Establishment of the serologic testing algorithm for recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion (STARHS) strategy in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Several strategies aim at characterizing the AIDS epidemic in different parts of the world. Among these, the identification of recent HIV-1 infections using the recently described serologic testing algorithm for recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion (

Short Communication: HIV Type 1 Subtype BF Leads to Faster CD4+ T Cell Loss Compared to Subtype B

“…Our cohort of recently HIV-1-infected subjects in Sã o Paulo, Brazil 14,15 started accrual in 2002 based on the Serologic Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion (STARHS) strategy. The 113 volunteers who were enrolled in our cohort from June 2002 to January 2006 were selected for this study.…”

“…5,7,10 We then attempted to investigate differences in clinical progression between subtype B-infected and BF-infected patients. To avoid biases in this approach, we first compared gender, age, date of enrollment/STARHS result (which mirrors approximately 170 days after infection 14 ), time of followup, and sexual behavior. We also assessed the polymorphism ccr5D32 in the human gene ccr5 and viral tropism for CCR5 or CXCR4 coreceptors, assuming they could play a role in disease progression.…”

Recently acquired HIV infection in Spain (2003-2005): introduction of the serological testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion

“…The Serological Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion (STARHS) was first described in 1998 as a tool to differentiate RIs from long-standing infection (LSI) 5. STARHS has been used in different settings to estimate incidence6 – 11 and describe RIs 12 13. In Spain, HIV testing is offered free at national health hospitals, primary health centres (PHC), sexually transmitted infection (STI) units and several community-based voluntary counselling and testing sites (CBVCTS), which offer free anonymous counselling and testing services regardless of the user’s health insurance or residence status.…”

Estimates of HIV-1 incidence based on serological methods: a brief methodological review

“…A non-significant increase of recent HIV-1 infections (0% vs. 0.8%) was observed among injection drug users (IDU) and ex-IDU 44,45 surveyed in 1994-96 and 1999-2001, in Rio de Janeiro. Similar studies were conducted in Sao Paulo, estimating the incidence of HIV-1 infection in inmates 46 , cocaine users 47 , and among people seeking HIV diagnosis in voluntary centers for counseling and testing from Santos (São Paulo State) 48 and Sao Paulo city 49,50 . In the former study, sera collected between 1996 and 1999 in Santos yielded an overall estimated HIV incidence of 2% (95%CI: 1.1-3.5), with 1.2% (95%CI: 0.5-2.6) in women and 2.7% (95%CI: 1.3-5.0) in men, quite similar to the results obtained in a voluntary center for counseling and testing in Rio de Janeiro for the same period 42 .…”