HIV partner notification outcomes for HIV-infected patients by duration of infection, San Francisco, 2004 to 2006

Background: The San Francisco Department of Public Health conducts HIV third-party partner notification in the following populations based on standard Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines: (1) persons with acute and nonacute incident HfV 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. Methods: We reviewed routinely collected demographic and partner notification outcome data among acute and nonacute cases between 2004 and 2006 and among long-standing cases between July 2005 and December 2006. Outcomes were examined among the 3 case types. Results: Most acute (n = 30), nonacute (n-398), and long-standing cases (n = 335) occurred in gay/bisexual men (89%), and most casepatients were interviewed (80%). In acute and nonacute cases, 13% of partners tested for HIV were newly identified as HIV-infected. The number of patients interviewed per new HIV infection identified was 25 for acute cases, 21 for nonacute cases, and 39 for long-standing cases; however, half of recent new HIV infections were identified among partners of long-standing patients. Few patients or partners refused partner notification services. Conclusions: Partner notification was acceptable and successfully identified new HIV infections. 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.