ABSTRACT
Objective To clarify the serological characteristics and predictive value of HIV antibody indeterminant and to evaluate the efficiency of 3 assays to discriminate HIV antibody indeterminant.Methods Three hundred and ninety-four HIV antibody indeterminant serum samples were collected and the Western blot pattern were analyzed.Ninety-seven HIV antibody indeterminant individuals were followed up,and the development of HIV antibody were observed.The initial serum samples of 67 followed individuals were tested by viral load,line immunoblot assay and ELISA for HIV-1 p24,with the golden standard of follow up,the efficiency of 3 kinds of assay to discriminate HIV antibody indeterminant were evaluated.Results There were 38 patterns among 394 HIV antibody indeterminant,the proportions of env,pol and gag indeterminant were 37.54%,4.04%and 58.37% respectively.Five HIV antibody indeterminant cases were converted to HIV antibody positive among 97 followed individuals,they were all env indeterminant and HIV antibody developed rapidly.HIV viral load was an ideal assay to discriminate HIV antibody indeterminant with best sensitivity.Conclusion The indeterminant of gag were most common,but were unspecific reaction.Env indeterminant were with the greatest predictive value of HIV infection,especially the gp160p24 and gp160.Viral load assay can be applied to discriminate HIV antibody indeterminant.