Advanced Testing Center

Description

The HIV Proviral DNA by PCR is the most sensitive test for detecting infection. While most healthy individuals are accustomed to waiting 3 months for a conclusive result, the HIV Proviral DNA can provide conclusive results after only 28 days. The DNA PCR is an antigen test, that is, a test that looks directly for the virus. This test is conclusive well before the antibody test because it is not dependant on an antibody response. It is looking for the actual genetic material of HIV, called "proviral DNA." If the specimen contains a particular HIV segment, it will be synthetically amplified (multiplied) so that it's easily detected. If even a small amount of virus is present in the specimen it is easily detected by this test. During acute infection (a few days to weeks after exposure), and before the body creates an immune response, HIV replicates to one of the highest levels throughout the entire illness. During the first two to four weeks, plasma viremia levels can be as high as 1 million copies per milliliter of whole blood. The DNA PCR only needs 10 copies for detection.

Fact sheet

Products & services

Similar companies nearby