Reporting of HIV and AIDS cases for surveillance: lessons from Italy

After the recognition of AIDS, surveillance of HIV across Europe relied principally on the reporting of AIDS cases (1). The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), however, slowed progression to disease, and complicated the interpretation of AIDS data. Trends no longer reflected the incidence of HIV. In many European countries, reporting of HIV infections has become increasingly valued as a central component of HIV/AIDS surveillance.