EFFECT OF ZIDOVUDINE TREATMENT IN LATE PREGNANCY ON HIV-1 IN-UTERO TRANSMISSION

In Thailand, the prevalence of paediatric HIV-1 infection has increase d rapidly through vertical transmission. According to the ACTG 076 tri al regimen, zidovudine treatment in HIV-infected pregnancy can reduce vertical transmission. However, this treatment is complex and costly. It is not applicable for developing countries. We conducted a study to evaluate the effect of zidovudine treatment in late pregnancy on HIV- 1 in utero transmission. Fifty cases of asymptomatic HIV-I infected-wo men were voluntarily enrolled to the study. Zidovudine 250 mg orally t wice a day was given to these patients from gestational age 36 weeks u ntil labour. The newborns were evaluated at birth by a neonatologist a nd peripheral blood was tested for HPV genome by PCR technique within 48 hours of birth. The study revealed that no HIV genome was detected from the peripheral blood of newborns. It is suggested that zidovudine treatment in late pregnancy could reduce HIV-1 in utero transmission.