HIV Monitoring Panel

Bacterial/ Viral

Report in 48Hrs

At Home

No Fasting Required

Details

CD4 count, viral load, related markers.

₹5,920₹8,457

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HIV Monitoring Panel

Why is it done?
- Monitors viral load (HIV RNA levels) to assess the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and determine if current treatment regimen is adequate
- Measures CD4+ T-cell count to assess immune system function and determine risk for opportunistic infections
- Evaluates CD4+ percentage to complement absolute CD4 count measurements
- Detects antiretroviral drug resistance patterns to guide treatment modifications when needed
- Ordered routinely for all HIV-positive patients to guide clinical decisions and monitor disease progression
- Typically performed at baseline diagnosis, every 3-6 months during treatment, and as clinically indicated when symptoms change or therapy adjustments are made
Normal Range
- HIV Viral Load (HIV RNA): Undetectable: Less than 50 copies/mL (or <20 copies/mL depending on assay sensitivity) Normal range for HIV-negative individuals: Negative or nondetectable Units: copies/mL (copies per milliliter)
- CD4+ T-Cell Count: Normal range (HIV-negative): 500-1,500 cells/mm³ (or 0.5-1.5 × 10⁹/L) Normal range (HIV-positive on successful ART): 500 cells/mm³ or higher Units: cells/mm³ or cells/μL
- CD4+ Percentage: Normal range: 30-60% of total white blood cells Clinically significant when CD4+ <15% Units: Percentage (%)
- Interpretation Guidelines: Undetectable viral load = treatment success Detectable viral load = possible treatment failure or medication non-adherence CD4+ <200 cells/mm³ = High risk for opportunistic infections CD4+ <50 cells/mm³ = Critical risk for severe opportunistic infections
Interpretation
- Viral Load Interpretation: <50 copies/mL (Undetectable): Indicates effective viral suppression; patient is responding well to ART and has minimal risk of disease progression; may reduce transmission risk (Undetectable = Untransmittable concept) 50-1,000 copies/mL: Low-level detectable viral load; may indicate emerging resistance or adherence issues; close monitoring recommended 1,000-10,000 copies/mL: Moderate viral load; suggests inadequate suppression; treatment adjustment may be needed >10,000 copies/mL: High viral load; indicates treatment failure, poor adherence, or drug resistance; requires urgent intervention
- CD4+ Count Interpretation: >500 cells/mm³: Good immune function; low risk for opportunistic infections 200-500 cells/mm³: Moderate immune suppression; increased risk for fungal and bacterial infections <200 cells/mm³: Severe immune suppression; high risk for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) and other opportunistic infections; prophylaxis recommended <50 cells/mm³: Critical immunosuppression; extreme risk for severe infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC); aggressive prophylaxis and treatment essential
- Factors Affecting Results: Recent infections or vaccinations (may transiently elevate CD4 counts) Concurrent illnesses (tuberculosis, hepatitis, cytomegalovirus) Time of day (CD4 counts may vary diurnally) Stress and sleep deprivation (may lower CD4 counts) Adherence to medication regimen (critical determinant of viral load) Individual genetic factors affecting drug metabolism and response
- Clinical Significance: Viral load trajectory is more important than individual values; consistent downward trend is favorable Discordant results (low CD4 with undetectable viral load or vice versa) require investigation CD4 recovery lags behind viral suppression by several months Paradoxical CD4 rise following treatment initiation may indicate immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) Pattern of results helps distinguish treatment failure from drug resistance
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ Systems Involved: Immune system (specifically T-lymphocytes, particularly CD4+ helper cells) Lymphoid tissues (lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow) Blood and lymphatic system Central and peripheral nervous system
- Medical Conditions Associated with Abnormal Results: AIDS-defining illnesses when CD4 <200 cells/mm³ Opportunistic infections: PCP, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, MAC, CMV Tuberculosis (both pulmonary and extrapulmonary) Cryptococcal meningitis Candidiasis (esophageal and oropharyngeal) HIV-related malignancies (lymphomas, Kaposi sarcoma) HIV-associated dementia and neurological complications Wasting syndrome
- Diseases Diagnosed or Monitored: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and progression to AIDS Treatment efficacy and response to antiretroviral therapy Drug-resistant HIV strains Immune reconstitution status in patients on ART Coinfections with tuberculosis, hepatitis B/C
- Potential Complications of Abnormal Results: Disease progression and increased morbidity/mortality risk Development of AIDS if CD4 count drops below 200 cells/mm³ Severe opportunistic infections with potential for life-threatening complications Antiretroviral drug resistance development Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) when initiating treatment HIV transmission risk increases with elevated viral loads Potential organ damage (liver, kidney, neurological) from untreated infection
Follow-up Tests
- Routine Monitoring Tests: Repeat HIV viral load and CD4 count every 3-6 months for stable patients More frequent monitoring (every 4-8 weeks) when initiating or changing therapy Tropism testing to determine co-receptor usage (before starting entry inhibitor therapy)
- Resistance Testing: Genotypic or phenotypic resistance assays when viral load remains detectable (>500-1,000 copies/mL) Recommended at initial diagnosis and with evidence of virological failure Guides selection of alternative antiretroviral regimens
- Opportunistic Infection Prophylaxis Assessment: When CD4 <200 cells/mm³: Initiate or continue PCP prophylaxis When CD4 <50 cells/mm³: Initiate or continue MAC prophylaxis When CD4 <100 cells/mm³: Consider toxoplasmosis prophylaxis if seropositive
- Complementary Laboratory Tests: Complete blood count (CBC) to assess for cytopenias Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) to monitor renal and hepatic function Lipid panel to assess cardiovascular risk and medication effects Hepatitis B and C serology and monitoring Tuberculosis testing (tuberculin skin test or interferon-gamma release assay) Syphilis screening and antibody testing Sexually transmitted infection screening
- Imaging and Diagnostic Studies: Chest X-ray if CD4 <200 cells/mm³ or if PCP prophylaxis indicated Fundoscopic examination if CD4 <50 cells/mm³ (CMV retinitis screening) Imaging studies as clinically indicated for opportunistic infection evaluation
- Recommended Monitoring Frequency: Baseline: At initial HIV diagnosis before starting therapy During first 48 weeks of treatment: Every 4-8 weeks until viral load undetectable and CD4 recovering Stable patients on ART: Every 3-6 months When changing therapy: Every 4-8 weeks until stable As clinically indicated with symptoms or suspected treatment failure
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Requirement: No
- Special Instructions: Fasting is not required for the HIV Monitoring Panel Blood sample can be drawn at any time of day Patient may eat and drink normally before testing May take all regular medications as scheduled unless specifically directed otherwise
- Medications: Do NOT discontinue antiretroviral medications before testing All antiretroviral and other medications should be taken as scheduled Inform laboratory personnel of all medications being taken Medication adherence at the time of testing affects viral load results
- Other Patient Preparation Requirements: Bring photo identification and insurance information Allow 5-10 minutes for blood collection Inform phlebotomist if you have difficult veins or needle anxiety Remain seated for at least 1-2 minutes after blood draw to prevent lightheadedness Stay hydrated before and after the test No specific timing or time-of-day requirement (though some guidelines recommend consistent testing time for trend monitoring) Avoid strenuous exercise immediately before and after testing if possible

How our test process works!