Detection of anti-HIV immunoglobulin M by particle agglutination following acute HIV infection.

In a study of 23 subjects infected with HIV, a modified particle agglutination assay was used to detect anti-HIV-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM). The presence of anti-HIV IgM was demonstrated in every subject, becoming detectable 1-2 weeks after the onset of acute symptoms, and showing a variable duration of 1-5 weeks. Anti-HIV immunoglobulin G (IgG) developed 1-2 weeks after anti-HIV IgM. Particle agglutination detected the presence of specific antibody up to 7-10 days earlier than the Abbott recombinant or Genetic Systems enzyme immunoassays. In this study, all subjects with acute infection became clearly positive by Western blot within 3 months of the onset of acute symptoms.