AIM: Aim of the pilot was to increase HIV/HCV/syphilis testing and linkage to care of newly diagnosed persons, improve data collection and transfer using standard data collection tools in CBVCT services. METHODS: Integrated anonymous voluntary testing from blood for HIV, HCV and syphilis was realised using rapid tests in the period of 6 months (03/2019-08/2019). Participants with reactive results were advised to see a specialist for confirmatory testing and/or treatment. RESULTS: A total of 675 clients were tested for HIV, 410 for HCV, and 457 for syphilis. Participants' median age ranged from 24 to 35.6 (IQR: 24), 75.3% of them were men, 23.7% were women, and 0.6% identified as transgender. In terms of groups at risk 48.9 % of 675 clients were men who have sex with men (MSM), 0.3 % sex workers (SW), 9.0 % people who inject drugs (PWID), 2.4 % migrants (Mi) and the rest of clients (8.3 %) belonged to groups at combined risk. Pilot revealed HIV, HCV and T. pallidum infections in 0.4 %, 2.4 % and 1.8 % of clients, respectively. Just 2 clients, confirmed HIV-positive, were linked to care. The highest prevalence of HIV (4.2 %), HCV (30.8 %) and syphilis (7.1 %) was found among MSM/Mi, PWID and SW/PWID, respectively. Condomless intercourse with SW, PWID, MSM and HIV-positive person in the last 12 months was reported by 5/92, 41/82, 3/78 and 0/88 of responding clients, respectively. Core indicators were included in the yearly national epidemiological report. CONCLUSIONS: Pilot revealed the need to support integrated CBVCT to overcome barriers in confirmatory testing and linkage to care and to integrate core data of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) testing framework at CBVCT services into a national surveillance and M&E systems in Slovakia.

• Klíčová slova
• HCV, HIV, Slovakia, Syphilis, integrated testing, secular trends,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hepatitida C * diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• HIV infekce * diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• plošný screening metody   MeSH
• poradenství MeSH
• syfilis * diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• testování na HIV metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH

OBJECTIVE: HIV testing among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Russia has been documented to be low; however, few studies have been conducted outside of the major metropolitan cities. The aim of this study was to determine how many PWID were aware of their HIV serostatus and what motivators were associated with getting tested for HIV. METHODS: Our analysis describes HIV testing behaviours among 593 PWID in Ivanovo and Novosibirsk, Russia. Participants completed a questionnaire and consented to HIV testing. We used logistic regression modelling to determine demographic and behavioural correlates of HIV testing. RESULTS: Self-reported history of HIV testing was 52% in Ivanovo and 54% in Novosibirsk. Prior knowledge of serostatus was very low among PWID who tested positive (3 of 102 in Ivanovo and 0 of 11 in Novosibirsk). The most common reason for testing was doctor referral, and the most common locations were government HIV/AIDS centres and prisons. HIV testing was rarely client initiated or led by a personal motivation for being tested. CONCLUSIONS: HIV testing in Ivanovo and Novosibirsk is suboptimal, resulting in poor knowledge of HIV serostatus. More programmes to promote HIV testing among PWID are urgently needed in both cities.

• Klíčová slova
• HIV serostatus, HIV testing, Ivanovo, Novosibirsk, Russia, knowledge, people who inject drugs,
• MeSH
• HIV infekce diagnóza   etnologie   prevence a kontrola   psychologie   MeSH
• HIV MeSH
• intravenózní abúzus drog komplikace   psychologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plošný screening MeSH
• sérologické testy při AIDS metody   MeSH
• uživatelé drog psychologie   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Rusko epidemiologie   MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH

BACKGROUND: Although people with HIV might be at risk of severe outcomes from infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus 2019 [COVID-19]), regional and temporal differences in SARS-CoV-2 testing in people with HIV across Europe have not been previously described. METHODS: We described the proportions of testing, positive test results, and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 in the EuroSIDA cohort and the factors associated with being tested for SARS-CoV-2 and with ever testing positive. RESULTS: Of 9012 participants, 2270 (25.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 24.3-26.1) had a SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test during the study period (range: 38.3% in Northern to 14.6% in Central-Eastern Europe). People from Northern Europe, women, those aged <40 years, those with CD4 cell count <350 cells/mm3, and those with previous cardiovascular disease or malignancy were significantly more likely to have been tested, as were people with HIV in 2021 compared with those in 2020. Overall, 390 people with HIV (4.3%, 95% CI 3.9-4.8) tested positive (range: 2.6% in Northern to 7.1% in Southern Europe), and the odds of testing positive were higher in all regions than in Northern Europe and in 2021 than in 2020. In total, 64 people with HIV (0.7%, 95% CI 0.6-0.9) were hospitalized, of whom 12 died. Compared with 2020, the odds of positive testing decreased in all regions in 2021, and the associations with cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate disappeared in 2021. Among study participants, 58.9% received a COVID-19 vaccine (range: 72.0% in Southern to 14.8% in Eastern Europe). CONCLUSIONS: We observed large heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 testing and positivity and a low proportion of hospital admissions and deaths across the regions of Europe.

