Comparison of the COBAS/Ampliprep Taqman and Amplicor HIV-1 monitor tests in Lagos, Nigeria

BACKGROUND The use of real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology options is increasing in resource-limited settings because they are faster, improve assay sensitivity, have higher throughput, larger dynamic ranges and reduced rates of contamination. In 2010, UNAIDS ranked Nigeria as the second highest population of people living with HIV and AIDS (2.98 million people) in the world. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to compare the analytical performances of the Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor (version 1.5) and the COBAS Ampliprep/Taqman (version 2.0) used in monitoring HIV disease progression in HIV-infected individuals. METHOD In a cross-sectional study, HIV-1 RNA values obtained with the Amplicor HIV-1 monitor version 1.5 were compared with those of the COBAS/Ampliprep TaqMan HIV-1 version 2.0 in a routine clinical setting. Between May and November 2011, 176 plasma samples collected were analysed in parallel using both techniques. Data analysis was done using statgraphics Centurion XVI and Medcalc version 12.0. RESULT The correlation coefficient for the two assays was 0.83 and the level of agreement using a Bland-Altman plot was 94.2%. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the results from the two methods were comparable, hence the COBAS/Ampliprep Taqman version 2.0 is recommended for high-volume laboratories.