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HIV Serology

The ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay) test is used to screen blood products and individuals at increased risk for HIV infection.

If positive (reactive), the test is usually repeated on the same blood sample. Although this is a sensitive test, it is not highly specific for HIV (other conditions may give a positive ELISA).

For that reason, before HIV can be confirmed, an additional test is performed, either:

Western Blot (WB), or
Indirect Fluroescent Antibody (IFA)

If either the WB or IFA is positive, the diagnosis of HIV infection is confirmed.

In the event the ELISA is positive, but the WB or IFA is negative, a repeat of the WB or IFA in 3-6 months is often recommended.

Normal Values*

ELISA	Negative
Western Blot	Negative
Indirect Fluroescent Antibody	Negative

*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.

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Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300

Operational Medicine
Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
January 1, 2001

United States Special Operations Command
7701 Tampa Point Blvd.
MacDill AFB, Florida
33621-5323

*This web version is provided by The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division. It contains original contents from the official US Navy NAVMED P-5139, but has been reformatted for web access and includes advertising and links that were not present in the original version. This web version has not been approved by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates is a private organization, not affiliated with the United States Department of Defense.

Operational Medicine 2001
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