Diagnosis Of Acute HIV Infection Research Articles

Perceptions of rapid ART initiation among participants of the Netherlands Cohort Study on Acute HIV infection.

Starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) same-day, or as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis is advised in guidelines worldwide. Especially during acute HIV infection (AHI), rapid ART start may be more urgent because of a higher risk of transmission or symptoms of acute retroviral syndrome. During this phase, rapid ART start may have additional benefits for viral reservoir size and host immunity. We explored perceptions of rapid ART start among participants of the Netherlands Cohort Study on Acute HIV infection (NOVA study), who started ART rapidly after diagnosis of AHI. We conducted 20 in-depth qualitative interviews with NOVA study participants between October-December 2018. Data were analyzed thematically, using inductive and iterative coding techniques. Roughly half of the participants stated they felt well-informed about importance of (rapid) ART. Starting ART rapidly was perceived positively by almost all participants, mostly because of the expected benefits on their health, but also to prevent HIV transmission. Rapid ART start was seen as a way to cope with the diagnosis. However, a more negative perception was that rapid ART start confronted participants with their diagnosis, when they were still adjusting to a new situation. Our results show that among people diagnosed during AHI, rapid ART is well-accepted. These results should be encouraging to HIV care providers who encounter people with AHI in their clinical practice and to researchers who carry out cure-related studies, in which early ART is often included.

Molecular immunological techniques to support the differential microbiological diagnosis of acute HIV infection

This research sought to identify HIV confirmatory molecular immunological methods for the early diagnosis of acute infections, complementing the differential microbiological diagnosis. A descriptive study of a clinical case was carried out using molecular immunological analyses. The results showed that molecular immunological methods range from third generation techniques, capable of diagnosing the infection in the acute phase, to fourth generation techniques that detect the infection from the third week of infection. Confirmatory tests, such as Western Blot and LIA, presented high sensitivity and specificity. Revised molecular techniques, such as p24 detection or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), reduced diagnosis time. In conclusion, molecular immunological methods allow early detection of HIV with high precision, providing diagnostic and confirmation results from the third week of infection.

Evaluation of Acute Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Cases

Objective: Acute HIV infection (AHI) is a stage with a rapid decrease in CD4+ T lymphocyte count, high viremia, and high transmissibility. Early diagnosis of AHI represents an opportunity for treatment and prevention of transmission. Therefore, we aimed to determine the clinical and laboratory findings in patients with acute HIV infection. Methods: Patients diagnosed with AHI among newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients were evaluated in the study. AHI diagnosis was defined as an HIV RNA result of at least 10,000 copies/ml with one of the following criteria: a negative or indeterminate HIV antibody test result in a person with a reactive Ag/Ab test result or a patient with a negative Ag/Ab test result has HIV RNA detected in serum or plasma or HIV serology positivity in a patient with signs and symptoms of AHI starting 2-6 weeks after high-risk HIV exposure. In addition, the history, clinical, and laboratory findings of patients with AHI were analyzed retrospectively. Results: One hundred six patients had a new HIV diagnosis during the study period. Of those, 12 (11.3%) were AHI. 10 (83.3%) of the patients with AHI were male, and seven were men who had sex with men. The mean age of the patients was 30 (21-50) years. Fourth-generation ELISA was negative in one patient initially; the repeated test was positive ten days later. While the 4th generation ELISA test of two patients was positive at the time of diagnosis, the confirmation test result was indeterminate. The 4th generation ELISA test was positive in nine patients with AHI symptoms starting 10-30 days after unprotected sexual intercourse. The duration of the patient’s complaints until the admission was found to be 13 (7-30) days. The most common findings were fever, diarrhea, fatigue, sore throat, lymphadenopathy, rash, nausea, and vomiting. Conclusion: The AHI rate was 11.3% in newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection. Awareness of AHI’s signs and symptoms to initiate early diagnosis and treatment. Thus, a better HIV infection course and reduced HIV transmission can be achieved.

Utility of the Signal-to-Cutoff Ratio and Antigen Index from Fourth- and Fifth-Generation HIV-1/HIV-2 Antigen/Antibody Assays for the Diagnosis of Acute HIV Infection: Applicability for Real-Time Use for Immediate Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy.

