A US-Based Multi-Site Pilot to Screen Hepatitis B Surface Antigen-Positive Patients for Hepatitis D.

Hepatitis D (HDV) is a severe infection with well-recognised clinical ramifications that remains relatively neglected and underdiagnosed; consequently, the epidemiology of HDV is poorly characterised, both in the United States and globally. In 2022, a pilot project involving eight healthcare institutions was undertaken to ascertain the prevalence of HDV in healthcare institutions with an HBV seropositivity of at least 1%, describe the characteristics of patients testing positive for HDV, and evaluate diagnostic and laboratory processes of HDV screening. From August 2022 to April 2024, a total of 106,693 patients were tested for HBsAg, of whom 65,341 (61.

Examination of Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Ending the HIV Epidemic Priority Counties of the United States, 2005-2019.

Background: The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has been increasing in the United States, and this trend has continued alongside expanding/changing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies, moving from reliance solely on behavioral interventions like condoms to biomedical methods like oral and injectable antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). In 2019, the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative was released to prioritize resource allocation to the 50 jurisdictions in the United States with the highest HIV incidence, providing an opportunity to monitor STI incidence in a national group of discrete, geographic units and identify trends and differences across jurisdictions.

Objectives And Design: Using existing data from the US CDC and Census Bureau, a retrospective analysis was conducted to examine the incidence of STIs in 49 of the 50 EHE priority counties between 2005 and 2019.

Concurrent Testing for COVID-19 and HIV Infection at 6 High-Volume Emergency Departments in a Priority Jurisdiction for Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in access to routine HIV screening.

Setting: We assess HIV and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing across 6 emergency departments (EDs) in Cook County, Illinois.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the number of SARS-CoV-2 tests, HIV screens, and the proportion of concurrent tests (encounters with both SARS-CoV-2 and HIV testing), correlating with diagnoses of new and acute HIV infection.

Examining the Correlation Between PrEP Use and Black:White Disparities in HIV Incidence in the Ending the HIV Epidemic Priority Jurisdictions.

Introduction: HIV incidence remains high in the U.S. as do disparities in new HIV diagnosis between White and Black populations and access to preventive therapies like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Supporting Retention in HIV Care: Comparing In-Person and Telehealth Visits in a Chicago-Based Infectious Disease Clinic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created increased need for telehealth appointments. To assess differences in appointment adherence for telehealth compared to in-person HIV medical care visits, we conducted a cross-sectional study of patients receiving HIV care in a safety-net hospital-based outpatient infectious disease clinic in a large urban area (Chicago, IL). The sample (N = 347) was predominantly Black (n = 251) and male (62.

COVID-19 health inequities and association with mechanical ventilation and prolonged length of stay at an urban safety-net health system in Chicago.

Millions of Americans have been infected with COVID-19 and communities of color have been disproportionately burdened. We investigated the relationship between demographic characteristics and COVID-19 positivity, and comorbidities and severe COVID-19 illness (use of mechanical ventilation and length of stay) within a racial/ethnic minority population. Patients tested for COVID-19 between March 2020 and January 2021 (N = 14171) were 49.

Outcomes of a Pharmacist-Led Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Program in an Urban Safety-Net Health System, Chicago, 2017-2019.

Objective: A recommendation in March 2020 to expand hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening to all adults in the United States will likely increase the need for HCV treatment programs and guidance on how to provide this service for diverse populations. We evaluated a pharmacist-led HCV treatment program within a routine screening program in an urban safety-net health system in Chicago, Illinois.

Methods: We collected data on all patient treatment applications submitted from January 1, 2017, through June 30, 2019, and assessed outcomes of and patient retention in the treatment cascade.

Routine Screening and Linkage to Care for Hepatitis C Virus in an Urban Safety-Net Health System, 2017-2019.

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major threat to public health in the United States. We describe and evaluate an HCV screening and linkage-to-care program, including emergency department, inpatient, and outpatient settings, in an urban safety-net health system in Chicago.

Methods: Sinai Health System implemented a universal HCV screening program in September 2016 that offered patient navigation services (ie, linkage to care) to patients with a positive result for HCV on an RNA test.

Implementing Rapid Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy for Acute HIV Infection Within a Routine Testing and Linkage to Care Program in Chicago.

Growing evidence suggests that rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV improves care continuum outcomes. We evaluated process and clinical outcomes for rapid initiation in acute HIV infection within a multisite health care-based HIV testing and linkage to care program in Chicago. Through retrospective analysis of HIV testing data (2016-2017), we assessed linkage to care, initiation of antiretroviral therapy, and viral suppression.

Gender Differences in HIV Testing, Diagnosis, and Linkage to Care in Healthcare Settings: Identifying African American Women with HIV in Chicago.

Women account for 25% of all people living with HIV and 19% of new diagnoses in the United States. African American (AA) women are disproportionately affected. Yet, differences in the care continuum entry are not well understood between patient populations and healthcare sites.

