HIV p24 Antigen Detection

Notes:

• p24 antigen can generally be detected in serum in the two weeks following the patients infection by HIV1.
• Its presence reflects intense multiplication of the virus and hence provides an early diagnosis of the disease at the presero conversion stage.
• In children from HIV1 positive mothers, the presence of p24 antigen at birth indicates early and severe forms of the disease.
• About 28 weeks after initial exposure, antibodies are produced in response to HIV infection. Once antibodies are produced, the results of the p24 test will usually be negative although the person may be infected with HIV.