HIV immunoassay testing algorithm interpretation in Serum, Plasma or Blood

HIV IA algorithm interp SerPlBld-Imp

Definition

This term is used to report the interpretation of results from an HIV immunoassay testing algorithm that may be based on third, fourth, fifth and possibly other generations of HIV immunoassays. HIV testing has evolved significantly in the past 30 years. The first three generations of HIV immunoassays detected HIV antibodies (first IgG only, then IgG and IgM). The fourth-generation tests can detect, but not differentiate between, HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies as well as the HIV-1 p24 antigen. The inclusion of the p24 antigen allows for detection of HIV as early as two weeks after exposure and before seroconversion occurs (i.e. before antibodies are produced). In 2014, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a recommended algorithm for HIV diagnostic testing based on fourth-generation HIV immunoassays [https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc23447]. More recently, fifth-generation HIV immunoassays have been developed, which can detect and differentiate between HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies and the HIV-1 p24 antigen. The CDC is in the process of updating its testing algorithm and the latest information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/testing/laboratorytests.html. Note that third generation assays are still available in the U.S. and earlier generations may also be available outside the U.S.

AIDS; Blood; HIV IA algorithm interp; HIV imm testing algorithm; Human immunodeficiency virus; ID; Impression; Impression/interpretation of study; Impressions; Infectious Disease; InfectiousDisease; Interp; Interpret; Interpretation; Interpt; Intrp; Microbiology; Nominal; Pl; PlasBld; Plasma; Plsm; Point in time; Random; SerP; SerPl; SerPlas; SerPlBld; Serum; Serum or plasma; Serum, plasma or whole blood; SR; WB; Whole blood