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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
08:15
Humanized NOG Mice for Intravaginal HIV Exposure and Treatment of HIV Infection
Published on: January 31, 2020
[No HIV test: a chance missed]
G E L van den Berk1, A A Jarbandhan, R M Regez
1Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Amsterdam.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|January 9, 2008
Summary
Early recognition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is crucial. Routine HIV testing for high-prevalence groups and those with chronic symptoms can reduce illness, death, and transmission.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
- Immunology
Background:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains a significant global health concern.
- Delayed diagnosis of HIV leads to advanced disease and increased transmission rates.
- In the Netherlands, a substantial percentage of individuals with HIV are unaware of their status.
Observation:
- Three patients, presenting with diverse symptoms like weight loss, dyspnoea, joint pain, and diarrhoea, were diagnosed with HIV.
- All diagnosed patients had advanced HIV, indicated by CD4 counts below 100 cells/µL and AIDS-defining conditions.
- These cases highlight that HIV can present with non-specific, chronic symptoms.
Findings:
- Late diagnosis is common in the Netherlands, with an estimated 40% of HIV-positive individuals unaware of their infection.
- Patients presented with AIDS-defining symptoms at the time of diagnosis, indicating a lack of early detection.
- Low CD4 counts (<100 cells/µL) were observed in all diagnosed patients, signifying advanced immunosuppression.
Implications:
- Routine HIV testing should be implemented for populations with HIV prevalence >0.2%.
- Testing should also be offered to patients with unexplained chronic symptoms, regardless of traditional risk factors.
- Earlier HIV detection can significantly decrease patient morbidity and mortality, and curb viral transmission.
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