HIV Antibody Tests Antibody screening tests (immunoassays)

HIV Antibody Tests Antibody screening tests (immunoassays) are currently the most commonly used HIV tests. These are available as both laboratory and rapid testing versions using either blood or oral fluids. Antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to an infection and antibody screening tests performed on blood have the ability to detect the presence of HIV earlier in the infection process due to the available levels of antibody in the blood. Antibody screening immunoassays (IAs) conducted at the point of care are capable of providing preliminary results in about 20 minutes. Advances in laboratory-based enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), as well as, chemiluminescent immunoassays (CIAs) are able to identify infection as early as three weeks after infection. Not all antibody screening tests or testing services utilize the most current methods, so variations in testing ability must be taken into consideration. Antibody screening immunoassays (IAs) have been designed to detect HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 antibodies in blood, oral fluid and even urine specimens. Reactive/positive screening test results are always considered preliminary pending a confirmation test. When using a rapid screening tool, the confirmation test will be a laboratory follow-up test.38 Blood-based HIV screening: May be a finger stick that detects antibodies. It can be a rapid result test or a send to laboratory version. Most often used in medical offices, public health clinics and community outreach centers. Oral fluid HIV screening: Oral fluid containing antibodies in the oral mucosal transudate is gathered by swab from around the gums of the mouth. Rapid test kits are available, or the swab can be placed in a special collection container for shipment to a licensed processing center. Public health clinics and community outreach agencies are the primary users of this method. Urine HIV screening: Urine rapid test kits or collection devices are available to be sent to licensed processing centers but are not yet widely used.