Modelling the impact of CD4 testing on mortality from TB and cryptococcal meningitis among patients with advanced HIV disease in nine countries.

Introduction: Despite antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale-up among people living with HIV (PLHIV), those with advanced HIV disease (AHD) (defined in adults as CD4 count <200 cells/mm or clinical stage 3 or 4), remain at high risk of death from opportunistic infections. The shift from routine baseline CD4 testing towards viral load testing in conjunction with "Test and Treat" has limited AHD identification.

Methods: We used official estimates and existing epidemiological data to project deaths from tuberculosis (TB) and cryptococcal meningitis (CM) among PLHIV-initiating ART with CD4 <200 cells/mm , in the absence of select World Health Organization recommended diagnostic or therapeutic protocols for patients with AHD.

Loss to follow-up before and after initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV facilities in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Introduction: Although several studies have explored factors associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU) from HIV care, there remains a gap in understanding how these factors vary by setting, volume of patient and patients' demographic and clinical characteristics. We determined rates and factors associated with LTFU in HIV care Lilongwe, Malawi.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected individuals aged 15 years or older at the time of registration for HIV care in 12 ART facilities, between April 2012 and March 2013.