What is the difference between (HIV 1+2 ANTIBODY + P24 ANTIGEN test) and (ELISA test)?

HIV AIDS

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Dr. S.K. TandonSexologist37yrs exp

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First is most sensitive and gives antigen result too.

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Dr. Sajeev KumarGeneral Physician33yrs exp

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It is now common for antibody tests to also test for antigens. These are called 4th generation tests or combined antibody/antigen (Ag/Ab) tests. In these tests the antigen being tested is a major HIV protein called p24. P24 (short for protein 24) is produced 2?3 weeks after infection and before antibodies are produced. P24 antigen is a viral protein that makes up most of the viral core. Serum concentrations of p24 antigen are high in the first few weeks after infection; tests sensitive to p24 antigen are therefore useful for diagnosing very early infection when antibody levels are still low.

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