Are Treponema pallidum specific rapid and point-of-care tests for syphilis accurate enough for screening in resource limited settings? Evidence from a meta-analysis.

Background: Rapid and point-of-care (POC) tests for syphilis are an invaluable screening tool, yet inadequate evaluation of their diagnostic accuracy against best reference standards limits their widespread global uptake. To fill this gap, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of rapid and POC tests in blood and serum samples against Treponema pallidum (TP) specific reference standards.

Methods: Five electronic databases (1980-2012) were searched, data was extracted from 33 articles, and Bayesian hierarchical models were fit.

Head-to-head comparison of accuracy of a rapid point-of-care HIV test with oral versus whole-blood specimens: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The focus on prevention strategies aimed at curbing the HIV epidemic is growing, and therefore screening for HIV has again taken centre stage. Our aim was to establish whether a convenient, non-invasive, HIV test that uses oral fluid was accurate by comparison with the same test with blood-based specimens.

Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the diagnostic accuracy of a rapid HIV-antibody-based point-of-care test (Oraquick advance rapid HIV-1/2, OraSure Technologies Inc, PA, USA) when used with oral versus blood-based specimens in adults.

Temporal changes in risk factors associated with HIV seroconversion among injection drug users in eastern central Canada.

Objectives: To investigate temporal trends in HIV incidence rates and to assess changes over time in associated risk factors.

Methods: Since 1995, the SurvUDI network has conducted surveillance among IDUs recruited in harm reduction programmes in eastern central Canada. Among the 11,731 participants, 2903 repeaters were initially HIV-negative.

Prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C virus infections among inmates of Quebec provincial prisons.

Background: To determine the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and examine risk factors for these infections among inmates in Quebec provincial prisons.

Methods: Anonymous cross-sectional data were collected from January to June 2003 for men (n = 1357) and women (n = 250) who agreed to participate in the study and who completed a self-administrated questionnaire and provided saliva samples.

Results: The prevalence of HIV infection was 2.

HIV incidence among street youth in Montreal, Canada.

Objectives: To estimate HIV incidence and identify predictors of seroconversion among Montreal street youth.

Methods: From 1995 to 2000, street youth aged 14-25 years were recruited in a prospective cohort study. Interviews were conducted semiannually and included anti-HIV antibody testing.

Continuing HIV transmission among injection drug users in Eastern Central Canada: the SurvUDI Study, 1995 to 2000.

Objective: To document HIV prevalence/incidence trends from 1995-2000 and associated risk factors among injection drug users (IDUs) in Eastern Central Canada as an indication of harm reduction strategy effectiveness.

Methods: Nonnominal cross-sectional data (one-time participants) and longitudinal data (repeat participants) were collected using convenience sampling. Participants provided informed consent for face-to-face interviews focused on injection drug use and sexual practices during the previous 6 months; oral fluid samples were taken for HIV testing by enzyme immunoassay.