[Value of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of p24 antigen of human immunodeficiency virus in confirmation of HIV-infection].

AIM

To evaluate diagnostic value of p24 antigen detection for algorithm of confirmatory diagnostics of HIV-infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Concurrently with Western blot assay (WB, "New Lav Blot1", Bio-Rad), tests for detection of p24 antigen of HIV (Genetic Systems HIV-1 Ag EIA", "VectoHIV-1 p24-antigen confirming test", and "DS-EIA-HIV-AG-SCREEN") were used for confirmation of first-positive result of immuno-enzyme assay.

RESULTS

p24 HIV antigen was detected in serum samples in 8.4% of patients with equivocal result of WB and in 4.2% of patients with negative and positive results of WB. Presence of p24 was correlated with high viral load, and, in patients with confirmed diagnosis, with low CD4 cells count (<500 cells/ml). p24 was detected in more than 30% of persons with confirmed seroconversion after primary testing.

CONCLUSION

In groups of persons with negative and equivocal results of WB assay, detection of HIV p24 antigen points to the presence of infection and could be the reason for the final diagnosis. Detection of p24 in patients with positive result of WB assay allows to consider them as probable candidates for highly active antiretroviral therapy.