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Challenges in the early diagnosis of HIV infection in infants: Experience from Tamil Nadu, India

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Abstract

Objectives

To analyze critical steps in the testing algorithm of the National Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) program in India.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of data on cases enrolled in the EID program during 2010–2012 from Tamil Nadu was undertaken.

Results

2745 dried blood spots were tested; 9% of these tested positive. Median age of infants at the time of testing was 4 months. Second specimen for confirmation was received from 67% of cases with a turn-around time of 10–270 days.

Discussion

Even with high levels of uptake into the program, huge delays and loss-to-follow-up observed between the first and second sampling, suggests need for revision of the current testing algorithm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HIV/AIDS Laboratory, Department of Clinical Research, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chetput, India

    Luke Elizabeth Hanna, Madheswaran Annamalai, Ramesh Karunaianantham & Soumya Swaminathan

  2. Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, Egmore, Chennai, India

    Valan Adimai Siromany

Authors
  1. Luke Elizabeth Hanna
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  2. Valan Adimai Siromany
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  3. Madheswaran Annamalai
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  4. Ramesh Karunaianantham
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  5. Soumya Swaminathan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Soumya Swaminathan.

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Hanna, L.E., Siromany, V.A., Annamalai, M. et al. Challenges in the early diagnosis of HIV infection in infants: Experience from Tamil Nadu, India. Indian Pediatr 52, 307–309 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-015-0629-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-015-0629-7

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