CONFUSED

Hello doctor, my story begins on December 6 2011. I went to a lab. for to test for HIV, My last sexual experience was with a sex worker,protected. However I and she received oral sex (I am a male). It was on 31 aug 2011. (I am from Turkey, by the way.) I gave blood for architect HIV 1/2 combo, western blot HIV-1 and HIV-1 RNA. While waiting, I went to another hospital and had an ELIZA(negative). The architect came in positive ( s/co 3.33 cut-off 1.00), my wb and rna came back negative and undetected. However, I was not satisfied, on dec 26 2011, gave blood for HIV1/2 CMIA and ELFA HIV duo combo ultra. CMIA was weak positive (1.19 where cut off was 1.00) and elfa was negative( p 24 not detected, ab 0.05 where cut-off was 0.25). I waited until feb. 1 2012 for another test this time they used two, arch. HIV 1/2 (Ag/Ab) result was 3.55 COI <1.00 and Elfa vidas duo ultra combo HIV Ab 0.08  <0.25 NEGATIVE, HIV P24 Ag 0.00  <0.25 NEGATIVE. So, I gave blood for wb and hiv-rna again. WB: HIV-1 (NEGATIVE). The bands were, gp110/120, gp41, gp160 ENV , p55, p40, p24, p17/18 GAG, p31, p51/52, p66/68 POL. HIV1 RNAresult:nd.Suspected HIV-2 so I asked the lab. They told me that in WB HIV-1 they also check for a common band with HIV-2. However, while reporting, if band is clear and negative they did not report it. I asked them if there is a kit which they can control for HIV-2 only. They told me that HIV-2 is very uncommon so there is no place in turkey where WB HIV-2 is avaliable. They asked me if I was with an african, I wasnt but anyone can be HIV-2. Anyway, I had an unprotected anal sex like 1,5 years ago and unprotected oral sex 155 days ago. Since the screening tests are detecting something while WB HIV-1 and HIV-1 RNA is clear, how can I be tested for HIV-2? Is there another way which I can undrstand HIV-2 is not my issue? Previously, as I mentioned, the lab. officer told me they look for a common band with HIV-2 in WB HIV1, is there a band in common. thank you

[Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia, MD, MRCGP, PhD]

Hello,
Thank you for your post.
The positive results that you had were false positive results.  This is something that happens in certain individuals when having the 4th generation HIV tests, like the Duo and Combo.  This happens much more often than people realise.  You are definitely HIV negative, for both HIV-1 and HIV-2.  You have tested negative for HIV-2 antibodies and if you had been infected, you would have developed antibodies against HIV-2 by then.
I know that it can be quite disconcerting to get a false positive result, but from the information that you have given me, I am satisfied that you are certainly HIV-1 and HIV-2 negative without a doubt.
Best wishes,
Dr José

[laleelma]

someone please comment on previous post.

[laleelma]

Thank you doctor jose,
You would not believe how much I care for a real professional opinion. Thank you. I gave blood for HIV-2 ımmunoblot anyways, the will send it to use I think. However, could you please tell is there a common band between HIV-1 and HIv-2 that doc. check in WB HIV-1. Thank you, thank you, god bless you.

[laleelma]

sorry for the bad english. They will send my specimen to USA I meant.
thank you