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Cassim N, Coetzee LM, Glencross DK. Modelling CD4 reagent usage across a national hierarchal network of laboratories in South Africa. Afr J Lab Med 2023; 12:2085. [PMID: 37293320 PMCID: PMC10244826 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v12i1.2085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The National Health Laboratory Service is mandated to deliver cost-effective and efficient diagnostic services across South Africa. Their mandate is achieved by a network of laboratories ranging from centralised national laboratories to distant rural facilities. Objective This study aimed to establish a model of CD4 reagent utilisation as an independent measure of laboratory efficiency. Methods The efficiency percentage was defined as finished goods (number of reportable results) over raw materials (number of reagents supplied) for 47 laboratories in nine provinces (both anonymised) for 2019. The efficiency percentage at national and provincial levels was calculated and compared to the optimal efficiency percentage derived using pre-set assumptions. Comparative laboratory analysis was conducted for the provinces with the best and worst efficiency percentages. The possible linear relationship between the efficiency percentage and call-outs, days lost, referrals, and turn-around time was assessed. Results Data are reported for 2 806 799 CD4 tests, with an overall efficiency percentage of 84.5% (optimal of 84.98%). The efficiency percentage varied between 75.7% and 87.7% between provinces, while within the laboratory it ranged from 66.1% to 111.5%. Four laboratories reported an efficiency percentage ranging from 67.8% to 85.7%. No linear correlation was noted between the efficiency percentage, call-outs, days lost, and turn-around time performance. Conclusion Reagent efficiency percentage distinguished laboratories into different utilisation levels irrespective of their CD4 service level. This parameter is an additional independent indicator of laboratory performance, with no relationship with any contributing factors tested, that can be implemented across pathology disciplines for monitoring reagent utilisation. What this study adds This study provides an objective methodology to assess reagent utilisation as an independent measure of laboratory efficiency. This model could be applied to all routine pathology services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naseem Cassim
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- National Priority Programme, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lindi-Marie Coetzee
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- National Priority Programme, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Deborah K. Glencross
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Coetzee LM, Cassim N, Glencross DK. Newly implemented community CD4 service in Tshwaragano, Northern Cape province, South Africa, positively impacts result turn-around time. Afr J Lab Med 2022; 11:1376. [PMID: 35811752 PMCID: PMC9257740 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v11i1.1376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest province with an HIV prevalence of 7.1% versus a 13.5% national prevalence. CD4 testing is provided at three of five National Health Laboratory Service district laboratories, each covering a 250 km precinct radius. Districts without a local service report prolonged CD4 turn-around times (TAT). Objective This study documented the impact of a new CD4 laboratory in Tshwaragano in the remote John Taolo Gaetsewe district of the Northern Cape, South Africa. Methods CD4 test volumes and TAT (total, pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical) data for the Northern Cape province were extracted for June 2018 to October 2019. The percentage of CD4 results within the stipulated 40-h TAT cut-off and the median and 75th percentiles of all TAT parameters were calculated. Pre-implementation, samples collected at Tshwaragano were referred to Kimberley or Upington, Northern Cape, South Africa. Results Pre-implementation, 95.4% of samples at Tshwaragano were referred to Kimberley for CD4 testing (36.3% of Kimberley’s test volumes). Only 7.5% of Tshwaragano’s total samples were referred post-implementation. The Tshwaragano laboratory’s CD4 median total TAT decreased from 24.7 h pre-implementation to 12 h post-implementation (p = 0.003), with > 95.0% of results reported within 40 h. The Kimberley laboratory workload decreased by 29.0%, and testing time significantly decreased from 10 h to 4.3 h. Conclusion The new Tshwaragano CD4 service significantly decreased local TAT. Upgrading existing community laboratories to include CD4 testing can alleviate provincial service load and improve local access, TAT and efficiency in the centralised reference laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindi-Marie Coetzee
- National Priority Programme, National Health Laboratory Service, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Naseem Cassim
- National Priority Programme, National Health Laboratory Service, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Deborah K. Glencross
- National Priority Programme, National Health Laboratory Service, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Iyer HS, Wolf NG, Flanigan JS, Castro MC, Schroeder LF, Fleming K, Vuhahula E, Massambu C. Evaluating urban-rural access to pathology and laboratory medicine services in Tanzania. Health Policy Plan 2021; 36:1116-1128. [PMID: 34212191 PMCID: PMC8359747 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czab078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Placement of pathology and laboratory medicine (PALM) services requires balancing efficiency (maximizing test volume) with equitable urban-rural access. We compared the association between population density (proxy for efficiency) and travel time to the closest facility (proxy for equitable access) across levels of Tanzania's public sector health system. We linked geospatial data for Tanzania from multiple sources. Data on facility locations and other geographic measures were collected from government and non-governmental databases. We classified facilities assuming increasing PALM availability by tier: (1) dispensaries, (2) health centres, (3) district hospitals and (4) regional/referral hospitals. We used the AccessMod 5 algorithm to estimate travel time to the closest facility for each tier across Tanzania with 500-m resolution. District-level average population density and travel time to the closest facility were calculated and presented using medians and interquartile ranges. Spatial correlations between these variables were estimated using the global Moran's I and bivariate Local Indicator of Spatial Autocorrelation, specifying a queen's neighbourhood matrix. Spatial analysis was restricted to 171 contiguous districts. The study included 5406 dispensaries, 675 health centres, 186 district hospitals and 37 regional/referral hospitals. District-level travel times were shortest for Tier 1 (median: [IQR]: 45.4 min [30.0-74.7]) and longest for Tier 4 facilities (160.2 min [107.3-260.0]). There was a weak spatial autocorrelation across tiers (Tier 1: -0.289, Tier 2: -0.292, Tier 3: -0.271 and Tier 4: -0.258) and few districts were classified as significant spatial outliers. Across tiers, geographic patterns of populated districts surrounded by neighbours with short travel time and sparsely populated districts surrounded by neighbours with long travel time were observed. Similar spatial correlation measures across health system levels suggest that Tanzania's health system reflects equitable urban-rural access to different PALM services. Longer travel times to hospital-based care could be ameliorated by shifting specialized diagnostics to more accessible lower tiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari S Iyer
- Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nicholas G Wolf
- Zhu Family Center for Global Cancer Prevention, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - John S Flanigan
