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Test ID HIV2 HIV-2 Antibody Evaluation, Serum

Useful For

Diagnosis of HIV-2 infection in symptomatic patients with or without risk factors for HIV-2 infection

Reflex Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
HIV2L HIV-2 Ab Confirmation, S Yes No

Testing Algorithm

If HIV-2 antibody by EIA is repeatedly reactive, then HIV-2 antibody confirmation for confirmatory/supplemental testing will be added at an additional charge.

 

This test should be ordered only to screen or HIV-2 antibodies in symptomatic individuals with or without risk factors for this infection.

 

For testing asymptomatic patients (ie, diagnostic purposes) with or without risk factors for HIV-2 infection, order HIV2M / HIV-2 Antibody Screen, Serum.

 

The following algorithms are available in Special Instructions:

-HIV-2 Testing Algorithm: Screening (Nonsymptomatic) Diagnostic (Symptomatic)

-HIV Testing Algorithm (Fourth Generation Screening Assay) Including Follow-up of Reactive HIV Rapid Serologic Test Results

Method Name

Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)

Reporting Name

HIV-2 Ab Eval, S

Specimen Type

Serum

Collection Container/Tube: 

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top                                  

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1.2 mL

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Frozen (preferred) 30 days
  Refrigerated  7 days

Clinical Information

Epidemiologic data suggest that AIDS is caused by at least 2 types of HIV, HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 has been isolated from patients with AIDS and asymptomatic infected individuals. The closely related HIV-2 was first isolated from patients in West Africa in 1986, and the first case of AIDS due to HIV-2 in a patient was reported in the United States in 1988. HIV-2 appears to be endemic only in West Africa, but HIV-2 also has been identified in individuals who have lived in West Africa or had sexual relations with individuals from that region. HIV-2 infection is rare in the United States (<100 cases reported to date); most of the reported cases are from the northeastern states and involve persons from West Africa.

 

Both HIV-1 and HIV-2 are transmitted by sexual contact, sharing contaminated needles, exposure to infected blood or blood products, or from an infected mother to her fetus or infant. During the course of HIV-2 infection, antibodies are formed against the viral proteins p26 and gp34. Immunosuppressed patients may fail to develop these antibodies. At-risk patients with positive results for HIV-1/-2 antigen and antibody combination assays and/or indeterminate or negative results on HIV-1 antibody by Western blot (especially those showing reactivity only with HIV-1 core [p18, p24, or p55] and polymerase [p31, p51, or p66] proteins) should be investigated for the presence of HIV-2 antibodies.

Reference Values

Negative

See HIV Serologic Interpretive Guide in Special Instructions for further interpretive information.

Cautions

This test is not offered as a screening or confirmatory test for blood donor specimens.

                                     

This test is not offered for maternal or newborn HIV screening for specimens originating in New York.

 

All results that are reactive by HIV-2 antibody screening test and positive by confirmatory test should be verified by testing second serum specimens. Positive confirmatory HIV-2 antibody test results are required by statute in most states to be reported to the state departments of health for surveillance of communicable diseases.

 

False-reactive HIV-2 antibody screening test results may occur in patients with HIV-1 infection due to cross-reactivity of HIV-1 antibodies with the viral core and polymerase proteins used in the HIV-2 screening tests.

 

Patients at risk for HIV-2 infection and suspected to have acute HIV-2 infection may have a) negative HIV-2 antibody screen results, or b) repeatedly reactive HIV-2 antibody screen results but negative or indeterminate confirmatory test results. For such patients, testing for HIV-2 RNA or proviral DNA (FHV2Q / HIV-2 DNA/RNA Qualitative Real-Time PCR) is recommended.

 

This assay is not FDA-approved for testing cadaveric or hemolyzed specimens.

                                                                                

Assay performance characteristics have not been established for the following types of serum specimen:

-Grossly icteric

-Grossly lipemic

-Grossly hemolyzed

-Cadaveric specimens

-Presence of particulate matter

Day(s) Performed

Monday, Wednesday, Friday; Varies

Report Available

One day. Approximately 1 week for the reflex confirmation result to be returned.

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

86702-HIV-2 antibody evaluation

86689-HIV-2 line immunoassay (if appropriate)

NY State Approved

Yes