Which marker is used to detect HIV-1 antibodies in donor testing?

Which marker is used to detect HIV-1 antibodies in donor testing?

• A. NAT
• B. ELISA
• C. Western blot
• D. PCR

Answer: (B)

ELISA detects HIV-1 antibodies in donor testing. In this assay, HIV-1 antigens are bound to a solid surface; if a donor’s blood contains antibodies to HIV-1, they attach to these antigens. A secondary enzyme‑conjugated antibody that recognizes human antibodies is added, and the enzyme’s reaction produces a color change that signals a positive result. This high-sensitivity screening approach is used to catch antibodies during seroconversion. If reactive, results are typically confirmed with a more specific test like Western blot. Others in the list detect viral nucleic acids rather than antibodies (NAT, PCR), or are used for confirmation rather than initial screening.

ELISA detects HIV-1 antibodies in donor testing. In this assay, HIV-1 antigens are bound to a solid surface; if a donor’s blood contains antibodies to HIV-1, they attach to these antigens. A secondary enzyme‑conjugated antibody that recognizes human antibodies is added, and the enzyme’s reaction produces a color change that signals a positive result. This high-sensitivity screening approach is used to catch antibodies during seroconversion. If reactive, results are typically confirmed with a more specific test like Western blot. Others in the list detect viral nucleic acids rather than antibodies (NAT, PCR), or are used for confirmation rather than initial screening.