Document 2329
 DOCN  M94A2329
 TI    Pooled testing for HIV screening: capturing the dilution effect.
 DT    9412
 AU    Wein LM; Zenios SA
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):329 (abstract no. PC0250). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370246
 AB    We study pooled (or group) testing as a cost-effective alternative for
       screening donated blood products (sera) for HIV; rather than test each
       sample individually, this method combines various samples into a pool,
       and then tests the pool. A group testing policy specifies an initial
       pool size, and based on the HIV test result, either releases all samples
       in the pool for transfusion, discards all samples in the pool, or
       divides the pool into subpools for further testing. We develop a
       generalized linear model that relates the HIV test output to the
       antibody concentration in the pool, and hence captures the effect of
       pooling together different samples. The model is validated and
       simplified using data from a variety of field studies, and is embedded
       into a dynamic programming algorithm that derives a group testing policy
       to minimize the expected cost due to false negatives, false positives
       and testing. A simulation study shows that significant cost savings can
       be achieved without compromising the accuracy of the test. However, the
       efficacy of group testing depends upon the use of a classification rule
       (that is, discard the samples in the pool, transfuse them or test them
       further) that is dependent on pool size, a characteristic that is
       lacking in currently implemented pooled testing procedures.
 DE    AIDS Serodiagnosis/*ECONOMICS  Blood Banks/*ECONOMICS  Blood
       Donors/*STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  Cost-Benefit Analysis  Human  HIV
       Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  Linear
       Models  Mass Screening/*ECONOMICS  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).