Diagnosis of HIV infection using rapid oral fluid detection kit and evaluation of its diagnostic accuracy – a case control study

Method: The informed consent was obtained and samples were collected from two groups. Each group consists of 60 samples. The first group involved known HIV positive patients. The second group involved the control group of patients who were above 18 years of age and patients who were found negative by rapid assay test. Participants were excluded if they were pregnant, had other systemic diseases which compromise immunity and with chronic debilitating condition that would preclude an informed consent. This rapid test is a manually performed, visually read, 20 minute lateral flow immunoassay test for the qualitative detection of antibodies to HIV-1 in oral fluid. The device plastic housing holds an assay test strip comprised of several materials that provide the matrix for the immunochromatography of the specimen and the platform for indication of the test results. Results: The results were 100 % for both seropositive and seronegative samples. The results obtained by the rapid test using oral fluid were the same as that obtained by serum tests. Conclusion: Our study finds 100% result with regards to sensitivity and specificity hence oral fluid can be used for screening of HIV infection as it is comparable to serum test.