Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening Research Articles

Impact of coronavirus pandemic and containment measures on HIV diagnosis.

During the last months and following the implementation of containment measures in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses radically decreased in Liege AIDS Reference Center, Belgium. The number of HIV screening tests has also dramatically dropped down to an unprecedented level. This decline of HIV diagnosis is caused by missed diagnoses of individuals infected before the establishment of such measures and to the reduction of high-risk sexual behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Human immunodeficiency virus self-testing: Perspectives from primary healthcare workers in Enugu state, southeast Nigeria

Background: Stigmatization remains an intractable issue surrounding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) management. Testing services are the gateway to treatment and prevention. HIV-self testing (HIVST) is a panacea to this stigmatization. It is a simple friendly testing technique. This study assessed issues surrounding the HIVST from the perspectives of the primary health-care workers in Enugu State. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. A convenience sampling of 238 respondents were sampled from the 17 local government areas of the state. Analyses were performed using IBM-SPSS version 23. Ethical approval was obtained from the Enugu State Ministry of Health. Results: The majority of the respondents were within the age of 31–50 years 84 (35.3%), predominantly females 203 (85.3%) and mainly married 191 (80.3%). Half of them had practiced for over 10 years and 145 (60.9%) had good knowledge of HIV screening. However, 23.9% understood HIVST as a testing modality approved by the World Health Organization. A handful of them, 25 (10.5%) correctly identified the 5Cs of HIV testing. Only 162 (68.1%) of the health-care workers reported stigma as the most perceived problems of the present testing modality and 146 (61.3%) expressed a preference for HIVST over previous methods. Age was found to be a determinant of good knowledge of HIVST, as being within the age group of 20–40 years has a 1.83 greater odds of good knowledge of HIVST than, 41–60 years age group (Adjusted odds ratios = 1.830; 95% confidence interval 1.081–3.099). Conclusion: Most of the Primary health-care workers in Enugu State had poor knowledge of HIVST. These workers could benefit from awareness creation and training on HIVST by public health specialists to improve their knowledge.

The seroprevalence of HIV in patients undergoing lower limb Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA) in South Africa.

Aim: The aim was to assess the seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in non-haemophilic patients undergoing primary Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA) at an academic hospital in South Africa.Methods: A retrospective review of all Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) and Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) patients from January 2017 to December 2018 was conducted. All patients awaiting TJA were offered HIV screening and their demographic data were recorded. Consenting patients were tested or the refusal of testing was documented. The CD4+ T-cell count (CD4+) and viral load (VL) was measured for all HIV-positive patients and newly diagnosed patients were initiated on Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART).Results: We included 1007 patients in the study. The TJA population HIV seroprevalence was 10.7% (n = 108). The seroprevalence for THA was 14.9% (n = 78) and that for TKA was 6.2% (n = 30). There were 93 patients (9.2%) who refused screening. There were 12 (15.4%) and 3 patients (10%) that were newly diagnosed in the THA and TKA seropositive populations, respectively. The average CD4+ for THA and TKA was 569 cells/mm3 (105–1320) and 691 cells/mm3 (98–1406), respectively. The VL was undetectable in 75.9% (n = 82) of HIV-positive patients. Overall 12 HIV-positive patients (11.12%) had CD4+ <200 cells/mm3, 8 of these patients (66%) were newly diagnosed. The average age of the seropositive population was 58 ± 6.5 years and 66 ± 8.5 years for THA and TKA, respectively (p = 0.03). Femoral head osteonecrosis was the underlying pathology for 65.38% (n = 51) of seropositive patients for THA.Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HIV in patients undergoing THA in our South African institution is greater than the seroprevalence in the general population. The seroprevalence of HIV in THA is significantly greater than that in TKA. This may reflect the association between HIV, HAART and hip joint degeneration. Our findings draw attention to the significant burden HIV has on TJA.

