Indeterminate and discrepant rapid HIV test results in couples' HIV testing and counselling centres in Africa

Table 1 Initial HIV classifications based on rapid antibody test results from two CVCT centres

	Kigali, Rwanda		Lusaka, Zambia		Total
	August 1, 2005 - March 30, 2007		January 1, 2002 - March 30, 2008
	N	%	N	%	N	%
Total couples tested	12,952		9,958		22,910
Clear concordant
M- : F-	10,122	78.15%	4,567	45.86%	14,689	64.12%
M+ : F+	712	5.50%	3,538	35.53%	4,250	18.55%
Clear discordant
M+ : F-	584	4.51%	811	8.14%	1,395	6.09%
M- : F+	733	5.66%	906	9.10%	1,639	7.15%
Subtotal couples with clear results	12,151	93.82%	9,822	98.63%	21,973	95.91%
Indeterminate/Discrepant (D) rapid test results
M- : FD	242	1.87%	25	0.25%	267	1.17%
MD : F-	387	2.99%	50	0.50%	437	1.91%
MD : FD	102	0.79%	6	0.06%	108	0.47%
MD : F+	44	0.34%	42	0.42%	86	0.38%
M+ : FD	26	0.20%	13	0.13%	39	0.17%
Subtotal with at least one partner having unclear results	801	6.18%	136	1.37%	937	4.09%

Initial classifications for couples tested between Kigali, Rwanda, and Lusaka, Zambia, were clearly concordant negative (both partners HIV negative, M-:F-), clearly concordant positive (both partners HIV positive, M+:F+), clearly discordant (one partner negative, one partner positive; M+:F-, M-:F+). Couples classified as indeterminate and/or discrepant (D) either had one partner clearly negative (M-:FD, MD;F-), one partner clearly positive (MD:F+, M+:FD), or both partners indeterminate and/or discrepant (MD:FD).