Viral load testing in a resource-limited setting: quality control is critical.

ABSTRACT:

Background

World Health Organization guidelines now recommend routine use of viral load testing, where available, for patients receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART). However, its use has not been routinely implemented in many resource-limited settings due to cost, availability and accessibility. Viral load testing is complex, making its application in resource-limited settings challenging. We describe the issues encountered by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when using routine viral load testing in a large HIV programme in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

Between October 2005 and August 2006, more than 1200 patients on ART had viral load tests at baseline and at three-month intervals performed by a local reference laboratory that was quality assured by an experienced internatio

SUBMITTER: Greig J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3116452 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature