HIV Labs & Diagnostics Flashcards

1
Q

Which groups of people are recommended for annual HIV screening?

A
  • MSM
  • Injection Drug Users
  • Persons exchanging sex for drugs/money
  • Sex partners: HIV+, bisexual, injection drug users, or status of partner unknown
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2
Q

What are the Antibody-ONLY HIV tests?

A
  • ELISAs- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
  • HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation assays
  • Western Blot– confirmatory follow-up testing
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3
Q

The 4th gen HIV antibody/antigen test can detect HIV infection in as little as _____ days.

A

15-20

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4
Q

The HIV RNA test can be used to count/quantify ______.

A

Viral Load

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5
Q

Which type of test is used to detect the presence of HIV in donated blood?

A

RNA (qualitative test)

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6
Q

Criteria for HIV+ test results?

A

A positive ELISA or combination assay —- followed by a confirmatory test (two positive results)

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7
Q

How are the results interpreted if a Pt has a positive Antibody/Antigen test, followed by a negative confirmatory test?

A

Indeterminate

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8
Q

T/F A person who received negative HIV test results can still be infected?

A

True (Window period in testing)

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9
Q

Can someone who tests HIV- still transmit the virus to another person?

A

Yes, If they are in the window period after infection and haven’t had time to develop antibodies (assuming an antibody test was administered).

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10
Q

Most patients develop antibodies by which week of infection?

A

4

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11
Q

What are two basic lab values we want to know about an HIV patient?

A

CD4 Count and Viral Load

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12
Q

What does CD4 count indicate about the patient?

A

The health of their immune system/disease progression

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13
Q

What’s the normal range of CD4 cells?

A

500-1400 cells/μL of blood

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14
Q

What two considerations can determine an HIV infection has progressed to AIDS?

A

CD4 Count <200 cells/μL of blood; Opportunistic infection

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15
Q

What does viral load indicate?

A

How active HIV is in patient’s body (Meds working?)

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16
Q

T/F Once a patient is determined to have an undetectable viral load their meds can be withheld?

A

False (Infection will return if ART therapy is discontinued)

17
Q

About how often should follow-up labs be drawn for an HIV+ patient?

A

Every 3-4 months unless otherwise indicated

18
Q

What other lab values could be useful to know about HIV+ patients?

A
  • WBC (esp. lymphocytes/neutrophils)
  • Platelets
  • H&H
  • LFTs (Liver function tests)
  • ART drug resistance tests
19
Q

What are some takeaways from the CDC estimates about HIV (regarding awareness of infection and access/adherence to treatment?

A

Many HIV+ individuals are unaware they are positive, adherence to ART is low (viral load unsuppressed)

20
Q

4 implications/considerations to HIV Screening

A
  • Consent to testing (opt-out documentation)
  • Confidentiality of testing/results
  • Counseling available
  • Referrals to care if positive