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Summary: Background: In care of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), early diagnosis of infection is one of the greatest challenges remaining. A promising approach to increase early diagnosis could be optimized HIV testing in persons with indicator conditions (ICs). ICs are conditions which are AIDS-defining in people living with HIV, conditions that may have significant adverse consequences for the individual's clinical management if the presence of HIV infection is not detected, and conditions with an (undiagnosed) HIV prevalence of ≥0.1%. Methods: In this cohort study, anonymous routine healthcare data of German statutory health insurances from 07/01/2016 to 06/30/2021 based on insured persons with an ICD-10-based diagnosis of selected ICs were analyzed. In a primary analysis, two stratifications (gender and age), and four sensitivity analyses HIV prevalence/incidence were calculated for persons with at least one of 26 IC described in international literature. This study is registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (identifier: DRKS00028743). Findings: Routine healthcare data from 513,509 insured persons were selected for analysis. In the primary analysis, only in malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung a HIV prevalence was observed with a 95%-CI < 0.1%. ICs with particularly high HIV prevalence were pneumocystosis (40.33%), oral hairy leukoplakia (36.71%), and Kaposi's sarcoma (29.86%). When stratified by gender, it was observed that in female patients, the 95%-CI of HIV prevalence fell below 0.1% for seven ICs. No such effect was observed in male patients. Stratified by age, among patients aged 30 to

BackgroundLate HIV diagnosis (CD4+ T-cell count < 350 cells/μL, or with an AIDS-defining event) remains a persistent challenge in Greece, indicating potential missed opportunities (MOs) for earlier testing.AimTo determine the frequency of HIV indicator conditions (ICs) preceding diagnosis and to quantify MOs for earlier testing at a nationwide level in Greece.MethodsThis multicentre retrospective study analysed data on 823 antiretroviral therapy-naive adults (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with HIV during 2019-21. Medical records were reviewed to identify pre-diagnosis healthcare contacts (HCCs) and ICs justifying HIV testing. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with ≥ 1 MO. A Bayesian model estimated the time from seroconversion to diagnosis.ResultsAmong 517 participants with HCC data, 249 had ≥ 1 HCC. Of these, 59.0% (147/249) were late presenters. These cases had 365 HCCs, and 191 (52.3%) were MOs for testing. The most common ICs were sexually transmitted infections (39.8%; 76/191) and fever (11.0%; 21/191). Non-Greek origin was associated with lower odds of experiencing ≥ 1 MO (adjusted odds ratio: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.22─1.02), while higher education increased odds of MOs for early HIV diagnosis. Median time from seroconversion to diagnosis was 3.2 years for the full sample and 3.7 years for those with HCC, with about half of the latter reporting MOs post-estimated seroconversion. Recognising MOs would have potentially spared approximately 1 year of delay in diagnosis.ConclusionMOs for earlier HIV diagnosis were prevalent in Greece. Leveraging IC-guided testing and addressing barriers could support earlier diagnosis and treatment, limiting adverse health outcomes and preventing transmission.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an electronic reminder in primary healthcare in patients diagnosed with an indicator condition (IC) to improve HIV screening. Methods: We developed a prospective interventional study in 51 primary healthcare centres in Barcelona randomly assigned into one of two study groups: control and alert. Between June 2018 and May 2019, an electronic reminder appeared in the electronic medical record each time a diagnosis of an IC in patients aged 16–65 years was registered in the alert group. We assessed HIV testing rates within 4 months following the diagnosis of an IC. Results: In all, 13 000 patients were diagnosed with at least one IC. HIV testing was more likely in the alert group than in the control group. The electronic reminder multiplied the odds of being tested in men by 1.26 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–1.52, p = 0.019], by 1.77 (95% CI: 1.33–2.38, p < 0.001) among patients aged < 50 years , and by 1.51 (95% CI: 1.20–1.92, p < 0.001) in diagnoses of IC other than a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or an AIDS‐defining illness. Five (0.08%) cases of HIV were detected in the control group and 10 (0.17%) in the alert group. Conclusions: Implementing an electronic reminder had a positive impact on HIV screening rates in patients diagnosed with an IC. The alert was more effective among older patients, those living in less socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods, and those with an IC other than an STI or an AIDS‐defining illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During COVID-19 lockdown, the in-hospital number of HIV indicator conditions decreased disproportionally compared with other non–COVID-19 diseases, which was accompanied by reduced HIV testing rates, number and proportion of positive HIV tests, and new HIV referrals, with more late presentation after lockdown cessation, indicating a