A Network Intervention to Locate Newly HIV Infected Persons Within MSM Networks in Chicago

Individuals with recent/acute HIV-infection have an increased likelihood of disease transmission. To evaluate effectiveness of identifying recent infections, we compared networks of recently and long-term HIV-infected individuals. The Transmission Reduction Intervention Project included two separate arms of recruitment, networks of recently HIV-infected individuals and networks of long-term HIV-infected individuals. Networks of each were recruited and tested for HIV and syphilis infection. The per-seed yield ratios of recruitment were compared between arms. Overall, 84 (41.6%) of 202 participants were identified as HIV-positive. HIV prevalence was higher (p < 0.001) among networks of recent seeds (33/96, 34.4%) compared to long-term seeds (6/31, 19.4%). More individuals were identified with active syphilis infection (p = 0.007) among networks of recent seeds (15/96, 15.6%), compared to networks of long-term seeds (3/31, 9.7%). Network-based recruitment of recently HIV-infected individuals was more effective at identifying HIV and syphilis infection. Allocation of public health resources may be improved by targeting interventions toward networks of recently HIV-infected individuals.