Optimal pooling strategies for acute HIV -- web calculator v1.0


1. Pooling algorithms to be evaluated
Note that this calculator considers ONLY "square" D3 and A2m algorithms.
In the D3 case, this means that the master pool is of size N = n x n, and
there are n intermediate pools of n samples each. In the A2m case
there is a single master pool of size N = n x n, and there are n rows and
n columns, for a total of 2n total intermediate pools.

2. Enter parameters

Parameter Input value Notes
Pooling Algorithm Sensitivity (PAS) The PAS depends on dilution effects in the master pool only, the length of the sensitivity window (w, which in turn depends on both the sensitivity/ lower limit of detection of the NAAT assay and the ELISA assay in use), and exponential rate of HIV viral load increase early in acute infection (R). Typically, PAS will be determined a priori and MAPS will be determined from PAS, by equation (ii) in Westreich et al. (not included in this calculator). PAS must be 0 < PAS <= 1
Maximum Acceptable Pooling Size (MAPS) Typically determined from PAS (see above, and equation (ii) in Westreich et al.) MAPS must be an integer greater than 1.
NAAT assay specificity NAAT assay specificity is the probabilty an individual specimen is correctly categorized as negative when tested individually by NAAT. Specificity must be 0 < specificity <= 1.
Prevalence of acute HIV (p) p, the prevalence of acute HIV among ELISA-negative individuals in the population being pooled. Prevalence must be 0 < p < 1.

3. Click this button to calculate optimally efficient master pool size,
and efficiency and positive predictive value for that master pool size:


4. Results:

Algorithm Optimal master pool size Efficiency* Positive predictive value*
D2
D3
A2m

* For a given algorithm/row, efficiency and positive predictive value are both calculated for
the master pool size listed in column 2. Efficiency is measured in NAAT test kits per specimen;
individual testing has an efficiency of 1; an efficiency < 1 is better than individual testing.