7th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections San Francisco, CA - January 30 -February 4, 2000

Conf Retroviruses Opportunistic Infect 2000 Jan 30-Feb 2; 7:168 (abstract no. 492)

Harrison LH, Do Lago RF, Moreira RI, Schechter M; Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.

BACKGROUND: Post-sexual-exposure chemoprophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection is becoming common practice despite a lack of data on its effectiveness. PEP could potentially increase the risk of HIV infection if its availability resulted in increased high-risk behavior.

METHODS: HIV seronegative subjects who participated in our HIV seroincidence study among homosexual men, which had an HIV incidence of 3.2 per 100 person-years, were eligible for the study. Persons with a high-risk exposure within 48 hours of presentation for enrollment were ineligible. Subjects enrolled were given counseling on HIV prevention, an explanation of exposures that qualify for PEP, a 4-day supply of zidovudine and lamivudine (AZT/3TC), and, for subjects experiencing eligible exposures, instructions to commence AZT/3TC immediately and return to the study site for an additional 24 days of therapy.

RESULTS: As of August 31, 1999, 202 subjects had been recruited and followed for a mean and maximum of 6 and 9 months, respectively (total 1249 person-months of follow-up). The mean age was 27.8 years (range 19-35) and 73.8% were high school graduates. At enrollment, the mean number of male partners in the previous six months was 6.2 (median 3 partners). One hundred twenty seven (62.8%) reported receptive anal intercourse in the previous 6 months. PEP was initiated 36 times and, of these, 30 (83.3%) were judged to be for eligible exposures, for a total of 2.4 uses of PEP per 100 person-months of follow-up. As of August 31, 21 participants had uneventfully completed 28 days of PEP with mild nausea and headache as the most frequent adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS: The demand for PEP within our high-risk cohort was substantial. Future analyses will focus on whether reported high-risk behaviors changed after study enrollment, whether break-through HIV infections occur and, if so, whether infection is associated with antiretroviral-resistant HIV.

2000-01-30
492

Copyright © 2000 - Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health. Licensed from National Library of Medicine.