Comparison of HIV Antibody Detection by Conventional Method and Dried Tube Specimen: Stability and Validation Study for HIV Serology

To compare Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) antibody detection by conventional method and serum dried in test tube; and to check the stability of dried tube specimen (DTS) at ambient temperature.

A total of 50 serum samples were tested for HIV antibodies, which were sent for testing in the state reference laboratory, by conventional method according to National AIDS Control Organization guidelines. The same serum samples were dried in test tubes and then after elution with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) again tested for HIV antibodies by same method and kits at 0 day and after 30 days.

DTS eluted by PBS showed linear correlation to the serum samples. The antibodies in DTS were found to be stable at 37°C up to 30 days. This method is simple, sensitive and specific and can be used in resource limited settings embarking on scaling up of HIV testing.