title: [Serology of the human immunodeficiency virus in saliva].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The presence of immunoglobulins in saliva has allowed it to be proven that they are specific against certain antigens. Antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been observed in saliva. The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection of the same by commercial enzymoinmmunoassay (EIA) and standardize the technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 78 intravenous drug user patients the presence of antibodies against HIV in serum and saliva were determined by recombinant EIA (Abbott HIV-1/HIV-2 recombinant EIA). The determinations in saliva were made taking volumes of 10 and 50 microliters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 43 patients the presence of antibodies against HIV-1 was demonstrated in serum, 42 of which were positive in saliva in the determination with 50 microliters and 16 with 10 microliters. No false positives were reported. With the use of 50 microliters of saliva the test showed a sensitivity of 0.98, specificity of 1, predictive value of a positive result of 1, predictive value of negative result of 0.98 and diagnostic efficacy of 0.99.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The determination of antibodies against HIV in saliva in intravenous drug users is a highly sensitive and specific method with the use of volumes of 50 microliters in the tests.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Valle del Nalón, Riaño, Langreo, Asturias.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cárcaba
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Junquera
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: García Amorín
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alfonso
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García Alonso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
vernacular_title: Serología del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en saliva.