Skip to main content
Quest Diagnostics

HIV testing

HIV testing can help prevent disease transmission and improve patient outcomes

New from Quest: Enhanced HIV PrEP test menu aligning with CDC guidance and eliminating cost barriers to PrEP testing and care

Read more

Approximately 1.2 million people in the US are infected with HIV.1 Testing is crucial for diagnosing, treating, and preventing HIV to improve health outcomes and bring an end to the HIV epidemic. Quest can support you with the tests you need at every stop along the HIV care continuum. And, with more than 2,000 Patient Service Centers around the country plus broad health plan coverage, Quest is easily accessible for your patients.

It all starts with screening

Nearly 160,000 people in the US are unaware that they have HIV and transmit nearly 40% of new HIV infections.1 The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends screening all patients age 13-64 for HIV at least once, regardless of their risk level, using an opt-out approach. Individuals who may be at an increased risk should be screened at least annually.2 Identifying HIV early links patients to the appropriate treatment and care pathway sooner.

4th-generation HIV testing

The CDC recommends an HIV diagnostic testing algorithm based on 4th-generation antigen/antibody (Ag/Ab) combination assays.3,4 Our HIV-1/2 Antigen and Antibodies, Fourth Generation, with Reflexes assay is consistent with the current algorithm, which has been supported by Quest Diagnostics and CDC collaboration in key clinical studies.5-8

HIV-1/2 Antigen and Antibodies, Fourth Generation, with Reflexes
HIV-1 RNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR
HIV-1 RNA, Quantitative, Real-Time PCR

Caring for patients with HIV

Achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load and prevent further transmission.9 Quest's comprehensive test offerings for ongoing HIV management can help you do the following.

Guide selection of antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs and evaluate eligibility for therapy

Evaluate prognosis, assess effectiveness of ART, and decide on a treatment regimen

Monitor overall patient health, including guideline-recommended testing for comorbidities10

The CD4+ T-cell (CD4) count is the most valuable indicator of immune status and the strongest predictor of disease progression and survival in patients with HIV infection.11 Once a patient is diagnosed with HIV, baseline CD4 counts should be measured and then monitored every 3-6 months in patients who do not immediately begin ART.11

HIV-1 viral load is the primary marker of ART effectiveness. Before treatment begins, the viral load provides information on the risk of disease progression, helps informs treatment selection, and establishes a baseline for assessing treatment response.11 After treatment has begun, measuring viral load helps assess therapy efficacy.

Lymphocyte Subset Panel 5
HIV-1 RNA, Quantitative, Real-Time PCR

Lab testing is an important tool for selecting drug regimens when initiating ART or changing regimens due to inefficacy. Such tests include genotypic HIV resistance to identify drug resistance-associated mutations, HIV-1 coreceptor tropism testing to help determine eligibility for treatment with CCR5 antagonists, and HLA-B*5701 typing for genetic risk stratification prior to initiation of Abacavir therapy.

HIV-1 Genotype (RTI, PI, Integrase Inhibitors)
HIV-1 Genotype

HIV-1 Integrase Genotype

 

HIV-1 Coreceptor Tropism,

Ultradeep Sequencing

HIV-1 Coreceptor Tropism, Proviral DNA

 

HIV-1 Resistance, Proviral DNA

(RTI, PI, Integrase Inhibitors)
HLA-B*5701 Typing

The CDC recommends that all individuals infected with HIV be tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Approximately 2% of people with HIV in the US also have HBV, and HCV coinfection occurs in nearly 75% of people with HIV who also inject drugs. People with HIV are at greater risk for complications and death from HBV and/or HCV infection.12

Additionally, the CDC recommends that all sexually active persons with HIV be screened for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia first at the initial care visit and then on an annual basis. Women should also be screened for trichomoniasis at these same intervals. Those at an increased risk for STIs should be screened more frequently based on their individual risk.13

Hepatitis C Antibody with Reflex to HCV RNA,

Quantitative, Real-Time PCR

Hepatitis C Antibody with Reflex to HCV RNA,

PCR w/Reflex to Genotype, LiPA
HBV Triple Screen Panel with Reflexes

The power of prevention

Pre-exposure prophylactic (PrEP) medications could benefit an estimated 1.2M people in the US, but fewer than 36% of them are taking such prescriptions.14 PrEP could help reduce the risk of getting HIV in the following ways.