- Zhu Family Center for Global Cancer Prevention, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marcia C Castro
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lee F Schroeder
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1301 Catherine St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kenneth Fleming
- Green Templeton College, Oxford University, 43 Woodstock Rd, Oxford OX2 6HG, UK
| | - Edda Vuhahula
- Department of Pathology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, United Nations Rd, Dar es Salaam, TZ
| | - Charles Massambu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Dodoma, PO Box 259 Dodoma, TZ
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Iyer HS, Flanigan J, Wolf NG, Schroeder LF, Horton S, Castro MC, Rebbeck TR. Geospatial evaluation of trade-offs between equity in physical access to healthcare and health systems efficiency. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2020-003493. [PMID: 33087394 PMCID: PMC7580044 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Decisions regarding the geographical placement of healthcare services require consideration of trade-offs between equity and efficiency, but few empirical assessments are available. We applied a novel geospatial framework to study these trade-offs in four African countries. Methods Geolocation data on population density (a surrogate for efficiency), health centres and cancer referral centres in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Rwanda were obtained from online databases. Travel time to the closest facility (a surrogate for equity) was estimated with 1 km resolution using the Access Mod 5 least cost distance algorithm. We studied associations between district-level average population density and travel time to closest facility for each country using Pearson’s correlation, and spatial autocorrelation using the Global Moran’s I statistic. Geographical clusters of districts with inefficient resource allocation were identified using the bivariate local indicator of spatial autocorrelation. Results Population density was inversely associated with travel time for all countries and levels of the health system (Pearson’s correlation range, health centres: −0.89 to −0.71; cancer referral centres: −0.92 to −0.43), favouring efficiency. For health centres, negative spatial autocorrelation (geographical clustering of dissimilar values of population density and travel time) was weaker in Rwanda (−0.310) and Tanzania (−0.292), countries with explicit policies supporting equitable access to rural healthcare, relative to Kenya (−0.579) and Malawi (−0.543). Stronger spatial autocorrelation was observed for cancer referral centres (Rwanda: −0.341; Tanzania: −0.259; Kenya: −0.595; Malawi: −0.666). Significant geographical clusters of sparsely populated districts with long travel times to care were identified across countries. Conclusion Negative spatial correlations suggested that the geographical distribution of health services favoured efficiency over equity, but spatial autocorrelation measures revealed more equitable geographical distribution of facilities in certain countries. These findings suggest that even when prioritising efficiency, thoughtful decisions regarding geographical allocation could increase equitable physical access to services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari S Iyer
- Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA .,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - John Flanigan
- Zhu Family Center for Global Cancer Prevention, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicholas G Wolf
- Zhu Family Center for Global Cancer Prevention, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Susan Horton
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marcia C Castro
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard University T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy R Rebbeck
- Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States.,Zhu Family Center for Global Cancer Prevention, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Thomas R, Probert WJM, Sauter R, Mwenge L, Singh S, Kanema S, Vanqa N, Harper A, Burger R, Cori A, Pickles M, Bell-Mandla N, Yang B, Bwalya J, Phiri M, Shanaube K, Floyd S, Donnell D, Bock P, Ayles H, Fidler S, Hayes RJ, Fraser C, Hauck K. Cost and cost-effectiveness of a universal HIV testing and treatment intervention in Zambia and South Africa: evidence and projections from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial. Lancet Glob Health 2021; 9:e668-e680. [PMID: 33721566 PMCID: PMC8050197 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(21)00034-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HPTN 071 (PopART) trial showed that a combination HIV prevention package including universal HIV testing and treatment (UTT) reduced population-level incidence of HIV compared with standard care. However, evidence is scarce on the costs and cost-effectiveness of such an intervention. METHODS Using an individual-based model, we simulated the PopART intervention and standard care with antiretroviral therapy (ART) provided according to national guidelines for the 21 trial communities in Zambia and South Africa (for all individuals aged >14 years), with model parameters and primary cost data collected during the PopART trial and from published sources. Two intervention scenarios were modelled: annual rounds of PopART from 2014 to 2030 (PopART 2014-30; as the UNAIDS Fast-Track target year) and three rounds of PopART throughout the trial intervention period (PopART 2014-17). For each country, we calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) as the cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) and cost per HIV infection averted. Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves were used to indicate the probability of PopART being cost-effective compared with standard care at different thresholds of cost per DALY averted. We also assessed budget impact by projecting undiscounted costs of the intervention compared with standard care up to 2030. FINDINGS During 2014-17, the mean cost per person per year of delivering home-based HIV counselling and testing, linkage to care, promotion of ART adherence, and voluntary medical male circumcision via community HIV care providers for the simulated population was US$6·53 (SD 0·29) in Zambia and US$7·93 (0·16) in South Africa. In the PopART 2014-30 scenario, median ICERs for PopART delivered annually until 2030 were $2111 (95% credible interval [CrI] 1827-2462) per HIV infection averted in Zambia and $3248 (2472-3963) per HIV infection averted in South Africa; and $593 (95% CrI 526-674) per DALY averted in Zambia and $645 (538-757) per DALY averted in South Africa. In the PopART 2014-17 scenario, PopART averted one infection at a cost of $1318 (1098-1591) in Zambia and $2236 (1601-2916) in South Africa, and averted one DALY at $258 (225-298) in Zambia and $326 (266-391) in South Africa, when outcomes were projected until 2030. The intervention had almost 100% probability of being cost-effective at thresholds greater than $700 per DALY averted in Zambia, and greater than $800 per DALY averted in South Africa, in the PopART 2014-30 scenario. Incremental programme costs for annual rounds until 2030 were $46·12 million (for a mean of 341 323 people) in Zambia and $30·24 million (for a mean of 165 852 people) in South Africa. INTERPRETATION Combination prevention with universal home-based testing can be delivered at low annual cost per person but accumulates to a considerable amount when scaled for a growing population. Combination prevention including UTT is cost-effective at thresholds greater than $800 per DALY averted and can be an efficient strategy to reduce HIV incidence in high-prevalence settings. FUNDING US National Institutes of Health, President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, International Initiative for Impact Evaluation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjeeta Thomas
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.
