OBJECTIVES : To perform an economic evaluation of the use of the confirmatory antibody assay against HIV-1 and HIV-2 (Geenius™ HIV 1/2 Supplemental Assay) as confirmatory and differentiation test in comparison with Western Blot (WB), from the point of view of the National HealthSystem (NHS) of Mexico.

METHODS : According to Moon 2015, sensitivity and specificity of the confirmatory antibody assay against HIV-1 and HIV-2 (Geenius™ HIV 1/2 Supplemental Assay) and WB are similar, so a cost minimization analysis was performed, where the cost per test was considered. Complementary an univariate sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the degree of uncertainty.

RESULTS : The cost per test was calculated according to institutional data bases. The unit cost per test for the confirmatory antibody assay against HIV-1 and HIV-2 (Geenius™ HIV 1/2 Supplemental Assay) and for WB was $813.5 and $903.88, respectively, determining that the first alternative is a cost saving option for the NHS in Mexico with a saving by test of $90.39.

CONCLUSIONS : The confirmatory antibody assay against HIV-1 and HIV-2 (Geenius™ HIV 1/2 Supplemental Assay) is a less expensive alternative in comparison with WB for the detection of patients with HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection, from the point of view of the NHS of Mexico.