Primary pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma in a newly diagnosed cisgender heterosexual HIV positive patient presenting before cutaneous manifestations.

AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular malignancy that usually presents with mucocutaneous lesions. Bronchopulmonary involvement as an initial manifestation is a rare phenomenon. This case describes a young male presenting with pulmonary symptoms mimicking HIV-related opportunistic infection who was eventually diagnosed with primary pulmonary KS.

HIV testing prevalence in selected Chicago community areas: the importance of local-level data.

While data on HIV testing prevalence is readily available at the national, state, and more rarely at the city level, few data are available on HIV testing at the community level, where public health initiatives may be most effectively implemented. Community-level data are necessary given that city, state, and national estimates mask variation occurring at the community level in large urban areas. This type of data is crucial for informing education efforts both within the community and among providers.

Acute HIV Discovered During Routine HIV Screening With HIV Antigen-Antibody Combination Tests in 9 US Emergency Departments.

Study Objective: Newer combination HIV antigen-antibody tests allow detection of HIV sooner after infection than previous antibody-only immunoassays because, in addition to HIV-1 and -2 antibodies, they detect the HIV-1 p24 antigen, which appears before antibodies develop. We determine the yield of screening with HIV antigen-antibody tests and clinical presentations for new diagnoses of acute and established HIV infection across US emergency departments (EDs).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 9 EDs in 6 cities with HIV screening programs that integrated laboratory-based antigen-antibody tests between November 1, 2012, and December 31, 2015.

Outcomes of Preexposure Prophylaxis Referrals From Public STI Clinics and Implications for the Preexposure Prophylaxis Continuum.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake remains low in high-risk populations. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics reach PrEP-eligible persons and may be ideal settings to model PrEP implementation.

Methods: Consenting PrEP-eligible patients identified at Chicago Department of Public Health STI Clinics were actively referred to PrEP partner sites between June 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016.

Assessing Implicit Cognition Among Patients Lost to Follow-up for HIV Care: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: While a growing body of research indicates that implicit cognitive processes play an important role in a range of health behaviors, the assessment of these impulsive, associative mental processes among patients living with HIV has received little attention. This preliminary study explored how multidimensional scaling (MDS) could be used to assess implicit cognitive processes among patients lost to follow-up for HIV care and develop interventions to improve their engagement.

Method: The sample consisted of 33 patients who were identified as lost to follow up for HIV care at two urban hospitals.

Implementing Routine HIV Screening in Three Chicago Hospitals: Lessons Learned.

Objective: This study describes routine HIV screening implementation and outcomes in three hospitals in Chicago, Illinois.

Methods: Retrospective data from three hospitals were examined, and routine testing procedures, testing volume, reactive test results, and linkage-to-care outcomes were documented.

Results: From January 2012 through March 2014, 40,788 HIV tests were administered at the three hospitals: 18,603 (46%) in the emergency department (ED), 7,546 (19%) in the inpatient departments, and 14,639 (36%) in outpatient clinics.

Perceptions of audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) among women in an HIV-positive prevention program.

Background: Audio Computer-Assisted Self Interviewing (ACASI) has improved the reliability and accuracy of self-reported HIV health and risk behavior data, yet few studies account for how participants experience the data collection process.

Methodology/principal Findings: This exploratory qualitative analysis aimed to better understand the experience and implications of using ACASI among HIV-positive women participating in sexual risk reduction interventions in Chicago (n = 12) and Philadelphia (n = 18). Strategies of Grounded Theory were used to explore participants' ACASI experiences.

The Treatment Advocacy Program--Sinai: a peer-based HIV prevention intervention for working with African American HIV-infected persons.

As HIV/AIDS continues to disproportionately affect African American communities, there is a growing need for empirically based, culturally appropriate, tailored interventions for this clientele. As part of a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)/Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) initiative to increase prevention amongst those living with HIV, we implemented the Treatment Advocacy Program Intervention at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago, IL, USA. The main goal of the intervention was to help patients increase their medication adherence and sexual safety skills.

Implementing an HIV and sexually transmitted disease screening program in an emergency department.

Study Objective: We assess the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost of routinely recommended HIV/sexually transmitted disease screening in an urban emergency department (ED).

Methods: From April 2003 to August 2004, patients aged 15 to 54 years were offered rapid HIV testing, and those aged 15 to 25 years were also offered gonorrhea and chlamydia testing (nucleic acid amplification), Monday through Friday, 11 am to 8 pm. Infected patients were referred for treatment and care.

HIV testing in a resource-poor urban emergency department.

In an effort to help fight the HIV epidemic, we offered standard HIV testing to high-risk and symptomatic patients attending an urban emergency department (ED) located in a high-prevalence area. We assessed rates of consent, HIV infection, and linkage into care by demographic and risk characteristics. Consent rates were consistently greater than 50% across the various demographics and risk groups.