Background and importance Simplification of antiretroviral treatments (ART) improves adherence and comfort, and may prevent some adverse effects caused by ART.

Aim and objectives To assess the effectiveness (plasma viral load (PVL test) <50 copies/mL) of the combination of dolutegravir (DTG) and lamivudine (3TC) without a third antiretroviral drug in patients diagnosed with HIV infection who were previously treated with a three drug regimen of ART.

Material and methods In January 2019, we studied a cohort of patients who were undergoing treatment with DTG+3TC in a two drug regimen. Once these patients were selected, we carried out a prospective study of the PVL test after 6 months of treatment.

Results Thirty-three patients were receiving treatment with the DTG+3TC combination in January 2019. Patients were aged 24–72 years (mean 46.27 years). The previous PVL test was undetectable in 69.70% of patients, detectable (<50 copies/mL) in 27.27% of patients and 1 patient (3.03%) had a viral load of >50 copies/mL. After 6 months of treatment, the PVL test was undetectable in 75.75% of patients, detectable (<50 copies/mL) in 15.15% and detectable (>50 copies/mL) in 3.03%. Two patients discontinued treatment.

Conclusion and relevance The combination of DTG+3TC seemed to be an effective alternative to other ART when we re-evaluated patients after 6 months of treatment. We found a PVL <50 copies/mL in 96.96% and 90.90% of patients before and after the change in ART.

References and/or acknowledgements 1. Cahn P, Madero JS, Arribas JR, et al. GEMINI Study Team. Dolutegravir plus lamivudine versus dolutegravir plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine in antiretroviral-naive adults with HIV-1 infection (GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2): week 48 results from two multicentre, double-blind, randomised, non-inferiority, phase 3 trials. Lancet 2019;393:143–155.

No conflict of interest.