New guidelines follow recall of faulty HIV test
Nairobi, Kenya (IRIN) – The Kenyan government has changed its HIV testing algorithm following the withdrawal of a widely used brand of HIV test on warnings from the UN World Health Organization (WHO).
In December, WHO removed the Standard Diagnostics Bioline® HIV 1/2 3.0 Rapid HIV Test Kit from its list of approved rapid test kits with immediate effect; the alert was issued after Bioline failed quality assurance tests.
The Kenyan government estimates one million kits were in circulation at the time of the recall, about one-tenth of all the HIV kits available in the country.
“We followed the World Health Organization alert and have in turn ordered all health facilities and voluntary counseling and testing centers to stop using the kit,” said Shahnaz Sharif, Kenya’s director of public health at the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.
New guidelines
Bioline, which is manufactured in South Korea, was in use as a confirmatory test, the second conducted during standard HIV testing, which uses three tests – an initial screening test, a confirmatory test and if there is a discrepancy, a third, tie-breaker test.
As a result of the recall, Unigold, the brand used in Kenya as a tie-breaker, now replaces Bioline as the confirmatory test, and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test – which requires a blood sample be sent to a laboratory and takes significantly longer than the rapid tests – becomes the tie-breaker. A brand known as Determine retains its place as the official screening test.
“We have already engaged the services of a supply chain management organization to help with collecting the Bioline kit from facilities countrywide and at the same time, replace it with Unigold; it [the supply chain management firm] has the database of all the health facilities that received the faulty Bioline kit,” said Peter Cherutich, deputy director of the National AIDS and Sexually transmitted infections Control Program.
“Health facilities will commence working with the various partners to help trace people who might have been tested with the faulty kit so that they can come for repeat tests,” said Jackson Kioko, director of public health and sanitation in Kenya’s Nyanza Province, which has the country’s highest HIV prevalence levels –.8 percent compared with a national average of 7.4 percent.
Concern
However, health workers are concerned that the use of the ELISA test will discourage nervous testers. “Except in the cases of infants, HIV tests results have always been instant and that has been the beauty of it; the process of having to wait for your result in case of discrepancies might be very agonizing for many people,” said Julie Nasirembe, a nurse at a health facility in Nairobi.
There is also concern about the impact the recall will have on public confidence in HIV testing, especially as the country pushes for universal access to HIV counseling and testing.
“We don’t know how widely this Bioline kit might have been used but it definitely eroded your confidence, not only in the health facilities but even in yourself, because if you test negative you are not sure if you are accurately negative,” said Dan Mutisya, a resident of Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
ko/kr/mw
– Provided by Integrated Regional Information Networks.
View full post on Health Treatment Stories
Holden out for Bolton
Midfielder Stuart Holden has failed a fitness test on a thigh injury and has been replaced by Mark Davies for Bolton’s home Premier League encounter against Blackpool.
View full post on All Stories
TEAM NEWS: Gareth Bale passes late fitness test to start for Tottenham against Werder Bremen as Rafael van der Vaart misses out
Peter Crouch starts in only change from Arsenal win
View full post on All Stories
Clarke faces fitness test
Michael Clarke will have a final net session at the Gabba on Wednesday in a bid to prove his fitness for the first Ashes Test.
View full post on All Stories
Scotland v South Africa: centre Joe Ansbro to become Scots’ first black player after Max Evans fails fitness test
Northampton centre to face South Africa at Murrayfield after Max Evans fails a fitness test.
View full post on All Stories
Ireland hampered by doubts over Brian O’Driscoll’s fitness with South Africa Test on horizon
Ireland squad will assemble in Dublin on Monday ahead of South Africa international with doubts over Brian O’Driscoll’s fitness.
View full post on All Stories
Broadfoot out for Rangers
Kirk Broadfoot has failed a fitness test ahead of Rangers’ Champions League Group C clash with Valencia at Ibrox, giving Richard Foster the opportunity to make his European debut for the Light Blues.
View full post on All Stories
Genetic Hair Loss Test and Propecia Response Test
At risk for hair loss? Will Propecia work? Should you stay on Propecia? Genetic Hair Loss Testing and Finasteride/Propecia Response Testing can assess your chances based on your genetic makeup. Non-invasive, painless genetic testing for hair loss and propecia response takes less than five minutes to perform in your doctor’s office using a simple cheek-swab. Genetic testing (for men and women) as well as ‘finasteride response’ testing is available at Bauman Medical Group in Boca Raton FL. www.baumanmedical.com
Loans- U.S. expands faster airport screening process to busiest airports
- Airbus A380 wings to have checks for cracks
- Talks continue between MTA, New York transit workers
- China opposes EU scheme on carbon tax for airlines flying in Europe
- FAA to issue rules on pilot fatigue more than a year after deadline
- FAA to issue rules on pilot fatigue more than a year after deadline
- Boeing machinists accept 4 year contract extension
- Women-only taxis start plying on Malaysian roads
- Urgent drive to act on road safety in Africa
- U.S. officials worried about exploding shipping containers from Vietnam
- Loans
- Sarah Burton wins Designer of the Year at 2011 British Fashion Awards
- Gaudy Christmas sweaters making fashion comeback
- Latest Discounts
- Givenchy Handbags Sale
- 20% Off at GoJane Coupon Ends in 4 Days!
- Shopbob Major Mid Season Sales 30% to 70% Off
- Barbie gets inked in fashion makeover
- Sales 50% Off from Three Dots Detail
- Start A Fashion Business (Quick Guide)
- 7 for All Mankind Sales from Couture Candy
- Loans
- Crocs footwear moves into accessories and apparel
- Hottest 2012 Super Bowl souvenir is a hand-knit scarf
- Digital catwalk is the new fashion for couture shows
- Over-the-top sneakers are everywhere
- Let the returns and exchanges begin
- Hats that won’t leave you with helmet head
- Auctions sell Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels, Steve Jobs’ Apple contract for millions
- Keep your cashmere in shape for seasons to come
- Barneys devotes whole floor to world of Gaga
- Intimacy 2.0 dress becomes transparent as you flirt
- Personal loans
- Beward of Annual Fees on Credit Cards!
- Credit Card Rewards – Cash back or points, which is better?
- Never send money to relatives using Paypal
- Prevent Banks from Holding Checks
- Sending Money Abroad – Western Union Alternatives
- Rent to Own Furnishings – A Rip-Off?
- Are Canadian Housing Prices at the Top?
- Low Interest Credit Card Checks
- U.S. lawmakers aim to lure foreigners to buy American homes
- BoE pushes banks to cut bonuses, dividends to improve balance sheets
