HIV-1 ANTIGEN

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Specimen: 10 mL blood in plain tube.

Method: Immunoassay; detection of p24 antigen. See also HIV-1 RNA .

Application: Limited; largely superseded by HIV-1 RNA .

Interpretation: A positive result indicates HIV infection. The p24 antigen is positive in early (acute) and late phases of the infection, but it is an insensitive test and a negative result does not exclude HIV viraemia.

Reference: Goedert JT. Ann Epidemiol 1990; 1: 129-131. Jurriaans S. AIDS Res 1995; 11: 473-479.

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