title: Multiplexed testing for HIV and related bacterial and viral co-infections at the point-of-care: quo vadis?
abstract: Recently, there has been a paradigm shift toward an understanding of the need to screen select sub-populations for several sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections simultaneously, at one time with various rapid point-of-care (POC) technologies, rather than one infection at a time. This is an encouraging and promising change, however many contextual factors need to be considered before implementing such technologies. In this editorial, we highlight some challenges, issues and concerns regarding implementation, integration, and uptake of these technologies across global settings. However, careful planning and well thought out implementation plan that include investments in training health care professionals, improving test and treat algorithms, rapid protocols on communicating actionable results to providers, and timely action, will bring about the desired impact in patient's lives. This is especially true in settings where they stand to achieve the maximum desired public health and social impact.
authors: Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Nitika
authors: N
authors: Pant Pai
authors: Jana
authors: J
authors: Daher
mesh_terms: D060085:Coinfection; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards
keywords: HIV and co-infections; multiplexed; point-of-care tests; simultaneous testing