Leveraging a rapid, round-the-clock HIV testing system to screen for acute HIV infection in a large urban public medical center

Katerina A. Christopoulos, Nicola M. Zetola, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Barbara Haller, Brian Louie, C. Bradley Hare, Mark Pandori, Patricia Nassos, Marguerite Roemer, Christopher D. Pilcher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and location of new and acute HIV diagnoses in a large urban medical center. Secondary objectives were to evaluate rapid HIV test performance, the added yield of acute HIV screening, and linkage-to-care outcomes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study from November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2009. METHODS: The hospital laboratory performed round-the-clock rapid HIV antibody testing on venipuncture specimens from patients undergoing HIV testing in hospital and community clinics, inpatient settings, and the emergency department (ED). For patients with negative results, a public health laboratory conducted pooled HIV RNA testing for acute HIV infection. The laboratories communicated positive results from the hospital campus to a linkage team. Linkage was defined as 1 outpatient HIV-related visit. RESULTS: Among 7927 patients, 8550 rapid tests resulted in 137 cases of HIV infection [1.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5% to 2.0%], of whom 46 were new HIV diagnoses (0.58%, 95% CI: 0.43% to 0.77%). Pooled HIV RNA testing of 6704 specimens (78.4%) resulted in 3 cases of acute HIV infection (0.05%, 95% CI: 0.01% to 0.14%) and increased HIV case detection by 3.5%. Half of new HIV diagnoses and two thirds of acute infections were detected in the ED and urgent care clinic. Rapid test sensitivity was 98.9% (95% CI: 93.8% to 99.8%) and the specificity 99.9% (95% CI: 99.7% to 99.9%). More than 95% of newly diagnosed and out-of-care HIV-infected patients were linked to care. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing HIV testing in EDs and urgent care clinics may benefit from being simultaneously screened for acute HIV infection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e30-e38
JournalJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Volume62
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • HIV rapid tests
  • HIV serodiagnosis
  • HIV testing in medical settings
  • acute HIV infection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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