OraSure's OraQuick HIV Test Accuracy Questioned, page 1

A California clinic stopped using the OraQuick oral HIV test kit after raising serious concerns over the test's reliability. The Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles reports that 13 people tested got positive readings only to proven to be negative by later, more accurate testing. False positive test results could cause needless emotional trauma to those tested, and false negative results, if they occur, could put others at risk of contracting the disease from partners thought to be safe. The stock of the company thhat makes the test dropped sharply on the news in Friday trading.

today .reuters.com
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A California clinic halted use of OraSure Technologies Inc.'s rapid oral HIV test because of growing concerns about its reliability, sending the company's shares down 26 percent on Friday.

The Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles said that 13 people who took the OraQuick oral test there in November falsely registered as HIV-positive.

Clinics in San Francisco and New York have also reported large numbers of false-positives with the popular test, according to the group.

The Los Angeles center is now offering people the option of a finger prick blood test -- again made by OraSure -- that also delivers an answer in 20 minutes and continues to be reliable.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Apparently this is the only clinic that has stopped using this test so far, but I'd recommend that anyone in the position of being worried about their HIV status or that of their sexual partner to not rely on the results from this type of test until more information becomes available.

[edit on 12/17/2005 by djohnsto77]

[edit on 12/17/2005 by djohnsto77]