Authored By: B. V Waghmare

Monday, May 30, 2011

Tests for detection of HIV infection

Test for HIV. Information on HIV   testing
Main principle of detection of HIV infection is presence of antibodies against HIV virus in the HIV virus infceted individual, more reliable tests identify presence of HIV genetic material or RNA for detection of presence of HIV virus infection.

ELISA test detect the presence of antibodies against HIV virus in ones blood, if ELISA test comes out to be positive then a confirmatory test which is known as Western blot is done to confirm the result.
Lastly a test called as polymerase chain reaction PCR is used finally to confirm the presence of HIV virus in once body, as immediately after infection human body don't develop antibodies against the virus, which is also known as latency period, hence alternatively presence of HIV virus in blood can be detected by using polymerase chain reaction, in this test if there is presence of HIV, in blood, the RNA of HIV is picked up by the test and precisely detected, this test is one of most reliable test.
There are other rapid test kits available in market which provides solution to provide test at the point of care in medical emergencies, these tests too are required to be confirmed later with other confirmatory tests for HIV.
Following are some of the rapid tests currently available for detection of HIV infection.
1. Home Access Express HIV-1 Test
2. OraQuick this test can be applied on saliva or oral swabs.
3. Orasure
4. Uni-Gold
5. Clearview Complete HIV 1/2 and Clearview HIV 1/2 Stat-Pak
6. INSTI™ HIV-1 Antibody Test is the latest test available to which gives result in 60 seconds.
7. Reveal HIV
Above test are based on detection of antibodies these test should be confirmed with tests which make use of PSR like Quantiplex bDNA and , branched DNA test , as in latency period person might be tested negative .
CD4 count is not the test for presence of HIV virus , cd4 count may go down in certain viral and bacterial disease or because of certain drugs.

Knowing status of HIV infection as early as possible helps in starting medication, early medications can provide better quality of life.

This post will be updated later and we will try to provide complete technical details about HIV testing.

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Source:
Lists of tests for HIV screening

HIV Testing/resources/qa

OraQuick Rapid Tests for HIV

FDA approved rapid antibody tests for HIV 

PCR test for HIV nucleic acid detection
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Last updated : 30-May-2011


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Great website , it is a complete in all aspect , it is useful for research and for doctors and patients also