Group O testing in India without the control

[Arkum]

I got tested using the Abbott Architect here in India. I was worried about Group O and other groups because I lived in Europe for 3 years. All my tests here came back non reactive. I was OK until I found out about the fact that the control for Group O was not available in India, infact it is only available for use in the USand Europe. if the control for Group O is not being used then how can I accept the test to be conclusive? I spoke to Abbott technicians here in India and they said that the reagent is coated with the group O antigen and the machine is calibrated to pick up Group O, hence it would definitely be picked up but the only way to find out if group O will be picked up is by using the control. What should I do?

Thanks

[Arkum]

Hey man, i recently got 2 tests done using 2 different kits, Ortho Vitros ECI(3rd gen but supposedly tests for group O as well) and the Genscreen ULTRA BioRad test (4th gen which incudes group O) all were negative. I think i saw the same research on Group O that you saw in 2009. It was alarming to see that some of them gave false negatives on chronic Group O infections as well, not just primary. I dont know if i can completely convince myself that this is all clear. Or if i should take some other kind of test. what do you think. I saw your post from early last month where you had similar doubts about false negativity. Any updates?

[Arkum]

Yes I should probably just trust the Abbott architect as it claims to be there best 4th gen test. The Abbott technicians that I spoke to are convinced that it will pick up group O as the reagent is coated with that antigen. Almost all the renowned labs here use the architect. I will try to look for another lab with another equipment.

[PJ2239]

I would be confident in the 4th generation duo test picking up group o. These tests had the group o antigen added a number of years ago to ensure that group o was detected. Additionally in a study(2009) for false negatives relating to group o, no group o sample was missed by more than one 4th generation test used for the study, the point being, one test may miss it, but a different brand of 4th generation test wouldn't. So if you are still worried just take another 4th generation duo test made by a different manufacturer.

[Arkum]

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I have read the definition or literature that's on the brochure for the Abbott architect test. I hope it's a universal one. I don't know how much of a difference the control would make. I shall maybe try the tridot by jmitra

[PJ2239]

NAME
ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo
INTENDED USE
The ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) for the simultaneous qualitative detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p24 antigen and antibodies to HIV type 1 (HIV-1 group M and group O) and/or type 2 (HIV-2) in human serum and plasma (EDTA and heparin). The ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is intended to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection, including acute or primary HIV-1 infection.

or use the Tridot test, (J. Mitra & Co. Pvt. Ltd), that is available in India, see below that is copied from the package insert:-

The panel used for evaluation of HIV TRI-DOT by Institute of Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre in AIDS, Belgium also included HIV-O Virus, which was found reactive with HIV TRI-DOT.

Hope this helps.

[Arkum]

I did take the tests almost a year after the exposure. I'm worried about the technical aspect of the control of group O not being available outside of the US and Europe

[BeStrong_]

Ok,
I  would rely on the clinic's advice and for the peace of mind I would have taken a simple test at 3 months post exposure.
Take care

[Arkum]

Hey my exposure was unprotected sex with a French girl. She has had multiple partners before.

[Arkum]

Hey my exposure was unprotected sex with a French girl. She has had multiple partners before.

[BeStrong_]

Hi,
What was your exposure?