HIV 1/2 viral load

Which test do we use?

HIV 1: Cobas 4800 HIV-1 test (Roche Diagnostics)
HIV 2: forwarded to UCL-Brussels

Sampling instructions

• Adults: at least 9 ml EDTA blood
• Children under 12 years: at least 3,5ml EDTA blood

Samples must not be older than 24 hours after collection.

Whole blood samples should be sent in the collection tube.

Storage conditions

Blood can be stored and sent at room temperature (20-25°C)

We accept blood samples between 8.30am and 3.00pm

Important advice

HIV 1/2 viral load is carried out for:

• Follow-up of HIV-infected persons
• Serological indefinite results
• Suspicion of acute infection
• Diagnosis of children (< 18 months) born to HIV positive mothers (in combination with HIV DNA PCR)

External laboratories can prepare the samples according to the procedure. Includes packaging instructions for plasma.
We need at least 2,5 ml EDTA plasma to perform the analyse.

Guidelines for HIV diagnosis and monitoring