[Question #5117] Elite controller
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75 months ago
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I had an exposure a few years back and have had some weird inflammation issues since. I know that it has been said that elite controllers have positive antibody tests, but in this study in case 1 the person had multiple false negative tests and the author said that the reason for the false negative was because he was an elite controller.
Could you please explain your thoughts on this study’s explanation?
Thanks
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
75 months ago
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Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
The study you cite reports that a particular "elite controller" had a negative result on a single type of rapid HIV test. Several other tests were positive, including the types of test used routinely in all laboratories. Perhaps most important, all elite controllers have positive results on the newer (third generation) HIV antibody tests and on the combination antigen-antibody tests (4th generation) that are routine in almost all labs. If you had an exposure you are concerned about and had a negative HIV blood test at least 6 weeks after exposure, then you can be 100% confident you do not have HIV.
If you would like to say more about your concerns, I may have additional advice, especially if you have been tested and can let me know the exact test you had. In the meantime, I hope these comments are helfpul.
HHH, MD
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75 months ago
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Thank you for your response. What concerns me is that this study states that there were three nonreactive 4th generation tests while the 3rd generation tests were positive. I know there will be weird cases but it is quite unnerving that these false results can happen.
My exposure was unprotected sex with 3 4th generation tests. One 6 weeks after exposure, one 2 years after, and one 3 years after.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
75 months ago
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You are misinterpreting the study. The 4th generation tests all were positive, and were part of the evidence that the study participants in fact had HIV despite negative screening with a particular rapid test. You can be 100% certain you do not have HIV. There are no exceptions!---
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75 months ago
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I do have one more question.
After the exposure I did find out I had a returned HPV infection which has not cleared 3 years later.
Should I be concerned that HIV would be the cause of this?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
75 months ago
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Your negative test results prove with 100% certainty that you do not have HIV, and recurrent or persistent HPV is very common, including in people with entirely normal immune systems. (And if you were an elite controller with HIV, your immune system would be normal anyway!) There is no chance you have HIV, and there is no health condition you can possibly develop that would change that fact. The HIV AgAb (4th generation) tests are among the most accurate diagnostic tests ever developed, for any medical condition. Do your best to stop worrying about it!
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That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful.
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