Abstract: A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies is disclosed. This ELISA technique is more sensitive, more specific, and more accurate than known ELISA techniques. The competitive ELISA of this invention is particularly suited to the detection of human T-cell leukemia-lymphoma virus type III (HTLV-III). Antigenic or viral fragments are bound to a solid support. The bound fragments are then incubated with a heterologous antiserum which binds to the bound fragments. Test sera is then added to the bound fragments and tested for absorbance.

Abstract: A cell system is disclosed for the reproducible detection and isolation of human T-lymphotropic retroviruses (HTLV-family) with cytopathic effects (HTLV-III) from patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), pre-AIDS and in healthy carriers. One neoplastic aneuploid T-cell line derived from an adult with lymphoid leukemia, and termed HT, was susceptible to infection with HTLV-III, which is transformed and provides T-cell populations which are highly susceptible to and permissive for HTLV-III, and convenient for large scale production, isolation, and biological detection of the virus. Other operational neoplastic T-cell lines which are positive for OKT4 marker, e.g., Molt 3, CEM, Ti7.4 and HUT78, can produce HTLV-III in a large amount and retain its unlimited capability for growth.

Abstract: A cell system is disclosed for the reproducible detection and isolation of human T-lymphotropic retroviruses (HTLV-family) with cytopathic effects (HTLV-III) from patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), pre-AIDS and in healthy carriers. One neoplastic aneuploid T-cell line derived from an adult with lymphoid leukemia, and termed HT, was susceptible to infection with the new variants of HTLV, which are transformed and providing T-cell populations which are highly susceptible and permissive from HTLV-III, and convenience for large scale production, isolation and biological detection of the virus.

Abstract: This invention relates to the detection of antibodies in sera of AIDS and pre-AIDS patients and describes the biochemical and immunological analysis of antigens associated with the virus HTLV-III Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus. It is shown that antigens associated with the infection of human cells by this virus are specifically recognized by antibodies from AIDS patients. Specifically, HTLV-III isolated from AIDS patients and transmitted by cocultivation with an HT cell line is specifically detected by antibodies from human sera taken from AIDS patients. The method of detection of antibodies preferred is a strip radioimmunoassay (RIA) based on the Western Blot technique or an ELISA (an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or an indirect immunofluorescence assay.