Evaluation of a combined HIV-1/2 and HTLV-I/II assay for screening blood donors

Vox Sang. 1995;68(4):220-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1995.tb02576.x.

Abstract

A combined immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies to HIV-1/2 and HTLV-I/II (Bioelisa, Launch Diagnostics) has been evaluated to determine its suitability for routine use in blood screening. 84,222 donations were tested from 76,452 donors. One HIV- and 1 HTLV-1-positive donor were identified. The specificity was 99.7%, and the sensitivity for anti-HIV-1, anti-HIV-2, and anti-HTLV-1 on 173 positive sera was 100%; 2 of 25 anti-HTLV-II-positive sera were non-reactive. Although the specificity of the assay is not as high as that of HIV-1/2 kits currently in UK transfusion use, the information gained about donor HTLV antibody status makes the test an attractive alternative to them.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Donors*
  • Deltaretrovirus / immunology*
  • Deltaretrovirus Antibodies / blood*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • HIV / immunology*
  • HIV Antibodies / blood*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • HIV-2 / immunology
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / immunology
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Deltaretrovirus Antibodies
  • HIV Antibodies