Question

A client with suspected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has had two positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. What diagnostic test would be run next?

Answer 1

Answer:

Western blot should be performed

Explanation:

Generally ELISA test is sensitive to elevated antibodies levels in the blood. Because HIV infection is characterise with increases in antibodies levels(HIV-antibodies levels)of the body, it is usually the first screening test for HIV,however it  is also sensitive to elevated antibody   from  any other infection apart from HIV. Therefore for confirmation, the procedure is to run a second ELISA test, to determine if the antibody rise was due to HIV or not. If the second test turns positive, then Western blot can be applied.

The Western blot through  secondary and primary antibodies binding , separates the  investigating antibodies, and  identity the specif HIV antibodies present  to give a positive HIV-antibody,  confirming ELISA positive test.

Thus for confirmation of HIV specific antibodies  of the blood; ELISA test followed by Western blot is  ideal