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Test Code HIV4G HIV 4th Gen Screen

Additional Codes

EPIC: LAB5383

Performing Laboratory

UnityPoint The Finley Hospital

Test Method

Chemiluminescent immunoassay (Sandwich principle); Roche cobas Pro

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.

Routine: Typically completed within the same day after the specimen arrives at the laboratory.

STAT: Typically completed within 1 hour after the specimen arrives at the laboratory.

Specimen Requirement

 

  1. Serum, EDTA plasma, lithium heparin plasma, and gel tubes are acceptable. 
  2. It is recommended that the serum be separated from contact with cells within 2 hours from time of collection.
  3. HIV specimens are stable for 7 days at 20-25°C, 4 weeks at 2-8°C, and 3 months at -20°C.

Useful For

ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), belongs to the family of retroviruses. HIV can be transmitted through sexual contact, contaminated blood and blood products or from an HIV-infected mother to her child before, during and after birth. Two types of HIV, called HIV‑1 and HIV‑2, have been identified to date. HIV‑1 can be divided into 4 distantly related groups: group M (for main), group N (for non‑M, non‑O), group O (for outlier) and group P (Plantier). 

HIV p24 antigen in blood specimens of recently infected patients can be detected as early as 2‑3 weeks after infection. Anti‑HIV antibodies are detectable in serum from around 4 weeks post infection. The combined detection of HIV p24 antigen and anti‑HIV antibodies in 4th generation HIV screening assays leads to improved sensitivity and therefore a shorter diagnostic window compared to traditional anti‑HIV assays.

Reference Values

Nonreactive

Reactive results are considered preliminary positive and are sent to Pathology Laboratory for confirmation testing.