[Initial results of the anti-HIV-1/2 combined ELISA]

Between March 30 and July 31, 1989, 117,874 blood donations were tested for anti-HIV-1 and in a combined ELISA for anti-HIV-1/HIV-2 (both Abbott). On each repeat reactive (14 = 0.01% for anti-HIV-1 and 400 = 0.34% for anti-HIV-1/HIV-2), a Western blot (WB) was performed. Two donors, who tested repeatedly reactive in both ELISAs, were confirmed anti-HIV-1 positive by WB. As the specificity of anti-HIV-1/HIV-2 ELISA is considerably lower (99.66%) than of anti-HIV-1 (99.99%), introduction of a different HIV-2 specific ELISA should be discussed to prevent loss of too many blood donations and donors through anti-HIV screening.