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Does Adding Heparin To HIV PCR Test Affect The Quality Of The Test Result?
Question: Dear Doctor,
1. In the day 14th of proposed infection, my friend perform HIV PCR test ( HIV-1 RNA quantitative RT-PCR, TaqMan ) which the result was negative, but in the EDTA tube the lab technician add drop or two of Heparin ! The sample sent to Germany.
Is it correct ( Adding Heparine ) ? If not, is the lab technician in germany will discover that ? In not, Is this will affect the result quality ?
2. In the day 21th of proposed infection, same man perform HIV compo test ( HIV-P24 Antigen and total Antibodies HIV1&2 : Architect Abbot ) which the result was negative !
Is both assays enough or he need more ?
1. In the day 14th of proposed infection, my friend perform HIV PCR test ( HIV-1 RNA quantitative RT-PCR, TaqMan ) which the result was negative, but in the EDTA tube the lab technician add drop or two of Heparin ! The sample sent to Germany.
Is it correct ( Adding Heparine ) ? If not, is the lab technician in germany will discover that ? In not, Is this will affect the result quality ?
2. In the day 21th of proposed infection, same man perform HIV compo test ( HIV-P24 Antigen and total Antibodies HIV1&2 : Architect Abbot ) which the result was negative !
Is both assays enough or he need more ?
Brief Answer:
Repeat the P24 antigen assay on 2nd month
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Sorry for the delay in my response.
Adding heparin to the test does not affect the quality of the test result. The test aims at determining the presence of antigen and antibody which are not affected by heparin or many other reagents.
Though the technician in Germany can identify that heparin is added to the blood, it will not affect the process of testing. Blood need to be haparinized to be transported and also it helps such tests (HIV antigen and antibody) to be performed.
Regarding the test result, I would consider it premature to conclude on the same. I would recommend a repeat p24 antigen assay at the end of two months from the exposure. A minimum of one month is needed to consider the result of p24 reliable. A 21 day test is not much conclusive.
Also, an antibody test needs a minimum of 6 month post exposure to be considered reliable.
Hope, I answered your query.
regards,
Repeat the P24 antigen assay on 2nd month
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Sorry for the delay in my response.
Adding heparin to the test does not affect the quality of the test result. The test aims at determining the presence of antigen and antibody which are not affected by heparin or many other reagents.
Though the technician in Germany can identify that heparin is added to the blood, it will not affect the process of testing. Blood need to be haparinized to be transported and also it helps such tests (HIV antigen and antibody) to be performed.
Regarding the test result, I would consider it premature to conclude on the same. I would recommend a repeat p24 antigen assay at the end of two months from the exposure. A minimum of one month is needed to consider the result of p24 reliable. A 21 day test is not much conclusive.
Also, an antibody test needs a minimum of 6 month post exposure to be considered reliable.
Hope, I answered your query.
regards,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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