Background: Use of rapid tests for diagnosis of HIV infection may enhance testing programs by preventing delayed counseling, by providing preliminary results to HIV infected patients and by hastening their entry into care. Methods: To evaluate the feasibility of point of care testing at our STD clinic, a pilot study of Single Use Diagnostic System (SUDS) HIV-1 rapid test (Murex Diagnostics, Norcross, GA) was offered October 1999-January 2000. All specimens received traditional EIA tests parallel to SUDS. Eligible patients were age 18 or older and able to give informed consent. HIV infected patients were excluded. Three health educators were responsible for all HIV counseling, phlebotomy, and specimen testing. Results: Over 450 people were offered SUDS. Two hundred ninety-nine (64%) were SUDS tested. Seven were positive and confirmed by Western Blot (WB); a prevalence of 2.3%. One test was SUDS reactive, WB negative. SUDS was 100% sensitive, 99.6% specific, with a positive predictive value of 85.7% and negative predictive value of 100%. Two hundred ninety-six (99%) patients tested received results and were posttest counseled. Six (85.7%) positive patients went to their first clinic appointment within an average of 10 days of learning their preliminary result. Three months prior to the pilot, 50% of those tested by EIA received posttest counseling. Conclusions: These data suggest rapid HIV testing is acceptable and feasible in a STD clinic, increases the number of people who learn their test result, and leads to timely engagement of HIV infected patients into health care.
Learning Objectives: To demonstrate that rapid HIV testing is feasible in a high volume, public STD clinic
Keywords: HIV/AIDS,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The CORE Center, Cook County Hospital
CDC
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.