HIV-1 RNA Coreceptor Tropism (Genotype) by PCR & Sanger Sequencing - EDTA Plasma

This test measures the genetic traits of the HIV-1 virus in your blood.

• To identify which antiretroviral drugs will be most effective in halting viral replication in patients living with HIV • To evaluate response to treatment for HIV • To diagnose HIV infection in infants • To monitor disease progression • To evaluate the risk of disease transmission

Your doctor might recommend this test if you have • a previous diagnosis of HIV, • viral load that isn’t suppressed by antiretroviral therapy, • treatment failure or drug resistance, • a high viral load even after completing treatment, or • exposure to a partner with drug-resistant HIV.

For a positive test, the result is “virus detected.”Abnormal results may be seen in cases if the virus uses CXCR4 instead of CCR5 as its coreceptor.

A small amount of blood will be drawn from a vein in your arm and sent to the lab for analysis.

Avoid eating or drinking anything for eight hours before the test. Inform your doctor of any medications you are taking and of any specific requirements you have.

• CD4 count: This count measures the number of CD4 cells in your blood and helps to evaluate immune system function. • Viral load test: This test measures the level of virus in your blood and helps to monitor disease progression and response to treatment.

Tropism testing or simply HIV tropism

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Over time, it compromises the body’s ability to fight infections and diseases. HIV can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition characterised by a wide array of severe symptoms due to a weakened immune response.