Helena Ellam

The incidence of giardiasis in Central Lancashire increased following the introduction of a sensitive enzyme immunoassay diagnostic test in November 2002. We compared the epidemiological trends for 1996-2006 in Central Lancashire with a control area which used a standard wet preparation diagnostic method throughout. Poisson regression modelling was used to investigate trends in giardiasis before and after the introduction of the test. In the control area, incidence of giardiasis was four per 100,000 in 2005. In contrast, in Central Lancashire, the rates increased in temporal association with the introduction of the enzyme immunoassay test from 10.1 per 100,000 population in 2002 to 33.6 per 100,000 in 2006. The increase in giardiasis was unexplained by local factors including travel, outbreaks or sampling trends. The increase in giardiasis occurred in all age groups except for males aged 0-14 years and was most marked in males aged 25-44 years. The relative risk for trend post-test introduction in Central Lancashire was 1.11 (95% CI, 1.01-1.23). This suggests that the increase in giardiasis following the introduction of the sensitive enzyme immunoassay test was at least in part due to improved detection. There appears to be considerable under-diagnosis of giardiasis, particularly in adults. Additional research is required to evaluate the enzyme immunoassay test more widely. The test may assist in standardisation of diagnostic methods for giardiasis and enable more accurate estimation of disease burden and transmission routes.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Transpl Int, 19 January 2024 https://doi.org/10.3389/ti.2024.11985

Background MSM community outreach using oral home sampling kits posted to virology for testing previously demonstrated success in attracting non-healthcare seeking individuals at risk of HIV. The outcome of targeting other specific at-risk groups to offer home sampling has not previously been described. Objective To determine the acceptability of home sampling kits for HIV using oral swabs in two at-risk groups Black Africans (BA) and partners of HIV positive patients (PPP). Methods Self-taken oral fluid home sampling kits were returned to virology for testing using two HIV assays: Roche COBAS and Genscreen Ultra (previously validated for oral fluid testing). Total IgG was also measured to assess sample adequacy. Participant recruitment was two-pronged: community based (BA) or via an HIV clinic (PPP). For BA recruitment, home sampling kits were actively promoted at relevant social events and venues by trained African volunteers from July to December 2010. 19 free condom distribution points were also utilised to provide information about HIV and the testing kits. From September to December 2011, PPPs of unknown current HIV status were contacted and offered the option of attending clinic or receiving an oral fluid home sampling kit by post. Results Despite intense promotional activity, only 12 kits from 11 individuals in the BA community project were returned: 5 male; 6 female. Two of these participants were not African. In the PPP clinic based study, of 46 partners offered a kit, 38 (83%) accepted, and 34 (89%) returned a sample. BA partners were less likely to accept a home sampling kit (9/13; 69%) than white partners (29/33; 88%) in the PPP group. Participant feedback was favourable in both studies. Discussion Further evaluation is needed to understand the difference in acceptability of this method of HIV testing in specific at-risk groups (MSM, BA and PPP) in community and clinic settings.