ECWA Evangel Hospital, Jos, Nigeria - False positive results not uncommon for HIV rapid tests in Uganda

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published 29-07-2007

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"In summary, using an algorithm of three rapid HIV tests, we found that 5.8% of results showed weak positive bands on one or more tests and that 94.1% of samples with weak positive results were negative or indeterminate on enzyme immunoassay or western blotting. We conclude that weak positive bands on rapid tests cannot be interpreted as positive in serum from Ugandan populations."

"Weak positive bands on rapid tests for HIV should be confirmed by enzyme immunoassay and western blotting before disclosing the diagnosis. Programmes using rapid tests routinely should use standard serological assays for quality control."

Limitations of rapid HIV-1 tests during screening for trials in Uganda: diagnostic test accuracy study. BMJ 2007;335:188 (28 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.39210.582801.BE (published 1 June 2007)

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