Pcr report

[Dana_joun]

What is the meaning of "absence of detection of hiv1 rna? I did a pcr but result came < 20 copy With the statement mentioned above.is it means that the virus detected but < 20 copy, the virus undetected at all, or they didn't do the detection on sample?

[Sara_MHModerator]

We understand you are anxious and we are sorry about that.  Our member has given you an answer already that your test says you are negative.  

***  thread closed ***

[Dana_joun]

Sorry for reback..is that result doesn't mean DETECTED but <20?
I knew that there is a detection below the limit of device. So the result of pcr must to be for the following:
- undetected.
-< 20. (Means detected but under the limit of quantification).
-detected in copies.
Iam very confused with this result, I try to understand why they write the first <20 copy then the very confusion statement Absence of detection of hiv1 rna.
I want to move on really. Please help.
Was The lab mean that there is no detection happened because the rna EXISTS but in under limit.OR there is no detection happened because NOT DETECTED AT ALL above or under the limit?
I am not able to email the lab cause it was in france.
Thank you in advance.

[CurfewX]

"Absence" is the key word here.  The test is negative.  This is a very standard lab report and it's not necessary to parse all of the wording.  You wouldn't get a lab report if they didn't run PCR on the sample.  It's negative.  End of story.

[Dana_joun]

Thank you for your help. I was asking cause it was a quantification pcr.the limit of detection <20 . But I knew recently that the hiv1 rna can be detected but not countable like (detected from 1 to 19) but they not be able to determine the exact copies cause its less than the limit of detection. So I scared that this phrase in my report means its detected but under 20 copies or its detected but ther is an absence of detection of hiv because its there under the limit of the assay.. all I want to be assure of it is not detected at all. Am I make my self clear? Do you get what iam thinking of?.. my report came exactly as below:
<20 copy/mi
     Absence of detection of hiv1 rna.

[CurfewX]

You are just asking the same question a different way.  My first reply gives you all of the information you need.

[Dana_joun]

Thank you.