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What Are The Different Methodologies Used In HIV Screening?
Question: Hey there, I just have a question regarding the different methodologies used in HIV screening? is ECLIA a third or a fourth generation test? and is a negative antibody and p24 results at 7 weeks ECLIA test considered to be conclusive? Many thanks in advance.
Brief Answer:
ECLIA test is 4th generation test
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question.
I am Dr Matin and will be answering your questions.
1. An ECLIA test is a COMBO 4th generation test that looks for both p24 antigens and HIV-specific antibodies. The p24 antigens are detectable immediately and only for the first 2-4 weeks, whereas the antibodies has a window period of 4-12 weeks. A 4th Generation picks up 95% of positive cases at one month of exposure and 99.7% at 90 days of the exposure.
2.So I guess at 7 weeks post exposure , this test would not be conclusive.
3. Screening means trying to find /screen out diseases in whom this is most likely. Naturally in case of HIV , those indulging in high risk activities (unprotected sex especially anal sex /IV drug users/pregnant mothers / infected blood transfusion) are most likely to yield HIV positive persons. They are subjected to tests having high sensitivity (if there is a disease there is chance to be picked up).
Hope this helps.
Regards
ECLIA test is 4th generation test
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question.
I am Dr Matin and will be answering your questions.
1. An ECLIA test is a COMBO 4th generation test that looks for both p24 antigens and HIV-specific antibodies. The p24 antigens are detectable immediately and only for the first 2-4 weeks, whereas the antibodies has a window period of 4-12 weeks. A 4th Generation picks up 95% of positive cases at one month of exposure and 99.7% at 90 days of the exposure.
2.So I guess at 7 weeks post exposure , this test would not be conclusive.
3. Screening means trying to find /screen out diseases in whom this is most likely. Naturally in case of HIV , those indulging in high risk activities (unprotected sex especially anal sex /IV drug users/pregnant mothers / infected blood transfusion) are most likely to yield HIV positive persons. They are subjected to tests having high sensitivity (if there is a disease there is chance to be picked up).
Hope this helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you so much Dr. Matin for your prompt response in this matter. Actually I had an unprotected oral and protected vaginal with an occasional sex worker that's why I am a bit worried. I think your answer helps a lot and from what I understood I will have to wait until 12 weeks passes then get retested again to confirm my results.
Brief Answer:
Many thanks for your kind words
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response and kind words.
Patients (?) like you really motivate us doctors too, to give our best to help them.
You are on the right frame of mind and yes, you need a confirmatory test @ 3 months. I am sure it will come negative too. So keep safe and be healthy.
Please keep me posted your progress.
Hope this helps.
Regards
http://bit.ly/askdrmatinahmedkhan
Many thanks for your kind words
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response and kind words.
Patients (?) like you really motivate us doctors too, to give our best to help them.
You are on the right frame of mind and yes, you need a confirmatory test @ 3 months. I am sure it will come negative too. So keep safe and be healthy.
Please keep me posted your progress.
Hope this helps.
Regards
http://bit.ly/askdrmatinahmedkhan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Yes Dr. Matin I forgot to tell you that I just received my urine test result and it turned out that I have something called Mycoplasma hominis!? can u explain me a bit about it? and is it something dangerous?
Brief Answer:
Its not dangerous
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response.
This belongs to a group of micro-organisms called Mycoplsama. Mycoplasma are frequently present as commensals in the oropharynx or in the genital tract of healthy subjects. Mycoplasma hominis has been implicated to cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and that too in women.
I am closing over here.
Hope it helps.
Regards
Its not dangerous
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response.
This belongs to a group of micro-organisms called Mycoplsama. Mycoplasma are frequently present as commensals in the oropharynx or in the genital tract of healthy subjects. Mycoplasma hominis has been implicated to cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and that too in women.
I am closing over here.
Hope it helps.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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