<p>Characteristics of serological tests.</p>

This study aimed to evaluate the analytical performance of HIV serological tests used to screen blood donor candidates in Mozambique. Determine HIV 1/2 + Uni-Gold HIV (the routine HIV testing at blood banks in Mozambique), and two newer rapid tests (Determine HIV Early Detect and Meriscreen HIV1–2 Western Blot) were compared with an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (Merilisa HIV Gen 4 test + Uni-Gold HIV).

Additionally, all serological tests were compared with the molecular cobas MPX test. The sensitivity and specificity of Determine HIV 1/2 + Uni-Gold HIV; Determine HIV Early Detect, and Meriscreen HIV1–2 Western Blot compared to the Merilisa HIV Gen 4 test + Uni-Gold were 85.5% and 99.6%; 88.7% and 99.5%; 90.0% and 99.6% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of Determine HIV 1/2 + Uni-Gold HIV; Determine HIV Early Detect, Meriscreen HIV1–2 Western Blot, and Merilisa HIV Gen 4 test + Uni-Gold compared to the cobas MPX test were 64.0% and 99.1%; 68.6% and 99.1%; 70.8% and 99.0%; 66.0% and 99.4%, respectively.