A new generation of serum anti-HIV antibody immunocapture assay for saliva testing

Background: Epidemiological studies need easier tools to evaluate HIV prevalence, particularly in high-risk groups under difficult field conditions. Testing saliva antibody with accurate immunoassay could serve as an alternative to serum testing.

Objectives: To evaluate performances on saliva of a novel commercially available assay for anti-HIV antibody.

Study design: Samples of saliva from 530 patients were tested for the presence of HIV antibodies with a third generation commercially available serum-screening kit and the use of a sample diluent adapted to saliva.

Results: Compared with serum sampling the sensitivity and specificity of oral sampling were respectively, 100 and 99.8%.

Conclusion: The ICE HIV-1.0.2 assay used on saliva could be an efficient and non-invasive epidemiological tool for HIV testing.