The rest gave various reasons for missing their drugs (Table 2).

Among both groups, ART failure was observed on returning for follow-up in 20 participants, whereas successful ART was observed in 38 participants. The median change (and inter-quartile ranges) in CD4 counts among those who failed and succeeded on ART (as defined) during the period were − 16.5 (232) and + 86.5 (164.5) cells/µL, respectively (Wilcoxon-rank-sum, z = − 1.96; p = 0.0496). Changes in weight were similar between groups. At follow-up the proportions who failed ART among HP compared with NP were 15/31 (48.4%) and 5/27 (18.5%), respectively, with odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) 4.13 (1.10–17.21) (Table 2). Two illustrative patients are presented below. Patient 1 is a 48-year-old housewife who has been HIV infected and on ART for over 5 years. She was healthy, weighed 43 kg, and her VL was <400/mL with CD4 counts IWR-1 purchase of 606 cells/µL (on October 10, 2008) on daily Tenofovir/Emtricitabine/ritonavir–Lopinavir which she has been taking for nearly a year. Her past ART included Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Efavirenz and Zidovudine/Lamivudine/ritonavir–Indinavir.

She spent 35 days at the Hajj. However, there she had gastroenteritis necessitating 2-day hospitalization in Mecca. She was advised to stop all medications at discharge from the hospital and was off ART for a total of 50 days. Prior Selleck DAPT to the Hajj she was fully adherent with her medications with no complaints prior to her click here departure. Her husband, also HIV infected and on ART, serves as her treatment partner (TP) for adherence facilitation. On return she came for follow-up and weighed 40 kg with VL of 27,900/mL and CD4

counts of 579 cells/µL (January 9, 2009), falling further to 471 cells/µL (on February 12, 2009) on Tenofovir/Emtricitabine/ritonavir–Lopinavir. These were stopped and patient was reevaluated. Patient 2 is a 29-year-old widow who is HIV infected on ART (Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Nevirapine) for over 2 years. Prior to the Hajj she was healthy, weighed 62 kg, and had CD4 counts of 202 cells/µL (on November 7, 2008). She was adherent before travel and spent 36 days away without ART. She claimed that she was not allowed to travel with her medications from the airport of departure. On returning she weighed 60 kg and had CD4 counts of 132 cells/µL with a VL of 26,420/mL (on January 22, 2009). Following re-commencement of the same ART regimen, she remained healthy with subsequent VL of < 400/mL (on May 28, 2009). Despite a shorter period of follow-up, HP compared with NP patients who traveled within the country had poorer adherence and higher ART failures. Their adherence to ART, pre-Hajj and post-Hajj, was better than during it. Failure to take medications was responsible although other reasons and the challenges of crossing international boundaries with ART medications were also contributory.