DETECTION OF HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE-1 ANTIBODY BY USING COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE WHOLE-CELL VIRAL LYSATE, SYNTHETIC PEPTIDE, AND RECOMBINANT PROTEIN ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY SYSTEMS

A total of 575 serum specimens received for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antibody determination were tested prospectively by enzyme immunoassay with a whole-cell viral lysate (VL) (Genetic Systems Corp.), a synthetic peptide (SP) (United Biomedical, Inc.), and a recombinant protein (RCP) (Syva Co.). Concordance of all three antigens was noted for 559 of 575 (97.2%) specimens tested. Of the specimens tested, 90 (15.7%) were positive and 469 (84.3%) were negative. Retrospective testing by SP and RCP of 86 specimens indeterminate for HIV-1 antibody by VL, Western blot (immunoblot), and immunofluorescence was also performed. The results of both phases of this study indicate that the specificity of the three antigens is RCP > SP > VL. As noted from the prospective phase, the sensitivities of the antigens appear to be equivalent, indicating that the RCP and SP systems could be used in place of, or to confirm, a VL enzyme immunoassay screening test.