Measurement of HIV-1 RNA in clinical practice: an initial management algorithm.

ABSTRACT

AIDS General guidelines are presented for using HIV-1 RNA testing in clinical practice. Specimen processing, establishing baseline HIV-1 levels, initiating therapy, and patient monitoring are detailed. Future use of HIV-1 RNA testing can help reduce treatment costs by allowing rapid determination of a drug combination regimen's efficacy in an individual patient. Results will provide the clinician with an effective assessment of drug failure, potentially delaying antiretroviral therapy in patients with intrinsically low viral loads.^ieng