Zidovudine use to Reduce Perinatal HIV Transmission in Southern Thailand : A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Objective Variety of zidovudine (ZDV) treatment for prevention of perinatal HIV transmission is now performing in developing countries. A decision model was used to examine the efficacy and cost reduction. The AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) 076 regimen was particularly adapted to use oral ZDV instead of intravenous ZDV intrapartum, to evaluate efficacy and cost reduction of zidovudine in reducing the perinatal transmission.

Main outcome measures Perinatal HIV infection was defined by at least two positivenested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) obtained from peripheral blood specimens of the infants taken at 1, 4 and 6 months consequently.

Results Four out of 51 infants (7.8%) with complete follow-up were seropositive.

Conclusion The reduction rate of perinatal HIV transmission in this study is similar 

with ACTG 076 regimen, whereas intrapartum oral ZDV of the original and local brand can reduce cost to two-third and one-tenth, respectively.