Preadmission Test Research Articles

Appointment scheduling in surgery pre-admission testing clinics

Pre-admission testing clinics are care units serving outpatients prior to surgical operation and performing procedure-specific tests to prepare them. Patients may need multiple tests, each performed by a specialized operator and delivered in any order. Exam rooms act as renewable resources: rooms are limited, tests are administered to patients inside the rooms, individually, and patients occupy the room until all the required tests are completed.Careful scheduling of patient appointments is essential in clinic management for both the patient and the provider: on the one hand, minimizing patient waiting time improves service quality, on the other hand, minimizing completion time (makespan) improves system efficiency.In this paper, we propose offline policies for the daily scheduling of pre-admission test appointments. As a benchmark, we consider two online scheduling policies widely used in common practice. Each of these offers a different compromise between complexity and resource exploitation.The proposed optimization-based offline booking policy is identified as a new problem in the machine scheduling literature, for which we propose a network-flow model representation. A family of matheuristics based on different variable fixing criteria is provided to circumvent the high computational effort required to solve the mathematical model to optimality on real-size instances. The performance, advantages and disadvantages of each of the online and offline policies are compared in a variety of scenarios based on realistic data.Through this work, decision-makers have a new set of tools they can choose from according to their priorities.

How Do the Halo Effect and Horn Effect Influence the Human Resources Managers Recruitment Decision in an Occupation Interview?

How human resources managers make their recruitment decision has been one of the popular research questions of the century. Although existing research has demonstrated that human resources managers decisions are highly likely to be influenced by external biases like halo and horn effects that are not included in the selection criteria, there are still unanswered questions and areas for investigation, especially how and why these biases are inevitable in human resources managers decisions and the strategies to minimise them. The following literature review analysed and evaluated past research to explore the nature of the human decision-making process, pertaining to the research topic How do the Halo Effect and Horn Effect influence the Human Resources Managers Recruitment Decision in an Occupation Interview? The results of the literature reviews have indicated that halo and horn effects play a critical role in human resources managers recruitment decisions. The effects are strongly influenced by stereotypes and differ in different occupations, diverse cultural backgrounds, and genders. Current reviews suggest that improving the interview structure and adding a pre-admission test will efficiently mitigate the undesirable consequences of the halo and horn effects. Future investigations are recommended to focus on AI technologies and blind hiring methods in the recruitment process.

A Student’s Nontraditional Path to Pharmacy School

Although professional pharmacy programs tend to require and focus heavily on applicants’ grade point averages and pre-admission test scores, there is noted value in the matriculation of students exhibiting strong leadership and soft skills. Such attributes are advantageous to a pharmacist, particularly when considering the current need to develop trailblazers prepared to adapt to the ever-changing demands of our healthcare system. Pharmacy school applications and enrollments have been declining across the nation for the past decade. Pharmacy job prospects, particularly in community pharmacies, are projected to decline over the next decade, but inpatient and clinical roles are projected to increase in demand. To accommodate this role shift, schools may consider engaging with and recruiting students with unique skill sets from less traditional backgrounds. This commentary explores one student’s pharmacy school experience via the lens of a nontraditional background and postulates that pharmacy schools may benefit from altering their admissions approach.

Association between Overall Academic Achievement, Cognitive, and Non-Cognitive Variables among Medical and Allied Health Students: A 10-Year Review

Background: Medical and allied health institutions employ cognitive measures to select student applicants who can fulfill curriculum components and pass the licensure examination. Secondary school certificate (SSC) grades and preadmission aptitude test (PAT) scores have been in use without systematic evidence. Nevertheless, the connection between non-cognitive elements and academic achievement is not clear. Objectives: This study explored the association between cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of academic achievement in medical and allied health programs. Methods: A narrative review design was applied, and the PubMed/MEDLINE database was searched. The eligibility criteria were undergraduate courses in medical and allied health programs, examining at least one cognitive (SSC scores and preadmission) and non-cognitive (age, gender, parity, parental occupation, lottery, non-cognitive personality test, and letter of recommendation) factor, measuring academic achievement and associational outcomes. Studies were screened by title, abstract, and full text, and data were extracted using a novel data extraction form. Results: About 22 studies were included, involving a sample of 29,152 students were reviewed. There were mixed results on the examined factors, with SSC grades, PAT scores, being female, and being of younger age appearing to have diminishing consistency in the mentioned order across the reviewed studies. There was a paucity of studies on the examined non-cognitive elements. Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to recommend the exclusive use of any single cognitive or non-cognitive element for admissions decisions. A combination of SSC grades, PAT scores, female gender, and younger age should be considered and weighed in the mentioned order of importance.

