IAS 2025, the 13th IAS conference on HIV Science took place from July 13th to 17th, 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. Two abstracts were presented by COBATEST network at the conference.
Dr. Laura Fernández López presented a poster on estimating HIV incidence using a longitudinal assessment of routine community-based testing data across the WHO European Region based on COBATEST Network from 2014 to 2023.
Over the entire period, 38657 participants were included in the analysis, contributing 66605.73 person-years, and 447 participants seroconverted, resulting in an overall incidence of 0.67 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.61-0.74), ranging from 0.44 in year 2014 to 0.92 in year 2016. The estimated incidences across KP groups were as follows: 1.02 (95% CI: 0.92-1.13) for men who have sex with men (MSM), 0.27 (95% CI: 0.14-0.48) for people who inject drugs (PWID), 1.21 (95% CI: 0.98-1.45) for sex workers (SW), and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.21-1.64) for non-European migrants.
This study demonstrates the feasibility of using routine community-based testing data to estimate HIV incidence among key populations (KPs). The findings reveal significant variability in incidence rates, with non-European migrants, MSM, and SW facing the highest burden.
Please find the poster здесь.
The above-mentioned study was also presented at the national level on XLIII Spanish Epidemiology Society (SEE) Conference, held in La Palma, Spain.
The full presentation can be found здесь.
The second COBATEST abstract at the IAS Conference was presented by Dr. Megi Gogishvili in the form of an e-poster, showcasing trends in HCV testing and data reporting across EECA, based on data collected by COBATEST Network members from 2017 to 2023.
Twenty-six centers from 17 EECA countries reported 73,290 HCV tests done. Except for 2017, when only 3 centers reported data, between 7 and 11 centers reported each subsequent year. However, only 7 centers consistently reported annually. Testing dropped by 44.5% in 2020 but increased by 34.8% in 2021. Excluding 2017, the lowest number of tests was 7,032 in 2020, and the highest was 17,646 in 2022. In 2023, tests declined by 9.7% to 15,930. The proportion of reactive tests rose from 8.6% in 2017 to 29.8% in 2023, peaking at 46.2% in 2022. The total proportion of reactive test results from 2017 to 2023 was 26%.
This study highlighted trends in HCV testing across COBATEST members from EECA. While testing numbers fluctuated, with a significant decline in 2020 and recovery in 2021, the data emphasized the need for consistent HCV testing. Despite a decrease in reported tests in 2023, the proportion of reactive tests increased, suggesting more individuals at risk are being identified. However, only a few members consistently report data, highlighting the need for stronger support in data collection. Strengthening data reporting is essential for targeted interventions and improving HCV prevention and treatment.
Please find the poster здесь.