Breakthrough HIV-1 infection in setting of cabotegravir for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

Abstract

Objective: We describe the first case of HIV-1 infection in the setting of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis to occur in the real world.

Design: Case report.

Methods: Electronic medical records were reviewed to assess patient history and CAB-LA administration details. Plasma fourth-generation HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab combination immunoassay and HIV-1 RNA quantitative PCR were performed at each injection visit.

Results: We report a 28-year-old sex-diverse person assigned male at birth who acquired HIV-1 infection 91 days after transitioning from tenofovir alafenamideemtricitabine to CAB-LA despite on-time dosing and appropriate laboratory monitoring.

Conclusion: This patient's history suggests HIV infection despite on-time and appropriate CAB-LA injections. To our knowledge, this is the first case of CAB-LA pre-exposure prophylaxis failure outside the setting of a clinical trial and highlights diagnostic and management challenges that may occur with such breakthrough infections.