Serologic testing for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies.

J M Steckelberg; F R Cockerill

doi:10.1016/s0025-6196(12)64860-5

Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 3162545

Serologic testing for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies.

J M Steckelberg·F R Cockerill

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Familiarity with available serologic tests for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become increasingly important in a wide variety of clinical settings. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) commercial kits are most often used as Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) commercial kits are most often used as screening tests, and Western blot techniques are used for confirmation of positive results. ELISA specificity and sensitivity exceed 98%; the predictive value of a positive test varies from 2% for a weakly positive test in a low-prevalence population to 99% for a strongly positive test in a high-risk group. Confirmatory Western blot testing identifies antibodies with affinity for specific HIV antigens. Indeterminate Western blot antibody patterns necessitate subsequent testing or alternative methods for interpretation. A "window" period of up to 3 or more months follows acute HIV infection before seropositivity occurs.

Explore related subjects

Antibodies, Viral Antigens, Viral Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay HIV HIV Antibodies HIV Antigens HIV Seropositivity Humans Immunoassay Predictive Value of Tests Time Factors Journal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

J M Steckelberg, F R Cockerill. 1988. Serologic testing for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-6196(12)64860-5

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2007

Recombinant protein-based assays for detection of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus spike and nucleocapsid proteins.

Recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) nucleocapsid and spike protein-based immunoglobulin G immunoassays were developed and evaluated. Our assays demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity to the SARS coronavirus in sera collected from patients as late as 2 years postonset of symptoms. These assays will be useful not only for routine SARS coronavirus diagnostics but also for epidemiological and antibody kinetic studies.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMed2007

"There is such a thing as asking for trouble": taking rapid HIV testing to gay venues is fraught with challenges.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility and acceptability of offering rapid HIV testing to men who have sex with men in gay social venues. METHODS: Qualitative study with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Interview transcripts were analysed for recurrent themes. 24 respondents participated in the study. Six gay venue owners, four gay service users and one service provider took part in in-depth interviews. Focus groups were conducted with eight members of a rapid HIV testing clinic staff and five positive gay men. RESULTS: Respondents had strong concerns about confidentiality and privacy, and many felt that HIV testing was "too serious" an event to be undertaken in social venues. Many also voiced concerns about issues relating to post-test support and behaviour, and clinical standards. Venue owners also discussed the potential negative impact of HIV testing on social venues. CONCLUSION: There are currently substantial barriers to offering rapid HIV tests to men who have sex with men in social venues. Further work to enhance acceptability must consider ways of increasing the confidentiality and professionalism of testing services, designing appropriate pre-discussion and post-discussion protocols, evaluating different models of service delivery, and considering their cost-effectiveness in relation to existing services.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMed2007

Biological feasibility of developing prophylactic vaccines for viral pathogens: incubation period as a critical parameter.

Vaccines for sixteen major human viral pathogens have been approved for use in humans. For most other major human viral pathogens, the absence of an efficacious prophylactic vaccine is not for lack of effort. To identify the key parameters of biologic feasibility that determine "certainty-of-success" for developing prophylactic vaccines for major human viral pathogens, basic characteristics of viruses, such as primary genomic structure, route of transmission, and durability of viral infection were reviewed. These basic characteristics of viruses simply do not associate with successful vaccine development, so one must look elsewhere for characteristics predictive of successful vaccine development. Herein existing data are put forth in a way that demonstrates the impact of the combined effect of incubation period and broadly protective, relative immunogenicity on the "certainty-of-success" of developing effective vaccines for thirty viral pathogens. Both incubation period and broadly protective, relative immunogenicity appear to have accounted for much of the past successes in vaccine development, and may be useful in predicting where near term successes are most apt to occur.

Antibodies, Viral↗