Metromates: Newly Infected MSM in SoCal

Between February 2009 and May 2012 the NIDA funded Metromates Study was conducted at The Los Angeles Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual and Transgender Center (LA LGBT Center), a community-based organization providing comprehensive health services.

Methods
We enrolled 328 men seeking HIV testing at the LA LGBT Center Sexual Health program longitudinal cohort study who met the following criteria: had results from a recent HIV test; at least 18 years of age; male; and reported sex with a male partner in the past 12 months. Eligible participants provided written informed consent; those who had tested HIV-positive (through the sexual health program) provided a specimen for testing of recency of infection. Those testing positive were all verified as newly diagnosed, with a subset classified as recently infected using one of these criteria: a positive test result to RNA nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) on a specimen negative by rapid HIV antibody testing or a result indicative of recent infection from the Vironostika detuned assay. The remaining were classified as newly HIV-diagnosed (but not newly infected) and 105 were HIV-negative. Men were enrolled for a year of behavioral follow-up attempted quarterly but only 55% completed any follow-up after enrollment.