[Detection of HIV antibodies in saliva using a rapid diagnostic immunoenzyme assay]

The usefulness of an enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) monotest (TESTPACK HIV-1/HIV-2, ABBOTT) was evaluated in the rapid diagnosis of anti-HIV antibodies in whole saliva in an intravenous drug abuser population (IVDA). Anti-HIV antibodies were simultaneous and prospectively measured in serum and whole saliva from 70 IVDA patients. To improve the sensitivity of the test 100 microliters of saliva were added instead of the recommended serum volume. In the 35 seropositive subjects saliva yielded a distinct positive result (Sensitivity=1), and in the 35 seronegative subjects a negative result (Specificity = 1). A statistically significant association between serum and saliva antibody levels was observed. These findings show the usefulness of a EIA monotest with whole saliva as an alternative sample to serum in the measurement of HIV-antibodies in high-risk patients.