| | - William J M Probert
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rafael Sauter
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Surya Singh
- Health Economics Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Nosivuyile Vanqa
- Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Abigail Harper
- Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ronelle Burger
- Department of Economics, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anne Cori
- Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Pickles
- Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nomtha Bell-Mandla
- Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Blia Yang
- Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Sian Floyd
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Peter Bock
- Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Richard J Hayes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Christophe Fraser
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Katharina Hauck
- Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; Abdul Latif Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Cassim N, Coetzee LM, Glencross DK. Categorising specimen referral delays for CD4 testing: How inter-laboratory distances and travel times impact turn-around time across a national laboratory service in South Africa. Afr J Lab Med 2021; 9:1120. [PMID: 33392053 PMCID: PMC7756670 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.1120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The South African National Health Laboratory Service provides laboratory services for public sector health facilities, utilising a tiered laboratory model to refer samples for CD4 testing from 255 source laboratories into 43 testing laboratories. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the impact of distance on inter-laboratory referral time for public sector testing in South Africa in 2018. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study design analysed CD4 testing inter-laboratory turn-around time (TAT) data for 2018, that is laboratory-to-laboratory TAT from registration at the source to referral receipt at the testing laboratory. Google Maps was used to calculate inter-laboratory distances and travel times. Distances were categorised into four buckets, with the median and 75th percentile reported. Wilcoxon scores were used to assess significant differences in laboratory-to-laboratory TAT across the four distance categories. Results CD4 referrals from off-site source laboratories comprised 49% (n = 1 390 510) of national reporting. A positively skewed distribution of laboratory-to-laboratory TAT was noted, with a median travel time of 11 h (interquartile range: 7–17), within the stipulated 12 h target. Inter-laboratory distance categories of less than 100 km, 101–200 km, 201–300 km and more than 300 km (p < 0.0001) had 75th percentiles of 8 h, 17 h, 14 h and 27 h. Conclusion Variability in inter-laboratory TAT was noted for all inter-laboratory distances, especially those exceeding 300 km. The correlation between distance and laboratory-to-laboratory TAT suggests that interventions are required for distant laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naseem Cassim
- National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lindi M Coetzee
- National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Deborah K Glencross
- National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Fellows T, Ho L, Flanagan S, Fogel R, Ojo D, Limson J. Gold nanoparticle-streptavidin conjugates for rapid and efficient screening of aptamer function in lateral flow sensors using novel CD4-binding aptamers identified through Crossover-SELEX. Analyst 2020; 145:5180-5193. [PMID: 32567629 DOI: 10.1039/d0an00634c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
To decrease the burden of laborious and reagent-intensive screening of modified aptamers, their binding function requires assessment in assay formats compatible with the end diagnostic application. Here, we report on the use of an alternative and cost-effective approach: a rapid lateral flow assay (LFA) utilising streptavidin-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNP) as reporter molecules to screen novel ssDNA aptamers for their ability to detect CD4. Crossover-SELEX was employed to identify CD4-targeting aptamers from a ssDNA library enriched against a recombinant human CD4 protein (hCD4) conjugated to magnetic-beads and to endogenous CD4 expressed by U937 cells. Counter-selection with IgG-conjugated beads and CD4-negative Ramos RA-1 cells was employed. Following SELEX, four sequences (U4, U14, U20 and U26) were selected for candidate screening. Fluorescence confocal microscopy showed comparable localization of the Cy5-labeled aptamer U26, compared to antibodies binding CD4's cytoplasmic domain. Aptamer-hCD4 binding kinetics were evaluated by a qPCR-based magnetic-bead binding assay to unmodified aptamers. U26 exhibited the highest binding affinity (Kd = 2.93 ± 1.03 nM) to hCD4-conjugated beads. Citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (mean particle diameter, 10.59 ± 1.81 nm) were functionalized with streptavidin to allow immobilization of biotin-labeled aptamers. Except for U4, the aptamer-gold nanoparticle conjugates (Apt-AuNP) remained stable under physiological conditions with their size (approx. 15 nm) appropriate for use in the LFAs. Lateral-flow based screening was used to evaluate the suitability of the Apt-AuNPs as CD4-detecting reporter molecules by immobilizing hCD4 and flowing the nanoparticle conjugates across the LFA. Using this approach, two novel sequences were identified as being suitable for the detection of hCD4: visual detection at 9 min was obtained using U20 or U26. After 20 min, equivalent colorimetric hCD4 responses were observed between anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (ΔI = 94.19 ± 3.71), an existing CD4 aptamer F1-62 (ΔI = 90.31 ± 19.31) and U26 (ΔI = 100.14 ± 14.61) LFA's, each demonstrating high specificity to hCD4 compared to IgG. From the above, Crossover-SELEX allowed for the successful identification of ssDNA aptamers able to detect hCD4. Streptavidin-conjugated AuNPs, when bound to candidate aptamers, show potential application here as screening tools for the rapid evaluation of aptamer performance in low-cost lateral flow diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamika Fellows
- Rhodes University Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
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Onoya D, Sineke T, Hendrickson C, Mokhele I, Maskew M, Long LC, Fox M. Impact of the test and treat policy on delays in antiretroviral therapy initiation among adult HIV positive patients from six clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa: results from a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e030228. [PMID: 32213514 PMCID: PMC7170559 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess delays to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation before and after the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) and the same-day initiation (SDI) of ART policy periods in Johannesburg, South Africa. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Patients were recruited from six primary health clinics in Johannesburg. PARTICIPANTS Overall, 1029 newly diagnosed HIV positive adults (≥18 years) were consecutively enrolled by referral from the testing counsellor between April and December 2015 (pre-UTT n=146), July and August 2017 (UTT, n=141) and October 2017 and August 2018 (SDI, n=742). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess predictors of 30 days ART initiation. Additionally, predictors of immediate ART initiation were evaluated using Poisson regression. RESULTS Overall, 30 days ART proportions were 71.9% overall, 36.9% pre-UTT (44.3% of those eligible), 65.9% under UTT and 79.9% under the SDI policy. The median days to ART initiation declined from 21 pre-UTT (IQR: 15-30) to 8 (IQR: 6-16) under UTT and 5 days (IQR: 0-8) under the SDI policy. However, only 150 (20.2%) of the SDI cohort-initiated ART immediately after HIV diagnosis. Living in a two-adult home (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.2 vs living alone, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.5) increased the likelihood of 30-day ART. Missing baseline cluster of differentiation four (CD4) data decreased the likelihood of 30 days ART by 40% (aHR 0.6 vs CD4 <350 cells/µL, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.7). More women took up immediate ART (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.9). Participants ≥40 years (aRR 0.6 vs 18-24 years, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.9) were less likely to start ART immediately after HIV diagnosis. However, immediate ART rates increased with longer policy implementation time (aRR 0.2 for <3 months vs >10 months, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.4). CONCLUSIONS The study results highlight a positive move towards earlier ART initiation during the UTT and SDI periods and emphasise a need to increase same-day ART implementation further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Onoya
- Health Economics & Epidemiology Research Office, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tembeka Sineke
- Health Economics & Epidemiology Research Office, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Hendrickson
- Health Economics & Epidemiology Research Office, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Idah Mokhele
- Health Economics & Epidemiology Research Office, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mhairi Maskew
- Health Economics & Epidemiology Research Office, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lawrence C Long
- Health Economics & Epidemiology Research Office, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew Fox
- Health Economics & Epidemiology Research Office, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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9
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Walker SM, Cox E, Revill P, Musiime V, Bwakura‐Dangarembizi M, Mallewa J, Cheruiyot P, Maitland K, Ford N, Gibb DM, Walker AS, Soares M. The cost-effectiveness of prophylaxis strategies for individuals with advanced HIV starting treatment in Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25469. [PMID: 32219991 PMCID: PMC7099175 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many HIV-positive individuals in Africa have advanced disease when initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) so have high risks of opportunistic infections and death. The REALITY trial found that an enhanced-prophylaxis package including fluconazole reduced mortality by 27% in individuals starting ART with CD4 <100 cells/mm3 . We investigated the cost-effectiveness of this enhanced-prophylaxis package versus other strategies, including using cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) testing, in individuals with CD4 <200 cells/mm3 or <100 cells/mm3 at ART initiation and all individuals regardless of CD4 count. METHODS The REALITY trial enrolled from June 2013 to April 2015. A decision-analytic model was developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of six management strategies in individuals initiating ART in the REALITY trial countries. Strategies included standard-prophylaxis, enhanced-prophylaxis, standard-prophylaxis with fluconazole; and three CrAg testing strategies, the first stratifying individuals to enhanced-prophylaxis (CrAg-positive) or standard-prophylaxis (CrAg-negative), the second to enhanced-prophylaxis (CrAg-positive) or enhanced-prophylaxis without fluconazole (CrAg-negative) and the third to standard-prophylaxis with fluconazole (CrAg-positive) or without fluconazole (CrAg-negative). The model estimated costs, life-years and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) over 48 weeks using three competing mortality risks: cryptococcal meningitis; tuberculosis, serious bacterial infection or other known cause; and unknown cause. RESULTS Enhanced-prophylaxis was cost-effective at cost-effectiveness thresholds of US$300 and US$500 per QALY with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of US$157 per QALY in the CD4 <200 cells/mm3 population providing enhanced-prophylaxis components are sourced at lowest available prices. The ICER reduced in more severely immunosuppressed individuals (US$113 per QALY in the CD4 <100 cells/mm3 population) and increased in all individuals regardless of CD4 count (US$722 per QALY). Results were sensitive to prices of the enhanced-prophylaxis components. Enhanced-prophylaxis was more effective and less costly than all CrAg testing strategies as enhanced-prophylaxis still conveyed health gains in CrAg-negative patients and savings from targeting prophylaxis based on CrAg status did not compensate for costs of CrAg testing. CrAg testing strategies did not become cost-effective unless the price of CrAg testing fell below US$2.30. CONCLUSIONS The REALITY enhanced-prophylaxis package in individuals with advanced HIV starting ART reduces morbidity and mortality, is practical to administer and is cost-effective. Efforts should continue to ensure that components are accessed at lowest available prices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward Cox
- Centre for Health EconomicsUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - Paul Revill
- Centre for Health EconomicsUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | | | | | - Jane Mallewa
- College of MedicineUniversity of Malawi and Malawi‐Liverpool‐Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
| | | | - Kathryn Maitland
- KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research ProgrammeKilifiKenya
- Department of Infectious DiseasesImperial CollegeLondonUK
| | - Nathan Ford
- HIV/AIDS Department and Global Hepatitis ProgrammeWorld Health OrganizationGenevaSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Marta Soares
- Centre for Health EconomicsUniversity of YorkYorkUK
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10
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Rhodes D, Carcelain G, Keeney M, Parizot C, Benjamins D, Genesta L, Zhang J, Rohrbach J, Lawrie D, Glencross DK. Assessment of the AQUIOS flow cytometer - An automated sample preparation system for CD4 lymphocyte PanLeucogating enumeration. Afr J Lab Med 2019; 8:804. [PMID: 31850159 PMCID: PMC6909423 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v8i1.804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Flow cytometry has been the approach of choice for enumerating and documenting CD4-cell decline in HIV monitoring. Beckman Coulter has developed a single platform test for CD4+ T-cell lymphocyte count and percentage using PanLeucogating (PLG) technology on the automated AQUIOS flow cytometer (AQUIOS PLG). Objectives This study compared the performance of AQUIOS PLG with the Flowcare PLG method and performed a reference interval for comparison with those previously published. Methods The study was conducted between November 2014 and March 2015 at 5 different centres located in Canada; Paris, France; Lyon, France; the United States; and South Africa. Two-hundred and forty samples from HIV-positive adult and paediatric patients were used to compare the performances of AQUIOS PLG and Flowcare PLG on a FC500 flow cytometer (Flowcare PLG) in determining CD4+ absolute count and percentage. A reference interval was determined using 155 samples from healthy, non-HIV adults. Workflow was investigated testing 440 samples over 5 days. Results Mean absolute and relative count bias between AQUIOS PLG and Flowcare PLG was −41 cells/µL and −7.8%. Upward and downward misclassification at various CD4 thresholds was ≤ 2.4% and ≤ 11.1%. The 95% reference interval (2.5th – 97.5th) for the CD4+ count was 453–1534 cells/µL and the percentage was 30.5% – 63.4%. The workflow showed an average number of HIV samples tested as 17.5 per hour or 122.5 per 8-hour shift for one technician, including passing quality controls. Conclusion The AQUIOS PLG merges desirable aspects from conventional flow cytometer systems (high throughput, precision and accuracy, external quality assessment compatibility) with low technical operating skill requirements for automated, single platform systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Rhodes
