Posición sobre los estudios serológicos de la infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana / Statement about serologic screening for human immunodeficiency virus infection

RESUMO

At present there are adecuate tests for diagnosing VIH infection, both for screening (ELISA) and confirmation (western blot) purpose. Polimerase chain reaction (PCR) and P24 antigen tests can be used for viral detection in infants before the age of 18 months (including neonatal period), before antibody seroconversion and in serologically indetermined cases. The Chilean Infectious Disease Society Advisory Committee on AIDS (CC-SIDA) strongly recommends that the following principles be followed in ordering/performing HIV diagnostic tests informed consent (although under unusual and restricted circumstances in which the well being of third parties is involved this requirement can be waived), confidentiality of the information. Professional councelling before and after test is performed. For public health purposes it should be performed in all blood, blood products and germinative tissue as well as organ and tissue donation. It should also be performed anonymously in various population to monitor the evolution of the epidemic. Pregnant women should be encouraged to have the test performed in order to minimize vertical transmission through antiretroviral therapy. In non health care settings it should not be performed. Specifically it should not be a requirement in applying for job or education, obtainig life or health insurances, visa or authorization for crossing frontiers