Introduction: Pregnancy is the only circumstance in HIV infection requiring urgent virological response to the antiviral approach because of the influence of plasma viral load (VL) on mother-to-child transmission (MCT) of the disease. This study analyzes factors related to the time needed to reach VL < 400 copies/mL during antiretroviral prophylaxis for MCT.
Methods: The study included a cohort of HIV-1 infected pregnant women enrolled between 2000 and 2005 with baseline CD4+ lymphocyte count > 300 cells/microL, highly-active antiretroviral prophylaxis for at least 4 weeks, antiretroviral interruption after delivery, and available laboratory data.