Current Diagnostic Methods for HIV

Detection of HIV infection is essential for diagnosis and monitoring of the infection. There are different types of diagnostic tools available that are based on detection of HIV-specific antibodies, viral antigen or nucleic acid. Sensitivities and specificities of assays utilized for HIV detection have improved. Newer HIV testing technologies such as third-generation enzyme immunoassay which detect HIV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies, fourth-generation enzyme immunoassay which detect both anti-HIV antibodies and HIV p24 antigen and nucleic acid based tests for HIV RNA have significantly decreased the window period. This review provides an overview of current technologies for the detection and monitoring of HIV infection and recent advances in the field of HIV diagnosis.