[New diagnostic developments in infection serology]

New developments concerning the diagnostic of virus-transmitted diseases led to a strong improvement of virus security in hemotherapy. The introduction of additional virus antigens associated with the core region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) resulted in an increase of sensitivity and especially of specificity of second-generation enzyme immuno assays (EIAs). The recombinant immunoblot (RIBA) with 4 synthetic antigens continues to be the most accepted confirmatory test in the field of HCV diagnostic. Beside the simultaneous detection of specific IgG and IgM, especially the HIV-p24 antigen test is discussed concerning HIV-1, -2 diagnostic in order to shorten the 'windows period' in the early time of infection. It is assumed that the HIV-p24 antigen test is not able to effectively improve virus security in areas with low HIV-1, -2 prevalence.