Many HIV Screening Tests Yield False-Positive Results

A positive screening test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) means only that there are antibodies present either to HIV or to something that cross-reacts with it. The test does not mean that a person has or will get acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

In many jurisdictions, tests for HIV are required screening for pregnant women. It has been suggested that the entire population be screened for HIV. The rationale is to prevent transmission of the virus by administration of antiretroviral drugs to individuals who receive positive results from the screening tests.

However, people receiving false-positive results from the HIV screening test might not be infected with the virus. However, they will be told that they have acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) and be required to take expensive, toxic drugs for a condition they cannot transmit because they do not have it.

"The problem of false-positive tests applies to all screening tests, not just HIV," stated Jane M. Orient, M.D., executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS; Arlington, VA, USA). "If a population with a very low likelihood of a disease is tested, there will be very few positive tests. But even with an excellent test, a positive is more likely than not to be a false positive."

Dr. Orient added that although the test is a very good for screening blood donors it can do more harm than good if used to screen the entire population.

An article by Henry H. Bauer, Ph.D., professor emeritus of chemistry and science studies, and dean emeritus of arts and sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA, USA) appeared in the spring edition of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. It explains the history behind the HIV screening tests, and the reason such a large proportion of them are likely to give false-positive results.

Related Links:
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons