Luke Elizabeth Hanna1, Valan Adimai Siromany, Madheswaran Annamalai, Ramesh Karunaianantham, Soumya Swaminathan. 1. HIV/AIDS Laboratory, Department of Clinical Research, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chetput; and *Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, Egmore, Chennai, India. Correspondence to: Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Scientist G and Director, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chetput, Chennai 600 031, India. soumyas@trcchennai.in.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze critical steps in the testing algorithm of the National Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) program in India. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data on cases enrolled in the EID program during 2010-2012 from Tamil Nadu was undertaken. RESULTS: 2745 dried blood spots were tested; 9% of these tested positive. Median age of infants at the time of testing was 4 months. Second specimen for confirmation was received from 67% of cases with a turn-around time of 10-270 days. CONCLUSIONS: Even with high levels of uptake into the program, huge delays and loss-to-follow-up observed between the first and second sampling, suggests need for revision of the current testing algorithm.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze critical steps in the testing algorithm of the National Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) program in India. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data on cases enrolled in the EID program during 2010-2012 from Tamil Nadu was undertaken. RESULTS: 2745 dried blood spots were tested; 9% of these tested positive. Median age of infants at the time of testing was 4 months. Second specimen for confirmation was received from 67% of cases with a turn-around time of 10-270 days. CONCLUSIONS: Even with high levels of uptake into the program, huge delays and loss-to-follow-up observed between the first and second sampling, suggests need for revision of the current testing algorithm.
Authors: Bharat S Parekh; Chin-Yih Ou; Peter N Fonjungo; Mireille B Kalou; Erin Rottinghaus; Adrian Puren; Heather Alexander; Mackenzie Hurlston Cox; John N Nkengasong Journal: Clin Microbiol Rev Date: 2018-11-28 Impact factor: 26.132