False-positive human immunodeficiency virus antibody test in a dialysis patient.
A patient developed end-stage renal disease secondary to p-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA) positive rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. He subsequently had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 antibody screening performed as part of a pre-transplant evaluation. The HIV-1 enzyme immunoassay (EIA) antibody test was repeatedly reactive. The HIV-1 western blot was indeterminate. The western blot pattern revealed "non-specific staining obscuring bands in that region." Another sample of serum was sent and the results were identical to the first result. An HIV-1 proviral qualitative polymerase chain reaction test was then performed several months later and no HIV-1 DNA was detected. One year later, an HIV-1 RNA test was negative. Thus, the positive antibody EIA test and the indeterminate western blot represent a false-positive result, most likely due to cross-reacting antigens in the patient's serum with various HIV antibodies. Throughout this period and thereafter, the patient has exhibited no symptoms of HIV infection.
Silverstein
Douglas M
DM
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, LA 70112, New Orleans, USA. dsilve@lsuhsc.edu
Aviles
Diego H
DH
Vehaskari
V Matti
VM
D000293:Adolescent; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D015483:HIV Antibodies