Recommendations for the management of indeterminate HIV PCR results within South Africa's early infant diagnosis programme

Ahmad Haeri Mazanderani; Karl-Günter Technau; Nei-Yuan Hsiao; Jean Maritz; Sergio Carmona; Gayle G Sherman

doi:10.4102/sajhivmed.v17i1.451

Recommendations for the management of indeterminate HIV PCR results within South Africa's early infant diagnosis programme

South Afr J HIV Med. 2016 May 13;17(1):451. doi: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v17i1.451. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Ahmad Haeri Mazanderani^{1

2}, Karl-Günter Technau^{3

4}, Nei-Yuan Hsiao^{5

6}, Jean Maritz^{6

7}, Sergio Carmona^{6

8}, Gayle G Sherman^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for HIV & STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa.
² Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
³ Empilweni Services and Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
⁵ Division of Medical Virology, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
⁶ National Health Laboratory Service, South Africa.
⁷ Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
⁸ Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Abstract

Indeterminate HIV PCR results represent missed diagnostic opportunities within South Africa's early infant diagnosis programme. These results not only delay diagnosis and appropriate management but are also a source of confusion and apprehension amongst clinicians and caregivers. We describe the extent of indeterminate HIV PCR results within South Africa's early infant diagnosis programme and provide recommendations for the management of these cases, both in terms of laboratory practice and the clinical care of the infants.

Publication types

Review