Monitoring for Advanced Disease in the UTT Era: Trends in CD4 Count Testing Volumes Among Patients Presenting for HIV Care in South Africa

By Dr Dorina Onoya Dr Khumbo Shumba Tembeka Sineke Nelly Jinga Dickman Gareta Dr. William Macleod Dr. Matthew Fox Adrien Puren Koleka Mlisana | 18 January 2023 |

Background:

South Africa eliminated CD4 criteria for ART eligibility in 2016 under its Universal Test and Treat (UTT) policy
In September 2017, the general UTT policy was updated with a directive to initiate ART on the day of HIV diagnosis (same-day initiation—SDI)
However, CD4 count at entry into care remains an important marker of disease progression.
National guidelines specify patients should still have a CD4 count done at enrolment into HIV care