title: Evaluation of the Murex HIV Ag/Ab Combination assay when used with dried blood spots.
abstract: This study evaluated the ability of the Murex HIV Ag/Ab Combination assay to detect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies in 12 617 dried blood spots (DBSs) on filter paper. The assay had an overall sensitivity of 99.6% and a specificity of 99.9%. In view of its ability to detect p24 antigen and both HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies in samples collected in the form of DBSs, the Murex Ag/Ab Combination assay is suitable for use as a standard screening assay for seroprevalence studies, as well as for routine diagnostic use in clinical laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Punjagutta, Hyderabad, India. lgorthi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lakshmi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sudha
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhanurekha
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dandona
mesh_terms: D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic