Targeting the third '90': introducing the viral load champion

Objective: To move closer to achieving the third target of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals, we prospectively implemented a viral load (VL) champion (VLC) program aimed at enhancing VL monitoring and recognition of treatment failure. Design: Three clinics in eThekwini, Kwa-Zulu Natal (low-, medium- and high-volume, encompassing 9184 patients overall) were each assigned a VLC. We employed a descriptive analysis (chart audit) to compare the pre-intervention period to a 1-year post-intervention period. The number of patients with a VL test performed 6 and 12 months after the intervention was calculated as a proportion of VL tests due at those time points (VL completion rate). Results: The pre-implementation VL completion rate at the three sites was respectively 68% (140/205 patients), 54% (84/155 patients) and 64% (323/504 patients), and the 6-month post-implementation completion rate increased to 83% (995/1194 patients), 90% (793/878 patients) and 99% (3101/3124 patients) (P < 0.0001 for each site). VL completion rates remained significantly higher at 12 months post-implementation, with an average cumulative VL completion rate of >90% across all facilities. Conclusion: We demonstrate a successful, multifaceted, quality-improvement intervention centered on a clinic-level VLC which, taken to scale, has important implications for attaining the third UNAIDS 90-90-90 target.

Evaluation of Bactigen latex agglutination and Phadebact coagglutination for detection of bacterial antigens in cerebrospinal fluid

The Bactigen latex agglutination and Phadebact coagglutination tests were evaluated for their ability to detect bacterial antigens of Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae (83 serotypes) and Neisseria meningitidis groups A, B, C, and Y in 214 samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Bactigen latex agglutination was more sensitive than Phadebact coagglutination: it detected 87% (59/68) of culture positive CSF specimens, whereas Phadebact detected 72% (52/72). Bactigen detected all cases of meningitis caused by S pneumoniae and H influenzae. Of the 19 specimens that were positive for N meningitidis, 74% were detected by Phadebact and only 53% by Bactigen. Gram stain results were positive for 85% of all specimens positive on culture. Bactigen was slightly more specific (97%) than Phadebact (96%). Bactigen, however, showed less specificity (81%) than Phadebact (94%) on 31 CSF specimens that were culture positive for organisms other than the test organisms. These included two CSF specimens from patients with tuberculous meningitis which gave false positive results for S pneumoniae with the Bactigen reagents. No false positive results were obtained on 104 culture negative CSF samples. Bactigen latex agglutination was superior to Phadebact coagglutination and Gram stain for the detection of S pneumoniae and H influenzae in CSF specimens from patients with bacteriologically proved meningitis.