Publications by authors named "E M Dax"
Jean-Pierre Allain and colleagues argue that, while unintended, the foreign aid provided for blood transfusion services in sub-Saharan Africa has resulted in serious negative outcomes, which requires reflection and rethinking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: A Swiss nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis (NPEP) source-tracing study successfully reduced unnecessary NPEP prescriptions by recruiting and testing source partners of unknown HIV serostatus. The Victorian NPEP Service in Australia attempted to replicate this study with the addition of HIV rapid testing and a mobile service.
Methods: Patients presenting to two busy NPEP sites who reported a source partner of unknown HIV status were routinely asked if their source could be traced.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Rapid Diagnostic Tests (HIV RDTs) are robust, quick to perform, effective diagnostic tools. The stability of seven commonly used RDTs for detecting antibody to HIV was assessed during exposure to temperatures above 30°C, the usual maximum recommended by manufacturers. The aim of the study was to determine if HIV RDTs retain their testing outcomes after exposure to higher temperatures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHIV rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are now used widely in non-laboratory settings by non-laboratory-trained operators. Quality assurance programmes are essential in ensuring the quality of HIV RDT outcomes. However, there is no cost-effective means of supplying the many operators of RDTs with suitable quality assurance schemes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The study explores the link between viral fitness and control of viral load (VL) in early HIV-1 infection using samples from two clinical studies involving patients with varying treatment regimens.
- - Results showed that viral fitness decreased over time with ART in the PULSE study, while it increased in the absence of ART in the PHAEDRA study; however, there was no correlation between viral fitness and plasma VL.
- - Notably, the study revealed that the relative fitness of HIV-1 isolates during the acute phase may be higher than previously believed, suggesting that viral fitness should be considered when deciding on the timing of ART initiation.