Several strides have recently been made in the ability to detect the presence of both
HIV-1 and HIV-2. Serologic testing has been greatly refined, vastly improving the
sensitivity and specificity of such tests. More rapid serologic methods now exist,
as do kits for performance of testing at home. HIV-1 antibody tests of nonserum samples,
such as urine and oral fluids, have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). HIV-1 antigen testing and HIV-1 culture techniques have become useful in certain
clinical situations. Finally, nucleic acid–based tests, which can allow direct detection
of both HIV-1 RNA and complementary DNA (cDNA), have played an important role in the
detection of acute HIV-1 infection in adults and in the postpartum period of infants
born to HIV-1–infected mothers. These tests and their clinical uses are discussed
in this article.
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