Performance of the Alere Determine ™ HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo Rapid Test with Algorithm-defined Acute HIV-1 Infection Specimens

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated guidelines in 2014 for laboratory diagnosis of HIV in the United States, which recommend use of an HIV-1/2 antigen/antibody (Ag/Ab) combination immunoassay (IA) as the primary screening test in the algorithm [1]. The capacity of Ag/Ab IAs to detect HIV-1 p24 antigen has resulted in a reduction of the diagnostic window period and improved detection of HIV-1 infections in comparison to Ab-only screening assays [3 –7]. Identifying individuals with acute HIV-1 infection allows for early treatment, which can reduce transmission, improves health outcomes for infected individuals, and contributes to earlier partner services [8,9].
Source: Journal of Clinical Virology - Category: Virology Authors: Tags: Short communication Source Type: research