Diagnosis of HIV infection using saliva samples: comparative study between adults and children

The use of saliva samples to detect the anti-HIV antibody has been described recently as an interesting alternative in relation to blood samples. We have analyzed 172 saliva samples from HIV positive and negative patients assisted at CASP, 108 of them adults and 64 children, in order to assess the specificity and sensitivity of the GACELISA test. A specificity was found of 85% and 80% respectively for the adult and children groups and sensitivity of 97.7% and 100% respectively for the adult and children groups. The statistical analysis revealed no differences in specificity and in sensitivity between these groups. We concluded that GACELISA test is useful for children.