Identification of individuals with acute HIV infection (AHI) and rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are priorities for HIV elimination efforts. Fourth- and fifth-generation HIV-1/HIV-2 antigen (Ag)/antibody (Ab) combination assays can quickly identify patients with AHI, but false-positive results can occur. Confirmatory nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) may not be rapidly available. We reviewed the data for 127 patients with positive fourth-generation ARCHITECT and fifth-generation Bio-Plex immunoassay results who had negative or indeterminate confirmatory Ab testing results, which yielded 38 patients with confirmed AHI and 89 patients with false-positive results. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed excellent discriminatory power, with an area under the curve (AUC) for the signal-to-cutoff (S/CO) ratio of 0.970 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.935 to 1.00) and an AUC for the Ag index (AI) of 0.968 (95% CI, 0.904 to 1.00). A threshold of 3.78 for the S/CO ratio would maximize the sensitivity (96.3%) and specificity (93.4%). The threshold for AI was 2.83 (sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 96.4%). The S/CO ratio was significantly correlated with the viral load (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.486 [P = 0.014]), but the AI was not. The viral loads were all high, with a median of >2.8 million copies/mL. Two false-positive results with AI and S/CO ratio values markedly higher than the medians were observed, indicating that biological false-positive results can occur. Review of the S/CO ratio or AI may be used to improve the accuracy of AHI diagnosis prior to confirmatory NAAT results being available.

Perceptions of HIV cure and willingness to participate in HIV cure-related trials among people enrolled in the Netherlands cohort study on acute HIV infection

BackgroundPeople who initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) during acute HIV infection are potential candidates for HIV cure-related clinical trials, as early ART reduces the size of the HIV reservoir. These trials, which may include ART interruption (ATI), might involve potential risks. We explored knowledge and perception of HIV cure and willingness to participate in cure-related trials among participants of the Netherlands Cohort Study on Acute HIV infection (NOVA study), who started antiretroviral therapy immediately after diagnosis of acute HIV infection. MethodsWe conducted 20 in-depth qualitative interviews with NOVA study participants between October–December 2018. Data were analyzed thematically, using inductive and iterative coding techniques. FindingsMost participants had limited knowledge of HIV cure and understood HIV cure as complete eradication of HIV from their bodies. HIV cure was considered important to most participants, mostly due to the stigma surrounding HIV. More than half would consider undergoing brief ATI during trial participation, but only one person considered extended ATI. Viral rebound and increased infectiousness during ATI were perceived as large concerns. Participants remained hopeful of being cured during trial participation, even though they were informed that no personal medical benefit was to be expected. InterpretationOur results highlight the need for thorough informed consent procedures with assessment of comprehension and exploration of personal motives prior to enrollment in cure-related trials. Researchers might need to moderate their expectations about how many participants will enroll in a trial with extended ATI.

Brief Report: Blood and Genital Fluid Viral Load Trajectories Among Treated and Untreated Persons With Acute HIV Infection in Malawi.

Persons with acute HIV infection (AHI) are highly infectious and responsible for a disproportionate share of incident infections. Immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) rapidly reduces blood viral loads (VLs), but genital VLs after ART initiation during AHI are less well described. Lilongwe, Malawi, 2012-2014. HIV-seronegative and HIV-serodiscordant persons aged ≥18 years were screened for AHI (RNA positive) and randomized to standard of care, behavioral intervention, or behavioral intervention plus short-term ART (raltegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir) (1:2:2). Persons who were ART eligible under Malawi guidelines could receive first-line therapy. Blood and genital VLs were assessed at weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12. Fisher's Exact test was used to compare viral suppression by ART status. Overall, 46 persons with AHI were enrolled; of whom, 17 started ART within 12 weeks. Median blood VL at AHI diagnosis was 836,115 copies/mL. At week 12, 7% (1/14) of those who initiated ART had a blood VL of ≥400 copies/mL, compared with 100% (23/23; P < 0.0001) of those who did not initiate ART (median VL: 61,605 copies/mL). Median genital VL at week 1 was 772 copies/mL, with 13 of 22 (59%) having VL of ≥400 copies/mL. At week 12, 0 of 10 (0%) of those who initiated ART had genital VL of ≥400 copies/mL, compared with 7 of 15 (47%) of those who did not initiate ART (P = 0.02). Although highly correlated, VLs in blood and genital fluids occupy discrete biological compartments with distinct virologic dynamics. Our results corroborate the dramatic reduction in both compartments after ART initiation. Increasing AHI screening and rapidly initiating treatment is key to interrupting transmission.

Acute retroviral syndrom — challenges in maintain of adherence, underestimated role of alcohol

Purpose: To describe clinical and laboratory features and define a role of alcohol as a barrier to adherence in patients with acute retroviral syndrome, to study readiness of infectious diseases specialists to discuss alcohol consumption issues with their patients. Research materials: Retrospective analysis of medical records of 112 patients with established diagnosis of acute HIV-infection was performed, 22 of them fulfilled an anonymous questionnaire regarding they readiness for starting antiretroviral treatment and alcohol consumption. 82 infectious diseases doctors answered anonymous questionnaire about their attitude towards patients with alcohol related problems. Results: Among 112 hospitalized patients with acute HIV-infection 2 had stage 2А, 96 — stage 2Б and 14 — stage 2В. All patients at stage 2B had oropharyngeal candidiasis. Mean inpatient stay were 10 days, 2 patients required ICU admission. Only in 10 patients (8,9%) antiretroviral therapy was initiated while in-hospital. Half of a patients who fulfilled anonymous questionnaire had a dangerous level of alcohol consumption. Only one third of patients fulfilled survey were ready to start antiretroviral therapy. Medical workers had a low score on motivation scale and satisfaction scale while asked about their attitude towards patients with hazardous level of alcohol comsumption. Conclusion: Patients with acute HIVinfection presented with variety of clinical syndromes and possessed a high potential for spreading disease across society. Underestimation of alcohol consumption along with lack of motivation to work with alcohol abusers are typical for doctors and might facilitate further spreading of epidemy.

Аналіз випадків гострої ВІЛ-інфекції у постраждалих із політравмою

У даний час зберігається незадовільна епідеміологічна ситуація з ВІЛ-інфекції у світі в цілому і в Україні зокрема. Наведено аналіз 34 історій хвороби пацієнтів, госпіталізованих у 2014 році в відділення політравми однієї з міських клінічних лікарень та виписаних згодом з діагнозом «гостра ВІЛ-інфекція». Серед ВІЛ-інфікованих постраждалих із політравмою превалюють особи молодого віку, працездатного віку, що підтверджує медико-соціальний статус проблеми. Найчастіше у ВІЛ-інфікованих постраждалих домінуючими травмами є краніальна та торакальна, що зустрічаються у 35,56 і 29,63 % випадків. Прояви гострої ВІЛ-інфекції серед постраждалих із політравмою маніфестують у періоді нестабільної адаптації у вігляді кандидозу, серозного асептичного менінгіту і бактеріальної пневмонії.

Acute HIV infection syndrome mimicking COVID-19 vaccination side effects: a case report

BackgroundSymptoms of primary HIV infection, including fever, rash, and headache, are nonspecific and are often described as flu-like. COVID-19 vaccination side effects, such as fever, which occur in up to 10% of people following COVID-19 vaccination, can make the diagnosis of acute HIV infection even more challenging.Case presentationA 26-year-old man presented with fever and headache following COVID-19 vaccination. The symptoms were initially thought to be vaccine side effects. A diagnostic workup was conducted due to persisting fever and headache > 72 h following vaccination, and he was diagnosed with Fiebig stage II acute HIV infection, 3 weeks after having unprotected anal intercourse with another man.ConclusionThorough anamnesis is key to estimating the individual risk of primary HIV infection, in patients presenting with flu-like symptoms. Early diagnosis and initiation of antiretroviral therapy is associated with better prognosis and limits transmission of the disease.

A Novel HIV-1 RNA Testing Intervention to Detect Acute and Prevalent HIV Infection in Young Adults and Reduce HIV Transmission in Kenya: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundDetection and management of acute HIV infection (AHI) is a clinical and public health priority, and HIV infections diagnosed among young adults aged 18 to 39 years are usually recent. Young adults with recent HIV acquisition frequently seek care for symptoms and could potentially be diagnosed through the health care system. Early recognition of HIV infection provides considerable individual and public health benefits, including linkage to treatment as prevention, access to risk reduction counseling and treatment, and notification of partners in need of HIV testing.ObjectiveThe Tambua Mapema Plus study aims to (1) test 1500 young adults (aged 18-39 years) identified by an AHI screening algorithm for acute and prevalent (ie, seropositive) HIV, linking all newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients to care and offering immediate treatment; (2) offer assisted HIV partner notification services to all patients with HIV, testing partners for acute and prevalent HIV infection and identifying local sexual networks; and (3) model the potential impact of these two interventions on the Kenyan HIV epidemic, estimating incremental costs per HIV infection averted, death averted, and disability-adjusted life year averted using data on study outcomes.MethodsA modified stepped-wedge design is evaluating the yield of this HIV testing intervention at 4 public and 2 private health facilities in coastal Kenya before and after intervention delivery. The intervention uses point-of-care HIV-1 RNA testing combined with standard rapid antibody tests to diagnose AHI and prevalent HIV among young adults presenting for care, employs HIV partner notification services to identify linked acute and prevalent infections, and follows all newly diagnosed patients and their partners for 12 months to ascertain clinical outcomes, including linkage to care, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and virologic suppression in HIV-infected patients, and pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake in uninfected individuals in discordant partnerships.ResultsEnrollment started in December 2017. As of April 2020, 1374 participants have been enrolled in the observation period and 1500 participants have been enrolled in the intervention period, with 13 new diagnoses (0.95%) in the observation period and 37 new diagnoses (2.47%), including 2 AHI diagnoses, in the intervention period. Analysis is ongoing and will include adjusted comparisons of the odds of the following outcomes in the observation and intervention periods: being tested for HIV infection, newly diagnosed with prevalent or acute HIV infection, linked to care, and starting ART by week 6 following HIV diagnosis. Participants newly diagnosed with acute or prevalent HIV infection in the intervention period are being followed for outcomes, including viral suppression by month 6 and month 12 following ART initiation and partner testing outcomes.ConclusionsThe Tambua Mapema Plus study will provide foundational data on the potential of this novel combination HIV prevention intervention to reduce ongoing HIV transmission in Kenya and other high-prevalence African settings.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03508908; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03508908International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/16198

Challenges of HIV diagnosis and management in the context of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), test and start and acute HIV infection: a scoping review.

IntroductionKnowledge of HIV status relies on accurate HIV testing, and is the first step towards access to HIV treatment and prevention programmes. Globally, HIV‐status unawareness represents a significant challenge for achieving zero new HIV infections and deaths. In order to enhance knowledge of HIV status, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a testing strategy that includes the use of HIV‐specific antibody point‐of‐care tests (POCT). These POCTs do not detect acute HIV infection, the stage of disease when viral load is highest but HIV antibodies are undetectable. Complicating things further, in the presence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP), other currently available testing technologies, such as viral load detection for diagnosis of acute HIV infection, may yield false‐negative results. In this scoping review, we evaluate the evidence and discuss alternative HIV testing algorithms that may mitigate diagnostic dilemmas in the setting of increased utilization of ART for immediate treatment and prevention of HIV infection.DiscussionMissed acute HIV infection prevents people living with HIV (PLHIV) from accessing early treatment, increases likelihood of onward transmission, and allows for inappropriate initiation or continuation of PrEP, which may result in HIV drug resistance. While immediate ART is recommended for all PLHIV, studies have shown that starting ART in the setting of acute HIV infection may result in a delayed or complete absence of development of HIV‐specific antibodies, posing a diagnostic challenge that is particularly pertinent to resource‐limited, high HIV burden settings where HIV‐antibody POCTs are standard of care. Similarly, ART used as PrEP or PEP may supress HIV RNA viral load, complicating current HIV testing algorithms in resource‐wealthy settings where viral detection is included. As rollout of PrEP continues, HIV testing algorithms may need to be modified.ConclusionsWith increasing use of PrEP and ART in acute infection we anticipate diagnostic challenges using currently available HIV testing strategies. Research and surveillance are needed to determine the most appropriate assays and optimal testing algorithms that are accurate, affordable and sustainable.

Impact of Acute HIV Infection and Early Antiretroviral Therapy on the Human Gut Microbiome

Intestinal microbial dysbiosis is evident in chronic HIV-infected individuals and may underlie inflammation that persists even during antiretroviral therapy (ART). It remains unclear, however, how early after HIV infection gut dysbiosis emerges and how it is affected by early ART. Fecal microbiota were studied by 16s rDNA sequencing in 52 Thai men who have sex with men (MSM), at diagnosis of acute HIV infection (AHI), Fiebig Stages 1-5 (F1-5), and after 6 months of ART initiation, and in 7 Thai MSM HIV-uninfected controls. Dysbiotic bacterial taxa were associated with relevant inflammatory markers. Fecal microbiota profiling of AHI pre-ART vs HIV-uninfected controls showed a mild dysbiosis. Transition from F1-3 of acute infection was characterized by enrichment in pro-inflammatory bacteria. Lower proportions of Bacteroidetes and higher frequencies of Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria members were observed post-ART compared with pre-ART. Fusobacteria members were positively correlated with levels of soluble CD14 in AHI post-ART. Evidence of gut dysbiosis was observed during early acute HIV infection and was partially restored upon early ART initiation. The association of dysbiotic bacterial taxa with inflammatory markers suggests that a potential relationship between altered gut microbiota and systemic inflammation may also be established during AHI.

Sustained Sexual Behavior Change After Acute HIV Diagnosis in Malawi.

Identification of acute HIV infection (AHI) allows for important opportunities for HIV prevention through behavior change and biomedical intervention. Here, we evaluate changes in sexual risk behaviors among persons with AHI enrolled in a combined behavioral and biomedical intervention designed to reduce onward transmission of HIV. Participants were randomized to standard HIV counseling, a multisession behavioral intervention, or a multisession behavioral intervention plus antiretrovirals. Sexual behaviors were assessed periodically over 1 year. Four weeks after diagnosis, the predicted probability of reporting multiple sexual partners decreased from 24% to 9%, and the probability of reporting unprotected sex decreased from 71% to 27%. These declines in sexual risk behaviors were sustained over follow-up irrespective of study arm. Diagnosis of AHI alone may be sufficient to achieve immediate and sustained behavior change during this highly infectious period.

Brief Report: The Amsterdam Symptom and Risk-Based Score Predicts for Acute HIV Infection in Men Who Have Sex With Men in San Diego.

Dijkstra et al recently described a risk- and symptom-based score moderately predictive for HIV seroconversion in the preceding 6-12 months in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Amsterdam. Our objective was to determine whether this "Amsterdam Score" could also predict for acute HIV infection (AHI) in MSM. This study is a case-control analysis of a prospectively enrolled cohort of MSM who voluntarily presented for HIV testing in San Diego. The study sample was composed of MSM who screened HIV antibody-negative and then either tested positive with AHI [HIV nucleic acid test (NAT)-positive] or tested HIV NAT-negative. The Amsterdam Score was calculated for each participant in the study sample. Score performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves and their area under the curve (AUC). An optimal cutoff was determined using the Youden index. Seven hundred fifty-seven MSM (110 AHI and 647 HIV NAT-negative) were included in the analysis. AHI and HIV-negative cases were similar in age [median 32 years (interquartile range 26-42) vs 33 (27-45), respectively, P = 0.082]. The Amsterdam Score yielded a receiver operating characteristic curve with an AUC of 0.88 (95% confidence interval: 0.84 to 0.91). An optimal cutoff of ≥1.6 was 78.2% sensitive and 81.0% specific. The risk- and symptom-based Amsterdam Score was highly predictive (AUC of 0.88) of AHI in MSM in San Diego. The Amsterdam Score could be used to target NAT utilization in resource-poor settings among MSM who test HIV antibody-negative, although the potential cost-savings must be balanced with the risk of missing AHI diagnoses.

Adaptation and delivery of a motivational interviewing-based counseling program for persons acutely infected with HIV in Malawi: Implementation and lessons learned

ObjectiveIndividuals diagnosed with acute HIV infection (AHI) are highly infectious and require immediate HIV prevention efforts to minimize their likelihood of transmitting HIV to others. We sought to explore the relevance of Motivational Interviewing (MI), an evidence-based counseling method, for Malawians with AHI. MethodsWe designed a MI-based intervention called “Uphungu Wanga” to support risk reduction efforts immediately after AHI diagnosis. It was adapted from Options and SafeTalk interventions, and refined through formative research and input from Malawian team members and training participants. We conducted qualitative interviews with counselors and participants to explore the relevance of MI in this context. ResultsIntervention adaptation required careful consideration of Malawian cultural context and the needs of people with AHI. Uphungu Wanga's content was relevant and key MI techniques of topic selection and goal setting were viewed positively by counselors and participants. However, rating levels of importance and confidence did not appear to help participants to explore behavior change as intended. ConclusionUphungu Wanga may have provided some added benefits beyond “brief education” standard of care counseling for Malawians with AHI. Practice implicationsMI techniques of topic selection and goal setting may enhance prevention education and counseling for Malawians with AHI.

