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HIV Types

Dear Doctor, I have a few questions about hiv types:
1) Will duo tests detect all HIV types? i was tested on vidas duo quick and roche combo (negative) and i see the website says only type M and O. what about the other types? will they still be the detected?
2)I had a HIV1 PCR RNA test done (negative). will this test detect the viral load for all HIV1 types? i see most websites just say M and O.
3)If it's a different type then would viral load/antibodies still be detected? do they share similar features?
4)my exposure was in the USA. the person may have been from south america. what is the risk that i contracted a type thats not M and O?and that duo and RNA are not detecting it?
5)could you please provide a very brief breakdown of how the hiv groups work in terms of geographic location? whats the risk of contracting a group other than M and O in the US?
i am asking because i want to be 100% sure i dont put others at risk. thank you
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thanks Doctor!
Helpful - 0
1024580 tn?1331574121
Hello,
Thank you very much for your post and welcome to our forum.
Modern detection tests are able to detect all groups and subtypes of HIV-1 and HIV-2.  Most virologists reckon that even the rarest strains would be detectable with tests like the ones you have had, as they share common characteristics, including group N.
HIV-1 is the most common as it is a rapidly mutating virus, more virulent and rapidly progressive than HIV-2.
HIV-1 is divided in three main groups: Group M (main group), subdivided into subtypes: A1, A2, B, C, D, E (or CRF01_AE), F1, F2, G, H, J and K; group O (outlier group) and group N (new group).
Group M is the most common worldwide; majority of its subtypes are found in Africa.  The predominant subtype distribution is as follows:  B in America, Europe, Australia and Japan, also Thailand and SE Asia; A and D in sub-Saharan Africa; C in South Africa and India; E in Thailand and SE Asia; F in Brazil and Romania.  Groups N and O are very rare and remain confined to West and Central Africa.
HIV-2 is also predominantly found in West Africa, but has recently been reported in India and South America.
I can assure you that with your negative test results, you are definitely HIV negative without any doubt, provided the tests have been carried out at the correct window periods.
Best wishes,
Dr José
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