Diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection with different subtypes using rapid tests

We evaluated six rapid tests for their sensitivity and specificity in diagn osing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection using 241 speci mens (172 HIV-1 positive, 69 HIV-1 negative) representing different HIV-1 s ubtypes (A [n = 40], B [n = 47], C [n = 28], E [n = 42], and F [n = 7]). HI VCHEK, Multispot, RTD and SeroStrip were 100% sensitive and specific. Capil lus failed to identify two of eight subtype C specimens (overall sensitivit y of 98.85%), while the SUDS test (the only test approved by the Food and D rug Administration) gave false-positive results for 5 of 69 seronegative sp ecimens (speeificity of 93.24%). Our results suggest that although rapid te sts perform well in general, it may be prudent to evaluate a rapid test for sensitivity and specificity in a local population prior to its widespread use.