Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
[Immunodiagnosis of HIV infection in the transfusion service]
Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is the basic method of the laboratory diagnosis of HIV-infection used as the first component of donors' screening. The possibility of nonspecific reactions presents a significant shortcoming of this method. An algorithm involving three stages has been elaborated to investigate donors for anti-HIV antibodies and to verify seropositive samples. The first-stage screening is conducted with the use of Soviet test-reagents. Positive samples are assayed again in the Soviet EI-systems based on varying types of sorbed antigens. In case of questionable or positive reactions the sample is assayed in commercial imported test-systems (the second stage). The positive sera are assayed in the immunoblotting test (the third stage). The algorithm suggested provides a reliable control and is worthwhile economically. The causes of nonspecific reactions in EIA have been described.
Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is the basic method of the laboratory diagnosis of HIV-infection used as the first component of donors' screening. The possibility of nonspecific reactions presents a significant shortcoming of this method. An algorithm involving three stages has been elaborated to investigate donors for anti-HIV antibodies and to verify seropositive samples. The first-stage screening is conducted with the use of Soviet test-reagents. Positive samples are assayed again in the Soviet EI-systems based on varying types of sorbed antigens. In case of questionable or positive reactions the sample is assayed in commercial imported test-systems (the second stage). The positive sera are assayed in the immunoblotting test (the third stage). The algorithm suggested provides a reliable control and is worthwhile economically. The causes of nonspecific reactions in EIA have been described.
Related Concept Videos
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Sexually Transmitted Infections

