Efficacy of dolutegravir plus lamivudine in people with TB/HIV
co-infection using a rifampicin or rifabutin-based regimen: A
retrospective observational case series
Abstract
Introduction Co-infection with tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of
death in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1.
Dolutegravir and lamivudine (DTG+3TC) has recently been recommended as
the preferred first-line regimen for the treatment of new and
treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients. The primary objective of
this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of DTG 50 mg + 3TC
300 mg in HIV-positive antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve patients with
TB who were receiving a rifampicin- or rifabutin-based treatment
regimen, and to characterize viral suppression rates at week 48. Methods
A single-center retrospective observational case series, spanning
January 1, 2021 to March 1, 2023, was conducted in Guiyang Public Health
Treatment Center. The outcomes of interest were successful TB treatment,
viral load suppression, and immunological and biochemical indexes.
Results All PWH had at least 48 weeks of follow-up, and all TB
treatments were successful. A total of seven PWH (100%) achieved viral
suppression (VL <50 copies/mL) from a baseline VL greater than
500,000 copies/mL. Among the PWH who started DTG+3TC after the
initiation of the rifabutin-based anti-TB regimen, all achieved viral
suppression by week 24, except for the non-suppressed PWH. CD4+ T-cell
counts were greatly improved after antiretroviral treatment. The
CD4+/CD8+ ratio increased by 0.38 (P < 0.001). Serum
creatinine, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly increased (P =
0.054, P = 0.015, P < 0.001, and P < 0.05,
respectively). There were no significant changes in body weight, alanine
aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, chronic kidney disease
epidemiology collaboration-based serum creatinine, or triglyceride
levels from baseline to week 48 (P > 0.05). No serious
adverse events were observed. Conclusion This case series preliminarily
validated the efficacy of DTG+3TC when combined with rifabutin-based
anti-TB regimens in patients with TB and HIV.