Detection of human immunodeficiency virus by reverse transcriptase assay, antigen capture assay, and radioimmunoassay

The reverse transcriptase assay, antigen capture assay, and radioimmunoassay were compared for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in culture fluids of virus-infected lymphocytes. The reverse transcriptase assay and the antigen capture assay were compared for 962 samples, and the two tests displayed comparable sensitivities (98.5% agreement) in detecting HIV antigen. In addition, these two tests displayed similar sensitivities when examined for the kinetics of HIV appearance following in vitro infection of normal lymphocytes. We also found the antigen capture assay to be as sensitive as the radioimmunoassay in detecting HIV antigen in culture fluids. Furthermore, all three tests were found to be reasonably concordant when applied simultaneously to the detection of HIV antigen in cultures. The antigen capture assay, however, is relatively fast, can handle a large number of samples, does not require radioactive material, and is less expensive than the other two tests. Therefore, the antigen capture assay appears to be the method of choice for the detection of HIV in routine virus culturing.