Insti Rapid Test and Hiv Subtype 2 Canada

[lenovo130]

Hi Doctor,

I am from Canada where they use the Insti rapid Hiv test.  I believe the UK also uses this test and you must be familiar with it to give me your expert advice.  I tested about a week ago and it was negative.  I had a few questions as the website ( http://www.biolytical.com/index.htm) states that the testing is not currently licensed for hiv 2 testing in Canada.  Is this the same case for the UK?

1.  Does the UK use the exact same Insti test as Canada?

2.  Since it is not licensed for Hiv 2 subtype does that mean my test was not tested for hiv 2?

3.  Does the Insti test in Canada also test for Hiv 2 but it was just never approved?  Is this also the case for the UK where it is not licensed for hiv2 but the test detects hiv 2 antibodies?

4.  How reliable % wise is the test in dectecting hiv 2 antibodies?

5.  Was a 3 month post exposure negative test conclusive or do i need to test at 6 months?

6.  Finally, how common is hiv 2 in Toronto Canada?

Thanks.

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

1.  Can HIV be passed on to me if the needle was used just before me (about 10 mins) on a hiv + person to also collect blood or due to the fact that the suction glass tube pulls blood and nothing was pushed into my vein it is unlikely for me to get the other persons blood into my blood (there was no visible blood on the outside of needle i am just wondering about the hallow piece of the needle)? THIS IS SCIENCE FICTION.  NEEDLES ARE DISPOSABLE, STERILE AND SINGLE USE AND THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN.  TRY NOT TO HAVE SUCH IRRATIONAL THOUGHTS AS IT IS ABSURD.

2.  Does blood usually remain in the hollow part of the needle after blood is drawn or does it all get sucked into the glass suction tube which pulls in the blood after the needle is withdrawn from the vein? THE BLOOD IS ALWAYS ASPIRATED BY THE VACUUM OF THE VACUTAINER BLOOD BOTTLE AND WOULD NOT REMAIN IN THE NEEDLE

3.  I've heard that occupational exposures when pricked by a needle containing contaminated blood has a very rare chance of leading to secroversion is  1/300 to 400 exposures leading catching the virus a correct figure?
STATISTICS IN THE UK REGARDING NEEDLE STICK INJURY ARE AS FOLLOWS:  KNOWN HIV POSITIVE BLOOD: 0.3%; UNKNOWN STATUS (IN LONDON):  BETWEEN 0.0006% TO 0.045%.  AS YOU CAN SEE VERY LOW RISK.

Best wishes,
Dr Jose

[lenovo130]

Thanks Doc, that was very helpful.

[lenovo130]

Sorry Doc, not sure if i am getting your correct email address

[lenovo130]

Doc,

Basically if a needle was re-used not blood on outside but perhaps on the hollow part and then the needle is used to draw my blood into suction tube can i get infected or does injecting a fluid need to take place and since my blood was being extracted not injected i cannot get infected?

[lenovo130]

Thanks for the response Doc, i hoped you had more details on the test kit in Canada.  I have last 2 questions (which are more likely due to paranoia), i have you can just reply as these will be the last questions i have.

I decided to have lab test done as well the same day i posted this question.  The needle used was something which attached into a round plastic holder, and then a suction tube is attached to it at time of drawing blood to pull in the blood.  I would think normally the plastic holder is reused and the needle and suction tube are replaced.  If the needle was reused by mistake due it already being attached to the plastic holder before i came into the room to have blood drawn:

1.  Can HIV be passed on to me if the needle was used just before me (about 10 mins) on a hiv + person to also collect blood or due to the fact that the suction glass tube pulls blood and nothing was pushed into my vein it is unlikely for me to get the other persons blood into my blood (there was no visible blood on the outside of needle i am just wondering about the hallow piece of the needle)?

2.  Does blood usually remain in the hollow part of the needle after blood is drawn or does it all get sucked into the glass suction tube which pulls in the blood after the needle is withdrawn from the vein?

3.  I've heard that occupational exposures when pricked by a needle containing contaminated blood has a very rare chance of leading to secroversion is  1/300 to 400 exposures leading catching the virus a correct figure?

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

Hello there,
Let me answer to your questions, one by one, as follows:

1.) I do not know.  However we do use an INSTI test made in Canada by Biolytical, which is licensed in the UK for the detection of HIV1 and HIV2 antibodies.  This is very clearly displayed on the box and on each individual kit.
2.) You really need to ask this question to the person who performed the test, I am afraid, as I am not sure if you had the exact same test that we perform in the UK.
3.) In the UK, it is licensed for both and tests for both.
4.) 99.99% for HIV1 and HIV2 after 12 weeks.
5.) If it is the same Insti test that we use, your negative result would be conclusive and you would not need to repeat any more tests.
6.) I think it is probably non-existant.  In the lat 15 years of clinical experience in Western Europe, I have never personally come across a single case of HIV2.  It is extremely rare and has been mainly found in West Africa.  Apparently is less likely to be transmitted and that is why is so rare.

Best wishes,
Dr Jose