HIV-1/2 Ab Confirmatory
Test Mnemonic
HIV12M
CPT Codes
- 86689 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
69668-2
Aliases
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- HIT Types 1 and 2 Antibodies
- HIV Antibody Differentiation
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Performing Laboratory
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL | Serum | SST (Gold) | Refrigerated |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL | Plasma | EDTA (Lavender) | Refrigerated |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | 48 hours |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 1 year |
Days Performed
Mon - Fri
Turnaround Time
1 - 3 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Qualitative Immunoassay |
Special Info
Testing should not be performed on pediatric patients under the age of 2 years.
Clinical Info
A positive assay result interpretation confirms the presence of specific antibodies to HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 in the sample. HIV and AIDS-related conditions are clinical syndromes caused by HIV-1 and HIV-2 and their diagnoses can only be established clinically.
Clinical Limitation
False negative results may occur in individuals infected with HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 who are receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. A negative or indeterminate result does not preclude the possibility of exposure to HIV or infection with HIV. An antibody response to a recent exposure may take several months to reach detectable levels. It is recommended that testing be repeated on a specimen freshly drawn after 2-4 weeks. A person who has antibodies to HIV-1 or HIV-2 is presumed to be infected with the virus; however, a person who has participated in in an HIV vaccine study may develop antibodies to the vaccine and may or may not be infected with HIV. It is recommended that testing be repeated on a freshly drawn sample after 2-4 weeks. An indeterminate interpretation does not exclude the possibility of early seroconversion of the test subject or a cross-reaction with other retroviruses. The homology between HIV-1 and HIV-2 viruses can lead to cross reactivity between anti-HIV-1 and anti-HIV-2 antibodies. It is recommended that testing be repeated on a specimen freshly drawn after 2-4 weeks. Samples that met the HIV-1 positive criteria may, in some rare case, show cross reactivity on one of the HIV-2 envelope bands. In most of the cases, this profile that confirms an HIV-1 infection does not exclude the rare possibilty of a secondary HIV-2 seroconversion (co-infection). Samples which meet the HIV-2 positive criteria can show cross reactivity on one or more HIV-1 bands. In most cases, an HIV-1 indeterminate profile associated with an HIV-2 positive profile is a true HIV-2 only infection. However, it does not exclude the possibility of a secondary HIV-1 seroconversion (co-infection).