False Positive Tests for HTLV-III Antibodies in Alcoholic Patients with Hepatitis

Serum specimens from the cohort of persons who attended sexually transmitted disease clinics in New Mexico during a two-month period were tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody. Twenty-seven (2.0%) of 1374 serum specimens had repeatedly low-positive reactions by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing, and 22 (1.6%) had repeatedly high-positive reactions. All sera (sufficient for testing by Western blot) with low-positive reactions gave negative results, and all sera (sufficient for testing by Western blot) with high-positive reactions gave positive results. All persons whose serum had high-positive reactions were male. Most (86%) had been seen at the only urban sexually transmitted disease clinic in New Mexico, and most (72%) were openly gay or bisexual. Of all gay and bisexual men evaluated, 14% (16/112) had high-positive reactions. Rapid plasma reagin positivity was significantly associated with HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay low (false) positivity. The relatively high rate of HIV seropositivity among gay men with other sexually transmitted diseases indicates that transmission of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is continuing in this low-incidence area and documents the need for testing and counseling programs in sexually transmitted disease clinics.

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Human Immunodeficiency Virus Test Evaluation, Performance, and Use

Schwartz

Dans²,

Kinosian

1988

JAMA

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tests are essential for detecting asymptomatic infection and are helpful in confirming the diagnoses of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Nonetheless, many aspects of their use remain controversial, partly because of concerns about test accuracy. This article reviews the scientific basis for the evaluation, performance, and use of the most commonly employed HIV assays. Current test performance could be improved by better standardization of test procedures and institution of mandatory proficiency testing and licensure of clinical laboratories that perform HIV testing. Test utility could be enhanced by sequencing tests more appropriately and by interpreting test results in conjunction with the clinical purpose for which the test is being used and the characteristics of the population under study. Finally, HIV tests should be evaluated in a manner that minimizes spectrum and referral bias and inadequate reference standard confirmation, problems that have affected the evaluation of current tests.

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False Positive Tests for HTLV-III Antibodies in Alcoholic Patients with Hepatitis

Cited by 34 publications

References 3 publications

Risk Factors for Repeatedly Reactive HIV-1 EIA and Indeterminate Western Blots

Risk Factors for Repeatedly Reactive HIV-1 EIA and Indeterminate Western Blots

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in Low-Incidence Areas

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Test Evaluation, Performance, and Use

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