Changes to HIV testing options
The State Hygienic Laboratory plans to discontinue HIV-1 Oral Fluid testing effective July 1, 2015. This includes: HIV-1 Antibody Oral Fluid and HIV -1 Oral Fluid by Western Blot (reflex test for positive HIV-1 Antibody Oral Fluid test). This change is based on recent recommendations made by the Association of Public Health Laboratories and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the CDC, laboratories should conduct initial testing for HIV with an FDA-approved antigen/antibody combination immunoassay that detects HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies and HIV-1 p24 antigen to screen for established infection with HIV-1 or HIV-2 and for acute HIV-1 infection. Switching from oral testing to an antigen/antibody test will provide more accurate laboratory diagnosis of acute HIV-1 or HIV-2 infections, with fewer indeterminate results, and faster turnaround time.
In accordance with the CDC recommendation, the State Hygienic Laboratory will continue to provide the HIV Antigen/Antibody combination testing as well as the HIV-1/HIV-2 Multispot Rapid Test. Details regarding specimen collection and test orders can be found on the State Hygienic Laboratory’s clinical test menu.
Reference information regarding changes to the HIV-1 Oral Fluid testing can be found below:
