possibility of diagnosis at a very early stage<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
high analytical sensitivity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
accurate confirmation of the presence of the virus<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
viral load control<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
According to recommendations World Health Organization<\/span><\/span>, molecular methods are an integral part of the modern strategy to combat HIV.<\/p>\n PCR is not always the first test, but in some situations it has the highest diagnostic value.<\/a>. The test is prescribed when speed and accuracy are important, and waiting for antibodies to form is undesirable.<\/p>\n Typical situations when PCR is chosen:<\/p>\n recent risky contact<\/p>\n<\/li>\n examination during the "window period"\u00ab<\/p>\n<\/li>\n questionable results of other tests<\/p>\n<\/li>\n diagnostics in newborns<\/p>\n<\/li>\n monitoring the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Specialists Mayo Clinic<\/span><\/span> emphasize that it is PCR that allows minimizing diagnostic uncertainty in the first weeks after infection.<\/p>\n One of the main reasons for prescribing PCR is the so-called "window period" - the period when the infection is already present, but standard tests are still negative.<\/p>\n It is because of this time advantage that PCR is often used in clinically complex cases.<\/p>\n HIV PCR can be performed in two main formats, and they should not be confused with each other.<\/p>\n Qualitative PCR answers the question: is there a virus in the blood?. It is quantitative analysis that is used for:<\/p>\n assessment of infection activity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n monitoring the effectiveness of therapy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n predicting the course of the disease<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n PCR testing does not require complex preparation, but following basic rules is important for the accuracy of the result.<\/p>\n Usually recommended:<\/p>\n surrender fasting blood<\/a> or at intervals after meals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n avoid alcohol the night before<\/p>\n<\/li>\n inform the doctor about taking medication<\/p>\n<\/li>\n undergo analysis within the recommended time frame<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhen is it appropriate to take an HIV PCR test?<\/h3>\n
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How does the informativeness of tests change over time after infection?<\/h3>\n
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\n \nPost-contact period<\/th>\n The most informative method<\/th>\n What can be detected?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n 7\u201314 days<\/td>\n HIV PCR<\/td>\n Virus RNA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2\u20136 weeks<\/td>\n Combined test<\/td>\n p24 antigen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 3\u201312 weeks<\/td>\n ELISA<\/td>\n Antibodies<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n During treatment<\/td>\n Quantitative PCR<\/td>\n Viral load<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n What are PCR tests for HIV and why is it important?<\/h3>\n
Quantitative PCR shows how much virus is present, i.e. determines the viral load.<\/p>\n\n
Preparing for HIV PCR: What Really Matters<\/h3>\n
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