiretroviral directly observed therapy (DOT). Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) and plasma HIV-1-RNA levels were measured at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. All subjects had undetectable (below 2.6 log10 copies/ml) CVL HIV-1-RNA levels by 3 months and undetectable plasma HIV-1-RNA levels by 6 months. The mean CD4 cell increase was 76 cells/mm3. DOT appears effective and may reduce infectiousness in this high-risk population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Directly Observed Therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genitalia, Female / virology*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Patient Compliance
  • RNA, Viral / blood

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • RNA, Viral