Use of quantitative HIV RNA detection for early diagnosis of HIV infection in infants and acute HIV infections in Alberta, Canada

J Clin Microbiol. 2012 Feb;50(2):502-5. doi: 10.1128/JCM.05471-11. Epub 2011 Dec 7.

Abstract

Quantitative HIV RNA viral load (QVL) assays (Roche Diagnostics) were sensitive and specific when used to diagnose HIV infection in (i) HIV-exposed infants (sensitivity of 100% [63.1 to 100%] and specificity of 100% [97.9 to 100%]) and (ii) suspected acute HIV infection patients with a negative/indeterminate Western blot (sensitivity of 97.6% [91.6 to 99.7%] and specificity of 100% [96.1 to 100%]). No false-positive QVL results were identified.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alberta
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnostic Errors / statistics & numerical data
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral / blood*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Viral Load / methods*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • RNA, Viral