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.

Evaluation of the ultrasensitive human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) p24 antigen assay performed on dried blood spots for diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in infants.

Patton JC, Coovadia AH, Meyers TM, Sherman GG

Wits Pediatric HIV Clinics, Wits Health Consortium, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The diagnostic accuracy of the modified p24 antigen assay performed on pediatric dried blood spots was evaluated. Samples analyzed within 6 weeks of collection yielded no false-positive results (specificity, 100%) and few false-negative results (sensitivity, 96.5% to 98.3%). Laboratory services with limited resources should assess this option for routine infant diagnosis.

Published 4 February 2008 in Clin Vaccine Immunol, 15(2): 388-91.
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