Table 2.

a. Performance of third- and fourth-generation IA, and the current and alternative laboratory HIV testing algorithms among 230 specimens from HIV-1 seroconverters
		Multispot		Western blot
		NR	R	negative	indeterminate	positive
Third-generation screening
R	n= 102	12	90	11	35	56
NAT negative		0	4†	0	1†	3†
NAT positive		12	86	11	34	53
NR	n= 128	128	0	n/d	n/d	n/d
Fourth-generation screening
R	n=131	41	90	36	39	56
NAT negative		1	4†	1	1†	3†
NAT positive		40	86	35	38	53
NR	n=99	99	0	n/d	n/d	n/d

b. Number of specimens detected by the current and alternative laboratory HIV testing algorithm among 26 HIV-1 seroconverters (230 specimens)
Screening IA	MS/NAT	WB
Third-generation	102* **	56**
Fourth-generation	130* **	56**

^†Same specimens, and had been obtained subsequent to NAT-positive specimens from the same seroconverters

The table shows the number of specimens detected by the combination of different tests in the context of the current and alternative laboratory.

HIV testing algorithm including nucleic acid testing (NAT); n: number; n/d: not determined; NR: non-reactive; R: reactive; NAT: nucleic acid test

^*p< 0.001 (102 vs. 130);

^**p< 0.001 (102 vs. 56 and 130 vs. 56).

MS: Multispot; NAT: nucleic acid test; WB: Western blot*