Background: Nucleic acid testing (NAT) in routine HIV testing programs can increase the detection of infected individuals, but the most effective implementation of NAT remains unclear.
Objective: To determine how many HIV cases can be identified with NAT and how many persons can be contacted, to identify predictors of acute and early HIV infection cases, and to test reporting of negative results by automated Internet and voicemail systems.
Design: Prospective study.
Setting: San Diego County, California.
Participants: Persons seeking HIV testing.
Measurements: Rates and predictors of HIV infection by stage, notification of positive NAT results, use of automated Internet or voicemail systems to access negative NAT results, and estimated HIV infections prevented.
Results: Of 3151 persons tested, 79 had newly diagnosed cases of HIV: 64 had positive results from rapid HIV test, and 15 had positive results only by NAT (that is, NAT increased the HIV detection yield by 23%). Of all HIV infections, 44% (in 35 persons) were in the acute and early stages. Most participants (56%) and persons with HIV (91%) were men who have sex with men (MSM). All persons with NAT-positive results were notified within 1 week. Of all 3070 uninfected patients, 2105 (69%) retrieved their negative NAT results, with 1358 using the Internet system. After adjustment for covariates, persons reporting MSM behavior, higher incomes, younger ages, no testing at substance abuse rehabilitation centers, no recent syphilis, and no methamphetamine use were more likely to access negative NAT results by either Internet or voicemail systems.
Limitation: Findings may not be generalizable to other populations and testing programs.
Conclusion: Nucleic acid testing programs that include automated systems for result reporting can increase case yield, especially in settings that cater to MSM.