CD4 cell monitoring for HIV/AIDS: old options; new insights
Glencross, D.K.; Scott, L.E.
Sadj Journal of the South African Dental Association 56(12): 602-605
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1029-4864 PMID: 11887447 Document Number: 528479
Cost effective solutions are needed for laboratory monitoring that do not compromise on quality but address costs. Current recommended methods of CD4+ T cell enumeration are complex and costly. Monitoring typically utilises viral load assessment (PCR based) and CD4+ T cell counting to assess disease progression and response to therapy in HIV/AIDS. This paper reviews CD4 testing with the focus on different methods of CD4+ T cell enumeration including state-of-the-art flow cytometric testing, the advantages and disadvantages of these systems and quality control. Lastly, recent new work undertaken at the University of the Witwatersrand is discussed that addresses the problems of cost and precision and accuracy of CD4 T cell testing.