Standards of Laboratory Practice for HIV Testing

Abstract

Based on participation in voluntary performance evaluation programs, more than 2000 laboratories across the United States are estimated to be performing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antibody testing. Of those that perform HIV-1 testing and are enrolled in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Model Performance Evaluation Program (MPEP), most are hospital (28%), blood bank including those located in hospitals (27%), independent (16%), and health department (14%) laboratories.’ Enzyme immunoassays for H1V-1 antibody detection are performed by 654 (97%) MPEP participants who responded to a 1992 survey (n = 674); 224 (33%) performed Western blot testing, 107 (16%) HIV-1 antigen testing, 54 (8%) indirect immunofluorescence tests, 35 (5%) viral culture, 27 (4%) polymerase chain reaction, and 14 (2%) particle agglutination HIV-1 antibody assays.’ 1^-fence great diversity exists in the types of laboratory performing HIV testing and the scope of HIV-1 testing methods used. In addition to HIV, antibody, and antigen tests, more than 500 laboratories are estimated to be performing CD4⁺ T lymphocyte enumeration by flow cytometry to assess the status of the immune system of HIV-1-infected persons.