title: How sensitive are the commercial assays for anti-HTLV III/LAV?
abstract: The sensitivity of nine commercial assays, Western blot, and a newly developed monoclonal antibody-based assay for antibody to human T lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy associated virus (anti-HTLV III/LAV) were evaluated using a panel of mainly weak-positive sera. In tests on 20 sera three commercial assays and a monoclonal-based assay, representing two different solid-phase methodologies, were found to be more sensitive than Western blot. Our findings suggest that Western blot cannot be depended upon as the sole confirmatory test for anti-HTLV III/LAV. The continued use of the more sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), particularly those of dissimilar methodology, would be a more valid approach to confirmatory testing.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Oldham
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Moulsdale
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Mortimer
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tedder
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morgan-Capner
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic