HIV antigen/antibody
- Description
- Qualitative fourth generation chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) screening test for the detection of antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2 and HIV-1 p24 antigen in serum. Samples with reactive or equivocal results will be confirmed using two further assays. If indicated, samples may be sent to PHE Colindale reference laboratory. This assay is available as a screening test Mon to Sun. For URGENT or out of hours testing contact on-call Infection StR via hospital switchboard. This test is not UKAS accredited
- Clinical details
- The Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) 1 and 2, are the causative agents of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS.) HIV is transmitted by sexual contact, exposure to infected blood or blood products or by an infected women to her child during pregnancy, at delivery or postnatally via breast feeding. Primary infection can present as an influenza-like illness/glandular fever-like illness in individuals at risk of HIV. Please ensure patient consent is obtained prior to the sample being sent to the laboratory
- Related condition
- Reference range
Not Applicable
- Units
- Qualitative test - Detected/Not Detected
- Synonyms
- HIV-1, HIV-2, AIDS
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Infection Sciences : Blackfriars Hub
- Laboratory
- Virology
- Sample type and volume required
- 2.5 - 5ml Yellow Top Serum Separation Tube (SST) Clotted Blood (for serum).
- Call in advance
- Only in urgent cases
- Storage and transport
- Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). To prevent sample haemolysis please store samples in refrigerator if a delay in sending samples to CSR is unavoidable.
- Turnaround time
- 4 working days
- Contacts
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas’ Hospital
Phone: 020 7188 8008
St Thomas’ Hospital
North Wing – 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EHSouth London Specialist Virology Centre
Phone – Results: 02032996155
Phone – Medical Advice: 02032996298
King’s College Hospital
Cheyne Wing, 2nd Floor (opposite Liver ITU)
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
DX address: South London (PHL) Kings DX 6570200 Peckham 90SE