Alternatives to Conventional HIV Testing

Alternatives to Conventional HIV Testing

Under most circumstances, conventional HIV testing such as ElISA and Western Blot tests are very accurate and effective in diagnosing HIV. However, there are times when conventional HIV testing is not enough. Other, less common testing is required for an accurate diagnosis. This feature looks at a couple of those less common but helpful tests.

Elisa & Western Blot HIV Testing

Answer:

Standard HIV Tests

The ELISA (enzyme immunoassay) is the standard screening test used to detect the presence of antibodies to HIV. In other words it is the most common HIV test used today to detect HIV infection. The ELISA is used with a confirmatory test known as the Western Blot. However, there are tests that detect other signs of HIV. These tests are available for special purposes, such as testing the donated blood supply and conducting HIV research. Because some of these tests are expensive, require sophisticated equipment, or specialized training, their use is limited. In addition to the ELISA HIV test, other tests used to detect HIV infection include:

• Radioimmunoprecipitation Assay (RIPA)

  A confirmatory blood test that is used when HIV antibody levels are very low or difficult to detect. It can also be used when Western blot test results are uncertain (Indeterminant). While the RIPA can be useful under certain circumstances, the test is very expensive and requires significant time and expertise to perform.

• Rapid Latex Agglutination Assay

  A simplified, inexpensive blood test that proves useful in medically disadvantaged areas where there is a high prevalence of HIV infection, a need for HIV testing, a limited monitary resources to devote to HIV testing.

• Dot-blot Immunobinding Assay

  A rapid-screening blood test that is cost-effective and someday may become an viable alternative to conventional ELISA and Western Blot testing.

• p24 Antigen Capture Assay

  Also known as the HIV-1 antigen capture assay. This blood test was as interim test measure added by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996 in order to protect the donated blood supply until other HIV tests became available. The goal of the test is to detect early HIV infection before HIV antibodies develop. However, because some activity of p24 antigen is unpredictable and therefore inaccurate at times, this test is not always useful for diagnosing HIV.

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

  A specialized blood test that looks for HIV genetic proteins. Although expensive and labor-intensive, the test can detect the virus even in someone recently infected. The FDA has urged that the PCR and more HIV tests like it should be developed and used to further protect the donated blood supply.