title: Anti-HIV-1: extended validation of a modified gelatin particle agglutination assay, and its use with an image analyser.
abstract: Modification of a commercial gelatin particle agglutination assay for anti-HIV-1 (MAT) has increased sensitivity, reduced reaction time and lowered the cost by 90%. We tested over 10,000 blood donations in parallel with the ELISA currently in use, and found the modified test to be highly sensitive and to enhance cost-effectiveness as it substantially reduces false-positive rates. The patterns of agglutination are clearly reproducible and readable by the naked eye and/or Image Analyzer, which provides objectivity and hard-copy documentation of results.
authors.affiliation: Haematology Dept, Naval Hospital, Vina del Mar, Chile.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Runganga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahya
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Barbara
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000379:methods; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity