Diallo K, Modi S, Hurlston M, Beard RS, Nkengasong JN. A Proposed Framework for the Implementation of Early Infant Diagnosis Point-of-Care.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2017;
33:203-210. [PMID:
27758117 PMCID:
PMC5333568 DOI:
10.1089/aid.2016.0021]
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Abstract
Early diagnosis of HIV infection in infants and children remains a challenge in resource-limited settings, with approximately half of all HIV-exposed infants receiving virological testing for HIV by the recommended age of 2 months in 2015. To reduce morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected children and close the treatment gap for HIV-infected children, there is an urgent need to evaluate existing programmatic and laboratory practices for early infant diagnosis and introduce strategies to improve identification of HIV-exposed infants and ensure access to systematic, early HIV testing, with early linkage to treatment for HIV-infected infants. This article describes progress made in follow-up of HIV-exposed infants since 2006, including remaining unmet laboratory and programmatic needs, and recommends strategies for improvement, especially those related to the implementation of point-of-care technology for early infant diagnosis.
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