RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Considering the recent accrued need for viral load quantification in resource-limited settings, this study evaluated the use of dried blood spots (DBS) compared to plasma as a means of sample collection and storage for HIV-1 RNA quantification using a non-automated assay. METHODS: Venous blood was collected from 60 consenting HIV-1-positive patients, plasma separated within 4 hours, and stored at -20 degrees C. Venous blood, 50 microL, was blotted on 4 designated areas of Whatman filter paper and air-dried at room temperature for 2 hours. RESULTS: There was a strong statistically significant correlation between HIV-1 RNA viral load using plasma and DBS (r = .955, P < .001). On average plasma viral loads were only slightly higher than DBS viral loads (mean difference: 0.06 log(10) copies/mL). CONCLUSION: Even when using an entirely manual HIV-quantification assay, DBS may provide a reliable, cost-effective method for sample collection and storage for HIV-1 RNA quantification in resource-limited settings.
Assuntos
Infecções por HIV/sangue , HIV-1/isolamento & purificação , RNA Viral/sangue , Carga Viral/métodos , Adolescente , Adulto , Sangue/virologia , Camarões , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/virologia , HIV-1/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Plasma/virologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Manejo de Espécimes/métodos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Difficulties in systematically monitoring HIV viral load in resource-limited settings prompt the search for alternate approaches. The authors aimed at assessing the correlation between the plasma levels of soluble forms of Fas receptors (Fas) and Fas ligands (FasL) with standard indicators of HIV disease progression in children. METHODS: Twenty-two HIV-1-positive children were enrolled in Yaounde. CD4 counts, CD4% counts, plasma levels of Fas, FasL, and HIV-1 RNA levels were assayed. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients (P values) between FasL levels and each of HIV-1 viral load, CD4 counts, and CD4% were, respectively, .56 (.01), -.29 (.18), and .30 (.18). On the other hand, the respective correlation coefficients (P values) with Fas levels were .12 (.60), -.30 (.18), and -.29 (.19). CONCLUSION: The significant correlation between levels of HIV-1 viral load and FasL suggests that the latter needs to be further studied as a potential biomarker to monitor HIV-1 disease progression in children in resource-limited setting.