Tests for HIV The most common types of test for HIV are the EIA (enzyme immunoassay) and western blot, CD4 count and the viral load. Enzyme Immunoassay EIA (enzyme immunoassay) formerly known as the ELISA test is another blood test that is commonly used in the diagnosis of HIV (UCSF Medical Centre and Ronaldson, S. 2010). Antibodies are detected resulting in positive results and marking the end of the window period. Once when the patient has a positive EIA test the western blot test is used to confirm the EIA test. (UCSF Medical Centre and Ronaldson, S. 2010). The Western blot test also has the ability to detect antibodies to HIV (Ronaldson, S. 2010). CD4 Count The CD4 cell counts and percentages in a blood test is performed in patients that are suspected to be infected with HIV (Aberg, J.A. et al 2014). The CD4 cell count is important as it helps with the staging of HIV and plays a role in the risk of specific HIV associated complications to determine the need for prophylaxis against other opportunistic infections and to determine the urgency of and response to ART (Aberg, J.A. et al 2014). CD4/CD8 ratios are lymphocytes that are found in the blood which HIV attacks and kills and leaving the immune system significantly impaired (Aberg, J.,A. Gallant, J.,E. Ghanem, K.,G. Emmanuel, P. Zingman, B.,S. Horberg, M.A. (2014). Research has stated that the CD8 cell count and the ratio to the CD4 cells is not critical as it does not assist or is used for any clinical decision making (Aberg, J.,A. et al 2014). The Viral Load A viral load is also obtained to help measure HIV RNA in the plasma (Aberg, J.,A. et al 2014 ). This blood test is used to assess the prognosis and to provide a baseline so that the response to therapy can be measured, monitored for maintenance of suppression (Aberg, J.,A. et al 2014). Viral load should be measured and evaluated during the beginning of the untreated patient (Aberg, J.,A. et al 2014). |