HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TESTING FOR PATIENT-BASED AND POPULATION-BASED DIAGNOSIS

Laboratory testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been int roduced for individual patient-based diagnosis as well as high-risk an d low-risk population-based screening. The choice of test, confirmator y algorithm, and interpretative criteria used depend on the clinical s etting. In the context of general population-based testing, factors af fecting test performance will have to be considered carefully in the d evelopment of testing policy.