Evaluation of Current Rapid HIV Test Algorithms in Rakai, Uganda

Type Journal Article - Journal of Virological Methods
Title Evaluation of Current Rapid HIV Test Algorithms in Rakai, Uganda
Author(s)
Volume 192
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Page numbers 25-27
URL http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3749432/
Abstract
Rapid HIV tests are a crucial component of HIV diagnosis in resource limited settings. In Uganda, the Ministry of Health allows for both serial and parallel HIV rapid testing using Determine, Stat-Pak and Uni-Gold. In serial testing, a non-reactive result on Determine ends testing. The performance of serial and parallel algorithms with Determine and Stat-Pak test kits was assessed. A cross-sectional diagnostic test accuracy evaluation using three rapid HIV test kits as per the recommended parallel test algorithm was followed by EIA-WB testing with estimates of the performance of serial testing algorithm. In 2520 participants tested by parallel rapid algorithms, 0.6% had weakly reactive result. Parallel testing had 99.7% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity. If Stat-Pak was used as the first screening test for a serial algorithm, the sensitivity was 99.6% and specificity 99.7%. However, if Determine was used as the screening test, sensitivity was 97.3% and specificity 99.9%. Serial testing with Stat-Pak as the initial screening test performed as well as parallel testing, but Determine was a less sensitive screen. Serial testing could be cost saving.

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