Benefits of a rapid HIV test for evaluation of the source patient after occupational exposure of healthcare workers.
Rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing for the management of occupational exposure of healthcare workers significantly decreased the number of anti-retroviral post-exposure prophylaxis regimens started whilst awaiting HIV test results. The study confirmed an equivalent performance of the rapid test in comparison with HIV enzyme immunoassay, and suggests it is cost-effective. In addition, two other potential benefits emerged: reducing the number of source patients who remain untested and increasing the number of occupational exposures reported.
Puro
V
V
Dipartimento di Epidemiologia, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive, Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy. puro@inmi.it
Francisci
D
D
Sighinolfi
L
L
Civljak
R
R
Belfiori
B
B
Deparis
P
P
Roda
R
R
Modestino
R
R
Ghinelli
F
F
Ippolito
G
G
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D007558:Italy; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D019259:Lamivudine; D015215:Zidovudine