Worldwide, an estimated five to 10 million people are infected with HIV, which equates to approximately one in every 250 adults. More than three million of those infected are women of childbearing age. The rate of transmission from infected mothers to infants varies from 7％ to greater than 40％. Certain maternal risk factors seem to increase the chance of transmission: these include high cluster of differentiation (CD) 8-positive, lymphocyte counts, p~(24) antigenemia, inflammation of the placental membranes, and low CD4-positive lymphocyte counts. Studies have shown that approximately 26％ of infected infants develop AIDS by 12 months of age and an additional 17％ die of HIV-related disease during this time period. Assays that would establish the presence or absence of infection within the first few weeks or months of life are essential for management and early intervention to delay the onset of AIDS. However, traditional screening tests for antibody are unreliable as indicators of infection, thereby More than three million of those infected are women of childbearing age. The rate of transmission from infected mothers to infants varies from 7% to greater than 40%. Certain maternal risk factors seem to increase the chance of transmission: these include high cluster of differentiation (CD) 8-positive, lymphocyte counts, p ~ 24 antigenemia, inflammation of the placental membranes, and low CD4 Studies have shown that approximately 26% of infected infants develop AIDS by 12 months of age and an additional 17% die of HIV-related disease during this time period. Assays that would establish the presence or absence of infection within the first few weeks or months of life are essential for management and early intervention to delay the onset of AIDS. However, traditional screening tests for antibody are unreliable as indicators of infection, thereby