Effectiveness of hepatitis B rapid tests toward linkage-to-care: results of a randomized, multicenter study.

Objectives: Worldwide, many infected individuals are unaware of their hepatitis B virus (HBV) status. We evaluated the effectiveness of HBV rapid testing in promoting linkage-to-care.

Methods: In 2012, volunteers were recruited from five Parisian centers.

Current state of and needs for hepatitis B screening: results of a large screening study in a low-prevalent, metropolitan region.

Background: In low hepatitis B virus (HBV)-prevalent countries, most HBV-infected persons are unaware of their status. We aimed to evaluate whether (i) previous HBV-testing, (ii) physicians decision to screen, and (iii) CDC's recommendations identified infected individuals and which risk-factor groups needing testing.

Methods: During a mass, multi-center HBV-screening study from September 2010-August 2011, 3929 participants were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs and anti-Hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBcAb).

Expanding access to non-medicalized community-based rapid testing to men who have sex with men: an urgent HIV prevention intervention (the ANRS-DRAG study).

Background: Little is known about the public health benefits of community-based, non-medicalized rapid HIV testing offers (CBOffer) specifically targeting men who have sex with men (MSM), compared with the standard medicalized HIV testing offer (SMOffer) in France. This study aimed to verify whether such a CBOffer, implemented in voluntary counselling and testing centres, could improve access to less recently HIV-tested MSM who present a risk behaviour profile similar to or higher than MSM tested with the SMOffer.

Method: This multisite study enrolled MSM attending voluntary counselling and testing centres' during opening hours in the SMOffer.

Performance of rapid tests for detection of HBsAg and anti-HBsAb in a large cohort, France.

Background & Aims: The systematic use of rapid tests performed at points-of-care may facilitate hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening and substantially increase HBV infection awareness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of such tests for HBsAg and anti-HBsAb detection among individuals visiting a variety of healthcare centers located in a low HBV-prevalent area.

Methods: Three rapid tests for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) detection (VIKIA, Determine and Quick Profile) and one test for anti-hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBsAb) detection (Quick Profile) were evaluated in comparison to ELISA serology.

Empowering HIV testing as a prevention tool: targeting interventions for high-risk men who have sex with men.

In France, HIV testing can be easily performed in free and anonymous voluntary counselling testing (VCT) centres. The recent national study among French men who have sex with men (MSM) showed that 73% of those already tested for HIV had been tested in the previous two years. Nothing is known about the risk behaviours of MSM attending VCT centres.