Diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection with different subtypes using rapid tests.
We evaluated six rapid tests for their sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection using 241 specimens (172 HIV-1 positive, 69 HIV-1 negative) representing different HIV-1 subtypes (A [n = 40], B [n = 47], C [n = 28], E [n = 42], and F [n = 7]). HIVCHEK, Multispot, RTD and SeroStrip were 100% sensitive and specific. Capillus failed to identify two of eight subtype C specimens (overall sensitivity of 98. 85%), while the SUDS test (the only test approved by the Food and Drug Administration) gave false-positive results for 5 of 69 seronegative specimens (specificity of 93.24%). Our results suggest that although rapid tests perform well in general, it may be prudent to evaluate a rapid test for sensitivity and specificity in a local population prior to its widespread use.
Phillips
S
S
HIV Immunology and Diagnostics Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Granade
T C
TC
Pau
C P
CP
Candal
D
D
Hu
D J
DJ
Parekh
B S
BS
D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests