Validation of 2006 WHO Prediction Scores for True HIV Infection in Children Less than 18 Months with a Positive Serological HIV Test

All infants born to HIV-positive mothers have maternal HIV antibodies, sometimes persistent for 18 months. When Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is not available, August 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations suggest that clinical criteria may be used for starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) in HIV seropositive children <18 months. Predictors are at least two out of sepsis, severe pneumonia and thrush, or any stage 4 defining clinical finding according to the WHO staging system.From January 2005 to October 2006, we conducted a prospective study on 236 hospitalized children <18 months old with a positive HIV serological test at the national reference hospital in Kigali. The following data were collected: PCR, clinical signs and CD4 cell count. Current proposed clinical criteria were present in 148 of 236 children (62.7%) and in 95 of 124 infected children, resulting in 76.6% sensitivity and 52.7% specificity. For 87 children (59.0%), clinical diagnosis was made based on severe unexplained malnutrition (stage 4 clinical WHO classification), of whom only 44 (50.5%) were PCR positive. Low CD4 count had a sensitivity of 55.6% and a specificity of 78.5%.As PCR is not yet widely available, clinical diagnosis is often necessary, but these criteria have poor specificity and therefore have limited use for HIV diagnosis. Unexplained malnutrition is not clearly enough defined in WHO recommendations. Extra pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), almost impossible to prove in young children, may often be the cause of malnutrition, especially in HIV-affected families more often exposed to TB. Food supplementation and TB treatment should be initiated before starting ART in children who are staged based only on severe malnutrition

Validation of 2006 WHO Prediction Scores for True HIV Infection in Children Less than 18 Months with a Positive Serological HIV Test

All infants born to HIV-positive mothers have maternal HIV antibodies, sometimes persistent for 18 months. When Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is not available, August 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations suggest that clinical criteria may be used for starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) in HIV seropositive children <18 months. Predictors are at least two out of sepsis, severe pneumonia and thrush, or any stage 4 defining clinical finding according to the WHO staging system.From January 2005 to October 2006, we conducted a prospective study on 236 hospitalized children <18 months old with a positive HIV serological test at the national reference hospital in Kigali. The following data were collected: PCR, clinical signs and CD4 cell count. Current proposed clinical criteria were present in 148 of 236 children (62.7%) and in 95 of 124 infected children, resulting in 76.6% sensitivity and 52.7% specificity. For 87 children (59.0%), clinical diagnosis was made based on severe unexplained malnutrition (stage 4 clinical WHO classification), of whom only 44 (50.5%) were PCR positive. Low CD4 count had a sensitivity of 55.6% and a specificity of 78.5%.As PCR is not yet widely available, clinical diagnosis is often necessary, but these criteria have poor specificity and therefore have limited use for HIV diagnosis. Unexplained malnutrition is not clearly enough defined in WHO recommendations. Extra pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), almost impossible to prove in young children, may often be the cause of malnutrition, especially in HIV-affected families more often exposed to TB. Food supplementation and TB treatment should be initiated before starting ART in children who are staged based only on severe malnutrition

Best Practices for Implementing Electronic Disease Surveillance Systems in Resources-constrained Settings

The panel will seek active discussion on successful and unsuccessful experiences using electronic tools to implement disease surveillance systems in developing countries. The scope of the discussion could include technical, financial, and social determinants for a positive outcome of the implementation process. These determinants and factors will also be reviewed for different levels of disease surveillance systems. A primary goal is to revise, refine and validate the presented model based on agreements or disagreements. Potential countries where this model can be further tested will also be sought

A National Electronic System for Disease Surveillance in Rwanda (eIDSR): Lessons Learned from a Successful Implementation

The lessons learned from the nationwide implementation of an electronic disease surveillance system highlighted in this abstract can help to guide the successful implementation of an electronic disease surveillance system in developing countries

TRACnet: A National Phone-based and Web-based Tool for the Timely Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response in Rwanda

OBJECTIVE: (1) To describe the implementation of the electronic system for integrated disease surveillance in Rwanda. (2) To present the sensitivity and specificity of the electronic reporting system to detect potential outbreaks INTRODUCTION: In Rwanda, communicable diseases are the mostly predominant representing 90% of all reported medical consultations in health centers. The country has often faced epidemics including emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. To enhance its preparedness to identify and respond to outbreaks and prevent epidemics, the Government of Rwanda has developed and deployed an electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (eIDSR) working with Voxiva with funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). METHODS: The eIDSR is built on Rwanda’s existing national phone and web-based HIV-reporting system, “TRACnet” that has been operating nationwide since 2004. Data is collected for 23 communicable diseases under surveillance in Rwanda categorized into immediately and weekly reportable. If a lab test is required, the sample is taken and sent to laboratory for testing. Immediate, Weekly, Lab request and lab results forms are completed before submitting data in the system. Data is entered using phone or web based application and is stored in the central database. RESULTS: The design of eIDSR module was completed in November 2011. As of September 2012, 252 out of 457 health facilities in Rwanda have been trained and are using the electronic system (over 50% of coverage); the national roll out is still going on with complete coverage planned for December 2012. The system sends SMS reminders for due and overdue reports. The timeliness and completeness of reporting are 98% and 100% respectively. Notifications are sent to the concerned personnel when the threshold for outbreak detection is reached. When lab results are available and entered in the system, the results are automatically communicated to the health centers originating samples. Data is automatically summarized in predefined tables, graphs, dashboards and maps. As of September 3rd, 2012, a total of 5813 reports including 1325 immediate reports and 4488 weekly reports were submitted electronically. Out of 1325 immediate reports submitted, 406 potential outbreaks were detected and immediately notified and 7 of them were confirmed for cholera, rubella, Influenza-like illness (H1N1), measles and food poisoning. From these data, the eIDSR system shows a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 70% for outbreak detection. The early notification of probable outbreaks stimulated the early investigations and the quick response to outbreaks within the country and across the borders. CONCLUSIONS: The electronic disease surveillance system has improved timeliness and completeness of reporting and extremely supports early detection and notification of outbreaks for timely response. This system should be a model for the East African region as it has demonstrated advantages in the cross-border disease surveillance