Methods and compositions for the detection of acquired immune deficiency syndrome

An immunoreagent useful to diagnose Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is provided. The immunoreagent comprises tracer tagged antibodies which are selectively reactive with lymphoid cells of AIDS infected tissue. The antibodies are obtained from marmoset monkeys which are either afflicted with or have recovered from Marmoset wasting syndrome. The immunoreagent is employed in a method to diagnose AIDS in a suspected carrier. The method involves admixing the immunoreagent such as marmoset serum or purified immunoglobulins together with lymphoid tissue samples taken from the suspected carrier. After incubating the admixture under appropriate conditions favorable for the formation of an immune complex, the samples are assayed for a positive immune reaction.