"Comparison of Saliva and Serum for HIV Surveillance in Developing" Countries

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Comparison of Saliva and Serum for HIV Surveillance in Developing" Countries

Lancet (12/19-26/92) Vol. 340, No. 8834/8835, P. 1496
Frerichs, Ralph R. et al.

Abstract: Saliva is a safe and effective alternative to serum for HIV antibody testing with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs in developing countries, write Ralph R. Frerichs et al. of the University of California--Los Angeles AIDS Prevention and Control Program. The researchers conducted a field study in Myanmar (formerly Burma) to evaluate saliva as an alternative to detect the frequency of HIV infection in a surveillance program of high-risk and low-risk sentinel groups. The researchers collected duplicate vials of saliva and serum from 479 high-risk and 1,039 low-risk subjects. One vial of each pair was examined blind in two laboratories: one in the United States and the other in Myanmar. The U.S. laboratory followed World Health Organization confirmatory strategy III with three different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), while the laboratory in Myanmar followed strategy I with one ELISA. Serum testing in the U.S. was the gold standard. The Cambridge ELISA with saliva was a more effective surveillance device for describing the frequency of subjects with HIV antibodies than the serum ELISA supplied to Myanmar by WHO.

921219
AD922509

Copyright © 1992 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1992. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1992. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.