Abstract
Abstract
Background
According to the user instructions from the manufacturer of OraQuick HIV self-test (HIVST) kits, individuals whose kits show one red band should be considered to be HIV-negative, no matter how weak the band is. However, recent reports show potential for a second false weak band after storage, thereby creating confusion in the interpretation of results. In this study, we re-tested individuals whose results were initially non-reactive but changed to weak reactive results to determine their true HIV status.
Methods
This study was nested within a large, cluster-randomized HIVST trial implemented among pregnant women attending antenatal care and their male partners in central Uganda between July 2016 and February 2017. Ninety-five initially HIV-negative respondents were enrolled into this study, including 52 whose kits developed a second weak band while in storage and 43 whose kits were interpreted as HIV-positive by interviewers at the next follow-up interview. Respondents were invited to return for repeat HIVST which was performed under the observation of a trained nurse counsellor. After HIVST, respondents underwent blood-based rapid HIV testing as per the national HIV testing algorithm (Determine (Abbot Laboratories), STAT-PAK (Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc.) and Unigold (Trinity Biotech plc.) and dry blood spots were obtained for DNA/PCR testing. DNA/PCR was considered as the gold-standard HIV testing method.
Results
After repeat HIVST, 90 (94.7%) tested HIV-negative; 2 (2.1%) tested HIV-positive; and 3 (3.2%) had missing HIV test results. When respondents were subjected to blood-based rapid HIV testing, 97.9% (93/95) tested HIV-negative while 2.1% (2/95) tested HIV-positive. Finally, when the respondents were subjected to DNA/PCR, 99% (94/95) tested HIV-negative while 1.1% (1/95) tested HIV-positive.
Conclusions
Nearly all initially HIV-negative individuals whose HIVST kits developed a second weak band while in storage or were interpreted as HIV-positive by interviewers were found to be HIV-negative after confirmatory DNA/PCR HIV testing. These findings suggest a need for HIV-negative individuals whose HIVST results change to false positive while under storage or under other sub-optimal conditions to be provided with an option for repeat testing to determine their true HIV status.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Pharmacology (medical),Virology,Molecular Medicine
Reference22 articles.
1. WHO. Guidelines on HIV self-testing and partner notification: supplement to consolidated guidelines on HIV testing services 2016. Geneva: World Health Organization.
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/251655/9789241549868-eng.pdf?sequence=1
. Accessed 14 Apr 2019.
2. Ickenroth MH, Ronda G, Grispen JE, Dinant GJ, de Vries NK, Van Der Weijden T. How do people respond to self-test results? A cross-sectional survey. BMC Fam Pract. 2010;11:77–84.
3. WHO. HIV self-testing among health workers: a review of the literature and discussion of current practices, issues and options for increasing access to HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa 2011. Geneva: World Health Organization.
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44510/9789241501033_eng.pdf;jsessionid=25919DD56BE630EDDDDB03631373BC43?sequence=1
. Accessed 21 May 2019.
4. Makusha T, Knight L, Taegtmeyer M, Tulloch O, Davids A, Lim J, et al. HIV self-testing could “revolutionize testing in South Africa, but it has got to be done properly”: perceptions of key stakeholders. PLoS ONE. 2015;10:e0122783.
5. van Rooyen H, Tulloch O, Mukoma W, Makusha T, Chepuka L, Knight LC, et al. What are the constraints and opportunities for HIVST scale-up in Africa? Evidence from Kenya, Malawi and South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc. 2015;18:19445–54.
Cited by
6 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献