Infectiousness and treatment as prevention No HIV transmissions from HIV-positive partner seen in Australian gay couples study

aidsmap
Gus Cairns
Original Article:  bit.ly/1Dz3tpP

An Australian-based study of gay male couples of opposite HIV status (serodifferent couples) has so far seen no transmissions from the HIV-positive partner within the couple in a two-year interim analysis.

The Opposites Attract study started recruiting in May 2012. It recruits gay male serodifferent couples regardless of whether the HIV-positive partner is on antiretroviral therapy (ART) or has an undetectable viral load, and also regardless of whether or not they use condoms. It is now recruiting not only in the three Australian cities mentioned (Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne) but also in Cairns, Australia and (from 2014) in Bangkok, Thailand and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It is currently funded to continue until the end of this year but the researchers are applying for an extension until the end of 2016.

By December 2014, by which time the average length spent in the study was one year, 135 couples from Australia had been enrolled, 52 from Bangkok and 47 from Rio. Their median age was 36 (with no difference in the HIV-positive and HIV-negative partners). Many relationships were new, with 39% of couples established for less than a year, 33% for one to five years and 28% for over five years.

At the start of the study, most of the HIV-positive partners were on ART (84%) and virtually all of these had an undetectable viral load (under 200 copies/ml).

Since the study is still enrolling, only the first 152 couples with at least one post-enrolment visit are included in this analysis.

Eighty-eight couples of the 152 couples (58%) reported having condomless anal sex a total of 5905 times over the course of the study so far, an average of 67 times each.

Full text of article available at link below:  bit.ly/1Dz3tpP