WHO recommends countries move away from the use of western blotting and line immunoassays in HIV testing strategies and algorithms. Policy brief (2019)

Timely HIV testing and confirmation of diagnosis assures timely treatment and care of people living with HIV. The new policy brief highlights the evidence behind the new recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) on replacing western blotting and line immunoassays with simpler tests in HIV testing services. These simpler tests include rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that can be used at the point-of-care, and enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Latest available evidence shows that these tests get results to the client faster, produce accurate results more often, cost less, can be performed by various cadres of health providers, and can thus facilitate greater access and uptake of HIV testing services among those who need it most.