w/Reflex Western Blot

[mikenadhc]

Hello,
What is a HIV Antibody Test w/Reflex Western Blot? Why would a primary care physician order that test? Isn't a Western Blot Test only used to confirm a positive antibody test? Do they order that test to save time if you had a positive reaction?

Mike

[mike_no]

I think the veteran has already answered your question in the best possible way one could.

[Teak]

Did you not see the note at the bottom of the page?
Note
1. This variation is not because different test kits containing different antigens are used in different parts of the world or by different institutions. The SAME test kit is used all over the world.

http://www.theperthgroup.com/OTHER/Genelabswb.pdf

[Teak]

Like you were told they are all the same.

[Brad_Pritt]

CRITERIA FOR A POSITIVE WESTERN BLOT

CDC/ASTPHLD Two bands of : gp41 or gp120/gp160 or p24

US manufacturer’s (FDA) p24 and p31 and one of: gp41 or gp120/gp160

SFTS France (Unequivocal POS)
(Probably POS)
(Probably POS)
Two ENV (gp160 and gp120) with GAG or POL
Env (gp160) and GAG(p24)
Two ENV bands only (gp160 and gp120)

World Health Organization
(Used in Africa)
Two ENV bands with or without GAG or POL
CRSS
Pan American Health Organization
One band of p24 or p31 and one ENV band

American Red Cross (USA) One band each of GAG and POL and ENV

Paul Ehrlich Institut (Germany) Two bands one must be ENV

China Two ENV (gp160/gp41and gp120) and any GAG or POL

Singapore Two ENV (gp160/gp41and gp120) and any GAG or POL

Australia One ENV and any 3 GAG or POL

So, what criteria should be used in this new "gold standard" test?

[Teak]

It doesn't have a different criteria in each country. The Western Blot is a confirmative world wide.

[Brad_Pritt]

How can that test be considered a "gold standard test" if WB has different criterias in each country?

[Teak]

It means you don't have HIV if you test 3 months post exposure.

[mikenadhc]

Here is the info about the test.
HIV AB W/ REFLEX WB

Report
HIV 1/2 EIA AB SCREEN

Result
NON-REACTIVE

REF RANGE
NON-REACTIVE

UNITS
BLANK

NORMAL

STATUS
FINAL

What does this all mean? Did they run one? two tests? Was it just the AB test? Where does the WB come into this? I'm confused.

Help, Mike

[Teak]

A western blot test is a confirmative test that is ran after a positive test has been received.

[mike_no]

Do you even have any idea what test am I talking about?

I never said it's a Duo test  - p24 AG and AB test, we are talking about an HIV Antibody Test w/Reflex Western Blot test. Which has a combination of Antibody and western blot in the same test arrangement using EIA technology. Also, just because Dr. Bob stated on his forum that a negative AB is not performed on WB is not entirely correct because the testing mechanism of this test is inbuilt to perform both the tests in succesion. And, it's very understood that a negative AB will always yeild a negative WB, unless the AB is false positive. The essence of this test is to eliminate the slightest of the possibility to rule out false positives on an antibody body test.

It's one of the newer tests available in the market and I completely understand that your information in this subject should be very scarce as this test itself is not available every where.

Mike,

Go ahead and stay assured that you took the right test. Most of the posters here didn't understand the nature of the test that we are talking about here at the first place. For you affirm the info I have provided, please go through the link below:

http://www.stdtestexpress.com/hiv-test/

Good Luck!

[joggen]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/conclusive-test-result/show/1035370

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/quest-/show/654381

[mikenadhc]

So which is it? Is it a new kind of test? Or two tests ordered at the same time? It is a Quest Diagnostic product. They are reputable aren't they?
Mike

[Brad_Pritt]

"In case the AB result is negative, the WB part of the test also yeilds a negative."

The information provided by mike_no is not accurate.

If the ELISA is negative the WB would not be done, as it would not be indicated.

[Teak]

ELISA and Western Blot tests are not combined combo test. A combo test is an Ag/Ab test.  

[mike_no]

It's a new technology test and also refered as a "gold standard test". Your doctor thinks for you and hence has every reason to administer you on one of the best tests available, I guess.

Look, you've got an excellent test, the good news is it's negative, what else do you want. Shout aloud the "whooo-hooo" and be merry!

[mikenadhc]

Hey Mike,
Thanks for the info. I couldn't figure out why the doctor would order an HIV Antibody w/Reflex Western Blot test.
Mike

[mike_no]

It's a combination of an ELISA and a Reflex to western blot confirmation, also known as an EIA test. This test works in two sequences, first the AB part of the test and followed by another test that is known as Western blot for confirming positive AB tests. In case the AB result is negative, the WB part of the test also yeilds a negative.

In a nut shell, it's a combination of standard antibody test and the western blot test.

[Teak]

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[mikenadhc]

What is the test? Is it some kind of combination test?
Mike

[Teak]

Ask the doctor that ordered it.