[the early diagnosis of the vertical transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1. The evaluation of diagnostic tests].
BACKGROUND
The early diagnosis of vertically transmitted human immunodeficiency virus infection cannot be based on the presence of specific serum antibodies since those of the maternal IgG class pass the placenta and may be detected in children for up to 18 months. Based on this fact, the aim of this study was to evaluate other techniques for early diagnosis of the infection applicable from birth in 306 children of infected mothers.


METHODS
The production of in vitro antibodies, virus culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used. The sensitivity of the techniques was estimated in the 40 children diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus infection and specificity was determined in the 266 uninfected children.


RESULTS
The sensitivity for the production of in vitro antibodies was 62.0% at 3 months and 94.7% at 6 months; 90.4% and 88.2%, respectively, for the viral culture and 92.3% and 94.1%, respectively, for the PCR. The specificity of all the cases was higher than 89.4% although varied in relation to age.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of several diagnostic techniques provides better performance for the early diagnosis of vertical transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. Given that viral culture takes longer to provide results and is more expensive, it is less recommendable for routine use, although the form of viral replication may be useful to establish the prognosis.
D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
D015483:HIV Antibodies
Diagnóstico precoz de la transmisión vertical del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana tipo 1. Valoración de las pruebas diagnósticas.