[Evaluation of 3 immuno-enzyme kits for the detection of anti-LAV antibodies. Comparison with confirmation tests. Study Subgroup of the National Blood Transfusion Society].

Abstract

Three enzymo immuno assay kits for the detection of anti-LAV/HTLV III antibodies were evaluated: Diagnostics Pasteur (Elavia) Abbott Laboratories (Abbott/HTLV III) and Organon (Vironostika). A total of 6017 blood donors (5980 unselected and 37 prisoners) and a panel of 55 sero negative or sero positive samples were tested. Very weak differences were noted between these 3 kits: Abbott-HTLV III seems the least specific and the most sensitive and Vironostika the most specific and the least sensitive. ELISA quantitative results are given and compared to the results obtained by indirect immunofluorescence, Western-Blot and radio immuno precipitation.