Importance of using an HIV Ag/Ab combined assay in a UK population at high risk of acquiring HIV infection.
The combined assays for HIV p24 antigen and antibody (4th generation) have had a mixed reception in testing laboratories. A series of five cases detectable only by 4th generation assays or RNA viral load and negative in a variety of 3rd generation assays has prompted us to change our 'routine' screen to a combined assay.
McElborough
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Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5BE. denis.mcelborough@bsuh.nhs.uk
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom
D015415:Biomarkers; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24