From sex, by about 99%15

From injection drug use, by at least 74%15

Now available from Quest: Flexible and accessible PrEP testing

In alignment with CDC guidelines for PrEP monitoring, our portfolio includes baseline testing to determine eligibility for PrEP, and ongoing testing to continually monitor patients for HIV infection, STIs, and any adverse PrEP medication effects. Our portfolio of PrEP tests is the perfect compliment to your patient's PrEP journey.

See how Quest's PrEP test menu aligns with CDC guidelines and testing algorithms

Download brochure
  • CDC guideline-recommended tests to determine clinical eligibility and to monitor patients while on PrEP
  • Flexible testing options so you can choose the right test based on your patient's unique requirements
  • Billing and reimbursement challenges mitigated by our updated menu offerings
  • Gender-inclusive testing language designed to cater to all your patients, regardless of gender
Have questions about Quest's HIV test menu? Send us a message!

 

References 

 

  1. CDC. HIV Testing. Updated June 9, 2022. Accessed April 23, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/testing/index.html
  2. CDC. How do I screen for HIV? Updated June 1, 2023. Accessed August 22, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/clinicians/screening/how.html
  3. Branson BM, Owen SM, Wesolowski LG, et al. Laboratory testing for the diagnosis of HIV infection: updated recommendations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published June 27, 2014. Accessed February 22, 2022. doi:10.15620/cdc.23447
  4. National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, and TB Prevention (US) Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Association of Public Health Laboratories. 2018 quick reference guide: recommended laboratory HIV testing algorithm for serum or plasma specimens. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated January 2018. Accessed February 22, 2022. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/50872
  5. Delaney KP, Heffelfinger JD, Wesolowski LG, et al. Performance of an alternative laboratory-based algorithm for HIV diagnosis in a high-risk population. J Clin Virol. 2011;52(suppl 1):S5-S10. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2011.09.013
  6. Nasrullah M, Wesolowski LG, Meyer WA III, et al. Performance of a fourth-generation HIV screening assay and an alternative HIV diagnostic testing algorithm. AIDS. 2013;27(5):731-737. doi:10.1097/QAD.0b013e32835bc535
  7. Wesolowski LG, Delaney KP, Hart C, et al. Performance of an alternative laboratory-based algorithm for diagnosis of HIV infection utilizing a third generation immunoassay, a rapid HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation test and a DNA or RNA-based nucleic acid amplification test in persons with established HIV-1 infection and blood donors. J Clin Virol. 2011;52(suppl 1):S45-S49. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2011.09.026
  8. Wesolowski LG, Delaney KP, Meyer WA III, et al. Use of rapid HIV assays as supplemental tests in specimens with repeatedly reactive screening immunoassay results not confirmed by HIV-1 Western blot. J Clin Virol. 2013;58(1):240-244. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2013.06.019
  9. CDC. HIV treatment and care. Updated March 6, 2023. Accessed July 26, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/clinicians/treatment-care/index.html
  10. Thompson MA, Horberg MA, Agwu AL, et al. Primary care guidance for persons with human immunodeficiency virus: 2020 update by the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(11):e3572-e3605. doi:10.1093/cid/ciaa1391
  11. Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in adults and adolescents with HIV. Department of Health and Human Services. Updated September 21, 2022. Accessed November 9, 2022. https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/sites/default/files/guidelines/documents/adult-adolescent-arv/guidelines-adult-adolescent-arv.pdf 
  12. Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, HHS. HIV.gov. Hepatitis B & C. Updated January 22, 2024. Accessed April 23, 2024. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/other-related-health-issues/hepatitis-b-and-c
  13. CDC. HIV - STI Treatment Guidelines. Updated July 22, 2021. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/hiv.htm
  14. Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, HHS. Ready, Set, PrEP. HIV.gov. Updated March 18, 2022. Accessed October 5, 2023. https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/ending-the-hiv-epidemic/prep-program/
  15. CDC. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Updated July 5, 2022. Accessed October 5, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/prep/index.html



Ready to learn more about HIV testing from Quest?

Subscribe to emails or request sales representative outreach

Contact us

Infectious diseases

Our company

Quest® is the brand name used for services offered by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and its affiliated companies. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and certain affiliates are CLIA certified laboratories that provide HIPAA covered services.  Other affiliates operated under the Quest® brand, such as Quest Consumer Inc., do not provide HIPAA covered services. 

 

Quest®, Quest Diagnostics®, any associated logos, and all associated Quest Diagnostics registered or unregistered trademarks are the property of Quest Diagnostics. All third-party marks—® and ™—are the property of their respective owners. © 2024 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. All rights reserved. Image content features models and is intended for illustrative purposes only.