DNA amplification tests at universal pre-admission screening with enhanced precaution strategies for asymptomatic patients with COVID-19

To analyze the effect of hospital preadmission screening and an enhanced precaution strategy on COVID-19 transmission. We conducted a retrospective cohort study over 17 months from 11 May 2020 to 30 September 2021 at a large hospital in Tokyo. Universal DNA amplification tests were conducted during preadmission screening, and enhanced precaution strategies were implemented for all patients with a negative admission test. The primary outcome was the occurrence of symptomatic COVID-19 in patients after admission. The secondary outcomes were time-series analyses of monthly positive admission test numbers, positive rates, clinical features in positive cases, and clinically confirmed nosocomial transmission. A total of 32,081 patients were screened during preadmission (29,556 asymptomatic patients and 2525 symptomatic patients). Of the asymptomatic patients, 0.11% (n = 32) tested positive and were admitted to a COVID-19-designated ward or were not admitted. Among the five inpatients who developed symptomatic COVID-19 during hospitalization, only two cases were related to a single nosocomial transmission. Preadmission test screening was effective in identifying asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. This allowed administrators to quarantine patients or delay admittance. The combination of testing and enhanced precaution strategies for asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 might minimize nosocomial transmission.

Usefulness of universal SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing for inpatients and their caregivers during the omicron era

BackgroundSince January 2022, the Omicron variant has become the dominant strain in South Korea, and COVID-19 cases among hospitalized patients and their guardians or caregivers have increased. We evaluated the usefulness of universal periodic screening for SARS-CoV-2 in patients and resident caregivers in a South Korean tertiary care hospital. MethodsWe evaluated the reason for testing in COVID-19 confirmed patients and resident caregivers during their hospitalization from March 3 to 31, 2022. The rate of positive PCR universal testing in hospital (or residency) (HD) on days 3 and 7 in asymptomatic patients and caregivers were evaluated. The test for SARS-CoV-2 was done by RT-PCR. ResultsDuring the study period, 677 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. The reasons for testing were the symptoms (226 (33%)), pre-admission test (183 (27%)), exposure to COVID-19 (124 (18%)), universal testing on HD 3 (94 (14%)), and that on HD 7 (34 (5%)). Caregivers (n = 340) were tested during their residency due to exposure to COVID-19 cases, 103 (30%); universal testing on HD 3, 90 (26%); symptom development, 46 (14%); pre-stay, 39 (11%); and universal testing on HD 7, 29 (9%). The positive test rates of inpatients and caregivers on HD 3 and HD 7 were as follows: 1.4% (93/6553) and 2.1% (55/2646) in inpatients, and 1.3% (79/5989) and 1.7% (35/2106) in caregivers, respectively. ConclusionsUniversal testing, regardless of symptom or epidemiologic link, is useful for detecting pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases among hospitalized patients and caregivers and preventing a nosocomial outbreak during the Omicron era.

Web Exclusive. Annals Consult Guys - Timing Elective Surgery in a Patient With Positive Results on a Preadmission Test for SARS-CoV-2.

Web Exclusive. Annals Consult Guys - Timing Elective Surgery in a Patient With Positive Results on a Preadmission Test for SARS-CoV-2.

Variables Predicting Academic Success of Nursing Students: a Longitudinal Study in a Nursing Bachelor's Degree Program.

Academic failure can negatively impact on the student, the university and the nursing workforce in the short term. The aim of this study is to analyze the characteristics and predictors of academic success in two cohorts of students of a Nursing Bachelor's Degree program. This longitudinal study enrolled students who attended the Nursing Bachelor's Degree program. The Tor Vergata University includes 21 Nursing Bachelor's Degree programs at several Sanitary Institutions of the Rome area, with a mean annual recruitment of 800 students. We considered two cohorts of students beginning the program in the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 academic years, respectively. The follow-up of these two cohorts ended in the 2017-2018 academic year. We considered socio-demographic and academic variables in the nursing field (pre-admission test grade, training exam grade in the first, second and third year and professional license exam grade). The outcome variable is academic success defined as gradua-tion on time; academic failure is defined as changing degree, delay in completion of the course, attrition and dismissal (failure to complete the studies). Data were collected at baseline (T0), at the end of the first year (T1), at the end of the second year (T2) and at the end of the third year (T3) of the course. A logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of academic success. 2,041 students were enrolled, with an average age of 22.0 years (± 4.6, 18-50); 67.4% were female. Regarding academic success, 30.6% of students graduated on time and so achieved academic success, while 69.4% failed to complete the course within the established time: 5.4% (110/2,041) changed the course, the attrition rate was 7.3%, 0.3% (6/2,041) overdue from the course for expiring of the terms, 18.0% (368/2,041) is attending the course and 38.4% (784/2,041) graduated after more than three years. Pre-admission test grade (OR: 10.0, 95% CI: 10.020-10.054) and training exam grade at the second and third years (OR: 10.0 95% CI: 10.027-10.139; OR: 10.2 95% CI: 10.171-10.294) predicted academic success. Some nursing students changed course during the last year of the program, while the training exam grade of the second and third years had predicted academic success; this is a brand new information derived from this study. In addition, we confirmed the association of age, gender, secondary school type and grade and preadmission test with academic success. For these reasons, clinical training should be improved and the quality of internship wards, as learning environments, should be monitored. Italian universities should undertake establishing the ideal cut-off in pre-admission tests to determine which students have a high probability of academic success.

Nosocomial Outbreak of COVID-19 from a Kidney Transplant Patient: Necessity of a Longer Isolation Period in Immunocompromised Patients.

Determination of the release from isolation for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in immunocompromised patients who need additional hospitalization for treatment of non-COVID-19 related disease is important to prevent nosocomial transmission. However, there is insufficient evidence for an extended isolation period. In September 2021, when the Delta variant was dominant, a nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in the nephrology ward of a tertiary hospital in Gwangju, Korea. We conducted epidemiological investigations and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of this virus. A man who underwent kidney transplantation was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of acute kidney injury. He was diagnosed with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection during a pre-admission screening test on September 1, 2021 and underwent isolation. After 10 days of isolation in the COVID-19-designated ward, he was transferred to the general nephrology ward. He underwent steroid pulse therapy (September 17 to September 23, >60 mg/day prednisolone) due to acute T-cell rejection. On September 28, 2021, the first patient with COVID-19 was identified in the nephrology ward, and a rapid-response team was activated to identify additional patients with COVID-19 and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Epidemiological investigations revealed that 12 patients, two caregivers, and three healthcare workers from the nephrology ward were diagnosed with COVID-19. The WGS of specimens from 14 nosocomial outbreak samples and released an index patient exhibited the same Delta variant originating from the B.1.617.2 lineage. This hospital-acquired COVID-19 outbreak in the nephrology ward resulted in two (11.7%) deaths in patients who underwent kidney transplantation. We demonstrated that an immunocompromised patient can cause a nosocomial outbreak due to the prolonged shedding of infectious viruses. Prolonged isolation in patients under active immunosuppressive therapy may be necessary to prevent transmission, especially in the hospital setting.

Predictive value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in diagnosis of early prostate cancer among men who underwent robotic transperineal prostate biopsy.

To evaluate the predicted value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis of early prostate cancer by using standardized Full blood count (FBC) performed within 4 weeks before biopsy and histology results from transperineal prostate biopsy (RTPB).Patients who underwent RTPB under general anesthesia (GA), at Urology Department, Singapore General Hospital between September 2006 and Febuary 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.NLR was calculated using full blood count (FBC) that was done as a pre-admission test before GA within 4 weeks before the biopsy. Statistical analyses were done to establish the correlation of NLR and different clinical parameters such as biopsy histology, pre-biopsy PSA, and prostate volume.A total of 652 patients who underwent RTPB for diagnostic purposes with a valid PSA level were included in this study. There was total of 409 (62.7%) benign histology and 243 (37.3%) prostate cancer. There was no significant difference in median NLR between the benign and prostate cancer group (2.00 vs 1.99; P = .29).In the subgroups analysis, there was also no significant difference of median NLR value in clinical significant cancer (defined as Gleason 3 + 4 and above) and benign histology group (NLR 2.00 vs 2.01, P = .41), as well as prostate cancer and benign group according to different pre-biopsy PSA levels: PSA (ug/l) < 4, 4 to 10, 10 to 20, and >20, respectively. (Median NLR 1.34 vs 1.76; 1.97 vs 1.97; 1.97 vs 2.18; 2.18 vs 1.98, P > .05). NLR is neither associated with prostate cancer using logestic regression model nor a strong predictor of the Gleason grade group and D’Amico risk stratification group using ordinal regression model. (P > .05)There was no statistically significant difference of NLR between the benign and prostate cancer group as a whole or in the subgroup analyses for patients who underwent robotic transperineal prostate biopsy. NLR may have a limited role in predicting early-stage prostate cancer.

