Orasure Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test (on-the-spot HIV test)

Indications

• HIV1 infection

Clinical significance

• HIV screening tests
• results need to be confirmed by more specific test (i.e. HIV1 Western Blot)
• 1 test uses fingerstick blood sample
• the other uses a treat cotton swab along the gums to pick up epithelial cells lining the mouth
• either test takes about 20 minutes
• FDA approved for use in hospitals & clinics.

Procedure

• fingerstick
  • a lancet draws a blood droplet which is transferred to a plastics specimen loop
  • the sample is mixed with a developing solution
  • a test reading device is dipped into a vial & incubated for 20 minutes
  • the test uses a strip of HIV proteins to detect antibody
  • a single pink line at the control area means the test is negative; two pink lines is a positive test (i.e. indication of HIV infection)
• oral cotton swab test
  • the swab is placed into a stick-like device
  • infection is determined by the presence of reddish-purple lines that appear in a window

Notes

• accuracy of test is 99.6% (blood test); 99% (cotton swab test)
• anyone with simple training can administer the test
• cost $12 (2003)
• Abbott & Orasure Technologies

More general terms

• rapid HIV test (point of care HIV test)

Additional terms

• Oraquick Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test (on-the-spot HIV test)