[IgA antibody detection and PCR as first options in the diagnosis of perinatal HIV-1 infection].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and IgA-specific immunoblot assays as ancillary methods to diagnose human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) perinatal infection.


METHODS
A comparative study was conducted between February and October 2001 at the Human Retrovirus Research Unit of Mexico's National University. Ninety infected and 153 non-infected children were included in the study. Viral cultures were the gold standard tests. Standardized PCR for a conserved region of the gag gene and HIV-specific IgA antibody using ELISA and immunoblot were used. Statistical analysis of results was performed with SPSS 10.0.


RESULTS
IgA ELISA sensitivity and specificity were 61.1% and 90.8%, respectively. Immunoblot had a sensitivity of 82.2% and a specificity of 95.4%. PCR had an overall sensitivity of 98.3% and a specificity of 100% with only one false negative result. If both assays were run, the sensitivity increased to 100% and the specificity to 96%.


CONCLUSIONS
A very high sensitivity and specificity is reached when using together PCR and IgA immunoblot; these assays are useful for perinatal diagnosis of HIV-1.
Basualdo
Maria del Carmen
Mdel C
Unidad de Investigación en Retrovirus Humanos, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos, Secretaría de Salud, México. mcbasualdo@yahoo.com
Moran
Kathya
K
Alcántara
Patricia
P
González
Elizabeth
E
Puentes
Esteban
E
Soler
Carmen
C
D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D007070:Immunoglobulin A