CD4 count and HIV RNA trends for HIV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders in Malawi

Background: Given scarce data from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), we sought to describe CD4 count and HIV RNA trends over time among patients with HIV+ lymphoproliferative disorders in Malawi. Methods: We prospectively enrolled HIV+ individuals with pathologically confirmed lymphoproliferative disorders between 2013 and 2016. Chemotherapy was standardized with concurrent antiretroviral therapy (ART). We assessed CD4 count and HIV RNA at baseline and every 6 months for up to 2 years. Results: Of 72 HIV+ patients, 59 had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), 5 classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL), and 8 multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). Median age was 43 years (range 23-64). Fifty-five patients (76%) were on ART at enrollment for a median 47 months (range 1-387), with median CD4 count 138 cells/μL (range 2-2,235) and median HIV RNA 2.2 log10copies/mL (range 0.3-7.3). MCD patients had longer median ART durations, higher median CD4 counts, and lower median HIV RNA at baseline than NHL or CHL. CD4 count and HIV RNA steadily ...