False-positive fourth-generation HIV test result in a woman with Plasmodium malariae malaria

Abstract

Background: False positive results on fourth-generation human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnostic tests have previously been reported in infections with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium ovale but not with Plasmodium malariae.

Methods: We report a false positive fourth-generation HIV test result in a patient with P. malariae infection. The patient's symptoms improved rapidly with antimalarial treatment and the confirmatory and repeated HIV tests were eventually negative.

Results: False positive results may add a variety of unnecessary burden.

Conclusions: One must be aware of false positive results even with fourth-generation tests in patients with malaria, including P. malariae malaria.

Keywords: Plasmodium malariae; HIV testing; diagnosis; malaria.