Screening included confirmation of maternal
HIV status and measurement of the CD4 count
and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) level. Maternal visits occurred at trial entry; at weeks 2, 4, 8,
and 12 and then every 4 weeks until delivery;
at labor and delivery; and at postpartum week 1
(6 to 14 days). A complete blood count and blood
chemical values (alanine aminotransferase and
creatinine levels and calculated creatinine clearance) were obtained at trial entry; at weeks 4, 8,
and 12 and then every 8 weeks; at delivery; and
at postpartum week 1. The plasma HIV RNA concentration (quantified by real-time polymerasechain-reaction assay in the ART groups and by