Early infant diagnosis HIV-1 PCR cycle-threshold predicts infant viral load at birth

Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV.

Systematic Review of the Use of Dried Blood Spots for Monitoring HIV Viral Load and for Early Infant Diagnosis

BACKGROUND Dried blood spots (DBS) have been used as alternative specimens to plasma to increase access to HIV viral load (VL) monitoring and early infant diagnosis (EID) in remote settings. We systematically reviewed evidence on the performance of DBS compared to plasma for VL monitoring and EID. METHODS AND FINDINGS Thirteen peer reviewed HIV VL publications and five HIV EID papers were inc...

Recommendations for the management of indeterminate HIV PCR results within South Africa’s early infant diagnosis programme

Indeterminate HIV PCR results represent missed diagnostic opportunities within South Africa's early infant diagnosis programme. These results not only delay diagnosis and appropriate management but are also a source of confusion and apprehension amongst clinicians and caregivers. We describe the extent of indeterminate HIV PCR results within South Africa's early infant diagnosis programme and p...

Early infant diagnosis: gateway to survival for HIV positive infants

Methods Infants born to HIV positive mothers were tested according to NACO guidelines. Infants <6 months of age (n=136) were tested by DBS HIV-1 DNA PCR; DBS positive were confirmed by whole blood PCR. Infants 6 to 18 months (n=68) were tested by antibody test and if positive were confirmed by DBS HIV-1 DNA PCR. Detailed history including type of delivery, Single Dose Nevirapine (SDN) and breas...

Early infant diagnosis of HIV infection using DNA-PCR at a referral center: an 8 years retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND Over the last decade, Ethiopia adopted different strategies of prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). Prior to implementation of Option A in 2011, there was no provision of prophylaxis for PMTCT. With 'Option A', PMTCT interventions relied on maternal CD4 count. In early 2013, ''Option B+'' has been started; with this option, antiretroviral therapy is started and ...