Expected use
This HIV (1 + 2) Ag & Ab ELISA is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the qualitative determination of antigens or antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 and / or type 2 in human serum or plasma. . The method is also known as a fourth generation ELISA for the detection of HIV. The kit is intended for the screening of blood donors and as an aid in the diagnosis of clinical conditions related to HIV-1 and / or HIV-2 infection. eg acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Summary and explanation
Human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 and type 2 are the etiologic agents of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and related conditions. HIV has been isolated from patients with AIDS, AIDS-related complex (ARC), and from healthy individuals at high risk for AIDS. HIV infection is followed by an acute flu-like illness. This phase may go unnoticed and the relationship to HIV infection may not be clear in many cases. The acute phase is usually followed by an asymptomatic carrier state, which progresses to clinical AIDS in approximately 50% of infected individuals within 10 years of seroconversion. Serologic evidence of HIV infection can be obtained by testing for the presence of HIV antigens or antibodies in the serum of individuals suspected of HIV infection.
Antigens can generally be detected both during the acute phase and during the symptomatic phase of AIDS only. Antibodies to HIV-1 and / or HIV-2 can be detected for virtually the entire period of infection, beginning in the acute phase or shortly thereafter and continuing through the final stage of AIDS. Apart from sexual transmission, the main route of HIV infection is blood transfusion. HIV can occur in both cellular and cell-free fractions of human blood.
Therefore, all blood or plasma donations should be tested due to the risk of HIV transmission through contaminated blood. ELISA tests for the detection of HIV infection are characterized by their high sensitivity, specificity and simple operation procedure. They are best suited for testing large numbers of samples, and there are now hundreds of internationally available HIV tests that are used in routine blood tests or clinical diagnostics. Since the first HIV ELISA tests were introduced commercially in 1985, four more generations have been developed.
