Eurofins Biomnis code

HIV

Synonyms

• HIV-1/2 - screening control serology

Specialty

Infectious

Clinical significance

Lentivirus (Retroviridae), responsible for AIDS. The infection leads to a major immune deficit related to gradual destruction of the population of CD4+ lymphocytes, thereby predisposing to opportunistic and tumour infections. We differentiate two kinds of virus antigens, HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is the most common. Most strains belong to the M group, inside of which we differentiate at least 10 subtypes or recombinants (A to J). HIV-2 is subtype A of HIV-1 found particularly in Africa. According to the Decree of 28 May 2010, French legislation stipulates since 1 October 2010, the use of a single combined HIV Elisa test (anti-HIV antibody and p24 antigen), CE label, with a detection threshold for p24 antigen at least equal to the minimal threshold required by European regulations of 2 IU/mL (WHO panel NIBSC 90/636). If this test is positive, a confirmation test (Western blot or immunoblot) is always initiated by the medical biologist on the same sample to identify the specificity of anti-HIV antibodies present in this initial serum. In case of a dubious negative result of the confirmation test and also at the request of the medical biologist, the assay of p24 antigen or a viral load test may be performed. In case of a positive confirmation test, the existence of anti-HIV-1/HIV-2 antibodies or p24 antigens in an individual, is only validated after the screening test performed on a second sample.

Preanalytics

• 1 mL :
• serum
•   Reftrigerated

• A tube specifically for this analysis : No

Further information

Storage temperature (2-8°C) < 7 days during transport of specimen.

Methodology

Chemiluminescence

Turnaround time

2 days