Scaling Up Testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Contacts of Index Patients — 20 Countries, 2016–2018 | MMWR

Scaling Up Testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Contacts of Index Patients — 20 Countries, 2016–2018 | MMWR

Scaling Up Testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Contacts of Index Patients — 20 Countries, 2016–2018

Weekly / May 31, 2019 / 68(21);474–477

Arielle Lasry, PhD1; Amy Medley, PhD1; Stephanie Behel, MPH1; Mohammed I. Mujawar, MS1; Meagan Cain, MPH1; Shane T. Diekman, PhD1; Jacqueline Rurangirwa, MPH1; Eduardo Valverde, DrPH1; Robert Nelson, MPH1; Simon Agolory, MD1; Achamyeleh Alebachew, MD2; Andrew F. Auld, MD1; Shirish Balachandra, MD1; Sudhir Bunga, MD1; Thato Chidarikire, MD3; Vinh Q. Dao, MD1; Jacob Dee, MPH1; L.E. Nicole Doumatey, MSc1; Edington Dzinotyiweyi, MA4; Eric J. Dziuban, MD1; K. Alexandre Ekra, MPH1; William B. Fuller, MPH1; Amy Herman-Roloff, PhD1; Nely B. Honwana, MA1; Nompumelelo Khanyile1; Evelyn J. Kim, PhD1; S. Francois Kitenge, MD1; Romel S. Lacson, PhD1; Peter Loeto, MA1; Samuel S. Malamba, PhD1; André H. Mbayiha, MD1; Alemayehu Mekonnen, MD1; Mirtie G. Meselu, MPH2; Leigh Ann Miller, PhD1; Goabaone P. Mogomotsi, MPH5; Mary K. Mugambi6; Lloyd Mulenga, MD7; Jane W. Mwangi, MD1; Jonathan Mwangi, MD1; Amassanh A. Nicoué, MSc1; Mtemwa K. Nyangulu, MCHD1; Ismelda C. Pietersen, MPH1; Puleng Ramphalla, MSc1; Chanie Temesgen, MD1; Alfredo E. Vergara, PhD1; Stanley Wei, MD1 (View author affiliations)

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Index testing identifies the exposed partners and biologic children of persons with diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and offers these contacts HIV testing services.

What is added by this report?

From October 2016 to March 2018, both the number of persons tested for HIV and the number who received a diagnosis of HIV infection using index testing increased in 20 CDC-supported countries. With an HIV positive rate that is more than twice that of all HIV testing approaches combined, index testing was found to be a more efficient approach to HIV case finding.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Expanding index testing services could help increase the number of HIV-positive persons who know their HIV infection status, increase the number who receive antiretroviral treatment, and, as a result, reduce the number of persons who can transmit the virus.