Referenced Quotes about HIV/AIDS Tests and Measurements

Validation: Search for the Gold Standard

HIV tests should be validated against direct isolation of the virus from people that test positive, and lack of isolation in people who test negative. Instead of just comparing people with AIDS against healthy people, tests should also be validated on people with non-AIDS diseases that may cross-react (such as leprosy or malaria) and with other conditions that may generate a higher load than normal of antibodies (e.g. recent vaccination, pregnancy, autoimmune disease). Isolation should be validated by purification of HIV particles, followed by microscope verification of purity, and then by analysis of the constituent proteins and genetic material. This suite of tests is sometimes referred to as a 'Gold Standard' and has never been performed for HIV, not even once.