Discovery of False Elite Controllers: HIV Antibody-Positive RNA-Negative Blood Donors Found To Be on Antiretroviral Therapy

J Infect Dis. 2019 Jul 19;220(4):643-647. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz145.

Abstract

Background: An increase in potential HIV elite controllers (EC) and anecdotal reports of antiretroviral therapy (ART) use among South African blood donors led us to verify EC status.

Methods: Stored plasma samples from potential EC were tested for ART drugs. Demographic and temporal associations were examined using multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Of 226 potential EC, 150 (66.4%) had detectable ART with increasing prevalence by year (OR = 7.57 for 2016 vs 2010, 95% confidence interval, 1.96-32.17).

Discussion: False presumptive EC status due to undisclosed ART represents a growing proportion of potential EC donors in South Africa coincident with the country's ART rollout.

Keywords: HIV; South Africa; antiretroviral therapy; blood donors; disclosure; elite controller.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • Blood Donors
  • Female
  • HIV / genetics
  • HIV / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral / analysis*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • South Africa
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • RNA, Viral