HIV
(Specimen Container)
SST (Tiger Top) Lithium Heparin/ Sodium Heparin/ Dipossium EDTA/ Tripotassium EDTA Disodium EDTA
(Transport Temperature)
Temperature | Period |
---|---|
Room temperature | 72 hours |
Refrigerated | 7 days |
Frozen | If testing is delayed more than 7 days, store at -20°C or colder. |
The Alinity i HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) used for the simultaneous qualitative detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p24 antigen and antibodies to HIV type 1 (HIV-1 group M and group O) and/or type 2 (HIV-2) in human serum and plasma (EDTA and heparin) on the Alinity i analyzer.The Alinity i HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is intended to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection, including acute or primary HIV-1 infection. The assay may also be used as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection in pediatric subjects (i.e., children as young as two years of age) and in pregnant women. An Alinity i HIV Ag/Ab Combo reactive result does not distinguish between the detection of HIV-1 p24 antigen, HIV-1 antibody, or HIV-2 antibody. The Alinity i HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is not intended for use in screening blood or plasma donors. The effectiveness of the Alinity i HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay for use in screening blood or plasma donors has not been established. However, this assay can be used as a blood donor screening assay in urgent situations where traditional licensed blood donor screening tests are unavailable or their use is impractical.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by two types of human immunodeficiency viruses, collectively designated HIV. HIV is transmitted by sexual contact, exposure to blood or blood products, and prenatal or perinatal infection of a fetus or newborn. Antibodies against HIV are nearly always detected in AIDS patients and HIV-infected asymptomatic individuals. Phylogenetic analysis classifies HIV type 1 (HIV-1) into groups M (major), N (non-M, non-O), O (outlier), and P.HIV-1 group M is composed of genetic subtypes (A-D, F-H, J, and K) and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs). Group M viruses have spread throughout the world to cause the global AIDS pandemic. However, the geographic distribution and regional predominance of HIV-1 subtypes and CRFs vary. HIV-1 subtype B is the predominant subtype in North America, South America, Europe, Japan, and Australia, although other subtypes and CRFs are present in these regions as well. A significant percentage of new HIV-1 infections in Europe are caused by non-B subtype strains. All subtypes and many recombinant strains exist in Africa. In Asia, subtypes B and C, and CRF01_AE (formerly called subtype E) are found. HIV-1 groups N, O, and P are endemic to west central Africa and are relatively rare. However, group O infections have been identified in Europe and the USA.
HIV type 2 (HIV-2) is similar to HIV-1 in its structural morphology, genomic organization, cell tropism, in vitro cytopathogenicity, transmission routes, and ability to cause AIDS. HIV-2 is endemic to West Africa, but HIV-2 infections have been identified in North America and Europe at a low frequency compared to HIV-1. Early after infection with HIV-1, but prior to seroconversion, HIV-1 core protein, p24 antigen, may be detected in HIV-1-infected individuals. Alinity i HIV Ag/Ab Combo uses anti-HIV-1 p24 antibodies as reagents to detect HIV-1 p24 antigen, thereby decreasing the window period and improving early detection of HIV infection. The key immunogenic protein for serodetection of HIV infection is the viral transmembrane protein (TMP). Antibodies against the TMP are consistently among the first to appear during seroconversion of HIV-infected individuals and remain relatively strong throughout the asymptomatic and symptomatic stages of HIV infection. Alinity i HIV Ag/Ab Combo detects antibodies to HIV-1 groups M and O, and HIV-2 through the use of five recombinant proteins and two synthetic peptides derived from native TMP sequences of HIV-1 groups M and O, and HIV-2
No quantitative reference range