Diagnosing Primary HIV Infection

Eric S. Daar; Susan Little

doi:10.7326/0003-4819-136-6-200203190-00017

Letters |19 March 2002

Diagnosing Primary HIV Infection

Eric S. Daar, MD; Susan Little, MD

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Our study was designed to distinguish between symptomatic patients who had primary HIV infection and those who did not. Since primary HIV infection can present with a broad range of clinical manifestations (1), all referred patients, regardless of symptom complex, were screened. Thus, on the basis of our analysis, which is consistent with that of others (2), we stand by our conclusions that screening should not be limited to patients with select symptoms.

We agree that our estimate of p24 antigen sensitivity could be misinterpreted. Nevertheless, our study demonstrates that this assay can be used to diagnose primary HIV infection in symptomatic, seronegative persons. Clinicians should be aware that sensitivity decreases over time and may vary according to the assay used. As noted in our article, regardless of the virologic test used, all at-risk persons should be counseled about the need for follow-up testing.

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2002 American College of Physicians

Letters |19 March 2002

Diagnosing Primary HIV Infection

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Letters |19 March 2002

Diagnosing Primary HIV Infection

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