COMPARATIVE-EVALUATION OF 6 RAPID SEROLOGICAL TESTS FOR HIV-1 ANTIBODY

Six commercial rapid test kits for HIV-1 antibody were evaluated. Four laboratory technologists tested sera from four groups of U.S. military personnel or dependents: 202 subjects positive tor HIV-1 antibody by Western blot, 200 seronegative voluntary blood donors, 199 seronegative obstetrics/gynecology patients. and 99 subjects with sera reactive by ELISA but negative by recombinant protein EIA and indeterminate by Western blot. The three tests using solid-phase immunoassay technology demonstrated the highest mean sensitivity (>99%) and specificity (>91%) for all groups tested, including sera indeterminate by Western blot. Two dot-immunoblot assays were less specific, possibly due to indistinct reaction end points, and a latex agglutination assay was also less specific because of difficulty distinguishing reactive results from the granular background. In an ''ease-of-use'' assessment, solid-phase capture immunoassays required less time and equipment and were easier to interpret than other testing methods. Solid-phase capture immunoassays for HIV-1 antibody may be suitable for use in emergency situations and in developing countries because they are highly sensitive and specific and are rapidly performed with minimal laboratory equipment.