Sensitivity and specificity of a qualitative RNA detection assay to diagnose HIV infection in young infants

Abstract

The qualitative NASBA RNA assay is highly specific and more sensitive than DNA PCR. Qualitative RNA assays may be useful for diagnosing and excluding perinatal HIV infection in children after the first week of life for such purposes as initiating antiretroviral therapy and other treatment, resolving parental uncertainty, determining timing of transmission, and providing endpoints for intervention trials.