Oral Fluid HIV Tests Give False-Positive Results

There have been increases in the number of false-positive results for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in oral fluid testing in New York (NY, USA).

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) of June 18, 2008, reviewed the increases in these false-positives, which were identified in New York City from the years 2005 to 2008, and the manner with which the officials there responded. According to the report, the reason for the episodic increase in false-positive oral-fluid tests has not yet been determined. Currently, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NY, USA) suspended the use of oral fluid testing in its sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics, and finger-stick whole-blood testing is the only rapid HIV test being used.

The "findings underscore the importance of confirming all reactive HIV tests, both from oral fluid and whole-blood specimens,” according to MMWR. They further indicate that the health department's "strategy of following-up reactive oral fluid test results with an immediate finger-stick whole-blood test reduced the number of apparent false-positive oral fluid test results and might be a useful strategy in other settings and locations.” The report also noted that, "The U.S. Center of Disease Control and Prevention [CDC; Atlanta, GA, USA] continues to encourage the use of rapid HIV tests because they increase the number of persons who are tested and who receive their test results.”

This report was provided by the Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report
(Menlo Park, CA, USA), a non-profit, private operating foundation focusing on major healthcare issues.


Related Links:
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
U.S. Center of Disease Control and Prevention
Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report