title: Low specificity of the Murex fourth-generation HIV enzyme immunoassay in Tanzanian adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the specificity of the Abbott Murex HIV antigen/antibody combination enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the diagnosis of HIV infection in Tanzania.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of 7333 Tanzanian adolescents and young adults was carried out. Sera testing positive by the Murex assay were further evaluated using a battery of other EIA which detect either antibody to HIV-1 or p24 antigen, and by PCR using pol primers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 674 sera testing positive by the Murex assay, only 53 (7.9%) were confirmed. The specificity of the Murex assay was 91.5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serological tests for HIV may perform differently in different populations. New diagnostic tests should not be introduced into populations in which they have not been evaluated.
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: Dean B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Everett
authors.forename: Helen A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Changalucha
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anemona
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chirwa
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Watson-Jones
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Parry
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Mabey
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013636:Tanzania
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic