Background-Solana® (Quidel) is a new rapid (<40 min.) point-of-care (POC) test for qualitative detection of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) DNA. The assay has two steps: 1) specimen preparation, and 2) amplification and detection using isothermal Helicase-Dependent Amplification (HDA). The objective was to demonstrate the performance of Solana for vaginal swabs and female urines based on comparison to wet mount and TV culture. Performance was also compared to the Aptima-TV assay.Methods-Urine and four clinician-collected vaginal swabs were collected. The first two were used for FDA composite reference (wet mount; InPouch TV Culture). The third swab was used for Solana. Sensitivity/specificity were based on the reference method. A specimen was considered positive if either test was positive. The fourth swab was for Aptima-TV.Results-Vaginal swabs and urines were obtained from 501 asymptomatic and 543 symptomatic women. Prevalence of TV by was 11.5%. For swabs, Solana® demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity from asymptomatic (100%/98.9%) and symptomatic (98.6%/98.5%) women, as well as for urines from asymptomatic (98.0%/98.4%) and symptomatic (92.9%/97.9%) women, compared to the reference method. Compared to Aptima-TV, the sensitivity/specificity was 89.7%/99.0% for swabs and 100%/98.9% for urines. Conclusions-TheSolana® assay performed well compared to the reference assays.

Background The Johns Hopkins Hospital Emergency Department ((JHHED) has served as an observational window on the HIV-epidemic. We previously reported that HIV prevalence decreased among patients attending JHHED from 11.4% in 2003 to 5.6% in 2013 and incidence decreased from 0.99% in 2003 to 0.16%. This study sought to examine the potential contribution of changes in sexual and parenteral risk behaviour during this period by examining trends in HSV-2 and HCV infection in this population. Methods Identity unlinked-serosurveys were conducted in the adult JHHED in 2003, 2007, and 2013. Excess sera collected from 10,274 patients were tested for HSV-2 and HCV antibodies by the Focus HerpeSelect and Genedia HCV 3.0 ELISA.

a short survey capturing demographics, social media use and interest in future testing. Results The advertisement received 401 732 impressions" (displays of the advertisement to users). Nearly all 98%) impressions were to 19e24-year-olds. The daily impressions varied enormously, from 0 to more than 100 000. In the first week, although the advertisement received up to 2,900 daily impressions, no one clicked it. We gradually increased our "bid per click"dthe amount we agreed to pay Facebook for each clickdfrom $0.62 to $0.90. We also modified the advertisement format to depict a college student and to clearly specify the $25 cost of the test. Following these changes, both the number of impressions and "clicks" rose dramatically. Seventy-five individuals clicked the advertisement (25 women and 50 men), with an average cost per click of $0.84. Three students, all female, came for chlamydia testing; one tested positive. Among surveyed individuals (n¼60), 75% reported using Facebook daily or more often. Few (10%) reported ever clicking on Facebook advertisements. Only one surveyed student noticed our Facebook advertisement. The direct-to-laboratory testing concept was popular, with 75% reporting willingness to use this service in the future. Conclusions In this short pilot study, 75 individuals clicked on a Facebook advertisement about chlamydia testing, three came for testing and one tested positive. Facebook advertisements are inexpensive, with high exposure to the target population. A small increase in bid per click can make a very large difference in total impressions. The format of the advertisement is critical for catching the attention of the target audience, because many students report never noticing or clicking Facebook advertisements. Background Computer assisted self interviewing (CASI) has been used at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) in Victoria, Australia since June 2008, to obtain a pre-consultation sexual risk history. We aimed to evaluate the impact of CASI on consultation times, STI testing rates, patient response rates to CASI questions, and obtain patient and clinician views on CASI. Methods The proportion of patients who declined to answer questions using CASI since 2008 was calculated. We then used the same 12 week period (Feb to May) over three years (2008 pre-CASI), (2009 CASI period), and (2010 non-CASI period-due to a computer theft) to assess consultation times and STI-testing rates. We carried out surveys of clinicians and patients to determine their experience and the acceptability of CASI as part of routine clinical practice. Results 14 190 patients completed CASI during the audit period. Men were more likely than women to decline questions about the number of partners they had of the opposite sex (4.4% v 3.6%, p¼0.05) and same sex (8.9% v 0%, p<0.01). One third (34%) of HIVpositive men did not answer questions on number of partners and 18% declined questions about condom use with insertive anal sex. There was no difference in the mean consultation times during CASI and non-CAS...