Prevalence and risk factors of bacterial vaginosis among female sex workers in Surakarta

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age and increases the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Data regarding the association between sexual activity and BV acquisition is contradictory. Thus, tracking the prevalence and associated risk factors of BV among female sex workers (FSWs) is necessary to improve our understanding and control of STDs and the HIV epidemic. Methods: The subjects of this study were FSWs in Surakarta. This study adopted a cross-sectional design, and diagnosis was established using Amsel criteria. Interviews were conducted using questionnaires to collect data of risk factors, including demographic factors (age, education level, daily income, marital status, location of sex), sociologic factors (age of first intercourse; age of first FSW encounter; duration of work as an FSW; number of clients/day; condom, contraceptive, and vaginal douching use; violence experienced as an FSW; smoking habits; alcohol consumption; and drug use), and knowledge factors (knowledge of STDs and HIV). Statistical analysis was performed by using bivariate analysis. Results: We interviewed 175 FSWs with an average age of 40.66 years. BV was detected in 28 subjects (16%). Risk factors associated with BV include alcohol (p = 0.022) and drug use (p = 0.022). Conclusion: Other than routine screening for STDs and HIV, FSWs should be encouraged to participate in prevention programs aiming to regulate alcohol and drug use to decrease the incidence of BV infection. Keywords: bacterial vaginosis, female sex workers, risk factors Normal 0 false false false IN X-NONE X-NONE

Prevalence and Demographic Correlates of Seropositive HIV and HBsAg Cases among Women Booking for Antenatal Care at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Background: Infection with hepatitis B (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are global public health problems. These infections during pregnancy increase the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, and also pose a risk to the fetus due to mother to child transmission.&#x0D; Objective: To determine the prevalence of seropositive HIV and HBsAg cases amongst pregnant women at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).&#x0D; Methodology: A retrospective review of hospital and laboratory records of all pregnant women booked at RSUTH in two years, from May 2017 to April 2019, was carried out. Data on patients’ age, parity and educational level and reactivity of HIV and HBsAg test at booking were retrieved using structured proforma and analyzed using Epi Info Version 7. Test for significance using Chi-square was set at a significant level of P&lt;0.05.&#x0D; Results: 3560 patients had HIV and HBsAg screening out of which 148 (4.2%) and 9 (0.3%) respectively were positive. The comorbidity rate in this study was 0.06%. The mean age was 31.5±4.7 years and the mean gestational age at booking was 22.1±6.8 weeks. There was no significant relationship between their age (χ2 = 2.690, p-value=0.442) and parity (χ2 = 3.759, p-value = 0.145) with HIV seropositivity, but these were significant for HBsAg (χ2 = 13.691, p-value = 0.003) (χ2 = 13.121, p-value=0.001). Educational status was significant for HIV (χ2 = 16.188, p-value=0.000) but not for HBsAg (χ2 = 0.229, p-value=0.892).&#x0D; Conclusion: The seroprevalence rate of HIV and HBsAg in this study were low. HIV seroprevalence was significantly affected by lower education, while HBsAg seroprevalence was significantly affected by younger maternal age and nulliparity. Continued screening of pregnant women for these infections remains valuable and further community-based studies to identify risk factors are recommended.

Atypical cause of fever in advanced pregnancy

Although miliary tuberculosis (TB) is uncommon in pregnancy, it is difficult to diagnose when present and is often associated with a maternal history of intravenous drug abuse, malignancy, alcoholism, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. TB in pregnancy can present with non-pulmonary symptoms, making the diagnosis and treatment challenging. We report a case of military TB in a lady with advanced pregnancy who presented with fever and cough without any history of exposure to TB patient. There was no history of alcoholism, intravenous drug abuse, or any other risk factors. Sputum for acid-fast bacilli stains and HIV screening were negative. The patient was started on anti-TB treatment after blood investigations ruled out other causes of fever and chest radiograph was suggestive of miliary TB. Confirming the diagnosis of miliary TB is an arduous process requiring a high index of suspicion. During pregnancy, histopathologic examination of tissue biopsy and GeneXpert may facilitate making an early diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB.

Influence of anonymous HIV testing on national HIV surveillance in the Republic of Korea (2000 to 2015): a retrospective analysis

BackgroundOwing to the continuous increase in the number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Korea, public health centers (PHCs) have performed anonymous tests since 1989. No study has examined the patterns of anonymous HIV testing performed at PHCs and the characteristics of HIV infection detected in those tests. We aimed to assess the influence of anonymous HIV testing on Korea’s national HIV surveillance.MethodsHIV screening test data from 253 PHCs over a 16-year period were classified into 13 groups based on reason for testing. For anonymous HIV test takers (Anonymous), the HIV positivity per 10,000 tests was calculated, as repetitions could not be distinguished. Those with suspected HIV infection voluntarily underwent HIV testing and revealed their identity (Suspected). HIV prevalence was calculated as the number of HIV-positive persons per 10,000 test takers. Analyses were performed using chi-square and Cochran-Armitage trend test with SAS 9.4.ResultsApproximately 400,000 HIV screening tests were performed at PHCs annually, which remained unchanged in the past 10 years. The proportion of anonymous testing increased from < 3.0% before 2014 to 4.8% in 2014 and 6.1% in 2015. While the number of HIV cases increased, the number of anonymous HIV-positive test results per 10,000 tests decreased from 68.8 in 2010 to 41.8 in 2015. The HIV prevalence among the suspected was approximately 20.0 per 10,000 test takers before 2014, which steeply increased to 71.6 in 2015. Those with suspected HIV were predominantly men, aged 20 years, foreigners, and metropolitan city dwellers in the last 6 years. The high prevalence of persons with suspected HIV resulted in a doubling of HIV prevalence at PHCs between 2014 and 2015.ConclusionsAnonymous and Suspected, which were driven by similar motives, impacted each other. Increase in HIV prevalence among the suspected led to a higher HIV prevalence among all test takers in PHCs and higher proportions of HIV infection nationwide, which could be attributed to the increase in the number of anonymous tests performed in PHCs. HIV positivity among the anonymous and HIV prevalence among the suspected are key indexes of the national HIV surveillance in Korea.

Mitigating the Risk of Infectious Diseases Among Rural Drug Users in Western North Carolina: Results of the Southern Appalachia Test, Link, Care (SA-TLC) Health Care Provider Survey.

To characterize how health care providers in western North Carolina (NC) manage patients with substance use disorders and to inform strategies for preventing injection drug use (IDU)-associated outbreaks of bloodborne infectious diseases. We collected data on practice characteristics, provider sociodemographics, and attitudes and beliefs about hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), opioid use, and IDU via online survey. Providers in 8 counties of western NC were invited to participate by email. Results were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistics. Of 84 respondents participating between 30 July and 3 December 2018, 81% were practicing clinicians and 46% served a county identified as being vulnerable to IDU-associated outbreaks of HCV or HIV. A substantial proportion was unsure about injecting behaviors among patients. Scores reflected comfort working with opioid users, though this varied by medical specialty. One-quarter of respondents "never" discussed harm reduction or HCV treatment with patients known to inject drugs; 22% "never" discussed HIV screening with injectors; and 1 in 3 referred at-risk patients out for HCV or HIV testing rather than ordering a test themselves. Scores indicated low levels of stigma toward persons living with HCV or HIV. Respondents identified HIV treatment, HCV treatment, and liver disease management as training needs. Our findings provide insights to inform health infrastructure improvement, with the goal of preventing HCV or HIV outbreaks in southern Appalachia. Rural health care workers are willing to receive additional training if it can improve care for patients affected by substance use disorders.

Population Health Management during Student Pharmacist Introductory Experiential Education to Expand Clinical Pharmacist Impact.