• Klíčová slova
• COVID‐19, Europe, HIV, SARS‐CoV‐2 testing,
• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   diagnóza   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• HIV infekce * farmakoterapie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• hospitalizace * statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• kohortové studie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• počet CD4 lymfocytů MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 * MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• testování na COVID-19 statistika a číselné údaje   metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The number of HIV-infected individuals from developed countries travelling to tropical and subtropical areas has increased as a result of the clinical and survival benefits of combination antiretroviral therapy. The aim of our study was to describe the traveler population in the SHCS and to determine the frequency of viral rebound in virologically suppressed individuals after a travel episode to the tropics compared to non-travelers. METHODS: Swiss HIV Cohort Study participants with at least one follow-up visit between 1 January 1989 and 28 February 2015 were eligible for inclusion in the study. The primary outcome was the occurrence of viral rebound (viral load > 200 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) after a travel episode compared with a nontravel episode in previously suppressed individuals (≤ 200 copies/mL). All virologically suppressed patients contributed multiple travel or nontravel episodes to the analysis. Logistic regression was performed including factors associated with viral rebound. RESULTS: We included 16 635 patients in the study, of whom 6084 (36.5%) had ever travelled to the tropics. Travel frequency increased over time, with travellers showing better HIV parameters than nontravellers [less advanced Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stage and higher CD4 count nadir]. Viral rebound was seen in 477 (3.9%) of 12 265 travel episodes and in 5121 (4.5%) of 114 884 nontravel episodes [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-0.97]. Among these 477 post-travel viral rebounds, 115 had a resistance test performed and 51 (44%) of these showed new resistance mutations. Compared with European and North American patients, the odds for viral rebound were significantly lower in Southeast Asian (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.51-0.88) and higher in sub-Saharan African (SSA) patients (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.22-1.62). Travel further increased the odds of viral rebound in SSA patients (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.53-2.61). CONCLUSIONS: Region of origin is the main risk factor for viral rebound rather than travel per se. Pre-travel adherence counselling should focus on patients of SSA origin.

• Klíčová slova
• HIV, adherence, travel, virological failure, visiting friends and relatives,
• MeSH
• adherence k farmakoterapii psychologie   MeSH
• cestování * MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• etnicita * MeSH
• HIV infekce farmakoterapie   virologie   MeSH
• HIV-1 izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• kohortové studie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• RNA virová krev   MeSH
• virová nálož * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Švýcarsko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• RNA virová MeSH

OBJECTIVES: To describe regional differences and trends in resistance testing among individuals experiencing virological failure and the prevalence of detected resistance among those individuals who had a genotypic resistance test done following virological failure. DESIGN: Multinational cohort study. METHODS: Individuals in EuroSIDA with virological failure (>1 RNA measurement >500 on ART after >6 months on ART) after 1997 were included. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for resistance testing following virological failure and aORs for the detection of resistance among those who had a test were calculated using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Compared to 74.2% of ART-experienced individuals in 1997, only 5.1% showed evidence of virological failure in 2012. The odds of resistance testing declined after 2004 (global P < 0.001). Resistance was detected in 77.9% of the tests, NRTI resistance being most common (70.3%), followed by NNRTI (51.6%) and protease inhibitor (46.1%) resistance. The odds of detecting resistance were lower in tests done in 1997-1998, 1999-2000 and 2009-2010, compared to those carried out in 2003-2004 (global P < 0.001). Resistance testing was less common in Eastern Europe [aOR 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-0.94] compared to Southern Europe, whereas the detection of resistance given that a test was done was less common in Northern (aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.21-0.39) and Central Eastern (aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.29-0.76) Europe, compared to Southern Europe. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a concurrent decline in virological failure and testing, drug resistance was commonly detected. This suggests a selective approach to resistance testing. The regional differences identified indicate that policy aiming to minimize the emergence of resistance is of particular relevance in some European regions, notably in the countries in Eastern Europe.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• HIV infekce farmakoterapie   MeSH
• HIV-1 genetika   MeSH
• inhibitory HIV-proteasy terapeutické užití   MeSH
• inhibitory reverzní transkriptasy terapeutické užití   MeSH
• kohortové studie MeSH
• látky proti HIV terapeutické užití   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• logistické modely MeSH
• multivariační analýza MeSH
• počet CD4 lymfocytů MeSH
• terapie neúspěšná MeSH
• virová léková rezistence genetika   MeSH
• virová nálož účinky léků   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH
• Názvy látek
• inhibitory HIV-proteasy MeSH
• inhibitory reverzní transkriptasy MeSH
• látky proti HIV MeSH

