P24 ANTIGEN CAPTURE ASSAY FOR QUANTIFICATION OF HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS USING READILY AVAILABLE INEXPENSIVE REAGENTS

Antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantita tion of the p24 gag protein of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HI V-1) is currently the most common method used to demonstrate virus rep lication both in viva and in vitro. The present paper describes an ELI SA employing readily available inexpensive reagents and gives detailed suggestions for optimizing The variables for specific purposes. The a ssay is as sensitive as commercial hits (25 pg/ml) and has a linear do se response over a wide range of p24 concentrations (25-1000 pg/ml). F or these reasons, as well as its low cost, this assay has proven usefu l in a variety of research applications. This assay also has been foun d to be effective in detecting the gag protein of human immunodeficien cy virus type-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus. (C) 1997 Academic P ress.