[New test systems in HIV diagnosis]

Abstract

Knowledge of the biologic properties of HIV infections, mainly the existence of alternating cycles of latency and active virus replication, is the basis for a sensible use of diagnostic tests. The newly developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is capable of demonstrating the presence of HIV genomes in active as well as latent phases of infection. In contrast, the successful use of serologic tests is based on the preceding, or continued, expression of viral proteins. The article reviews procedure and preliminary results of the PCR, and presents newly developed serologic tests with interesting prospective applications.