Press Release

CDC reports progress, innovations and challenges in scaling-up Prevention of Mother-to-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) efforts in Africa

Research and analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) presented at the XIX International AIDS Conference reveal mother-to-child transmission has decreased in South Africa, provides insights into new clinical and laboratory data in resource-limited settings, and highlights the application of best practices in Mozambique.

CDC plays an essential role in implementing the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through its scientific and technical expertise, and long-standing partnerships with Ministries of Health and other key global partners such as the World Health Organization.  Presentations at the conference reflect CDC’s commitment to fighting global HIV/AIDS and to achieving President Obama and Secretary Clinton’s call to action to achieve an AIDS-free generation.

Mother-to-child-transmission decreases in South Africa
One year after implementing the 2010 WHO Option-A PMTCT recommendation of using the antiretroviral (ART) drug nevirapine as preventive treatment in South Africa, mother-to-child-transmission of HIV decreased to less than three percent when measured at 4-8 weeks after mothers gave birth. According to collaborating CDC researcher, Thu-Ha Dinh,the data suggest that early ART initiation is likely to increase effectiveness and prevent transmission of infection from mother to child.
“Impact of the National Prevention of Mother- to- Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) Program on Perinatal Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (MTCT) Measured at Six Weeks Postpartum, South Africa: Results of the First Year of Implementation of the 2010 PMTCT Guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO),” 25 July, 12:30 AM ET

Mozambique’s PMTCT program highlights best practices
CDC assisted the Mozambique Ministry of Health (MOH) to conduct its first national PMTCT program review in 2011. One key issue was that monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools were not standardized, and as a result, many sites were either under- or over-reporting HIV positive test results and ART initiation findings. However, based on these findings, the MOH will soon roll out revised (M&E) tools that will improve the quality of their data for the long-term. CDC’s Daniel Shodell and colleagues report that by implementing various best practices, the MOH will be in a better position to identify gaps and make recommendations to address key bottlenecks that will help accelerate their national PMTCT plan. 
PMTCT Data Quality: Mozambique National Program Review 2011, 24 July 12:30 AM ET.

Collaborative study sheds light on anticipating market demand for nevirapine
A case  study led by CDC’s Michelle Adler in collaboration with multilateral, non-profit, and private sector partners was designed to estimate current and anticipated demand for nevirapine oral suspension, understand production capacity for the drug, and address gaps between production capacity and demand. Researchers learned that in order to maintain a sustainable ARV supply, it is necessary to anticipate fluctuations in pharmaceutical demand as guidelines change. This is particularly important for ensuring supply for pediatric populations where the market share and profit margins are small.
Addressing Implications Of Scale-Up Of Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Programs In PEPFAR Countries On Demand For Nevirapine Oral Solution:  A Case Study In Modeling Demand And In Collaborative Action To Maintain Market Supply.
23 July, 12:30 AM ET

Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) strategy helps evaluate adherence to PMTCT
CDC’s Emilia Koumans and fellow researchers conducted a study to evaluate in vitro the performance of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to detect and quantify nevirapine (NVP), efavirenz (EFV), and lamivudine (3TC) on dried blood spots.  The research studied the effect of varied levels of heat, humidity, and sample age.  Infant prophylaxis during PMTCT is currently measured using programmatic data.  This study showed that dried blood spots can be used to measure adherence to commonly used PMTCT and infant antiretroviral drugs, but not under all weather conditions and not with prolonged storage or transport. 
Use Of A Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry(LC-MS) In Vitro Assay To Quantify Nevirapine (NVP), Efavirenz (EFV), And Lamivudine (3TC) On Dried Blood Spot (DBS)  Samples:  A Strategy To Evaluate Adherence To PMTCT  And Infant Treatment Regimens In Resource-Limited Settings.  24 July, 12:30 AM ET

To schedule interviews with any CDC authors during or after the conference, please contact:

Arleen Porcell
CDC Public Affairs Specialist
Email: fyd4@cdc.gov
Mob: +1 404-388-0165

Did you know?
CDC - through PEPFAR – provides support to over 75 countries to strengthen their national HIV/AIDS programs and build sustainable public health systems. To learn more about the agency’s scale-up (“treatment as prevention”) and integration efforts, and scientific and technical leadership for Ministries of Health as well as achievements to date, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/globalaids/Global-HIV-AIDS-at-CDC/AIDS-Free.html

CDC’s Center for Global Health
Providing CDC leadership and coordination to maximize global health outcomes, protect Americans from health threats that begin overseas, and increase the ability of international partners to improve health around the world.
www.cdc.gov/globalhealth

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