HIV-1 RNA QUANT

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV virus is of 2 types namely HIV 1 & HIV 2 of which HIV 2 is less transmissible & less likely to progress to AIDS. By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body’s ability to fight infection and disease. It can spread through sexual contact or blood by sharing infected needles or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. It may take years before HIV weakens your immune system & causes full-blown AIDS. Antiviral treatment has reduced the death rate due to AIDS. This is a quantitative test that gives the viral load of HIV 1 in your body. This is useful for monitoring response to treatment. In addition, it also indicates the immune status. An HIV positive individual with CD4 count of 200 or less is at risk of developing AIDS.

Why choose our HIV RNA viral Load testing services:

• Accurate Quantification: Our state-of-the-art laboratory utilizes cutting-edge technology to provide precise measurements of HIV RNA in the bloodstream, ensuring accurate quantification for effective disease management.
• Early Detection and Monitoring: Early detection of viral activity is crucial for timely intervention. Our RNA Viral Load Testing not only aids in the initial diagnosis of HIV but also plays a pivotal role in monitoring treatment efficacy over time.
• Personalized treatment plans: We believe in personalized healthcare. Our detailed RNA Viral Load results contribute to the development of customized treatment plans, allowing healthcare providers to tailor interventions based on individual patient needs.
• Risk Assessment for transmission: Our testing helps assess the risk of HIV transmission. Individuals with undetectable viral loads are less likely to transmit the virus, promoting responsible and informed decision-making.

How our services work:

1. Sample Collection: Healthcare providers collect a blood sample from the patient through a simple and minimally invasive procedure.
2. Advanced Laboratory Analysis: Our certified laboratories use cutting-edge PCR technology to analyze the viral load with a high level of sensitivity and specificity.
3. Rapid and Secure Results: Results are delivered promptly to healthcare professionals through secure channels, ensuring quick decision-making and intervention.

Benefits of choosing Taqgen:

• Clinical Excellence: Our team of skilled professionals is dedicated to delivering accurate and clinically relevant results to support healthcare decision-making.
• Confidentiality and privacy: We prioritize patient confidentiality, employing stringent security measures to protect personal health information.
• Commitment to Quality: Taqgen adheres to the highest standards of quality assurance, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of our HIV RNA Viral Load Testing services.

At Taqgen, we understand the critical role that precise diagnostics play in HIV care. Partner with us for cutting-edge technology, personalized solutions, and a commitment to improving the lives of those affected by HIV. Contact us today to learn more about our HIV RNA Viral Load Testing Services.

Shipping Guidelines

1. Ship frozen plasma sample on dry ice only.
2. If shipment will be delayed for more than 24 hours, freeze plasma at -20° C (up to 30 days) until shipment on dry ice.

Sample Required

Collection Container/Tube: EDTA Tube, 3 mL
Sample Type: Plasma
Sample Volume: 1.5 to 2 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge blood collection tube per collection tube manufacturer’s instructions (eg, centrifuge within 2 hours of collection for BD Vacutainer tubes).
2. Aliquot plasma into EDTA tube.

Useful For

• Detection and quantification of HIV-1 RNA in plasma of patients with HIV infection (ie, sero-positive)
• Monitoring disease progression in chronic HIV infection
• Monitoring response to anti-HIV therapy

Method Name: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) based on TaqMan probe.
Reporting Name: HIV-1 RNA Detect/Quant
Specimen Type: Plasma
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Clinical Information
1. Viral load below 10,000 copies/ml is generally considered “low”.
2. An increase or decrease in viral load of more than three-fold may be considered significant.
3. Viral loads can vary considerably. Laboratory variations, acute illness, or recent vaccination can lead to elevations or variability in viral loads. However, variations of less than 0.5 log copies/ml. should not be considered as significant.
4. Values below 50 Copies/mL does not exclude the possibility of an infection. It may reflect a viral load below the detection limit of the assay.
5. HIV viral load values are known to be affected due to other clinical conditions, such as acute illness or recent vaccination. Hence viral load should be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical history, clinical status, and other diagnostic parameters.

Recommendation
1. Viral load is a monitoring test and hence should not be used for screening or diagnostic purposes.
2. Wide variation in viral load has been observed due to the following reasons:
a. Use of different technologies/platforms for follow-up testing: it is recommended to monitor patients using the same technology.
b. Non-adherence to specimen collection protocol: it is recommended to immediately freeze the serum/EDTA plasma after collection and separation.

Reference Values
Undetected

Interpretation

Methodology:
The quantification of HIV by Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) is TaqMan probe-based amplification of a specific region (LTR) of the HIV genome by the TaqGen System.

Note:
1. Specificity: HIV-1 Group M subtypes detected and quantified.
2. Sensitivity: Detection Limit of the assay is 50 Copies/ml.
3. Linear reporting range of the assay: 100-10 million copies/ml.
4. Conversion factor calculated for HIV-1 PCR: 1 IU/ml corresponds to approximately 0.5 copies/ml.

Limitations:
PCR is a highly sensitive technique; a common reason for paradoxical results is contamination during specimen collection of inappropriate specimen and inherent PCR inhibitors in the specimen.

Day(s) Performed:
Monday through Saturday

Report Available:
1 to 3 days

Test Code Information