HIV Partner Notification Outcomes for HIV-Infected Patients by Duration of Infection, San Francisco, 2004 to 2006

"The San Francisco Department of Public Health conducts HIV third-party partner notification in the following populations based on standard [CDC] guidelines: (1) persons with acute and non-acute incident HIV infection tested at the municipal sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic and the county hospital, and (2) all county residents with early syphilis and long-standing HIV infection," explained the authors. In the current study, they examined outcomes among acute and non-acute cases between 2004 and 2006 and among long-standing cases between July 2005 and December 2006.

Gay and bisexual men (89 percent) accounted for most acute (n=30), non-acute (n=398) and long-standing cases (n=335); 80 percent of case-patients were interviewed. In acute and non-acute cases, 13 percent of partners tested for HIV were newly identified as HIV-positive. The number of patients interviewed per new HIV infection identified was: 25 for acute cases, 21 for non-acute cases, and 39 for long-standing cases. The researchers found that of recent new HIV infections, half were identified among partners of long-standing patients. Partner notification services were refused by few patients or partners.

"Partner notification was acceptable and successfully identified new HIV infections," the authors concluded. "Other jurisdictions should consider implementing or expanding partner notification for HIV infection. More evaluation is needed of the effectiveness of partner notification among HIV-infected persons with other STDs."

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