Detection of HIV antibodies in saliva and its implications

Human immunodeficiency virus has been detected in almost all body fluids. With a silent disease such as HIV infection, testing for HIV antibodies currently is the most cost effective means for determining the incidence and prevalence of HIV infection in the community and for identifying HIV infection in the individuals. HIV antibodies are found in human saliva and can be detected by sensitive ELISA. Saliva collection is easy to perform, non-invasive, safe to use and thus provides alternative method to blood collection. Research is underway to develop a low-cost saliva assay, thus saliva could become the HIV antibody testing medium of choice for much of the developing countries.