Longitudinal Viral Load Monitoring Using Home-Collected Dried Blood Spot Specimens of MSM Living with HIV: Results from a Feasibility Pilot Study

Teran, Richard; Sobieszczyk, Magdalena E.; Chiasson, Mary Ann; Uhlemann, Anne‐Catrin; Weidler, Jessica; Shah, Jainil P.; Chang, Joseph; Otto, Caitlin C.; Hirshfield, Sabina

doi:10.1007/s10461-020-03030-w

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Most participants successfully collected and returned DBS and nail samples to our laboratory, and almost all samples were of high enough quality to be processed. Rates of successful self‐collection in this clinical trial were comparable to prior studies (Hirshfield et al, 2018; Prinsenberg et al, 2020; Teran et al, 2021). Although the feasibility of remote DBS collection has been previously documented in the alcohol literature (Martinez & Zemore, 2019), the ability to collect biospecimens without resource‐intensive laboratory personnel and facilities is a significant advancement for the field of HIV research.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…Yet, few studies have examined the feasibility of remote self‐collection of DBS among PWH. In one study, a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV completed at‐home self‐collection of DBS for viral load testing (Teran et al, 2021). Of 56 participants, 91% (51 of 56) and 77% (43 of 56) returned their specimens to the laboratory at baseline and 3‐month follow‐up, respectively, and all samples were successfully processed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dried blood spots (DBS) have been used to test for viral load (Teran et al, 2021), ART adherence (Jennings et al, 2022), and, most pertinent to our ongoing pilot RCT, alcohol use among PWH (Bajunirwe et al, 2014; Hahn et al, 2016). The importance of including biomarkers of alcohol use (e.g., phosphatidylethanonl) in clinical research has been increasingly recognized in the field (Shayani Ghosh, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Feasibility of remote self‐collection of dried blood spots, hair, and nails among people with HIV with hazardous alcohol use

Firkey

Tully

Bucci

et al. 2023

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research

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Background The use of biomarkers in behavioral HIV research can help to address limitations of self‐reported data. The COVID‐19 pandemic forced many researchers to transition from standard in‐person data collection to remote data collection. We present data on the feasibility of remote self‐collection of dried blood spots (DBS), hair, and nails for the objective assessment of alcohol use, antiretroviral therapy adherence, and stress in a sample of people with HIV (PWH) who are hazardous drinkers. Methods Standardized operating procedures for remote self‐collection of DBS, hair, and nails were developed for an ongoing pilot study of a transdiagnostic alcohol intervention for PWH. Prior to each study appointment, participants were mailed a kit containing materials for self‐collection, instructions, a video link demonstrating the collection process, and a prepaid envelope for returning samples. Results A total of 133 remote study visits were completed. For DBS and nail collection at baseline, 87.5% and 83.3% of samples, respectively, were received by the research laboratory, of which 100% of samples were processed. Although hair samples were intended to be analyzed, most of the samples (77.7%) were insufficient or the scalp end of the hair was not marked. We, therefore, decided that hair collection was not feasible in the framework of this study. Conclusion An increase in remote self‐collection of biospecimens may significantly advance the field of HIV‐related research, permitting the collection of specimens without resource‐intensive laboratory personnel and facilities. Further research is needed on the factors that impeded participants' ability to complete remote biospecimen collection.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Feasibility of remote self‐collection of dried blood spots, hair, and nails among people with HIV with hazardous alcohol use

Firkey

Tully

Bucci

et al. 2023

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research

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“…HemaSpot-HF was developed to solve the technical problems associated with using traditional filter cards to collect a dry blood spot [ 43 ]. Studies have shown that men living with HIV are willing and able to collect their own blood samples using HemaSpot-HF and may prefer this option over collecting blood during clinic visits because it provides convenience and privacy [ 43 , 44 , 45 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Testing as a Hope to Reduce HIV in Transgender Women—Literature Review

Budzyńska

Patryn

Kozioł

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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So far, the rate of HIV-positive people who do not know their sero-status is about 14% and the percentage is higher among transgender women (TGW). They represent one of the most vulnerable groups to infection. HIV self-testing (HIVST) may be a way to reduce transmission of the virus. The aim of this analysis and in-depth review was to collect available data on factors that may influence the use and dissemination of HIVST among TGW. This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. All data from 48 papers were used. From the available literature, HIVST is a convenient and preferred method of testing due to its high confidentiality and possibility of being performed at home. However, there are barriers that limit its use, including marginalization of transgender people, stigma by medical personnel, lack of acceptance of sexual partners, and even cultural standards. Therefore, there is a need for activities that promote and inform on the possibility of using HIVST as well as enable easier access to it.

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“…HemaSpot-HF was developed to address technical issues associated with using traditional filter cards for dried blood spot collection [ 100 ]. Research by our team members found that men living with HIV are willing and able to collect their own blood specimens using HemaSpot-HF and may prefer this option over blood draws at clinic-based study visits as it offers convenience and privacy [ 101 , 102 ]. HemaSpot-HF is a small plastic device, about the size of a credit card and 0.25 inches deep.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increasing HIV Testing and Viral Suppression via Stigma Reduction in a Social Networking Mobile Health Intervention Among Black and Latinx Young Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men (HealthMpowerment): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Muessig¹,

Golinkoff²,

Hightow-Weidman³

et al. 2020

JMIR Res Protoc

Self Cite

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Background Stigma and discrimination related to sexuality, race, ethnicity, and HIV status negatively impact HIV testing, engagement in care, and consistent viral suppression (VS) among young Black and Latinx men who have sex with men and transgender women who have sex with men (YBLMT). Few interventions address the effects of intersectional stigma among youth living with HIV and those at risk for HIV within the same virtual space. Objective Building on the success of the HealthMpowerment (HMP) mobile health (mHealth) intervention (HMP 1.0) and with the input of a youth advisory board, HMP 2.0 is an app-based intervention that promotes user-generated content and social support to reduce intersectional stigma and improve HIV-related outcomes among YBLMT. The primary objective of this study is to test whether participants randomized to HMP 2.0 report improvement in HIV prevention and care continuum outcomes compared with an information-only control arm. We will also explore whether participant engagement, as measured by paradata (data collected as users interact with an mHealth intervention, eg, time spent using the intervention), mediates stigma- and HIV care–related outcomes. Finally, we will assess whether changes in intersectional stigma and improvements in HIV care continuum outcomes vary across different types of social networks formed within the intervention study arms. Methods We will enroll 1050 YBLMT aged 15 to 29 years affected by HIV across the United States. Using an HIV-status stratified, randomized trial design, participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 app-based conditions (information-only app-based control arm, a researcher-created network arm of HMP 2.0, or a peer-referred network arm of HMP 2.0). Behavioral assessments will occur at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. For participants living with HIV, self-collected biomarkers (viral load) are scheduled for baseline, 6, and 12 months. For HIV-negative participants, up to 3 HIV self-testing kits will be available during the study period. Results Research activities began in September 2018 and are ongoing. The University of Pennsylvania is the central institutional review board for this study (protocol #829805) with institutional reliance agreements with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, and SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Study recruitment began on July 20, 2020. A total of 205 participants have been enrolled as of November 20, 2020. Conclusions Among a large sample of US-based YBLMT, this study will assess whether HMP 2.0, an app-based intervention designed to ameliorate stigma and its negative sequelae, can increase routine HIV testing among HIV-negative participants and consistent VS among participants living with HIV. If efficacious and brought to scale, this intervention has the potential to significantly impact the disproportionate burden of HIV among YBLMT in the United States. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03678181; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03678181. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/24043

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Longitudinal Viral Load Monitoring Using Home-Collected Dried Blood Spot Specimens of MSM Living with HIV: Results from a Feasibility Pilot Study

Cited by 9 publications

References 11 publications

Feasibility of remote self‐collection of dried blood spots, hair, and nails among people with HIV with hazardous alcohol use

Feasibility of remote self‐collection of dried blood spots, hair, and nails among people with HIV with hazardous alcohol use

Self-Testing as a Hope to Reduce HIV in Transgender Women—Literature Review

Increasing HIV Testing and Viral Suppression via Stigma Reduction in a Social Networking Mobile Health Intervention Among Black and Latinx Young Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men (HealthMpowerment): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

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