Recently diagnosed sexually HIV-infected patients: seroconversion interval, partner notification period and a high yield of HIV diagnoses among partners

We collected data on the outcome of partner notification (PN) for 356 index patients (iPs) newly diagnosed with HIV, all sexually infected, in six Eur opean countries, 1995-96. The PN period (the period during which exposed pa rtners should be notified about their risk of being HIV infected) could be defined on the basis of last negative HIV test in 170/356 (48%), from other key dates for 12, and for 14 more on the sole basis of known HIV exposure (total 196/356, 55%), However, of the 170 iPs with a last negative HIV test date, PN period was not defined in 52 (31%), even though 28/52 were recent seroconverters (negative HIV test within 24 months of HIV diagnosis). Disc repancies in PN period evaluation were common: of the 85 iPs for whom PN pe riod was reportedly defined as '3 months before last HIV-negative date', th e period actually used was equal to this in only 12. A user-friendly worksh eet would simplify the task of eliciting and using key dates to define the PN period. Forms on PN outcome were received for 166/200 (83%) reported cur rent partners, but only 124/508 (24%) ex-partners. Fifty-two of 290 (18%) n otified partners already knew they were HIV-positive, and 38/130 (29%) noti fied partners for whom pre-PN status was negative or unknown were HIV-posit ive on post-PN testing. Results of HIV tests (if any) after PN were unknown for 37/133 (28%) current partners not already known to be HIV-positive, an d for 71/105 (68%) ex-partners-a doubling of the information loss rate. Not ification of 133 current and 105 ex-partners not previously identified as H IV-positive thus produced 28 (21%) and 10 (10%) new HIV diagnoses, respecti vely. The total yield of HIV diagnoses was 38/100 (38%) partners of recent seroconverters (22 already known plus 16 PN-diagnosed), compared with 52/19 0 (27%) partners of other iPs (30 already known plus 22 PN-diagnosed). We p ropose prioritization for PN of partners of recent seroconverters, augmente d surveillance for HIV diagnoses and recurrence in PN networks of at-risk, non-notified partners, and new measures that preserve anonymity to alert po tential and past sexual contacts of HIV-diagnosed individuals who are unabl e or unwilling to assist in PN.