The contribution of HIV point-of-care tests in early HIV diagnosis: community-based HIV testing monitoring in Catalonia, 1995 to 2018

Background Community-based HIV testing services combined with the use of point-of-care tests (POCT) have the potential to improve early diagnosis through increasing availability, accessibility and uptake of HIV testing. Aim To describe community-based HIV testing activity in Catalonia, Spain, from 1995 to 2018, and to evaluate the impact of HIV POCT on the HIV continuum of care. Methods A community-based network of voluntary counselling and testing services in Catalonia, Spain has been collecting systematic data on activity, process and results since 1995. A descriptive analysis was performed on pooled data, describing the data in terms of people tested and reactive screening test results. Results Between 1995 and 2018, 125,876 HIV tests were performed (2.1% reactive). Since the introduction of HIV POCT in 2007, a large increase in the number of tests performed was observed, reaching 14,537 tests alone in 2018 (1.3% reactive). Men who have sex with men (MSM), as a proportion of all people tested, has increased greatly over time reaching 74.7% in 2018. The highest percentage of reactive tests was found in people who inject drugs followed by MSM. The contribution of community-based HIV testing to the overall total notified cases in the Catalonia HIV registry has gradually increased, reaching 37.9% in 2018, and 70% of all MSM cases. In 2018, the percentage of individuals with a reactive screening test who were linked to care was 89.0%. Conclusion Our study reinforces the important role that community-based HIV POCT has on the diagnosis of HIV in key populations.

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The Impact of Anticipated HIV Stigma on Delays in HIV Testing Behaviors: Findings from a Community-Based Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in New York City

AIDS Patient Care and STDs ◽

10.1089/apc.2013.0245 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 27 (11) ◽

pp. 621-627 ◽

Cited By ~ 131

Author(s):

Sarit A. Golub ◽

Kristi E. Gamarel

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

New York City ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

York City ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Hiv Stigma ◽

Community Based ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The Impact

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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HIV viremia: a single-center cohort study in northern Italy

AIDS Research and Therapy ◽

10.1186/s12981-021-00355-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ilaria Izzo ◽

Canio Carriero ◽

Giulia Gardini ◽

Benedetta Fumarola ◽

Erika Chiari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Window ◽

Time Windows ◽

Continuum Of Care ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Hiv Patients ◽

Before And After ◽

Missed Visits ◽

Hiv Continuum Of Care ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Brescia Province, northern Italy, was one of the worst epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic. The division of infectious diseases of ASST (Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale) Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia had to face a great number of inpatients with severe COVID-19 infection and to ensure the continuum of care for almost 4000 outpatients with HIV infection actively followed by us. In a recent manuscript we described the impact of the pandemic on continuum of care in our HIV cohort expressed as number of missed visits, number of new HIV diagnosis, drop in ART (antiretroviral therapy) dispensation and number of hospitalized HIV patients due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this short communication, we completed the previous article with data of HIV plasmatic viremia of the same cohort before and during pandemic. Methods We considered all HIV-patients in stable ART for at least 6 months and with at least 1 available HIV viremia in the time window March 01–November 30, 2019, and another group of HIV patients with the same two requisites but in different time windows of the COVID-19 period (March 01–May 31, 2020, and June 01–November 30, 2020). For patients with positive viremia (PV) during COVID-19 period, we reported also the values of viral load (VL) just before and after PV. Results: the percentage of patients with PV during COVID-19 period was lower than the previous year (2.8% vs 7%). Only 1% of our outpatients surely suffered from pandemic in term of loss of previous viral suppression. Conclusions Our efforts to limit the impact of pandemic on our HIV outpatients were effective to ensure HIV continuum of care.

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COBA-Cohort: a prospective cohort of HIV-negative men who have sex with men, attending community-based HIV testing services in five European countries (a study protocol)

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011314 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (7) ◽

pp. e011314 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nicolas Lorente ◽

Laura Fernàndez-López ◽

Ricardo Fuertes ◽

Daniela Rojas Castro ◽

François Pichon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Study Protocol ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

European Countries ◽

Community Based ◽

Hiv Testing Services ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv Negative

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Infrequent HIV Testing and Late HIV Diagnosis Are Common Among a Cohort of Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in 6 US Cities

JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes ◽

10.1097/qai.0000000000000334 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 67 (4) ◽

pp. 438-445 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Sharon B. Mannheimer ◽

