Could the investigational vaccine cause a “false positive” result on an HIV antibody test?
Some investigational vaccines may cause a trial participant to have an HIV test that appears HIV positive. Standard HIV tests look for antibodies (a part of the immune system) that recognize HIV. This investigational vaccine could cause the body to produce these antibodies. In this case, the standard HIV test could show a positive result. If the investigational vaccine causes this result, it does not necessarily mean the study participant is infected with HIV. A false positive means that some tests make a person appear infected; other, more specific tests can prove that there is actually no infection. Participants are counseled to get HIV testing done only at their trial site, because the site has access to specific tests that can differentiate between false positives and true HIV infection. These tests will be available even after the study ends. No medical side effects or health problems are associated with a false positive HIV test result. But such a result may lead to being treated
