Testing Question?

[Johnny2009]

This is just a general testing question and not related to any specific exposures.

Does anyone know where in the U.S. they offer 3rd or 4th generation tests?  At first, I thought that the health dept. used the updated uni-gold recombigen test (3rd generation, ab + ag), but I recently found out that they are using the older version uni-gold hiv test (2nd generation testing, ab only).


It appears that most sites in the U.S. (major labs and health dept.) only uses newer versions of the 2nd generation tests.  Does anybody here know why the 3 and 4th generation tests are hard to find in the U.S.?  

[Johnny2009]

Hello Teak, I have another testing question.  Say the doc orders an antibody test with wb confirmation and a RNA quantitative test and the antibody test is negative but the RNA is reading a viral load.  Do the labs automatically do a western blot?  or no, because the elisa was negative.

Thanks.

[yash101]

thank you very much teak, for the answer.

[Teak]

4th generation tests are not conclusive until 3 months post exposure no different than any other ELISA test. Look at the UK HIV testing guidelines. "Post-test discussion for individuals who test HIV negative" The need for a repeat HIV test if still within the window period after a specific exposure should be discussed. Although fourth generation tests shorten the time from exposure to seroconversion a repeat test at three months is still recommended to definitively exclude HIV infection.

[yash101]

Hi teak,
are you sure they are not reliable? do you mean no one shuld test with 4th generation test? then y it is used in UK , australia , India?

[Teak]

No benefits and not reliable.

[yash101]

why these test are not used in US?

[Teak]

4th generations tests are not used in the US. I don't know of any clinic that uses 2nd generation tests. They are all 3 generations. Most test don't even go by generations.