Ability of Alere™ HIV Combo to diagnose acute HIV infection is based mainly on HIV-1 p24 antigen detection.

Background: Alere™ HIV Combo is the only rapid and sensitive point-of-care 4th generation (antigen/antibody) HIV test newly available in Thailand which is advantageous of differentiating between positivity of antigen or antibody or both, especially in acute HIV infection (AHI). AHI in this study was defined by positive machine-based 4th generation test with measurable HIV-RNA but negative 3rd generation (IgM/IgG antibody only) tests.

Objective: To evaluate the performance characteristics of Alere™ HIV Combo.

The validation and evaluation of anti-HIV testing algorithm used in mobile clinic setting for men who have sex with men in metropolitan Bangkok, Thailand.

Background: Same-day anti-HIV testing algorithm is recommended by Thai National Guidelines. We compared performance characteristics of algorithms used in a mobile clinic and a facility-based clinic for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Bangkok.

Methods: Mobile clinic samples collected from 4 saunas and 2 spa venues were tested by Alere DetermineTM HIV 1/2, followed by DoubleCheck GoldTM Ultra HIV 1/2 and SD Bioline HIV 1/2 3.