Dot enzyme immunoassay. A simple, cheap and stable test for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

A dot enzyme immunoassay for antibody to HIV has been developed and tested with a panel of positive and negative sera. It has proved to be of equal or greater sensitivity compared with a commercial ELISA kit, is simple and quick to perform, requires neither sophisticated equipment nor highly trained technical staff. The reagents are stable enough for postal distribution in tropical countries and, other than for the antigen, the costs are low, making it an appropriate test for use in the developing world when funds for expensive commercial kits are not available.