Short term adherence tool predicts failure on second line protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy: an observational cohort study.

Background: Most patients who experience virologic failure (VF) on second line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low-middle income countries fail due to poor adherence rather than antiretroviral resistance. A simple adherence tool designed to detect VF would conserve resources by rationally limiting need for viral load (VL) testing and, in those countries with access to third line ART, the need for resistance testing.

Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study of patients who initiated second line ART at a clinic in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.

Double-dose lopinavir-ritonavir in combination with rifampicin-based anti-tuberculosis treatment in South Africa.

Background: The optimal treatment for tuberculosis (TB) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients in resource-poor settings receiving lopinavir-ritonavir (LPV/r) based second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) has yet to be determined. In South Africa, clinicians are advised to use 'double-dose' LPV/r dosed at 800 mg/200 mg twice daily during anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Methodology And Principle Findings: We conducted a retrospective study of HIV-infected patients who received ≥2 months of double-dose LPV/r-based ART during concomitant rifampicin-containing anti-tuberculosis treatment.