Many outstanding discoveries accompany the existence of HIV infections. International teams of scientists cooperate and in their work they use a great many methods from haematology and immunology to methods of molecular biology that pass into methods of molecular virology. These, in turn, open new prospects for methods of molecular epidemiology. The development of sensitive and specific antibody tests made possible the testing of blood intended for transfusions and helped map the epidemilogical situation, describe the clinical course of the disease and, in particular, diagnose the asymptomaic stage of infection. Gradually, the jigsaw puzzle of the pathogenesis of HIV infections was completed. The tremendous advances in antiretrovirus treament meant a turning point in the mortality and morbidity of HIV infection. Clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines are in progress. Yet despite all the advances and prevention efforts the HIV/AIDS pandemic continues.

• MeSH
• AIDS diagnóza   epidemiologie   terapie   MeSH
• HIV infekce * diagnóza   epidemiologie   terapie   virologie   MeSH
• HIV genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• anglický abstrakt MeSH
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

The aim of this paper is to introduce the digitalization process and its effects on better reach of the target population. Progress in the digitalization and e-health tools worldwide enables new opportunities in prevention, diagnostics and treatment for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and people in the risk of HIV infection, hepatitis C (HCV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The system already used for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) at the CheckPoint Centre Zagreb run by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Croatian Association for HIV and Viral Hepatitis (CAHIV) was upgraded and adapted (due to the COVID-19 prevention epidemiological measures) and developed for implementation of the pilot project of feasibility and acceptability of home HIV self-testing (HIVST) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Zagreb. A special feature of the HIVST mobile application enables an innovative approach in collecting clients' test result feedback. This paper presents the method of use digitalization of the VCT and HIVST activities to support and increase availability of screening testing. Described procedures of new technologies application in VCT services and preliminary results of the HIVST pilot project indicate that technology-delivered interventions can contribute and improve access and utilisation of HIV/STI prevention and care services.

• Klíčová slova
• HIV, digital technology, sexual behaviour, sexually transmitted diseases, testing, voluntary counselling and testing,
• MeSH
• COVID-19 * MeSH
• digitální technologie MeSH
• Hepacivirus MeSH
• hepatitida C * diagnóza   epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• HIV infekce * diagnóza   epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• homosexualita mužská MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• poradenství MeSH
• sexuálně přenosné nemoci * diagnóza   epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• sexuální a genderové menšiny * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Chorvatsko epidemiologie   MeSH

BACKGROUND: In resource-limited settings, HIV infection is often diagnosed using 2 rapid tests. If the results are discordant, a third tie-breaker test is often used to determine HIV status. This study characterized samples with discordant rapid tests and compared different testing strategies for determining HIV status in these cases. METHODS: Samples were previously collected from 173 African adults in a population-based survey who had discordant rapid test results. Samples were classified as HIV positive or HIV negative using a rigorous testing algorithm that included two fourth-generation tests, a discriminatory test, and 2 HIV RNA tests. Tie-breaker tests were evaluated, including rapid tests (1 performed in-country), a third-generation enzyme immunoassay, and two fourth-generation tests. Selected samples were further characterized using additional assays. RESULTS: Twenty-nine samples (16.8%) were classified as HIV positive and 24 of those samples (82.8%) had undetectable HIV RNA. Antiretroviral drugs were detected in 1 sample. Sensitivity was 8.3%-43% for the rapid tests; 24.1% for the third-generation enzyme immunoassay; 95.8% and 96.6% for the fourth-generation tests. Specificity was lower for the fourth-generation tests than the other tests. Accuracy ranged from 79.5% to 91.3%. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based survey, most HIV-infected adults with discordant rapid tests were virally suppressed without antiretroviral drugs. Use of individual assays as tie-breaker tests was not a reliable method for determining HIV status in these individuals. More extensive testing algorithms that use a fourth-generation screening test with a discriminatory test and HIV RNA test are preferable for determining HIV status in these cases.

• MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• HIV antigeny krev   MeSH
• HIV infekce diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• HIV protilátky krev   MeSH
• imunoanalýza metody   normy   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Jihoafrická republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Tanzanie epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• HIV antigeny MeSH
• HIV protilátky MeSH

Due to the high number of drug-resistant HIV-1 mutants generated by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), there is continuing demand for new types of inhibitors. Both the assembly of the Gag polyprotein into immature and mature HIV-1 particles are attractive candidates for the blocking of the retroviral life cycle. Currently, no therapeutically-used assembly inhibitor is available. One possible explanation is the lack of a reliable and simple assembly inhibitor screening method. To identify compounds potentially inhibiting the formation of both types of HIV-1 particles, we developed a new fluorescent high-throughput screening assay. This assay is based on the quantification of the assembly efficiency in vitro in a 96-well plate format. The key components of the assay are HIV-1 Gag-derived proteins and a dual-labelled oligonucleotide, which emits fluorescence only when the assembly of retroviral particles is inhibited. The method was validated using three (CAI, BM2, PF74) reported assembly inhibitors.

• Klíčová slova
• Assay, Assembly, CA, Capsid, HIV, High-throughput screening, Inhibitor, Retrovirus,
• MeSH
• genové produkty gag metabolismus   MeSH
• HIV infekce farmakoterapie   virologie   MeSH
• HIV-1 účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• látky proti HIV farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• preklinické hodnocení léčiv metody   MeSH
• rychlé screeningové testy metody   MeSH
• sestavení viru účinky léků   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• genové produkty gag MeSH
• látky proti HIV MeSH

BACKGROUND: Fourth-generation HIV assays detect both antigen and antibody, facilitating detection of acute/early HIV infection. The Bio-Rad GS HIV Combo Ag/Ab assay (Bio-Rad Combo) is an enzyme immunoassay that simultaneously detects HIV p24 antigen and antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2 in serum or plasma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the Bio-Rad Combo assay for detection of HIV infection in adults from Southern Africa. STUDY DESIGN: Samples were obtained from adults in Soweto and Vulindlela, South Africa and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (300 HIV-positive samples; 300 HIV-negative samples; 12 samples from individuals previously classified as having acute/early HIV infection). The samples were tested with the Bio-Rad Combo assay. Additional testing was performed to characterize the 12 acute/early samples. RESULTS: All 300 HIV-positive samples were reactive using the Bio-Rad Combo assay; false positive test results were obtained for 10 (3.3%) of the HIV-negative samples (sensitivity: 100%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 98.8-100%); specificity: 96.7%, 95% CI: 94.0-98.4%). The assay detected 10 of the 12 infections classified as acute/early. The two infections that were not detected had viral loads<400 copies/mL; one of those samples contained antiretroviral drugs consistent with antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The Bio-Rad Combo assay correctly classified the majority of study specimens. The specificity reported here may be higher than that seen in other settings, since HIV-negative samples were pre-screened using a different fourth-generation test. The assay also had high sensitivity for detection of acute/early infection. False-negative test results may be obtained in individuals who are virally suppressed.

• Klíčová slova
• Africa, Diagnosis, Enzyme immunoassay, Fourth-generation, HIV,
• MeSH
• HIV antigeny * imunologie   MeSH
• HIV infekce diagnóza   imunologie   virologie   MeSH
• HIV korový protein p24 imunologie   MeSH
• HIV protilátky * imunologie   MeSH
• HIV-1 imunologie   MeSH
• HIV-2 imunologie   MeSH
• HIV imunologie   MeSH
• imunoenzymatické techniky * metody   normy   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• reagenční diagnostické soupravy * normy   MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• jižní Afrika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• HIV antigeny * MeSH
• HIV korový protein p24 MeSH
• HIV protilátky * MeSH
• reagenční diagnostické soupravy * MeSH