title: Pooling of sera for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing: an economical method for use in developing countries.
abstract: To determine whether donated blood samples in African countries could be pooled, then tested for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies with a single test without loss of accuracy, a single test on five pooled samples was used, followed by individual testing of positive pools. This resulted in no loss of either sensitivity or specificity. Pooling 10 samples resulted in a loss of sensitivity for low antibody titre specimens. Pooling reduced the costs of screening by 70% and time needed for analysis. It is concluded that pooling of five samples for HIV screening may result in a substantial reduction in costs; in countries where the prevalence of HIV is higher than the 2-3% found in Zimbabwean donors, however, savings may not be as great.
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Service, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Emmanuel
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Bassett
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000191:economics; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D013048:Specimen Handling; D015030:Zimbabwe
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies