CLINICAL RESEARCH UPDATE

by Carolyn Chu, MD, MSc, AAHIVS, AAHIVM Chief Medical Officer

March 1, 2022


Featured Literature:
Cresswell F, Asanati K, Bhagani S, et al. UK guideline for the use of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis 2021. HIV Med. 2022; 00:1-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/hiv.13208. Online ahead of print. PMID: 35166004

This article includes updated British Association for Sexual Health and HIV guidelines for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This guideline group does not recommend PEP for any type of exposure if the index individual/partner is a PWH on ART for at least 6 months with an undetectable viral load and good adherence. By contrast, PEP should be routinely offered for: receptive anal intercourse involving an index partner of unknown status or known to be HIV positive with an unknown/detectable viral load; receptive vaginal sex with a partner known to be HIV positive with an unknown/detectable viral load; IDU equipment sharing if the injection partner is a PWH with unknown/detectable viral load; and following a sharps or mucosal splash involving an index case known to be HIV positive with an unknown/detectable viral load. PEP should be considered for insertive vaginal sex with an index partner who is a PWH with unknown/detectable viral load; and for insertive anal intercourse with an index partner of unknown status. PEP is generally not recommended in all other scenarios, including sharps and splash injuries, bites, injection equipment sharing, and vaginal intercourse when the index case is untested and from a high-risk group (unless specific extenuating case/local factors increasing risk are present). The first-line recommended regimen is tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine plus raltegravir for 28 days (PEP use may be extended if high-risk sexual exposures occur during the last 2 days of the course). Routine renal and liver function testing is unnecessary unless clinically indicated or if baseline results are abnormal. Final HIV testing is recommended at a minimum of 45 days after PEP completion. For people on PrEP, PEP decision-making is guided by PrEP adherence, length of time since last PrEP dose, and site(s) of exposure.

Author’s Commentary:

Evidence describing the clinical effectiveness of PEP after sexual, injection-related, and occupational exposures continues to be limited. For these recommendations, a public consultation process was incorporated in addition to review of select public health/society guidelines and a literature review including assessment of conference abstracts from 2014-2019. Updated PEP recommendations acknowledging “U=U” such as these are welcome, and authors note that PEP is an “ideal opportunity to offer individuals PrEP”. It is important to note the UK-specific context of this updated guideline: the majority of PWH in the UK are aware of their status and on effective ART with an undetectable viral load.   

The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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