Monitoring Viral RNA in HIV Patients

Disease progression to acute immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been correlated with high viral load, or high numbers of virus particles. Viral load monitoring is important for patients with HIV because it is an essential component of current treatment algorithms. For this reason, a test that monitors viral RNA in AIDS is becoming more widely available.

A fully automated molecular diagnostic test system for viral load monitoring is now in use at Bio-Reference Labs (Elmwood Park, NJ, USA). The HIV-1 ribonucleic acid (RNA) test, called the COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS Amplicor HIV-1 monitor test, version 1.5, was developed by Roche Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland). The blood test uses Roche's polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology that allows minute amounts of genetic material to be amplified into billions of copies, or detectable levels, in only a few hours.

"Bringing this new automated technology into our lab achieves several of our goals. It optimizes diagnosis and patient care, providing physicians with more information than ever before to help treat their patients,” said Warren Erdmann, vice president and general manager, Bio-Reference Laboratories. "It also brings our lab professionals a new level of enhanced operational efficiencies, saving time and resources. We strive to bring the newest innovations into our lab in order to offer our community excellent service and support.”

Bio-Reference Labs offers a full molecular diagnostics testing menu including viral load, genotyping, and other highly complex testing using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Molecular testing is more sensitive and more specific than traditional culture-based methods.



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