Lei Wang ◽

Leo Wilton ◽

Hong Van Tieu ◽

Carlos del Rio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Black Men ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Late Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Us Cities

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‘Break the Chains 2015’ community-based HIV prevention campaign for men who have sex with men in Switzerland: non-randomised evaluation and cost analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032459 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. e032459

Author(s):

Kathrin Frey ◽

Stéphanie Lociciro ◽

Patricia Blank ◽

Matthias Schwenkglenks ◽

Françoise Dubois-Arber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Hiv Prevention ◽

Cost Analysis ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Community Based ◽

Prevention Campaign ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv Acquisition ◽

Risk Of Hiv Acquisition ◽

Campaign Message

ObjectivesTo study the implementation, effects and costs of Break the Chains, a community-based HIV prevention campaign for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Switzerland, from March to May 2015, which aimed to reduce early HIV transmission by promoting the campaign message to adopt short-term risk reduction followed by HIV testing.DesignNon-randomised evaluation and cost analysis.SettingGay venues in 11 of 26 cantons in Switzerland and national online media campaign.ParticipantsMSM in online surveys (precampaign n=834, postcampaign n=688) or attending HIV testing centres (n=885); campaign managers (n=9); and campaign staff (n=38) or further intermediaries (n=80) in an online survey.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was the proportion of MSM at risk of HIV acquisition or transmission who adhered to the campaign message. Secondary outcomes were postcampaign test uptake, knowledge about HIV primary infection and sense of belonging to the gay community.ResultsCampaign staff estimated that they contacted 17 145 MSM in 11 cantons. Among 688 respondents to the postcampaign survey, 311 (45.2%) were categorised as MSM at risk. Of 402/688 (58.5%) MSM who had heard about Break the Chains 2015, MSM categorised as being at risk were less likely to report adherence to the campaign message than MSM not at risk (adjusted OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.42). Twenty per cent of MSM with a defined risk of HIV acquisition or transmission who adopted risk reduction declared having done so because of the campaign. Costs for one MSM at risk to adhere to the campaign message were estimated at USD purchasing power parity 36–55. The number of HIV tests in the month after the campaign was twice the monthly average.ConclusionBreak the Chains increased HIV testing, implying that community-based campaigns are useful HIV prevention strategies for MSM. Additional interventions are needed to reach MSM at the highest risk of infection more effectively.

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Early diagnosis of HIV among men who have sex with men in Western Australia: impact of a peer-led sexually transmissible infection testing service

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh14214 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 360 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Byron C. Minas ◽

Carolien M. Giele ◽

Sue C. Laing ◽

Lisa Bastian ◽

Andrew W. Burry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Diagnosis ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Testing Service ◽

Sti Testing ◽

Time Periods ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The Impact ◽

Western Australian ◽

Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽

Transmissible Infection

Background In July 2010, the Western Australian AIDS Council established the ‘M Clinic’, a peer-led STI testing service for MSM. This study describes trends in HIV notifications among MSM in WA from 2004 to 2013, particularly the impact of the M Clinic on newly acquired HIV diagnoses. Methods: The number and proportion of MSM HIV cases with newly acquired infection were compared for the 2004–2006, 2007–2009 and 2011–2013 time periods. Data from 2010 were excluded as the M Clinic opened in July 2010. Results: Between the 2004–2006 and 2007–2009 periods, the number of MSM with newly acquired HIV increased by 50% (23 to 33 cases) and the number of newly acquired cases as a proportion of all new HIV diagnoses among MSM increased from 27% to 35% (30% increase) (P = 0.25). In the 2011–2013 period, the number of newly acquired HIV cases among MSM more than doubled to 70 cases and comprised 53% of all new HIV diagnoses among MSM (P < 0.05). Of the 70 newly acquired HIV cases in the 2011–2013 period, 30% (n = 21) were diagnosed at the M Clinic. Conclusions: The proportion of MSM HIV notifications that were newly acquired increased between 2004 and 2013 in WA, with the greatest increase seen after the M Clinic commenced operation. A peer-led approach to HIV testing should be considered in order to achieve early diagnosis and treatment of HIV among MSM.

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Point-of-Care Tests for Bladder Cancer: The Influencing Role of Hematuria

Advances in Urology ◽

10.1155/2011/937561 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Joerg Hennenlotter ◽

Severine Huber ◽

Tilman Todenhöfer ◽

Ursula Kuehs ◽

David Schilling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bladder Cancer ◽

Diagnostic Yield ◽

Point Of Care ◽

False Positives ◽

Two Systems ◽

Reliable Interpretation ◽

Point Of Care Tests ◽

The Impact

Introduction. Several point-of-care tests (POCT) are available for the diagnosis of bladder cancer (BC). We evaluate the impact of HU (hematuria) on performance of POCTs.Materials and Methods. Urine from 10 donors was diluted with blood from 0.5 to 0.00625%. BladderCheckR, BTAstatR, BCMR, and BTARtests were applied. Tests were additionally conducted in 54 patients with HU. HU was stratified according to the amount of erythrocytes (RBC)/μL using two systems: (1) no HU; mild microscopic HU; severe microscopic HU; gross HU; (2) I <25 RBCs; <250 II; ≥250 III. Results were compared to HU status and histopathology.Results. Gross HU became evident between 2090 RBCs/μL and 1065/μL. Addition of blood led to default tests in all 4: BladderCheckR0.25%; BCM 0.025%, BioNexia 0.00625%, and BTAstat <0.00625%. Rates of false positives for BladderCheck, BTAstat, BCM, and BioNexia were 5.9, 11.8, 0, and 1.8% without HU and 0, 66.7, 44.4, and 66.7% with HU. BTAstat, BCM, and BioNexia were independently influenced by HU (P<0.0002).Conclusions. NMP22-BladderCheck was most resistant to blood. The diagnostic yield of all others was significantly influenced by HU. A well-defined HU grading helps to define limits of HU for a reliable interpretation of BC-POCTs.

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Rapid Point-of-Care HIV Testing in Community-Based Anonymous Testing Program: A Valuable Alternative to Conventional Testing

AIDS Patient Care and STDs ◽

10.1089/apc.2007.0137 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 195-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

D. Guenter ◽

J. Greer ◽

A. Barbara ◽

G. Robinson ◽

J. Roberts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Community Based ◽

Testing Program ◽

Valuable Alternative ◽

Anonymous Testing

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Findings from a novel and scalable community-based HIV testing approach to reduce the time required to complete point-of-care HIV testing in South Africa

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-07173-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tonderai Mabuto ◽

Geoffrey Setswe ◽

Nolundi Mshweshwe-Pakela ◽

Dave Clark ◽

Sarah Day ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Screening Test ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Median Number ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Hiv Screening ◽

Rapid Tests ◽

Intervention Team

Abstract Background Mobile HIV testing approaches are a key to reaching the global targets of halting the HIV epidemic by 2030. Importantly, the number of clients reached through mobile HIV testing approaches, need to remain high to maintain the cost-effectiveness of these approaches. Advances in rapid in-vitro tests such as INSTI® HIV-1/HIV-2 (INSTI) which uses flow-through technologies, offer opportunities to reduce the HIV testing time to about one minute. Using data from a routine mobile HTS programme which piloted the use of the INSTI point-of-care (POC) test, we sought to estimate the effect of using a faster test on client testing volumes and the number of people identified to be living with HIV, in comparison with standard of care HIV rapid tests. Methods In November 2019, one out of four mobile HTS teams operating in Ekurhuleni District (South Africa) was randomly selected to pilot the field use of INSTI-POC test as an HIV screening test (i.e., the intervention team). We compared the median number of clients tested for HIV and the number of HIV-positive clients by the intervention team with another mobile HTS team (matched on performance and area of operation) which used the standard of care (SOC) HIV screening test (i.e., SOC team). Results From 19 to 20 December 2019, the intervention team tested 7,403 clients, and the SOC team tested 2,426 clients. The intervention team tested a median of 442 (IQR: 288–522) clients/day; SOC team tested a median of 97 (IQR: 40–187) clients/day (p<0.0001). The intervention team tested about 180 more males/day compared to the SOC team, and the median number of adolescents and young adults tested/day by the intervention team were almost four times the number tested by the SOC team. The intervention team identified a higher number of HIV-positive clients compared to the SOC team (142 vs. 88), although the proportion of HIV-positive clients was lower in the intervention team due to the higher number of clients tested. Conclusions This pilot programme provides evidence of high performance and high reach, for men and young people through the use of faster HIV rapid tests, by trained lay counsellors in mobile HTS units.

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