Comparative evaluation of the Geenius HIV 1/2 Confirmatory Assay and the HIV-1 and HIV-2 Western blots in the Japanese population

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198924
• Publication Date: 2018-10-31T17:32:12Z
• Authors: Makiko Kondo; Koji Sudo; Takako Sano; Takuya Kawahata; Ichiro Itoda; Shinya Iwamuro; Yukihiro Yoshimura; Natsuo Tachikawa; Yoko Kojima; Haruyo Mori; Hiroshi Fujiwara; Naoki Hasegawa; Shingo Kato
• Keywords: Seroconversion; HIV screening

Accurate diagnosis of earlier HIV infection is essential for treatment and prevention. Currently, confirmation tests in Japan are performed using Western blot (WB), but WB has several limitations including low sensitivity cross-reactivity between HIV-1 HIV-2 antibodies. To address these problems, a new testing algorithm more reliable HIV-1/2 differentiation assay required. The Bio-Rad Geenius Confirmatory Assay (Geenius) recently been approved recommended use the revised guidelines by Center Disease Control Prevention (USA). We made comprehensive comparison performance NEW LAV BLOT 1 2 (NLB 2) which kits HIV-2, respectively, to examine if suitable alternative assays now being used Japan. A total 166 positive samples (146 from patients with established 20 acute infection), five seroconversion panels containing 21 30 were used. In addition, 140 negative 10 false-positives on screening examined. NLB was 99.3% 98.6%, respectively. provided results infections detected positivity 0 32 days than 1. gave 12.3% samples. both 100%. specificity Geenius, 98.5%, 81.5% 90.0%, an attractive infections. adaptation may be advantageous rapid reduction costs.