New Low-Cost Method Uses Dried Blood Spots To Diagnose HIV-1 Infection In Children
A recent study uses dried blood spots (DBS), blood collected on filter paper, in testing to diagnose HIV infection in infants born to HIV-positive mothers.
This cost-effective method can enhance clinical care for HIV infected adults and children in areas with limited sources. HIV infection can be combated more effectively in infants with early diagnosis and immediate treatment.
Current methods to diagnose and monitor HIV infection in resource limited areas are serological assays, analysis of blood stream, and CD4/CD8 counts. CD4 cells are healthy T4 cells that are the primary target of HIV; CD4 counts can be used as a marker for likely disease progression. However, these methods can diagnose only after eighteen months of age, are costly, and require a great amount of infrastructure.
In the study, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to measure viral loads using RNA extracted from filter paper containing DBS.
PCR is a technique to amplify a single or few copies of DNA, generating millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence. Through amplification, viruses such as HIV can be detected even at a very early stage of infection. This assay is reproducible, accurate, specific, sensitive, and cost effective.
DBS can be prepared either in a laboratory setting or in a clinical setting. Use of DBS provides an efficient and inexpensive method for obtaining blood samples for PCR analysis that minimizes contamination chances without sacrificing sample quality.
In this study, blood samples were collected from 33 HIV-1 positive children who had acquired the infection through mother-to-child transmission. These study participants ranged from 5 to 21 years of age. Additional blood samples were taken from 19 infants born to HIV-1 positive mothers, 4 HIV-1 positive adults, and 44 HIV-1 negative individuals.
PCR testing of DBS samples was found effective in early detection of HIV-1 in infants, the presence of specific antibodies, and drug resistance as well as monitoring viral load (the amount of virus in the blood) in laboratories and clinics that lack the resources for refrigeration or sample processing. Additionally, it is cost-effective and easily adaptable to areas with fewer resources, where the majority of new HIV-1 infections are seen today.
For more information, please visit the original study in PLos One.
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