Photographed Rapid HIV Test Results Pilot Novel Quality Assessment and Training Schemes

Abstract

HIV rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are now used widely in non-laboratory settings by non-laboratory-trained operators. Quality assurance programmes are essential in ensuring the quality of HIV RDT outcomes. However, there is no cost-effective means of supplying the many operators of RDTs with suitable quality assurance schemes. Therefore, it was examined whether photograph-based RDT results could be used and correctly interpreted in the non-laboratory setting. Further it was investigated if a single training session improved the interpretation skills of RDT operators. The photographs were interpreted, a 10-minute tutorial given and then a second interpretation session was held. It was established that the results could be read with accuracy. The participants (n = 75) with a range of skills interpreted results (>80% concordance with reference results) from a panel of 10 samples (three negative and seven positive) using four RDTs. Differences in accuracy of interpretation before and after the tutorial were marked in some cases. Training was more effective for improving the accurate interpretation of more complex results, e.g. results with faint test lines or for multiple test lines, and especially for improving interpretation skills of inexperienced participants. It was demonstrated that interpretation of RDTs was improved using photographed results allied to a 10-minute training session. It is anticipated that this method could be used for training but also for quality assessment of RDT operators without access to conventional quality assurance or training schemes requiring wet samples.

A rapid ultrasound particle agglutination method for HIV antibody detection: Comparison with conventional rapid HIV tests

“…Indeed, several studies have shown that there is considerable variation in the interpretation of particle agglutination results (Dax & O’Connell, 1999) (Chiu et al, 2011) (Spielberg et al, 1989). This issue also arises in the interpretation of other rapid test results and affects their performance in the clinic (i.e.…”

“…clinical sensitivity and specificity). For example, a 2011 study demonstrated that interpretation of four different HIV rapid tests was inconsistent and could be improved by using photographed rapid test results allied to a 10-minute training session of operators (Chiu et al, 2011). Therefore, the UPA method providing a numerical readout of the signal has an advantage over other rapid tests using visual interpretation of the results.…”

Leukodepletion as a Point-of-Care Method for Monitoring HIV-1 Viral Load in Whole Blood

“…The Samba test line signal strength does not strictly correlate to the nucleic acid content of the sample. Weak test lines are undesirable because of the increased frequency of misinterpretation by the user, especially from staff with inadequate training (20). Although a number of clinical samples tested were from patients attending a baseline CD4 assessment (and therefore not yet on ART), the majority of samples were from individuals already on ART.…”

Diagnosing acute HIV infection

“…Decentralized testing requires adapted procedures for [64,65]. Interpretation of rapid HIV tests is improved using photographed results [65].…”

“…Decentralized testing requires adapted procedures for [64,65]. Interpretation of rapid HIV tests is improved using photographed results [65]. Recent research revealed some rapid HIV tests to be considerably less sensitive in indentifying early infection detectable with EIA or NAT [45,46,[66][67][68].…”