LABORATORY TESTS FOR HIV INFECTION NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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LABORATORY TESTS FOR HIV INFECTION

AIDS Clinical Review 1989. Volberding P and Jacobson MA, eds. New York, Marcel Dekker, p. 53-67, 1989.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/90659410
Wilber JC; San Francisco Dept. of Public Health, San Francisco, CA

Abstract: Recent data show that the available laboratory tests for HIV infection are very accurate and useful in patient management as diagnostic tests and educational tools. The issue and incidence of false-positive and false-negative test results are discussed, including the predictive value of enzyme immunoassays (EIAs); the use of supplemental tests, either Western blot (WB) or immunofluorescence assay, to confirm a positive EIA; problems associated with interpreting the WB assay; and new assays using recombinant or synthetic antigens. The need to retest persons after 3-6 mo is emphasized in case the initial test was performed too early to detect recent infection or in case of labeling or procedural errors. Methods for detecting the HIV virus itself are briefly described including antigen detection, virus culture, and DNA or RNA probes. The proper use of HIV test results is discussed, and a summary of laboratory quality control and evaluation procedures is also presented. (31 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/DIAGNOSIS AIDS Serodiagnosis/*METHODS Blotting, Western/METHODS Comparative Study False Negative Reactions False Positive Reactions Human HIV/IMMUNOLOGY/ISOLATION & PURIF HIV Antibodies/ANALYSIS HIV Infections/*DIAGNOSIS/IMMUNOLOGY MONOGRAPH REVIEW

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/diagnosisaidsserodiagnosis/KWDmethodsblotting,western/methodscomparativestudyfalsenegativereactionsfalsepositivereactionshumanhiv/immunology/isolation&purifhivantibodies/analysishivinfections/KWDdiagnosis/immunologymonographreview
911130
M91B0848

Copyright © 1991 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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