Evaluation of a low cost reverse transcriptase assay for plasma HIV-1 viral load monitoring

Abstract

We evaluated a low cost manual reverse transcriptase assay (ExaVir® Load V.1 and V.2; Cavidi Tech AB) against commercially available HIV RNA assays that quantify viral load to assess its suitability for use in resource-constrained settings. Frozen plasma samples previously tested for RNA by RT-PCR (Roche Diagnostics) and bDNA (Bayer Diagnostics) were retested for RT activity. Text sequence obtained from HIV genotype analysis was submitted to the Stanford HIV Resistance Database V.3.9 and were examined for resistant virus. Detectable RT was present in 98% of samples (V.1; n=127) and in 95% of samples (V.2; n=69) with RNA >10,000 and >1,000 copies/ml respectively. Positive association was foun..