To evaluate the impact of incorporating pre-advanced pharmacy practice experience (pre-APPE) student pharmacists into three different population health management (PHM) projects. The prospective quality improvement projects incorporated three third-year student pharmacists who developed and conducted individual PHM projects over the course of three to seven months. The projects included hypoglycemia screening, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus screening, and statin use evaluations for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk reduction. Under the guidance of a clinical pharmacist, students developed project materials, conducted patient chart reviews, and contacted patients to make interventions such as recommendations for therapy, ambulatory patient monitoring, patient education, and arranging provider follow-up. Student impact was evaluated through the number of patients screened, the number of eligible patients contacted, and the total number of interventions or recommendations made. Student time spent was tracked throughout the projects. Out of 244 patients screened, 198 patients met inclusion criteria and 162 patients were contacted or assessed by a student pharmacist. Students made a total of 319 interventions, including patient education (132), patient monitoring (132), pharmacotherapy recommendations (28), and arranging follow-up (27). On average students screened 33 patients per month, and, per patient, required 8.6 minutes for eligibility assessment and approximately 6 minutes for telephone interviews. This report demonstrates that pre-APPE student pharmacists are well-equipped to design and implement PHM projects. Utilization of student pharmacists in similar PHM programs can expand the pharmacist's impact on patient care in the ambulatory care setting.

Prevalence of Viremic hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV infection, and vaccination status among prisoners in Stockholm County

BackgroundIdentification and knowledge of settings with high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is important when aiming for elimination of HCV. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of viremic HCV infection among Swedish prisoners. Secondary aims were to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the proportion who have received hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination.MethodsA cross-sectional study of all incarcerated persons (n = 667) at all prisons (n = 9) in Stockholm County was conducted. All prisoners are routinely offered opt-in screening for HCV antibodies (anti-HCV), HCV RNA, HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and HIV Ag/Ab at prison in Sweden. Data on the results of these tests and the number of received HBV vaccine doses were collected from the prison medical records. The parameters of HCV RNA, anti-HCV, and occurrence of testing for HCV were analysed in multiple logistic regression models in relation to age, sex and prison security class.ResultsThe median age was 35 (IQR 26–44) years, and 93.4% were men. Seventy-one percent (n = 471) had been tested for anti-HCV, 70% (n = 465) for HBsAg and 71% (n = 471) for HIV. The prevalence of anti-HCV, HCV RNA, HBsAg and HIV Ag/Ab was 17.0, 11.5, 1.9, and 0.2%, respectively among tested persons. The proportion of prisoners who had received full HBV vaccination was 40.6% (n = 271) among all study subjects.ConclusionsThe prevalence of viremic HCV infection among Swedish prisoners in Stockholm County was 11.5%, which is high in comparison to the general population. Therefore, when aiming for the WHO goal of HCV elimination, prisons could suit as a platform for identification and treatment of HCV infection. There is a need to increase testing for blood-borne viruses and to improve vaccination coverage against HBV in Swedish prisons.

Cryptococcal Antigenemia in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Antiretroviral Therapy-Experienced Ugandans With Virologic Failure.

BackgroundDetectable serum or plasma cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) precedes symptomatic cryptococcal meningitis. The World Health Organization recommends CrAg screening for human immunodeficiency virus–positive persons with CD4 count <100 cells/μL initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, an increasing proportion of patients with cryptococcosis are now ART experienced. Whether CrAg screening is cost-effective in those with virologic failure is unknown.MethodsWe retrospectively performed nationwide plasma CrAg testing among ART-experienced Ugandan adults with virologic failure (≥1000 copies/mL) using leftover plasma after viral load testing during September 2017–January 2018. For those who were CrAg positive, we obtained ART history, meningitis occurrence, and 6-month survival via medical records review.ResultsAmong 1186 subjects with virologic failure, 35 (3.0%) were CrAg positive with median ART duration of 41 months (interquartile range, 10–84 months). Among 25 subjects with 6-month outcomes, 16 (64%) survived, 7 (28%) died, and 2 (8%) were lost. One survivor had suffered cryptococcal meningitis 2 years prior. Two others developed cryptococcal meningitis and survived. Five survivors were known to have received fluconazole. Thus, meningitis-free survival at 6 months was 61% (14/23). Overall, 91% (32/35) of CrAg-positive persons had viral load ≥5000 copies/mL compared with 64% (735/1151) of CrAg-negative persons (odds ratio, 6.0 [95% confidence interval, 1.8–19.8]; P = .001). CrAg prevalence was 4.2% (32/768) among those with viral loads ≥5000 copies/mL and 0.7% (3/419) among those with viral loads <5000 copies/mL.ConclusionsIn addition to the CD4 threshold of <100 cells/μL, reflexive CrAg screening should be considered in persons failing ART in Uganda with viral loads ≥5000 copies/mL.

The US Military HIV Natural History Study: Informing Military HIV Care and Policy for Over 30 Years.

In October 1985, 4 years after the initial descriptions of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) began routine screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to prevent infected recruits from exposure to live virus vaccines, implemented routine active-duty force screening to ensure timely care and help protect the walking blood bank, and initiated the U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study (NHS) to develop epidemiologic, clinical, and basic science evidence to inform military HIV policy and establish a repository of data and specimens for future research. Here, we have reviewed accomplishments of the NHS over the past 30 years and sought to describe relevant trends among NHS subjects over this time, with emphasis on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) use and non-AIDS comorbidities. Subjects who were prospectively enrolled in the NHS from 1986 through 2015 were included in this analysis. Time periods were classified by decade of study conduct, 1986-1995, 1996-2005, and 2006-2015, which also correlate approximately with pre-, early-, and late-combination ART (cART) eras. Analyses included descriptive statistics and comparisons among decades. We also evaluated mean community log10 HIV viral load (CVL) and CD4 counts for each year. A total of 5,758 subjects were enrolled between 1986 and 2015, of whom 92% were male with a median age of 28 years, and 45% were African-American, 42% Caucasian, and 13% Hispanic/other. The proportion of African-Americans remained stable over the decades (45%, 47%, and 42%, respectively), while the proportion of Hispanic/other increased (10%, 13%, and 24%, respectively). The CD4 count at HIV diagnosis has remained high (median 496 cells/uL), while the occurrence of AIDS-defining conditions (excluding low CD4 count) has decreased by decade (36.7%, 5.4%, and 2.9%, respectively). Following the introduction of effective cART in 1996, CVL declined through 2000 as use increased and then plateaued until guidelines changed. After 2004, cART use again increased and CVL declined further until 2012-15 when the vast majority of subjects achieved viral suppression. Non-AIDS comorbidities have remained common, with approximately half of subjects experiencing one or more new diagnoses overall and nearly half of subjects diagnosed between 2006 and 2015, in spite of their relatively young age, shorter median follow-up, and wide use of cART. The US Military HIV NHS has been critical to understanding the impact of HIV infection among active-duty service members and military beneficiaries, as well as producing insights that are broadly relevant. In addition, the rich repository of NHS data and specimens serves as a resource to investigators in the DoD, NIH, and academic community, markedly increasing scientific yield and identifying novel associations. Looking forward, the NHS remains relevant to understanding host factor correlates of virologic and immunologic control, biologic pathways of HIV pathogenesis, causes and consequences of residual inflammation in spite of effective cART, identifying predictors of and potential approaches to mitigation of excess non-AIDS comorbidities, and helping to understand the latent reservoir.

Challenges to eliminating the AIDS pandemic in China.

Based on data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were a total of 861,042 people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/ immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) as of December 31, 2018 in China, a total of 148,589 new HIV infections, and 38,134 AIDS-related deaths in the year 2018. As of 2017, only 74% of people living with HIV knew their status, 80% of people living with HIV were receiving treatment, and 91% were virally suppressed in China. Although mankind has made great progress in the fight against AIDS in recent years, the vision of ending the AIDS epidemic still faces many challenges in China. Due to the huge population and the imbalance in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in China, expanding HIV screening and early detection remains the key to Chinas response to HIV. Limitations of antiviral therapy (ART), rejection or discontinuation of an immediate ART strategy by people infected with HIV, and the difficult search for a cure for AIDS all limit the coverage and quality of treatment. The high price of drugs and lack of vaccines present enormous challenges; social discrimination still exists, and participation by non-governmental organizations in prevention, treatment, and care is limited. As part of the future response to HIV, HIV eradication programs should continue to be explored, and attention should be paid to long-term care for people living with HIV.

1284. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV in Vermont: an Assessment of Prescribing in a Uniquely Rural State

BackgroundIn the United States and Vermont, men who have sex with men (MSM) make up the majority of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections every year. Despite HIV prevention campaigns and approval of antiviral therapy for pharmacologic HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV cases in Vermont—a predominantly rural state—are on the rise. The primary objective of this study was to assess prescribing practices and barriers surrounding PrEP for adult MSM in Vermont.MethodsA web-based healthcare provider survey was deployed electronically over a 10 week period in 2019 to a convenience sample of licensed primary care, sexual health, and infectious disease providers in Vermont. Questions were designed to target factors thought to influence PrEP prescribing, with a focus on prescribing behaviors and perceived barriers.ResultsAn estimated 500 providers received the survey. There were 137 survey respondents, 106 (77%) were physicians, primarily in internal medicine. Though only 47 (34%) providers had experience prescribing PrEP to MSM patients, over 89% identified as willing to prescribe PrEP to high-risk groups. Among PrEP prescribers, screening frequency for HIV and bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) while on PrEP fell below the current guideline recommendations at 72% and 53%, respectively. Less than 70% of providers routinely obtain sexual history for male patients. Among providers willing to prescribe PrEP, concern regarding medication toxicity was the only statistically significant barrier (χ 2 = 5.5, P = 0.02). Concerns regarding risk compensation behavior and lack of knowledge or experience regarding prescribing PrEP also demonstrated an association with provider willingness to prescribe PrEP, however did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionThe majority of Vermont providers sampled are willing to prescribe PrEP, suggesting there is great opportunity to increase prescribing and use, potentially having an impact on reducing HIV transmission among MSM in the state. Provider education targeted toward guidelines for STI and HIV screening on therapy, obtaining sexual histories, and minimal toxicity risk may serve to increase prescribing of PrEP among Vermont providers.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

320. UK-HOPS (HIV Osteoporosis Prevention and Screening)-Gaps in the Care of HIV Patients with Bone Disease

BackgroundWith increasing life expectancy among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), long-term complications such as osteoporosis/osteopenia and fractures are frequently seen. Although screening guidelines exist for bone disease in the HIV population, quantitative and qualitative gaps exist in screening and prevention. Bone disease in HIV is multifactorial, and FRAX may not accurately predict fracture risk. The aim of our study is to describe diagnostic features of bone disease and estimate the population at risk, and evaluate the frequency of screening, referral and treatment in patients attending an HIV Clinic.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 1220 patients with HIV infection ≥40 years of age who attended the HIV clinic under the Ryan White program, during January 2016 to December 2018, at University of Kentucky. We obtained demographic details (Table 1), comorbidities, laboratory testing, bone mineral density (BMD) testing and specialty bone clinic referral data from electronic health records, applying ICD -10 and CPT codes. We estimated the frequency of BMD measurement and prevalence of risk factors for bone disease specific to this population.ResultsBMD testing was performed in only 158 (13%) patients (CMS targets 60% for testing at-risk populations). Of these patients, 76 (48%) had osteopenia and 59 (37%) had osteoporosis; 22 (14%) received treatment (Figure 1). Seven patients with osteoporosis/osteopenia and fracture had bone biopsy, with low bone turnover in four (57%). Potential risk factors for secondary osteoporosis are presented in Table 2; at least one factor was present in 98% of patients. Fracture prevalence was likely underestimated because the ICD-10 /CPT coding was available only in 23 (2%) patients.ConclusionBone disease is under-recognized and undertreated, and targeted screening programs are needed for earlier diagnosis and management in this population. Bisphosphonates may not be optimal first-line therapy for all HIV patients with bone loss. In addition to stress or fragility fractures and worsening osteoporosis, metabolic bone work-up should be performed in patients with secondary osteoporosis related to CKD, renal phosphate loss, prior bisphosphonate/Tenofovir/glucocorticoid treatment. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

307. Overcoming Hepatitis C Elimination Challenges in the Coachella Valley through the Collaboration of Linkage to Care, a Managed Care Organization, and a Federally Qualified Health Center

BackgroundPer the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.4 million Americans have the hepatitis C virus (HCV). New cases increased by 14% from 2014 to 2016 in California with 400,000 infections, 4,000 infections in the Coachella Valley and about 50% unaware of their diagnosis. A barrier to elimination is the lack of rapid screenings and linkage to care (LTC) of infected individuals into an integrated system. Thus, we developed a program at the Hepatitis Center of Excellence (HCE) where pharmacists in a managed care organization (MCO) provide opportunities to overcome these boundaries. The partnership of the MCO and federally qualified health center (FQHC) was established in 2017 to expand access to care to the HCV community. We anticipate that our program will eliminate HCV in the Coachella Valley by modeling past success in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and LTC at the FQHC through an interdisciplinary approach.MethodsA single-center, retrospective analysis from January 2017 to December 2018 of HCV individuals was conducted at the pharmacist-led HCE in Palm Springs, California. The LTC team approached barriers through prompt free screenings and major advocacy. Pharmacists and specialty physicians collaborated to ensure rapid assessment, treatment initiation and completion, and sustained virologic response (SVR). The HCE has adapted the HIV testing and LTC model in hopes of achieving similar feats. From 2014 to 2018, 92,947 total HIV tests were performed with 90.2% of HIV-positive patients linked to care. HCV testing was then added to HIV screening and expanded to other testing sites.ResultsThe first visit with a clinical pharmacist consists of education, reviewing lab tests, cost assistance, and providing treatment options. From 2017 to 2018, 169 of 172 HCV positive individuals (98.2%) achieved SVR by treatment completion. The HCV LTC program demonstrated a 3.8% increase in HCV testing from 2017 to 2018.ConclusionPharmacist-led care for a large volume of HCV patients allows time for specialty physicians to manage more complex cases. The collaboration between the FQHC, MCO, and LTC team showed HCV elimination is possible based on high SVR rates. HCE is projecting successful linkages to care and continuous campaigning for individuals to be treated for HCV in the Coachella Valley.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Long-term results achieved by guideline-based stage-dependent management of anal cancer in a non-HIV population.

Therapy of anal cancer follows national and international guidelines that are mainly derived from randomized trials. This study aimed to analyze long-term results of stage-dependent treatment of anal cancer in a non-selected patient cohort. All consecutive patients treated for anal cancer between 2000 and 2015 were retrieved from a prospective database. Risk-dependent screening for human immunodeficiency virus showed no infection. Main outcome measure was overall survival with respect to tumor site and treatment. Secondary endpoints were cause-specific survival, stoma free survival, and the rate of salvage operations. In total, 106 patients were treated for anal cancer. Of those, 69 (65.1%) suffered from anal canal cancer and 37 (34.9%) from anal margin cancer. Three patients with synchronous distant metastases were excluded from analysis. The majority of patients (n = 79, 76.7%) were treated by chemoradiotherapy in curative intention. Twenty-two patients underwent local surgery. Five-year overall survival was 73.1% and cause-specific survival at 5years was 87.4%. Overall, 14 patients (13.6%) needed salvage surgery. Their 5-year cause-specific survival was 57.7%. A permanent ostomy was avoided in 77.7%. Treatment of anal cancer results in low rates of salvage surgery and permanent ostomies, when therapy was determined by a multidisciplinary team following national and international guidelines.

Evolution of an Electronic Health Record Based-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Screening Program in an Urban Emergency Department for Diagnosing Acute and Chronic HIV Infection.

Since 2006, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend routine opt-out human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among sexually active 13- to 64-year-olds. Earlier diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection reduces morbidity and mortality and can limit transmission to others. Our aim was to increase HIV testing, diagnosis, and linkage to care in the emergency department (ED). Beginning May 4, 2015, we utilized our electronic health record (EHR) to enhance HIV testing in patients seen in the Rush University Medical Center emergency department in Chicago, IL, who were 13-64years of age, did not have HIV listed on their problem list, and did not have an HIV antigen/antibody (Ag/Ab) test in the EHR within the past rolling 12-month period. Strategies included use of a "Best Practice Advisory" and later auto-order screening linked to a complete blood count order. Our baseline HIV test rate was 2.5% of the target population by age (average of 93 tests per month). From May 4, 2015 to January 31, 2019, 137,749 patients of 240,091 ED visits met our test criteria and 23,588 (17.1% of the target population) HIV Ag/Ab tests were performed, resulting in 164 positive tests. We identified 18 acute seroconverters, 51 new chronically infected persons, and 95 known infected, many of who had not disclosed their status. Our positive test rate was 0.70%, which dropped to 0.29% if only newly diagnosed individuals were counted. EHR enhancements in a large urban ED identifies both newly diagnosed acute and chronically HIV-infected persons. Identification of previously diagnosed patients offers an opportunity to relink them to care.

Experiences of Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Viral Hepatitis B, and Viral Hepatitis C Infections at a Hospital in Thailand: Test Utilization and Outcomes.

BackgroundTo prevent the transmission of HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses, early detection is necessary; however, in the early stage, most infected people are symptomless. Screening for these infections should be targeted to certain clinical settings to increase the early detection rate.Material/MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted by analyzing data from patients’ medical records to determine how the screening tests for these viral infections were utilized and what the clinical outcomes from the test utilization were.ResultsFrom 11 676 collected records, the screening tests for HIV, HBV, and HCV infections were utilized in 871, 556, and 236 cases, respectively. The tests for HIV and HCV were utilized the most in people with chronic non-infectious diseases, while the test for HBV infection was utilized the most in pregnant women. The positive results of these tests were highly found in the group of patients with acute non-infectious diseases. HIV infection was newly detected in 1.38% of patients, and HBV and HCV infections were newly detected in 5.58% and 2.12%, respectively.ConclusionsScreening for HIV and HBV infections was performed according to the guidelines of the national HIV and HBV programs. The Outpatient Department (OPD) and medical ward may be the most appropriate clinical settings for HIV screening because most patients are there and blood tests are often ordered there, too. The national programs helped slow the rates of HIV and HBV infections in this community.

Team Triage Intervention, Including Licensed Practical Nurse, to Increase HIV Testing Rates in the Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Project

IntroductionEmergency departments have an important role in screening for human immunodeficiency virus infection and reducing the morbidity, mortality, and transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. There are debates about human immunodeficiency virus screening, including opt-in, opt-out, and active choice models. Previous studies have shown that multiple factors affect the patient rate of acceptance, including where, when, and by whom the screening is offered. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to test a team-based triage intervention to improve the amount of HIV testing done in our emergency department. MethodsThe design was a single site quality improvement intervention with post-intervention monthly rates compared to historic monthly rate controls. The intervention focused on the introduction of a Licensed Practical Nurse in addition to the current triage process and personnel. The percentage of patients receiving human immunodeficiency virus testing and the number of tests sent per month before and after the implementation of the intervention were measured. ResultsOur results show that 0.6% (SD < 0.01) and 2.5% (SD 2.2) of patients received human immunodeficiency virus testing before and after implementation of the intervention, respectively (χ2 = 501.76, P < 0.05). A mean of 37.4 (SD = 12.91) and 151.3 (SD = 33.34) human immunodeficiency virus tests were sent per month before and after implementation of the intervention, respectively (t = 8.53, P < 0.001). DiscussionThis process intervention, in which licensed practical nurses offered human immunodeficiency virus screening tests during team triage, resulted in a 3-fold increase in the percentage of patients being tested for human immunodeficiency virus.