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A capture enzyme immunoassay for detection of HIV-2/SIV antigen
R Thorstensson1, L Walther, P Putkonen
1Department of Immunology, National Bacteriological Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
A new antigen capture enzyme immunoassay, the HIV-2 CE, demonstrates superior sensitivity for detecting human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) antigens compared to existing assays.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Accurate detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) is crucial for disease management and research.
- Existing diagnostic assays may have limitations in sensitivity and early detection capabilities for these retroviruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel antigen capture enzyme immunoassay (HIV-2 CE) for the sensitive detection of HIV-2 and SIV antigens.
- To compare the performance characteristics of the HIV-2 CE assay with established methods, including the Abbott HIV-1 antigen assay and a reverse transcriptase (RT) microassay.
Main Methods:
- Development of an antigen capture enzyme immunoassay (HIV-2 CE) targeting HIV-2/SIV antigen.
- Performance evaluation using cell culture supernatants and serum/plasma samples.
- Comparative analysis with Abbott HIV-1 antigen assay and RT microassay.
Main Results:
- The HIV-2 CE assay exhibited a sensitivity of approximately 250 pg/ml for HIV-2/SIV antigen.
- It was 4-16 times more sensitive than the Abbott HIV-1 assay for detecting HIV-2/SIV antigen in cell culture supernatants.
- In serum/plasma, HIV-2 CE sensitivity was 98.5% compared to 95.5% for the Abbott assay, with specificities of 99.2% and 100%, respectively.
- The HIV-2 CE detected antigen earlier and for a longer duration than the RT microassay in infected macaque cell cultures.
Conclusions:
- The developed HIV-2 CE assay offers enhanced sensitivity for detecting HIV-2 and SIV antigens in various sample types.
- The assay demonstrates improved performance over the Abbott HIV-1 antigen assay and the RT microassay, particularly in early detection and cell culture applications.
- The HIV-2 CE represents a valuable tool for research and diagnostics involving HIV-2 and SIV.
Abstract:
An antigen capture enzyme immunoassay was developed for the demonstration of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). The assay (HIV-2 CE) has a sensitivity of approximately 250 pg/ml of HIV-2/SIV antigen. The HIV-2 CE was 4-16 times more sensitive than the Abbott HIV-1 antigen assay for detection of HIV-2/SIV antigen in cell culture supernatant. The sensitivity for detection of HIV-2/SIV antigen in serum or plasma was 98.5% in the HIV-2 CE and 95.5% in the Abbott HIV-1 antigen assay. The specificity of the HIV-2 CE was 99.2% (one false positive among 119 negative sera) whereas the Abbott assay was 100% specific. The HIV-2 CE detected antigen in supernatants from cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of macaque monkeys infected with HIV-2 or SIV about 1 week before a reverse transcriptase (RT) microassay was positive and remained positive for at least 1 week after the RT assay had become negative. Three cultures from persistently infected monkeys were positive only in the HIV-2 CE, reflecting a higher sensitivity compared to the RT microassay. Thus, the HIV-2 CE was more sensitive than the Abbott HIV-1 antigen assay for detection of HIV-2/SIV antigen in culture supernatants as well as in serum/plasma. Furthermore, the HIV-2 CE showed a higher sensitivity than the RT microassay for detection of HIV-2/SIV in cell culture supernatants.
