This chapter explains the disease of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and the etiologic agents: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -1, and -2. The differences between HIV types 1 and 2 are described and there is a review of the subtypes of both viruses. The pathogenesis is also reviewed. Diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of HIV-AIDS is explained, using the serology markers, HIV RNA, anti-HIV IgM, anti-HIV IgG, and HIV p24 Ag.

Catherine Brennan Ph.D. is the manager of the virus surveillance programs within Infectious Disease Research at Abbott Diagnostics. She received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, New York. Catherine studies viral genetic variation and its impact on diagnostic and blood screening assays. She is the author of more than 50 scientific publications and patents and has been an invited speaker at numerous national and international scientific meetings and symposia.

Sushil Devare is a Distinguished Research Fellow in the Volwiler Society, established to recognize scientific excellence at the Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL. Dr. Devare has implemented research projects to identify and develop HIV, HTLV, HCV and HBV reagents/assay prototypes that are used in over 40 Abbott diagnostic/screening assays. He was member of the Abbott team that developed the world's first HIV diagnostic test approved by the FDA in 1985. His research interests include: the implications of HIV variation on diagnosis and monitoring of viral infection, and emerging infectious diseases. Dr. Devare was selected as the Outstanding Researcher of the Abbott Laboratories in 1998. He has authored 134 publications in scientific journals and has 21 issued U.S. patents to his credit.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-1, HIV-2, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, human T-cell lymphotropic virus III, retrovirus, HIV RNA, anti-HIV IgM, anti-HIV IgG, HIV p24 antigen, nucleic acid test, drug resistance, viral load.

CDC has issued new guidelines in 2014 advising use on 4th generation HIV test as explained in The Immunoassay Handbook, 4th edition, by Catherine Brennan and Sushil Devare. If this initial test is negative, no further testing is needed. If it is positive, then an immunoassay that differentiates HIV-1 from HIV-2 antibodies should be run. These assays produce results faster than the previously recommended Western blot and distinguish between HIV-1 and HIV-2, unlike Western blot.

CDC guidelines for HIV testing: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/guidelines/testing.html