- Clinical Affairs, Beckman Coulter Immunotech, Marseille, France
| | | | - Mike Keeney
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care, Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Jin Zhang
- Life Science Flow Cytometry, Beckman Coulter Incorporated, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Justin Rohrbach
- Clinical affairs, Beckman Coulter Incorporated, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Denise Lawrie
- National Health Laboratory Service, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Deborah K Glencross
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
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11
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Girdwood SJ, Nichols BE, Moyo C, Crompton T, Chimhamhiwa D, Rosen S. Optimizing viral load testing access for the last mile: Geospatial cost model for point of care instrument placement. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221586. [PMID: 31449559 PMCID: PMC6709899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Viral load (VL) monitoring programs have been scaled up rapidly, but are now facing the challenge of providing access to the most remote facilities (the "last mile"). For the hardest-to-reach facilities in Zambia, we compared the cost of placing point of care (POC) viral load instruments at or near facilities to the cost of an expanded sample transportation network (STN) to deliver samples to centralized laboratories. METHODS We extended a previously described geospatial model for Zambia that first optimized a STN for centralized laboratories for 90% of estimated viral load volumes. Amongst the remaining 10% of volumes, facilities were identified as candidates for POC placement, and then instrument placement was optimized such that access and instrument utilization is maximized. We evaluated the full cost per test under three scenarios: 1) POC placement at all facilities identified for POC; 2)an optimized combination of both on-site POC placement and placement at facilities acting as POC hubs; and 3) integration into the centralized STN to allow use of centralized laboratories. RESULTS For the hardest-to-reach facilities, optimal POC placement covered a quarter of HIV-treating facilities. Scenario 2 resulted in a cost per test of $39.58, 6% less than the cost per test of scenario 1, $41.81. This is due to increased POC instrument utilization in scenario 2 where facilities can act as POC hubs. Scenario 3 was the most costly at $53.40 per test, due to high transport costs under the centralized model ($36 per test compared to $12 per test in scenario 2). CONCLUSIONS POC VL testing may reduce the costs of expanding access to the hardest-to-reach populations, despite the cost of equipment and low patient volumes. An optimal combination of both on-site placement and the use of POC hubs can reduce the cost per test by 6-35% by reducing transport costs and increasing instrument utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J. Girdwood
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Brooke E. Nichols
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | | | - Thomas Crompton
- Right to Care, GIS Mapping Department, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Sydney Rosen
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
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12
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Cassim N, Coetzee LM, Stevens WS, Glencross DK. Addressing antiretroviral therapy-related diagnostic coverage gaps across South Africa using a programmatic approach. Afr J Lab Med 2018; 7:681. [PMID: 30473993 PMCID: PMC6244076 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v7i1.681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A major challenge facing South Africa is the concomitant HIV and tuberculosis epidemics. The National Health Laboratory Service provides testing for staging HIV-positive patients, monitoring patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and diagnosing tuberculosis. Not all health districts have equivalent ART-related coverage in particular for CD4 and HIV viral load testing. Objectives The Integrated Tiered Service Delivery Model coverage precinct approach was used to address ART-related testing service coverage gaps in a manner that balances cost, quality and equity. Methods An algorithm was developed to identify and address ART-related diagnostic coverage gaps. Data was extracted from the corporate data warehouse and Oracle systems for the period of April 2015 to March 2016. Daily test volumes were based on 21.73 working days per month. Data were analysed using MS Excel and mapped using ArcCatalog and ArcMap. Capacity analysis was informed by the available testing-platforms. Results Health district daily HIV viral load volumes ranged from 2 to 1308 samples. Nineteen candidate laboratories were identified to address the coverage gaps. Following the proximity analysis, testing was consolidated at four candidate laboratories, resulting in 13 revised candidate laboratories. The revised candidate laboratory daily HIV viral load referrals ranged between 5 and 205 samples, with CD4 volumes between 6 and 85 samples. Remaining coverage gaps were identified in seven municipalities. Conclusions The study demonstrated that the service coverage precinct approach could be used to identify coverage gaps for a defined ART-related testing repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naseem Cassim
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,National Priority Programme, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lindi M Coetzee
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,National Priority Programme, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Wendy S Stevens
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,National Priority Programme, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Deborah K Glencross
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,National Priority Programme, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
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13
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Cassim N, Smith H, Coetzee LM, Glencross DK. Programmatic implications of implementing the relational algebraic capacitated location (RACL) algorithm outcomes on the allocation of laboratory sites, test volumes, platform distribution and space requirements. Afr J Lab Med 2017; 6:545. [PMID: 28879151 PMCID: PMC5523920 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v6i1.545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION CD4 testing in South Africa is based on an integrated tiered service delivery model that matches testing demand with capacity. The National Health Laboratory Service has predominantly implemented laboratory-based CD4 testing. Coverage gaps, over-/under-capacitation and optimal placement of point-of-care (POC) testing sites need investigation. OBJECTIVES We assessed the impact of relational algebraic capacitated location (RACL) algorithm outcomes on the allocation of laboratory and POC testing sites. METHODS The RACL algorithm was developed to allocate laboratories and POC sites to ensure coverage using a set coverage approach for a defined travel time (T). The algorithm was repeated for three scenarios (A: T = 4; B: T = 3; C: T = 2 hours). Drive times for a representative sample of health facility clusters were used to approximate T. Outcomes included allocation of testing sites, Euclidian distances and test volumes. Additional analysis included platform distribution and space requirement assessment. Scenarios were reported as fusion table maps. RESULTS Scenario A would offer a fully-centralised approach with 15 CD4 laboratories without any POC testing. A significant increase in volumes would result in a four-fold increase at busier laboratories. CD4 laboratories would increase to 41 in scenario B and 61 in scenario C. POC testing would be offered at two sites in scenario B and 20 sites in scenario C. CONCLUSION The RACL algorithm provides an objective methodology to address coverage gaps through the allocation of CD4 laboratories and POC sites for a given T. The algorithm outcomes need to be assessed in the context of local conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naseem Cassim
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), National Priority Programmes, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Honora Smith
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Lindi M Coetzee
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), National Priority Programmes, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Deborah K Glencross
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), National Priority Programmes, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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14
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Estimating the cost-per-result of a national reflexed Cryptococcal antigenaemia screening program: Forecasting the impact of potential HIV guideline changes and treatment goals. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182154. [PMID: 28829788 PMCID: PMC5568734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction During 2016, the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) introduced laboratory-based reflexed Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) screening to detect early Cryptococcal disease in immunosuppressed HIV+ patients with a confirmed CD4 count of 100 cells/μl or less. Objective The aim of this study was to assess cost-per-result of a national screening program across different tiers of laboratory service, with variable daily CrAg test volumes. The impact of potential ART treatment guideline and treatment target changes on CrAg volumes, platform choice and laboratory workflow are considered. Methods CD4 data (with counts < = 100 cells/μl) from the fiscal year 2015/16 were extracted from the NHLS Corporate Date Warehouse and used to project anticipated daily CrAg testing volumes with appropriately-matched CrAg testing platforms allocated at each of 52 NHLS CD4 laboratories. A cost-per-result was calculated for four scenarios, including the existing service status quo (Scenario-I), and three other settings (as Scenarios II-IV) which were based on information from recent antiretroviral (ART) guidelines, District Health Information System (DHIS) data and UNAIDS 90/90/90 HIV/AIDS treatment targets. Scenario-II forecast CD4 testing offered only to new ART initiates recorded at DHIS. Scenario-III projected all patients notified as HIV+, but not yet on ART (recorded at DHIS) and Scenario-IV forecast CrAg screening in 90% of estimated HIV+ patients across South Africa (also DHIS). Stata was used to assess daily CrAg volumes at the 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th percentiles across 52 CD4-laboratories. Daily volumes were used to determine technical effort/ operator staff costs (% full time equivalent) and cost-per-result for all scenarios. Results Daily volumes ranged between 3 and 64 samples for Scenario-I at the 5th and 95th percentile. Similarly, daily volumes ranges of 1–12, 2–45 and 5–100 CrAg-directed samples were noted for Scenario’s II, III and IV respectively. A cut-off of 30 CrAg tests per day defined use of either LFA or EIA platform. LFA cost-per-result ranged from $8.24 to $5.44 and EIA cost-per-result between $5.58 and $4.88 across the range of test volumes. The technical effort across scenarios ranged from 3.2–27.6% depending on test volumes and platform used. Conclusion The study reported the impact of programmatic testing requirements on varying CrAg test volumes that subsequently influenced choice of testing platform, laboratory workflow and cost-per-result. A novel percentiles approach is described that enables an overview of the cost-per-result across a national program. This approach facilitates cross-subsidisation of more expensive lower volume sites with cost-efficient, more centralized higher volume laboratories, mitigating against the risk of costing tests at a single site.
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15
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Initiating antiretroviral therapy for HIV at a patient's first clinic visit: a cost-effectiveness analysis of the rapid initiation of treatment randomized controlled trial. AIDS 2017; 31:1611-1619. [PMID: 28463879 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000001528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determine the cost and cost-effectiveness of single-visit (same-day) antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation compared to standard of care initiation. DESIGN Cost-effectiveness analysis of individually randomized (1 : 1) pragmatic trial of single-visit initiation, which increased viral suppression at 10 months by 26% [relative risk (95% confidence interval) 1.26 (1.05-1.50)]. SETTING Primary health clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. STUDY PARTICIPANTS HIV positive, adult, nonpregnant patients not yet on ART or known to be eligible who presented at the clinic 8 May 2013 to 29 August 2014. INTERVENTION Same-day ART initiation using point-of-care laboratory instruments and accelerated clinic procedures to allow treatment-eligible patients to receive antiretroviral medications at the same visit as testing HIV positive or having an eligible CD4 cell count. Comparison was to standard of care ART initiation, which typically required three to five additional clinic visits. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Average cost per patient enrolled and per patient achieving the primary outcome of initiated 90 days or less and suppressed 10 months or less, and production cost per patient achieving primary outcome (all costs per primary outcome patients). RESULTS The average cost per patient enrolled, per patient achieving the primary outcome, and production cost were $319, $487, and $738 in the standard arm and $451, $505, and $707 in the rapid arm. CONCLUSION Same-day treatment initiation was more effective than standard initiation, more expensive per patient enrolled, and less expensive to produce a patient achieving the primary outcome. Omitting point-of-care laboratory tests at initiation and focusing on high-volume clinics have the potential to reduce costs substantially and should be evaluated in routine settings.
