Comparison of Rapid Diagnosis Test and Nested PCR for HIV Diagnosis in Kinshasa

Background: The need for appropriate methods for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of HIV infection is increasing in resource-poor settings. Objective: The main objective of this study was to compare the quality of the results of HIV diagnosis by Classical Nested PCR and Rapid Screening Tests (RDTs) in order to contribute to the improvement of the care of People Living with HIV (PLHIV). Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in Kinshasa. Only people willing to voluntary testing for HIV were selected for this study. Our sample consisted of 100 individuals for voluntary testing for HIV, and of 50 PLHIV who came for their medical appointment. A minimum of 5.0 ml of blood was collected into tubes containing EDTA. After the RDT, the collected blood was transferred at the Laboratory for molecular analysis. The revelation of the amplification results was made under UV light after electrophoretic migration on agarose gel. Results: On D0, 60 samples were positive and 40 negative for HIV by RDT. After amplification by Nested DNA PCR, on D0, the gag region gave 65 positive and 35 negative; while the amplification on the pol region gave 63 positive and 37 negative. At the M6, for patients under treatment, 10 samples were positive and 40 negative for HIV using the RDT. After amplification, all the 50 samples collected were positive by Nested DNA PCR on the gag and pol regions. Conclusion: Nested DNA PCR is precise, specific and accurate that RDT especially for the cases of patients under treatment.