Better Virological Outcomes Among People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Initiating Early Antiretroviral Treatment (CD4 Counts ≥500 Cells/μL) in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 071 (PopART) Trial in South Africa

Background. There have been concerns about reduced adherence and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virological suppression (VS) among clinically well people initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) with high pre-ART CD4 cell counts. We compared virological outcomes by pre-ART CD4 count, where universal ART initiation was provided in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 071 (PopART) trial in South Africa prior to routine national and international implementation. Methods. This prospective cohort study included adults initiating ART at facilities providing universal ART since January 2014. VS (<400 copies/mL), confirmed virological failure (VF) (2 consecutive viral loads >1000 copies/mL), and viral rebound were compared between participants in strata of baseline CD4 cell count. Results. The sample included 1901 participants. VS was >= 94% among participants with baseline CD4 count >= 500 cells/mu L at all 6-month intervals to 30 months. The risk of an elevated viral load (>= 400 copies/mL) was independently lower among participants with baseline CD4 count >= 500 cells/mu L (3.3%) compared to those with CD4 count 200-499 cells/mu L (9.2%) between months 18 and 30 (adjusted relative risk, 0.30 [95% confidence interval,.12-.74]; P =.010). The incidence rate of VF was 7.0, 2.0, and 0.5 per 100 person-years among participants with baseline CD4 count <200, 200-499, and >= 500 cells/mu L, respectively (P<.0001). VF was independently lower among participants with baseline CD4 count >= 500 cells/mu L (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.23; P=.045) and 3-fold higher among those with baseline CD4 count <200 cells/mu L (aHR, 3.49; P <.0001). Conclusions. Despite previous concerns, participants initiating ART with CD4 counts >= 500 cells/mu L had very good virological outcomes, being better than those with CD4 counts 200-499 cells/mu L.