EVALUATION OF THE MUREX-ASTERISK-ICE HIV-1.0.2 CAPTURE ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY FOR EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF HIV-1 SEROREVERTING INFANTS IN A DEVELOPING-COUNTRY

Background: A simple, inexpensive serological assay is required for th e early determination of HIV infection status among infants born to HI V-1-seropositive women in developing countries. Objectives: To evaluat e the use of a commercially available capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) , the MUREXICE HIV-1.O.2, for the early identification of seroreverti ng, uninfected infants. Study design: Infants with a clearly defined H IV-1 infection status, as determined by polymerase chain reaction resu lts and/or seroreactivity at 18 months, were tested for antibodies to HIV. The time to seroreversion using the capture EIA was compared with the results obtained using an indirect assay, the GENELAVIA MIXT EIA. Results: Seroreverting infants were identified earlier with the captu re than the indirect EIA; all of the uninfected infants were seronegat ive at 12 months with the capture EIA while 100% seroreversion was onl y seen at Is months with the indirect EIA. Conclusions: In general, th e capture EIA identified seroreverting infants 3-6 months earlier than the indirect EIA. However, caution must be exercised in interpreting seroreactivity in a breast-fed population where HIV infection may occu r in a child who has previously seroreverted. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scienc e B.V.