The effects of CO-trimoxazole prophylaxis on CD4 cell-count profiles in HIV-positive patients stabilzed on anti-retroviral therapy

Abstract

Introduction Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis has been successfully used for many years in preventing opportunistic infections in patients living with HIV. There is lack of data from previous studies on the effects of CTX on CD4 cell count recovery. This study evaluated the effects of discontinuing CTX on CD4 profiles of HIV positive patients stabilized on ART in Uganda. Methods The study used secondary data from the COSTOP double-blind placebo controlled trial which ran in Uganda from 2011 to 2014 in Masaka and Entebbe. The study enrolled participants aged 18 years and above who were stabilized on ART. A linear regression model and mixed effects models were fitted to compare the CD4 cell count trajectories of participants randomized to receive placebo and participants randomized to continue CTX. The analysis included all participants with at least one CD4 cell count measure at follow up.