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Negative HIV antibodies and positive PCR

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I was getting tested after having two encounters with the same male - on the first encounter we kissed, mutually masturbated each other (he and I touching each other's penises), and I inserted my penis into his mouth for a few seconds. On the second encounter we kissed and mutually masturbated each other.

I am writing from the U.S., am a healthy 24-year-old male with no health problems. I tested negative for all STIs and I have never had any STIs. (He says that he has never had any STIs either and tested negative for all STIs and HIV upon my request, his last sexual encounter before me being at least 66 days before said test).

At 69 and 42 days respectively from both encounters I had a rapid and an EIA test done - negative for both.

At 99 and 72 days respectively from both encounters I had a rapid test done - negative again.

I was getting anxious and was told about PCR tests by an HIV hotline - I did not know that they were not used for routine screening. Thus at 104 and 77 days respectively from both encounters I requested to have a PCR test done. Because I was getting tested at a walk-in urgent care center, the doctor did not review my medical history/go over my testing/ask me about the exposures, etc. - he just quickly signed off on it and left. It came back positive with a viral load at 415. An infectious disease doctor later dismissed this as a false positive.

At 114 and 87 days respectively from both encounters I then had a rapid and an EIA test done - negative for both.

At 121 and 94 days respectively from both encounters I had a rapid and an EIA test done - negative for both.

I never had any ARS symptoms throughout my whole time of testing.

I'm just worried and confused - do I need further testing or was this just a false positive? I know that PCR tests are not recommended for routine screening and are known for false positives...

Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist

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Category: Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon
 18 Doctors Online

Hello,

Thank you for the consult

Do you have the test result with you (the positive PCR one). ? Or if you know the viral load shown in that test please share.

Thank you


Patient replied :

Hello Dr. Banodkar,

The PCR was the Versant (R) HIV-1 RNA 3.0 Assay (bDNA) kit by Siemens. It says: Copies/mL H 415 <75 copies/mL Log Copies/ML 2.62 <1.88 log cps/mL This test was done at 104 and 77 days respectively past my two sexual encounters. And again, right after that test, at 114 and 87 days respectively from both encounters I then had a rapid and an EIA test done - negative for both. At 121 and 94 days respectively from both encounters I had a rapid and an EIA test done - negative for both. (And I had had previous negative tests as well - see above.) Do my negative rapid and negative EIA tests at 114/87 days post the exposures and negative rapid and negative EIA tests at 121/94 days post the exposures disprove the PCR test?


The Versant PCR tests result is most likely to be False positive. More over the viral count is low to make a primary diagnosis of HIV. The EIA and rapid tests disprove the positive PCR test.

PCR tests are usually for treatment monitoring purpose, or in case of acute HIV where there are lot HIV related symptoms.

I do not see any reason to disbelieve the multiple negative EIA tests.
Thank you


Patient replied :

Hello Dr. Banodkar - My final question is can I move on without any more tests and consider myself negative?


Yes you can move on without any further tests. You can consider yourself to be negative (as per the information provided by you, assuming that the EIA and Rapid tests has been done in a reliable fashion

Thank you


Dr. Kruti Jobanputra Banodkar
Category: Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon
Experience: 
Diploma in Dermatology - Royal College Of Physicians & Surgeons Of Glasgow, UK , 2010
Residency - DNB, Dermatology -  K.J Somaiya Hospital, Mumbai, 2009
Medical School & Internship - MBBS - Dr. D . Y . Patil Medical College, Mumbai, 2004
Dr. Kruti Jobanputra Banodkar and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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