What bands characterize a positive Western Blot for HIV?

A positive Western Blot for HIV is characterized by specific antibody reactivity that reflects the presence of proteins associated with the virus. In the case of HIV, the presence of the p24 protein, the gp41 glycoprotein, and the p17 protein in the test results indicates a confirmed HIV infection.

The p24 protein is the core protein of the virus and is one of the earliest markers detected after infection. The gp41 protein is part of the viral envelope and is essential for the fusion of the virus with host cells. The p17 protein is another structural protein located in the viral core.

These bands are consistently associated with a confirmed HIV infection in Western Blot testing as they represent specific antibodies that target these viral proteins. The validation of these proteins as markers helps ensure accurate diagnosis and monitoring of HIV infection.