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16
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Fleming KA, Naidoo M, Wilson M, Flanigan J, Horton S, Kuti M, Looi LM, Price C, Ru K, Ghafur A, Wang J, Lago N. An Essential Pathology Package for Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Am J Clin Pathol 2017; 147:15-32. [PMID: 28158414 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqw143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We review the current status of pathology services in low- and middle-income countries and propose an “essential pathology package” along with estimated costs. The purpose is to provide guidance to policy makers as countries move toward universal health care systems. Methods Five key themes were reviewed using existing literature (role of leadership; education, training, and continuing professional development; technology; accreditation, management, and quality standards; and reimbursement systems). A tiered system is described, building on existing proposals. The economic analysis draws on the very limited published studies, combined with expert opinion. Results Countries have underinvested in pathology services, with detrimental effects on health care. The equipment needs for a tier 1 laboratory in a primary health facility are modest ($2-$5,000), compared with $150,000 to $200,000 in a district hospital, and higher in a referral hospital (depending on tests undertaken). Access to a national (or regional) specialized laboratory undertaking disease surveillance and registry is important. Recurrent costs of appropriate laboratories in district and referral hospitals are around 6% of the hospital budget in midsized hospitals and likely decline in the largest hospitals. Primary health facilities rely largely on single-use tests. Conclusions Pathology is an essential component of good universal health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A Fleming
- From the Centre for Global Health, National Cancer Institute, Washington, DC
- Green Templeton College
| | - Mahendra Naidoo
- From the Centre for Global Health, National Cancer Institute, Washington, DC
| | - Michael Wilson
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Services, Denver Health, Denver, CO
| | - John Flanigan
- From the Centre for Global Health, National Cancer Institute, Washington, DC
| | - Susan Horton
- Global Health Economics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Modupe Kuti
- Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan & University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Lai Meng Looi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chris Price
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kun Ru
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine
| | | | - Jianxiang Wang
- Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nestor Lago
- Department of Pathology, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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17
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Gous NM, Berrie L, Dabula P, Stevens W. South Africa's experience with provision of quality HIV diagnostic services. Afr J Lab Med 2016; 5:436. [PMID: 28879120 PMCID: PMC5433819 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v5i2.436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
No abstract available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha M Gous
- National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,National Priority Program of the NHLS, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Leigh Berrie
- National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,National Priority Program of the NHLS, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Patience Dabula
- National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Wendy Stevens
- National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,National Priority Program of the NHLS, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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18
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Heffernan A, Barber E, Thomas R, Fraser C, Pickles M, Cori A. Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Point-Of-Care CD4 Testing on the HIV Epidemic in South Africa. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158303. [PMID: 27391129 PMCID: PMC4938542 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid diagnostic tools have been shown to improve linkage of patients to care. In the context of infectious diseases, assessing the impact and cost-effectiveness of such tools at the population level, accounting for both direct and indirect effects, is key to informing adoption of these tools. Point-of-care (POC) CD4 testing has been shown to be highly effective in increasing the proportion of HIV positive patients who initiate ART. We assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of introducing POC CD4 testing at the population level in South Africa in a range of care contexts, using a dynamic compartmental model of HIV transmission, calibrated to the South African HIV epidemic. We performed a meta-analysis to quantify the differences between POC and laboratory CD4 testing on the proportion linking to care following CD4 testing. Cumulative infections averted and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated over one and three years. We estimated that POC CD4 testing introduced in the current South African care context can prevent 1.7% (95% CI: 0.4% - 4.3%) of new HIV infections over 1 year. In that context, POC CD4 testing was cost-effective 99.8% of the time after 1 year with a median estimated ICER of US$4,468/DALY averted. In healthcare contexts with expanded HIV testing and improved retention in care, POC CD4 testing only became cost-effective after 3 years. The results were similar when, in addition, ART was offered irrespective of CD4 count, and CD4 testing was used for clinical assessment. Our findings suggest that even if ART is expanded to all HIV positive individuals and HIV testing efforts are increased in the near future, POC CD4 testing is a cost-effective tool, even within a short time horizon. Our study also illustrates the importance of evaluating the potential impact of such diagnostic technologies at the population level, so that indirect benefits and costs can be incorporated into estimations of cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Heffernan
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ella Barber
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ranjeeta Thomas
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christophe Fraser
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Pickles
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Cori
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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19
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Skhosana M, Reddy S, Reddy T, Ntoyanto S, Spooner E, Ramjee G, Ngomane N, Coutsoudis A, Kiepiela P. PIMA™ point-of-care testing for CD4 counts in predicting antiretroviral initiation in HIV-infected individuals in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. South Afr J HIV Med 2016; 17:444. [PMID: 29568605 PMCID: PMC5843260 DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v17i1.444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Limited information is available on the usefulness of the PIMA™ analyser in predicting antiretroviral treatment eligibility and outcome in a primary healthcare clinic setting in disadvantaged communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Materials and methods The study was conducted under the eThekwini Health Unit, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Comparison of the enumeration of CD4+ T-cells in 268 patients using the PIMA™ analyser and the predicate National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) was undertaken during January to July 2013. Bland-Altman analysis to calculate bias and limits of agreement, precision and levels of clinical misclassification at various CD4+ T-cell count thresholds was performed. Results There was high precision of the PIMA™ control bead cartridges with low and normal CD4+ T-cell counts using three different PIMA™ analysers (%CV < 5). Under World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (≤ 500 cells/mm3), the sensitivity of the PIMA™ analyser was 94%, specificity 78% and positive predictive value (PPV) 95%. There were 24 (9%) misclassifications, of which 13 were false-negative in whom the mean bias was 149 CD4+ T-cells/mm3. Most (87%) patients returned for their CD4 test result but only 67% (110/164) of those eligible (≤ 350 cells/mm3) were initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with a time to treatment of 49 days (interquartile range [IQR], 42–64 days). Conclusion There was adequate agreement between PIMA™ analyser and predicate NHLS CD4+ T-cell count enumeration (≤ 500 cells/mm3) in adult HIV-positive individuals. The high PPV, sensitivity and acceptable specificity of the PIMA™ analyser technology lend it as a reliable tool in predicting eligibility and rapid linkage to care in ART programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandisa Skhosana
