Abstract: A kit and a method for detecting the presence of an antibody inhibiting HIV (the AIDS virus) reverse transcriptase. The amount of antibody inhibiting HIV reverse transcriptase present in the body fluids of a patient known to be immunopositive for HIV gives the clinician a means to form a prognosis for each individual case.

Abstract: This invention relates a simplified and reliable process for the detection and measurement of viral specific immunoglobulins such as IgG, IgM and IgE wherein relatively large-diameter plastic beads, e.g., 1/4", diameter polystyrene balls with a specular finish, are used as the solid matrix upon which a high concentration of standard cells are first grown or cultured. The cells are then infected with a particular virus to express a high concentration of unpurified viral antigen(s), and are then fixed to preserve the viral antigen(s) concentration. The resulting fixed plastic beads (PB) are washed (to remove fixing agent) and then employed as the basis of the detection of specific immunoglobulins in the patient's serum. The detection process involves simply incubating a measured dilution of patient serum with each PB whereby the various specific immunoglobulins in the patient serum will attach to the viral antigen(s) on the PB. The specific immunoglobulins (e.g.