Employing Molecular Phylodynamic Methods to Identify and Forecast HIV Transmission Clusters in Public Health Settings: A Qualitative Study

Molecular HIV surveillance is a promising public health strategy for curbing the HIV epidemic. Clustering technologies used by health departments to date are limited in their ability to infer/forecast cluster growth trajectories. Resolution of the spatiotemporal dynamics of clusters, through phylodynamic and phylogeographic modelling, is one potential strategy to develop a forecasting tool; however, the projected utility of this approach needs assessment. Prior to incorporating novel phylodynamic-based molecular surveillance tools, we sought to identify possible issues related to their feasibility, acceptability, interpretation, and utility. Qualitative data were collected via focus groups among field experts (n = 17, 52.9% female) using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Data were coded using an iterative process, first through the development of provisional themes and subthemes, followed by independent line-by-line coding by two coders. Most participants routinely used molecular methods for HIV surveillance. All agreed that linking molecular sequences to epidemiological data is important for improving HIV surveillance. We found that, in addition to methodological challenges, a variety of implementation barriers are expected in relation to the uptake of phylodynamic methods for HIV surveillance. The participants identified several opportunities to enhance current methods, as well as increase the usability and utility of promising works-in-progress.

Acute infections, cost and time to reporting of HIV test results in three U.S. State Public Health Laboratories

OBJECTIVE

In three U.S. State Public Health Laboratories (PHLs) using a fourth-generation immunoassay (IA), an HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation antibody IA and a nucleic acid test (NAT), we characterized the yield and time to reporting of acute infections, and cost per positive specimen.

METHODS

Routine HIV testing data were collected from July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013 for Massachusetts and Maryland PHLs, and from November 27, 2012-June 30, 2013 for Michigan PHL. Massachusetts and Michigan used fourth-generation and differentiation IAs with NAT conducted by a referral laboratory. In Maryland, fourth-generation IA repeatedly reactive specimens were followed by a Western blot (WB), and those with negative or indeterminate results were tested with a differentiation IA and HIV-1 NAT, and if positive by NAT, confirmed by a different HIV-1 NAT. Specimens from WB-positive persons at risk for HIV-2 were tested with a differentiation IA and, if positive, with an HIV-2 WB and/or differential HIV-1/HIV-2 proviral DNA polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Among 7914 specimens from Massachusetts PHL, 6069 from Michigan PHL, and 36,266 from Maryland PHL, 0.10%, 0.02% and 0.05% acute infections were identified, respectively. Massachusetts and Maryland PHLs each had 1 HIV-2 positive specimen. The median time from specimen receipt to laboratory reporting of results for acute infections at Massachusetts, Michigan and Maryland PHLs was 8, 11, and 7 days respectively. The laboratory cost per HIV positive specimen was $336 (Massachusetts), $263 (Michigan) and $210 (Maryland).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute and established infections were found by PHLs using fourth-generation IA in conjunction with antibody tests and NAT. Time to reporting of acute HIV test results to clients was suboptimal, and needs to be streamlined to expedite treatment and interrupt transmission.

Nucleic acid testing by public health referral laboratories for public health laboratories using the U.S. HIV diagnostic testing algorithm

BACKGROUND

Many public health laboratories adopting the U.S. HIV laboratory testing algorithm do not have a nucleic acid test (NAT), which is needed when the third- or fourth-generation HIV screening immunoassay is reactive and the antibody-based supplemental test is non-reactive or indeterminate.

OBJECTIVES

Among public health laboratories utilizing public health referral laboratories for NAT conducted as part of the algorithm, we evaluated the percentage of screening immunoassays needing NAT, the number of specimens not meeting APTIMA (NAT) specifications, time to APTIMA result, the proportion of acute infections (i.e., reactive APTIMA) among total infections, and screening immunoassay specificity.

STUDY DESIGN

From August 2012 to April 2013, 22 laboratories enrolled to receive free APTIMA (NAT) at New York or Florida public health referral laboratories. Data were analyzed for testing conducted until June 2013.

RESULTS

Submitting laboratories conducted a median of 4778 screening immunoassays; 0-1.3% (median 0.2%) needed NAT. Of 140 specimens received, 9 (6.4%) did not meet NAT specifications. The median time from specimen collection to reporting the 11 reactive NAT results was ten days, including six days from receipt in the submitting laboratory to shipment to the referral laboratory. Acute infections ranged from 0 to 12.5% (median 0%) of total infections. Third- and fourth-generation immunoassays met package insert specificity values.

CONCLUSIONS

Public health referral laboratories provide a feasible option for conducting NAT. Reducing the time from specimen collection to submission of specimens for NAT is an important step toward maximizing the public health impact of identifying acute infections.

A regional comparison of cardiac rehabilitation personnel. Adherence to the 1995 American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Guidelines by Staff Position

PURPOSE

The American Association of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) established guidelines for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) personnel regarding educational degree attainment, licensure, and certification. New England hospital-based CR personnel were surveyed by staff position to determine their adherence to these guidelines.

METHODS

The New England Hospital-Based CR Program Questionnaire was designed to obtain information regarding program characteristics and personnel credentialing. Initially, 117 program directors agreed to participate, and 108 returned completed questionnaires for a response rate of 92.3%.

RESULTS

Of the CR programs surveyed, 41% were within hospitals containing 101 to 250 beds, whereas most of those providing inpatient (66.6%) and outpatient (82.4%) CR enrolled less than 200 patients annually. Overall, 40.7% of personnel (n = 450) by staff position reported that they met the minimum recommendations, whereas 7.0% (n = 470) met the preferred AACVPR recommendations. Registered nurses (n = 67) and physical therapists (n = 58) were most compliant with the minimum guidelines: 89.6% and 84.5%, respectively. In contrast, 10.9% of the program directors/coordinators (PD/C; n = 128) met the minimum qualifications, and 5.5% met the preferred AACVPR qualifications. Most PD/C had Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (84.4%), but few (18%) attained American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, compliance of New England hospital-based CR personnel with the AACVPR minimum/preferred guidelines for educational degree and certification was lacking, as was acquisition of ACSM certification. The effect of these findings on the future status of recommended and required CR personnel qualifications for hire merits attention.