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,Medical Research Council of South Africa, HIV Prevention Research Unit, South Africa
| | - Shabashini Reddy
- Medical Research Council of South Africa, HIV Prevention Research Unit, South Africa
| | - Tarylee Reddy
- Medical Research Council of South Africa, Biostatistics Unit, South Africa
| | - Siphelele Ntoyanto
- Medical Research Council of South Africa, HIV Prevention Research Unit, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth Spooner
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,Medical Research Council of South Africa, HIV Prevention Research Unit, South Africa
| | - Gita Ramjee
- Medical Research Council of South Africa, HIV Prevention Research Unit, South Africa
| | | | - Anna Coutsoudis
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Photini Kiepiela
- Medical Research Council of South Africa, HIV Prevention Research Unit, South Africa
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Vojnov L, Markby J, Boeke C, Harris L, Ford N, Peter T. POC CD4 Testing Improves Linkage to HIV Care and Timeliness of ART Initiation in a Public Health Approach: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155256. [PMID: 27175484 PMCID: PMC4866695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD4 cell count is an important test in HIV programs for baseline risk assessment, monitoring of ART where viral load is not available, and, in many settings, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation decisions. However, access to CD4 testing is limited, in part due to the centralized conventional laboratory network. Point of care (POC) CD4 testing has the potential to address some of the challenges of centralized CD4 testing and delays in delivery of timely testing and ART initiation. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the extent to which POC improves linkages to HIV care and timeliness of ART initiation. METHODS We searched two databases and four conference sites between January 2005 and April 2015 for studies reporting test turnaround times, proportion of results returned, and retention associated with the use of point-of-care CD4. Random effects models were used to estimate pooled risk ratios, pooled proportions, and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS We identified 30 eligible studies, most of which were completed in Africa. Test turnaround times were reduced with the use of POC CD4. The time from HIV diagnosis to CD4 test was reduced from 10.5 days with conventional laboratory-based testing to 0.1 days with POC CD4 testing. Retention along several steps of the treatment initiation cascade was significantly higher with POC CD4 testing, notably from HIV testing to CD4 testing, receipt of results, and pre-CD4 test retention (all p<0.001). Furthermore, retention between CD4 testing and ART initiation increased with POC CD4 testing compared to conventional laboratory-based testing (p = 0.01). We also carried out a non-systematic review of the literature observing that POC CD4 increased the projected life expectancy, was cost-effective, and acceptable. CONCLUSIONS POC CD4 technologies reduce the time and increase patient retention along the testing and treatment cascade compared to conventional laboratory-based testing. POC CD4 is, therefore, a useful tool to perform CD4 testing and expedite result delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Vojnov
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | | | - Caroline Boeke
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Lindsay Harris
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Nathan Ford
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Trevor Peter
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, United States of America
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Glencross DK, Coetzee LM, Cassim N. An integrated tiered service delivery model (ITSDM) based on local CD4 testing demands can improve turn-around times and save costs whilst ensuring accessible and scalable CD4 services across a national programme. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114727. [PMID: 25490718 PMCID: PMC4260875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The South African National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) responded to HIV treatment initiatives with two-tiered CD4 laboratory services in 2004. Increasing programmatic burden, as more patients access anti-retroviral therapy (ART), has demanded extending CD4 services to meet increasing clinical needs. The aim of this study was to review existing services and develop a service-model that integrated laboratory-based and point-of-care testing (POCT), to extend national coverage, improve local turn-around/(TAT) and contain programmatic costs. Methods NHLS Corporate Data Warehouse CD4 data, from 60–70 laboratories and 4756 referring health facilities was reviewed for referral laboratory workload, respective referring facility volumes and related TAT, from 2009–2012. Results An integrated tiered service delivery model (ITSDM) is proposed. Tier-1/POCT delivers CD4 testing at single health-clinics providing ART in hard-to-reach areas (<5 samples/day). Laboratory-based testing is extended with Tier-2/POC-Hubs (processing ≤30–40 CD4 samples/day), consolidating POCT across 8–10 health-clinics with other HIV-related testing and Tier-3/‘community’ laboratories, serving ≤40 health-clinics, processing ≤150 samples/day. Existing Tier-4/‘regional’ laboratories serve ≤100 facilities and process <350 samples/day; Tier-5 are high-volume ‘metro’/centralized laboratories (>350–1500 tests/day, serving ≥200 health-clinics). Tier-6 provides national support for standardisation, harmonization and quality across the organization. Conclusion The ITSDM offers improved local TAT by extending CD4 services into rural/remote areas with new Tier-3 or Tier-2/POC-Hub services installed in existing community laboratories, most with developed infrastructure. The advantage of lower laboratory CD4 costs and use of existing infrastructure enables subsidization of delivery of more expensive POC services, into hard-to-reach districts without reasonable access to a local CD4 laboratory. Full ITSDM implementation across 5 service tiers (as opposed to widespread implementation of POC testing to extend service) can facilitate sustainable ‘full service coverage’ across South Africa, and save>than R125 million in HIV/AIDS programmatic costs. ITSDM hierarchical parental-support also assures laboratory/POC management, equipment maintenance, quality control and on-going training between tiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah K. Glencross
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Lindi M. Coetzee
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Naseem Cassim
- Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg, South Africa
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