Clinical, immunological, and virological outcomes in HIV patients on raltegravir-based salvage therapy

The objective of the study is to assess the clinical, immunological, and virological outcomes in treatment-experienced HIV patients on raltegravir (RAL)-based salvage therapy.

This was a retrospective, observational study of patients with suspected second-line antiretroviral therapy failure who were followed up for at least 6 months, from January 2013 to January 2017, after switching to salvage regimen. A total of 20 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and who had RAL-based salvage therapy were assessed for clinical, immunological and virological response. The data were picked up from the electronic database of the center and analyzed.

Age, sex, date of initial diagnosis, date, and type of first line and second line regimens were documented, CD₄ count, and plasma viral load at the time of initiation and after 3 and 6 months were recorded. Undetectable viral load was documented in all patients at 6 months. No noticeable adverse effects were noted.

This study clearly shows that RAL containing regimens have a high degree of effectiveness in treatment-experienced patients and show effective and durable suppression of viral load with low adverse effect rates and reliable long-term safety.