HIV Viral Load

Also known as: Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT); NAT; HIV PCR; Quantitative plasma RNA test; HIV Quantification

Formal name: Human Immunodeficiency Virus RNA quantitative

Related tests: CD4 and CD8; HIV antibody; HIV Proviral DNA; p24 antigen test; HIV drug resistance (genotypic and phenotypic)

Article Sources

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NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.

Sources Used in Current Review

Clarke, W. and Dufour, D. R., Editors (2006). Contemporary Practice in Clinical Chemistry, AACC Press, Washington, DC. Pp. 487-490.

Bennett, N. and Rose, F. (2008 October 22, Updated). HIV Disease. eMedicine [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC24.HTM through http://www.emedicine.com. Accessed on 10/26/08.

Mayo Clinic Staff (2008 August 9). MayoClinic HIV/AIDS. MayoClinic.com [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids/DS00005 through http://www.mayoclinic.com. Accessed on 10/30/08.

(2005 November, Revised). Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Introduction. Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec14/ch192/ch192a.html?qt=HIV&alt=sh through http://www.merck.com. Accessed on 10/30/08.

(2008 September, Reviewed). Human Immunodeficiency Virus – HIV. ARUP Consult [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.arupconsult.com/Topics/InfectiousDz/Viruses/HIV.html through http://www.arupconsult.com. Accessed on 10/30/08.

(2006 September 22). Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings. CDC MMWR 55(RR14); 1-17 [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm through http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed on 11/1/08.

(2008 September, Updated) HIV and Plasma Viral Load Testing. Familydoctor.org [On-line information]. Available online at http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/sexinfections/hiv/654.html through http://familydoctor.org. Accessed on 11/1/08.

(Updated January 9,2009) AVERT.org. HIV testing. Available online at http://www.avert.org/testing.htm. Accessed February 2009.

Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. Burtis CA, Ashwood ER and Bruns DE, eds. 4th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Saunders; 2006, Pp. 1567-1568.

(October 22, 2007) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. HIV/AIDS. Available online at http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/HIVAIDS/. Accessed February 2009.

Arup Laboratories. ArupConsult. Human Immunodeficiency Testing in Infants. PDF available for download at http://www.arupconsult.com/Algorithms/HIVInfants.pdf through http://www.arupconsult.com. Accessed February 2009.

Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. McPherson RA and Pincus MR, eds. Philadelphia: 2007, P. 989.

(Reviewed Oct 7, 2008) AIDS infonet.org. Fact sheet, Viral Load Tests. Available online at http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/125 through http://www.aidsinfonet.org. Accessed February 2009.

Sources Used in Previous Reviews

Thomas, Clayton L., Editor (1997). Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, PA [18th Edition].

Pagana, Kathleen D. & Pagana, Timothy J. (2001). Mosby’s Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference 5th Edition: Mosby, Inc., Saint Louis, MO.

Janice K. Pinson MT, MBA. Molecular Business Strategies, Birmingham, MI.