Rapid Testing for HIV Antibody: A Technology Whose Time Has Come
Authors: Freya Spielberg
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1996)

Editorials15 September 1996Rapid Testing for HIV Antibody: A Technology Whose Time Has ComeFreya Spielberg, MD and William J. Kassler, MD, MPHFreya Spielberg, MDUniversity of Washington Seattle, WA 98195Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333Search for more papers by this author and William J. Kassler, MD, MPHUniversity of Washington Seattle, WA 98195Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-125-6-199609150-00014 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail The benefits of widespread voluntary testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been recognized since 1985, when the first antibody test for HIV became available. Recently, the reasons to promote the early diagnosis of HIV infection have become even more compelling. Research has shown that knowledge of HIV-positive serostatus combined with counseling can facilitate behavioral change [1], allows for partner notification, and may be a valuable tool in the public response to HIV prevention. In addition, mounting evidence shows that early antiretroviral therapy [2] and antibiotic prophylaxis for opportunistic infections [3] can improve the health of HIV-infected persons. Furthermore, knowledge ...References1. Choi KH, Coates TJ. Prevention of HIV infection [Editorial]. AIDS. 1994; 8:1371-89. Google Scholar2. Ho DD. Time to hit HIV, early and hard [Editorial]. N Engl J Med. 1995; 333:450-1. Google Scholar3. Kaplan JE, Masur H, Holmes KK, Wilfert CM, Sperling R, Baker SA, et al. USPHS/IDSA guidelines for the prevention of opportunistic infections in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus: an overview. USPHS/IDSA Prevention of Opportunistic Infections Working Group. Clin Infect Dis. 1995; 21(Suppl 1):S12-31. Google Scholar4. 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Google Scholar21. van Haastrecht HJ, Mientjes GH, van den Hoek AJ, Coutinho RA. Death from suicide and overdose among drug injectors after disclosure of first HIV test result. AIDS. 1994; 8:1721-5. Google Scholar22. Kassler WJ, Dillon B, Haley C, Schenk T, Hutcheson D, Jones W, et al. HIV prevention counseling using an on-site, rapid HIV assay [Abstract]. In: Tenth International Conference on AIDS. Yokohama, Japan: International Conference on AIDS; 1994:518B/D. Google Scholar23. Sato PA, Maskill WJ, Tamashiro H, Heymann DL. Strategies for laboratory HIV testing: an examination of alternative approaches not requiring Western blot. Bull World Health Organ. 1994; 72:129-34. Google Scholar24. Starkey CA, Yen-Lieberman B, Proffitt MR. Evaluation of the Recombigen HIV-1 Latex Agglutination Test. J Clin Microbiol. 1990; 28:819-22. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Freya Spielberg, MD; William J. Kassler, MD, MPHAffiliations: University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333Disclaimer: The views expressed in this editorial do not necessarily reflect the views of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.Acknowledgment: The authors thank Kevin Crean for his helpful editorial comments.Corresponding Author: Freya Spielberg, MD, Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, University of Washington, 3747 15th Avenue NE, Room 203, Box 355300, Seattle, WA 98195.Current Author Addresses: Dr. Spielberg: Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, University of Washington, 3747 15th Avenue NE, Room 203, Box 355300, Seattle, WA 98195-5300. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoPerformance Characteristics of a Rapid HIV Antibody Assay in a Hospital with a High Prevalence of HIV Infection Kathleen Irwin , Noemi Olivo , Charles A. Schable , J. 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