Table 6. Recommended Laboratory Studies in Patients
Presenting With HIV Infection
Type of Test
Comments
HIV-disease tests
CD4 cell count and percentage
Recommended prior to prescribing a CCR5
Coreceptor tropism assay
entry inhibitor
HIV resistance testing
Genotype is preferred in antiretroviral naïve
Plasma HIVRNA (viral load)
patients
Serologic testing for HIV
Safety laboratory tests
CBC with differential
Fasting lipid profile
G6PD
HLA-B*5701
Screen for deficiency in appropriate racial or
Serum chemistry
ethnic groups
>> ALT, AST
>> Bilirubin
Recommend prior to prescribing abacavir
>> Albumin
>> Alkaline Phosphatase
>> Electrolytes/BUN/Creatinine
>> FBS
UA
Co-infection and comorbidity laboratory tests
Chest radiography
For patients with positive TB test. Consider in
patients with underlying lung disease for use as
comparison in evaluation of future respiratory illness
CMV and other herpes virus screening CMV screening for patients at low risk for
CMV infection; VZV screening for those who
deny history of chickenpox or shingles : HSV-2
screening is recommended by some experts
Cytology: Pap test
Cervical; consider anal if indicated
Screening for other STDs
Screening for syphilis
Serologic testing for Toxoplasma gondii
Serum testosterone level
In males with fatigue, weight loss, loss of libido,
erectile dysfunction, or depression or who have
evidence of reduced bone mineral density
Tuberculosis screening
Viral hepatitis screening
Hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to
hepatitis B surface antigen or to hepatitis B core
antigen, antibody to hepatitis C virus, total
hepatitis A antibody
15
