Why is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)antibody testing in children at high risk not possible until the child is at least 15 months old?
A) Because they cannot make antibodies until that age
B) Because of the high titer of passive maternal antibodies
C) Because it takes the HIV at least 15 months to infect a sufficient number of CD4 T cells
D) Because no treatment is available for a child until that age

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infants born to HIV-positive mothers receive passive transfer of maternal antibodies which can persist for up to 18 months. These antibodies can lead to false-positive HIV antibody testing. As a result, HIV antibody testing in children at high risk is not possible until the child is at least 15 months old when the maternal antibodies have usually declined to a level that does not interfere with testing accuracy.

Why Is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)antibody Testing in Children at High