EVOLUTION OF HIV ANTIBODY TESTING

The HIV screening ELISA detects anti-HIV1 and anti-HIV2 antibodies in blood samples. This is the most commonly used method for the detection of infection in blood donors or individuals at risk. Thanks to progre ss in technology, recombinant or synthetic peptide based antigens were incorporated in these assays to address specificity problems. The sen sitivity was improved by the ability to detect all immunoglobulin clas ses. The high genetic variability of HIV and especially that of the gr oup O is another problem to be dealt with. New kinds of high sensitivi ty ELISA can detect antibodies in non-blood samples such as saliva or urine. Simple, rapid, non-instrumental HIV tests are used in addition to ELISA. These simple assays, combined with non-invasive sample colle ction have made HIV home tests possible.