Indirect immunofluorescence assay for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus.

We compared an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening procedure for the detection of antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The IFA assay was as sensitive and specific as the ELISA. No false results were observed with IFA on single testing of 181 sera, while the ELISA produced five false-positive results which required retesting for resolution. In addition, the IFA was suitable for quantitation of anti-HIV responses. The IFA was superior to the ELISA for its reliability, simplicity, and rapidity in the diagnostic laboratory.