HIV duo CMIA method

[cs28]

i did 2 HIV  1/2 DUO by CMIA

39 days non reactive 0.34
44 days non reactive 0.16
50 days non reactive 0.38

I know this is not conclusive.However what are these index values..last one was the highest.Does that mean i am seroconverting .

[RainLover71]

It is you who is wrong.The most effective timeline for a DUO test is 4 weeks because that is when the p24 antigen is at it's peak,at 6 weeks the antibody part of the test become reliable and very accurate.P24 will still be detectable but not as easily as it would be at 4 weeks.The window period for a DUO is 4 weeks.

[RainLover71]

I have read the same information from freedomhealth in the UK and they have an excellent reputation.For some reason there are websites stating that the p24 antigen will become undetectable after say 5 weeks.Personally i don't believe this myself as studies have been done where it has clearly show that p24 antigen remains detectable for months.Not as high as in the first 4 weeks but still detectable.

[peterSlm]

is it really so that p24 becomes undetectable (using duo/combo) tests after 4 weeks?
i've read different information that states that it will remain detectable up to 6 months...

[cs28]

You are wrong.Accuracy of any test increases as time passes.Theoretically 6 week DUO would be more effective than 4 weeks.

[peterSlm]

duo at 6 weeks is OFFICIALLY considered conclusive in France. This means that you do not have to wait 3 months for a conclusive test but only 6 weeks.
in Denmark, 8 weeks is the OFFICIAL window period.

i know that other countries in Europe have also shorter OFFICIAL window periods than 3 months but i don't have the link to the official guidelines.

Majority of the countries, including US, have 3 months.

Does this mean that 3 months is a better estimate? I don't think so because countries with advanced hiv research are moving towards cutting the official window period.

[RainLover71]

That's not true.A duo at 4 weeks is most accurate not at 6 weeks.The p24 antigen will peak at 4 weeks like I told you.An antibody test at 6 weeks is good,I agree with you there,but at the end of the day a 12 week test result is gold.This is just my opinion on how one should test.They take the DUO at 4 weeks and then the antibody at 12 weeks.Perfect testing timeline.