European AIDS and HIV surveillance case definitions

AIDS

Cases are reported according to a uniform AIDS case definition originally published in 1982¹ and revised in 1985^2,3 1987^4,5 and, for adults and adolescents (13 years and over), in 1993.^6,7 The 1993 European AIDS surveillance case definition differs from the definition used in the USA in that it does not include CD4 lymphocyte count criteria. For children (less then 13 years), the case definition used in Europe⁸ is essentially the same as that used in the USA.

HIV infection

A case of HIV infection is defined as an individual with HIV infection confirmed by laboratory according to country definitions and requirements, diagnosed at any clinical stage including AIDS, and not previously reported in that country. For children aged under 18 months at diagnosis, at least one direct detection HIV test (non-antibody based) is also required. Adult/adolescent cases are defined as those aged 13 years and over, and paediatric cases as those under 13 years.

¹ Centers for Disease Control. Update on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) – United States. MMWR 1982; 31: 507-514.

² Centers for Disease Control. Revision of the case definition of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome for national reporting – United States. MMWR 1985; 34: 373-375.

³ World Health Organization. WHO/CDC case definition for AIDS. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 1986; 61: 69-72.

⁴ Centers for Disease Control. Revision of the CDC surveillance case definition for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. MMWR 1987; 36: No.1S.

⁵ World Health Organization. 1987 revision of CDC/WHO case definition for AIDS. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 1988; 63: 1-7

⁶ Ancelle-Park R. Expanded European AIDS case definition. Lancet 1993; 341: 441.

⁷ European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS. 1993 revision of the European AIDS surveillance case definition. AIDS Surveillance in Europe, Quarterly Report 1993; No. 37: 23-28.

⁸ European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS. European case definition for AIDS surveillance in children - revision 1995. HIV/AIDS Surveillance in Europe, Quarterly Report 1995; No. 48: 46-53.