title: Serologic testing for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies.
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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL 32224.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Steckelberg
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Cockerill
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015488:HIV Antigens; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015488:HIV Antigens