significantly impacted HIV care continuum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV testing for individuals presenting with indicator conditions (ICs) including AIDS-defining conditions (ADCs) is explicitly recommended by European guidelines. We aimed to review specialty guidelines in Greece and assess if HIV was discussed and testing recommended. We reviewed European guidelines to produce a list of 25 ADCs and 48 ICs. We identified Greek guidelines for 11 of 25 (44%) ADCs and 30 of 48 (63%) ICs. In total, 47 guidelines were reviewed (range: 1–6 per condition); 11 (23%) for ADCs and 36 (77%) for ICs. Association with HIV was discussed in 7 of 11 (64%) ADC and 8 of 36 IC guidelines (22%), whereas HIV testing was appropriately recommended in two of 11 ADC (18%) and 10 of 36 IC guidelines (28%). Significant differences were found for the distribution of recommendations to test in both types of condition, with ICs having higher percentage of non-recommendation (50%, p < 0.05). No association was found between source of guideline or publication year and testing recommendation. Most guidelines for ICs and ADCs do not recommend testing. Specialists managing most ICs and ADCs may be unaware of the actual prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection among their patients or the respective recommendations produced by HIV societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Increasing the uptake of HIV testing in people who may have undiagnosed HIV is essential to reduce the morbidity associated with late HIV diagnosis. Methods We conducted a multicentre, longitudinal, mixed-methods study, surveying the attitudes, knowledge and practice of non-HIV specialist hospital physicians in South-East Scotland and North-East England with respect to HIV testing. Results We found that although awareness of indications for HIV testing had improved over time, only 13% of clinicians recognised all of the surveyed HIV indicator conditions. Physicians were better at recognising the indicator conditions relevant to their specialty. The perception of working with a low-risk patient population was the most frequently cited barrier to offering an HIV test. Only a third of study respondents had requested more than 10 HIV tests in the preceding year. Conclusions Our study supports a need for targeted and sustained educational initiatives to increase rates of HIV testing in secondary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). We assessed whether patients with invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae, in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, underwent HIV serology testing over a 5‐year period. We found that only 39 inpatients out of 156 (25%) with IPD were tested for HIV and thus conclude that such testing is not being undertaken according to some guidelines in patients with IPD. Education and implementation strategies are required to increase testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Levels of undiagnosed HIV infection and late presentation remain high globally despite attempts to increase testing. The objective of this study was to evaluate a risk-based prototype application to prompt HIV testing when patients undergo routine blood tests. Methods Two computer physician order entry ( CPOE) systems were modified using the application to prompt health care workers ( HCWs) to add an HIV test when other tests selected suggested that the patient was at higher risk of HIV infection. The application was applied for a 3-month period in two areas, in a large London hospital and in general practices in Teesside/North Yorkshire. At the end of the evaluation period, HCWs were interviewed to assess the usability and acceptability of the prompt. Numbers of HIV tests ordered in the general practice areas were also compared before and after the prompt's introduction. Results The system was found to be both useable and generally acceptable to hospital doctors, general practitioners and nurse practitioners, with little evidence of prompt/alert fatigue. The issue of the prompt appearing late in the patient consultation did lead to some difficulties, particularly around discussion of the test and consent. In the general practices, around 1 in 10 prompts were accepted and there was a 6% increase in testing rates over the 3-month study period ( P = 0.169). Conclusions Using a CPOE-based clinical decision support application to prompt HIV testing appears both feasible and acceptable to HCWs. Refining the application to provide more accurate risk stratification is likely to make it more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The European study HIDES (HIV Indicator Disease Across Europe Study) has shown that indicator condition (IC)-based HIV testing may increase the number of detected HIV infections among patients with a given medical conditions. Currently routine HIV testing for IC is not covered by public healthcare in Poland, which may delay or miss the opportunity for HIV diagnosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate HIV testing patterns among patients presenting with specific IC-ongoing mononucleosis-like illness (mononucleosis) in emergency departments (ED). Material and methods: We performed retrospective analysis of patients with mononucleosis referred from ED to hospital departments for further diagnostics within the past 12 months. Results: In total 173 patients were consulted in ED with mononucleosis, that is 94 men and 79 women, with median age of 26 years. Seventy-two (41.6%) patients were admitted to hospital, among whom 54 (75%) were offered an HIV test and all expressed consent. Four patients (5.5%) were diagnosed with HIV, referred to an HIV clinic, and linked to care. According to analyses, 68% of patients missed the opportunity for HIV testing, 58% in ED due to lack of such healthcare program, and 10% of unknown reason. With the presented rate, this translated to eight HIV patients who may still remain unaware of HIV infection. Conclusions: The rate of HIV diagnosis among patients hospitalised due to mononucleosis was high, confirming the benefit of routine testing of this group of patients. Standards of care for mononucleosis should include routine HIV testing, which needs additional financing and attention from public healthcare representatives and other stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives European guidelines recommend HIV testing for individuals presenting with indicator conditions ( ICs) including AIDS-defining conditions ( ADCs). The extent to which non- HIV specialty guidelines recommend HIV testing in ICs and ADCs is unknown. Our aim was to pilot a methodology in the UK to review specialty guidelines and ascertain if HIV was discussed and testing recommended. Methods UK and European HIV testing guidelines were reviewed to produce a list of 25 ADCs and 49 ICs. UK guidelines for these conditions were identified from searches of the websites of specialist societies, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence ( NICE) website, the NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries ( CKS) website, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network ( SIGN) website and the British Medical Journal Best Practice database and from Google searches. Results We identified guidelines for 12 of 25 ADCs (48%) and 36 of 49 (73%) ICs. In total, 78 guidelines were reviewed (range 0-13 per condition). HIV testing was recommended in six of 17 ADC guidelines (35%) and 24 of 61 IC guidelines (39%). At least one guideline recommended HIV testing for six of 25 ADCs (24%) and 16 of 49 ICs (33%). There was no association between recommendation to test and publication year ( P = 0.62). Conclusions The majority of guidelines for ICs do not recommend testing. Clinicians managing ICs may be unaware of recommendations produced by HIV societies or the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection among these patients. We are piloting methods to engage with guideline development groups to ensure that patients diagnosed with ICs/ ADCs are tested for HIV. We then plan to apply our methodology in other European settings as part of the Optimising Testing and Linkage to Care for HIV across Europe (Opt TEST) project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major statement: Which patients should be tested for HIV and how to manage HIV-positive patients in urological clinical practice. By immune system destruction, human immunodeficiency virus infection eventually leads to the death of affected patients. The prevalence of HIV infection in the Czech Republic is rising due to multiple causes, one of which is prolonged survival of patients treated with combined antiretroviral therapy. This has led to a dramatic decrease in the incidence of opportunistic infections and virus-related malignancies. Thus, the urologist is increasingly likely to encounter people living with HIV who present with the same urological problems as the general population. This review describes HIV- related conditions most likely to be seen in urological practice. Also, the risk of professional exposure is discussed and practical information on HIV testing is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAdequate identification and testing of people at risk for HIV is fundamental for the HIV care continuum. A key strategy to improve timely testing is HIV indicator condition (IC) guided testing.AimTo evaluate the uptake of HIV testing recommendations in HIV IC-specific guidelines in European countries.MethodsBetween 2019 and 2021, European HIV experts reviewed guideline databases to identify all national guidelines of 62 HIV ICs. The proportion of HIV IC guidelines recommending HIV testing was reported, stratified by subgroup (HIV IC, country, eastern/western Europe, achievement of 90-90-90 goals and medical specialty).ResultsOf 30 invited European countries, 15 participated. A total of 791 HIV IC guidelines were identified: median 47 (IQR: 38-68) per country. Association with HIV was reported in 69% (545/791) of the guidelines, and 46% (366/791) recommended HIV testing, while 42% (101/242) of the AIDS-defining conditions recommended HIV testing. HIV testing recommendations were observed more frequently in guidelines in eastern (53%) than western (42%) European countries and in countries yet to achieve the 90-90-90 goals (52%) compared to those that had (38%). The medical specialties internal medicine, neurology/neurosurgery, ophthalmology, pulmonology and gynaecology/obstetrics had an HIV testing recommendation uptake below the 46% average. None of the 62 HIV ICs, countries or medical specialties had 100% accurate testing recommendation coverage in all their available HIV IC guidelines.ConclusionFewer than half the HIV IC guidelines recommended HIV testing. This signals an insufficient adoption of this recommendation in non-HIV specialty guidelines across Europe.

