Resumen

Objective: To assess the percentage of recent HIV infections detected in BCN Checkpoint, a Community- Based Center for MSM in Barcelona. Methods: Recent HIV infection is defined as the phase up to 6 months after infection during which anti-HIV antibodies are detectable. We analyzed all reactive tests (DetermineTM HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo) as from 2006 until the first quarter of 2014. False positive tests and cases without a confirmatory result were excluded and we determined the proportion of cases with a previous negative HIV test within the last 6 months. Prior test date was determined by last visit in the center or self-reported in case of first visit. Results: During the study period 24.220 tests were performed to 10.973 different subjects with 871 reactive tests. 23 false positive tests and 20 cases without a confirmatory test were excluded. Total of confirmed HIV cases therefore were 828, with median age at seroconversion of 32 years (IQR: 27-38), of which 760 subjects (91.8%) confirmed having had a previous HIV test, 63 (7.6%) never had been tested before, and 5 didn't answer (0.6%). The date of the previous test was recorded in 636 cases (83.7%). In the study period the percentage of recent infections was 31.1%, with variations across completed years (16.7%-38.0%) and a 35.3% of recent infections were observed in the first quarter of 2014. Conclusion: Almost one out of every three detections in BCN Checkpoint are recent infections, which contribute to better care and quality of life for people diagnosed with HIV and to break the cycle of HIV transmission. These findings lead us to the next step forward to detecting acute infections through the use of HIV RNA assay, and the promotion of HIV testing every three months for MSM.