
If the IC method allows simultaneous measurement of antigens and antibodies, however, the false-positive rate is 0.2% to 0.4%, which is almost the same as that of the other methods. These results were compared with Western blot and INNO-LIA HIV.
Western blot technique hiv manual#
The false-positive rate (probability of testing positive without HIV infection) of this method was said to be higher than that of the ELISA method. 3-hour sample incubation procedure and the manual 16-hour procedure. Tests that are called same-day or rapid tests use the IC method.That first test is then followed up by one or more highly specific tests to rule out possible false-positive HIV diagnoses. High sensitivity tests are designed to detect as many potential HIV infections as possible. The first test used is generally a high sensitivity test. This method is therefore especially useful in patients with suspected acute infection. HIV testing is typically a multi-step process. Since they can be detected before the body develops antibodies, the window period is short. In the past, the Western blot test was used to confirm the results of an ELISA test. The Western blot method is used to detect antibodies to viral proteins with high specificity, but its drawback is a longer window period (several months in some cases). The Western blot and ELISA tests are two blood antibody tests that may be used to detect HIV. Confirmation tests use the Western blot or reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.

It takes the human body an average of 22 days to produce antibodies after infection, and more than 99% of people are antibody-positive 3 months after infection. In recent years, however, methods capable of simultaneously measuring antigens and antibodies have been developed, and the chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) method is commonly used in hospitals.

Screening tests have used the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or immunochromatography (IC) method to detect HIV antibodies. Performance of the Western blot technique requires the electrophoretic separation of purified, denatured (detergent treated) HIV antigens in.
