Pros and Cons of EIA/CIA Tests

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Pros and Cons of EIA/CIA Tests

Pros:
  • Automated--180 tests per hour, no manual pipetting
  • Low cost in high volume settings
  • Fewer laboratory accidents from pipetting
  • No prozone reactions
  • Some EIA/CIA tests detect IgM and may be more accurate for early diagnosis
Cons
  • Cannot distinguish active disease from past disease
  • Few studies have compared traditional with reverse sequence
  • Uncertainty about treating patients with positive EIA/CIA and negative RPR