I have read in medical journals that opiates have been shown to have a negative effect on the bodies ability to produce antibodies. would this make a person less likely to test positive for a disease using the elisa test if they had to go on opiates?

Not really: Opiates would affect the immune response a bit but not make a person immunodefeicient per se, the immune system is complex with many different variables, activity waxes and wanes, i.e not static, people or patients on Opiates for longer periods suffer malnutrition too which is more deleterious to the immune system, they would still test positive on elisa screening tests if they have an infection

Probably not: Hi NathanF My guess is any effect of opiates on antibody production is only seen in long term use, at high levels, and that the mechanism isn't clear. The 'ELIZA' test procedure that identifies disease by the antibodies produced in the body could be less sensitive if there were less antibodies produced. But practically, probably not. Good thinking however.

Not aware: Do you have the reference on the opiate effect since I am not aware of such link. However people may potentially have a depressed immune system when they suffer from a chronic illness or pain. Nonetheless, I don't expect opiate per se to affect testing on antibody either in quantity or quality .