A simple algorithm for selecting cases to investigate acute and early HIV infections in low- and middle-income countries

J Med Virol. 2022 Feb;94(2):791-794. doi: 10.1002/jmv.27398. Epub 2021 Oct 19.

Abstract

We documented the outcome of an over 10-year (2011-2021) effort to diagnose acute and early HIV infections (AEHI) in an Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic with limited resources. Of a total of 132, 119 HIV-RNA tests were performed from 2017 to 2020, 12 cases were identified, using a simple algorithm: risk exposure of 6 weeks or less before the visit and/or symptoms compatible with acute retroviral syndrome 7-30 days after exposure and/or undetermined 3rd generation rapid diagnostic test or serology. AEHI diagnoses varied from 2.4% among asymptomatic to 25% for undetermined serology cases using this simple screening applicable to different settings.

Keywords: HIV-1; acute HIV infection; diagnosis; rapid diagnostic test; viral load.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Algorithms
  • Brazil
  • Developing Countries
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • HIV / immunology*
  • HIV Antibodies / blood*
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Testing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • RNA, Viral / blood*
  • Time Factors
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • HIV Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral