Use of rapid HIV tests in labour

1 November 2003. Related: Pregnancy.

Polly Clayden, HIV i-Base

A research letter published in the 26 September issue of AIDS describes fast turnaround of point of care testing in labour and delivery using the OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 antibody test recently approved by the FDA.

Four Chicago hospitals, participating in the Mother Infant Rapid Intervention at Delivery (MIRIAD) Study, evaluated the difference in turnaround times between three hospitals where staff performed rapid tests on whole blood samples at point of care and a fourth where tests were performed in the hospital laboratory.

A total of 225 women were tested at the three hospitals offering point of care testing and 155 at the hospital using the laboratory. Standard enzyme immunoassay/western blot was used to confirm 100% of the test results.

A total of 225 women were tested at the three hospitals offering point of care testing and 155 at the hospital using the laboratory. Standard enzyme immunoassay/western blot was used to confirm 100% of the test results.

The investigators concluded: “We found that point of care HIV testing was feasible, accurate and timely. It permitted previously undiagnosed HIV-infected pregnant women to learn their HIV status quickly allowing for the opportunity to administer intrapartum and neonatal antiretroviral therapy, a measure proven to reduce mother to child transmission.”

Reference:

Cohen MH, Olszewski Y, Branson B et al. Using point of care testing to make rapid HIV-1 tests in labour really rapid AIDS 2003, 17(14);2121-2124