Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Does HIV Comb Test Detect HIV 2?
Question: Hi doctor, I had one brief exposure on May 2011 with a CSW but it was condom protected. After that I have done several hiv test post 3 months to until 2013 December ( which is 2.7 years) from different labs in Kolkata. Have done hiv-1 DNA pcr , hiv 1/2 Eclia from SRL RELIGARE , hiv-1/2 RNA pcr from metropolis, antibody test from Kolkata tropical school of medicine, ICTC . All were negative. My questions are as follows:
1. The ICTC test used comb aids rs kits for testing , can you please tell me whether it test for hiv-2 also?
2. The antibody test for hiv 1/2 I took , did they test for all hiv -1 subtype including O and N ?
3. Is there any need to take hiv-2 DNA pcr test to be more assured as the hiv-2 RNA pcr I took the detection limit was > 900.? Is Antibody test enough for hiv-2 , do I need any other kind of test for hiv-2?
Waiting for your valuable answer.
Brief Answer:
You are HIV free. No further test is necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
1. HIV Comb test marketed by J XXXXXXX Company (done at ICTC) detects both HIV 1&2.
2. It detects these sub types also
3. So far in my practice Antibody test never missed the differentiation between HIV 1&2. So you need not go for DNA PCR for HIV 2.
Believe almost all the tests are highly reliable to the extent of more than 98%. So don't worry yourself by investigating all these. When all your tests done for HIV were negative so for, confirms that you are absolutely safe and HIV free.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi doctor, thanks for your valuable time and answer. I have few doubt regarding reliablity of test results both in ICTC and private labs like.
1. As i heard once that naco uses substandard and expired kits in ICTC , then how reliable is my test there?
2. How reliable is hiv test in private reputed labs like SRL RELIGARE and METROPOLIS? Can i rely solely on this lab's test independent of testing in ICTC?
3. If i don't do hiv-2 dna pcr , is there any chance that hiv infection remains latent and not showing in antibody test but few years later it shown up . Is there any possibility like this.
I am asking all this because i am going to enter into married life within few months and i don't want to jeoparadize my partners life in any situation. I want 100% assurance. I am waiting for your kind response.
Brief Answer:
SRL,Metropolis, ICTC results are equally reliable.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
1. All the tests marketed in India are having good reputation and high reliability.
To my knowledge ICTC results are equally reliable Especially there they are using two to three types of KIT before declaring the results. I don't have any idea there in ICTC substandard and expired kits are being used.
2. SRL RELIGARE and Metropolis are maintaining a high standard among other laboratories.
3. Even HIV 2 Infection remains in a latent stage, the antibody test would become positive within 3 months after infection. HIV 2 PCR is not necessary to confirm or rule out HIV 2 infection.
You can get married without any hesitation. Your would be wife would not get any problem from you.
Dr S.Murugan
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
