Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that is able to cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Infections can occur via transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate or breast milk. WHO classifies HIV infection in humans as a pandemic as it killed more then 25 million people since its discovery in early 1980s.

Due to its specific ‘life’ stage, testing of HIV has to be in the ‘opportune’ moment. HIV infection has four basic stages: incubation period, acute infection, latency stage and AIDS. The initial incubation period is asymptomatic and usually lasts up to one month. Acute infection may include fever, muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes, which may last up to 28 days, after which the latency stage will start, were no symptoms will show and may last indefinitely until AIDS will start showing various opportunistic infections.

It is best that testing is carried out periodically, with the first screening carried out after the possibility of infection, and the second testing carried out prior to the the start of acute infection i.e. after approximately one month.

MLSBioDNA Ltd offers testing by real time PCR for:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Testing can be performed, by Real Time PCR Technology, which is able to detect infection within days or weeks, unlike ELISA which is rarely conclusive and may not detect the infection unless three months have elapsed. Unfortunately the latter is normally preferred by several medical practitioners as it is cheaper, allowing for more personal profits. It is recommended
that you insist with your doctor or medical practitioner to carry out such screening via
PCR techniques.

Very soon MLSBioDNA Ltd will be offering a test for a mutation within the CCR5 gene that gives resistance to individuals for HIV, that is if a person carries the mutation he or she can still become infected (and thus testing positive for an HIV test) but never develops AIDS. These individuals still can infect other people with HIV.

Sample Requirement

Alternatively 2 mL serum (frozen). Since HIV is an RNA viruses it is very important
that samples are centrifuged and frozen as soon as possible after collection and maintained frozen at all times even during transport in order to maintain the
integrity of RNA.

Heparinised blood is NOT accepted.

Turnaround Time