Application of parallel and serial methods in alternative confirmatory strategy on HIV antibody detection

  Objective   To seek some combinations of different screeningreagents to alternate traditional HIV(human immunodeficiency virus)antibody testing methods, a combination of enzy me-linked immunoso rbent assays(ELISAs)and western blot(WB).

  Methods   One thousand and fourserum samples were detected by both ELISAand rapid t esting according serial and parallel methods which were compared with western blot as gold standard.

  Results   In 1004 serum samples, the sensitivity and negative predictive v alue of parallel method were same as 100.0%, while the ones of serial method were 99.8% and 99.7%.The specitivity and positive predictive v alue of the two methods were same as 98.8% and 99.4%.

  Conclusion   Parallel method was more suitable to be used forpersonnel diagnosis, consultation aftertesting and bloo d screeningif the prevalence rate was considered.Serial method made the testing cost reduced and the testing time shorten, and its negative results were more strongerevidence of the true negative person in lowprevalence area.