"AIDS Antigen Test"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"AIDS Antigen Test"

JAMA (12/15/89) Vol. 262, No. 23, P. 3254

Abstract: FDA has approved a new diagnostic kit to detect the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in serum and plasma. HIVAG-1 and HIVAG-1 Blocking Antibody, from Abbott Laboratories, differs from other enzyme-linked immunoassaytest, particle agglutination tests, or Western blot tests becauseit detects viral antigen rather than antibodies formed by the immune system in response to the HIV-1 antigen. Since HIV-1 antibodies can take an average of 3 to 6 months to develop, the antigen test may detect the presence of the virus earlier than existing antibody tests, making it an extremely useful diagnostictest. In comparison with antibody testing though, antigen testing will only detect about 50 percent of AIDS, 30 percent of AIDS-related complex, and 10 percent of asymptomatic HIV-1 infections, and it should not be used in lieu of antibody testingas a screen for HIV-1 infection.

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