Improved Detection of Acute HIV Infection in New York City

Of the HIV diagnoses made at four city clinics, 9% were acute infections detected through pooled nucleic-acid testing among HIV antibody–negative persons.

Acute HIV infection (AHI) is generally associated with high levels of viremia and, consequently, increased risk of HIV transmission. Diagnosis remains a challenge because HIV antibodies are frequently absent during early AHI and symptoms are nonspecific. Pooled nucleic-acid amplification testing (NAAT) of antibody-negative specimens can improve detection of AHI (JW AIDS Clin Care May 11 2005 and Dec 18 2006), but it has not been widely incorporated into public health screening programs. A report from New York City highlights the potential benefits of doing so.

In 2008, city health officials introduced pooled NAAT at four large STD clinics, testing plasma samples from all patients who had negative results on rapid HIV-antibody tests. Seventee…

Reviewing Authors

Anna K. Person, MD

Charles B. Hicks, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardGilead Sciences; ViiV; Merck

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc.

Grant / Research supportNIH; Department of Health and Human Services

Charles B. Hicks, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardGilead Sciences; ViiV; Merck

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc.

Grant / Research supportNIH; Department of Health and Human Services

Improved Detection of Acute HIV Infection in New York City

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Reviewing Authors