Evaluation of a rapid test for detection of antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

A new test for rapid detection of HIV antibodies (HIVCHEK) was evaluated. A total of 107 sera were examined. Of these, 60 were from healthy blood donors and the rest from a serum panel containing HIV positives and samples with false positive reactions in ELISA and unspecific bands in the western blot (WB). There was close agreement (100%) between the methods. The specificity of the HIVCHEK was 100% in this study. The sensitivity was acceptably high based on testing of consecutive serum samples from two seroconversion patients. The test was rapid and easy to perform, and no extra equipment was needed.