HIV Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about HIV, including details on human immunodeficiency virus, testing, treatment, prevention, vaccines, aids.

Assessment of rapid tests for detection of human immunodeficiency virus-specific antibodies in recently infected individuals.

Louie B, Wong E, Klausner JD, Liska S, Hecht F, Dowling T, Obeso M, Phillips SS, Pandori MW

San Francisco Department of Public Health, 101 Grove St., Room 412, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA. brian.louie@sfdph.org

We have evaluated four current Food and Drug Administration-cleared rapid tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific antibodies with a panel of specimens from recently infected individuals. Recent infection was detected by RNA-based screening coupled with enzyme immunoassay-based testing. We found that the sensitivities of the various rapid tests vary greatly with regard to their ability to detect HIV-specific antibodies in recently infected individuals.

Published 4 April 2008 in J Clin Microbiol, 46(4): 1494-7.
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