HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) ANTIBODY CONFIRMATION

​5 mL plain blood.

This test is carried out only on screened reactive / equivocal samples. Samples submitted by a referring laboratory must be accompanied by screening results.

​Refrigerate samples if delay in transporting to laboratory is anticipated. Do not freeze.

​4th generation Ag/Ab assay(s) ± Immunochromatographic Ab differentiation assay

Reported either as:

1) HIV Supplementary test

a) Negative

No serological evidence of HIV infection.

Consider repeat screen as indicated by exposure history & risk factors.

b) Indeterminate

Likely non-specific reactivity in low risk individual. Consider repeating a further sample for HIV screen in 6 weeks (after window period for screening assay) as determined by clinical findings & risk factors.

OR

2) HIV Ab Confirmation

a) Inconclusive

May indicate acute infection if recent high risk exposure. Send a sample for NAAT and repeat HIV screeen in 6 weeks.

For low risk individual, may represent non-specific reactivity. Repeat HIV screen in 8 weeks after window period for the Ab differentiation assay.

b) HIV-1 / HIV-2 Positive

Serological evidence of HIV infection.

​1 - 5 days

​Monday, Wednesday and Friday