IP-10 Levels as an Accurate Screening Tool to Detect Acute HIV Infection in Resource-Limited Settings

Acute HIV infection (AHI) is the period prior to seroconversion characterized by high viral replication, hyper-transmission potential and commonly, non-specific febrile illness. AHI detection requires HIV-RNA viral load (VL) determination, which has very limited access in low-income countries due to restrictive costs and implementation constraints. We sought to identify a biomarker that could enable AHI diagnosis in scarce-resource settings, and to evaluate the feasibility of its implementation. HIV-seronegative adults presenting at the Manhiça District Hospital, Mozambique, with reported-fever were tested for VL. Plasma levels of 49 inflammatory biomarkers from AHI (n = 61) and non-HIV infected outpatients (n = 65) were determined by Luminex and ELISA. IP-10 demonstrated the best predictive power for AHI detection (AUC = 0.88 [95%CI 0.80–0.96]). A cut-off value of IP-10 ≥ 161.6 pg/mL provided a sensitivity of 95.5% (95%CI 85.5–99.5) and a specificity of 76.5% (95%CI 62.5–87.2). The implementation of an IP-10 screening test could avert from 21 to 84 new infections and save from US$176,609 to US$533,467 to the health system per 1,000 tested patients. We conclude that IP-10 is an accurate biomarker to screen febrile HIV-seronegative individuals for subsequent AHI diagnosis with VL. Such an algorithm is a cost-effective strategy to prevent disease progression and a substantial number of further HIV infections.

Performance of serological and molecular tests within acute HIV infection

BackgroundEarly diagnosis of acute HIV infection can be challenging and is critical in regards to early therapeutic decision making. ObjectivesTo evaluate the performance of different HIV tests in detecting early infections. Study designA total of 83 leftover specimens of 61 study participants who seroconverted were used in this sub-study. 35 HIV RNA positive but still seronegative specimens (acute infections) were used for analysis of the sensitivity of the different assays in detecting early infections and 42 HIV RNA and antibody negative specimens were used for specificity analysis. ResultsFour (11%) specimens out of 35 acute infections were reactive with the Enzygnost® Anti-HIV 1/2 Plus and 12/35 (34%) with the Vironostika® HIV Ag/Ab. 16 (46%) specimens were confirmed as acute by the INNOTEST® HIV antigen mAb Antigen test. Only three (9%), 10 (29%) and 9 (27%) specimens were reactive with the Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo, SD Bioline HIV Ag/Ab Combo test and the HIV Combo test, respectively. The specificity of the different tests were 100%, 95%, 100%, 93%, 100% and 93% for Enzygnost® Anti-HIV 1/2 Plus, Vironostika® HIV Ag/Ab, INNO-Test HIV antigen mAb, Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo, SD Bioline HIV Ag/Ab Combo test and HIV Combo test respectively. ConclusionRNA test, 4th generation ELISA and Single Ag test are the most sensitive tests for detection of an acute infection. As an alternative, the HIV Combo test is generally slightly more sensitive compared to its previous version, but the SD Bioline HIV Ag/Ab Combo tests has the best performance compared to the other simple rapid tests (SRTs) but none of them are precise in detecting Ag in the determination of acute infections.

Diagnosing Acute HIV Infection

Acute HIV infection (AHI) represents the first 6 to 12 weeks of the disease process, when the virus is aggressively replicating in the lymphoid tissues. Accordingly, high viral loads are often present during this phase, with declining lymphocyte levels, as the CD4+ T-cell subset is preferentially commandeered to facilitate viral reproduction. Detection at this stage is imperative-the affected are often unaware, but highly infectious. Unfortunately, correct diagnosis of AHI can be challenging because the more traditional, frequently used tests, which rely on antibody detection, will often produce false-negative results during the "window period" (usually 3 to 4 weeks from infection) due to slow production of HIV antibodies. Consequently, testing with fourth-generation antibody-antigen and viral nucleic acid polymerase chain reaction modalities, which can yield positive results within 5 to 7 days of infection, is vital in the context of any significant concern for AHI. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(2):e47-e50.].

