Benefits of a rapid HIV test for evaluation of the source patient after occupational exposure of healthcare workers

High risk for occupational exposure to HIV and utilization of post-exposure prophylaxis in a teaching hospital in Pune, India

“…For the vast majority of cases, a stat PEP dose was administered within 24 hours suggesting quick assessment and good access to PEP was possible in our setting. Similar to other studies, we found rapid tests for HIV were more convenient and useful than ELISA-based testing for determining source status [ 26 , 27 ]. However, we did determine that PEP overuse was apparent for exposures judged to be low risk or the source was known to be HIV-negative.…”

Rapid Detection of HIV-1 and 2 Antibodies by using Oral Fluid: A Multicentric Pilot Study in India

“…28,29 The test offers an immense benefit in pregnant patients without prenatal care and also in case of occupational exposures. 15,30 Dentists and emergency care providers are most commonly prone for infections from contact with patient's blood and oral fluids. Due to lack of adequate sterilization measures and detection facilities, there is a greater chance of not only acquiring infection but also spreading it among other patients unwittingly.…”

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Algorithm in Resource Limiting Settings

“…Rapid assays have high sensitivity and specificity and perform as well as EIAs on specimens from persons seroconverting for non-B HIV-1 subtypes (Koblavi-Dème et al, 2001). Rapid enzyme assays circumvent the issue of low rates of return for serologic results associated with EIAbased testing algorithms because results can be delivered on the same day (Puro et al, 2004). In addition, their performance has improved considerably, and some do not require reconstitution of reagents or refrigeration; thus, making them very suitable for use in resource limited settings and hard to reach populations (Koblavi -Dème et al, 2001).…”