Lab Dept:
Serology
Test Name:
HIV 1 ANTIBODY CONFIRMATION BY
WESTERN BLOT
General Information
Lab Order Codes:
HIVCO
Synonyms:
W. Blot Anti-HIV; HTLV III; AIDS; Aquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome; HIV1 Antibody
CPT Codes:
86689 – Antibody; HTLV or HIV antibody, confirmatory test
Test Includes:
HIV-1 Western Blot (WB) analysis reported as Negative, Positive or
Indeterminate. See HIV Serologic Screening Algorithm for more
information.
Logistics
Test Indications:
Supplemental serologic testing for HIV-1 infection in patients with
indeterminate or reactive HIV-1 antibody results (regardless of HIV-2
antibody result) by FDA-approved HIV-1/2 antibody differentiation test.
Lab Testing Sections:
Serology - Sendouts
Referred to:
Mayo Medical Laboratories (MML Test: HV1WB)
Phone Numbers:
MIN Lab: 612-813-6280
STP Lab: 651-220-6550
Test Availability:
Daily, 24 hours
Turnaround Time:
1 – 3 days
Special Instructions:
N/A
Specimen
Specimen Type:
Blood
Container:
Red top tube
Draw Volume:
4.8 mL (Minimum: 1.2 mL) blood
Processed Volume:
1.6 mL (Minimum: 0.4 mL) serum
Collection:
Routine venipuncture
Special Processing:
N/A
Patient Preparation:
Lab Staff: Centrifuge specimen, remove serum aliquot and send
specimen in a plastic, screw top tube. Send specimen frozen. Forward
promptly.
Sample Rejection:
Mislabeled or unlabeled specimens, specimens other than serum
Interpretive
Reference Range:
Negative.
Critical Values:
N/A
Limitations:
The US Association of Public Health Laboratories recommends
verification of all first-time positive confirmatory test results prior to the
diagnosis of HIV infection. A second serum should be obtained from the
patient and submitted for repeat testing to verify all positive results.
Positive HIV antibody WB results in infants of <18 months of age and
born to HIV-infected mothers may indicate passive transfer of maternal
HIV antibodies. Serologic tests (screening, supplemental or
confirmatory) cannot distinguish between active neonatal HIV infection
and passive transfer of maternal HIV antibodies in infants during the
postnatal period (up to 18 months). Diagnosis of HIV infection in
newborns and infants should be made by virologic tests such as
detection of HIV RNA or HIV proviral DNA.
This test should be ordered only on sera that are either indeterminate or
reactive for HIV-1 antibodies (regardless of the HIV-2 antibody result)
by FDA approved HIV-1/2 antibody differentiation tests.
Although hemolyzed serum specimens are acceptable for testing, this
assay is not FDA-approved for testing cadaveric serum specimens.
Performance characteristics have not been established for the following
specimen types: Cadaveric specimens, Specimens containing
particulate matter
Methodology:
HIV-1 WB: Western Blot
References:
Mayo Medical Laboratories November 2014
Updates:
4/6/2004: Test moved from Memorial Blood Center of Minneapolis to
Mayo Medical Laboratories. Note: Test now reflexes to
supplemental/confirmatory testing (with additional charges) when
indicated by reactive findings.
9/27/2010: Specimen requirement updates.