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. 2015 Nov 28;29(18):2465-71.
doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000000855.

Field accuracy of fourth-generation rapid diagnostic tests for acute HIV-1: a systematic review

Joseph M Lewis  1 , Peter Macpherson, Emily R Adams, Eleanor Ochodo, Anita Sands, Miriam Taegtmeyer
Affiliations

Field accuracy of fourth-generation rapid diagnostic tests for acute HIV-1: a systematic review

Joseph M Lewis et al. AIDS. .

Abstract

Introduction: Fourth-generation HIV-1 rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) detect HIV-1 p24 antigen to screen for acute HIV-1. However, diagnostic accuracy during clinical use may be suboptimal.

Methods: Clinical sensitivity and specificity of fourth-generation RDTs for acute HIV-1 were collated from field evaluation studies in adults identified by a systematic literature search.

Results: Four studies with 17 381 participants from Australia, Swaziland, the United Kingdom and Malawi were identified. All reported 0% sensitivity of the HIV-1 p24 component for acute HIV-1 diagnosis; 26 acute infections were missed. Specificity ranged from 98.3 to 99.9%.

Conclusion: Fourth-generation RDTs are currently unsuitable for the detection of acute HIV-1.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of included and excluded studies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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