Pitfall of Universal Pre-Admission Screening for SARS-CoV-2 in a Low Prevalence Country.

It is unclear whether universal PCR screening for SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic individuals prior to admission is useful. From April to December 2020, the positive rate of universal pre-admission screening was 0.005% (4/76,521) in a tertiary care hospital in Korea. The positive rates were not different between the periods (period 1 (daily new patients of <1 per million inhabitants) vs. period 2 (1–8.3 per million inhabitants) vs. period 3 (10.3 to 20 per million inhabitants); P = 0.45). Universal pre-admission screening for SARS-CoV-2 had a lower positive rate than that of symptom-based screening (0.005% vs. 0.049% (53/109,257), p < 0.001). In addition, seven patients with negative pre-admission test results had subsequent positive PCR during hospitalization, and four patients had secondary transmission. Universal pre-admission PCR screening may not be practical in settings of low prevalence of COVID-19, and negative PCR results at admission should not serve as a basis for underestimating the risk of nosocomial spread from asymptomatic patients.

Academic failure and its predictors in Baccalaureate nursing students: A longitudinal study.

To describe the sociodemographic and academic characteristics of nursing students who report academic failure and to identify the determinants of academic failure (no degree on time) in a population of nursing students. Although prior studies have shown that academic failure is influenced by multiple factors, the studies mentioned have mostly focused on specific single variables associated with academic failure, and they have reported inconsistent results. A prospective follow-up study design was used in an Italian Baccalaureate Nursing Degree program. A total sample of 2,040 at baseline and a random subsample of 753 students were considered for academic failure determinants. The study followed the recommendations of STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology). We included in the model academic background, self-efficacy, sociodemographic variables and self-efficacy in psychomotor skills and motivation. We used the Academic Nurse Self-Efficacy Scale (ANSEs), the Nursing Self-Efficacy in Psychomotor Skill Scale (NSE-PS) and the Motivation Nursing Students' Scale (MNSS) which have been validated on nursing students. For the assessment of predictors of academic failure, a two-stage hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed. Students who had academic failure were 69.4% of the sample. Predictors of academic failure were the secondary school certification grade, the university pre-admission test score; the academic self-efficacy, self-efficacy in psychomotor skills and clinical training examination grades were additional predictors. The secondary school certification grade, the University pre-admission test score, low academic self-efficacy, low self-efficacy in psychomotor skills and low clinical training examination grades were predictors of academic failure in nursing students. Our findings suggest that the universities could consider a cut-off in the pre-admission test score as a critical value for identifying students who are likely to fail. In addition, nursing faculty staff should consider strategies for developing self-efficacy and motivation.

The relationship between school type and academic performance at medical school: a national, multi-cohort study

ObjectivesDifferential attainment in school examinations is one of the barriers to increasing student diversity in medicine. However, studies on the predictive validity of prior academic achievement and educational performance at...

Characteristics of Pharmacy Students Associated with a Successful PGY1 Residency Match

The pharmacy residency selection process is a complex one using both quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess the applicant. Though some literature exists about desired characteristics of an ideal applicant from a program perspective, little data exist about the student characteristics that predict a successful match. The objective of this study was to determine if match applicant demographics, pre-admission standardized test scores, and academic performance in pharmacy school affect match rate. This study was conducted at a large public school of pharmacy in the USA. Post-Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) residency match data and student characteristics were obtained over a 6-year time period. PGY1 match success per year was calculated as a proportion of students who were successfully matched in that year out of all the active applicants. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the impact of student characteristics on match rate. Student characteristics influencing a successful residency match. In the multivariable analysis, PCAT-Chemistry (OR = 0.979, p = 0.0455), PCAT-Reading Comprehension (OR = 1.012, p = 0.0428), and final grade point average (OR = 9.847, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with match success. Student demographic characteristics did not influence match rate. Among PGY1 residency applicants, a higher GPA and better performance on the PCAT-Reading Comprehension subsection increased the likelihood of a successful PGY1 match over the study period. Higher performance on the PCAT-Chemistry subsection was associated with a lower success of matching.

