HIV type 1 and type 2 antibody test

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a subgroup of retrovirus) that causes HIV infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. Without treatment, average survival time after infection with HIV is estimated to be 9 to 11 years, depending on the HIV subtype. Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells.

 The One Step HIV AbTest is a qualitative membrane strip based immunoassay for the detection of HIV antibodies in Whole Blood /Serum / Plasma. In this test procedure, recombinant HIV antigen is immobilized in the test line region of the device. After a Whole Blood /Serum / Plasma specimen is placed in the specimen well, it reacts with HIV antigen coated particles that have been applied to the specimen pad. This mixture migrates chromatographically along the length of the test strip and interacts with the immobilized HIV antigen. If the specimen contains HIV antibodies, a colored line will appear in the test line region indicating a positive result. If the specimen does not contain HIV antibodies, a colored line will not appear in this region indicating a negative result. To serve as a procedural control, a colored line will always appear at the control line region indicating that proper volume of specimen has been added and membrane wicking has occurred.