Diagnostic Testing Services

Overview of Testing Services:

The BVL performs testing to confirm HIV infection for individuals who receive a preliminary positive result on an HIV rapid test. The BVL conducts antibody testing to differentiate HIV-1 and HIV-2 and to confirm HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 infection when indicated. Testing services are also provided for individuals whose HIV infection status remains unresolved due to unusual or conflicting test results. The laboratory´s HIV diagnostic test menu includes:

• HIV-1/2/O enzyme immunoassay (EIA)
• HIV-1/HIV-2 discriminatory rapid test
• HIV-1 Western blot
• Qualitative HIV-1 RNA detection by transcription mediated amplification (TMA)
• Qualitative HIV-2 RNA detection by real-time PCR

The BVL conducts an array of specialized laboratory services for specific state and federal agencies. These include:

• HIV Drug Resistance Testing
• Hepatitis C Virus Genotyping
• HIV incidence surveillance
• Interferon-gamma testing to screen for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection within NYS Department of Corrections facilities
• Court-ordered defendant testing