Predicting Success In Nursing Programs

The purpose of this study was to assess the merit of the Watson -Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal as a pre-admission criterion in conjunction with the frequently utilized admission criteria of the college prerequisite grade point average and the National League of Nursing preadmission test. Data were collected from 192 first-year nursing students. A discriminant analysis was computed to determine the significance of the prediction formula. The predictor variables of prerequisite grade point average, National League for Nursing pre-admission test score, and the WatsonGlaser Critical Thinking Appraisal score were significant in predicting success in a nursing program as measured by the dependent variable nursing grade point average. The prediction formula, as a whole, had a significance level of p < .001. The identification and validation of applicant selection criteria that predict success in the nursing programs will continue to be of significant importance because of emphasis on the importance of fostering critical thinking in nursing education (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., 2012).

Quantifying proteinuria in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Background. Progressive proteinuria indicates worsening of the condition in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and hence its quantification guides clinician in decision making and treatment planning. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of spot dipstick analysis and urinary protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR) in hypertensive disease of pregnancy for predicting 24-hour proteinuria. Subjects and Methods. A total of 102 patients qualifying inclusion criteria were evaluated with preadmission urine dipstick test and UPCR performed on spot voided sample. After admission, the entire 24-hour urine sample was collected and analysed for daily protein excretion. Dipstick estimation and UPCR were compared to the 24-hour results. Results. Seventy-eight patients (76.5%) had significant proteinuria of more than 300 mg/24 h. Dipstick method showed 59% sensitivity and 67% specificity for prediction of significant proteinuria. Area under curve for UPCR was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83 to 0.95, P < 0.001) showing 82% sensitivity and 12.5% false positive rate for cutoff value of 0.45. Higher cutoff values (1.46 and 1.83) predicted heavy proteinuria (2 g and 3 g/24 h, resp.). Conclusion. This study suggests that random urinary protein : creatine ratio is a reliable investigation compared to dipstick method to assess proteinuria in hypertensive pregnant women. However, clinical laboratories should standardize the reference values for their setup.

Does performance in selection processes predict performance as a dental student?

This study investigated associations between the performance of dental students in each of the three components of the selection procedure [academic average, Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and structured interview], socio-demographic characteristics and their academic success in an undergraduate dental surgery programme. Longitudinal review of admissions data relating to students entering dental education at the University of Otago, New Zealand, between 2004 and 2009 was compared with academic performance throughout the dental programme. After controlling for variables, pre-admission academic average, UMAT scores and interview performance did not predict performance as a dental student. Class place in second year, however, was a strong predictor of class place in final year. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the best predictors of higher class placement in the final year were New Zealand European ethnicity and domestic (rather than international) student status. Other socio-demographic characteristics were not associated with performance. These interim findings provide a sound base for the ongoing study. The study found important socio-demographic differences in pre-admission test scores, but those scores did not predict performance in the dental programme, whether measured in second year or in final year.

Intra‐hospital transfers to a higher level of care: Contribution to total hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality and length of stay (LOS)

Patients who experience intra-hospital transfers to a higher level of care (eg, ward to intensive care unit [ICU]) are known to have high mortality. However, these findings have been based on single-center studies or studies that employ ICU admissions as the denominator. To employ automated bed history data to examine outcomes of intra-hospital transfers using all hospital admissions as the denominator. Retrospective cohort study. A total of 19 acute care hospitals. A total of 150,495 patients, who experienced 210,470 hospitalizations, admitted to these hospitals between November 1st, 2006 and January 31st, 2008. Predictors were age, sex, admission type, admission diagnosis, physiologic derangement on admission, and pre-existing illness burden; outcomes were: 1) occurrence of intra-hospital transfer, 2) death following admission to the hospital, 3) death following transfer, and 4) total hospital length of stay (LOS). A total of 7,868 hospitalizations that began with admission to either a general medical surgical ward or to a transitional care unit (TCU) had at least one transfer to a higher level of care. These hospitalizations constituted only 3.7% of all admissions, but accounted for 24.2% of all ICU admissions, 21.7% of all hospital deaths, and 13.2% of all hospital days. Models based on age, sex, preadmission laboratory test results, and comorbidities did not predict the occurrence of these transfers. Patients transferred to higher level of care following admission to the hospital have excess mortality and LOS.

