Life · 2023 · 11 citations · 12 references
MedicineInternal MedicineEarly DetectionHiv ControlHiv PreventionHiv DiagnosisHiv TestingInfectious Disease ScreeningPopulation ScreeningScreeningScreening EvaluationBehavioral Risk ScreeningEarly DiagnosisEarly Hiv DiagnosisInfectious MononucleosisLate Hiv DiagnosisRoutine Hiv TestingRoutine ScreeningTargeted Hiv Screening
Late diagnosis is still a major issue in HIV infection management, leading to important consequences for both patients and community. In this perspective, HIV screening targeted on some clinical conditions (HIV indicator conditions-HIVICs) emerged as a useful strategy, also involving patients not considered at high behavioral risk. We organized an in-hospital HIVICs guided screening campaign named ICEBERG in Milan, Italy, between 2019 and 2021. Among the 520 subjects enrolled, mainly presenting with viral hepatitis or mononucleosis-like syndrome, 20 resulted HIV positive (3.8% prevalence). A significant proportion of them had multiple conditions and advanced immunosuppression, with 40% being AIDS-presenters. As adherence to the screening campaign was modest for non-ID specialists, educational interventions to raise clinicians' sensitivity are urgently needed. HIV-ICs guided testing was confirmed as a useful tool, but a combined approach with other screening strategies seems to be essential for early HIV diagnosis.
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