Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)
show and this stage may last indefinitely when the patient will start to develop a number of opportunistic infections (onset of AIDS).
It is best that testing is carried out periodically, with the first screening carried out after the possibility of infection, and the second testing carried out prior to the the start of acute infection i.e. after approximately one month.
BioDNA Laboratory Services offers testing by real time PCR for:
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Testing can be performed, by Real Time PCR Technology, which is able to detect infection within days or weeks, unlike ELISA which is rarely conclusive and may not detect the infection unless three months from contact have elapsed.
Sample Requirement
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5mL EDTA blood
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1mL EDTA blood (for paediatrics only)
Alternatively 2 mL serum (frozen). Since HIV is an RNA viruses it is very important that samples are centrifuged and frozen as soon as possible after collection and maintained frozen at all times even during transport in order to maintain the integrity of RNA.
Heparinised blood is NOT accepted.
Turnaround Time
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3 working days
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Results are issued every Thursday
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Last accepted samples by Tuesday noon
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that is able to cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Infections can occur via transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate or breast milk. WHO classifies HIV infection in humans as a pandemic as it killed more then 25 million people since its discovery in early 1980s.
Due to its specific ‘life’ stage, testing of HIV has to be in the ‘opportune’ moment. HIV infection has four basic stages: incubation period, acute infection, latency stage and AIDS. The initial incubation period is asymptomatic and usually lasts up to one month. Acute infection may include fever, muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes, This stage may last up to 28 days. After which the latency stage will start. No symptoms will show
