Referenced Quotes about HIV/AIDS Tests and Measurements

Antigen Tests (p24)

Antigen tests are the opposite of antibody tests. An antibody is a protein produced by an immune system in response to a foreign protein (the antigen), such as a virus coat. Antigen tests (usually with the p24/p25 protein) have not been spectacularly successful, because many people who are antibody positive do not have HIV antigen. One would think that this would mean that these people have only been exposed to HIV (hence the antibodies) but not infected (hence no antigens). Yet, in the topsy-turvy world of AIDS, the opposite interpretation is taken.