Title: Diagnosis of vertically-transmitted infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Abstract: Summary The laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection acquired from the mother requires the application of a range of virological techniques. These are necessary because the transfer of maternal antibody to the neonate makes it difficult to interpret antibody tests until the child is 18 months of age. Tests for the presence of HIV are most useful, in particular virus culture and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect viral nucleic acid, although tests to detect IgA class antibody in the baby and the in-vitro antibody production test can also yield useful information