title: Human immunodeficiency virus testing: update.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types 1 and 2 have been associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The detection of HIV infections is based on the screening of serum samples for the presence of antibodies to HIV proteins. Serum samples that test positive on screening must be assayed by a confirmatory test to provide a definitive report on the presence of HIV infection. This article reviews the currently available screening and confirmatory testing procedures and their limitations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pa.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Hook
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies