Western Blot - Medical Diagnostic Applications

Medical Diagnostic Applications

• The confirmatory HIV test employs a western blot to detect anti-HIV antibody in a human serum sample. Proteins from known HIV-infected cells are separated and blotted on a membrane as above. Then, the serum to be tested is applied in the primary antibody incubation step; free antibody is washed away, and a secondary anti-human antibody linked to an enzyme signal is added. The stained bands then indicate the proteins to which the patient's serum contains antibody.
• A western blot is also used as the definitive test for Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, commonly referred to as 'mad cow disease').
• Some forms of Lyme disease testing employ western blotting.
• Western blot can also be used as a confirmatory test for Hepatitis B infection.
• In veterinary medicine, western blot is sometimes used to confirm FIV+ status in cats.