What to do when results of a western blot test are indeterminate.
The role of primary care physicians in diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is becoming increasingly important. Given the development of antiretroviral therapy, which can delay the clinical progression of asymptomatic HIV infection, early and accurate identification is invaluable to these patients. Screening begins with the enzyme immunoassay, which, although highly sensitive, lacks specificity. Therefore, the Western blot test should always be used for confirmation. When results of the Western blot test are indeterminate, reassessment for risk factors for HIV infection should be followed by serial Western blot testing and HIV culture or polymerase chain reaction testing.
Fillipo
B H
BH
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Hahnemann, University School of Medicine, Philadelphia.
Russin
S J
SJ
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D000465:Algorithms; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D010819:Physician's Role; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors