Boosted p24 Antigen Assay for Early Diagnosis of Perinatal HIV Infection
Orasri Wittawatmongkol MD*, Nirun Vanprapar MD*, Pimpanada Chearskul MD*, Wanatpreeya Phongsamart MD*, Wasana Prasitsuebsai MD*, Ruengpung Sutthent MD**, Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : The authors evaluated the accuracy of in-house boosted-p24 antigen assay for diagnosis of
perinatal HIV infection.
Material and Method: The author has retrospectively reviewed the medical records of infants born to HIV-
positive mothers. The infants were tested for boosted-p24 antigen assay at the age of 1-2 months and 4-6
months. HIV infection was defined as positive anti-HIV at the age 18 months or older, or had positive HIV-PCR
with clinical signs and symptoms compatible with HIV/AIDS.
Results : There were 168 infants included in this review and six were HIV-infected. The boosted-p24 antigen
assay had the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 33.33%,
98.27%, 50%, and 95.8%, respectively at 1-2 month-old, and 100%, 98.27%, 71.43%, and 100%, respectively
at 4-6 month-old.
Conclusion : Boosted-p24 antigen assay could be a cheaper alternative test to help diagnosis of perinatal HIV
infection in infants. The test was very accurate when performed at 4-6 months.
Keywords : Boosted-p24 antigen, HIV-exposed infants, Diagnostic test