Acute HIV infection detection and immediate treatment estimated to reduce transmission by 89% among men who have sex with men in Bangkok.

Introduction: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) reduces HIV transmission. Despite increased ART coverage, incidence remains high among men who have sex with men (MSM) in many places. Acute HIV infection (AHI) is characterized by high viral replication and increased infectiousness. We estimated the feasible reduction in transmission by targeting MSM with AHI for early ART.Methods: We recruited a cohort of 88 MSM with AHI in Bangkok, Thailand, who initiated ART immediately. A risk calculator based on viral load and reported behaviour, calibrated to Thai epidemiological data, was applied to estimate the number of onwards transmissions. This was compared with the expected number without early interventions.Results: Forty of the MSM were in 4th-generation AHI stages 1 and 2 (4thG stage 1, HIV nucleic acid testing (NAT)+/4thG immunoassay (IA)-/3rdG IA–; 4thG stage 2, NAT+/4thG IA+/3rdG IA–) while 48 tested positive on third-generation IA but had negative or indeterminate western blot (4thG stage 3). Mean plasma HIV RNA was 5.62 log10 copies/ml. Any condomless sex in the four months preceding the study was reported by 83.7%, but decreased to 21.2% by 24 weeks on ART. After ART, 48/88 (54.6%) attained HIV RNA <50 copies/ml by week 8, increasing to 78/87 (89.7%), and 64/66 (97%) at weeks 24 and 48, respectively. The estimated number of onwards transmissions in the first year of infection would have been 27.3 (95% credible interval: 21.7–35.3) with no intervention, 8.3 (6.4–11.2) with post-diagnosis behaviour change only, 5.9 (4.4–7.9) with viral load reduction only and 3.1 (2.4–4.3) with both. The latter was associated with an 88.7% (83.8–91.1%) reduction in transmission.Conclusions: Disproportionate HIV transmission occurs during AHI. Diagnosis of AHI with early ART initiation can substantially reduce onwards transmission.

Clinical and public health implications of acute and early HIV detection and treatment: a scoping review.

Introduction: The unchanged global HIV incidence may be related to ignoring acute HIV infection (AHI). This scoping review examines diagnostic, clinical, and public health implications of identifying and treating persons with AHI.Methods: We searched PubMed, in addition to hand-review of key journals identifying research pertaining to AHI detection and treatment. We focused on the relative contribution of AHI to transmission and the diagnostic, clinical, and public health implications. We prioritized research from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) published in the last fifteen years.Results and Discussion: Extensive AHI research and limited routine AHI detection and treatment have begun in LMIC. Diagnostic challenges include ease-of-use, suitability for application and distribution in LMIC, and throughput for high-volume testing. Risk score algorithms have been used in LMIC to screen for AHI among individuals with behavioural and clinical characteristics more often associated with AHI. However, algorithms have not been implemented outside research settings. From a clinical perspective, there are substantial immunological and virological benefits to identifying and treating persons with AHI – evading the irreversible damage to host immune systems and seeding of viral reservoirs that occurs during untreated acute infection. The therapeutic benefits require rapid initiation of antiretrovirals, a logistical challenge in the absence of point-of-care testing. From a public health perspective, AHI diagnosis and treatment is critical to: decrease transmission via viral load reduction and behavioural interventions; improve pre-exposure prophylaxis outcomes by avoiding treatment initiation for HIV-seronegative persons with AHI; and, enhance partner services via notification for persons recently exposed or likely transmitting.Conclusions: There are undeniable clinical and public health benefits to AHI detection and treatment, but also substantial diagnostic and logistical barriers to implementation and scale-up. Effective early ART initiation may be critical for HIV eradication efforts, but widespread use in LMIC requires simple and accurate diagnostic tools. Implementation research is critical to facilitate sustainable integration of AHI detection and treatment into existing health systems and will be essential for prospective evaluation of testing algorithms, point-of-care diagnostics, and efficacious and effective first-line regimens.