LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION

摘要: SUMMARY HIV infection and AIDS will continue to grow as a major medical social problem. The incidence of heterosexual transmission is rising, it become increasingly difficult for physicians counselors assess an individual's risk infection. In coming years, can expect see patients who are infected, but whose may not be apparent, present with conditions immediately suggestive their majority these even suspect they infected. Many the tests currently available diagnosing very good. They both highly sensitive specific predictive values good when limits understood. But, expands ever larger number women children ability sharply define groups fades, demand broader range that reliably confirm easy perform only increase. We have attempted describe some common serologic used diagnose limitations tests. also pointed out criteria by laboratories interpreting such Western blot always uniform, should know reference laboratory quality control measures taken. detect virus, its genes, or gene products. PCR other rapidly evolving amplification techniques hold great promise diagnosis/confirmation As tests, important those use understand value well limitations.