What is a commonly used screening method for anti-HIV-1 detection?

The enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is widely recognized as a primary screening method for anti-HIV-1 detection. This method is highly sensitive and specific, making it suitable for detecting antibodies against HIV-1 in human plasma or serum. ELISA operates by using antigens that are coated onto a microtiter plate. When a sample is added, any anti-HIV antibodies present will bind to these antigens. A secondary enzyme-labeled antibody is then applied, which binds to the anti-HIV antibodies. The subsequent addition of a substrate leads to a color change that can be measured, providing an indication of the presence and level of antibodies against HIV-1.

This method's effectiveness in screening for HIV is due to its ability to process many samples quickly and reliably, which is essential for large-scale testing, such as blood donation screenings.

While other methods like latex agglutination and radioimmunoassay (RIA) may be used for various forms of serological testing, they do not match the sensitivity and throughput capacity of ELISA. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is not typically utilized for antibody detection and is more suited for separating mixtures rather than for immunological screening. Hence, the EL