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Category: Clinical Microbiology
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page | Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555815455/9781555813970_Chap02-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555815455/9781555813970_Chap02-2.gifAbstract:
Since AIDS was first reported 26 years ago, more scientific effort at both the national and international levels has been focused on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than on any other virus in modern history. There is still no vaccine available for prevention of HIV infection, but multiple antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are available for combination therapy to control the infection. Many laboratory technologies, including conventional or rapid immunological and molecular methods, have been developed and used for diagnosis of HIV infection, surveillance, epidemiology, and monitoring of therapy. Tests for initial diagnosis of infection include enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting (WB) and other confirmatory assays, rapid immunoassay, quantitative viral RNA detection assays (commonly known as viral load [VL] assays), and qualitative proviral DNA assays. Tests for determining prognosis and for monitoring of ARV therapy include VL assays, genotyping, and phenotyping assays. The current HIV-1 VL assays offer reliable testing with excellent sensitivity and specificity. While genotypic testing is an indirect measure of drug susceptibility, it is the primary methodology for the analysis of HIV drug resistance. Currently, the report and interpretation are based on HIV-1 mutations that are known to be associated with drug resistance. In summary, there have been many achievements in diagnostic microbiology for patients who are immunocompromised because of HIV infection. Newer immunological and molecular technologies will continue to lead the way in laboratory diagnosis of infection caused by HIV.
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Schematic of HIV infection. RNA*, HIV-1 RNA or proviral DNA in the newborn. (Modified with permission from references 17 , 19 , and 82 .)
Algorithm for screening, confirmation, and rapid tests for diagnosing HIV infection. *, possibly repeat with second different rapid assay or even third different assay for rapid confirmation. **, if positive, confirmed HIV-1 infection; if negative, repeat serology in 1 to 3 months.
Algorithm for monitoring HIV-1 infection and ARV therapy. CD4 measurement is not listed here because it is not HIV specific.
Global epidemiology of HIV variants
Methods of screening and confirmation, including rapid methods
NAAT methods for HIV-1
The FDA-approved ARV drugs for HIV
Genotyping and phenotyping methods for HIV-1