Experience of a rapid test center for HIV in a public hospital

Abstract

Background: The implementation of rapid tests for HIV allows to improve the accessibility to the diagnosis and favors the incorporation of the people to the health system. Methods & Materials: A prospective epidemiological study between 01 April and 30 September 2017 of the people studied with quick method of HIV at General Hospital San Roque in La Plata was performed. During the 6-month period, 172 people, 80 women and 92 men between 7 and 72 years of age were studied. In all cases a pre-test interview was conducted and the results were delivered with counseling. Extraction of venous blood was drawn by puncture of digital fingertip lancing. The HIV antibody screening was performed by reactive immunochromatographic strips (Quick Test Determine HIV). People with preliminary positive results were referred to the hospital laboratory for confirmation. We used the diagnostic algorithm recommended by the Ministry of Health of the Nation. ELISA (Architect) and viral load (Roche Cobas ampliprep) were carried out in the Reference Laboratory of the “Tomas Perón” Biological Institute.