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Low specificity of the Murex fourth‐generation HIV enzyme immunoassay in Tanzanian adolescents
Author(s) -
Everett Dean B.,
Weiss Helen A.,
Changalucha John,
Anemona Alessandra,
Chirwa Tobias,
Ross David A.,
WatsonJones Deborah,
Parry John V.,
Hayes Richard,
Mabey David C.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2007.01933.x
Subject(s) - immunoassay , serology , tanzania , virology , antibody , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , medicine , antigen , biology , immunology , geography , environmental planning
Summary 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.