HIV 1-2 Ag/Ab selective and combined detection by a new rapid point-of-care test

In order to reduce the window phase between time of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposure and source’s results of laboratory investigations, we evaluated the analytical performance of a new point of care test for simultaneous detection of HIV Abs and HIV Ag.We tested 48 serum samples by HIV Combo Ag/Ab Abbott Diagnostic®, USA; by Western Blot Matrix HIV 1/2 Abbott®, USA and by the new POCT test HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab Combo Inverness Medical®, UK. Good concordance of results was recordered with analytical performance (sensitivity and specificity) and diagnostic accuracy of 100%.Thus this new test is ideal for rapid laboratory investigation when the time for appropriate prophylactic therapy is very important, such as found in exposure in the workplace.