[Microbiological diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection]

Abstract

This document attempts to update the main tasks and roles of the Clinical Microbiology laboratory in HIV diagnosis and monitoring. The document is divided into three parts. The first deals with HIV diagnosis and how serological testing has changed in the last few years, aiming to improve diagnosis and to minimize missed opportunities for diagnosis. Technological improvements for HIV Viral Load are shown in the second part of the document, which also includes a detailed description of the clinical significance of low-level and very low-level viremia. Finally, the third part of the document deals with resistance to antiretroviral drugs, incorporating clinical indications for integrase and tropism testing, as well as the latest knowledge on minority variants.

Keywords: Carga viral plasmática; Diagnóstico serológico; Human immunodeficiency virus; Plasma viral load; Resistance to antiretrovirals; Resistencias a antirretrovirales; Serological diagnosis; Virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.