       Document 0244
 DOCN  M9620244
 TI    Pitfalls in HIV testing. Application and limitations of current tests.
 DT    9602
 AU    Cordes RJ; Ryan ME; Department of Pediatric Subspecialities, Geisinger
       Medical; Center, Danville, PA 17822-1339, USA.
 SO    Postgrad Med. 1995 Nov;98(5):177-80, 185-6, 189. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/96063582
 AB    Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot assay are the
       most commonly used laboratory tests for HIV infection. Both detect
       antibodies to HIV. ELISA results are based on detection of
       antigen-antibody complexes by using antibodies labeled with an enzyme
       that produces a color change in the presence of a specific substrate.
       Currently licensed ELISA tests have greater than 98% sensitivity and
       specificity for HIV. Western blot analysis detects antibodies to
       specific HIV antigens and is best used as a confirmatory test. In spite
       of the high sensitivity and specificity of both tests, false-positive
       and false-negative results do occur. Physicians should be aware of
       specific causes of inaccurate results. In individual cases, knowledge of
       the patient's history and the criteria used by the laboratory performing
       the test is important.
 DE    AIDS Serodiagnosis/METHODS/*STANDARDS  Blotting, Western/STANDARDS
       Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/STANDARDS  Human  HIV/IMMUNOLOGY  HIV
       Antibodies/BLOOD  HIV Infections/*DIAGNOSIS  Sensitivity and Specificity
       JOURNAL ARTICLE  REVIEW  REVIEW, TUTORIAL

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

