Objectives To analyze and assess the status of detection of human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) by PCR, and to find a new screening test of HIV. Methods Using the following keywords "diagnosis tests", "AIDS", "PCR" and "HIV", we searched the Medline and CBM from 1991 to 2001. Then we assess each of diagnosis test according to the international standards. Results 567 articles were searched, in which 53 articles were chosen to assess. In these 53 articles, it was found that 47% applied comparison with Golden Standard, 25% calculated sensitivity, 23% calculated specificity, and 23% calculated predictive value, no likelihood ratio was calculated in these articles. Conclusions It was still a kind of pilot-study to apply PCR to screening detection of HIV. The design methods of study should be improved.
