Document 2712
 DOCN  M94A2712
 TI    Evaluation of HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody tests in developing countries.
 DT    9412
 AU    Maskill W; Belsey E; Tamashiro H; Gershy-Damet G; Liomba G; M'Boup S;
       Wasi C; Fairfield Hospital, Melbourne.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):241 (abstract no. PB0392). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369863
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of HIV-1/HIV-2
       ELISA and Simple/Rapid (S/R) assay under field conditions. METHODS:
       Eight enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA's) and five simple/rapid
       (S/R) tests were evaluated under field conditions in four countries,
       Cote d'Ivoire, Malawi, Senegal and Thailand. Approximately 400 routine
       serum samples were tested on three S/R assays at each of five peripheral
       laboratories in each country. All serum samples were retested by at
       least three ELISA's at a central laboratory. Samples reactive by an
       ELISA or S/R assay underwent Western Blotting. Samples found to be
       Western Blot positive according to WHO criteria were considered HIV
       antibody positive. Sera which were either negative by all S/R assays and
       ELISA's or which were Western Blot negative were considered HIV antibody
       negative. The sensitivity, specificity and delta values were calculated
       for each test. RESULTS: Sensitivity estimates for S/R tests ranged from
       86.6% to 99.4% and 80.4% to 100% for ELISA's. Specificity varied from
       96.4% to 100% for S/R assays and 86.9% to 100% for ELISA's. Variation in
       sensitivity and specificity estimates appeared to be both test and
       country dependant and could not be solely attributed to laboratory
       technique. The delta analysis assisted in assessing these variations.
       DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and specificity of
       HIV-1/HIV-2, ELISA's and S/R tests preformed in field laboratories can
       in some cases approximate that achieved by reference laboratories.
       Efforts should be made to identify and correct factors responsible for
       reducing test performance.
 DE    *AIDS Serodiagnosis  Comparative Study  Cote d'Ivoire  *Developing
       Countries  Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay  Human  HIV
       Antibodies/*BLOOD  HIV Seropositivity/*DIAGNOSIS/IMMUNOLOGY
       HIV-1/*IMMUNOLOGY  HIV-2/*IMMUNOLOGY  Malawi  Predictive Value of Tests
       Quality Control  Senegal  Thailand  MEETING ABSTRACT

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