One-half of the estimated 2.5 million people who now live with HIV in the World Health Organization ( WHO) European Region are still diagnosed late. A central question is which clinical scenarios should trigger an HIV test recommendation in order to avoid late presentation. Drawing on the work of the HIV Indicator Diseases across Europe Study ( HIDES), new guidance brings together in one place a list of the conditions that should result in an HIV screening recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundDevelopment of additional diagnostic strategies for earlier HIV diagnosis are needed as approximately 50% of newly diagnosed HIV-infected individuals continue to present late for HIV care.AimWe aimed to analyse antimicrobial consumption in the 3 years preceding HIV diagnosis, assess whether there was a higher consumption in those diagnosed with HIV compared with matched controls and whether the level of consumption was associated with the risk of HIV infection.MethodsWe conducted a nested case-control study, identifying all individuals (n = 2,784 cases) diagnosed with HIV in Denmark from 1998 to 2016 and 13 age-and sex-matched population controls per case (n = 36,192 controls) from national registers. Antimicrobial drug consumption was estimated as defined daily doses per person-year. We used conditional logistic regression to compute odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsIn the 3 years preceding an HIV diagnosis, we observed more frequent and higher consumption of antimicrobial drugs in cases compared with controls, with 72.4% vs 46.3% having had at least one prescription (p < 0.001). For all antimicrobial classes, the association between consumption and risk of subsequent HIV diagnosis was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The association was stronger with higher consumption and with shorter time to HIV diagnosis.ConclusionHIV-infected individuals have a significantly higher use of antimicrobial drugs in the 3 years preceding HIV diagnosis than controls. Prescription of antimicrobial drugs in primary healthcare could be an opportunity to consider proactive HIV testing. Further studies need to identify optimal prescription cut-offs that could endorse its inclusion in public health policies.

Introduction: Late Diagnosis (LD) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection (CD4 lymphocytes <350/μl at diagnosis of the disease), deteriorates the condition of those affected and increases the probability of transmission. The objective of the present study was to analyse the prevalence of LD, to identify missed diagnostic opportunities (MDO) and to find out which level of the health care delivery system they took place., Methods: Retrospective, observational and descriptive study of the population diagnosed with infection of HIV/AIDS in the period 2011-2015 in Aragon. MDO were identified during the 3 years prior to diagnosis of the disease in all levels of the health care delivery system as well as frequentation of consultations. The indicator conditions (IC) that generated more MDO were analysed according to the latest recommendations for early diagnosis of HIV in the health care setting., Results: 435 newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases were analysed. 45.1% were diagnosed in Primary Healthcare (PH). 49.4% presented criteria of LD and 61.1% were infected through heterosexual contact. The majority of MDO (68.5%) were given in PH. The IC that generated the most MDO were seborrheic dermatitis/exanthema (19.4%) and fever of unknown origin (10.3%). However, the IC that were associated with higher LD were pneumonia acquired in the community and unjustified weight loss., Conclusion: In Aragon, prevalence of LD is high, the main route of infection is heterosexual and most of MDO go unnoticed in PH. The dissemination of current guidelines for requesting IC guided HIV testing and HIV screening across the preoperative period will result in an effective measure to decrease the LD., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of HIV infection in patients diagnosed with an indicator condition (IC) for HIV and/or risk behavior for their acquisition and/or coming from high prevalence countries. To determine the acceptability and feasibility of offering HIV testing based on IC and behavioral and origin criteria in Primary Care (PC)., Design: Cross-sectional study in a convenience sample., Location: Six PC centers in Spain., Participants: The inclusion criteria were: patients between 16 and 65years old who presented at least one of the proposed ICs and/or at least one of the proposed behavioral and/or origin criteria. A total of 388 patients participated., Intervention: HIV serology was offered to all patients who met the inclusion criteria., Main Measurements: Description of IC frequency, behavioral and origin criteria. Prevalence of HIV infection. Level of acceptability and feasibility of the HIV screening based on IC and behavioral and origin criteria., Results: A total of 174 patients had an IC (44.84%). The most common behavioral criterion was: having unprotected sex at some time in life with people who did not know their HIV status (298; 76.8%). Four HIV+ patients (1.03%) were diagnosed. All had an IC and were men who had sex with men. The level of acceptability in PC was high., Conclusions: Offering HIV testing to patients with IC and behavioral criteria is feasible and effective in PC., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

In the UK, outcomes for people living with HIV are excellent. However, a quarter of those living with HIV do not know their status, and almost half are diagnosed late. Strategies to broaden HIV testing are needed. HIV indicator conditions are those thought to be associated with HIV infection because they share risk factors (eg viral hepatitis) or because they arise as a result of early or late immunodeficiency (eg bacterial pneumonia, Kaposi's sarcoma). They comprise all AIDS-defining conditions, but also many non-AIDS-defining conditions spanning the spectrum of medicine. Patients presenting with indicator conditions should routinely be offered an HIV test. This approach is likely to be clinically effective, because knowledge of HIV status is essential in the management of many conditions. It is cost effective if the prevalence of HIV infection is greater than 0.1%. The strategy removes the need for risk assessment, and is acceptable to patients and healthcare practitioners. If broadly implemented, it is likely to be effective at a public health level, and will help to reduce both undiagnosed HIV and late diagnoses of HIV. Here we review the emerging evidence base that supports the value of routine HIV testing in indicator conditions., (© 2016 Royal College of Physicians.)

Introduction: The search of HIV infected patients guided by indicator conditions (IC) is a strategy used to increase the early detection of HIV. The objective is to analyze whether a collaboration to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of HIV in 3 primary care centers influenced the proportion of HIV serology requested., Methods: Multicenter retrospective study was conducted comparing the baseline and a post-collaboration period. The collaboration consisted of training sessions and participation in the HIDES study (years 2009-2010). Patients between 18 and 64 years old with newly diagnosed herpes zoster, seborrheic eczema, mononucleosis syndrome, and leucopenia/thrombocytopenia in 3 primary care centers in 2008 (baseline period) and 2012 (post-collaboration period). The sociodemographic variables, HIV risk conditions, requests for HIV serology, and outcomes were evaluated., Results: A total of 1,219 ICs were included (558 in 2008 and 661 in 2012). In 2008 the number of HIV tests in patients with an IC was 3.9%, and rose to 11.8% in 2012 (P<.0001). The HIV infection rate was 2.2% (95% CI: 0.4-7.3) (n=2). It was estimated that 25 new cases (12 in 2008 and 13 in 2012) would have been diagnosed if they had performed the test on all patients with IC. Predictors of HIV request were, having an IC in 2012, a younger age, having an mononucleosis syndrome, and not being Spanish., Conclusions: The HIV request demand tripled, after the collaboration with primary care centers, however in 88% the test was not requested, resulting in diagnostic losses. New strategies are needed to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of HIV., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. All rights reserved.)