Low specificity of the Murex fourth-generation HIV enzyme immunoassay in Tanzanian adolescents

Dean B. Everett, Helen A. Weiss, John Changalucha, Alessandra Anemona, Tobias Chirwa, David A. Ross, Deborah Watson-Jones, John V. Parry, Richard Hayes, David C. Mabey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine the specificity of the Abbott Murex HIV antigen/antibody combination enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the diagnosis of HIV infection in Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 7333 Tanzanian adolescents and young adults was carried out. Sera testing positive by the Murex assay were further evaluated using a battery of other EIA which detect either antibody to HIV-1 or p24 antigen, and by PCR using pol primers. Results: Of the 674 sera testing positive by the Murex assay, only 53 (7.9%) were confirmed. The specificity of the Murex assay was 91.5%. Conclusions: Serological tests for HIV may perform differently in different populations. New diagnostic tests should not be introduced into populations in which they have not been evaluated.

Original languageBritish English
Pages (from-to)1323-1326
Number of pages4
JournalTropical Medicine and International Health
Volume12
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2007

Keywords

  • Africa
  • False positives
  • HIV tests
  • Specificity

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