[Detection of HTLV-III antibodies using ELISA and the western blot].
Three commercially available ELISA test kits were used for the detection of antibodies to HTLV-III, the cause of AIDS. Positive results were confirmed by means of the Western Blot. In the course of our routine diagnostic studies, a total of 112 infections with HTLV-III were found among persons in high-risk groups or in blood donors, of whom only 13 presented the clinical picture of AIDS. About 20% of all seropositive persons were intravenous drug addicts. Upon comparison of the ELISA kits of Abbott, Organon, and Sorin, no conclusive indication of a false negative result has been obtained to date with any test kit. Differences were, however, found as regards the number of repeatedly positive samples that could not be confirmed in the Western Blot. The highest rate of these false positive results was found with the Abbott-ELISA, followed by Sorin, while the Organon test did not yield a single false positive result. The lack of agreement in a certain percentage of the tested samples is probably caused by differences in the cut-off values of the various ELISAs used. This value is chosen in such a manner that false positive results are avoided, while even low levels of antibodies are still detected. Since there was no evidence of false negative results, all three kits are suitable for HTLV-III screening of sera. Our results show the need for confirmation of positive results with ELISA by means of the Western Blot.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012306:Risk; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Zum Nachweis von HTLV-III-Antikörpern mittels ELISA und Western Blot.