Factors Affecting Practical Nursing Student Attrition

This study investigated factors that affect student attrition for 151 students in a practical nursing program. The academic variables studied were scores on preadmission tests and grades in required prerequisite courses. The demographic variables included age, gender, and race. The analysis of the data obtained from student records revealed a statistically significant difference between the retention and attrition student groups for the variables of race, preadmission test scores, and prerequisite course grades. Recommendations for a retention program to reduce attrition were made based on the findings of this study.

An HIV-2-infected Japanese man who was a long-term nonprogressor for 36 years

In June 2006, a 77-year-old Japanese man (YH001) with an acute asthma attack was admitted to our hospital in Yokohama, Japan. A pre-admission HIV screening test by enzyme immunoassay unexpectedly detected his HIV seropositivity. The confirmatory Western blotting (Lab-blot 1 and 2, Bio-Rad Fujirebio, Tokyo, Japan) showed strong seroreactivity to HIV-2, but not to HIV-1. Furthermore, peptide immunoassay (Peptilav, Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur, Marnes-La-Coquette, France) and type-specific particle agglutination tests (Serodia-HIV-1/2, Bio-Rad Fujirebio) unequivocally confirmed HIV-2 infection. He had no history of engaging in high risk sexual contact and substance abuse in the past. Both his spouse (72 years old) and their son (34 years old) were HIV-negative. He, however, had a near-fetal motor accident in Senegal in June 1971 and underwent emergent splenectomy. During the operation, he received a large unit of blood from a number of volunteer Senegalian donors. He has never been transfused with blood products except on that occasion. After admission, his chest X-ray and multislice computed tomography showed a bilateral reticulonodular shadow that was similar to the shadow of diffuse panbronchiolitis; however, there were no specific signs of pulmonary manifestation related to AIDS, such as pulmonary tuberculosis, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and the other indicator diseases. After treatment with pazufloxacin, his chest X-ray shadow was improved. After 8 days, he was discharged from hospital after recovering from an asthma attack by treatment with steroid therapy. His CD4 cell count was 827 cells/μl. There does not appear to have been a causal relationship between the attack and HIV infection. He continues to be long-term nonprogressor with respect to observation of the clinical course after discharge. To investigate how he acquired HIV-2, we amplified and determined the nucleotide sequence of HIV-2 gag p17–p24 region (nucleotide position 1123–1598 of BEN) from the proviral DNA in peripheral blood nuclear cells. As shown in Fig. 1, YH001 belongs to HIV-2 group A, which is known to be distributed in western part of West Africa. In particular, YH001 showed a close relationship to the HIV-2 strain (60415K) from Senegal [1] (Fig. 1). This is consistent with the patient's history of exposure to HIV through blood transfusion in Senegal in 1971.Fig. 1: Neighbor-joining tree analysis of gag p17–p24 region (nucleotide position 1123–1598 of HIV-2 reference strain BEN) of the HIV-2 genes from the first Japanese case (YH001) with the reference sequences for the respective HIV-2 groups (A–E, G). The numbers on the nodes represent the percentage of bootstrap values with which the cluster is supported; only those values greater than 80% are shown. YH001 (arrowed) is closely related to HIV-2 reference strain 60415K, which is a strain isolated from an asymptomatic male patient in 1993 in Senegal [1].In Japan, two cases of HIV-2 infection had been documented by 2001 [2]. Since both are cases of Korean nationality, this is the first report of HIV-2 infection identified in a Japanese individual. It is known that HIV-2-infected individuals exhibit longer clinical latency and a slower disease progression than HIV-1 [3]. For HIV-1, the median incubation period is estimated at approximately 10 years. Although there was no cohort study to estimate the clinical latency of HIV-2 infection, the early literature reports that a Portuguese man infected in Guinea-Bissau had a clinical latency period of 16–19 years (1966/1969–1985) [4]. The mortality rate in HIV-2-infected patients is reported to be approximately two-thirds of that in HIV-1-infected patients [5]. One study reported that a Portuguese woman infected with HIV-2 through blood transfusion had been asymptomatic for 27 years (1967–1994) [6]. Our patient shows no signs of AIDS after 36 years of infection and remains asymptomatic as of March 2007 without any treatment. He is the longest asymptomatic survivor with HIV-2 infection. An investigation on the factors behind the his long-term survival is now in progress.