Performance of an Alternative Laboratory-Based HIV Diagnostic Testing Algorithm Using HIV-1 RNA Viral Load.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Since 2014, the recommended algorithm for laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection in the United States has consisted of an HIV-1/2 antigen/antibody (Ag/Ab) test followed by an HIV-1/2 antibody (Ab) differentiation test and, if necessary, a diagnostic HIV-1 nucleic acid test to resolve discordant or indeterminate results.

Methods

Using stored specimens from persons seeking HIV testing who had not received a previous diagnosis or treatment, we compared the performance of a 3-step alternative algorithm consisting of an Ag/Ab test followed by a quantitative HIV-1 RNA viral load assay and, if viral load is not detected, an Ab differentiation test, to that of the recommended algorithm. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of 5 Ag/Ab tests and the proportion of sp

SUBMITTER: Pitasi MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7246040 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature